USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 22
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 22
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Jolin JJoy, like his father, was also a native of Durham, N. II., and at an early age learned to 'handle the blacksmith tools in his father's shop, and also assisted the latter in carrying on the farm. He was married in Loudon, his native State, to Miss Judith Bachelder, who was a native of that place, and the daughter of an old New England family, who were prominently connected with the Congre- gational Church. The parents of our subject, after their marriage, lived in New Hampshire about five years, then equipped themselves for the long jour- ney to Illinois. The trip occupied one month, and upon reaching this county, they settled upon a part
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of the land which grandfather Joy had entered from the Government, and John Joy prosecuted farming uninterruptedly until his deeease, which oe- curred in 1879. The wife and mother lived about twelve years after coming to this State, passing away when only about forty years of age, and leaving an only child, our subjeet. She was a member of the Congregational Church from her youtlı.
John Joy, after the death of his first wife, was twice married, and the homestead is now owned by his third wife, by whom he became the father of two children : Charles B., who remains at the home- stead, and James A., who is engaged in the grocery trade, and furnishing railroad supplies in Pueblo, Colo. The maiden name of the mother of these boys, was Jane Bigger. She is a resident of Jack- sonville, and is now past sixty years of age.
The subject of this sketch learned his letters in the old Granite State, and later attended the primi- tive schools of this eounty for a time, and when sufficiently advanced in his studies, became a stu- dent of Illinois College. In the meantime he had also learned farming in all its details, and chose this for his vocation. In 1855 he took unto him- self a wife and helpmate, Miss Angeliea Hazelton. This lady was born in Vermont, Mareh 10, 1838, and is the daughter of Thomas and Sarah ( Weath- erby) Hazelton, who were also natives of the Green Mountain State, and of exeellent New England an- eestry. They came to Illinois iti 1838, and located on land near Chapin. There the wife and mother died in middle life. Mr. Hazelton was married a second time, and finally removed to Mt. Hope, Me- Lean County, this State, where he died when about forty-five years old. Of his first marriage there were only two children: Angelica and Mary Ann; the latter is now deceased. Of his second marriage there was no issue. The Hazeltons were ranked among the best families of that time, and their dangliter, Mrs. Joy, is a lady of more than ordinary worth and intelligence. She was left an orphan when quite young, and her early advantages were quite limited, but she has made the most of her op- portunity, and is at onee recognized as a lady of refinement and cultivated tastes.
Seven children eame to the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Joy, two of whom-John P., and Arthur B., (twins) died in infancy. Minnie the eldest daughter, is the wife of Albert Rice, who is farming near Arnold, this county ; they have two children, Harry J., and Florenee. Mrs. Riee received an excellent educa- tion, completing her studies in the Methodist Col- lege. Miss Nettie Joy completed her education at Creston, Iowa; Edward F., attended sehool at Gales- burg. Walter died April 11, 1889; Ruth B. All all are at home with the exception of Mrs. Riee.
Politieally, Mr. Joy is a sound Republiean, and in religious matters is with his exeellent wife, an active member of the Joy Prairie Congregational Church, in the couneils of which Mr. Joy has al- ways taken an active part, and is numbered among its ehief pillars.
C ARL POND. The wealth of Morgan County consists largely of its farm property, and they who have redeemed the primitive soil from its original condition, have perhaps aceon- plished more than any other elass of men in bring- ing it to its present proud position among the eom- inunities of the Great West. The subject of this notice has been in no wise behind his neighbors in thrift, enterprise, and industry, and is able to look over 200 acres of finely cultivated land, which the labor of his own hands has made valuable. Ile now enjoys a comfortable income from the produets of the soil, and sitting under his own vine and figtree, is enabled to look around him with a pardonable degree of satisfaction. Not only has his life been characterized by diligence and prudence in the ac- cumulation of this world's goods, but such has been his eourse in his dealings with his fellow-men, that he has seeured their unqualified respeet. Ile is one of the oldest farmers of this preeinet, and his prop- erty is located on seetion 22, township 16, range 12.
