USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with biographies of all the governors of the state, and of the presidents of the United States > Part 31
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The grandfather of our subject was reared on a farm, and was married in his native State to Polly Landon. After marriage he removed to Ilerki mer County, N. Y., and was a pioneer of that section of the country, buying a traet of wood land and clearing a farm. There were no railroads or canals in the Empire State in those days, and Albany was the nearest market and depot for sup- plies. In 1820 he sold his possessions there, and with his wife and seven children, two of whom had families, he again started Westward in search of a new location in the young State of Illinois. The little party set out on their long and momentous journey in the month of March, driving to Olean Point. where they embarked, teams and all on flat- boats and floated down on the Alleghany and Ohio Rivers to the Mississippi, to Shawneetown, having an Indian pilot to guide them on their way, and from the latter place drove with their teams to Mad- ison County. The grandfather of our subject rented improved land and after raising a erop for win- ter use, removed with his family to Greene County. He and his sons, William and Ward, bought to- gether a squatter's claim to a tract of Government
land, a part of which is now included in the town of Carrollton. He erected a log house, and at once commenced to evolve a farm from the wilderness; that was prior to the time that Carrollton was laid out, and Greene, Jersey, Macoupin and a part of Scott County were included in Greene County, St. Louis being the nearest market. Deer, turkeys and other kind of game were abundant, and the In- dians still lived on the Illinois River. In 1826 Grandfather Eldred went to the mines at Galena, and in that vicinity spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring at a venerable age in 1847. flis wife died before he did, her life terminating Greene County in 1824.
Ward Eldred was but a child when his parents went to New York State, and there he grew to a vigorous manhood, and in due time he was married. In 1818 he visited Illinois on a prospecting tour, and after a short stay in Madison County, returned as he came, on foot. In 1820 he came back here with his father and other members of the family and settled in Greene County. buying a claim on which he located. When the land came into mar- ket he attended the sale at Edwardsville, and bought four hundred acres for himself, besides quite a tract for his father and another for his brother. It was prairie and timber land, and a cabin stood on his purchase, into which the family moved in December, 1820. After the death of his wife in 1823 Mr. Eldred broke up housekeeping and made his home with his brother William until 1828, when he married a second time, and built a log house on his farm for the accommodation of his bride. He lived on that place some years and then sold and bought Illinois River bottom lands in the same county. There he closed his eyes in that dreamless sleep that knows no waking, in June, 1851. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Emma Brace, and she was of Connect- icut birtlı. Her father Asahel Brace, was also a native of New England, and he was a son of Abel Brace. The former went to New York to locate in the early days of the settlement of that State, and became a resident of Winfield, where he drew out the remnant of his days to a good old age. His wife bore the maiden name of Katie Curtis.
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Our subject was the only son of his mother, and he was bereft by death of her tender care when he was scarcely four years old. His paternal grand- parents then took him in charge until his father's second marriage. His education was obtained in the pioneer schools of the early years of the settle. ment of this State, which were held in log houses, furnished with slab benches that were supported by wooden pegs, and a board on either side of the school-room served as a common writing desk for the pupils. These primitive buildings were lighted by a part of two logs being cut out and a row of pieces of glass eight by ten inches in size being in- serted in the hole thus made in the wall. The schools were taught on the subscription plan, and our subject, eager for a practical knowledge of books, attended whenever opportunity offered.
When not in school our subject assisted in the labors of the farm, and continued to reside with his parents until he established domestic relations of his own by his marriage in March, 1842, to Miss Emeline Wooley, a native of Greene County, Ill., and a daughter of David and Lauretta (Hodge) Wooley, who were residents of New York State prior to their removal to Illinois when they became pioneers of Greene County. Mr. Eldred's first wife died in 1857, leaving three children, Da- mon H., William O. and George. His second mar- riage was in 1858 to Miss Elizabeth Ritchie, a native of New York City, and a daughter of John and Margaret ( Wilson) Ritchie. Iler death oc- curred May 24, 1873. Five children are living of that marriage-Charles W., Samnel W., Horace O., Margaret D. and John F. Our subject was a third time married September 3, 1875, Miss Grace Trible becoming his wife. She is a native of Devonshire, England, and a daughter of John and Mary (Oli- ver) Trible. Her parents were also natives of Devonshire, and came from their old English home to this country in 1858. 'They settled near Girard, in this county, where Mr. Trible bought land and was prosperousty engaged in farming until his death in January, 1890. His widow now makes her home with her children.
