History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois, Vol II

History of Crawford and Clark Counties, Illinois, Vol. II.

William Henry Perrin, ed.

(Chicago:  O.L. Basking & Co. Historical Publishers)

1883.

Part III: Biographical Sketches

Crawford County

[p. 227]

P. G. Bradbury

State’s Attorney, Robinson, one of the most distinguished and successful young attorneys in this part of Illinois, is the gentleman whose name heads this biography.  He is a native of Crawford County, Ill., being born October 6, 1847; is a son of John S. Bradbury, whose portrait appears elsewhere.  He was the second of three children by his father’s union with Jemima Buckner, who died when our subject was quite small.  His father’s business being that of a ruralist, from early boyhood until he reached the age of twenty-one, P. G. worked on the farm with unceasing industry, the only relaxation being his attendance at the York schools from five to six months during the winters, until he was twenty years old.  He had the advantage of the Normal Schools of Bloomington and Carbondale, Ill., a short time.   At the age of fifteen, he formed a dislike for farming and decided upon a broader field of labor. His ambition did not slumber, and his zeal for his anticipated profession, that of law, did not abate; and, of course, prosperity crowned his efforts.  So anxious was he to gain the knowledge requisite to his future prosperity that he carried his history and algebra to the field with him, and while the horses were resting, he applied himself vigorously to those two studies.  Soon after attaining his majority, he passed an examination and was awarded a certificate to teach in the common schools of both Clark and Crawford Counties.  He at once began teaching in the Mail neighborhood, in his native borough at $33 1/3 per month.  He continued the labor of a pedagogue for ten consecutive years, receiving for his last term a compensation of $110 per month.  During his labor in the schoolroom, he saved $1,700, a portion of which he loaned and the remainder was used to defray necessary expenses.  His reputation soon became widespread, and every year increased the demand for his services and added laurels to his professional career, and accordingly, in 1873, he was elected Superintendent of schools of Crawford County, which position he resigned within about three years to accept the office of State’s Attorney, which was tendered him in 1876, which position he has held ever since.  He began reading law with Judge Robb, of Robinson, in 1874, and was examined by the Supreme Court at Mt. Vernon, Ill., and was admitted to the bar in 1876.  He at once formed a partnership with his preceptor, which still exists.  During his first term as State’s Attorney, he turned over to the school funds $1,859 as fines.  Before this time, the records don’t show one cent every having been reported by any previous prosecutor.  He has been very earnest as an official, and has convicted nearly 300 persons for felonies and misdemeanors.  It is not often we find in one man such a devotion to his profession and to science, and at the same time such an undaunted public spirit as we find in Mr. Bradbury.  In his profession he is possessed of a firmness, a calm, cool brain, a quick, unfailing eye, a steady nerve, a strength of will, and a physical endurance, which give him so much distinction as a prosecutor.  He performs a prodigious amount of professional labor – enough to bankrupt the physical system of any man of ordinary endurance – but yet he finds time to attend to scores of enterprises of a local but important character.  Everything he undertakes bears the unmistakable impress of his energy, sound judgment and genius.  In addition to all this, he is a thorough scholar, and a true gentleman, and enjoys the abiding confidence and respect of the people for his manly character and unimpeached integrity.  He is an energetic Democrat, and labors ardently for the success of the party.  He was married December 31, 1879, to Jennie Kelley, born December 5, 1855, in Sullivan County, Ind.   Her father, James Kelley, was a native of Ireland, and came to Sullivan County, Ind., when a boy; started there with nothing, and at his decease in 1861, was worth $50,000.  Her mother, Melinda (Johnson) Kelley, was a native of Sullivan County, Ind., and blessed Mr. K. with three children, viz.: William, John and Jennie.  The mother was married after the decease of Mr. Kelley to Dr. Van Vleck, of New York, who is also deceased.  She survives on the old farm in her native county.  Mrs. Bradbury was educated at the State Normal School, Terre Haute, Ind.; is a very pleasant, affable lady, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.  Mr. B. is a member of the A., F. & A. M. Lodge of Robinson.

 

[p. 232]

John Thomas Cox

Circuit clerk, Robinson, one of the largest, stoutest and handsomest men in Crawford County, is the good-natured clerk of the Circuit Court whose name stands at the head of this sketch.  He was born in this county April 29, 1843.  His educational facilities were such as the times afforded, being principally confined to the log school houses, now things of the past.  His education was finished up with a term at the public school in Hutsonville.  At the age of eighteen, he entered the ministry, which he followed about eight years as a preacher of the Christian Church, and during his ministry he proved himself an able exponent of the doctrines of the renowned Alexander Campbell and Barton W. Stone.  But after serving his church some eight years as a minister, he returned to his farm (says he reformed) near Hutsonville.  He continued on his farm until 1876, when he was elected Circuit Clerk of Crawford County, and in 1880, he was re-elected to the same office, which he fills satisfactorily to the people.  During his political canvass he wholly refrained from the pernicious practice of frequenting saloons, and the soliciting of votes through the influence of whisky.  Mr. Cox owns an excellent farm near Hutsonville of 220 acres, in a fine state of cultivation.  He was married January 16, 1868, to Miss Lucinda J. Buckner, of Clark County, Ill. They have three children, viz: Hattie L., born November 3, 1868; Estelle E., born July 6, 1870, Manford E. born March 20, 1880. 

