1894 Plat Book of Morgan County Illinois

Robert R. James was born in Prince Edward county, Va., August 12, 1793. He emigrated to St. Clair county, Illinois, in company with James Deaton and family, and there settled October 19, 1819. He remained twelve miles east of Bellville until the next year, when he, with his uncle James Deaton, and family settled on section 12, township 15, range 11, where he still resides, being a continuous resident for fifty-two years. There were not a hundred souls in the present limits of Morgan county when Mr. James first came into it. To get samp the settlers were obliged to go to Greene county, seven miles east of Carrollton; and for groceries, salt, or cooking utensils, to Alton village. Mr. James was married June 19, 1822, to Miss Eleanor Pease, of Ohio. By this union he had thirteen children, twelve of whom became of age; viz.: William, now a citizen of this county; John Wesley, who died in Kansas, in 1870; Samuel, a citizen of Cato, Crawford county, Kansas (where J. W. died); Francis, who is residing with his father; Lewis, residing near his parents; Elizabeth, former wife of Wm. Sheff (died in 1852); Martha, present wife of G. W. Sawyers, a citizen of Scott county; Mary, former wife of Samuel Colwell (died on the plains, in 1852); Susan, wife of C. A. Higold, of Arcadia (died in 1858 - and her mother in February, the same year); Harriet, second wife of C. A. Higold; and Emily, wife of T. J. Carney, residing with her aged father. Mr. James is highly respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. (Note: do not know what "samp" is, but that is what is written in the above bio.)

Alexander Johnson was born in Barren county, Kentucky, October 24, 1819. He was the third son of Reuben Johnson, who settled about two miles north of the present village of Concord. He made the first entry of land in township 16, range 12. John W., his son, is now a citizen of Jefferson county, Iowa, and Harvey W. is one of the prominent citizens of Tennessee township, McDonough county. Reuben Johnson was one of the early settlers, who was esteemed highly for his many sterling and manly virtues. He died in February, 1856. Alexander was married February 24, 1842, to Miss Ann, second daughter of Henry Long, one of the old settlers, who is still living in the county. He had by this union children in the following order: Thomas W., born March 27, 1843; Finas M., born March 26, 1845; Elbert H., born August 6, 1847; William A., born December 24, 1859. Thomas and Elbert are residing near their father. Rev. F. M. is pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Newbern, and is doing other work in Jersey county, Ill. His youngest son, William A., is residing at home with his parents. Mr. Johnson is one of the moral men of the county, and is surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances, who esteem and respect him for his inherent and acquired good qualities.



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