USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 37
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 37
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ORDAN W. MCALISTER. Among the rising citizens in the southwestern part of this county may be properly numbered the subject of this notice, who is still young in years but who has made a good start in life, being the owner of a 100-acre farm on section 22. He has a neat and substantial brick residence, a good barn and the other outbuildings necessary to com- plete the rural homestead. Although perhaps not the hero of any very thrilling event, he is looked upon as a thorough and skillful farmer, an honest man and a good citizen, and is thus amply worthy of representation in a work designed to perpetuate the record of those who took part in the growth and development of this county.
The McAlister family is of ancient orgin and has borne an honorable name as far back as the records go. The father of our subject, Jordan W. Mc- Alister, Sr., was born in Anderson County, Ky., May 5, 1818, and came to Illinois in his youth, set- tling with his parents in this county. Upon reaching man's estate he married Miss Lucy Henry, a native of this county, and they settled in township 14, where they establislied a comfortable homestead,
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and became the parents of four children, of whom our subjeet was the second born. Ile spent his earlier years in a manner similar to that of the sons of pioneer farmers generally, and chose agriculture for his life oeeupation. He acquired a common- school education, while his natural adaptability to business has suffieed for all his later needs in the educational line.
Perhaps the most important event in the life of our subject was hiis marriage, which occurred in West Quiney, Mo., Aug. 26, 1877, the bride being . Miss Eliza Ilarney. This lady was born in town- ship 14, this county, Aug. 12, 1860, and is the daughter of Franeis and Mary (Kitner) Harney. both natives of this county, and who are now re- siding near Jacksonville. They are the parents of three children, of whom Mrs. MeAlister is the eld- est. She remained under the home roof until her marriage, acquiring her education in the common sehrool, and being trained to those housewifely duties, a knowledge of wlieli has so much influenee in the happiness and comfort of a home.
To our subjeet and his estimable wife there liave been born five elildren. namely : Graee E., Henry C., Bessie L., Carl F. and Oliver D. The eldest is ten years old and the youngest two. 'Mr. and Mrs. McAlister are connected with the Christian Church, attending services at Woodson, and our subjeet, politically, is an unwavering supporter of Repub- liean principles. His father possessed considerable inventive genins, and is the patentee of the Tile Ditelling Machine, which has become quite exten- sively known among the farmers of this part of the State where it has been used to excellent advan- tage.
AMES F. SELF, a resident of township 14, range 10, has for years been pursuing the even tenor of his way at a comfortable home- stead on seetion 27. He is yet in the prime of life, having been born Jan. 27, 1843, and is a native of this eounty, his birthplace being north of Jacksonville, where he spent his early life upon the farm which was his father's old homestead. The latter, .James HI. Self, was a native of Fayette County, Ky .. and married Miss Sarah A. Abrahan,
who was born in Lexington County, that State. After marriage they came to Illinois, settling upon the land which their son, James F .; now oeeupies, and where they lived about five years. They then changed their residenee to Greene County, this State, where they sojourned two years, then returned to this eounty and located east of Woodson, and there the father died April 2, 1884; the mother is still living.
To the parents of our subjeet there were born twelve children of whom he was the third. His early life passed nneventfully in attendance at the common school and assisting his parents in the various employments of the farm. Upon the out- break of the Civil War, however, his thoughts were turned in an entirely new direction, and after watching the confliet a few months he decided to proffer his services to assist in the preservation of the Union. He enlisted in Company B, 10th Illin- ois Infantry, Feb. 10, 1862, but in less than a year, greatly to his disappointment, was obliged to accept his discharge, in Mareli, 1863, on aeeount of dis- ability. He had, however, met the enemy in battle in some of the most important engagements of that year, fought by the army, being at the siege of Corinthi in the spring of 1862, and the second battle there in the October following.
He was . also at New Madrid, and assisted in the eapture of the prisoners at Tiptonville, Tenn., who had escaped from Island No. 10. He endured his full share of the privation and hardship of army life, and retired with the satisfaction of feeling that as far as he was able, he had performed his duty as an American citizen.
