USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 56
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 56
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LEXANDER WILDAY, a leading pioneer of this county, is comfortably established on section 3, township 15, range 12. He is a native of Pike County, Ohio, and was born July 11, 1825, to Thomas and Eleanor Wilday, who were both natives of Delaware. They lived in that State until the death of the father, which occurred when the subject of this notice was a young man of twenty years.
In 1846, accompanied by his widowed mother and three other children, Mr. Wilday emigrated to Logan County, this State, where he settled and lived two years. In 1818 he changed his residence to this county, locating upon the land comprising his present homestead. The mother purchased 400 acres, which were subsequently transferred to our subject and his brother Jerial. The family per- formed a great deal of hard labor in those early days, and our subject, in December, 1850, estab- lished domestic ties of his own by his marriage with Miss Talitha Drinkwater. This lady was born in Cass County, this State, and was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Drinkwater, who were early settlers of that county. Of this union there were born four children, only two of whom are now living : Sarah E., the wife of W. H. Geiger, of Tama County, Iowa, and Martha J., Mrs. Thomas Naylor, of this county.
Our subject studied his first lessons in a log
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eabin in his native county, the floor of which was of puncheon, the benches and desks of slabs and the window panes of greased paper. During the years which have intervened since then he has been an interested witness of the growth and de- velopment of the Great West. particularly of Illi- nois, and has contributed, as lie was able, to the general result. In religious matters he is a mem- ber of the Primitive Baptist Church, while his estimable wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served as School Director prob- ably fifteen years, and in politics uniformly votes the Democratie ticket. He has been successful in accumulating a fair share of this world's goods, and is numbered among the upright men of his community who enjoy, in a large measure, the esteem of their fellow-eitizens.
AMES KERSHAW, a retired farmer of see- tion 28, township 16, range 11, has been a resident of this county sinee coming to the United States in the early part of 1839. He was born at Holden, Laneashire, England. Oet. 29, 1814, and came of pure English stock. His father, Robert Kershaw, also of English birth and parentage, was a cotton spinner, and was married in his native town of Holden to Miss Bettie Chad- wick. They became the parents of four children -James, Albert, Robert, Jr., and Thomas, and, on the 27th of January, 1839, set out with their little family for America. They made the voyage on the sailing-vessel "Lucia," and landed in New Orleans on the 26th of Marel following.
From the Crescent City a part of the Kershaw family came up the Mississippi to the Illinois River, and thenee to Beardstown, landing there on the 7th of April. Upon this boat was transported the first railroad engine ever brought to Illinois, landing at Meredosia. It was to do dnty on the road running through the embryo city of Jackson- ville on flat bars laid on sleepers. A part of the family had been left in New Orleans on aceount of a scareity of funds, only James and his father eom- ing to Illinois at that time. Their first business was to seek employment, and they began working on
the new railroad with such good results that they sent for the mother and the three other sons to join them, which they did on the 4th of July fol- lowing.
The elder Kershaw in due time purchased a traet of land, including that which his son now oceupies, and here lie and his excellent wife spent the r mainder of their days, living to be past threeseore years and ten. They are remembered as worthy and honest people, and were respected by all their neighbors. Their children are all liv- ing, married, and have families of their own. James, our subjeet, found his 'bride in this county -Miss Martha Hursey, a native of his own shire in England, and born lan. 5, 1822. She was the daughter of the Rev. James and Sarah (Nelley) Hursey, the father born JJan. 17, 1798, and by oeeupation a gardener and preacher combined. The mother was a eotton spinner. The family emi- grated from England to America early in 1838, sail- ing from Liverpool and landing in New Orleans, and thenee coming to Beardstown by boat and overland to this eounty. Mr. Ilursey afterward continued farming and preaching until his death, Aug. 5, 1877, which oecurred when he was seventy nine and a half years old. His wife died June 25, 1870, at the age of eiglity-two years, having been born Feb. 10, 1788. Both were members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mrs. Kershaw is the only surviving eliild.
