Biographies
I-J
Samuel M. Ickes.
The subject of this sketch is the son of Jonas and Mary (Duncan) Ickes, and was
born in Perry Co., Pa., March 12 1836. His father, who is still living, was born
in Montgomery Co., Pa., Feb. 3, 1793. He tells us the name Ickes was formerly
Ecke, a Saxon word, meaning a corner. Mr. I. Erected Bloomfield Academy, Perry
Co., and his son Samuel was educated in this institution. Our subject moved to
Warren Co., Ill., in 1856, went to Knox Co. in 1864, and came to this county in
1872. He was married Jan. 13, 1859 to Miss Elizabeth J. McCartney, who was born
in Perry Co., Pa., not over 10 miles from where he was, yet they never knew one
another until they met in Warren Co., Ill. This union has been blessed with 6
children, 5 boys and 1 girl. William and Robert are running the farm. Both Mr.
And Mrs. I. are members of the M. E. Church. The great-great-grandfather of Mr.
I. came to Pennsylvania under Wm. Penn, and built a stone house in Montgomery
county in 1717 on the 1,000-acre farm which he settled upon. This old building
stands to-day in good condition. Mr. I. farms during the summer and teaches
during the winter. He taught 7 years at Gilson, Knox Co. P.O., Smithfield.
(History of Fulton County, C.
C. Chapman, 1879, page 703, Harris Township section, submitted by Glenene Brown)
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Fred W. Ingersoll
, dealer in dry-goods, Canton. This business was
established in the fall of 1839 by the father of the present proprietor, J. W.
Ingersoll, who came to the State in 1839, in the employ of the State as a civil
engineer upon the Illinois Central R. R., and in a few months was transferred to
the Peoria & Warsaw road with headquarters at Canton. The business was first
started by two brothers, J. W. & H. F. Ingersoll, upon the southwest corner of
the Square. In the spring of 1840 D. W.Vittum purchased a one-third interest and
the firm name was changed to Ingersoll & Vittum. In 1851 Mr. V. purchased the
interest of the Ingersoll Brothers. They immediately began business again on the
northeast corner of the Square, in ‘43 removed to the east side of Square. The
firm remained the same until 1865, when it was dissolved, J. W. continuing the
business, and in 1868 he erected the large brick block upon the west side,
occupying it till his death, which occurred Sept. 28, 1877, and now by his son.
He left a widow and 5 children: Mrs. Elizabeth (Sage) Ingersoll, and her
children as follows: Henry S., Ellen A., Mary E., wife of Humphrey Bell, of
Canton, Frederick W. and Cora A. Fred. W. was born in Canton in 1852, and was
married in Sept., 1874, to Kate P. Bass. He attended the Canton schools and
spent 3 years at Cornell University, N. Y., and has traveled quite extensively
in Germany and France to perfect himself in the languages of those countries.
(History of Fulton County, C.
C. Chapman, 1879, pages 554-555, Canton Township section, submitted by Danni
Hopkins)
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Rev. Ephraim W. Irons
. A great work is being done in this county by the
various ministers of the Gospel who labor here, but a yet grander record is that
of the pioneers in the Gospel work, who labored arduously in establishing
churches, riding long distances between services, and often being obliged to
perform severe manual labor to supply their families with the necessaries of
life. The record of the Rev. E. W. Irons is that of an untiring, faithful, and
conscientious worker, who has followed closely in the footsteps of his divine
Master and has gone about doing good. A careful perusal of this simple record of
a life well spent will afford lessons of zeal and Christian devotion worthy of
the emulation of all believers.
Rev. Mr. Irons was born near Parma, Monroe County, N. Y.,
February 4, 1826, and lived in the village until ten years old. The schools were
very good and he obtained a fine start in education. In the fall of 1836 he came
to Illinois with his father, crossing the lake to Cleveland, sailing on the
canal to Portsmouth, and on the rivers to Peoria. The father was twenty-five
cents behind when he reached that town. He came to Ellisville, located on a farm
in the vicinity, and the little lad immediately began to assist in building up
the fortunes of the family. He drove oxen, and at the age of twelve or thirteen
years was able to manage four yoke in breaking prairie at $7 per month. He also
worked at the carpenter’s trade with his father, and had no school privileges
for several years. Fortunately his father was an educated man and at the
fireside the members of the family were taught by him during the few hours that
could be spared from the work of supplying the wants of the family.