When Mr. Eldred married and settled down in life his father gave him eighty acres of land nine miles west of Carrollton. In March, 1857, he sold
that place, and coming to this county, bought four hundred and eighty acres of land in Polk Town- ship, upon which he made his home until March, 1890, when lie purchased his present commodious and conveniently arranged residence in Carlinville. During his active business life he displayed great enterprise, tact and ability in the management of his affairs that brought him riches, and he knows how to enjoy his wealth, and he has a thorough appreciation of good things of life. His many years' residence in this county have gained him a large acquaintance, among whom he has many warm friends, attracted to him by his genial, jovial disposition, and by his generous and kindly nature. In his early life he was a Whig, and his first Presi- dential vote was cast for W. H. Harrison. Since 1860 he has been a devoted adherent of the Repub- lican party. He has served as Assessor of Polk Township, and is a member and Director of the Macoupin County Agricultural Society, always do- ing all in his power to promote the best interests of this section.
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ILLIAM JONES, Esq., a well-known and honored pioneer of this county, now en- gaged in general farming on section 16, Brighton Township, claims Wales as the land of his nativity. Ile was born in Radnorshire, on the 14thi of May, 1816, of the union of Thomas and Ellen (Vail) Jones. IIis father is of Welsh de- scent, his mother of French lineage. They were married and began their domestic life in the province where our subject was born and after some years removed into an adjoining county in England. During the war with France which ended in the defeat of Napoleon, Thomas Jones made and lost a fortune. In 1831, after the birth of all their children, he and his wife left England, sailing from Liverpool to the United States upon the ship "Ajax," commanded by Capt. Ilurn. After five weeks and three days spent upon the water they landed in New York City, whence they made their way to Dutchess County, N. Y., where they resided until the spring of 1833, when they
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made their way by the New Orleans and Alton route to Illinois. The combined capital of the family at that time was only $10, five of which was paid for conveying them to Brighton. The other five was used to make a partial payment upon a milch cow, the remainder to paid for by the labor of one of the boys. After a time with the help of one of his sons, Thomas Jones purchased one hun- dred and twenty acres of Government land which he cleared and developed, making it a good farm. The mother died at their home in the early days when abont sixty years of age. The father died at the home of his son, our subject, about nineteen years later. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist Church. They had a large family but with the exception of William and his brother Thomas, who is now living in Beardstown, Ill., all are now deceased.
Our subject has been a resident of Illinois since he was seventeen years of age with the exception of a very short period. He worked for many years as a farm hand and throughout his life has engaged in agricultural pursuits with the exception of the two years he spent on the Pacific Slope. Immediately after the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia, be set out with II. C. Clark and William Loveland with fourteen ox-teams and as many wagons. On the 6th of May the party crossed the Missiouri River at St. Joseph, and started on the wearisome march across the plains, arriving on the 1st of August at the Nevada mines on Greenhorn River. They made the first trail over that country. For a time Mr. Jones engaged in mining and then made a trip to San Francisco and Sacramento for the mail for the others of the camp. Subsequently he joined parties in a merchandising venture which was very successful and later he struck some very good surface mining. After spending two years in California, he returned home by the way of the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans and with his gold dust purchased his present homestead. His western experience was interesting in many par- tienlars yet he also suffered many hardships, being afflicted with the scurvy which prevailed to a great extent among the miners.
In this county, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss Eveline Dandridge, who was born in
Alabama, in 1813, and died at her home in Brighton "Township in 1864, leaving one son, Thomas A., who married Clara Clark and is now a farmer of this community. The mother was a member of the Baptist Church and a most estimable lady. For a second wife Mr. Jones choose Miss Margaret Forse, who was born and reared in Dresden, Ohio. and afterward came to Illinois, where she married Mr. Jones. In religious belief she was a Presby- terian and died in the faith of that church in 1881. Three children were born of their marriage, Susan M., Vail F. and Hugh W., who are still at home with their father.
