USA > Illinois > Will County > Portrait and biographical album of Will County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 50
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Resuming the agricultural labor in which he had spent his youth, Mr. Washburn also secured an in- terest in a thresher and corn-sheller, and through industrious efforts g. adually accumulated means with which to purchase a home. Eight years ago he secured the deed to one hundred and twenty acres of his estate, and last winter purchased the adjoining seventy-four, making up a good farm of one hundred and ninety-four acres. The land is im- proved and produces fine crops of various kinds. The wife of Mr. Washburn was known in her
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maidenhood as Miss Sarah Allars and became his wife March 23, 1881. She is a daughter of Will- iam and Maria (Godson ) Allars, both deceased, her father having been killed by a load of lumber fall- ing upon him. He was an old settler of Kankakee County. Mrs. Washburn is thirty-eight years old, is industrions, amiable and kind-hearted, making a happy home.
Mr. Washburn votes the Republican ticket. tak- ing a deep interest in politics. He is Director of School District No. 9. and anxious to advance the cause of education. He belongs to William A. Webb Post, No. 657, G. A. R., of Peotone. Ile receives from his fellow-men the respect to which he is entitled for his virtues and habits.
HOMAS W. JONES. In giving honor to whom honor is due, we should not neglect T. W. Jones, who began life empty-handed. and has accumulated a good property by dint of energetic and well directed efforts. His home is located on section 22, Wesley Township, and con- sists of one hundred and fourteen acres of well im- proved land, the neat home being well supplied with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, and the entire estate indicating prosperity and a wise use of the conveniences which add to the value of farm labor.
Mr. Jones is of Welsh ancestry and the son of natives of Pennsylvania, His parents, John T. and Sarah S. ( Rudisill) Jones were married in Ross County. Ohio, and resided there until 1850. They then removed to Will County, Ill., and settling in Wesley Township, remained here during the rest of their lives. The mother erossed the river of death in 1877, and the father March 11, 1889. They were the parents of sixteen children, eight of whom are now living.
The subject of this sketch was born in Ross County, Ohio, April 11, 1831, and received a fait education in the distriet schools of his native county and Will County, Ill. His father being a farmer. in his early life he acquired a knowledge of all that
is necessary to make tilling the soil profitable, and Jaid the foundation for the industrious habits which have made his life a success. On the afternoon of the day on which he became of age he split two huu- dred rails.
Young Jones became a renter for about three years, of the John Richey farm, and he then bought forty acres of land, fenced it, broke the soil on a part of it, and began to make for himself a home. On August 1. 1858, he was united in marriage with Miss Emily A., daughter of Chesley L. and Harriet I. (Cadwell ) Mills, natives of Tennessee and Illi- nois respectively. Mr. Mills died in February, 1844, but Mrs. Mills is still living. They were the parents of five children, four of whom survive. Mrs. Jones was born February 26. 1833, is an in- telligent and Christian woman, and has been a faithful companion and helpmate and a devoted mother.
The first year of their wedded life was spent by Mr. and Mrs. Jones in Morgan County, whence they returned here, taking up their abode in Wes- ley Township for three years. They next occupied the farm now owned by Frank Williams, in the same township, and in 1870 took possession of the old homestead, where they have since resided. Mr. Jones has added much to the appearance of the house and other buildings, and has made general farming the means of securing a competeney. At one time he was interested in raising full-blooded Berkshire hogs.
Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of three chil- dren. whose record is as follows: John W., was born April 2, 1860, married Miss Lydia Dingee, and lives in Gosper County, Neb .; Carrie, born Feb- ruary 16, 1863, is the wife of William M. Henion and the mother of three children, her home being in Ritchie: Arthur, born September 16, 1872, will attend college this fall. All the children have been carefully reared, given good advantages, and are doing honor to the family name. Arthur is now Secretary of the Methodist Episcopal Sunday- school, in which his brother and sister were active workers in past years.