 

[p. 236]

J. M. Eagleton

tavern keeper, Robinson, was born in this county February 8, 1832.  His father, James Eagleton, was a native of Blount County, Tenn., born in the year 1795.  Here he grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty-four, in 1856, he came to Crawford County, Ill., and settled on a farm.  He married shortly after he came here to Miss Margaret Montgomery, a daughter of James Montgomery, at which time he purchased a farm near Palestine and engaged in the business of farming.  In 1841, he sold his farm and purchased another near New Hebron.  Here he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1877.  He raised a family of eleven children, six of whom are living, four in this county, namely, William, David, George and our subject.  Their mother died in 1874.  Subject of our sketch was married in this county February 16, 1854, to Miss Nancy Banguess, at which time he engaged in farming in the southern part of this county.  In the fall of 1869, he removed to Southwest Missouri, but remained there about two years, when he returned to this county and engaged in the marble business in Robinson, but shortly after built a house near the Wabash Railroad, and engaged in his present avocation, where he has good property.  He has a family of two children living, namely:  George and John Cornelius.  He and his wife are church members, they belong to the church called the Church of God.  Politically he is a Republican." 

 

[p. 243]

Samuel T. Lindsay

Photographer, Robinson, was born in Crawford County, Ill., January 20, 1847, and is a son of John T. and Elizabeth (Clayton) Lindsay, both of whom are living, he born in Versailles, Ripley County, Ind., January 28, 1825; she born in Crawford County, Ill., February 26, 1831.  Subject was raised on a farm in Montgomery Township and engaged in teaching and farming alternately.   In 1879, he was elected Sheriff by the Republican party, and served in that capacity two years.  After his term of office had expired, he engaged in his present business.  In September, 1882, he was burned out, but has rebuilt and restored his business.  In Montgomery Township, Crawford County, Ill., in 1867, he married Mary E. Harris, born in New Hebron, Crawford County, Ill., November 11, 1848, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Roar) Harris; he, a native of Virginia, born December 17, 1817, died April 14, 1855; she a native of North Carolina, born November 30, 1824, and is still living. 

 

[p. 263]

C. S. Buckner

merchant, West York, is next to the youngest of six children; was born January 16, 1855, in Clark County, Ill.  His early years were spent upon his father’s farm, and was educated from the common schools.  At twenty-one years of age he left his home and engaged in farming on his own account.  In 1878, he bought 80 acres of land in Clark County and sold it in 1881, when he bought the stock of goods of Moore & Reynolds, at West York and engaged in merchandising, at which he is still engaged, and has the exclusive trade of the town.  His father, Charles Buckner, was born in Crawford County, Ill., in March 1822; he is now residing in Clark County, engaged in agricultural pursuits.  His mother, Rebecca (Osborn) Buckner, was born in 1824 February the 14th at Sullivan, Ill.  Mr. Buckner was married to Miss Harriet A. Maxwell, in 1876, who died December 6, 1876, leaving one child as a result of their union, viz., Frederick.  In 1877, in Clark County, he married a second time, Miss Julia A. Buckner, a native of Tennessee, who has borne him two children, of whom one is living, Emma R.  Mr. and Mrs. Buckner are religiously connected with the Methodist Church.  In politics, he is a Republican and an enterprising man, bearing a name and reputation which is beyond reproach.

 

[p. 265]

Thomas Correll

farmer, P. O. Trimble, was born in Crawford County, Ill., July 30, 1830, to Hiram and Rebecca (Newlin) Correll.  The father was a farmer, born August 12, 1807, in North Carolina, and died September 7, 1873, in this county.  The mother of our subject is a native of Randolph County, N.C., born July 1, 1810, and is still living in this county.  The parents had eleven children – Thomas, Sophia, Alfred, John, Matthew, Margaret, Mary, Irena, Jane, Lucretia and Winfield S.  Those deceased are John, Margaret, Jane and Lucretia.  The early schooling of our subject was limited.  He started in life as a farmer, and he has always applied himself to farming pursuits.   He was married in this county, May 23, 1850, to Susannah York, born this county July 28, 1828, a daughter of John and Martha (Eaton) York, natives of Kentucky.  In 1855, our subject moved to his present place, having at the time eighty acres, which additional purchases have increased to 345 acres, which is given to general farming and stock raising.   Of late years, he has done considerable outside threshing and has recently purchased a tile-making outfit, including an engine and mill, which he and his sons contemplate operating in the future.  Mr. and Mrs. Correll are the parents of ten children – Albert N., born June 27, 1853; Orlan N., October 15, 1854; Matilda E., June 20, 1857, and died June 13, 1867; Sophia I., February 27, 1859, and died August 13, 1860; Celestia J., November 6, 1860, and died in the spring of 1881; Charles M., June 21, 1862; Minnie B., December 20, 1865; Ira H., August 10, 1867; and died April 13, 1869; John A., April 13, 1869, the same day as the latter’s death, and William W., August 12, 1873.   Our subject is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, Science Lodge, No. 1161, and is also, with his wife, a member of the Christian Church.  In politics, he is a Republican.