Our subject remained at home until he was of age, then found
employment elsewhere for a year. His father was taken sick and he returned to
the homestead to take his place at the head of affairs there. After the recovery
of the parent he again set out for himself, renting a farm in Fairview Township,
and in 1852 began farming in Young Hickory Township. Two years before he had
joined the New Light Christian Church and spent all his spare time in preparing
himself for the ministry. In 1857 he joined the Conference and since that time
has missed but two of its annual sessions. On one occasion the river was so high
that he could not cross and on the other he was too ill to leave home. He and
the Rev. John R. Jones are all who are left of the original members of that
body. When licensed to preach, Mr. Irons received appointments at Coal Creek and
Bushnell where he officiated two years. He then went to Dyers Grove and pleasant
Valley for seven years, then added the Yates City Church to his charge. In the
last-named city he organized the congregation and finally had charge of it alone
five years.
The Franklin Church in Deerfield Township was organized by
Mr. Irons, and edifice built, and there he labored for eleven years. For three
years following he was pastor of the Smithfield charge, then labored at Pleasant
Ridge two years, returning to Smithfield for a twelvemonth. His next field of
labor was Mason City, where he remained two years and then assumed the pastorate
of the Olive Church at Avon. After four years there he took up the work at Mt.
Zion, Knox County, remained there two years, then spent three years in charge of
the Harvard congregation. In 1885 he organized the Marietta Church, built a
house of worship and reorganizing the society at Fayette, built a church there
also. About the same time he organized a congregation in Dahinda, Knox County.
During much of this time Mr. Irons preached to from two to
three congregations, having pastoral care over each, but making what might be
called his headquarters with the one specially noted. He has organized nine
societies, built five houses of worship, and has been the means of adding
fourteen hundred members to the church. It is doubtful if any man living is able
to present as perfect a record of the faithful keeping of appointments. Not only
in his attendance at Conference, but at his various services, the showing is
remarkable. During eleven years of ministerial labor at Franklin he missed but
two appointments. When we consider that he has always followed farming, has
reclaimed raw land from its primitive condition and made a good home, this fact
is the more astonishing. In 1867, he bought sixty acres on section 22, Young
Hickory Township, which is watered by everlasting springs and very productive.
Clearing, grubbing and preparing the soil for crops, he set out orchards and
groves, made the various improvements which make the place valuable and
homelike, and laboring very hard in so doing.
The Rev. Mr. Irons displayed excellent judgment in his choice
of a life companion and fortunately secured a wife whose prudence and wisdom in
the management of home affairs has been a valuable aid. Sympathizing fully in
his ardent desire to convert sinners, she relieves him as much as possible of
home cares and has been largely instrumental in training their children in the
walks of usefulness. She bore the maiden name of Caroline Rist, being a daughter
of Jacob and Mary Rist of whom mention is made in the sketch of Mr. Schafer. She
was born near Connellsville, Fayette County, Pa., April 16, 1830, and lived
there until eight years old. She then became a resident of the Prairie State and
grew to womanhood in this vicinity. She enjoyed but limited school privileges
but gained much domestic knowledge and developed the graces of character which
win the lasting regard of her acquaintances.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Irons was solemnized in Young
Hickory Township January 16, 1851. They are the parents of eleven children and
have an adopted daughter, Daisy. The oldest child, George W., is a Christian
minister at Bernadotte; William H. is in agricultural business at Ellisville;
Jacob is farming in Taylor County, Iowa; Millard is a Christian minister at
Sharpsburg, Iowa; Mary J. was killed in 1879, when nineteen years old, by being
thrown from a horse which broke through a bridge; Lewis Milton is a carpenter in
London Mills; John E. is in agricultural business at Ellisville; Albert E. is a
farmer in Young Hickory Township; Jackson D. still resides with his parents;
Ella is the wife of John Hibbard of the same township; and Charles died when
three years old.
Our subject was President of the Conference four years and
Vice President eight years and is always a member of the Executive Committee.