Mr. Jones is one of the three Trustees under whose charge the schools of Wesley Township are. and in advancing the cause of education he ex-
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hibits sound sense and good judgment. At present he holds the office of Township Assessor, and he has been Road Commissioner. In politics he has taken a deep interest, affiliating with the Repub- lican party. Ile has been a member of the Sous of Temperanee. Hle and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he is Class Leader, Steward and Trustee; he is also actively interested in the Sunday-school, and has been for many years, serving as Superintendent or teacher almost continuously.
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Mr. Jones is the fortunate possessor of one of those sunny dispositions which cause a man to be liked by all whom he meets, while his character is upright and moral, and his citizenship such as to afford a worthy example to his own progeny and the entire community. He is thoroughly respected, and in the esteem of the community his estimable wife has also a large share.
Alonzo Jones, the brother of our subject, became a member of Company A, 100th Illinois Infantry, and gave his life for his country during the late Civil War. ile was killed at the battle of Chicka- manga, September 19, 1863.
HOMAS OSCAR MILLS. In this gentle- man Will County has a fine representative of its native-born citizens, one, who, by his enterprise, progressiveness and marked ability is materially forwarding its financial welfare in several ways. lle is variously identified with its interests, as a skillful agriculturist, making a spec- iality of feeding cattle; as a tile manufacturer, owning the largest factory in the county ; and as proprietor of a well-appointed store at Millsdale Station. He was born on the old homestead where he now lives, August 27, 1850, and is the son of James Mills, a pioneer of this region. The maiden name of his mother was Eunice Glid- den, she being a sister of Stephen Glidden, of this township. Both her family and her husband's were originally from New Hampshire, and re- moved to New York, where the parents of our subject were married in 1841. They lived a
while in Ohio, and moved to Joliet about 1847. After a year's stay in that city they moved on to the place where our subject now lives, and where the father died in 1852. Until 1878, the mother lived with her brother Mr. Glidden, who was part owner of the farm. At the time of her son's mar- riage she became a member of his household, and remained a welcome inmate of his home until her death. November 27, 1887.
Oui subject was reared in the place of his birth and received excellent educational advantages, obtaining the preliminaries of his education in the local district schools, afterward pursuing a fine course of study in Joliet, and finishing his school- ing in Channahon, his own township. He early gained a practical knowledge of farming, and at the time of his marriage took charge of the home- stead, which he still owns and oceupies, and which is represented by a view elsewhere in this work. With characteristic enterprise he has car- ried on his business so as to make a financial suc- vess of it, and has greatly increased the value of his farm and added to its acreage. It now com- prises three hundred and eighty-four acres, all ly- ing on section 11, with the exception of eighty acres. Our subject has by no means confined his operations to stock-raising, but has been engaged in other industries. In 1884, he built near his place a tile factory, one of the largest in the county, costing about $10,000, and adapted to the making of a fine grade of tile, but at the present time the works are not in operation. The Santa Fe Railroad and the Chicago & Alton run side by side through his farm. Our subject has a life pass over the former road, which in 1887 opened a station on his land. Ilere he has built a store, which is well arranged and suitably stocked.
October 9, 1878, Mr. Mills took unto himself a wife, in the person of Miss Anna E. Miller, daugh- ter of James and Eliza (Fowler) Miller, natives respectively of Scotland and Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Iler father was reared in the city of London coming to this country in early manhood and was married in New York. . From there he came to this county, and purchased the place in Troy Township which was known as the old Rock Run house previous to 1853, when he purchased it.
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There he lived until his death in 1866. His widow is still living there, and has now attained the ven- erable age of seventy-eight years. They were the parents of seven children. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have a very pleasant attractive home, and their happy household is completed by their four chil- dren: Arthur J., a lad of ten years; Erma .A., Oscar Leroy : and Warren, the baby. Mr. Mills is a typical American, thoroughly wide awake and full of enterprise, possessing more than ordinary capacity, energy and decision of character, and in him his native county has a citizen who is doing much to promote its general prosperity. In poli- ties he is identified with the Republican party, but being a man of independent views he takes the liberty to vote as he chooses in regard to local affairs.
