USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 34
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 34
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About that time our subject made his first pur- chase, buying eighty aeres of improved land in township 13, and operated the same for about two years. In 1866 . an additional eighty was pur- chased, situated on section 22, township 14. This also was improved land, and upon it the family lived for eight years. In 1874, he was enabled to buy a farm of 160 acres of well-improved land, · which is that upon which he now resides. He has retained possession of his former pnrehases and is therefore the owner of 240 aeres, situated on sec- tions 21 and 22. His farm is stoeked with good full blooded Short-horn eattle and a large number of Berkshire and Poland-China hogs.
In politieal matters our subjeet is not very aetive, although on the other hand he is not neg- leetful of his duties as a eitizen and nsually votes with the Democratic party. For several years our subject has been one of the School Direetors and holds that office at the present time. The religious home of Mr. and Mrs. Butler is in the Episcopal Church of which they have been devoted mem- bers from their youth.
There have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Butler seven children, whose names are as follows: Samuel Milford, William Ritehie, Charles Edwin, Thomas Henry, Beatrice Elenor, John Simpson, and Edna Jane. Samuel M. is married and resides in this eounty; the remainder of the family still reside at home -- the two youngest are attending school.
Mr. Butler was one of the early settlers in Mor- gan County and despite many difficulties in the beginning and that it was hard work in obtaining his start, he has continuously progressed from the very first. Slowly he accumulated sufficient to make his first purchase and from that time he has gone on more rapidly until he occupies a place as one of the most successful farmers in the county.
He takes a lively interest in all matters pertaining to the promotion of educational and religious affairs and is never weary of well-doing in this direction. He is proud of the growth of Morgan County, and is happy that it has been his privilege to help at least in some measure to that end.
ALLIE (HEAD) WRIGHT relict of James Wright, was born in Franklin County, Ky., on the 25th of December, 1811. Poets have sung of the vicarious suffering of man; painters have made their eanvas eloquent with lights and shadows of human endeavor, historians have recorded in imperishable words the deeds of heroes, but when the history of this great land shall have been stripped of prejudiee. and truth in its simplicity reeorded, the brave suffering pio- neer mother will stand as the synonym of grand character. Leaving the comforts of civilization, and the happy scenes of childhood, bidding farewell to the sacred ties that cluster around associations that appeal to the better, higher and nobler feel - ings, she exhibited a bravery that would put to blushı the deeds of the soldier of Gettysburg or the adamantine heroism at Thermopyla. The lady whose name initiates this sketch is a typical pio- neer mother, a class of early settlers whose suffer- ings are entitled to a place on record not a whit below the husband. With finer natures their pri- vations were more aeute, and a fair-minded writer of history ean make no distinction between the sexes.
Mrs. Wright's father, John HIcad, was born in Culpeper County, Va .. May 23, 1788, and died, Aug. 7, 1850. Her mother was a native of Frank- lin, County. Ky. In this family were ten children, a history of whom is herewith given. Those liv- ing are William, Permelia A., Henry H., and Sallie.
William was married twice. His first wife was Sarah Norris, of Seott County, Ky. His second wife was Anastasia Norris, of Scott County, Ky., by whom he had seven children. He is a promi- nent minister of the Baptist Church; Permelia A. married George Triplett, of Franklin County, Ky. Hle was born in 1808 and died in 1887, while the
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date of his wife's birth was 1809. Mr. Triplett was politically prominent in the State of Kentucky. He served in both Houses of the Legislature, and when the South seeeded lie was sent to the Con- federate Congress, a position he resigned to enter the Rebel Army under Gen. Breckenridge. At the close of the war he returned to his native place, and immediately assumed his old place in the pol- itical world. Ile was mainly instrumental in electing Samuel McCreary to the United States Senate, after which he was chosen to the position of County Judge. IIe was the father of ten ehil- dren; Henry II., is a farmer in Davis County, Ky.
Mrs. Wright was married to James Wright, of Franklin County, Ky., Sept. 25, 1830, and in a few days subsequent to that event they started for Morgan County, a distance of 350 miles, the whole distance being covered on horse-back. Mr. Wright was born in 1794 and died Mareh 13, 1872. Ilis parents came from Culpeper County, Va., and were of Irish and Welsh aneestry. His father was a Revolutionary soldier, and served seven years under Gen. Washington.