His time and money have ever been devoted to the interests of Christianity, his
life proving that he considers the salvation of the world paramount to every
consideration of personal ease and comfort. For years he has been serving as
School Director. His vote is given to Democratic candidates and he has been a
delegate to various conventions.
Our subject is a grandson of Daniel and Maria (Atkinson)
Irons, the former of whom was born in Connecticut and the latter in Ireland.
Grandfather Irons was a Colonial soldier under Washington during the war for
independence. He was a shoemaker by trade and an early settler of Orleans
County, N. Y., where he followed his occupation until death.
The father of our subject was Eseck Irons, a native of
Orleans County, N. Y., and a carpenter by trade. He became a contractor and
builder in his own State. After coming west he bought eighty acres of land in
Union Township, this county, and built thereon the first frame house in the
township. He improved and carried on his farm and also worked at his trade,
finally becoming quite well-to-do and owning one hundred and twenty acres of
land. This property he sold, removing to Clinton County, Iowa, in 1876 and there
remained with a son until his death in 1883. His first religious fellowship was
with the Baptist Church, but he afterward joined that in which his son labors.
His first wife was Lydia Randall, who bore him but one child, our subject. His
second marriage resulted in the birth of eight children, as follows: Stephen E.,
a resident of Clinton County, Iowa; Mrs. Ludia J. Watkins, of Knox County;
Jesse, of London Mills, this county; Mrs. Mary A. Snyder, of Preston, Iowa;
Daniel, of Haddom, Kan.; William, of Nebraska; Mrs. Augusta Klein, of London
Mills; Mrs. Amanda Randall, who died in Abingdon. Jesse, Daniel and William
enlisted in 1861 in the Forty-third Illinois Infantry and served until the close
of the war.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Joseph Randall, a
native of Rhode Island, who took to the sea when a boy, became a Captain and was
in command of a vessel for forty years. He sailed on every sea and visited
nearly every port then known to the commercial world. He finally located in
Monroe County, N. Y., and turned his attention to farming. In the spring of 1838
he came to Illinois, bought one hundred and sixty acres in Union Township, this
county, and lived there until death. His father has also been a sailor and spent
his entire life on the high seas. The mother of our subject was born in Monroe
County, N. Y., and spent her entire life in her native State. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages
848-850, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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James T. Irwin, farmer and stock-raiser,
sec. 34 ; P. O., Smithfield. The subject of this sketch was born in Licking
Co., O., July 16, 1837. He came to this county in 1849, and went to the Territories in 1865,
and had several encounters with the Indians while there. At one time the
red-skins attempted to stampede their teams, but the leader, a white renegade,
was captured. They gave him a "moonlight" trial, and released him on the promise
to keep the peace. They employed two men to bring them back to the settlement,
who proved to be robbers. Before reaching Fort Kearney, a bare-headed man, with
but one boot, met them and talked familiarly with the guides. This aroused a
suspicion in Mr. I., and he lay awake all night and heard their plans for
murdering the party the next day, which was checked in the morning by dismissing
the guides under threats of immediate death. He was married to Samantha Totten,
who has borne him 9 children, 7 of whom are living.
(History of Fulton County, C.
C. Chapman, 1879, pages 592-593, Cass Township section, submitted by Janine
Crandell)
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Balthaser Jacobs.
For varied reasons numbers of foreigners come each year from European countries
to make for themselves homes in the United States and here pursue the trade or
profession which they learned in their native land. To this class belongs the
subject of our present sketch, he having been born in one of the Rhine
Provinces, in Germany, November 25, 1827. His parents, Peter and Mary (Rechner)
Jacobs, never came to America, the father dying previous to the time of our
subject's journey hither and the mother passing away from earthly scenes in the
year 1864. The parental family consisted of eight children, all living except
John, the first-born. The survivors are: George, Joseph, Jacob, Balthaser,
Antone, Elizabeth and Mary, and all but our subject reside in their native land.
Mr. Jacobs spent his early
years on his father's farm and obtained a fair common-school education, also
learning the trade of a wagon-maker. He started for America in 1850, and upon
reaching the New World spent three weeks in New York City, and then went to
Buffalo, where he worked at his trade. At a later date he was a carpenter in the
country around Buffalo and Niagara Falls, and in 1855 came to this State,
settling in Polo, where for a year he remained doing carpenter's work.