E ZRA E. JAYNES. The results of good management find no better illustration than in the life of this gentleman whose fine farm is situated on section 29, Manhattan Township. The estate comprises one hundred and sixty broad acres which are devoted to the purpose of general farming, about an equal share of attention being paid to grain and stock-raising. Two teams are required to operate the estate and they are found to be fine English draft horses. Holstein and Gal- way cattle and Poland-China swine of high grade are kept, and another paying part of the establish- ment is the poultry yard where about $300 worth of poultry are raised every year. A fine residence with all necessary outbuildings, such as barns, granaries, corn eribs, etc., together with a beautiful orchard. add to the value of the land and make of it one of the most attractive places for many a mile. It is surrounded by hedge and divided into fields of convenient size. A view of this comfor- table home will be found on another page.
The gentleman of whom we write is a direct descendant of one of three brothers who came from England to America in 1617. His grandfather,
Elijah Jaynes, was born in Franklin County, Vt., levoted his attention to agriculture and became the owner of several farms; he was a soldier in the War of 1812. Chester Jaynes, the immediate progenitor of our subject, was born in the same county and also became a farmer. During the Aroostook War he fought against the savages six months. obtaining a land warrant for his services and is now a pensioner of the Government. Ile secured land four miles cast of Lake Champlain, but subsequently bought and now resides upon the homestead on which he was born. Ile has been engaged in sheep raising and in the dairy business, but now, in the ninety - first year of his age, is resting from his labors and enjoying merited repose. Ile belongs to the Baptist Church and votes with the Republican party.
Chester Jaynes married Eliza Dee, daughter of Gen. Washington Dee, who won fame in the War of 1812. The old Bay State was the birthplace of Gen. Dee, but when he was a boy his parents re- moved to Vermont where the latter became Colonel in the Home Militia. When the Colonists a second time determined to fight for release from British tyranny, he raised a regiment and joining the army, soon became Brigadier-General. He served until the close of the struggle, fighting on the lake and at Plattsburg and retiring with the title of Major-General, while his brother, who had gone out in his regiment as Major, came home as a Brigadier-General. This was the War of 1812.
Mrs. Eliza (Dee) Jaynes was born in Franklin County, Vt .. and became versed in all the useful arts which were considered a part of a young lady's education. She has now reached the ripe age of eighty-eight years. She is a worthy member of the Baptist Church. The subject of this sketch is the third of the nine sons and daughters whom she has borne. In addition the family roll includes the names of llomer, now a resident of Kansas; Will- iam who died in the Green Mountain State at the age of twenty years; lialbert. of Neosha County, Kan. ; Mrs. Charlotte Hurlbert, of Franklin County, Vt .; Sarah. who married I. G. Williams and is living in Iowa ; Addison, whose home is in Kansas; Mrs. Helen Caswell, of Vermont; and Mrs, Addie Hlouse, of Joliet.
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Our subject was born in Georgia Township, Franklin County. Vt., June 25, 1835, and being reared on a farm early took up his share of the labors thereon. Ile received a good common- school education under the free school system of his native State and also attended Georgia Academy from which he was graduated at the age of eighteen. lle then went to Delaware County, Ohio, and en- gaged in teaching for a year, after which he came to Chicago and secured a clerkship in a store on Kinzie Street. Six months later he went to Galena, thence up the river to Hudson City and there em- barked on a boat for St. Croix, Wis., where he taught two terms of school.
The next location of young Jaynes was at New Richmond where he embarked in the sale of gen- eral merchandise, having his goods shipped to Hudson and then hauling them seventeen miles. Ile was a member of the Home Guard, being Ser- geant of the company, and at the first meeting after Ft. Sumter had been fired upon, the whole company determined to enter the Union Army. On April 18, the name of Ezra E. Jaynes was placed upon the muster roll of Company F, First Wisconsin Infantry, and after being mustered in a: Madison he was sent to join the Army of the Potomac. Three months were passed in skirmish- ing and other duties, when, the term of enlistment having expired, Mr. Jaynes was mustered out about the ist of August and returned to Wisconsin. Hle settled up his business during the early fall and in November returned to his native State where on December 20 he again enlisted, becoming a mem- ber of Company F. Eighth Vermont Infantry.