Mr. Jones is a prominent Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge of Brighton, and in polities is a Democrat. He has served as Justice of the Peace and School Trustee for thirty-nine years and is re- garded as one of the leading citizens of the com- munity. His attention however has been devoted mostly to his farming interests and he is now the owner of twelve hundred acres of highly-improved land which yields to him a golden tribute for the care and cultivation he bestows upon it.
AMES ETTER is one of the reputable farm- ers of South Palmyra Township, owning and operating an estate pleasantly located on section 9. It consists of ninety acres of fertile land which was given to our subject by his father, and which is well cultivated, supplied with substantial buildings and made the source of a good income. Mr. Etter was reared to farm life and is well acquainted with all the details of his work and knows what means should be taken to beautify as well as to make productive. He was born in the township in which he now lives, July 21, 1848, and in his early years attended the district school. His parents are Henry and Elizabeth (Davidson) Etter, under whose roof he remained until he was twenty-five years of age.
October 30, 1873, Mr. Etter was united in mar- riage with Miss Julia F. Richie, who was born in South Palmyra Township in 1856. Her father, Eli W. Richie, is a reputable farmer. After their
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marriage Mr. and Mrs. Etter settled where they are now living. Their pleasant home is brightened by the presence of four children, named respectively, Eli Scott; Settla A., died when seven years old ; Elfa J., Henry Ross and Ola J.
Mr. Etter has served as Constable, Road Com- missioner, Township Clerk and Collector. He was elected to the first office soon after attaining his majority, and filled each of the other positions in turn in a capable manner. He keeps himself well informed regarding the news of the day and the political issues and converses intelligently. Hle always casts his ballot with the Democrats. As a citizen he is reliable and steady going, in social life be is agreeable, and in his own home he is thoughtful and considerate.
E LLISON BRALEY. The gentleman whose portrait is presented on the opposite page is one of the most extensive farmers and land- owners in the county, and is numbered among the oldest citizens now residing at Carlinville. He is widely known and honored for his integrity of character and good citizenship. He comes of good old New England stock and is himself a native of that section of the country, Hopkinton, Middlesex County, Mass., his place of birth and July 26, 1810, the date thereof.
Ilis father, whose given name was Ezekiel, was born in Rhode Island in 1782 and was a son of Roger Braley, who was a native of Massachusetts and the descendant of an old Huguenot family that came to America in 1700 to escape religious persecution in their native land, and settled in Massachusetts, buying large traets of land from the Indians, the deed of the same reading, "in con- sideration of two smokes of the pipe and one drink of cider." A part of the land was afterward the home of Daniel Webster. The first ancestor to come to this country spelled his name Brales. He reared four sons, who were named Ezekiel, Rauel, John and Roger.
The grandfather of our subjeet left his early home in the old Bay State and made a new one for
himself in Rhode Island, where he lived until death closed his mortal career. He married Ruth Cole, who after his death became the wife of a man by the name of Bosworth, spending her last years in Massachusetts. The father of our subject lived in his native State until he attained manhood and early learned the trade of a shoemaker. When a young man he went to Massachusetts and was em- ployed on a farm by Capt. Rockwood in that part of the town of Upton now included in Hopkinton. Ile subsequently bought a small tract of land five miles south of that town, and resided thereon some years, farming in summer and making shoes mn the winter. In 1826 he removed to Holliston, where he lived until 1840. His next move was to Westboro, where his earthly pilgrimage was brought to an end and he was gathered to his fathers at a ripe old age.
Ile and his good wife reared a family of nine children, of whom the following is noted: Elliott, who came to Illinois in 1857, died at Carlinville in his eighty-third year; Ellison is the subject of this sketch; Philander came to this State in 1836, and after living in Madison County fifteen years, has ever since been a resident of Carlinville; Louisa married Charles Morgan and resides at Carlinville; Harriet married Nelson Cole and lives at Piasa this county; Benjamin is a resident of of Westboro, Mass .; George R. lives near Dexter, Mo .; Gibbs, the eldest son of the fanaly, died in 1881, at the age of seventy-five; Esther, the youngest daughter, died in 1886 at the age of fifty-seven years.