The young man then purchased
eighty acres of land which he cultivated until the year 1865, from which time
until 1869 he traveled throughout the State. Finally locating in Canton he began
gardening on a small scale and has continued the occupation up to the present
time, and gradually increased his business until he is now one of the leading
nurserymen of the place. He began with three lots, a quarter of an acre, on
which he raised the earliest and best potatoes in the market, and now owns
eleven lots on Elm Street, with one and a half on White Street, in the heart of
the city, and has three greenhouses and two dwelling houses. He does a large
gardening business and has the leading trade as a florist; he is also engaged in
berry culture.
In May, 1877, Mr. Jacobs was
united in marriage with Miss Maria Walter, daughter of Conrad Walter, and a
native of Germany. Mrs. Jacobs is an excellent housewife and is devoted to the
interests of her family, the circle including four sons— George, Carl, Lewis and
John, and a babe unnamed.
Our subject is a Catholic,
and his wife belongs to the Unitarian Church. They are religious people, and
embrace every passing opportunity to advance the interests and welfare of their
neighbors and friends. Mr. Jacobs is well and favorably known in business
circles as a thrifty, industrious and honest man who manages his affairs in a
most systematic way. As a citizen he is law-abiding, sober and quiet, attending
strictly to his own affairs, and for over twenty years he has been regarded as
one of the best of the German born citizens of the county.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890,
pages 217-218, submitted by Janine Crandell)
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Lorenzo Jameson
,
deceased, was a native of Canaan, Grafton Co., N. H., and was born March 11,
1816. His father, Jeremiah Jameson, was born in Feb., 1786. The elder Jameson's
wife was Sarah Chase, daughter of Samuel Chase, of Salem. N. H. The family
originally came from Scotland. Our subject came to this county in the spring of
1854 and settled in Canton, and in 1855 bought a farm on section 5, this
township, where he resided till his demise, which occurred May 22, 1874. The
homestead is now owned and occupied by his only child, John A., who was born in
New Hampshire August 17, 1849. His wife's name was Deborah Whittier, who was
born in Newport, N. H., in 1813. Her grandfather, Thomas Whittier, enlisted
under Washington at the age of 15 and served during the 7-years war. Wm. J. is
still living; John A. Jameson married Martha McCreary, daughter of Nicholas and
Martha (Moran) McCreary of Putman tp., Jan. 19, 1875. Two children were born to
them: Sumner L.. born March 1, 1876, and Alice L., born Feb. 9, 1878.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 490, Buckheart Township section, submitted by Janine
Crandell)
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Anderson M. Jarnagin
,
farmer, deceased, was born in Tennessee Feb. 9, 1805, brought up in Ohio, came
to Illinois in an early day, locating in Knox county, and died March 25, 1878.
He married Elizabeth Bradley in Highland Co., O., Aug., 1828, where their 3
first children were born,—Sarah, May 28, 1829 ; Isaac M., April 10, 1831; Ellen,
Jan. 30, 1835. About 1840 they removed to Knox Co., Ill., where Eliza was born
Dec. 23, 1841, and John H. and Wm. A. (twins) July 25, 1844. Wm. A. died April
11, 1865, and 2 children died in infancy. Mr. J. was a Democrat. Mrs. J's
father, Daniel Bradley, was a native of Ireland, and she was born in Rockbridge
Co., Va. Aug. 20, 1809.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 490, Buckheart Township section, submitted by Janine
Crandell)
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John H. Jarnagin
,
son of the preceding, in 1862 married Sarah McClatchy, a native of Ohio. She
died Nov., 1867, leaving 2 children,—Mary Ellen, who died at the age of 3 years,
and Leroy. Mr. J. afterwards married Leah Williams, June 13, 1868, by whom he
has 4 children,—Myrtle, Catherine Elizabeth, Minnie Ellen and Mary Alta,—all at
home. Mr. J. is a Democrat, and he and his wife are both members of the
Christian Church.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 490, Buckheart Township section, submitted by Janine
Crandell)
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Charles E. Johnson.