Upon receiving his honorable discharge Mr. Self returned to his old home in this county where he has sinee remained. Ilis farm ineludes 100 aeres of good land with fair improvements, and where Ife lias a comfortable home comparatively free from eare and wholly free from want. Ile was married June 13, 1866, in township 14, north of Woodson, to Miss Mary J. Snelling who was born in Jackson- ville June 3, 1844. Mrs. Self was the youngest of four children, the offspring of Aquilla and Eliza- betli (MeAllister) Snelling, who are now both de- eeased.
To Mr. and Mrs. Self there were born three chil-
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dren: William H., Luella and Laura A. The latter died at the age of eight years, and Mrs. Mary (Snelling) Self departed this life at the homestead Jan. 2. 1877. Mrs. Self was a lady possessing all the Christian virtues, a devoted wife and mother, a kind friend and neighbor, and respected by all who knew her. She was a member in good stand- ing of the Christian Church, and her name is held in kindly remembrance by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Self, politically, is a Demo- crat, and has held the offices of School Director and Constable. Socially, he belongs to Watson Post No. 420, G. A. R. at Murrayville, and is also a member of Murrayville Lodge No.432, A. F. & A. M.
R OBERT L. CALDWELL, a pioneer settler of this county and one of its most promi- nent farmers and stock-raisers, came to this region as early as 1830, and has been the interested witness of its growth and progress for a period of nearly sixty years. The story of changes which he has witnessed, if properly related, would fill a good sized volume, and not much less wonderful than his long residence here, is the fact that all this time he has lived on the same farm, which comprises land secured by his father, David B. Caldwell, and where the latter spent his last days, after having expended a great amount of labor in bringing the land to a good state of culti- vation and building up a comfortable homestead.
David B. Caldwell, who departed this life in 1852, was afflicted with blindness for seventeen long years prior to his decease. He was born in Penn- sylvania and came of a good family-old Scotch Presbyterian stock, who crossed the Atlantic at an early day. His parents finally left Pennsylvania and removed to Kentucky, where David B. spent his boyhood days, not far from the town of Car- lisle ; there his parents passed away and there he at- tained to his majority and was first married to a Kentucky lady, who died and left two children. His second wife, the mother of our subject, Mrs. Nancy (IIudleson) Crawford, was born in Ireland and came to the United States with her parents in her girlhood. They located in Pennsylvania,
where it is supposed that she was married to Mr. Crawford, who died in Kentucky, leaving her with one ehild.
After his second marriage, the father of our sub- ject settled on a farm near Carlisle, Ky., where his four sons and two daughters were born and of whom our subject was the youngest, his birth oc- curring Nov. 13, 1828. IIc was but two years old when his parents decided to try their fortunes among the prairies of Central Illinois. They came to this county with very little means, but well provided with courage and industry, the result of which was shown in the success with which they built up their homestead and gathered about them all the com- forts of life. Mrs. Caldwell survived her husband
, a number of years, dying at the old home April 11, 1874, at the advanced age of eighty-two. She, like her husband was an active member of the Presbyterian Church.
The subject of this sketch was at an early age trained to habits of industry, and began to as- sist his parents around the farm, receiving very limited educational advantages. Soon after be- coming of age he was married in the township where he now lives, Dec. 16, 1852, to Miss Juliet Smith. This lady was born in Indiana, April 16, 1837, and is the daughter of William R. and Eliza (Carlock) Smith, who are now deccased. The father was born July 12, 1805, in Erie County, Pa., and died at the homestead in township 15, range 11, Aug. 7, 1877. The mother was born March 21, 1814, in Kentucky, and departed this life Oct. 22, 1860, at the homestead in this county. Both were members of the Protestant Methodist Church. 'Their family comprised five daughters and three sons, of whom Mrs. Caldwell was the eldest born and all but herself are natives of this county.
To our subject and his cstimable wife there have been born twelve children, three of whom-Robert E., Mattie B., and Ezra N. died young. The sur- vivors are Nancy M. at home; Samuel W., who married Sallie Hamilton, and lives near Orleans, this county; James H., who married Kate Pfiel, and who follows the profession of engineer at .Jackson- ville; Eliza S. the wife of Lewis Wilson, a farmer of Wyoming, Territory; Edwin G., George A., Lewis W., Charles R., and Effie M., at home with
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MORGAN COUNTY.
their parents. Mr. Caldwell, politically, is iden- tified with the National Greenbackers, and both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Caldwell, offieiates as Steward and Trustee. Otherwise than serving as Justice of the Peace, he has carefully avoided the responsibil- ities of office.