The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Lois Walker and she was born in 1783 in Hopkinton, Mass. Her father, Timothy Walker, was also a native of Massachusetts and was a son of Israel and Abigail Walker. He was a soldier in both the Revolution and the War of 1812. Ilis entire life was passed in his native State, where he carried on the occupation of a farmer and hunter. He married Lois Gibbs, a native of Hop- kinton and a daughter of Isaae and Lois Gibbs. The mother of our subject departed this life in her native town.
Ellison Braley left the parental home at the age of twelve years and went to live with Charles
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Valentine in Hopkinton, with whom he remained successful farmers in this region. He now owns until he was fifteen years old. He then accom- ' eight hundred and sixty acres of choice land, all lying in this county and conveniently divided into different farms, which are under good tillage and amply supplied with a good class of farm build- ings.
panied Mr. Valentine to Boston, where the latter formed a partnership with Mr. Bridges to carry on the business of wholesale provision merchants. Our subject continned in their employ in the Boyl- ston Market six years and then in 1832 went to New York in the interests of Mr. Bridges, and assisted him there nntil 1838. In the fall of that year he started Westward with another young man, driving to Western Pennsylvania with a horse and wagon, then traveling by stage by the way of Pittsburg and Wheeling to Cincinnati; there they embarked on a steamboat and proceeded to Madison, Ind., where Mr. Braley worked for a time for a New York firm. The following spring he made his way to Illinois, traveling on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to St. Louis and from that city by a two-horse wagon to Carlinville, where he arrived the Ist of April. He rented land, on which he raised a crop of corn and in the fall formed a partnership with a tanner. Five years later he sold out his interest in the tannery and bought a country store, which he managed a year and a half, and later bought a grist mill at Collins Mill. The next venture was to buy a steam flour mill at East St. Louis, which he operated a few months and then sold advantageously.
Soon after that Mr. Braley bought a steam saw- mill on Macoupin Creek, a mile and a half from Carlinville, his brother being interested with him in the purchase. They refitted the mill, putting in new machinery and repairing the boilers, and worked the concern very profitably until it was burned a year later. The brothers then came to Carlinville and erected a steam saw mill and were engaged in the manufacture of lumber until 1864, when they sold their mill. During that time the Chicago & Alton Railroad was in process of con- struction and they had the contract to furnish the joint ties for the road, which was completed from Alton to Carlinville in July, 1852. That fall they took the contract to furnish ties and lumber to be used in the construction of the road between Springfield and Bloomington. After disposing of the mill our subject turned his attention to farm- ing and became one of the most extensive and
Mr. Braley was married in the city of New York November 1, 1840, to Miss Catherine Coon, a na- tive of Rensselaer County, N. Y., and to her devo- tion to his interests is undoubtedly attrilmtable a good share of his prosperity. They have six chil- dren: George, a resident of Virden; Sarah, living in California; Eleanora, the widow of General Rowett, of whom see biography on another page of this volume; Catherine, Paul and Cyrus F., the latter three living with their parents.
Through a long and busy life that has passed the eightieth milestone on the journey to immor- tality, our subjeet has shown himself to possess in an eminent degree those dominant characteristics of the genuine sons of New England that have made them such potent factors in the upbuilding of any community wherever their lot may be cast. Ilis capability and keen insight into the best metil- ods of managing his financial interests, together with his plain and straightforward dealings, have i placed him among the moneyed men of the county. He and his wife stand high in social and religious eireles and are among the most esteemed members of the Presbyterian Church. Formerly a Whig, Mr. Braley has been a tried and true Republican since the formation of the party.
AMES F. MESSICK. The varied wants of the present generation and the many inven- tions that have been made during the cent- ury give rise to numerous occupations and lines of trade. It is well that it is so, as the tastes and peculiar abilities of men are thins called in play and legitimately exercised for their worldly prosperity. Carlinville is the headquarters of Mr. Messick, who has for some time been engaged in the sale of musical instruments in this and adjoin- ing counties. By fair dealing he has secured a
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large trade and his reward has been a good main- tenance and the ability to supply his family with every comfort and give bis daughter excellent ad- vantages.