Mrs. Sallie Wright was the mother of eleven children, eight of whom are living-William H., John A., George M., Permelia A., Alexander II., Thomas B., Maggie E., and Benjamin F. William II. married Leonora Reinbach, of Morgan County, and lives in Jacksonville. He is President of the Franklin Bank, and is reckoned as one of the solid men of this section of the State. In early life he erossed the plains to California and was 140 days on the road, arriving there March 10, 1853. Ile was transported by an ox team. He left Califor- nia Oct. 3, 1863, and returned by the way of Pan- ama, arriving at the old homestead in Morgan County, Nov. 5, 1863. He then directed his at- tention to farmning and at intervals taught school. He was elected Treasurer of Morgan County, and served eleven years, after which he filled the office of Deputy Sheriff for four years. Ile was married June 10, 1884, and is the father of two children- Leonora B. and William II. John A. married Pau- lina Ilarney, of Morgan County; George M. a retired farmer, married Catherine Ward, and is the father of five children-William E., Effie, Charles, Myrtle, Kimmie May. Permelia, married George N. Boul-
ware. They have four children-May, Sallie, George W., and Maggie. Thomas B. married Anna Reinbach. Ile is a stock-dealer and a farmer; Maggie married Dr. William E. Manley, a physi- cian, of Franklin. They have two children-Carl W., and an infant, Mary Z. Benjamin F. married Sallie Ilill, of Morgan County. Ile is a commer- cial traveler and lives in Jacksonville, and is the father of two children-Emma and Alfred.
Mr. James Wright, husband of her of whom this sketch is written, at the time of his marriage, was the owner of a small farm of eighty aeres, though at his decease, his holdings covered 500 acres. Ile was a man noted for his sympathetic nature, a kind husband and a good eitizen. The family are mem- bers of the Christian Church.
h
ORATIO R. GREEN. The subject of this notice first opened his eyes to the light within the limits of this county April 2, 1834, during the period of its early settle- ment. Ilis early education was conducted in the primitive schools, but later he attended sehool at Jacksonville, and at the Berean College; and these advantages, in addition to his natural inclination of observing what was going on around him in the world, have contributed to make him an intelligent and well-informed man. He is the offspring of a good family, and occupies no secondary position among the leading men of this part of the State.
Stephen Green, the father of our subjeet, was born in Ohio, where he lived until a lad of fourteen years. He then came with his parents, John and Susan Green, to Illinois, of which he remained a resident until his decease, Jan. 4, 1889, at the age of eighty years, he having been born in 1808. The mother, whose maiden name was Cynthia Riggs, passed away a number of years prior to the decease of her husband, April 8, 1878. The paternal grandfather of our subject was of Scotch origin, and married a lady of German deseent.
To the parents of our subject there were born eight children, all of whom are living. The eldest daughter, Louisa, married John Potts, of Greene County, this State, who is now a retired farmer
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living in Jacksonville, and doing an extensive busi- ness as a dealer in live-stock, mostly thorough-bred Short-horn cattle. Franklin left Illinois about 1850 and went to Oregon, but he is now living in Washington; he married a Missouri lady, and operates a ranch, keeping large numbers of horses and cattle. Horatio, our subject, was the third child; Austin married Miss Mary Rector, of this county, and carries on farming; Elvira married Oliver Cnlley, of Indiana, who is now a farmer and stock- raiser of this county. Marshall was first married to Miss Anna Dolby, who died leaving three chil- dren-Frank, Nathan, and Alice; he was then mar- ried to Miss Lizzie Wagoner, of this county, where they reside on a farm. Oliver married Miss Mattie Cheeney, and is connected with the stock-yards of Kansas City, Mo .; they have one child, Mamie. Cynthia is unmarried, and lives in Jacksonville.
The subject of this biography was married in 1863, to Miss Mary O'Neal, who was born April 13, 1838, in this county, and who died Dec. 24. 1884. The seven children born of this union are all living. They were named respectively: Ed- ward O., Laura J., Thomas S., Amy R., Effie M., Scott B., and Mary E. Thomas is a student of the university at Champaign, and Amy R. is attending the Female Seminary at Jacksonville; the other children are at home with their father. The O'- Neal family were of Irish descent, and came to Illinois from Kentucky ..
