USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 77
USA > Illinois > Scott County > Portrait and biographical album of Morgan and Scott Counties, Illinois > Part 77
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The life-record of our subject shows him to be a man pure and spotless in the eyes of the world, one who has always aimed to do good. Sound discre- eretion, promptitude and method in his business transactions, have been important factors in bring- ing about his success in his undertakings. At this writing he possesses good mental powers and a fine physique, so that he lias passed the milestone that marks seventy-nine years of a busy life, and yet does not bear the marks of such a venerable age, but is still hale and vigorous, and it is the hope of his many friends that his kindly presence may be spared to them many years before he is called to pass over the river.
K. JONES, L. L. D., M. D., senior member of the firm of II. K. & C. G. Jones, be- came a student of the Literary Depart- ment of Illinois College in 1839, and was graduated from that department in 1844. He then entered the Medical department of the same Col- lege in 1844, graduating in 1846. After this im- portant event he commenced the practice of his profession in Missouri, where he lived for several years. But his old attachments drew him back to Jacksonville, where he has resided since that time, a period now of nearly forty years. His career has been that of a conscientious practitioner. an honest man, and a good citizen. A native of Rappahannock County, Va., our subjeet was born
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August 5, 1819, and is the son of Stephen and Mildred (Kinnaird) Jones, who where also natives of the Old Dominion. The father emigrated from his native State to Missouri about 1827. He had been an extensive farmer in Virginia and carried on the same occupation after crossing the Missis- sippi. Ile died in Lincoln County, Mo., in 1831. The mother survived thirteen years, dying in 1844.
The paternal grandparents of our subject were from Wales and Scotland. Grandfather Jones crossed the Atlantic in time to do good service in the Revolutionary Army under the direct com- mand of Washington. He spent his last years in Virginia. To Stephen and Mildred Jones there were born five children, namely: Mrs. Maria Foll- son and Mrs. Nancy Kimes, deceased : Iliram K., our subject; Richard M., who was also a physician and is now deceased; and Cumberland G., the asso- ciate of our subjeet in his practice.
Mr. Jones was reared on the farm in Missouri, and remained under the parental roof until a youthi of sixteen years. In the meantime he improved his opportunities for education, and after leaving school was occupied in teaching for a period of eight years in the academies and other schools of Lincoln County, Mo. About 1844-45 he com- menced the study of medieine. fitting himself for the collegiate course. Ile emerged from the class- ical department of the Illinois College in 1844, and from the Medieal department in 1846. Ile commenced the practice of his profession at Troy, Lincoln Co., Mo .. and four years later was ap- pointed Assistant-physician of the Insane Hospital in Jacksonville, which position he held until 1854. That year he became a resident of Jacksonville. For ten years he has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Illinois College, and in 1855 was appointed to fill one of its vacant chairs and de- liver lectures during the winter. Ile is a member of most of the medical societies of both the State and county.
In 1879 Dr. Jones in company with five other gentlemen organized the Concord Summer School of Philosophy at Concord, Mass., and for five years thereafter attended and delivered a course of lec- tures each summer. This organization was ofli- cered as follows: A. Bronson Aleott, of Concord,
Mass., Dean; Prof. F. B. Sanborn, of Concord, Secretary; Prof. I. H. Emery, Jr., of Quiney, III., Director; Prof. Dr. W. T. Harris, L. L. D., of St. Louis, Mo., and Dr. II. K. Jones, Directors. This institution is entirely self-supporting and at each session there are delivered lectures by the famous literary men and women of the country, such as: Dr. A. C. Bartol, of Boston; Miss Elizabeth P. Pea- body, of Massachusetts; Pres. Noah P. Porter, of Yale College. Julia Ward Howe, of Boston; John Abbie, of Massachusetts, and Mrs. Edna Cheney, Boston. The session commences in July of eachlı year and continues four weeks. Its existence and purposes are familiar to the cultured and literary people of both East and West.
The lady chosen for the life companion of our subject, with whom he was united in marriage in 1844 was in her girlhood Miss Elizabeth Orr, a native of Pike County, Mo., and the daughter of Judge Philip and Lucy Orr, natives of Missouri, and at the time residents of that county.