 

Alfred Correll

farmer, P. O. Trimble, was born in this county January 19, 1834, a son of Hiram and Rebecca (Newlin) Correll (see sketch of Thomas Correll elsewhere).   His early education was limited.  He started for himself in life at the plow, and has always given his attention to agricultural pursuits.  He was first married, April 12, 1857, in this county, to Nancy Jane Hill, born January 23, 1837, in this county, a daughter of Sargent and Lydia Catharine (Griggs) Hill. She died November 30, 1877.  By her our subject had ten children – Melissa E., born January 24, 1858; Leander, November 4, 1859, and died December 29, 1881; Catharine R., November 15, 1861, died May 2, 1867; Clara A., April 30, 1865; Rosetta, August 8, 1867; Levi, April 8, 1869, died August 18, 1869; Harlem, December 16, 1870; Arthur A., August 9, 1873; a son, March 3, 1876, died March 7, 1876, and Thomas L., November 30, 1877, and died April 19, 1879.  Our subject was married a second time, in this county, October 6, 1878, to Sarah Jane (York) Correll, born May 38, 1835, in this county, a daughter of John and Martha (Eaton) York.  She was first married to Jonathan R. Correll, born June 4, 1835, and by him had four children – Louvisa, born April 2, 1856; Henry A., December 23, 1857; Mahala E., August 23, 1859; and Everett, July 31, 1860, and died in March, 1863.  In 1857, our subject moved to his present place, which at that time consisted of eighty acres.  It now contains 120 acres, mostly in cultivation.  He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, and with his wife, of the Christian Church. He votes the Republican ticket. 

 

[p. 296]

John B. Andrew

farmer, was born March 17, 1807, in Caroline County, Md.  He is a son of William Andrew, who was born and died in Maryland.  He was a farmer, and was married to Margaret Beechum, who was the mother of eight children.  One of them, named David, was in the war of 1812.  Mr. Andrew went to school in Maryland and Ohio, and was married in the former State, January 15, 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Ireland, born 1809; she is dead now.  She was the mother of one child, named Delilah, who was married December 5, 1867, to Mr. John W. Leaverton, born April 15, 1840.  He is a farmer by occupation, and is mentioned in another part of this work.  Mr. Andrew was married a second time, January 17, 1853, in Marion County, Ohio, to Mrs. E. A. Essex, born September 12, 1821; she is a daughter of John and Nancy Parrott, and is the mother of three children, two boys and a girl; the boys, L. J. Essex, born December 2, 1839, and J. P. Essex, born December 21, 1844, are now living; the girl, Frances E., born May 16, 1854, and who married H. W. Hutchings, is now dead; she died April 12, 1873.  Mr. Andrew is a hale old man, and carries his years well.  He and his wife belong to the Christian Church.  He is a Democrat in politics.

 

[p. 297]

W. J. Crews

farmer, P. O. Palestine.  This worthy gentleman first beheld the light of this world on the 7th day of August, 1802 [sic], in Halifax County, Va.  His father, John Crews, was born October 7, 1868, in Virginia.  He was married to Elizabeth Samson, born January 6, 1778, in Virginia.   She was the mother of seven children, three of whom are now living.  Mr. J. Crews was one of the first settlers in this county, having come here with his family in 1817, and entered 160 acres of land in what is now called Montgomery Township, where his son, the subject of this sketch, was brought up, and on June 18, 1829, he was joined in matrimony to Miss Amelia Spraggins, born July 9, 1810, in Lincoln County, Ky.  She is the daughter of Nathaniel and Christiana (Carpenter) Spraggins, who came to this county in 1815.  Mrs. Crews is the mother of nine children – Christiana A., born April 15, 1830, she was married June 13, 1850; Mary E., born September 29, 1831, married February 29, 1848; Martha A., born November 22, 1834, married February 19, 1852; William J., born November 27, 1836, he died October 8, 1858; John H., born April 23, 1841, married February 13, 1866; Angeline, born September 1, 1844, married September 1, 1863; Sarah A., born October 25, 1846, married February 28, 1867; and Eliza J., born July 28, 1849, married December 30, 1869.   Mr. Crews has given all his children a good start in life, and has also given them that home training which has made of them excellent members of their respective communities; altogether his life has been a success, and we feel assured that he can look back with the greatest pleasure to the days that are long since passed.  He is a Republican, and with his excellent wife and children belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.  

 

[p. 300]

George Ferguson

farmer, P. O. Trimble.  This gentleman was born June 27, 1823, in Scotland, son of John Ferguson, born in Ireland.  He married Susannah Miller, born in Scotland, she is the mother of twelve children.  Our subject came to the United States in 1844, settled in New Jersey, lived one year in Terre Haute, and seven years in Clark County, Ill.; then six years again in Indiana, settling here in 1865.  He has now a good farm of 161 acres of fine land, which he keeps in good shape.  He was married first in Scotland to Margaret Daley, who died here February 1, 1877; she had the following children – Susan, James Alexander, Mary A., Margaret W. Simpson, John, married Eva Page; George, married Margaret Cooley; James, Letitia, F. Gross, Elizabeth, William and Thomas are dead.  Mr. Ferguson was married again, November 19, 1879, to Mrs. Judith A. Fulton, born June 2, 1827, in Perry County, Ohio, daughter of Joseph H. and Ann (Schofield) Claypool, and is the mother of four boys – John H., Gus, married Anna Rodgers; Otto, Adam Leo.  Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson are members of the Christian Church, and good members in society.  Our subject has many of the good characteristics of the Scotch race, among others, honesty and piety, and strict temperance. 

