USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 67
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 67
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. During that time he represented the State Bible Society some nine years as State Agent, and also aeted often as local preacher. In his early child- hood his earnest mind, religiously-inclined, had taken a bent toward Methodism, and he had joined the church, and from that day till the hour of his death he was a faithful worker in the eause of his beloved Master, commencing his ministerial career
in his native Green Mountain State. In the year 1856 Mr. Spalding removed with his family to Cass County, this State, and tanglit school the three ensuing years in Virginia, his daughter Martha aeting as his assistant the first year, till she accepted a position in a distriet sehool, anel then her adopted sister Harriet supplied her plaec as her father's assistant in the village sehool. From Virginia the family returned to Jacksonville, and they taught in the town sehools several years. In 1876 our subjeet and his wife removed to this farm, where Mrs. Spalding is still living with her daughter and son-in-law, Samuel Jumper, her gracious and kindly presenee making lier a vener- ated and loved member of the household. From this peaceful abode, where loving eare had smoothed the pathway to the grave, he entered upon the life eternal Jan. 10, 1881, in the fullness of time, at the ripe old age of seventy-eight years and eight montlis. His memory is held in saered re- membrance by all who ever eame under his influ- ence, to whom he had acted as teaeher, guide and friend. Of his happy wedded life of nearly fifty- six years two children were born, namely: William W., who died of consumption, in Virginia, in the opening years of manhood, when only twenty- three years old; and Martha, now Mrs. Samuel Jumper. Mr. and Mrs. Spalding also adopted a daughter of his deceased sister, Abigail Smith, Harriet 'A. Our subjeet's great-grandfather, Crary, was for many years one of the leading jurists of the Conneetieut bar, and Judge of the Probate Court in that State. Baek another generation is the aneestor of that name who came from Ireland to Ameriea very early in its colonial history.
We cannot better elose this sketeh of our vener- ated subjeet than by giving an outline of the life of his well-loved and highly-respected son-in-law, Samuel Jumper. This gentleman is a veteran of the late war, and on Southern battlefields fought nobly for his country, and bravely endured suffer- ings and hardships in her behalf. Ile is now iden- tified with the agricultural interests of Morgan County, as a praetieal farmer of township 16, range 9 west. Ile is a native of Ohio, born in Riehland County, in December, 1832, to Abraham and Catherine (Shaffner) Jumper. They were both
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natives of Pennsylvania, where the former was born Aug. 12, 1798, and the latter Nov. 4, 1801. They were united in marriage Feb. 1, 1820. Four years later they professed religion, and became members of the Church of the United Brethren. Soon after uniting with this church, the father, Abraham Jumper, eommeneed to preach in the German language. In this he was very successful, but it was a matter of mueh regret among his friends that he was unable to speak the English language with the flueney necessary for publie- speaking. Therefore he began to study under the instruetion of an English teacher. and, in the course of four months, eould address both English and German audienees. He spent thirty-five years in the ministry, and passed from his labors on earth April 13, 1869. The wife and mother died July 22, 1883, at the age of eighty-two years.
Samuel Jumper accompanied his parents when they removed to Illinois. They loeated first in Alexander County, but soon after removed to Union County, of which they thus beeame pio- neers. Our subjeet was reared in that county, and was edueated in the subseription schools. In the fall of 1851 he went to Texas, with several others, and worked as a farm hand there a few months, and was then employed in a blacksmith shop a short time. After that he began to learn to make saddle-trees, and subsequently plied that trade there two and one-half years. In the summer of 1854 he returned to Illinois, bringing a herd of cattle with him, and settled in Jacksonville. He remained here until Nov. 20, 1858, when he married and moved onto a farm near by. A year later he went to Cass County, and lived in Virginia till the fall of 1861, when he located on his present farm on section 16, and has made his home here ever since, with the exception of the years spent in the South aiding his brave fellow-soldiers to save their country from dishonor and disruption. ITis farm of seventy acres is under fine tillage and is well- improved, and his beautiful orehard of choiee varieties of fruits is one of the finest in the neigh- borhood. His happy marriage with the daughter of our subjeet has proved the wisdom of his se- leetion, as she is as wise and good as she is true, and none know her but to value her for her great
worth. Six of their nine children are still spared to bless the home eircle-Hattie M. L., William II. A., Samuel M., Edward G., John A., and Sarah E. Three of their children have been called to the higher life-Frank H., Alice Carey and Clar- ence H.
