HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Its Past and present
Chicago: Donnelley, Loyd & Co., Publishers, 1878.
(reprinted by the Jacksonville Area Genealogical and Historical Society, 1975)
ABERNATHY, James H. farmer, Sec. 27, P.O. Concord. Was born in Van Buren Co., Iowa, Sept. 28, 1853; married to Miss Emma Kershaw, Dec. 23, 1873; she was born on the farm where they now live, Jan. 6, 1854; have two children: Arthur Allen and Eva Gertrude. When he was about seven years old, his mother died, and he was bound out to a farmer; he left him after a few years; kept on farming till ’71, when he came to Concord about the 10th of August. He visited Iowa several times before his marriage. He has a fine farm, and raises large numbers of cattle.
ADAMS, Littleton, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 10, P.O. Waverly. The gentleman who heads this sketch was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, as near as can be ascertained, in 1818; when quite small his parents moved to Kentucky where the head of the family purchased 200 acres of land; for sixteen years John Adams remained in that State, and then moved to Illinois, crossing the river at Ford’s Ferry, and shortly after settled in Morgan County, nine miles west of Jacksonville; he rented land here until he was able to buy; these early years spent on the farm, subduing the stubborn prairie, are vividly impressed on the memory of the subject of this sketch; in 1853, John Adams died; his pioneer wife survived him many years departing this life in 1864; but one of the children reside in Morgan County, Littleton Adams, who married Miss Elizabeth Crismond in 1848; he was then owner of a small piece of land; having the natural skill of a farmer he became very successful, and now owns a tract of over 700 acres of land, rising to his present position through will and energy; Mr. Adams raised a family of nine children: Bertha, Mary, James, Nancy, Ida Lena, Lee, Freddie, Lucinda, and Georgiana.
ALLAN, Peter, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 3, P.O. Lynnville, born in Linlithgow, Scotland, Sept. 5, 1825; was married to Jennie Dunlap, Jan. 11, 1848; she was born in Bathgate, Scotland, Aug. 29, 1826; their children are: James, born March 31, 1851; Maggie H., Jan. 20, 1853; Agnes M., June 21, 1856; Mary I., Jan. 7, 1859; John R., July 22, 1862; Willie, Aug. 25, 1865, and died Aug. 27, 1865; Robert, Sept. 26, 1866; Alexander, Sept. 20, 1871, and died July 1, 1873; he emigrated to America in 1853, and first settled in Jacksonville; was engaged as baker at the Insane Asylum for seven years, then went to farming; has been engaged in that business ever since; owns farm of 215 acres; member of the Congregational Church.
ALLIS, S. G. M. farmer and stock_raiser, Secs. 26 and 27. The subject of this sketch, a prominent farmer in Morgan Co., was the second child by the second marriage of Abel Allis to Lucretia Mansfield; he was born in Georgia, Vt.; during his fifth year his father died, he was then, so to speak, thrown literally upon his own resources for five years, in which he served as an apprentice to a tanner and currier, and became journeyman workman. In his thirtieth year he married in New Hampshire, Miss Chapin; in 1837 he moved to Illinois, coming to way of Terra Haute, Ind., to Springfield, Ill., thence to Morgan Co., and settled on the farm property he now owns, which he purchased for $7 per acre. Paying a large interest on the land, he was compelled to work early and late to make the farm products go toward the payment. During our late war he stood steadfastly by the Union when human life was an exceedingly cheap commodity. Mr. Allis was formerly the possessor of 400 acres of well improved land. He now owns 280. A man of prosperity, whose liberality is well known, he stands high, as does also his estimable wife, in the estimation of all who know them, for their many good qualities. The following children blessed this union: Mansfield, Caroline, Frederick W., Louisa and Anna. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Allis have been childless, but their kind hearts and disposition have been the cause of sharing their comfortable home with little ones who were left at a tender age to battle with the world. For a great many years Mr. Allis and wife have been members of the Episcopal church.
ANDERSON, James, operator, was born in Boyle Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 1865, and came to Springfield, Ill.; was engineer in a furniture factory for six years; in 1871 came to Meredosia; was engineer for five years; since that time has been both operator and engineer; was married to Miss Carrie Conway, June 9, 1874. She was born in Missouri, Sept. 20, 1859, died Nov. 22, 1877; was buried in Meredosia. Had one son, Harry Monroe, born Oct. 31, 1877. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Methodist Church, and is a strong temperance man.