Mrs. Jones is a lady of much literary ability and with her husband is a member in good standing of the Congregational Church. Their beautiful home with its modern improvements is finely located on West College avenue, where the doctor also has his office. Ile has little to do with politics, otherwise than to support the Republican principles by his voice and vote.
LEXANDER YOUNG, a representative of one of the oldest families of Seott County, was born three miles northeast of Win- chester, Aug. 19, 1826, and is consequently approaching the sixty-third year of his age. Ile is comfortably located in township 13, range 13, where he has a good farm of 275 aeres with fair improvements. Many and great have been. the changes which he has looked upon as he has "been growing up with the country," and he can relate many an interesting tale of life in the pioneer days. He and his estimable wife are widely and favorably known throughout this section, as honest, industrious and praiseworthy people, who number
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their friends by the score. Although their lives have passed in a comparatively quiet and unevent- ful manner, they have uniformly exercised a good influence in their community, and their names will be held in kindly remembrance long after they have departed lience.
Jonathan Young, the father of our subject, was born, reared and married in Adair County, Ky., and lived there until 1824, engaged in farming pursuits. That year he determined to seek the West, and accordingly with his wife and five child- ren came to Illinois and settled in that part of Morgan which is now Scott County. He was one of the first men to venture into this region, and taking up a tract of wild land established himself in the wilderness and proceeded to build up a homestead. He endured many hardships and pri- vations, but he possessed that spirit of resolution and perseverance which admitted no such word as fail, and in due time reaped the reward of his toil and sacrifices. He was a man of good judgment and sound common sense,-one who invariably made friends wherever known. After the labors of a long and useful life he died at the old home- stead when about seventy-six years old.
Mrs. Elizabeth Young, the mother of our sub- jeet, was a native of Virginia, and died prior to the decease of her husband, at the age of seventy- three years. The parental family ineluded nine children, viz: William, Jesse, Chloe, Robert, Ervin, Campbell, Almina, Alexander and Ephraim. Five of these are living and making their homes in Greene and Scott counties. Alexander, our subjeet was born at his father's homestead, elose to the present site of Winchester, and still remembers very many of the incidents connected with his boyhood days. Wild game was plentiful around the pioneer home, deer, turkeys, geese and dueks abounded. The wolves also made night hideous with their howlings. The Young boys were at an early age taught to make themselves useful, and assisted their parents in opening up the new farm. The nearest school was eight miles distant and consequently our subjeet, like his brothers and sisters had no educational ad- vantages. They grew up, however, strong in musele and healthy in mind and amply fitted for the duties of citizenship, having been carefully trained
in those principles which made of them good and useful members of the community.
In 1848, at the age of twenty-two years, Alex- ander Young was united in marriage with Miss Emily, daughter of Joseph and Dorsia (Holley) Glasson. The parents of Mrs. Young were natives of Virginia, whenee they removed later to Ken- tucky, where their daughter, Emily, was born Aug. 9, 1828. The family came to Illinois while she was an infant, in 1829, and settled near the present site of Winchester, upon which there was then nothing to mark it as the location of a future town. Mrs. Young was reared under the parental roof and acquired a limited education in the subscrip- tion schools. She, however, was a bright and in- telligent girl and taking advantage of the few books which came in her way, hecame quite well informed, and was a great favorite among hier young companions. She became acquainted withi her future husband when about fifteen years old, .in fact they practically grew np together, and at quite an early day there was formed between them the mutual attachment which resulted in their marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Young commenced their wedded life in a modest manner, in township 13, range 13, and our subjeet for several years thereafter farmed one of his father's farms. He made his first pur- chase of land probably in 1852, and he and his estimable wife have labored hand in hand in the
accumulation of their property with a common interest for themselves and their children. There were born to them three sons and three daughters. the eldest of whom, Mary J., is the wife of Richard Cowen, and they occupy a part of the homestead; they have six children,-Robert, Alex, Emina, Ilarry, Nellie and Joseph. Osear married Miss Harriet Langly, rents his father's farm, and has one child,-Alex, Jr., named after his grandfather. Ella is the wife of John Longnecker, a prosperous farmer of Seott County, and a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this volume; they have four children,-Carrie, Mabel, Emma and Naney. Elmer married Miss Anna MeLaughlin, and resides three miles west of Winchester; he is occupied as a teacher, and is both successful and popular. Mrs. Young is a member of the United Baptist Church
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at Glasgow. Our subject cast his first Presidential vote for James K. Polk, and for a long period of forty-two years, has given his undivided support to the Democratic party.