 

[p. 301]

Enoch Gogin 

carpenter, Palestine, was born October 9, 1812, in Clermont County, Ohio, a son of Thomas Gogin, born April 5, 1773, in Morris County, N. J., who was a wagon maker by occupation.  He died in Crawford County.  His father, John Gogin, born April 8, 1749, was lost at sea.  Mrs. Thomas Gogin’s maiden name was Sarah Scull, born 1781, in Cape May County, N. J.   She was married, August 31, 1796, and was the mother of twelve children.  Seven are now living, and their ages will average seventy-two years.  Mr. E. Gogin went to school in Hamilton County, Ohio.  In early life he farmed with his father, then learned the carpenter trade, followed that till 1860, when he was elected Postmaster at Palestine, Ill., where he had removed with his father in 1841, continuing in that office till 1876, when he resigned on account of rheumatism; is an invalid at the present day.  He was married, in Hamilton County, Ohio, June 6, 1835, to Mary A. Ewell, born November 18, 1817.  She is the oldest child of John and Helen Ewell, who died in Cincinnati, Ohio, after which she, her sister Eliza J., and her brother John, who died in Piqua, Ohio, in 1862, were brought up in Hamilton County, by Scotch people.  Eliza J. is now living in Robinson, Ill., with her husband, O. W. Gogin, a marble dealer.  Mrs. M. A. Gogin is the mother of two children – Leonidas H., Catharine M., born June 25, 1836, died August 13, 1856; she married J. Purcell and was the mother of Sarah E., born April 6, 1856; she married Dr. J. S. Thompson, of Bruceville, Ind.; one son, Frank P, was born August 28, 1878, is the result of this union.  Leonidas H., was born November 30, 1838, died August 28, 1872.   Was a soldier in the Twenty-first Illinois Infantry, Compani I.  Mr. and Mrs. Gogin are members of the Christian Church.  Mrs. Gogin has carried on a dry goods and notion business for the last eighteen years.  She is a strong church and Sunday school worker. 

 

[p. 301-302]

S. R. Goodwin

farmer, P. O. Palestine, was born August 3, 1835, in Decatur County, Ind.  He is a son of Nelson Goodwin, born in Kentucky.  He was a physician by occupation, and married Miss Sarah Travis.  Mr. S. R. Goodwin was educated in Decatur County, Ind.  In 1854, he moved to this county, where he enlisted in the summer of 1862, in the Ninety-eighth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Company D.  His regiment was afterward mounted and did some hard fighting till the close of the war.  Mr. Goodwin was joined in matrimony, August 30, 1867, to Mary M. Pifer, born May 30, 1844, in La Motte Prairie; she is a daughter of Joseph Pifer, born September 24, 1819, in Virginia.  He was married, August 25, 1842, to Margaret Walker, born January 23, 1822.  Mr. Pifer died January 1, 1876, and is wife died November 5, 1878.  Mrs. Goodwin is the mother of two children – Maggie E., born July 14, 1868, she died October 2, 1869; and Harlin Leslie, born February 20, 1870.  Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.   He is identified with the Republican party, is a “Knight of Honor,” and is a member of the “G. A. R.”

 

[p. 302]

David Goodwin

farmer, P. O. Palestine, was born December 18, 1843, in Coshocton County, Ohio.  His father, John Goodwin, was born July 29, 1815; was a mason by occupation, and enjoyed the respect of all who knew him.  He was married to Miss Morris, born January 4, 1823; she died February, 1881.  She was a daughter of Elisha and Casine (Cullison) Morris, and the mother of eight children.  Mr. D. Goodwin went to school in Montgomery Township, and was joined in matrimony, April 5, 1866, to Stacy A. Magill, a daughter of William L. and Elizabeth (McCorpin) Magill; she was born October 3, 1847, and is the mother of four children – Emma J., born January 30, 1867; John W., born July 30, 1868, he died October 4, 1869; Noah F. born November 7, 1873; and Chester A., born August 6, 1877.  Mr. and Mrs. Goodwin are exemplary members of their community, and both belong to the Christian Church. He has been identified with the Democratic party.    He has good buildings on his farm, which he manages with great care and profit. 

 

A. C. Goodwin

Farmer, P. O. Palestine.  The subject of this sketch was born October 11, 1848 in Decatur County, Ind.  He is a son of Nelson Goodwin, M.D., who was born in Kentucky, but who died in Crawford County, Ill.  The mother of our subject, Sarah B. Goodwin, was born in Travis, Ind.  She is the mother of four children now living – Shadrich R.; Mary J., who married George D. Griswold; our subject, A. C. Goodwin, and his sister, Sarah M., who married C. J. Price, a physician in Hardinsville.  Mr. Goodwin was educated at “The Union Christian College,” in Merom, Sullivan County, Ind.  In early life, he distinguished himself as a teacher, he taught for five consecutive years.  He is now living in Palestine, but carrying on farming.   He was married there march 6, 1878, to Miss Aggie Cunningham, born December 4, 1856.  Her father, Isaac Cunningham, was born in Ohio; her mother, Jane Cunningham, was born in Palestine.  Mr. Goodwin is the father of one child, named Ethel Cleo.  Mr. Goodwin is a Republican, and a Knight of Honor. He had three brothers in the army; one of them was killed at the battle of Nashville. 