ANDRE, Mathias Franklin, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P.O. Meredosia; Dem.; Meth. Episcopal; born in France, province of Mon Saint Martin, Feb. 13, 1833; left France at the age of sixteen, in 1849; coming to this country, he engaged to work for Mr. Blakely, in Erie County; the first year he received $7 a month, and the second year $10; this included board and lodging; he then went to Wisconsin, and engaged to work in the Menomonee River pineries, receiving a salary of $24 a month, including board and lodging; here he remained six months; he left this work in 1852; on his way to this county he stopped in Chicago a little over one month; finally made his home in Morgan County; engaged to work by the month for Mr. Dempsey, for whom he worked nine months; then worked for Mr. David Geiger three months; then worked two years for Mr. L. D. Graham, an old settler; married Dec. 8, 1858, to Elizabeth Amanda, daughter of Mr. Graham; his present farm contains 181½ acres - 75 acres he received from his father-in-law - purchasing the balance from time to time; one-half of his land is improved, and his house, a fine two story frame, was built in 1877. They have five children living: Linda Florence, born Dec. 21, 1859; Roland Lee, born Feb. 5, 1861; Milton Henry, born June 20, 1867; Harriet Virginia, born Aug. 26, 1873; George Bertram, born May 18, 1876. Lost six children: Charles Franklin, born Aug. 13, 1862, died June 15, 1870; William Eddie, born July 30, 1864, died June 17, 1870; Martha Elizabeth, born Dec. 7, 1865, died Sept. 15, 1866; Albert Mathias and John Aldon, twins, born Sept. 21, 1869; Albert Mathias died Aug. 10, 1870, John Aldon died June 2, 1870; Lizzie Bell, born Dec. 7, 1865, died oct. 3, 1873; his wife was born at the residence of her father, now standing at the foot of the bluffs on Sec. 8. His children were all born at his present house. Mr. A.’s father, John, was born about 1796, and served twelve or thirteen years under Napoleon, the great French emperor: he first served as drummer boy; his wife was Susan Waltsin.
ANGELO, Robert H., farmer, Sec. I, P.O. Murrayville. Son of James Angelo, a native of New Jersey; he was born in 1768, and was married twice; first wife was Miss Mary Hulins; about the year 1810, moved to Crawford Co., Pa.; here his wife died; her death is thought to have occurred about the year 1815; married again about the year 1817, to Miss Lucy MacDowell; the children born to this marriage were Samuel W., David R., Robert H., and William H. (twins), Andrew J., Thomas J., and Daniel F. In March 1832, Mr. Angelo packed his little goods in a covered wagon, and by persistent efforts gained, after a weary journey, the land inhabited by the deer, elk, and some grizzlys, settling in Buckhorn prairie, Morgan Co.; there entered some government land, building his own cabin; soon the smoke from the emigrant’s cabin was wafted on the breeze, giving hope to the weary traveler that he was in proximity to a settlement. Of the children living, Samuel married Rhoda Burwell, David married Mary Masters, William married Sarah Northcote, second wife was Charlotte French; Andrew J. died in 1845, Thomas J. married Elizabeth Hoover, second wife Mary Marker; Daniel died in 1854; Robert H. was born in Crawford Co., Pa., June 25, 1821, and followed the shifting scenes of his parents’ life, and was married, Feb. 9, 1843, to Miss Rebecca Bruton, daughter of William Bruton; have had six children, Lucy A., William J., Hester Anne (died in 1848), Dempsey S., Emily Clementine, and Mary Jane. Mr. Angelo’s life has been that of the rolling stone; after his marriage, lived in Macoupin co.; then returned to Morgan Co.; in 1849 moved his family to the “Lone Star” state, and returned to old Morgan in 1850, living after his return in Buckhorn Prairie and Lynnville; spending five years on the James Strawn farm, purchased a prairie farm in Buckhorn; improved it; after a residence on it of twelve years, sold out, and purchased another in the same neighborhood; lived on it two years; sold out, and rented a farm from James Strawn; thence to the George Graff farm; thence back to his first love, Buckhorn Prairie, and rented the Isaac Hammill farm; after a residence of one year, moved to Youngblood Prairie; a residence of one year at the latter place was sufficient, hence he moved to the Andy Williams farm, near Murrayville, and there tilled the soil for three years; from there he moved and sojourned with the people of Scott Co., renting the Shores property; one year sufficed; moved back to Morgan, settling on Sec. I, where he now resides. Mr. Angelo, while a resident of Buckhorn Prairie, served as school director for two terms, and as supervisor of roads two terms, and now, in the autumn of his life, is well thought of by his friends and neighbors.