At the time the father of our subject came to this county it was very thinly settled, he being among its earliest pioneers. Hc took up eighty acres of Government land, and was greatly pros- pered in his labors as a tiller of the soil. At the time of his decease he was the owner of 535 acres, all improved and in a good state of cultivation. Besides this he owned a $12,000 home in Jackson- ville. He was a man benevolent, kind, and hospit- able, with an open hand to aid the poor and un- fortunate, and was one of the pillars of the Chris- tian Church. Originally a Whig, politically, he later joined the Republican party, and was recog- sized by his fellow-citizens as one of the most lise- ful members of his community.
Mr. Green, our subject, owns, besides his home- stead of 200 acres, 335 acres of which he farms a
part, and rents a part for pasture. He has good buildings at the home place, and all the convenien- iences of modern country life. He keeps a goodly assortment of live-stock-horses, cattle, and swine -ind avails himself of modern methods, and the latest improved machinery in carrying on his farm. Politically, like his honored father, he votes the straight Republican ticket, but is not a member of any church. Mrs. Green belonged to the Presby- terian Church, at Jacksonville. Mr. Green, aside from serving as School Director in his district, has had very little to do with public affairs, but is a member of the Anti-Horse Thief . Association at Jacksonville.
The mother of Mrs. Green died when she was an infant, but the father lived until a few years ago. The parental household included eight children, of whom only three are living: Melvina married James Clark, an architect of this county, and they are living in San Francisco, Cal .; Ruth is the wife of Dwight Graves, a farmner and stockman of this county ; they have three children-Thomas, Will- iam, and Charles. Bryant married Miss Mary Arrt, of this county, and they live on a farm in Iowa.
B ENJAMIN F. MOSS. For the long period of sixty-two years the face of Mr. Moss has been familiar to the older residents of this county, to which he came in the fall of 1827. Twenty years of this time he has been Post- master at Concord, and about that length of time has been engaged in general merchandising. Ile is a man of more than ordinary intelligence and busi- ness capacities, and while with every other enter- prising and progressive citizen, he has watched with interest the growth and development of the Great West, he has at the same time contributed manfully in bringing his adopted county to its pres- ent position among the communities of Central Illi- mois. In the meantime he spent a few years both in Fulton and Peoria counties, but finally chose Morgan as the scene of his future operations, and within whose limits he has been content to invest his labor and his capital.
In glancing at the early history of our subject,
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we find that be was born in Bedford County, Middle Tenn., Jan. 13, 1822. and he is consequently now past the sixty seventh year of his age. His father, William Moss, a native of one of the Carolinas, was the son of John and Nancy (Galloway) Moss, who traced their ancestry to England and Wales. John Moss was a farmer by occupation, and coming to Illinois in 1829, accompanied by his wife, joined his son, William, who had emigrated to this locality several years before, being the first member of the family to remove from their native State. Grand- father Moss and his wife spent the remainder of their days in this county, and lived to the advanced ages of ninety-one and ninety-four years respect- ively. They were upright in their lives, aud mem- bers of the Regular Baptist Church.
Grandfather Moss and his estimable wife were the parents of seven children, four sons aud three daugh- ters, of whom William, the father of our subject, was the eldest born. Most of them lived to mature years, and were married. William was reared in South Carolina and Middle Tennessee, and when reach- ing man's cstate, was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Bratton. This lady was the daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary (Ifill) Bratton, who were natives of one of the Carolinas, and were early set- lers of Middle Tennessee. Later, like the Moss family, they came, about 1817, to Illinois Terri- tory, the year prior to its admission into the Union as a State. They located in Bond County, where the death of Mr. Bratton occurred a few years later. Subsequently his wife came to this county, and herc spent lier last days; both lived to be quite well ad- vanced in years.
William Moss, after his marriage, settled on a farm in Tennessee, where he lived until after be- coming the father of eight children. He then, in 1827, came with his family to this county, locating in township 16, range 11, where he opened a farm from the wilderness, and built up a comfortable home, upon which both he and his wife spent the remainder of their days. The latter dicd when only fifty-three years old, but William Moss lived to the advanced age of eighty-two. Their family consisted of seventeen children, ten sons and seven daughters, of whom Benjamin F., our subject, was the fifth child. For a good many years the parents
and all the children were living, and nearly all of the latter lived to become men and women. Benja- min F. was but a child when the family came to this county, and he, like his brothers and sisters, although attaining only a limited education, was trained to those habits of industry and principles of honor which made of him an honest man, and a good citizen.