 

[p. 304]

John M. L. Hill

stockman, P. O., Palestine.  Mr. Hill was born March 19, 1820 in Knox County, Ind.  He is a son of John Hill, born 1793, in North Carolina, who died 1825, in Knox County, Ind.; he was a farmer, and a soldier in the war of 1812; he married Mary Clark, born 1795, in North Carolina.  She is the mother of nine children.  Our subject went to school in Knox County, Ind., and in early life learned the saddler and harness trade.   He had a hard time in early life.  He earned his first money by raising corn on the shares and taking it to New Orleans on a flat-boat, where he sold it for 25 cents per bushel.   Afterward, he, in partnership with two tailors, went into the stock business, which proved successful.  In 1845, he opened a harness shop in Palestine, Ill.; in 1854, he went into the stock business.  From time to time he entered life in different counties.  He owns now 717 acres of land besides town property.  Financially, our subject’s life has been a success.  He was married October 8, 1846, in La Motte Township, to Miss Jane Purcell, born March 24, 1824, in La Motte Township.  She is a daughter of Jonathan Purcell, a pioneer, who was born in Virginia.   Her mother was Sarah Boatright, who was born in Tennessee.  Mr. Hill was identified with the Whig party, but he is now a Republican. 

 

[p. 308]

Z. Iliff

farmer, P.O. Palestine, was born July 30, 1839 in Hampshire County, W. Va. He is a son of James Iliff.  Mr. Z. Iliff spent most of his early life among strangers, being six years in Ohio.  In 1866, he came to Crawford County, where he was joined in matrimony, May 14, 1868, to Mrs. Margaret Barker, born July 4, 1838; she is the daughter of William Hicks, whose father, William Hicks, Sr., was one of the pioneers of this county.  William Hicks, Jr., married Elizabeth Montgomery, who was the mother of four children.   Mrs. Iliff is the mother of three children-- Charles Barker, born August 26, 1859, he died November 8, 1862, he was a son from her first husband; Lessie, born November 4, 1869; and Nora, born May 8, 1874, are from her second husband.  On the 10th of February, 1865, Mr. Iliff obeyed the call of Union to defend the stars and stripes, and enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty fifth Ohio Infantry Volunteers, and served till the close of the war.  Mr. Iliff is independent in politics, and is a wide-awake, well-to-do farmer, and, together with his estimable wife, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church."

 

[p. 314]

D. B. Mills

Blacksmith, Palestine, was born August 4, 1835, in Muskingum County, Ohio.  His father was James Mills, a farmer by occupation; he died in Ohio.  He was joined in matrimony to Eliza Wright, born 1807, in Zanesville, Ohio.   She died in 1875, in Wells County, Ind., and was the mother of nine children.  Mr. Mills went to school in Allen County, Ind., he served his apprenticeship in Fort Wayne, Ind.; after that he rambled for some two years.  April 26, 1858, he came to Palestine, and has called that place home ever since, following his trade.  One season he ran a woolen factory.  He enlisted, August 12, 1862, in the Ninety-eighth Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Company E; his regiment was mounted during the second year of service.  He was mustered out June 26, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn.  After the war, he came back to Palestine, where he has followed his trade, and was married November 8, 1864, while home on furlough, to Miss C. P. Griffith, a distant relative of ex-President Franklin Pierce.  She was born April 30, 1841, and died October 31, 1868; she was the mother of one child, living, named Pierce, born October 21, 1868.  Mr. Mills married a second time, December 5, 1872, in Adams County, Ohio, to Miss T. E. McColm, born February 18, 1842; she died December 14, 1878.  She is a daughter of John and Hannah (Beech) McColm; her grandparents came from Ireland in 1795; they were robbed on the high seas by pirates, supposed to have been French privateers, and were landed in the United States in a very destitute condition, even hatless and coatless.  Mrs. McColm is the mother of one boyo, named Orville, born January 7, 1875.  Mr. Mills has traveled extensively in the United States, having been in twenty-four States. 

 

[p. 318]

J. C. Raney

farmer, P.O. Palestine, was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 8, 1836.  He is a son of James Raney, who was born July 22, 1789, in Berkeley County, Va., who was a farmer by occupation.  In the year 1812, he obeyed the call of his country, and fought for American rights and freedom; he died in 1864; he was joined in matrimony to Miss Martha Siler, born September 5, 1794, in Berkeley County, Va., who was the mother of ten children.  Our subject went to school in Greene County, Ohio, where he farmed afterward.  He was married there, also, October 12, 1863, to Miss Charlotte M. Archer, born December 10, 1842, in Washington County, Penn.  She is the daughter of Ebenezer Archer, born 1806, in West Virginia, near Steubenville, whose occupation was that of a tiller of the soil, and whose father came from Scotland.  Her mother was Marguerette McCrea, born 1807, near Steubenville, Ohio.  Mr. Raney has been identified with the Republican party, but is now strongly in favor of the Prohibition party.  He has three children, Albert I., born November 25, 1864, in Greene County, Ohio; Marguerette E., born December 29, 1866, in Greene County, Ohio; Archer Russell, born July 1, 1873, near Palestine.  In the spring of 1867, Mr. Raney came to Crawford County, Ill., where he had bought 200 acres of land the year before, lived on it seven years, when he sold out and bought the David Lagow farm, situated just west of Palestine.  Mr. Raney is a useful member of the community in which he lives; he is an Elder of the Presbyterian Church, of which body is wife is also a member.  She is also known as a good Sunday school worker.