A native of Erie County, Pa., Mr. Pond was born Feb. 9, 1829, and is the son of Martin J. and . Amanda (Simons) Pond, the father a native of Con- necticut, and the mother of New York State. The
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paternal ancestors of our subjeet, were of Englishı deseent. The Pond family ean be traced back to three brothers who left England prior to the Revo- lutionary War, in which it is believed they partiei- pated, and after its elose, settled in New England. The father of our subjeet later served in the War of 1812.
About 1838, when our subjeet was a lad of nine years, his parents, leaving Connectieut, emigrated to Illinois, and for a short time resided in Sanga- mon County. Thenee they removed to Brown County, where they sojourned two years, and in 1841 eame to this county, where the father secured the land which his son Carl now owns and oeeu- pies. He first entered 160 aeres from the Govern- ment, upon which there had been no improvements whatever, it lying as the Indians had left it. The story of the years which followed, has been too of- ten told in this work, to need repetition here. Suf- fiee it to say that the Pond family endured their full share of privation and hardship, and in dne time received the legitimate reward for their labors. The father departed henee about 1865. Five of the eight children comprising the parental house- hold are still living, namely: Annie, Melissa, Mrs. Kinney, a widow of Coneord; Alfred a resident of Menard County ; Carl Jr., and Harriet (Mrs. Thorn- dyke), of Coneord. The deceased are: Lovina, Lor- etta, and Cyrus.
The father of our subjeet was a well-educated man, with excellent business capacities, and became quite prominent in his adopted county, serving as Township Trustee, and occupying other positions of trust. He for a time after eoming here, taught school during the winter seasons, and interested himself in all the projeets tending to benefit the people. He voted the straight Republican tieket, after the organization of this party, and was widely and favorably known thoughont this region. In his death the community lost one of its most valu- able men.
The subject of this sketch received a limited edu- eation in the subseription seliool, and assisted his father in the development of a new farm, remain- ing under the home roof until ready to establish domestie ties of his own. He was married Feb. 19, 1857, to Miss Manilions Moore, a native of West
Virginia, and who was born July 29, 1832. Mrs. Pond was the daughter of William and Kezialı Moore, who left the Old Dominion at an early day, and settled in Cass County, this State. They were farmers, and lived and died in Cass County, in the same home where they first settled. Of this mar- riage there were born twelve children, eleven of whom are living: Xavier married Alice Clark, of Cass County, and he was also a resident of the same place; William, Katie; Charles married Nettie Web- ster, and is a farmer in this preeinet; Edward mar- ried Florence Wildy, he is also a farmer of this township; Frank, Nina, Truman, Halcyon, Royal, and Arthur G., are at home with their parents.
The father of Mrs. Pond was a native of Penn- sylvania, and of Irish deseent. The mother was born in Ohio, and traeed her anecstry to Scotland. To them there were born thirteen eliildren, twelve of whom are living, namely: Manilions, the wife of our subject; Nelson, a resident of Cass County; Naney F., the wife of Alfred Pond, of Menard County; Robert B., of Cass County ; Thomas S. of Washington County, Kan .; Amanda ( Mrs. Robert MeNeal), of Cass County; William A., of Mont- gomery County, Iowa; John, of Phelps County, Neb .; Charles in Morgan County; Ulysses G. in Phelps County, Neb. ; Adelaide, the wife of George Wubker, of Montgomery County, łowa; Alına, of Cass County, this State; Calvin died when an in- fant. Mr. Moore died in 1865. Ile may be most properly elassed among the pioneers of Illinois, as he settled in Cass County about 1835, and there both parents spent the remainder of their days. The mother survived her husband for a period of twenty years, remaining a widow, and died in 1884. She was a. member of the Cumberland Presbyte- rian Church. The father had served as Township Trustee, and was a man of good judgment, and ex- eellent business eapaeity. Mr. Pond, politically. is a live Republican, as are also all his children. and has served in the capacity of School Director, but further than this has carefully avoided the respon- sibilities of office. His brother, Cyrus, served in the Union army three years during the late Civil War. During Mr. Pond's long life, he has always been a temperate man, never having indulged in intoxicating liquors or tobaceo in any form.
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MORGAN COUNTY.