Twelve ehildren eame to bless the union of our subjeet and his wife, six of whom are deceased, namely : Luther, Betty, Mary A., Jane, Beeky, and an infant unnamed. The survivors are Joseph, Robert, Hannah, Ellen, Nettie, and John. Mr. and Mrs. Kershaw are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chureli at Concord, and our subject, politically, is a sound Republiean.
cec er
ESSE LAKE. Among the early pioneers of this county Mr. Lake deserves honorable mention. Ile represents property to the amount of 240 aeres of choice land, eligibly located on seetion 32, township 16, range 12, whiel has been brought to a good state of cultivation by
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perseverance and industry. He has substantial farm buildings, a goodly assortment of live stock, and the machinery necessary for the successful prosecution of agriculture.
A native of Kentucky Mr. Lake was born in Hancock County, July 15, 1825, and is the son of Lord H. and Jane (Branham) Lake, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Virginia. His paternal ancestors were of German and French origin, while the mother traced her lineage to En- gland and Ireland. John Branham, a maternal great-tinele of our subject, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, going into the army when a lad of fourteen years.
In 1845, when a young man of twenty years, Mr. Lake emigrated with his parents from Kentneky to Illinois and settled in Cass County, where the father died shortly afterward. Jesse remained with his mother until ready to establish a home of his own, and was married in Cass County, April 9, 1848, to Miss Harriet, daughter of Henry and Patsy (Brown) Phelps. Of this union there were born six children, only two of whom are living-Isaac and Jesse, Jr. The deceased were Harrison, Henry, Martha and Lindsay.
Mr. Lake came to Morgan County in 1867, and settled upon his present farm where he has since lived. He has effected most of the improvements upon it, and like his brother pioneers labored early and late during his younger years in order to es- tablish himself upon a solid foundation, financially. In the meantime he has seen the country grow up around him, and the wild prairie give place to cul- tivated fields and pleasant homesteads. At the time of his eoming here deer were quite plentiful, and in the winter the trees were loaded with prairie chickens. Ile has been essentially the architect of his own fortunes, having received no assistance from other men except their friendship and good will, which he has gained by his upright life and steady adherence to the principles of honesty and integrity.
Mr. Lake is not a member of any church organi- zation but believes in religious institutions and es- pecially in the advocacy of temperance. He usually supports the Democratic party, except in local elections, when he believes in choosing the men
who will best serve the interests of the people. Both he and his estimable wife are still in their prime and able to enjoy the fruits of their labors. They have gathered around them many friends, and their home is one of the pleasantest places of resort in the township. The education of Mr. Lake con- sisted of three months' attendance at the district school, but he will be readily recognized as an in- telligent man, and one well posted upon the current events of the day.
IIARLES HENRY, D. D. S. This gentle- man has the distinguished honor of being the first graduate of his profession to prae- tice in this city. He commenced in the year 1865, and has since enjoyed a very large patronage, which speaks for him the confidence of the citizens in his ability. He is a native of East Woodstock, Conn., and was born in the year 1835 to Erastus and Eliza Henry, both of whom were natives of the Empire State. His father was a manufacturer of farming implements, and followed his trade in Con- neeticut until the time of his death. The father (lied in 1860, his wife surviving him some six years.
The subject of this writing is one of five chil- dren born to his parents. They were careful to give him what advantages were possible in the di- rection of education. Until he was seventeen years of age he remained at home, but then left to go to Savanuah, Ga. Prior to this journey he had stud- ied dentistry with his brother Erastus in Connecti- cut, and upon the latter opening an office in Savan- nah he accompanied him and continued in the busi- ness. He remained in Georgia about seven years, all that time following his chosen profession. In 1863 he went to Iowa and settled at Cedar Falls, and re- mained for about two years; then he came to this place, opened his office and dental parlors and be- gan a business that has been in every way most satisfactory to him.
In the year 1863 Dr. Henry entered the mar- riage state, taking as the companion of his life Miss Martha M. Cole, the daughter of Jacob Cole, of Cedar Falls, Iowa. This happy union has been consummated by the birth of four children, whose
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names are recorded as follows: Charles C. George E., Mamie B. and Ilarry E. Mrs. Henry was born in IIunterdon County, N. J., March 28, 1845, and received her education in the Cedar Falls Iligh School, and is in every way most admirably fitted to occupy a high position in society without in any wise detracting from those domestic virtues which have made her the inspiration of her home.