C. VALLENTINE. The science of farm- ing has received much attention from the subject of this notice, who believes that a small tract of land thoroughly cultivated yields more satisfactory results than a large area partially neglected. He therefore secured only eighty acres, but it comprises some of the choicest land in township 16, range 11, and is eligibly lo- cated on section 19. Mr. Vallentine, however, has his residence in the village of Concord, where he owns a good home, and is practically retired from active labor.
Our subject came to this part of Morgan County in the fall of 1846, and since that time has devoted himself largely to the business of a carpenter and joiner, also having a good understanding of the finer trade of cabinet-making. Soon after coming here he established a shop in Concord, but there being then little call for the products of his handi- work, he secured his land and interested himself in agriculture until an increase of population should give him-employment at his trade.
Mr. Vallentine first landed in Morgan County at Mcredosia, March 5, 1845, a young man, and with a capital of $18 and his trade. He loaned all but $3 of his capital at 12 per cent interest for a year, then called it in and decided to locate in Concord, of which he has since been a resident. He was born near Adamsburg, in what was then Adams but is now Westmoreland County, Pa., Dec. 21, 1819, and is the son of Michael Vallentine, a native of Lebanon County, that State. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Germany, and coming to America when a young man, settled in the unbroken wilderness of Lebanon County, l'a., where he improved a farm and spent the re- mainder of his life, dying when quite aged. He married a lady of his own country, who accom- panied him to the United States and shared his fortunes the greater part of his life, she too living
to be well advanced in years. Grandfather Val- lentine, although working industriously, did not accumulate a very great amount of property, but lived honestly, and, with his estimable wife, stead- fastly adhered to the doctrines of the Lutheran Church.
Michael Vallentine, the father of our subject, ac- quired a thorough knowledge of farming, and also learned the shoemaker's trade. In fact, he was a natural mechanic, and could do almost anything with tools. When a young man he emigrated to Adams County, Pa., and was there married to Miss Catherine Fillman, who was born and reared in Lycoming County, and came of German parentage. After their marriage, the parents of our subjeet. lived in Pennsylvania until 1847, and then deter- mined to seek the young State of Illinois. They set out on the journey overland with teams, ac- companied by their nine children, camping and cooking by the wayside, and sleeping in their wagon wherever night overtook them.
On landing in this county the parents of our suh- ject settled near the present sight of Concord, to which their son, J. G., had preceded them two years. Here they spent the remainder of their lives, the mother dying about 1869, at the age of seventy-two years, and the father in 1878, aged eighty-four. The latter belonged to the Lutheran Church, while the mother was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian. They were the parents of eleven children, four sons and seven danghters, and nearly all lived to mature years.
The subject of this sketch was the eldest son and second child of his parents, and received only such school advantages as were afforded in a section of country thinly populated, with the cabins of set- tlers few and far between. He set out at an early age to learn the trade of a cabinetmaker, under the instruction of Andrew Wise, in Allenwell, Miflin Co., l'a., and two years later commanded good wages, being an expert workman. He came to Morgan County a single man, and in due time mnet and married Miss Elizabeth Rentschler. This lady was born in Snyder County, Pa., in 1824, and is the daughter of George and Catherine (Survey) Rentschler, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and who came to Morgan County about 1838. They
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located near Coneord, and oceupied one home until the death of the father, which occurred in 1879. The mother is still living, although in feeble health, and is abont eighty-four years of age.
The childhood and youth of Mrs. Vallentine were spent, in a quiet and uneventful manner, nn- der the home roof, amid the pioneer scenes of Morgan County, where she developed into a pleas- ing womanhood, and in due time became the wife our subject. Of the six children who blest their union, two-Mary L. and Lovina -- died in early childhood; the eldest daughter living-Catherine- is the wife of C. Roach, a painter by trade, and they reside in Concord ; Rosa, the widow of Samnel Martin, has one child, and makes her home with her father; John Major married Miss Jennie Stand- ley, and they live on a farm in Clark County, Kan .; Effie M. is the wife of Charles Martin, a earpenter of Collinsville, Ill. Mr. Vallentine, since becoming a voting eitizen, has uniformly supported the prin- ciples of the Democratie party.