OEL TURNHAM, one of the oldest living settlers of this county, retired in 1876 from active labor, and is now living amid the comforts of a snug home in Meredosla. He was born in Spencer County, Ind., over sixty-six years ago, Feb. 14, 1823, and is the son of Jolin and Mary (Barrett) Turnham, who were natives of Nelson County, Ky. ITis paternal ancestors are supposed to have come from England, while on the mother's side he believes himself to be of Scotch blood. The former died when his son JJoel was a little lad four years of age, and he was wholly orphaned by the death of his mother, which occur- red when he was a boy of twelve. ,Thereafter he lived with his sister, Mrs. Elener Pointer, until reaching his majority. In May 1st, 1828, with his mother and other members of the family he emni- grated to Illinois, and they all located in Meredo- s'a Precinct, this county.
Mr. Turnham pursued his early studies in a sub- scription school conducted in a log cabin with greased paper for window-panes, and sometinies simply mother earth for the floor. The benches and desks were fashioned from slabs, all hand-made, and the other appliances of the institution were of the most primitive style. After the death of his mother young Turnham was thrown largely upon his own resources, and since that time has had many a rough encounter with the world, but for the most part has been successful. He was employed as a farm laborer, during his early manhood, a number of years, and after accumulating a little capital operated as a renter. In 1869 he purchased 160 acres of land in township 16, range 13, section 24, in which he still retains a one-half interest. Dur- ing the early days he broke quite a large amount of prairie with oxen, and probably no one man has
done more downright hard work on the frontier than Mr. Turnham.
Our subject has been three times married, and is the father of three children. Mr. Turnliam's first marriage was September, 1847, to Sarah Beauchamp. by whom he had one son, George. She died when he was two years old. Ilis second wife was Mary Beauchamp, whom he married September. 1851, and by her had one daughter, Mary, now the wife of Mr. Waldo. Mrs. T. died when Mary was twenty- eight days old. He was married to his present wife, Mary Jane Thompson, Aug. 18, 1855, and by her has one child, Horace. Thus it will be seen by each wife he had one child. George Turnham mar- ried Martha Ann Harris. He carries on the old homestead. Mary, is the wife of James D. Waldo; and Horace is seventeen years old, and resides with his parents; he was graduated May 6, 1889, at the High School at Meredosia. Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk, and since becoming a voting citizen, has given his unquali- fied support to the Democratic party. IIe has led a strictly temperate life, and has always been warmly interested in the labors of those who are endeavor- ing to put down the liquor traffic. Otherwise than serving as a Township Trustee, he has had very little to do withi public affairs, but is regarded as one of those reliable and substantial citizens, of whom the best elements of the community are formed, and whose word is considered as good as his bond.
R ICHARD MATHEWS (deceased), was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Dec. 14, 1815. He emigrated from his native State in company with his father, and reached Mor- gàn County in 1823. These people may truly be called pioneers.
The future is full of possibilities for the young man who has secured a foothold in almost any place in the Great West, for he has none of the condi- tions with which to contend that clustered around the early settlers. The difference between the pio- neer and the young man who becomes a tiller of the soil to-day, is about the difference that exists be- tween a path in the woods and a modern boulevard.
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MORGAN COUNTY.
The difficulties surrounding early citizenship have been relegated to the past, and the conditions now, if not luxurious, are at least comfortable, and if one becomes the happy owner of an Illinois farm it is all ready for the reaper and the plow. There are now no wild unbroken prairies to subdue, no swamps to drain or trees to fell. This prelim- inary work has been done by a hardy set of pio- neers, and it is only necessary for those who follow them to reap the benefits of their labors. And the one of whom we write is entitled in every respect to the honor that inevitably attaches to the names of those who fought the unequal battle in a inan- nerthat made it possible for the prairies of Illinois to teem with plenty.