The regiment was mustered in at Brattleboro, assigned to Gen. Butler's Brigade and sent to New Orleans on a sailing vessel which landed them at Ship Island. An expedition was fitted out in the spring of 1862, the transports reaching the South- ern metropolis and investing it the 22d of May. Mr. Jaynes served on police duty in the city some thirty days, until affairs became somewhat settled and he was then sent across the river to Algiers where he operated on the Opelousas railroad a year. During these months he took part in battles and skirmishes against "Old Dick Taylor" and the Texas rangers, participating at Franklin on the
Atchafalaya River, etc. He had been mustered in as Corporal, but for two years acted as Sergeant.
The next departure of Mr. Jaynes was toward Natchez, the march taking in Natchitoches and the Salt Works. He was one in the first expedition up the Red River and upon the return crossed to Ft. Iludson, May 22, 1863, and participated in the attack on the breastworks on the 27th. Still later, on June 14, he and his comrades crawled over trees, logs and dead bodies until they had reached a point within four rods of the breastworks when he was severely wounded in the right shoulder and side. He was leaning forward when one or more balls entered the shoulder at the top coming out below the arm and causing paralysis. He was also struck in the side by a shell, which seriously muti- lated the flesh. Not able to stand, he fell back on two dead men, lying there unable to move. Toward evening the band came that way and one of them recognizing him, he was carried back to a sugar campon a stretcher. There they were taken prisoners by the rebels, but their captors had time to parole but a few ere Col. Grierson effected the rescue of the others. All the surgeon did was to wash out the wound and remove from it a few maggots, after which Mr. Jaynes was hauled to the river, over fourteen miles of rough corduroy road in an army wagon. A steamer conveyed him to New Orleans and he was placed in the hospital, but the fare which he received was so limited or un- palatable that he nearly starved. To add to the horrors of the situation his wound was not properly cared for and for three weeks it was a nest of insects.
Mr. Jaynes was laid up in the hospital from the 20th of June until late in the fall, when he obtained a furlough and made his way as best he could to his home. lle was scarcely able to walk even with the aid of a stick, was without money and nearly naked, but made his way up the Mississippi River and finally reached home and friends nearly dead. With better care he began to recover and having his furlough extended two months he gained so rapidly that he was enabled to report at New Orleans before its expiration. He was, however, not tit for campaign duty and was therefore placed in the Veteran Reserve Corps, One Hundred and
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Sixty-fourth Battalion, which did guard duty at the Mechanics Institute Hospital. Ile acted as Ser- geant in the Veteran Corps until the spring of 1865, when he was ordered to Brattleboro, Vt., was mustered out and honorably discharged. He had been ill before the battle of Port Hudson and the doctor had told him not to go out as he was unfit for duty. lle. however, felt that he might as well be shot as to die of disease and he had therefore joined his comrades with the result above related.
After spending a few days in the enjoyment of the comforts of home and the society of his friends, Mr. Jaynes came West. feeling that his desire to obtain a small piece of land whereon to make a home would be more likely to reach fruition in a newer country than Vermont. He rented land in Wilmington Township, this county, for four years and in the fall of 1868, purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie upon which not a tree was to be seen. paying $10 per acre. The follow- ing spring be located upon it, doing the best he could to cultivate and improve it, but being obliged to hire most of the labor done, as he was seriously crippled from his wound and army ex- posure. Ile was able to do some plowing with a riding plow, and to do some of the grain cutting and hay raking.
Prudent management. wise plans and frugalecon- omy conquered the circumstances which svemed untoward, and Mr. Jaynes succeeded in placing his land under excellent improvement and making it pay so well that he is now independent in finances. During the past seven years his sons have done the work of the place, carrying out his wishes fully and reaping a due reward.
Mr. Haynes is the best read man in the township. having ever found a recompense for lus inability to enjoy physical recreations, in the society of the ' right minds, which books afford. He belongs to Seneca Lodge No. 40. F. & A. M. at Milton Falls. Vt. lle is a Republican of the stanchest sort and it has been the desire of the members of his party that he would represent them in county conven- tions, but he has refused the appointment on account of his crippled condition. To all who love their country he is an object of great respect for the service which he rendered in her time of
need, while his excellent management, high degree of intelligence, and personal character win him many friends and give him high repute over an extended territory.