Dr. Ilenry is one of the representative citizens of Jacksonville. IIe occupies the position of Di- rector of the First National Bank, and is quite a financier. The Masonic fraternity names him as one of its worthy and esteemed members. IIe is also affiliated with the State Dental Society. In matters political he is heartily in accord with the platform of the Democratic party, and is numbered among the active working members of the same, of which he has continued an adherent since his com- ing to mature years. He is a respected member of the City Council, and as such endeavors to serve faithfully those who placed him in that position.
After studying with his brother for several years and also practicing dentistry for a considerable period upon his own account, the subject of our sketch entered the College of Dental Surgery of Pennsylvania, and after taking the regular course of instruction he was graduated in the year 1860, receiving a diploma that intimated that he was en- titled to the degree of D. D. S., with every privi- lege to praetiee as such. He has put this privilege to the best use, as many of his patrons can fully testify, and has earned and received not simply the regard and confidence, but the hearty thanks and gratitude of those who have had occasion to trust themselves in his hands and employ his skill in their behalf.
HOMAS B. FOZZARD. General farming and stock-raising has been the occupation of this gentleman for some years past. IIe is one of the younger men of his township, but has already gained the reputation of being one of its most successful agriculturists. He is pleasantly located on seetion 36, township 16, range 11, where he has a well-tilled farm of 136 acres, of which the has been in possession since the spring of 1884. He
removed thither from Cass County, this State, where he was born Jan. 21, 1851, and where he spent the younger years of his life. He is the son of English parents, his father, Thomas Fozzard, having been by birth a Yorkshire man, and of pure Englishi stock. The latter was a weaver by trade, which he followed a few years after com- ing to the United States, and after settling in Ill- inois, rode on horseback eight miles to and from his place of business at Virginia. In these journeyings . he frequently had the company of others who were similarly situated.
The father of our subjeet was married in his native shire to Miss Mary Baresley, who was born there of English parents, and remained under the parental roof until her marriage. After the birth of two children Thomas Fozzard and his wife set sail for the United States, and coming to Cass County, this State, purchased a tract of land, eight miles from. Virginia, where they built up a good home, and where the mother died when about fifty-two years old. The father survived his wife many years, dying July 5, 1880, at the age of seventy-six. They were honest, hard-working peo- ple, who paid their just debts and lived at peace with their neighbors.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest but two of eight sons and one daughter born to his parents. He was one of a pair of twins, and he spent his boyhood and youth like most of the sons of farmers of that day-amid the wild scencs of pioneer life-their pleasures being simple and few, and their time usually employed at some use- ful occupation. Upon reaching man's estate he was married to Miss Sarah M. Beard. This lady was born in Virginia March 19, 1846, and is the daughter of John and Mary (Batis) Beard, the former of whom died in Cass County, about March 9, 1881. The wife and mother is living, and is now sixty-five years old. She is a member of the Methodist Church.
Mrs. Fozzard was among the elder members of a large family of children, and was a mere child when they left the Old Dominion and came to Illinois. Her life was spent quietly under the home roof, where she was trained to all useful household duties, nothing of any great importance trauspiring
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until the preparations for her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Fozzard have no children, but a cousin of Mrs. Fozzard, Miss Molly Beard, is making her home with them. They belong to the Methodist Church at Ebenezer, in which our subject ofliciates as Class- Leader. In polities, he uniformly supports the principles of the Demoeractie party.
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B ENJAMIN E. EYRE is a general farmer and stoek-raiser, and is located on seetion 28, township 15, range 11. He makes a specialty of llolstein cattle, of which he has a very fine herd. His farm is particularly adapted to the purposes of stock-raising, it being well watered and otherwise well fitted for this purpose. He owns 215 aeres in another part of the township, . which is the old homestead where his father origin- ally settled in 1843, and here it was that Benjamin first saw the light of day on July 12th, 1844. His boyhood days were spent here, and here he was was edneated. Ile is the son of John and An (Elliott) Eyre, who were natives of Yorkshire, England, and whose parents were also English. After his marriage Mr. John Eyre commeneed working at his trade, that of a forger of iron, and was thus engaged in his native shire when he and his family turned their faces toward the New World and in search of better times. He is the only member of his father's family that came to the United States, and was the last of the family. Four of his children were born in England: Alfred died in England, and Elizabeth breathed her last on the Atlantic Ocean as they were coming to this country, and was buried at sea. When John Eyre came to Morgan County with his wife and two children he purchased 120 acres of land at $13 per acre, and then "commenced to make a home, and success erowned his efforts. Their original home- stead was the scene of their labors until the death of Mr. Eyre, in 1876, at the good old age of sev- enty-eight. He was an active member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and was a Class- Leader. Politically, he was a Republican, and took great interest in polities. The mother of Benjamin died in 1872, at the age of sixty-eight.
