Self, James F.

PORTRAIT & BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM OF MORGAN AND SCOTT COUNTIES, ILLINOIS
Chicago: Chapman Bros., Publishers

1889


JAMES F. SELF, a resident of township 14, range 10, has for years been pursuing the even tenor of his way at a comfortable homestead on section 27. He is yet in the prime of life, having been born Jan. 27, 1843, and is native of this county, his birthplace being north of Jacksonville, where he spent his early life upon the farm which was his father's old homestead. The latter, James H. Self, was a native of Fayette County, Ky., and married Miss Sarah A. Abraham, who was born in Lexington County, that State. After marriage they came to Illinois, settling upon the land which their son, James F., now occupies, and where they lived about five years. They then changed their residence to Greene County, this State, where they sojourned two years, then returned to this county and located east of Woodson, and there the father died April 2, 1884; the mother is still living.

To the parents of our subject there were born twelve children of whom he was the third. His early life passed uneventfully in attendance at the common school and assisting his parents in the various employments of the farm. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, however, his thoughts were turned in an entirely new direction, and after watching the conflict a few months he decided to proffer his services to assist in the preservation of the Union. He enlisted in Company B. 10th Illinois Infantry, Feb. 10, 1862, but in less than a year, greatly to his disappointment, was obliged to accept his discharge, in March, 1863, on account of disability. He had, however, met the enemy in battle in some of the most important engagements of that year, fought by the army, being at the siege of Corinth in the spring of 1862, and the second battle there in the October following.

He was also at New Madrid, and assisted in the capture of the prisoners at Tiptonville, Tenn., who had escaped from Island No. 10. He endured his full share of the privation and hardship of army life, and retired with the satisfaction of feeling that as far as he was able, he had performed his duty as an American Citizen.

Upon receiving his honorable discharge Mr. Self returned to his old home in this county where he has since remained. His farm includes 100 acres of good land with fair improvements, and where he has a comfortable home comparatively free from care and wholly free from want. He was married June 13, 1866, in township 14, north of Woodson, to Miss Mary J. Snelling who was born in Jacksonville June 3, 1844. Mrs. Self was the youngest of four children, the offspring of Aquilla and Elizabeth (McAllister) Snelling, who are now both deceased.

To Mr. and Mrs. Self there were born three children: William H., Luella and Laura A. The latter died at the age of eight years, and Mrs. Mary (Snelling) Self departed this life at the homestead Jan. 2, 1877. Mrs. Self was a lady posing all the Christian virtues, a devoted wife and mother, a kind friend and neighbor, and respected by all who knew her. She was a member in good standing of the Christian Church, and her name is held in kindly remembrance by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Mr. Self, politically, is a Democrat, and has held the offices of School Director and Constable. Socially, he belongs to Watson Post No. 420, G.A.R. at Murrayville, and is also a member of Murrayville Lodge No. 432, A.F. & A.M.


1889 Index
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