G EORGE H. NERGENAH. The farming and stock-raising interests of Morgan Conn- ty have a leading representative in the sub- jecl of this notice, who in 1881 established himself on section 21, township 16, range 12. He is a na- tive of this county, and was born June 6, 1857. Ilis parents were George II. and Henrietta (Froh- witter) Nergenah, who were natives of Germany, and are supposed to have emigrated to America some time in the forties. George H. Nergenalı, Sr., was born Sept. 12, 1805, in IIanover, Bissen- dorf, Germany. He died Dec. 1, 1870.
The father of our subject had been twice mar- ricd, and lost his first wife at sca while crossing the Atlantic. Of this union there had been born two children, only one of whom is living, a son, Henry, who is a resident of Meredosia Precinct. Mary died about 1876. Mr. Nergenah married his see- ond wife in this county, and became the father of six ehildren : Louisa, the wife of Frederiek Till- man; William, living in this county; George H., our subjeet; Annie deccased; Lizzie and Minnie, the latter the wife of Frederiek Nagel.
George II. Nergenah, Sr., for a number of years after his arrival in this county, prosecuted farming on rented land, and finally settled in Bethel Precinct. He encountered the usual hardships of pioneer life, struggled successfully with the ele- ments of a new soil, and was numbered among the leading German residents of this community. Ile lived to be over sixty years of age, and rested from his earthly labors Dee. 1, 1870. He belonged to the German Lutheran Church, and was always in warm sympathy with the institutions of his adopted country. After becoming a naturalized eitizen he identified himself with the Democratic party, and was the uniform encourager of those en- terprises tending to benefit the people at large.
The subject of this notice was reared to manhood on the farin, and has been an eye witness of the many elianges occurring since his boyhood. He acquired his education in the public school, and by reading and observation has kept himself well posted npon all matters of general interest. He attained to a strong and healthy manhood, and when ready to establish domestie ties of his own, was married, Dec. 5, 1888, after reaching the thirtieth year of
his age, to Miss Louie I. Whorten, the wedding taking place at the bride's home in Concord Pre- einct.
Mrs. Nergenah was born Jan. 18th, 1868, in Morgan County, Ill., and is the daughter of Mi- chael L. Whorten, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this volume. Mr. and Mrs Nergenalı, after their marriage, settled on the farm where they now live, and which comprises eighty acres of well improved land, with a snug residence, and the ontbuildings required by the progressive and en- terprising agrieulturist. Mr. Nergenah, politically, is a stanchi Demoerat, like his father before him, and serves as a School Director in his district. Ile is public-spirited and liberal in his ideas, and is looked upon as one of the rising men of his con- munity-one who is destined in the near future to make his mark therein. Religiously, he belongs to the Lutheran Church.
RS. EDWARD LAMBERT. This lady, by reason of her relations to her late hus- band, and also for her own personal worth, is most certainly worthy a place in a vol- ume of this description. Her maiden name was Hannah Denby, and she is the daughter of Thomas and Eleanor (Condor) Denby, who were natives of Yorkshire, England. Her father was extensively engaged in farming in his native eountry, but, be- lieving that America offered a larger field and greater opportunity for success, he came to this country and ultimately settled in Morgan County; arriving here in the year 1834. He made his home about six miles west of the city of Jacksonville, where he purchased a farm and continued to live upon it until his death. The family circle included four children, only two, however, are living. These are Mrs. Lambert, who is the eldest of the family, and her brother Thomas, who earries on the original farm and homestead.
Mrs. Lambert made her home with her parents until her marriage, which occurred when she was twenty-two years of age. Her husband was like- wise a native of Yorkshire, where he was born in the year 1818. Ile was the son of Thomas Lam-
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bert, who emigrated to this country and settled in Scott County in the year 1834. In his youth Edi- ward Lambert learned the trade of a buteher, and upon coming to Jacksonville continued to follow the same. This he did until his death, which oe- eurred in the year 1869. Their family cirele in- eluded ten ehildren, of whom only one son, Ed- ward C., survives. This son received in marriage the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Short, of the Illinois Female College, and their home has been graced by the presence of two children, who bear the names Annie W. and Edward L.
Mr. Edward Lambert, Sr., was connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years. He was engaged in business as a buteher, and erected the fine structure that stands on the northwest eor- ner of the public square, where he did business for several years. Ile was a man of large interest in the advancement of the city and county, and was at all times ready to help in any worthy enterprise. Ile settled with his wife in this district when Jack- sonville was but a hamlet of no great pretensions, and together they watehed with pride its rapid growth, its inereased importance and wealth, and its high position in the rank of cities.