 

[p. 326]

Montgomery Township

William C. Adams

Farmer, P. O. Palestine, was born February 12, 1824, in this county.  His father, Eli Adams, was of Kentucky pioneer stock, as his father, William Adams, had settled there, whre Elizabethtown now stands.  Eli Adams, in company with his uncle, James Baird who was afterward killed by Indians, came to this county in 1810, when this country was sparsely settled, and wild beasts and still wilder men roamed through the forest.  Here, amid the hardships of pioneer life, he gained the good traits which characterized him in after life; here he wooed and won for his wife Elizabeth Shaw, who was a daughter of Joseph Shaw; she was the mother of thirteen children.  Our subject was educated in this county, where he afterward was joined in matrimony March 14, 1850, to Lowduskey Johnson, born July 27, 1829, whose parents were pioneers of this county.  She is the mother of six children now living.  They are Sarah E., Elisha Goodwin, born October 20, 1852; Augustus, born Octo 1, 1854, he married Rachael J. Postlewaite; John Franklin, born March 17, 1857; Sue, born January 26, 18561; Philander, born January 27, 1863; Ida D., born March 16, 1867.  Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and with their children are exemplary citizens of their respective communities.  He is the owner of 558 acres of fine land, to the cultivation of which he gives considerable attention; he has filled the office of School Treasurer for twenty-five years, to the satisfaction of all concerned; is a Democrat in politics.  

 

[pp. 330-331]

A. Kincaid

farmer, P. O. Morea, born April 20, 1800, in Greene County, N.Y.   His father, Samuel Kincaid, was a show-maker by trade; he was born in Ireland, where his father, Thomas Kincaid, fell a victim to the much-dreaded “Press gang,” which was then in vogue, and was sent with the Royal troops to this country, and offered his services to Gen. Washington, he having previously deserted the British flag.  He was made an Orderly Sergeant, and participated in the battle of Bunker Hill; his son, Samuel, was in the same battle, though he was only fourteen years old; he acted as drummer boy; he afterward participated in the war of 1812, being stationed at Cleveland.  The father of our subject died at the age of one hundred and three years, and his grandfather lived to be one hundred and five years old.  Samuel Kincaid married Marian Hungerford, born in Massachusetts; she was the mother of eleven children.  Our subject moved with his father from New York to Pennsylvania, from there to Ohio, thence to Kentucky, then north again to Indiana, and finally in 1840 he settled in this county.   He was married, July 6, 1826, to Lucinda Jenna; she had six children, of whom only Lucy A., Lydia M. and Franklin are now living. He was married again, July 16, 1874, to Mrs. Hannah Cory, born May 3, 1833; she is a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Gogin) Young, and the mother of two daughters, who are now living – Sarah Jane and Mary Electa.  Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  He is a Democrat, and as far as earthly possessions are concerned, he is well provided, having 386 acres of fine land, besides good town property in Robinson.  

 

[p. 333]

Wily Montgomery

farmer, P.O. Bird Station.  This gentleman is a descendant of the Montgomery pioneer family who came here at an early date, when they had to go to Ft. LaMotte in time of Indian troubles.  The country was then in a wild state and the woods were filled with wild beasts and wilder men.  Our subject was born in the township that bears his name, and was married here to Lindsay, daughter of Hazael Lindsay; she is the mother of ten children now living -- Abner, married Marinda Pinkstaff, they have six children; Hazael L., married Jane Ford, they have five children; William E. married Harriet J. Smith, they have three children; John, married Ida Rodgers, she is the mother of one child; Dewitt C., married Olivia Ford; Lafayette E. and Sarah R., born January 17, 1864; Amos was born January 13, 1866; Charley, born June 17, 1868; Effie, born November 19, 1870.  Mr. Montgomery is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Bird Station, Monroe Lodge, No. 447.  He has 320 acres of good land with good improvements.  He, as were his ancestors, is identified with the Democratic party.

 

[p. 333]

Samuel C. Montgomery

farmer, P.O. Flat Rock, born March 25, 1849, in this county, grandson of Andrew and Elizabeth (Colwell) Montgomery, who came from ireland and settled in this county in an early day when the settlements were very few and the dark forest was filled with lurking wild beasts and still winder men; amid the dangers of pioneer life they reared a large family who were all honored citizens of their respective communities.  One of the children, Andrew, was married twice.  First to Sarah Carter, who had five children; his second wife, Martha J. Highsmith, was the mother of eight children, four of them -- Nathaniel, Wiley, Sarah J. and Lucinda -- are married; Mary E., John D., Martha V. and our subject are living on their father's homestead, he having died September 27, 1880, the mother died December 9, 1872.  The children are living on a farm of 200 acres of good land.  The boys are Democratic in politics.  When the grandparents of our subject first came to the United States they settled in South Carolina, from there they moved to Tennessee, thence to Kentucky, and then to Indiana, where they forted at Ft. Knox, and finally came to this county as stated above.  Andrew Montgomery was in the Black Hawk war.  Nathaniel Highsmith, the grandfather of our subject on the mother's side, was also in the Black Hawk war with the brother William, who was Captain of his company.