She was a member of the Methodist Church, and left behind her an excellent record.
Benjamin Eyre is the only child of his father's family born in this country. He has a brother and sister living, viz .: Joseph E., a resident of Sacramento, Cal., who went there in 1859, and is engaged in mining. His sister, Mary A., is the wife of Clinton S. Campbell, They are now living in Ilancock County, Ill. The subject of this sketch was developed to manhood in this county, and after becoming of age he was married, at Winches- ter, Ill., Feb. 15, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Frame, who is a native of Seott County, Ill., and a daugh- ter of Peter and Rachael (Kelly) Frame, now both deceased, having died near Winchester on their farm. They were early settlers of this county, and were very successful in life. At the time of their death they had a family of seven children, one son and six daughters. Mrs. Eyre was the third daugh- ter and child of the family, and in Scott County she was reared to maturity. She is the mother of six children, all of whom are at home: M. Anna, Minnie F., John Walter, Orpha E., Frank N., and Le-Roy.
Mr. and Mrs. Eyre are active and influential members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which organization Mr. Eyre is Steward, and polit- ically, he believes that the Republican party is right, and never omits an opportunity of voting for the candidates of that party. He is a man well thought of in his community, and is a valuable eitizen.
RS. NANCY J. CLARK owns and sue- cessfully operates a farm of sixty-three aeres. Her father, William Eades, was born in Morrison County, Ky., and her grandfather, Robert Eades, was a native of North Carolina, and was one of the early settlers of the State of Kentucky. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812. He died in his native State at the age of eighty-eight years.
William Eades, father of Mrs. Clark, was a farmer of Taylor County, Ky., where he owned 160 aeres of land. Ile died at the early age of twenty-eight years. His wife was named Caroline Bailey, also a
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names are recorded as follows: Charles C. George E., Mamie B. and Ilarry E. Mrs. Henry was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., March 28, 1845, and received her education in the Cedar Falls High School, and is in every way most admirably fitted to occupy a high position in society without in any wise detracting from those domestic virtues which have made her the inspiration of her home.
Dr. Ilenry is one of the representative citizens of Jacksonville. Ile oeeupies the position of Di- reetor of the First National Bank, and is quite a financier. The Masonic fraternity names him as one of its worthy and esteemed members. He is also affiliated with the State Dental Society. In matters political he is heartily in aceord with the platform of the Demoeratie party, and is numbered among the active working members of the same, of which he has continued an adherent since his com- ing to mature years. He is a respected member of the City Council, and as such endeavors to serve faithfully those who placed him in that position.
After studying with his brother for several years and also praetieing dentistry for a considerable period upon his own account, the subject of our sketch entered the College of Dental Surgery of Pennsylvania, and after taking the regular eourse of instruction he was graduated in the year 1860, receiving a diploma that intimated that he was en- titled to the degree of D. D. S., with every privi- lege to practice as such. He has put this privilege to the best use, as many of his patrons can fully testify, and has earned and received not simply the regard and confidence, but the hearty thanks and gratitude of those who have had occasion to trust themselves in his hands and employ his skill in their behalf.
HOMAS B. FOZZARD. General farming and stock-raising has been the oceupation of this gentleman for some years past. He is one of the younger men of his township, but has already gained the reputation of being one of its most successful agrieulturists. Ile is pleasantly located on seetion 36, township 16, range 11, where he has a well-tilled farm of 136 aeres, of which the has been in possession since the spring of 1884. He
removed thither from Cass County, this State, where he was born Jan. 21, 1851, and where he spent the younger years of his life. He is the son of English parents, his father, Thomas Fozzard, having been by birth a Yorkshire man, and of pure English stock. The latter was a weaver by trade, which he followed a few years after com- ing to the United States, and after settling in III- inois, rode on horseback eight miles to and from his place of business at Virginia. In these journeyings . he frequently had the company of others who were similarly situated.