On the 8th of August, 1862, Mr. Jumper laid aside all private duties to take an active part in the great war then waging in this country, and en- rolled his name among the gallant members of Company D, 101st Illinois Infantry. From that time till the eessation of hostilities, in the spring of 1865, he did good service in many engage- ments with the enemy. While on the ironelad gunboat "Cricket," at Greenville, Miss., his regi- ment had a hot eontest with the enemy, and was then dispatelied on a foraging expedition to the country in the vicinity of Vieksburg, our subjeet being with the party who on one oceasion eonfis- eated 3,500 bales of cotton. They then went up the Mississippi; and had a very heavy engagement at Greenville. After the surrender of Vicksburg, Mr. Jumper and his eomrades were sent up the White River to Clarrinton, where they made a pon- toon bridge for the boys to eross the river to eap- ture Little Rock. They proceeded up the White River to the Little Red River in Arkansas, in search of two rebel boats, supposed to be in that stream, and they finally overhauled and eaptured themn fif- teen miles above where the river is usually eonsid- ered navigable. At that place the Confederates had built a pontoon bridge, which they destroyed on the approach of the Union soldiers. Our men succeeded in capturing some of the horses and some of the guards, and, returning down the river to West Point, they managed to seeure the two boats for which they had been searching, though Gen. Marmaduke had stationed his men at that place, and. as soon as our men got within range, opened fire on them, wounding nine men, one of whom died. The captured boats were taken to Napoleon, where the Red River empties into the Mississippi River. At that place Mr. Jumper was taken siek and sent to the hospital in Columbus, Ky., where he remained six weeks, and was then transferred to Mound City, Ill. Four months later, having sufficiently recovered, he joined his
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regiment at Cassville, Ga., April 15, 1864. Five days thereafter he took part in the hotly-waged contest at Dallas or Good Hope Church, his corps losing 1,800 men in that battle, and there his brother William was shot through the left thigh. Ile next engaged with his regiment in the battle at Peach Tree Creek, and in other contests and skir- mishes with the rebels prior to the capture of At- lanta, his regiment being the first to enter that city. Thenee the men proceeded to Savannah, Ga., where they captured the fort and held it sev- eral weeks. After that they went through the Carolinas, and at Bentonville had their last pitched battle. From there they went to Goldsboro, thenee to Rolla, from there to Richmond, and onward to Washington, D. C., where our subject and his brave fellow-soldiers were honorably discharged, June 7, 1865, having served with credit to them- selves and to the everlasting honor of their country.
After his military experience Mr. Jumper lived for awhile in Jacksonville, but Jan. 1, 1866, moved on his farm, and has lived here ever since. He and his family are deservedly held in high estima- tion in this community, and are people of good standing in religious and social eireles. He and his wife are among the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and actively aid their pastors and fellow-members in all good works. He is a modest, unassuming man, although possess- ing judgment, resolution and capacity to do what- soever he attempts. He interests himself in the welfare of his township, and has served it faitlı- fully and well for years as Road Supervisor and School Director, to the great satisfaction of all coneerned, although he is by no means an office- seeker. Ile is a firm Republican, and uses his in- fluenee in support of his party.
ON. HENRY DRESSER. No one has eon- ferred greater benefits on that section of Scott and Morgan Counties near where he resides than 'the subject of this notice. It was through him more than all others that the Scott and Morgan levee and drainage distriet was organ- ized, bringing large areas of waste land into eultiva-
tion, adding greatly to the wealth, as well as health- fulness of that section of the two counties. When first proposed, the scheme was regarded as visionary by most persons, and was met by a factious opposition from some who were most benefited in the end.
Judge Dresser, from his observation and knowl- edge of the kind of engineering required, was eon- fident of success from the first, and the result will be a living monument to his energy, tact, and judgment, as enduring as bronze or marble.