Mrs. Lambert has spent the greater part of her married life in the eity, and is well known therein. She is everywhere held in the highest regard, as was also her husband. She has been attached to the Methodist Church since her youth, and has been a member and regular communicant of the same for nearly half a century. The present com- panion of her home is Mrs. John Watson, the sister of her late husband, who has made her home with her for about ten years.
OHN W. BROCKHOUSE. one of the pres- ent County Commissioners of Morgan County, was born March. 28, 1851, in this County. He is one of the young men who has inherited to a large extent the virtues of his parents, and who exhibits in his life, the fact that "blood will tell." He is a son of Herman G. and Mary E. Broekhouse, both of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany. They came to Morgan
County some forty-five years ago, and settled on section 25, township 16, range 12. Coming to this country when land was cheap, and when they could have their choice, they were exceedingly fortunate, but notwithstanding all this they were obliged to suffer privations and to do many things to get along in this world that would discourage the generation that came after them. The elder Brockhouse resided upon the farm that he first located, np to the time of his death. Politically, he was a Democrat, and had great influence in his neighborhood. As sufficient evidence that he was more than an ordinary man, it would only be nee- essary to state that when he landed in this county he had just $35 and when his labors ended, an in- ventory of his estate developed the fact that he had left to his heirs a property worth $40,000. When he first came here he erected a log-cabin in which he lived for several years, but later he built a better home and erected barns sufficient to carry on a large farm. His wife died several years be- fore he did. They were the parents of nine chil- dren, six of whom are living: Ilerman, who is a resident of Scott County; Annie, wife of .lohn Schumaker, of this county ; John W .; Maggie wife of William Negenah; they reside in Concord Preeinet; Carrie, wife of Gottlieb Selinmaker, of this connty ; Eliza, wife of Emil Schultz, of Christ- ian County, Ill.
Jolin W. Broekhouse was reared to manhood in a comparatively new country, and has seen Morgan County take long strides in its march to prosper- ity. He received his education in the subscription schools of the early days of Illinois. For the in- formation of the generation now living, it may be said that in the pioneer days, and before the present excellent common-school system came into practice, the settlers would pay the teacher a stated amount for each scholar, and the school house was generally built of logs, all combining in the expense of its erection. The teacher generally "boarded 'round." This system led to many complications which have been eradicated by the present excellent methods, and an education secured in the old way, was generally gained under manifold difficulties. Our present school system, is without a doubt as near perfection as it can be made, and the child
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who grows to manhood now without securing knowledge, is himself to blame. The parents of to-day are better able financially, to give their children proper learning than the pioneers of fifty years ago were. The subject of this sketch, there- forc, is principally self-educated. By constant and intelligent reading he has become what would be called, a fairly well-posted man. He was married Oct. 20, 1874, to Miss Caroline N. Weiser, a native of Cass County, IH. Her parents were Nicholas and Ililkie Weiser. By this union there were four ehildren, three of whom are living-Laura, Alfred, and Edward. Francis is deceased.
Mr. Brockhouse is the owner of 280 acres of well- improved land. The buildings thereon are of the best and in full keeping with this magnificent place, and the owner is considered to be among the best farmers in Concord Precinct. Hc settled on this farm shortly after his marriage, and has continued to reside here since. Politically, he is a Democrat. In the fall of 1886 he was elected a Commissioner of Morgan County for a term of three years. He has filled this office with fidelity and is reckoned as one of the hard-working intelligent men of the Board. He belongs to the Lutheran Church.
OHIN S. RANSDELL. Among the men who looked upon Central Illinois in its pioneer days, the subject of this notice deserves more than a passing mention. He is one of those whom nature endowed with more than ordi- nary capacities, especially in those moral qualities which go to make up a reliable, kindly and substan- tial character. It needs but a glance at Mr. Rans- dell to read his character-that of a gentleman to the manner born-who has a natural aversion to everything mcan or contemptible, and whose life has been in all respects one worthy of imitation. The reputation which he bears among lis neighbors is "like apples of gold set in pictures of silver," and they who have known him best have the high- est appreciation of his true character.