 

[p. 334]

Wiley Montgomery

farmer, P.O. Flat Rock.  This gentleman was born March 18, 1856, in the township that bears his name, which was bestowed on it in honor of his ancestors; he is a son of Andres Montgomery, whose parents came here at an early date when wild beasts and wilder men roamed through the woods, and the settler went to his work in field or garden with his gun on his shoulder.  Wiley Montgomery was married in this county, October 28, 1875, to Margaret Simones, born March 14, 1857; she is a daughter of Robert and Mary A. (Higgins) Simones, and the mother of Lily M., born November 9, 1876; Ross E., born February 27, 1878; Harmon R., born June 26, 1880; and Andrew C., born April 24, 1882.  Mr. Montgomery has a farm of seventy acres of good land; he has been identified with the Democratic party; his wife is a fond mother and a member of the Baptist Church.

 

[p. 335-336]

Charles Ross

farmer, P.O. Flat Rock, born October 14, 1831, in Washington Co., Penn., son of Matthew Ross, born in County Antrim, Ireland; he married Anna McFadden, born in same county; both are living and over eighty-four years old.  Mr. Ross was educated in Pennsylvania; from there he went to Ohio, where he was married to Sarah J. Archer, born October 12, 1830, in Virginia, daughter of Ebenezer and Margaret (McCray) Archer.  Mrs. Ross is the mother of one daughter, Margaret N., born June 27, 1855.  Mr. Ross came to this county in 1866; he owns now a good productive farm of eighty acres of fine land.  Mrs. and Miss Ross are members of the United Presbyterian Church.  Mr. Ross is identified with the Republican party.  Mr. Ross was a soldier in the late war, serving in the Eighty-eighth Regiment of Ohio Infantry.  He is a man well spoken of by all his neighbors, and is one of our most industrious and kind-hearted citizens. 

 

Oblong Township

 

[p. 343]

D. F. Hale

farmer, P. O Eaton, is an old pioneer of Crawford County, born in Genesee County, N. Y., July 19, 1809.  When four years old, in 1813, he was taken by his parents to Jackson County, Ind., and there they settled on wild beech wood land, and remained there until 1821, at which time they came to Crawford County, and landed, November 2, near Palestine.  At that time, there were but three or four good buildings there, and about nine or ten cabins, which constituted the town.  They wintered about one-half mile from Palestine, and in the spring of 1822, removed to Palestine.  After two years of successful farming near town, with which they were furnished seed and land and gave half of their productions, they removed onto a piece of wild raw prairie land owned by subject’s uncle; built a cabin and farmed there until 1830.  In December, 1829, he was married to Catharine Walters.  She was born in Dearborn County, Ind., November 17, 1811.   After which, subject built a house on a piece of the land given him by his father, and removed thereon in the spring of 1830.  He procured an ox team and went to plowing; after successfully engaging in his pursuits of farming until 1834, he sold out and removed to Robinson Township and purchased a piece of land 160 acres, of which forty acres was in cultivation.   In 1839, he sold out again and purchased 200 acres of raw land now in Oblong Township.  He went to clearing it up and removed thereon and remained there about six years, when he sold out and purchased eighty acres, on which place he now resides.  In Crawford County, Ill., December 3, 1829, he married Catharine Walters, a native of Pennsylvania, and daughter of Isaac Walters.  His children are, namely, Mary E. and Isaac Newton, are dead; George P., living; Ethan Allen, deceased; Samuel L., deceased; Sarah E., living; Jacob W., deceased, killed in the battle at Port Gibson, Miss.; Lydia M., deceased; Winfield Scott, deceased; Alva D., living; John W., living; William R., living.  He has always been a Republican, and has served as Justice of the Peace at different times in Oblong Township, amounting in all to six years. 

 

[pp. 253-254]

Ruddell Brothers


Druggists, etc., Robinson.  Had Dickens written his Nicholas Nickleby in Robinson, it would have been evident that he took his characters of Cheeryble Brothers from the subjects of this sketch, barring the facts that the Cheerybles were old men and twins.  In other respects the characters are very similar.  Zalmon and J. D. Ruddell (the subjects) are descended from that old pioneer stock of Ruddells, of Bourbon County, Ky., for whom Ruddell Station in that county was named, an early settlement several times attacked by Indians in the early days of the "Dark and Bloody Ground."  The subjects are sons of George and Martha (Neal) Ruddell, natives of Kentucky, who emigrated to Crawford County in 1853, locating in Lamotte Township. Mr. Ruddell purchased an excellent farm there of some 800 acres of land. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, an honorable man and a good citizen, and died September 25, 1855.  Zalmon Ruddell was born February 9, 1847, and J. D. Ruddell was born   March 11, 1849, both in Kentucky, emigrating with their parents to Illinois in 1853, as above.  They were brought up on the
farm, attending the common schools of the neighborhood.  In 1868, both entered college, attending the same number of terms, and after leaving school engaging in the drug business together, May 17, 1872, at Merom, Ind., and remaining there till 1877, when they removed to Robinson, Ill., continuing in the drug business there till 1878, when they also engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, and have since conducted the three branches of business with success, their annual receipts amounting to
$15,000 or $20,000.  They have indeed proved veritable Cheeryble Brothers. The only thing in which they have materially diverged from each other was, Zalmon, in 1864, enlisted in Company C, of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for one year, J. D. being too young at the time to enter the army.  Zalmon served until the close of the war, when he
was discharged.  He was married April 1, 1873, in Sullivan County, Ind., to Miss Camrie French, granddaughter of Gen. French of Revolutionary fame. They have three children, viz.:  Ruth Pearl, Frank and Burel.  J. D. was married November 24, 1881, to Miss Ettie Updyke, a daughter of Hon. William Updyke.  The Ruddell brothers are enterprising merchants of Robinson, and do a large and profitable business, amounting to some $15,000 annually.  In November, 1881, Zalmon was unanimously elected Captain of Company E, Eighth Regiment Illinois National Guards, a position his experience in the late
war eminently qualifies him to fill.  Martha (Neal) Ruddell, mother of the Ruddell brothers, subjects of the sketch, and whose portrait appears in this volume, was born in Boone County, Ky., December 25, 1805.  She was married to George Ruddell in August, 1825.  George, with his young wife, moved to Grant County, Ky., and settled in the unbroken wilderness, where
they toiled amid hardships and danger, converting their wilderness home into a comfortable and profitable farm.  In 1853, with her husband, she removed to Illinois, settling in Lamotte Township, in Crawford County.  In 1855, the grim messenger of death deprived her of her husband and protector, leaving her with a large family of small children to educated and train for the duties of life, which duty she has performed nobly, the subjects of the sketch being the youngest of her charge.  She is a faithful and devoted Christian.  She joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in childhood."