The first marriage of Mr. Jaynes occurred in Wilmington Township, January 17, 1866. Upon this occasion he led to the bymeneal altai Miss Jennie Rockwell, a native of Franklin County, Vt., with whom he lived happily until she was called hence in 1870. She was a daughter of Stephen Rockwell, an early settler in this county and the owner of a large property. The union was blest by the birth of two children-Stella, who died in 1879, and Arthur, who lives in Wilmington Town- ship with his uncle.
A second alliance was contracted by Mr. Jaynes, March 12, 1871, at the home of the Rev. W. G. Renfrew in Jackson Township. The lady who there became his wife was Miss Mary, daughter of Ehas Klingler, who came from Pennsylvania to Will County in 1867. Mr. Klingler was a farmer but has now retired and makes his home in Man- hattan. Mrs. Haynes is a native of the Keystone State, is well informed, skilled in housewifely arts, and possesses the happy faculty of making a home in more than name. She had borne her husband live chillren, namely : Lester, Osear, Chester, Edith and Alfred. All are at home but Oscar, who is attending the Normal School at Valparaiso, Ind., and in the intervals of study joining the home circle in their pleasures and duties.
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N ALTER GRAY. This gentleman's early identity with the farming and stock grow- interests in this part of Illinois entitles him to representation in this BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM as a pioneer of the county. Ilis home is in Wheat- land Township, where he located many years ago. He has retired from the more active life of his early years, and though still having an interest in the farm that he developed from the will prairies, he has turned over its management to his sons, retaining but ten acres of it for his own use.
Mr. Gray is a native of Lanarkshire, Scotland,
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and was born in the mouth of September, 1819. He was a son of Charles and Ellen ( Watson ) Gray, likewise natives of Scotland. Ile was reared on a farm principally and received but limited educa- tional advantages. He is, however quite a reader, and keeps posted on matters of general interest.
Our subject married in his native land January 1, 1839, taking as his wife Jane Wilson. She was also of Scottish birth, born September 22, 1819, and a daughter of Job and Janette ( Anderson) Wilson, natives of Scotland. Four of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gray are now living as follows: Charles, in Leadville, Col .; Jomm and Walter, in Wheatland Township; Jeanette, wife of Alexander Martin, of Ottawa, Kan.
In 1819, desirous of improving his prospects in life and of being able to build up a home for him- self and family, our subject emigrated to this country, taking passage at Glasgow, on a sail vessel and after a voyage of about twenty-six days, landing in Quebec, Canada. For a short time he lived in the Province of Ontario and then coming to the " States," he took up his abode in Will County, and has been an honored resident here ever since. He began life here under adverse circumstances, having but fifty cents when he landed in the country. However, he was well en- dowed with brawn and muscle, and with sturdy, persevering, industrious qualities, inherited from a Scotch ancestry, and setting to work with cheer- ful courage, in the years that followed by per- sistent toil evolved a fine farm from the tract of wild prairie that he purchased. He first located in Plainfield Township, was there some three years and then took up his abode in Wheatland Town- ship, having secured a tract of wild land. He did not become prosperous without having to pass through the trials and hardships of early pioneer life here and the endurance of many privations and self sacrifices. His farm comprises two hun- dred acres of land, finely improved and provided with excellent buildings, and is under the manage- ment of his two sons, John and Walter, he retain- ing a life interest in it. Ile has here a comfortable home and has the use of ten acres of land. lle has been greatly assisted in his labors by his de- voted companion, who may well be described in
the following words, as: "The housewife, clean of heart and conscience, the buckler and helpmate of her husband."
By his life of industry and uprightness Mr. Gray has won not only worldly gain, but the affection and confidence of all about him. For many years a Presbyterian, he has never wavered in his adherence to his faith, and is one of the most consistent members of the United Presbyte- rian Church in Wheatland, his wife also belonging to that church. In politics he is a sturdy sup- porter of the Republican party. He has been a School Director for a number of years and has always favored all schemes for the educational and moral elevation of the community.
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