Mr. Ransdell was at one time the owner of nearly 200 acres of land in Woodson Precinet, composed
of timber and prairie, but later he parted with a portion of his real estate, and has now a snug farm of 160 acres, where he is spending his declining years, surrounded by all the comforts of life. He (loes but little active labor, renting out the most of his land. He occupies a neat and comfortable res- idence, which is flanked by all the other necessary buildings required for the successful prosecution of agricultural pursuits. In the home of his building up he has spent many peaceful years, and it is to be hoped that the future will add still further to his honor and contentment.
A native of Fayette County, Ky., and the sec- ond in a family of nine children, our subject was ¢
born Feb. 20, 1812. He lived in the Blue Grass State until a young man of twenty-two years, and then the whole family set out for Illinois, locating in the southeastern part of this county, where they all remained with the exception of our subject, who soon afterward returned to his native Statc. In the latter he sojourned for a period of eight years. engaged as a carpenter. He then rejoined his father's family in Apple Creek, this county, re- mained there about a year, then settled upon the land comprising his present farm. While carrying on its improvement and enltivation, he also contin- ued working as a carpenter.
Mr. Ransdell was married at Georgetown, Scott Co., Ky., Feb. 15, 1841, to Miss Tabitha Grimsley. This lady was born in Fairfax County, Va., Nov. 18, 1819, and by her union with our subject be- came the mother of four children, all daughters: Saralı E., Mattie A., Mary A. and Laura V. The latter dicd Nov. 24, 1859. The others are located respectively in Jacksonville, Terre Haute, Ind., and Woodson Precinct. Sarah E. is the wife of D. C. Green, of Township 14; Mattie A., Mrs. Will- iam R. Routt, is a resident of Jacksonville; Mary A., Mrs. Wills, is in Terre Haute, Ind. William Grimsley, the father of Mrs. Ransdell, was also a native of Fairfax County, Va., and married Miss Rebceca Ogden, a native of the same county, where they spent their entire lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Ransdell are both meinbers in good standing of the Christian Church. Our subject, politically cast his first Presidential vote for Clay, and is one of the most reliable members of the
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Republican party. . He and his wife are widely and favorably known in this county, and number their friends by the score, and their hospitable home is the frequent resort of its best people.
UDGE OWEN P. THOMPSON, Presiding Officer of the County Court, is a native of this county, within whose limits he has spent the greater part of his life. lle is still a young man, having been born Feb. 3, 1852, and is the son of James B. and Mary (McGuier) Thomp- son, who were natives respectively of Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were Bernard and Mary (Phillips) Thompson, natives of Ohio, where they lived until 1834, engaged in farming pursuits. James B. continued a resident of the Buckeye State until 1834, when he came to Illinois, locating in Bethel Precinct. this county, where he spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming. He became the father of a large family, was an honest and industrious citizen, and a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. In 1886 he abandoned active labor, and took up his residence in Jacksonville, where he is now living in retirement, having attained to the good old age of seventy-seven years. The devoted wife and mother passed away in 1881, aged sixty-seven. Their family of six children included three sons and three daughters. The parents early in life identified themselves with the Protestant Methodist Church, with which the mother continued until her death, and of which the father remains a member.
The brothers and sisters of our subject are lo- cated as follows: Clark M. is teaching in Win- chester, Scott County; Mary, Mrs. Crawford, is a resident of Colorado; Sarah, Mrs. McPherson, of McPherson County, Kan .; Ella is unmarried, and continues the companion of her father; Perry C. is a practicing physician of Jacksonville; Owen P. was the youngest child. The latter remained npon the farm with his parents until a youth of nineteen years, acquiring a practical education, and then commenced teaching. This he followed two years, then wishing to perfect himself further in the pro-
fession, attended the Normal School at Blooming- ton two terms. lle subsequently taught in Morgan County five years.
Young Thompson had ere this chosen the pro- fession of law for his future vocation, and now entering the Law School at Albany, N. Y., took a full course, and was graduated in 1876. He com- menced the practice of his profession in his native county, establishing himself at Jacksonville, where lie has since continued. He gave evidence at an early period in his career of more than ordinary ability, and in 1886 was chosen for his present re- sponsible office. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member in good standing of the Masonic fra- ternity, a Knight of Pythias, and belongs to the order of United Workmen.
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