The marriage of our subject with Miss Martha A. Martin, took place in this county in 1848. Mrs. Moss was born in Woodford County, Ky., March 13, 1829, and was the daughter of Robert and Italy (Hammond) Martin, who were likewise natives of that State, and the father a farmer by occupatiou. They left the Blue Grass State about 1829, and com- ing to this county, located in township 16, range 11, where the father improved a farm from the for- est. He only lived about twenty years after the re- moval, passing away in 1849, at the age of fifty years. His first wife had died several years previ- ously, and he contracted a second marriage with Miss Mary Brown, who survived him some years.
Mrs. Moss was quite young at the time of her mother's death, and lived with her father and step- mother until hier marriage. Her first born, a son, F. Edgar, died when five weeks old; Oscar was taken from the home circle when a promising lad of eight years; Eddie the third and last child, died when two years old. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Moss lived for a time at Peoria, where our subject engaged as a carpenter. In 1850 they re- moved to Farmington, Fulton County, where they sojourned eight years, and Mr. Moss dealt in chain pumps. Finally he returned to this county, where he has since made his home.
On the 22d of August, 1862, the Civil War being in progress, our subject enlisted as a Union sold- ier in Company B, 101st Illinois Infantry, under command of Capt. N. B. Brown and Col. Charles H. Fox. Mr. Moss proceeded with his regiment to the front, and met the enemy in several hard-fought battles. At Holly Springs, the 101st was detailed for special duty, after which nearly five companies were captured by the rebels, but were soon after- ward paroled and exchanged. Our subjeet subse- quently joined his regiment at Union City, near Columbus, West Tenn., and shortly afterward they
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were assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, un- der Hooker's general command, and were held in reserve at the battle of Mission Ridge. Afterward they were sent to relieve Gen. Burnside, at Knox- ville. We next find thein at Chattanooga, and later at Kelley's Ferry and Bridgeport, Ala.
On the 2d of May, 1864, the 101st started for Atlanta with the 20th Army Corps under Gen. Hooker, and on the way fought at the battle of Resaca and New Hope Chureh, during which Com- pany B, was in the front line, and exposed to the full fire of the enemy. Our subject, however, lived to meet the rebels again at Kenesaw Mountain and Peachtree Creek, and on the 25th of July, 1864, en- countered the enemy at Atlanta. At this place Mr. Moss received a gunshot wound in the leg above the ankle, and was sent to Nashville, Ten., where lie suffered amputation twice. Being of ro- bust constitution, he survived the shock of the two operations, and lived to receive his honorable dis- charge, and to return home. He was appointed Postmaster at Coneord in 1866, which offiee he has sinee held with the exception of about eighteen months. He established himself as a general mer- ehant in 1870, and is now in comfortable eircum- stanees. He is a Democrat in politics, and with his excellent wife, in religious matters inelines to Uni- versalist doetrines.
OHN MORRISON is one of the oldest living settlers of Morgan County. He is a native of Ohio, and was born Feb. 4, 1815, in what is now known as Wyandotte County. He was a son of John and Mary (McCorklin) Morri- son. His father was a native of Virginia, and is said to be of English deseent. In the fall of 1832, with his parents he emigrated to what is now known as Seott County, Ill., and settled near Ox- ville, and there they both died. They were among those people who came to Illinois to seek better homes, and to gain an independenee, and they found both. When they died they left to their children a good property and the heritage of a good name. Little did they expect that a busy empire was to spring up in the wilderness that surrounded them
when they eame to this great State. They reared a large family of children, of whom the following survive: Robert lives in Iowa; John; Henry B. lives in MeLean County, Ill., and Richard in Hutch- inson, Kan.
John Morrison of whom this is written, was prae- tieally reared in Ohio and Seott County, Ill., and was denied the privilege of properly gaining an education, but he persevered, reading all that eame in his way until he became a self-educated man. He was married Dee. 31, 1840, to Sarah Coultas, a native of England. She was born March 31, 1821, and was a daugliter of Riehard and Sarah (Hard- wick) Coultas, both natives of England. Her mother died leaving Mrs. Morrison when she was a helpless babe. When nine years of age, with her father, and the other children, five in all, she emi- grated to America, making the voyage on a sailing- vessel, whieli sailed from Liverpool, and after a voyage of over three months, landed in Quebee, from which place they came directly to what is now known as Seott Connty, Ill., but which then was a part of Morgan County. They resided a short time near Lynnville, and then removed to a farm near Riggston. In the early days the snow seemed to fall deeper than latterly. The winter preceding their removal to Riggston, the snow fell to an extraordinary depth, and the old settlers al- ways referred to that winter as "the winter of the deep snow." Her father died on liis original farm a number of years ago, leaving seven children, of whom four are living : William is living in Morgan County ; John is a resident of Seott County. Ill., as are also Thomas and Mrs. Morrison. Mr. Coultas was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was one of the best known men of Morgan County, and his reputation as a man of industry and integrity, was the very best.