To behold the progress and culture of Pleasant Township one would scarcely
imagine that a few years back it was little more than a forest primeval and
possessed only the charm of nature. This place is rightly named, being in very
truth an exceedingly pleasant township and one well adapted to business and
pleasure alike. Among the early pioneers, those who hewed out the foundation
upon which the little city has been built, numbers the subject of our sketch. He
makes his home on section 9, and is largely instrumental in bringing about many
of the new and successful methods of advancing business, educational and social
standards.
Mr. Johnson's birth occurred in Saratoga County, N. Y.,
on the 13th of July, 1830, being the son of Lemuel and Lydia (Rowley) Johnson,
natives of New York. His paternal ancestors were of English descent and came to
this country to seek a broader scope for their abilities than was afforded in
the old and crowded country. He passed his childhood and youth in his native
State, and there received as good an education as the times offered, though he
did not receive half the training that is given young men of the present day,
and yet his success has been greater than will be achieved perhaps, by most of
these highly educated young men. There is nothing so well calculated to bring
out all the energy and ambition a man possesses as the necessity early in life
for making his own way.
Mr. Johnson in the fall of 1849 removed to Illinois,
coming by way of Buffalo and the lakes and Chicago. Upon reaching this State, he
located in Fulton County. In 1853 he married Miss Harriett Lacey, who was born
in Tompkins County, N. Y., on the 10th of September, 1833, and daughter of John
Lacey whose sketch appears in this volume.
Our subject and his wife became the parents of seven
children, four of whom are living at the present time, viz: Laura A., wife of
James Parkison, of Bernadotte Township; Milburn H., of Bernadotte Township;
Mattie C., who lives with her parents; Blake E. Those deceased are, John L.,
Cora A. and Carrie I.
The subject of our sketch after his marriage farmed on
section 9, on the farm of John Lacey, and purchased his present farm in 1882 and
has continued to make this his home up to the present writing. He owns one
hundred and sixty acres of land that is well cultivated and his residence is two
miles east of Ipava village. He is truly a self-made man and has met with both
friendship and financial success in his journey through life. He started at the
bottom of the ladder and has climbed without other assistance than his courteous
manners and good judgment.
Mr. Johnson is a member of the Democratic party. He is
a member of A. F. & A. M. Lodge No. 213 at Ipava. He has for several years been
road Commissioner of this township and also Constable and Collector. Being a
very public-spirited man and one possessed of undaunted courage, he has always
advocated the cause of worthy undertakings that were calculated to advance the
interests of the community in which he resides. Mrs. Johnson is a faithful
member of the Christian Church, and she and her husband are popular in social
circles and noted for their intellectuality. Indeed the subject of our sketch is
classed among the most influential and wealthy citizens of this place, and is
highly respected both here and throughout the surrounding county.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages
505-506, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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David Johnson
,
farmer, was born in Clark Co., Ind., March 26, 1825; in the fall of 1827 his
parents, Richard M. and Catherine (nee Fouts), emigrated with him to Fulton Co.,
Ill. near Canton. June 17, 1849, David married Charlotte Walling, a native of
Ohio and daughter of Louis and Cynthia (Peiree) Walling. Their children are:
Cynthia Ellen, born March 8, 1851 ; Charles H., Nov. 5, 1855, died Jan 15, 1879;
George Delmer, born Jan 30, 1859; Sarah Annas, Feb. 3, 1862; and Luella, Nov. 27,
1868. Cynthia E. married Joseph DeArmand and lives in Montgomery Co., Kan. All
the rest are living at home. Mr. J. is a Democrat, and lives on sec. 10.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 490-491, Buckheart Township section, submitted by Janine
Crandell)
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Isaac Johnson
,
deceased, was born in Washington Co., Pa., and came to this county in 1837, and
located at Middle Grove, near Farmington, where he lived 3 years and then moved
to Buckheart, where he died in Nov., 1873. Mrs. J. is still living on the old
homestead on sec. 16. Dr. Johnson's parents were John and Rachel (Statts)
Johnson, both natives of South Carolina. His great-grand parents were from
Scotland and Germany. He had a family of 11 children : Isaiah B., Caroline S.,
Sylvanus, Nathaniel H., Wm. P., Marinda J., Berlin S., and Caleb B. Those not
living are John W., Mary E., and Indian [misprint?]. Two of the sons, Berlin and