Most any intelligent individual having the slightest acquaintance with Mr. Dresser, would ae- knowledge at once that he is a man of more than ordinary abilities. He is thoroughly well-informed upon all general topies, and has been endowed by nature with that temperament which seldom yields to any obstacle or abandons any project which he has conceived. By his own enterprise and industry he has accumulated a fine property, being the owner of over 1,000 aeres of land, situated in Scott and Morgan counties. Ile is a Democrat, politically, and has represented Seott county in the Illinois Legislature two terms with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
The descendant of a good family, our subject was born in Pomfret, Conu., on the 27th day of December, 1813, and is the son of the Hon. Nathan Dresser, a native of the same place, and born in 1774. The paternal grandfather, Nathan Dresser, Sr., was likewise a native of Connecticut, and a farmer by occupation. Ile represented an old New England family, which traced its an- cestry to England, and was first represented in America during the Colonial days, and settled on Narragansett Bay. Nathan Dresser, Jr., was a tailor by trade, which he chose rather from nee- essity than otherwise, having been a eripple and unable to follow other than a light pursuit. He kept gentlemen's furnishing goods, and in eomee- tion with his trade, conducted a store in Pomfret, and there spent his entire life, departing hence in 1834, at the age of sixty four years. He was a prominent man in his community, and represented the town in the Connectieut Legislature in 1828-29.
The mother of our subjeet was Mrs. Rebecca (Leffingwell) Dresser, a native of Connecticut, whose father followed farming and was of English
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descent. She eame west after the deeease of her husband, and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Stone, in Springfield, Ill. The parental fam- ily included five children-Lueretia, Charles, Na- than, Mary, and Henry, our subjeet. The latter is the ouly survivor. He was reared in his native town, and given the advantages of a practical edu- cation. At the age of eighteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship as arehiteet and builder, serving three years and becoming master of the profession. About the time of reaching his major- ity le repaired to Massachusetts, where he engaged as a contractor and builder, and from which State he removed, in 1838, to Illinois.
'The journey of our subject to this then pioneer region was made via the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, thenee by lake steamer to Chi- eago, and from there overland to Springfield, Ill. At this latter point he sojourned until 1848, eon- tinuing to operate as an arehiitect and builder. That year he changed his residence to Scott county, and purchased the land from which he has built up one of the finest homesteads within its limits. In the meantime he was employed by the directors of the Sangamon and Morgan Railroad Company, to facilitate and furnish material for the reconstruction of a portion of what was then known as the North- ern Cross Railroad, situated between the Illinois River and Springfield, and he was thus occupied most of his time until the fall of 1850, when he purchased and turned his attention to the improve- ment of his present homestead, although he eontin- med operating as a contractor and builder for several years.
In 1854-55 Mr. Dresser followed the river as captain of a steamboat, and thereafter, in addition to his business of contraetor, was earpenter, mason and bridge-builder. Later he was Superintendent of the building of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Jacksonville. But the great enterprise in which he was mostly interested was the draining of the lands already spoken of, so that now a portion of the vast area of useless marsh has given way to enl- tivated and productive fields.
Mr. Dresser was first married in Brooklyn, Conn., Dec. 19, 1836, to Miss Phebe Stone, who was born in that State, and who died in July, 1853. He was
married a second time in Barry, Pike Co., this State, to Miss Martha Ileseman, a native of Sussex, Eng- land. She died in December, 1857. Mr. Dresser eontraeted a third matrimonial alliance in Provi- dence, R. I., with Miss Elizabeth P. Work, who was born in Eastford, Conn., and who died in March, 1880. Mr. Dresser has no living children. He was first elected to the Illinois Legislature in the fall of 1868, and the second time in 1875. In November, 1861, he was elected Judge of the County Court, holding the office four years. lIe was a member of the Masonic lodge at Naples, and in religious matters adhères to the doetrines of the Episcopal Church. In early manhood he belonged to the old Whig party, voted for Henry Clay, and erected the highest Clay pole in the State at Spring. field, and which reared its top to the height of 226 feet from the ground. In 1858 Mr. Dresser be- eame a Democrat. He has been active in the coun- cils of his party in this section, and officiated as Chairman of the Central Committee, besides hold- ing other offiees of trust and responsibility.