 

Martin and Southwest Townships

[p. 361]

R. M. Due

farmer, P. O. Hardinsville, was born in Crawford County, Ill., on the 2d day of November, A. D. 1851.  His father, Nelson R., was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, Elizabeth (Henry), a native of Tennessee.  Our subject was reared here in Crawford County, and did not attend school very much.  As early as fifteen years of age, he commenced working out by the month on the farm.  In November, 1880, he purchased 200 acres of land, of which he sold 120 acres.  He has fifty-five acres in cultivation and twenty-five acres of timber land, and is engaged in the raising of grain.  He was married in Crawford County, on the 1-th day of November, A. D. 1874, to Lovisa Purcell, a native of Crawford County.  They have three children, namely – James Nelson, Carrie E. and John R.

 

[p. 368-9]

Honey Creek Township

C. E. Highsmith

 farmer and blacksmith, of Honey Creek, Crawford Co., Ill., was born in Crawford County January 17, 1851.  He is the son of Ewing and Harriet (Wallace) Highsmith, the former, born in Crawford County, and the latter in Ohio.  He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Wallace, a sister of the former, and born in the same State.  By the first marriage, they had four children, viz.: Sarah Ann, Catharine, George R. and Rachel J.  By the second, eleven, as follows:  Joseph A., Cornelius E., Mary E., Martha A., Stephen D., Margaret M., Charles M., Julia A., Nancy Lavina, Ardilla and Frank.  Our subject was married in this county March 22, 1870, to Miss Martha Harris, of the same county, though born in Pennsylvania, and moved to this State when a small child.  Our subject has three children living and one dead – Ira F.   Those living are Ruben, Walter and one not named.  Mr. Highsmith was educated in this county, and was reared a farmer, which he followed until recently.  He is now engaged in the blacksmith business.  He is favorably known in the neighborhood where he lives.   He was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in Honey Creek Township in 1881.  He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.  The Highsmiths are of English extraction.  Their grandfather, Richard Highsmith, came to this country in an early day, and from them originated the name of Highsmith in this country.  His advent to this country was probably before the Revolution.  Mr. Highsmith’s grandsire on his mother’s side was Benjamin Wallace, and, on his father’s side, Richard Highsmith.  He was one of the first to assist in the construction of the fort at Russellville, and one of the first to occupy it with one who afterward became his wife.

 

Licking Township

[p. 372-373]

James T. Athey

Farmer and stock-raiser of Licking Township, Crawford County, lll., and son of Robert and Miss Louisa Smith (Athey); was born in Frederick County, Md., 1831. His father and mother were both born in Virginia. The former in Prince William County, 1801, and the latter it is supposed in the same county, 1810. They removed to Licking County, Ohio, where she died 1835; by this union they had three children, namely, James T., William (a resident of Hutsonville Township), and Milton, a resident of Ohio. His father married again, 1838, to Miss Mary Roberts. By this union they reared four girls and three sons. He came to Illinois, 1850, and settled in the southwestern part of Hutsonville Township, where he bought a farm of 200 acres. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Ohio, and came with his parents to the county when a young man. He was married, 1855, to Miss Uretta S. Baker, the result of which union was six children – George, deceased, Henry, Clarissa, Mary, and one who died in infancy. Lorenus Baker, father of Mrs. Athey, was born in Vermont, 1810. He removed to Ohio in an early day, where he married Miss Clarissa Wilson, some three years after they removed to Edgar County, Ill., and from there to Clark and Crawford Counties, 1850. Mrs. Athey having died, Mr. Athey was married a second time, in July 1882, to Miss Elvina Simms, daughter of Conrad and Charity Shook Simms, of this county; she was one of the early settlers who took refuge from the Indians in the fort at Palestine. It is supposed that Mr. Simms was one of the number also. In this family there were eight children, four boys and four girls, who are living in the neighborhood. Mr. Athey’s business qualities, together with his affable nature, has made him widely and favorably known. He owns 220 acres of choice land in this county, which is the result of his own efforts.

Thanks to Norma Nielson for submission of biographies.