G V. BLACK, M. D., D. D. S., a popular prae- titioner of Jacksonville, is a native of this State, having been born in Scott County, Aug. 3, 1836. His younger years, when he was not in school, were spent on a farm, and he eommeneed the study of medicine under the instruction of his brother, Hon. Dr. Thomas G. Blaek, of Clayton, Adams County. He made rapid headway, and three years later went to Winchester, and opening an office, eommeneed the practice of his profession, which he followed there until the breaking out of the war. Sinee 1864 he has given close attention to his profession in Jacksonville.
In September, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, 129th Illinois Infantry, and thereafter engaged principally in scouting. He was injured while on duty, and for a period of six months was confined in the hospital in Lonisville with brain fever. Ile retired from the service in the spring of 1864, and coming to Jacksonville, resumed the practice which he has sinee followed with sueeess.
Dr. Black is a gentlemen of fine literary attain- ments, and has devoted his talents mostly to mat-
ters connected with his profession. His first work, published in 1884, is entitled "Formations of Poi- sons by Miero Organisms." In 1885 he contributed several articles to the publication entitled "The American System of Dentistry." In 1887 he pub- lished "Histologieal Character of Periosteum and Peridental Membranes." In 1888 "The Compen- dium of Dentistry," a German work, by Jul Par- reidt, translated by Louis Ottofy, was annotated by Dr. Black. He also invented for dental purposes two engines, and for a period of ten years gave much of his time to microscopical investigations, being the possessor of about 4,000 slides.
Dr. Black is a prominent member of the Illinois State Dental Society, which was established in 1865, and has also been President of the Illinois State Board of Dental Examiners. In the St. Louis Den- tal College lie was a leeturer for several years, and assisted in the organization of the Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1883. For more than four years he held the Chair of Pathology in that insti- tution, and in September, 1887, was elected its Su- perintendent, holding the office until the expiration of the term of 1889, when he withdrew and re- turned to the practice of his profession in Jaek- sonville. Hle is a member of the Academy of Na- tional Seienee, at Philadelphia, Pa., and a eorres- pondent of the Microscopieal Society of Central Illinois, also of the First Distriet Dental Society of the State of New York.
A large share of the dental praetiee in Jackson- ville for many years has fallen to Dr. Black. Ile is a man genial and companionable by nature, prompt to meet his obligations, and is as popular among his fellow-citizens, socially, as among the members of his profession. He identified himself with the Ma- sonic fraternity about 1870, having previously be- eome a member of the I. O. O. F.
Miss Elizabeth A. Davenport, a native of Jack- sonville, Ill., became the wife of our subject, Sept. 14, 1865. She was born May 5, 1840, and is the daughter of Ira and Minerva Davenport, natives of Kentucky and Ohio, and who spent their last years in Jacksonville. Dr. and Mrs. Black occupy with their ehildren a beautiful home at No. 349 East State street. In addition to this property, the Doc- tor is the owner of other valuable real-estate in the
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city. Their two sons and two daughters are named respectively : Carl E., Clara, Arthur D., and Olive.
The eldest son of our subjeet was graduated from the Jacksonville High School, in the class of '81, and from Illinois College in 1883. Later he turned his attention to newspaper work, having charge for two years of the local department of the Jacksonville Journal. Upon withdrawing from this, he engaged with Dr. Price as a medical stu- dent at the Sanitarium. Then entering the Chicago Medical College, he pursued his studies closely until March, 1886, when he was gradnated. Two years later he spent six months in Europe perfect- ing himself in his medical studies. After his re- turn to America, he commenced the practice of his profession in Jacksonville. His office is at his father's residence on East State street. He is a young man of fine attainments, and it is predicted that in the near future he will take his place among the best physicians in the State.
ILLIAM C. MANLEY, M. D., one of the most efficient physicians and surgeons of Morgan County, has for many years been a resident of Franklin village, and in this place and vicinity has built up a good business. He is a na- tive of the Prairie State, having been born in Knox County, July 18, 1849, and lived there until nine years old. Ile then moved with his father, Archibald Manley, to the vicinity of Lincoln, in Logan County, where the latter engaged in farm- ing and sojourned until 1869.