Sylvanus, served in the army during the Rebellion. Isaac Johnson was originally
a Jackson Democrat, but was for many years before the war a Free-Soiler, up to
his death a Republican. He was a physician and practiced during his life in this
county. Before coming here he served as Sheriff of Meigs Co., O.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 491, Buckheart Township section, submitted by Janine
Crandell)
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Isaac C. Johnson
,
farmer, is a native of Sussex Co., N. J., and was born June 6, 1806. Abraham
Johnson, his grandfather, was a native of the same State and served as Captain
and Major in the Continental army. His grandparents were Samuel and Mary (Hall)
Johnson. Isaac came to this county June 28, 1835, and settled on Col. Barnes’
farm; in 1836 bought the farm where he now lives. He was married in his native
county in 1825 to Phoebe Dean, and brought a family of 3 children with them
here: Jonathan D., Maria and Seymour H. The children born here are: Ira K.,
Susan H., Ziba H., Sarah A. W., Martha J. They had 3 die in infancy. Mr. And
Mrs. J. have been members of the Baptist Church for over 50 years. Mr. J. was
the first to organize a Baptist Church in Canton. There were 7 who banded
themselves together for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church in Canton.
These were Isaac C. Johnson, Phoebe (Dean) Johnson, James and Rachel Spencer,
Elder West and wife, and a Mrs. Breed. These are the pioneers of the Baptist
Church of Canton. They held their first meeting at Elder West’s house. He was
the first preacher for that Church. The first house Mr. J. built was a chinked
log house 12x14 feet. When they first occupied it there was not a door or window
in it: no bedstead or table. For the latter they used an old chest, and
improvised a bedstead out of poles set in the floor.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 555, Canton Township section, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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J. A. Johnson
,
Postmaster and Justice of the Peace, Smithfield; is a son of Thompson and Mahala
Ann Johnson, and was born in Belmont Co., O., in 1837. He came to this county in
1868. He served for 4 years in the late Rebellion as private in Co. F, 55th
Ill. Inf., and after many narrow escapes was honorably discharged. He was united
in Marriage with Lucinda a. Wheeler, who has borne him three children,--Geo.,
Cora M., and Sarah B. Mr. J. united with the M. E. Church in 1877.
(History of Fulton County, C. C. Chapman, 1879, page 593, Cass Township section, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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John Henry Johnson.
This gentleman has had a very successful career since he established himself in
London Mills in the drug business in May, 1885. He has a large store, 22x50
feet, tastefully arranged and supplied with a very full stock of goods. These
include the articles generally to be found in a first-class pharmacy. He usually
carries from three to six hundred ounces quinine and cinhona, a large variety of
plush goods in their season, and a heavy stock of tobacco and cigars. He carries
as high as forty-five butts of tobacco, from seven to eight thousand cigars,
fifteen to twenty pails fine cut and three hundred pounds of smoking tobacco. He
does not sell a drop of liquor and never keeps it on hand. His is probably the
only strictly temperance drug store in the county. He manufactures his own
tinctures and within twenty-four hours after the alcohol comes in, he has it
made up. He saves from fifteen to thirty cents per pint on these preparations,
sending only for what he needs of the required ingredients.
Mr. Johnson is a grandson of the Rev. Richard Johnson,
a native of Kentucky and a minister in the Christian Church. He emigrated from
his native State to Illinois, being one of the earliest settlers in Knox County.
He bought and improved what is known as the Mound Farm near Abingdon, but after
some years moved across the line into Warren County but still near Abingdon.
There he resided until his death, preaching the Gospel as well as operating his
farm. He was one of the organizers of the Christian Church in that part of the
county.
The father of our subject was Patton Johnson, who was
born in Kentucky and removed to this State when quite young. He was reared in
Knox County and after his marriage removed to Warren County where he settled on
a farm. After a time he removed to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, but after residing there
a few years returned to this State, located at Prairie City and was a contractor
for stone work seven years. He had picked up the mason's trade, being apt in
mechanical work. For a few years following he carried on a farm here, then
returned to the city and remained two years. In 1865, he took up his abode in
Abingdon, working at his trade as a contractor until 1875, when he spent a short
time in Galesburg.