Richard Mathews, Sr., as has been before stated, came here in 1823, at the time when the celebrated author of the Monroe Doctrine was President of the United States, and, as a matter of course, his father, Richard S., purchased his land of the Gov- ernment. Our subject was married four times; he had five children.
Richard Mathews, Jr., whose name appears at the head of this sketch, was married, Feb. 1, 1866, to his present wife, and resided on the homestead contin- uously up to the time of his death, which occurred May 22. 1878. He was the father of five children, whose records follow : Martha H., born Oct. 28, 1866; Sarah M., born Jan. 2, 1869; Lilian M., born April 3, 1871; Richard R., born May 4, 1873; Fred M., born Oct. 13, 1875. The children are all living at home with their mother.
Mr. Mathews owned at the time of his death a magnificent estate comprising 587 acres of land, with fine buildings, and the land is in a good state of cultivation. The farm has, since the decease of Mr. Mathews, been subdivided, the heirs getting the parts due them, and is now carried on in an excellent manner by the elder son. They do a general farm business, and are, like their father before them, extensive handlers of cattle, horses and hogs.
Mr. Mathews was a man of sterling character, who commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact. He was successful both in a busi- ness and social way. He held the office of Deputy Sheriff for a long time and acquitted himself
in a highly creditable manner. Charity, to him, was a cardinal virtue, for he was ever ready, and without ostentation. to lend a helping hand to those who were pulling hard against the stream. Ile belonged to the Methodist Church and also the Masonie order.
. Our subject was a Republican in politics, simply beeause he believed that party to be right. When Richard Mathews died the world was the loser.
DAM ALLINSON, Jr., is a prominent far- mer and stock raiser on section 32, town- ship 15, range 11, and that he has been successful, the surroundings of his beauti- ful place arc ample evidence. His house, which is large, well arranged and architecturally perfect, is located on an elevation of land that commands a magnificent view of the surrounding country. The House is encircled by fine, large evergreens and the whole place indicates that the man who owns it lias a love for the beautiful.
Mr. Allinson's farm has reached a high state of cultivation and is counted as one of the best in Morgan Connty. Ile owns a block of 500 acres nearly all of which is tillable, and is one of those places peculiarly adapted to stock raising. He constantly feeds a large amount of stock for the market, and takes great pride in raising fine cattle. Mr. Allinson was born in this county, June 20, 1834. His father, Adam Allinson, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and came from a good English family. Hle was a veterinarian. Adam Allinson, Sr., came to America with his parents in 1820, and first located in Indiana. His father died not long after their arrival in Indiana, at an advanced age. Adam Allinson, the father of the subject of this sketeh was yet a single man, when in 1821, he left Indiana for the West. IIe built a rude flat boat which he floated down the Wabash River and push- ed up the Mississippi, passing through an unbro- ken wilderness. He finally landed in what is now Morgan County, where he concluded to make his future liome. As a matter of course, the country here then was wild, and the settlers who had preceded him were nearly all pecuniarily embarassed, a natu-
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MORGAN COUNTY.
ral condition which generally attaches to pioneers, especially in the second or third year from the time of their arrival in a new country, He located Government land where the County Poor Farm now is, and also where the Illinois College stands. Ilis possessions at one time, in an early day, eov- ered 1,000 acres of land, and he lived to see his property advance in value, and to witness the wonderful transition this country has made from a wilderness to a garden. IIe also lived to see his original farm constitute one of the finest homes in the county. Ilis son, and the one of whom the biography is written, now owns that farm. Ile died at his home which he had worked so hard to beautify, and where he had spent such an active and useful life, on March 26, 1880, at the age of eighty years. IIe eared little for politics, nor did he ever seek an office, neither did he adhere to any particular faith religiously, but he was a strictly moral man. HIis memory is held in kindly remembrance by all who enjoyed the privilege of his acquaintance, for when he died, a man passed away. He was married in this county to Miss Mary Norwood, a native of Yorkshire, England, who eamc while still young, to America, Her parents were among the early set- tlers of Morgan County and they resided on their farm here until they died at an advanced age. Mrs. Allinson, the mother of our subject, died some years before her husband was called away. at sixty-five years of age. She was a woman who possessed all the characteristics that are attributed to a noble mother and woman. She was the motli- er of six children, three of whom are now living. Two died when quite young, and one after marriage. She was at the time of her death Ann Funk, being the wife of John Funk. The living are: Sarah, wife of Robert Hills, who is farming in this town- ship, and Mary, wife of George Bramham.