The father of our subjeet was married in his native shire to Miss Mary Baresley, who was born there of English parents, and remained under the parental roof until her marriage. After the birth of two children Thomas Fozzard and his wife set sail for the United States, and coming to Cass County, this State, purchased a tract of land, eight miles from Virginia, where they built up a good home, and where the mother died when about fifty-two years old. The father survived his wife many years, dying July 5, 1880, at the age of seventy six. They were honest, hard-working peo- ple, who paid their just debts and lived at peace with their neighbors.
The subject of this sketch was the youngest but two of eight sons and one daughter born to his parents. He was one of a pair of twins, and he spent his boyhood and youth like most of the sons of farmers of that day-amid the wild seencs of pioneer life-their pleasures being simple and few, and their time usually employed at some use- ful occupation. Upon reaching man's estate he was married to Miss Sarah M. Beard. This lady was born in Virginia March 19, 1846, and is the daughter of John and Mary (Batis) Beard, the former of whom died in Cass County, about March 9, 1881. The wife and mother is living, and is now sixty-five years old. She is a member of the Methodist Church.
Mrs. Fozzard was among the elder members of a large family of children, and was a mere child when they left the Old Dominion and came to Illinois. Her life was spent quietly under the home roof, where she was trained to all useful household duties, nothing of any great importance transpiring
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until the preparatious for her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Fozzard have no children, but a cousin of Mrs. Fozzard, Miss Molly Beard, is making her home with them. They belong to the Methodist Church at Ebenezer, in which our subject officiates as Class- Leader. In polities, he uniformly supports the principles of the Democractie party.
B ENJAMIN E. EYRE is a general farmer and stock-raiser, and is located on section 28, township 15, range 11. He makes a specialty of Holstein cattle, of which he has a very fine herd. His farm is particularly adapted to the purposes of stock-raising, it being well watered and otherwise well fitted for this purpose. He owns 215 acres in another part of the township, - which is the old homestead where his father origin- ally settled in 1843, and here it was that Benjamin first saw the light of day on July 12th, 1844. Ilis boyhood days were spent here, and here he was was edneated. He is the son of John and Ann (Elliott) Eyre, who were natives of Yorkshire, England, and whose parents were also English. After his marriage Mr. John Eyre commeneed working at his trade, that of a forger of iron, and was thus engaged in his native shire when he and his family turned their faces toward the New World and in search of better times. Ile is the only member of his father's .family that came to the United States, and was the last of the family. Four of his children were born in England: Alfred died in England, and Elizabeth breathed her last on the Atlantic Ocean as they were coming to this country, and was buried at sea. When John Eyre came to Morgan County with his wife and two children he purchased 120 acres of land at $13 per acre, and then "commenced to make a home, and suecess crowned his efforts. Their original home- stead was the scene of their labors until the death of Mr. Eyre, in 1876, at the good old age of sev- enty-eight. He was an active member of the Methodist Protestant Church, and was a Class- Leader. Politically, he was a Republican, and took great interest in polities. The mother of Benjamin died in 1872, at the age of sixty-eiglit.
She was a member of the Methodist Church, and left behind her an excellent record.
Benjamin Eyre is the only child of his father's family born in this country. He has a brother and sister living, viz .: Joseph E., a resident of Sacramento, Cal., who went there in 1859, and is engaged in mining. His sister, Mary A., is the wife of Clinton S. Campbell, They are now living in Hancock County, Ill. The subject of this sketch was developed to manhood in this county, and after becoming of age he was married, at Winches- ter, Ill., Feb. 15, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Frame, who is a native of Seott County, Ill., and a daugh- ter of Peter and Rachael (Kelly) Framne, now both deceased, having died near Winchester on their farm. They were early settlers of this county, and were very sneeessful in life. At the time of their death they had a family of seven children, one son and six daughters. Mrs. Eyre was the third daugh- ter and child of the family, and in Seott County she was reared to maturity. She is the mnothier of six children, all of whom are at home: M. Anna, Minnie F., John Walter, Orpha E., Frank N., and Le-Roy.
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