ANGELS, Thomas M. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P.O. Lynnville, was born in Crawford Co., Penn., May 25, 1825; came to Morgan Co. with his father, James Angelo, in 1831; was married to Elizabeth Hoover, April 13, 1848; she was born May 24, 1829, in Macoupin Co., and died April 6, 1864; had seven children, three of whom are living, named: Samuel F., Sarah J., and William T.; was married second time to Mary J. Horton, Aug. 16, 1864; she was born May 28, 1842, in Jefferson Co., Iowa; two children: Alonzo C. and George C. Owns farm of 280 acres; was constable four years, and justice of the peace twelve years.
ANTHONY, Martin L. Woodson, minister of “Christ’s Church,” son of Christopher and Anne J. Anthony, of Kentucky; descendants of German ancestry, having emigrated here during our struggle with the mother country. Martin Anthony was born in Morgan Co., May 14, 1851; at the age of seven years, commenced his education at the log school house, under the care of Miss Mary Rucker; in his sixteenth year, gave up the abode of learning to engage his time on the farm; since that time, has, by close application, acquired a thorough knowledge of the writings of the fathers, and is a practical, self_made scholar. In 1868, moved to Macoupin County, and engaged in farming; at the early age of seventeen, united with the Baptist Church; in his twentieth year, was called to the ministry; his first sermon was delivered at Roodhouse; after preaching in Macoupin Co. four years, moved to Pike Co.; This was about 1872; thence to Scott Co., and there held a protracted meeting at Big Spring church, which resulted in the addition to the fold of forty_five members. It was during his preaching here that the “brethren” detected that Mr. Anthony’s doctrinal enunciations pointed to Campbelliteism; a dispute ensued, and the next Sabbath, by agreement, he delivered his opinions, taking his text as follows: “I endure all things for the elect sake, that they may also obtain salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” 2 Tim., ii, 10. This discourse brought on the crisis, hence Mr. Anthony withdrew from the Baptist Church, and at once identified himself with the Christian Church, was elected elder in 1877, and has since devoted his life and energies to the spread of gospel truths. His membership with “Christ’s Church,” commenced while he was a resident of Glasgow, Scott Co. In January, 1877, by invitation of the church at Woodson, held a protracted meeting; his lucid enunciation of the Scripture so pleased the church, that he was solicited to preach for them, and in March, 1877, moved his family and located here, and now his field of labor embraces Scottville, Apple Creek, and Waverly; was married April 5, 1874, to Miss Emma Frances Summers, daughter of Green and Elsie Summers, by the Rev. Isom Roberts of the Baptist Church. The fruits of this union are: Augusta Alice, born April 20, 1875; Lillie Anne, born Dec. 26, 1877. Mrs. Anthony was born Aug. 5, 1854. Mr. Anthony owns a good property, is a genial and courteous gentleman, a kind husband and father, and beloved by all.
ARNETT, James W., J.P. office on Pearl st; was born in Waverly, Morgan Co., Oct. 20, 1847; moved to Texas in the Fall of 1859, and returned to this State in the Fall of 1860; learned the harness-making trade with Mr. H. C. Wood, commencing in the year 1866; was married Feb. 14, 1870, to Miss Sarah E. Wood, daughter of Mr. Wheely Wood, who was a native of England. Mrs. Arnett was born in Macoupin Co., Ill., June 8th, 1845; have three children, two daughters - Annie and Elizabeth and one son - Peter C.; removed to Texas in 1873, returning to this State again in 1874; as the result of a serious spell of sickness he became a cripple; in 1875 he engaged in the harness business in the town of Waverly; in 1876 he moved to Jacksonville, and in the following year returned to Waverly; in Nov. 1877, he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, and immediately commenced the study of law; in April, 1878, he was elected city attorney. Mr. A. is a young man of fair education and endowed with considerable natural ability, and bids fair to become a good lawyer and a useful and influential citizen.