We next find Mr. Johnson in Monmouth, beginning the
practice of the Thompsonian system of medicine and meeting with success. He was
a fine botanist, well acquainted with the properties of herbs and roots, from
which he prepared his medicines. In 1879 he went to Vona, Col., took up a claim
and lived there until his death, in 1889. He He was an active and consistent
member of the Christian Church. In politics he was a Democrat.
The mother of our subject was born in Kentucky and bore
the maiden name of Sarah Meadows. She was a lineal descendant in the maternal
line of Martin Coffee, who came from England to America and died in Kentucky at
the age of one hundred and one years. A large estate in England was left by a
member of this family but the record is not sufficiently complete to prove the
claims of our subject's family upon it. Her father, Henry Meadows, likewise a
native of the Blue Grass State, was one of the early settlers of Warren County,
near Abingdon. He bought land and engaged in farming, finally becoming the owner
of a large tract of land from which he gave each of his children a farm. He was
a carpenter by trade and helped to build the old court house at Knoxville. He
built his own rude log house and other buildings, gradually improved his
dwelling, putting on clapboards, plastering it, etc. He was quite a hunter and
one of the most hospitable among the pioneers with whom hospitality was a
prominent virtue. No stranger nor hungry man passed his door without being
entertained. He was a very active man in church matters, a leader among the
people, and before a church was built, had services held in his house. He and
grandfather Johnson built the first Christian Church in that section, located at
Meridian. Mrs. Johnson is now living at Abingdon, in quite poor health and
fifty-six years old.
The parental family included Althea, who died in
childhood; Mary E., Sarah J. and Martha A., who live in Abingdon; John Henry;
Minnie I., whose home is in Peoria; Erastus R., of Denver, Col.; Artie, who died
at Prairie City when a child; Charles W., in the employ of the Toledo, Peoria &
Warsaw Railroad at Peoria; Milicent Z., who lives in Galesburg.
The natal day of our subject was January 11, 1856, and
his birthplace Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa. When six months old he was
brought to Prairie City, Ill., which was his home until the age of nine years.
He then went to Abingdon and at that early age began working his own way. He
labored on a farm in the summer, and attended school in Abingdon in the winter
until he acquired a good education. Early in January, 1875, he began clerking
for F. P. Foltz, the pioneer merchant and leading pharmacist of Abingdon, from
whom he learned the drug business and the art of compounding medicines. So
skillful did he become that during the last four years of the seven which he
spent in Mr. Foltz's employ he had charge of the store. He was registered as a
pharmacist in 1881.
In the spring of 1882, Mr. Johnson took a trip to
Kansas City and Topeka but returned to this State in the course of a month and
in April came to London Mills. The Fulton County Railroad had just been
completed and the town then had but four stores and a mill. Our subject took
charge of the drug store of H. C. Whitnah, carrying it on three years. He then
bought a new stock of drugs worth $1500 and opened his own establishment. The
first year he rented a building, 19x23 feet, but as the rent was high and the
room too small for his growing trade, he determined to build. He bought lumber
on nine months' time and put up the structure he now occupies. He was able to
pay his bills in five months, as his increasing popularity, close application to
business and pharmaceutical skill added continually to his custom. His location
is the best in the town and he is undoubtedly the most prosperous dealer there.
He owns one-eight of a block of land with a store and residence, and is also
interested in Chicago lots in what was formerly the suburb of Englewood. He and
his wife carry ten years' endowment policies to the amount of $6,000 in the Etna
Life Insurance Company.
The marriage ceremony which united the lives of John
Johnson and Mary Catterton was performed by Judge Dennis Clarke, uncle of the
groom, in Galesburg, October 15, 1883. The grandfather of the bride was Dilar F.