To Mr. and Mrs. Morrison there have been born nine children, of whom seven survive, namely: Rob- ert C., is living in Morgan County ; Charles R. re- sides in Cass County, Mo .; Thomas L. is a resident of Morgan County; Ada C., is the wife of Marshall Smith; Sarah E. is the wife of James Rexroat, and lives in Morgan County; Mary J., wife of M. H. Creig, is living in Cass Connty, Mo .; and Louisa C. Mr. Morrison settled on his present farm in
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1847. As a matter of course, the land at that time was undeveloped, and the hard work ineident to tilling new land fell to the lot of Mr. Morrison, but he and his wife persevered until they have aeeumu- lated their present magnificent farm of 270 aeres of land, which is all under good cultivation, and they have the satisfaction of knowing that it was all earned honestly. They have been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church for a great many years, of which Mr. Morrison has served as Stew- ard and Class-Leader. They are both active in all church matters.
Mr. Morrison is a Republican in polities, and is an ardent supporter of the principles of that party. He gave his second son, William H., to his eoun- try. he having died while in the army. Ilis son was on his way home from Memphis, Tenn., and while at Monnd City, Ill., he died, after having been in the service for over a year. Mr. Morrison has been a Justice of the Peace for nearly twelve years, and has filled the office with credit. As an exhibition of his possessing a publie spirit, it may be stated that he aided largely in building the school-house in district No. 1, which was erected by means of subseription, and that he contributes liberally to the church, is a well-known faet. John Morrison is one of the very best men of Morgan County.
W ILLIAM M. CALVERD, hotel proprietor at Franklin, is a decided favorite with the traveling publie on account of his uniform courteous treatment of his guests, and the natural qualities of character which stamp him as a gentle- man, acknowledged as such by all with whom he comes in contaet. He is a native of Illinois, and was born in Maeoupin County, April 20, 1850. He aequired his education in the distriet schools, giving good attention to his studies, and is thoroughly well informned. Politically, he supports the principles of the Democratie party, and socially belongs to the Modern Woodmen. In religious matters both he and his estimable wife are connected with the Baptist Church.
The father of our subjeet was Willlam J. Cal- verd, a native of Kentucky, who came to Maeoupin
County, this State, poor in pocket, and for five years thereafter was employed as a farm laborer. Ile married Miss Sarah C. Parker and finally came to this county, where he became owner of a good farın, which he built up from a traet of wild land, and which he occupied five years. Then selling out he removed to Jersey County. and engaged in the manufacture of wagons and carriages. Finally, however, with a desire for the quiet of country life, he seeured another farm and upon it spent the re- mainder of his days, passing away on the 2d of April, 1879. The mother is still living and a resi- dent of Medora, Macoupin County. Her father was Joel Parker, of Kentucky.
To the parents of our subjeet there were born eleven children, two of whom are deceased. Hen- rietta married Aaron Arkman, of Pennsylvania. He is a harnessmaker, and they live in Macoupin County, this State; Andrew, a wagon-maker by trade, married Miss Kate Stanton, and lives in Medora: Charles married Miss Mattie Sublett, of this county; he is a barber, and they live in Litch- field; Malinda is the wife of James Owens, who operates an extensive ranehe in Colorado; Mark also lives in Colorado; Harry is a resident of Kan- sas; Thomas and Sally live in Medora. These are unmarried.
Our subject, in 1871, was married to Miss Fran- ces Warmouth, of Morgan County, Ky. Her par- ents removed at an early day from the Blue Grass State to Indiana and from there to Knox County, Mo., where they are now living on a farm. Their six children are recorded as follows : Lueinda mar- ried Phillip Stultz, a farmer, and they live in Shelby Connty, Mo .; they have six children. Thomas married Molly Elliott and lives in Missouri; Annie is the wife of Sheldon Davis, of Kentucky, and they live in Henry County, Mo .; Ellen is unnar- ried and makes her home with her sister, Mrs. Cal- verd. The mother of Mrs. Calverd died Feb. 2. 1885, in Missouri.
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