ARNETT, Mrs. Melinda (DEATHERAGE), relict of P. C. Arnett, was born in Robinson Co., Tenn., March 30, 1823; a daughter of James and Fanny Deatherage; they were natives of North Carolina; there married and shortly after removed to Kentucky where they settled down to a quiet farm life. In 1829, they made their way into the interior of Illinois, locating near the present farm residence of Mrs. Arnett. Here the head of the family entered land from the government, but shortly after removed to Missouri, but subsequently returned to Morgan Co., where they passed the remainder of life. During his pioneer days he formed the acquaintance of Peter Cartwright and others, noted in the annuls of this county. The marriage referred to above was blessed with five children: George W., Wm., Lucinda, Melinda, and Coleman. Melinda married P. C. Arnett in 1838, a Tennessean by birth, born in Overton Co. in 1820. In 1831 his parents moved to Morgan Co., Ill., where young Arnett afterward became prominent in the affairs of the county for thirty-two years. His health was quite poor, but even under affliction was noted for his energy and perseverance. For some years he was the owner and proprietor of a grist mill at Waverly, and also became the owner of an extensive brickyard. He died June 5, 1875. His wife, who had been his companion through youth and middle age, now resides on the old homestead, now a well-cultivated tract of land, over which she was wont to roam and gather the wild flowers that grew in abundance everywhere. The marriage was blessed with six children - three living: - Fanny, who married James Farrow; James W., who married Sarah Woods; and George H., who married Mattie Branom. For thirty-five years the husband of Mrs. A. held the position of magistrate, and but two appeals were ever taken from his court.
ATKINS, A. J. bridgebldr. residence 608 E. College Av. Was born August 15, 1841, in Springfield, Ill.; came to Jacksonville in the Fall of 1870; was married August 15, 1867, to Miss Kate E. Russell, of Columbus, Ohio; she died December 16, 1869; was married again May 2, 1871, to Miss Kizzie E. McBride; she was born in Salem, N.C. July 31, 1850; he has four children, Harry R. born July 17, 1869, Myra Gertrude born January 31, 1872, Jessie Belle born June 8, 1874, and Harvey D. born October 15, 1876; Harry R. is by his first wife; up to 1873 Mr. A. devoted most of his time to railroad contracting.
ATTERBURY, Albert H., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31, P.O. Franklin. Mr. A. was born in Monroe Co., Mo., Feb. 1846; his father, Ashford Atterbury, was born in South Carolina, and from there moved to Kentucky; he there married Miss Sarah Miers; they moved to Missouri in 1828, becoming among the earliest settlers of that State, where it would be no uncommon occurrence to go twenty_five miles to a blacksmith shop. The old folks passed the remainder of life in Missouri. This union was blessed with nine children, four of whom are living: John M., who married Eliza Snidow, a native of Missouri; James F., who married first Miss Williams of Howard Co. Mo., and on her decease afterward married Mrs. Burton; D. F. married Miss Elizabeth McAllister of Morgan Co.; Albert H. grew to man’s estate in Missouri, receiving the usual log_cabin education. Ten years ago Mr. Atterbury became a resident of this county; in 1872 he married Miss Jennie Smith, a daughter of Samuel Smith, a native of Morgan Co., and whose parents were among the first to set foot in old Morgan. Three children Martha E., born July 15, 1872; Samuel A., born April 13, 1874; Ozias K., born June 13, 1876. Brothers of Mr. Atterbury not living: Francis M., died March 7, 1865; Robert P., died Jan 19, 1864.
AUSTIN, John, deceased, during his life was well and favorably known to the residents of this county; he was born in 1837, on the homestead property of his parents in Morgan Co. The head of the family, Eli Austin, who is still living, was a farmer and blacksmith; when old enough John attended a district school during the winter, the summer finding him busily employed on the farm; in 1857 he married Miss Martha Criswell, daughter of George Criswell of this county; four children: Susan M., Ida L., Cora E. and Evalena. On the 29th day of January, 1868, Mr. Austin died and was interred in the Seymour cemetery; a useful citizen, his death was regretted by all who knew him; he left a property of 160 acres, on which his widow, Martha H. Austin, now resides.