Mr. Messick is a native of this county, having been born on a farm in Brushy Mound Township., February 24, 1844. His father, JJoseph W. Mes- sick, who was born in Christian County, Ky., was reared and married in his native State, and con- tinned to reside there until 1840, when he removed to this State with teams. Reaching Cabokia Town- ship, this county, he made his home there two years. then went to Gillespie Township, and in February, 1844, settled in Brushy Mound Town- ship. Hle bought a tract of wild prairie land and built upon it the log-house in which his son James was born. He improved the land and lived upon it until 1868, then sold and for a few years resided in Nilwood Township, after which he went 10 Kansas. For a time he made his home in Bourbon County, but finally established himself in Crawford County, where he is still living. Ifis father, Abra- ham Messiek, is believed to have been born in Pennsylvania and was an early settler in Christian County, Ky.
The wife of Joseph Messick and mother of our subject was Sarah Kittinger, a native of the Blue Grass State, who died in 1860. She had six ehild- ren, named respectively, Daniel W., James F., Joseph. B., Martin A., Sarah and Thomas. Daniel was killed at Pittsburg Landing, being a member of the Thirty-second Illinois Infantry; Joseph served in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illin- lois Infantry.
The gentleman whose name introduces these paragraphs was, educated in his native township and in the intervals of study assisted in carrying on the farm. Ile obtained a practical education and at the early age of sixteen years began teach- ing and until 1864 gave a part of each year to ped- agogical work. He then enlisted. enrolling himself in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty . third Illin- bis Infantry, in the month of May, but a short time after he had passed his twentieth birthday. Ilis enrollment was for one hundred days and he served mtil September, when he was honorably dis- charged, the term of service having expired. He
resumed his former occupations of teaching and farming, and spent each winter in the school-room until 1873. He then entered upon his present business, in which he has been more than ordinarily successful.
The family of Mr. Messiek consists of a wife and danghter. His wife was known in her maidenhood as Miss Susan R. Kelly. and changed her name to that she now bears, in 1868. She is a capable, well-read woman, with a Christian character, and is an excellent neighbor and true friend. The danghter, Nellie R., has been the object of tender and judicious care and is well calculated to adorn any cirele in which she may be placed. Husband, wife and danghter belong to the Methodist Episco- pal Church and Mr. Messick is Trustee and Stew- ard. After giving dne thought to the politieal situation he decided in favor of Republican princi- ples and he has seen no reason to abandon the party.
G' EORGE H. GILSON, M. D., is a popular and well-known physician at Shipman. He is a native of this State, born at Brighton September 15, 1853. His father, James W. Gilson, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and was a son of William Gilson, wbo was also a native of the Key- stone State, of which he was a life-long resident. Hle was of Scoteh ancestry. His occupation was that of a farmer.
The father of our subject passed his early life amid the scenes of his birth, but when he attained manhood he set out in the world to seek fortune's favors in the Great West, as this part of the coun- try was then called. Ile came to this State in 1840, and buying a partly improved farm near Brighton, he devoted himself to agriculture for some years. He then took up his residence at Brighton, where he turned his attention to the mer- cantile business, and to buying and shipping grain. His death August 30, 1860, removed from that town one of its most enterprising citizens, who had been a valuable help in its upbuilding. In early manhood he had married at Jefferson, Ind., Marian Merriwether, a native of Todd County, Ky. She
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departed this life August 31, 1873. She was the mother of seven children.
Our subject laid the foundation of a liberal edu- cation in the Brighton public schools, and was subsequently graduated from Blackburn University in the class of 1872. Thus well prepared, he en- tered upon his medical studies at the St. Louis Medical College, from which he was graduated in the class of March, 1876. Before he entered upon his professional career, he made a tour of the East- ern States, visiting the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia, and other points of interest, broaden- ing his mind by contact with the outside world and deepening his knowledge by intelligent obser- vation.
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