E DWARD COULTAS, an honored veteran of the late war, representing one of the early pioneer families of Seott County, is now one of its skilled and highly prosperous tillers of the soil, and is contributing his share to its material welfare, and to its advancement socially and relig- iously. On section 26, Winchester Precinct, range 12, the broad aeres of his highly eultivated, well- stocked farnı, with its fine commodious briek dwell- ing and other substantial buildings, form a pleasant picture in the landscape.
Our subjeet was born June 3, 1839, in the humble pioneer home that his parents, George and Eliza ( Wilson) Conltas, had established here. They were natives of Yorkshire, England, and migrating to Ameriea in 1830, eame direetly to Morgan County. They did not become acquainted with each other until after that time, and they were married in 1835. They then settled in Scott County, which was then a part of Morgan County. They located on a farm entered from the Government and were the first settlers in this section, their nearest neigh-
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bors being five miles distant. Before his marriage and shortly after landing here, the father had en- listed in the army which was raised to prosecute the Black Hawk War. Hc did valiant service throughout that conflict and took an active part in several engagements. Some years later he received a land warrant for what he did in that war. After settling here he was obliged to go to Morgan County to carn money to help support his family, while his wife was left all alone with their babe in their windowless, cheerless log cabin, and often at night she was annoyed by the wolves howling out- side. and in the morning as she stood at her door was startled often by the deer dasling past close to her. It must indeed have been a lonely, wild scene that greeted her eyes, with no signs of the advancing civilization beyond her threshold. But the brave woman kept up her courage for the sake of husband and little one, and in the years of toil and hardship that followed she was ever ready to sympathize with and aid her husband, and was, in- deed, his right hand in the work of upbuilding a home. To that worthy couple were born eight children, five boys and three girls. Of their sons, three are farmers, one is a professor, and one is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The fatlier departed this life June 10, 1859. Fif- ten years later the mother elosed her eyes in death.
Hle of whom we write was their second child. Ilis schooling was necessarily limited, but he made good use of his time when the district school was in 'session, and by observation and reading has gleaned a fair education. He remained at home assisting his father in the support of the family until 1862. He had watched the course of public events that had culminated in bloody strife with intense interest, and in the month of August, that year, he laid aside his home duties at the higher call of his country, and cast his lot with his brave fellow-men who had preceded him to Southern battle fields. He enlisted in Company H, 129th Illinois Infantry, and went with his regiment to Louisville, Ky., where it was assigned to Gen. Nelson's division of Gen. Bucll's army ; Benjamin Ilarrison became his Brigade-General. Our subject and his comrades were set to guard a railroad in Tennessee, until they were placed in the 20th Army
Corps, and then they took an active part in the Atlanta campaign. Mr. Coultas took part in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, and was always found in his place in the ranks in the most hotly waged contest. He was with Sherman in his march through Georgia and the Carolinas, and for his good conduct he was promoted to be Corporal, and was detailed all through the cam- paign as a scout and forager, acting so well in those eapacities as to merit the commendation of his superiors. He took part in the grand review at Washington, and was subsequently discharged with his regiment, having proved himself a daring, cour- ageous and efficient soldier.
After his experiences of the hardships and pri- vations of army life, Mr. Coultas returned to his Illinois home, and once more resumed the peaceful vocation to which he had been bred, gladly laying down the sword for the pruning hook. After farming on the old homestead awhile he bought a small farm, and marrying Miss Ruth Southwell, Feb. 24, 1867, they began their wedded life thereon. Mrs. Coultas was a daughter of Robert Southwell, who is now a prominent grocer in Winchester. She was born Sept. 22, 1844, the third child in her par- ents' family. She was well educated in the old academy at Winchester. After marriage she and Mr. Coultas made their home in a little log house of three rooms, and had to struggle hard to get a good start as they had nothing but their hands and brains and stout hearts. But by quiet and persistent efforts, directed by sound common sense and con- stant attention to the practical every day affairs of life, they have succeeded beyond their expecta- tions, and are now in prosperous circumstances. Besides the fine briek residence on his home place, Mr. Coultas has purchased a substantial frame house just east of it, that is now cceupied by a renter, together with a commodious . barn, 40x60 feet, and other necessary outbuildings. His farm comprises 250 aeres, well adapted to the needs of a stock-raiser, and he raises medium grades for the market, and is gradually introducing a higher grade of horses in his place.