During the year above mentioned the father of our subjeet sold his farm property, and erossing the Mississippi with his family purchased 160 acres of improved land near Paola, Miami Co., Kan. Ile died of paralysis in 1888. The mother, Mrs. Mary (Capps) Manley, was a native of Fayette County, Ohio. The Capps family was of Irish an- cestry and removed from Ohio to Knox County, this State, at an early day. The mother of our subject died in May, 1882.
Archibald and Mary Manley became the parents of seven children only, three of whom are living, viz: Margaret E., Benjamin L., and William C. of
this sketch. The deceased were Richard S., Almira E., Mary J, and Harriet M. Mary became the wife of C. F. Johnson, a farmer of Logan County, this State, and the mother of one son. Henry. The latter married Miss Jennie Lawterman. Margaret E. Manley married Charles F. James, of McDon- ough County, Ill., who is now engaged in farming and stock-raising in Jefferson County, Neb .; they have five children. Benjamin L. was married to a Kansas lady, and is also engaged as a farmer and stock-dealer in Jefferson County, Neb.
Our subject accompanied his father to Kansas; but on account of ill-health returned to Logan Connty, this State, in September, 1871. He re- ceived a good education, attending school at Springfield, Ill., and completing a course in the Business College of that place. For four years thereafter he followed the profession of a teacher and in the meantime employed his leisure hours in the study of medicine with Dr. W. W. How- ser, of Lincoln. In the winter of 1877 he went to St. Louis, Mo., where he attended the Amer- ican Medical College, and was graduated in medi- eine and surgery in February, 1879. The same year Dr. Manley came to this connty and es- tablished himself at Franklin, of which he has since heen a resident. Not only has he gained laurels in his profession, enjoying a fine practice, but he is a general favorite, both in social and business cir- cles. In Franklin he was married to his pres- ent wife, Miss Maggie E. Wright, daughter of James Wright, of Scott County, Ky. Mr. Wright was born in 1794, and departed this life in 1888. llis wife, Mrs. Sarah (Head) Wright, also of Scott County, Ky., was born in 1811, and is still living, making her home with her daughter, Mrs. Manley.
Carl W., the only son of the doctor and his esti- mable wife, was born May 7, 1882. The younger child, Mary, was born Nov. 11, 1888. Our sub- ject, politically, is a working Republican, and in- variably does good service for his party at the polls. He has been a member of the Village Board of Trustees, and at one time was connected with the Board of Health. He is a Master Mason and belongs to the lodge at Franklin, in which he has frequently held official positions. Both he and his estimable wife belong to the Christian Church:
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They occupy a neat home, and enjoy the acquaint- ance and friendship of the best people in the com- munity. The doctor is genial and companionable, -one who readily makes many and warm friends.
C HARLES A. WILDAY, one of the most public-spirited and enterprising citizens of Meredosia Precinet, is numbered among its leading farmers and stock-raisers, and has a fine estate on section 17, township 16, range 12. Hle is a native of the Prairie State, and was born in Logan County, Dec. 22, 1843, being thus a man in the prime of life and the midst of his usefulness.
Benjamin and Sarah (Hults) Wilday, the parents of our subject, were both natives of Ohio, where they were reared and married, and whence they came to Logan County, Ill., early in the forties. They resided there a comparatively brief time, then came to Morgan county and settled on section 3, of the precinct in which our subject now resides. The father took up a tract of wild land where he made many improvements and brought the soil toa good state of cultivation. Not being satisfied with his surroundings, however, he removed to a point about four miles southeast of Meredosia, building up a comfortable home which he still occupies. The mother departed this life in December, 1861. Their six children were named respectively, Will- iam H., Elizabeth, Charles A., our subject, Arthusa J., James M. and Benjamin R.
'The father of our subject eame to Illinois with no means to speak of, but is now the owner of 200 acres of good land, and is one of the representa- tive citizens of the county. Ile is a pillar in the Baptist Church and enjoys an extended aequaint- ance in the community where he has made many and life-long friends. Ilis head is silvered by the snows of many winters but his life has been such that he is in the enjoyment of a green old age, surrounded by children and friends, and with a consciousness of having performed his part in life in a manner to reflect honor upon his posterity.
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