Adam Allinson, Jr., was carefully reared by conscientious parents, and resides on the old home- stead that was built up by his worthy father, and the most of his life has been spent there. He was married in this township to Miss Ruth Jefferson, a native of Yorkshire, England, and who was born in 1848. She was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson. Her mother died in England, while her father emi- grated with his children to America soon after her
death and located in Morgan County, where he still resides. He is retired from active work. Mrs. Allinson was about six years of age when she came to America, and has but dim recollcetions of her native land. She is the mother of two children: Adareene died aged two years. Mary N. is at home.
Mrs. Allinson worships at the Methodist Church and is an ardent member thereof. Mr. Allinson, politically, is a sound Republican and thoroughly believes in his party.
C HARLES J. DRURY. One of the finest farms in Morgan County, and the property of the subject of this sketch, comprises 360 aeres of choice land lying on section 27, township 15, north range, 9 west. It is largely devoted to stoek-raising, and under the careful cultivation of a period of fifty-six years, is abundantly product- ive of any crop which the proprietor may wish to raise. He early began a system of tiling, using before pottery came into existence, fence boards, which have since been replaced by the more mod- ern methods of drainage. The farm buildings in their style of architecture and substantial character complete the modern idea of improvements upon the country estate of to-day.
Mr. Drury and his wife oeeupy a position among the first families of Morgan County. The latter is the author of "A Fruitful Life," compiled from memory on the life of her father, and which is pub- lished and sold by the American Sunday-school Union of Philadelphia. Mr. Drury is a gentleman, charitable, refined, and one who from the advant- ages of a fine library gains rich stores of informa- tion. The home comforts that surround this fam- ily are unexeelled. Everything within and without indicates cultivated tastes and ample means, and they welcome within their hospitable doors a host of friends.
Our subjeet was born in Seiota County, Ohio, Oet. 6, 1822. Ilis parents were Lawson and Ani (Smith) Drury, natives respectively of New Hamp- shire and Vermont, and both were born in the year 1800. Lawson Drury died when a young man of
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thirty-three years, of cholera, at the farm which his son now occupies. The mother survived her husband a period of thirty-three years, remaining a widow and passed away in March, 1865. The parents came to Illinois in the spring of 1831, and the father pur- chased 160 acres of land, afterward entering eighty acres adjoining. Charles J. continued with his mother and took care of her until her death, attend- ing the district school and making himself useful about the homestead as he gained in strength and knowledge.
Lawson Drury, Sr., the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., 1770. lle was a man of fine capacities, taught school dur- ing his younger years, and upon leaving his native State located in New Hampshire. Thence he emi- grated to Ohio, where he officiated as Postmaster and Magistrate at Haverhill, and finally became Associate Judge, occupying the bench for a period ` of ten years in Portsmouth, Ohio. Mrs. Ann (Smith) Drury, the mother of our subject, was a well edu- cated lady and taught school successfully for a number of years before her marriage. Possessing great refinement and cultivation, she was highly estcemed by all who knew her, and was a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church.
The subject of this sketch was ten years of age at the time of his father's death, and under the wise and judicious training of his excellent mother de- veloped into a man imbued with the highest prin- ciples of right and rectitude. Strictly temperate, lie was the first man in his community to dispense with whiskey in the harvest field, a custom which was once prevalent during the early history of Illi- nois. He still continues a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance. As soon as of sufficient years and judgment he assumed the management of a farm, and with the aid of his mother con- ducted it successfully . from that time on. The household ineluded six children, only two of whom are living, our subject and a sister older, Mrs. Martha J. Wiswell, a resident of Henry County, Mo.
On the 21st of May, 1867, Mr. Drury was united in marriage with Miss Belle Paxson at the home of the bride in Jacksonville. The parents of Mrs. Drury, Stephen and Sarah (Pryor) Paxson, were natives respectively of Tennessee and Ohio. The
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