Mr. and Mrs. Coultas have had eight children, of whom the following four are living: Mabel, born Aug. 17, 1868, is at home; Charles E., born
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RESIDENCE OF ORLANDO WHITNEY, SEC. 3. T. 13 .- R.12. SCOTT CO.
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RESIDENCE OF J. W. FINNEY, SEC.14., T.14 .- R.13. SCOTT CO.
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Sept. 5, 1870, is preparing to enter college next year; Bertie M., born Oet. 23, 1877; Chester, Aug. 31, 1883. This pleasant household was sadly be- reaved by the death of two daughters, twins, who were bright, promising girls, who died in July, 1882, and their memories are still eherished in the hearts of the father, mother, sister and brothers.
"It singeth low in every heart, We hear it each and all; A song of those who answer not, However we may eall.
* "Tis hard to take the burden up When these have laid it down;
'They brightened all the joys of life, They softened every frown.
"But oh, 'tis good to think of them When we are troubled sore; Thanks be to God that sueli have been, Although they are no more."
Mr. and Mrs. Coultas and their two eldest child- ren are active members of the Presbyterian Church, take a lively interest in the Sunday-school, and carry their religion into their every day lives. Mr. Coultas has served his precinet as Justice of the Peace four years, and as School Direetor several years, and in whatsoever capacity he may aet he is always found to be the right man in the right place. He is a fine specimen of the genus homo denomi- nated the self-made inan, as will be seen by the perusal of this brief life-record. He has always been a stalwart Republiean, and never fails to vote at eleetions and to use his influenee for the benefit of his party. He took an active part in the elce- tion of his old brigade commander, Gen. Benja- inin Harrison, to the presidency.
OHN W. FINNEY. This gentleman has the management of a fine farm of 357 aeres, pleasantly located on sections 8 and 9. IIe was born near Oxville, Seott county, Sept. 26, 1845, and was the only child of James Finney, a native of Ohio. His paternal grandfather was Samuel Finney, a native of Germany, who, upon emigration to America settled in Ohio, where he probably spent the remainder of his life.
James Finney left the Buckeye State in early manhood, and coming to Illinois located on a traet of land in Oxville Preeinet, where he lived until 1851, then went to California overland with an ox team and engaged in mining. The mother, Mrs. Hannah Finney, was born in Illinois and died when our snbjeet was quite young. He was reared by his grandparents, with whom he lived until Febru- ary, 1864. He then enlisted as a Union soldier in Company I, 129th Illinois Infantry, and going South joined the army of Gen. Sherman, and at the battle of Resaea was wounded by a gunshot in the hip. He was sent to the field-hospital first, then to Nashville and Louisville, and as soon as able started to rejoin his regiment at Atlanta. He was taken ill and sent to Quiney, but finally rejoined his regi- ment at Alexandria and was transferred to the 16th Illinois Veteran Regiment. IIe did not take an : active part in any more fighting but went with his comrades to Washington and participated in the Grand Review, after which he was mustered out at Louisville, July 8, 1865, and received his honora- ble discharge at Camp Butler, near Springfield. He had enlisted when a youth of seventeen, and upon his return home engaged in farming in Blnffs Preeinet. While in service he had received no further injury than having his arm considerably crushed by falling from a train of cars.
'The marriage of John W. Finney and Mrs. Elizabeth Green took place on the 21st of April, 1886. This lady was born in Delaware, March 26, 1826, and was a mere child when she was brought by her parents, in 1830, to Illinois. It thus appears that Mrs. Finney was among the younger children of her parents' family : she was reared upon a farm and acquired her education in the district sehool which was taught in a log cabin at a long distance from her home. The settlers were few and far he- tween, and all kinds of wild animals were plentiful. Her mother died soon after the family settled here, and she was then taken to the home of James Mor- rison, with whom she had lived five years. She was married, in his house near Oxville,in October,1 843, to Joseph Marsh, a native of New York State. He was the son of Samuel and Mary Marsh, also natives of the Empire State, and with them eame to Ill- nois in 1829. The father then engaged in farming
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