Catterton, a native of Virginia and of Welsh descent. He was an early settler in
Kentucky where his son, James R., father of Mrs. Johnson, was born. The last
named gentleman came to Lawrence County, Ill., in 1820 and farmed there for a
number of years. In 1850 he located in Elba Township, Knox County, where he has
successfully pursued his calling and now owns two hundred and three acres of
fine, improved land. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, and in 1862 enlisted
in the One Hundred and Second Illinois Infantry, serving as a private three
years. During that time he was injured by a team in a wagon train and was
transferred to the invalid corps. Although seventy one years old he is still
actively engaged in his business. He is a strong Republican and a member of the
Church of Christ.
The mother of Mrs. Johnson is of English ancestry and
grand-daughter of a Revolutionary soldier. Her father, Daniel Organ, a Captain
in the Black Hawk War, died in Lawrence County, this State, whence he had
removed from Kentucky. Mrs. Sarah Catterton is still living and is now sixty-one
years old. She is the mother of seven children, three of whom are still living.
These are, Mrs. Aurora McKee of Summit; Mrs. Johnson; and Mrs. Lura Norton of
Bloomington.
Mrs. Johnson was born in Elba Township, Knox County,
and has a practical education. After having attended Abingdon College two years
she engaged in teaching, afterward spending three months more at her Alma Mater.
She held five certificates from Mary Allen West who has been so prominently
identified with the educational work of this country during the past few years.
To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson one child has been born, a charming little daughter,
Stella Fay.
Mr. Johnson was Treasurer of London Mills one term, the
second year after the incorporation of the town. He has since declined office as
he is too busy in conducting his store to properly discharge duties of a public
nature. He belongs to London Lodge, No. 734, I. O. O. F., and Mrs. Johnson is a
Rebecca. The lodge with which she was identified is now extinct. She is an
active member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, an ex-president in the
society, and is a believer in prohibition as a party measure. Mr. Johnson is a
stanch Republican. Both are active members of the Church of Christ. Mr. Johnson
is now Deacon and Treasurer and his wife Assistant Superintendent in the
Sunday-school. They move in the best circles of society and are highly regarded
for their mental culture, useful and energetic lives and Christian characters.
As will be seen, Mr. Johnson is self made both as to education and finances. For
years, even when but a salaried clerk, he supported his mother, to whom he still
lovingly gives of his abundance.
The attention of the reader is directed to a lithographic portrait of Mr.
Johnson, presented on another page. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages
473-475, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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John W. Johnson,
farmer, Monterey; P. O., Canton, Illinois. His parents, Abraham and Martha
(Crawford) Johnson, were natives of Pennsylvania; she died in January, 1840, and
he in August, 1871. John W., born in West Virginia, came to Buckheart township
in March, 1857, then to the place where he now resides. He has been Commissioner
of Highways and is now Supervisor. In 1860 he married Miss E. J. Johnson, of
Buckheart Township, who was born in 1840 in Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Their children are Patience Emma, born in 1862; Albert Wilber, born in 1864 and
died in 1869; and Anthony Edgar, born in February, 1868. Methodist Protestant.
Republican. Owns 112 acres of land. (History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 472, Banner Township section, submitted by Janine Crandell)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rev. John W. Johnson. It has been said by a famous poet, “The evil that men do lives after
them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” It is the purpose of the
biographical writer to change this order, which is, alas, too true in many
cases, and to perpetuate the good deeds and worthy efforts of the citizens of
the county. We are therefore glad to be able to present to our readers the
simple facts regarding the gentleman above named, whose home is on a beautiful
farm in Banner Township.
The Rev. Mr. Johnson is a son of Abraham and Martha
(Crawford) Johnson, respected citizens of Virginia, who are now represented by
five living children. Rebecca married Mathew McMillan and lives in Ohio; Robert
is married and living in Indiana, so likewise is William; Anthony M., a twin of
the subject of this sketch, married Miss Price and has five daughters, his home
being in Marshall County, W. Va.
The eyes of our subject opened to the light of day
November 24, 1837, in Marshall County, W. Va. (then Virginia). He was reared on
a farm and received a district-school education. March 4, 1857, he arrived in
this county, where he began work on a farm in Buckheart Township, laboring by
the month about three years. He finally became the owner of one hundred and
forty acres on section 4, Banner Township, which he has improved with fine
buildings, including all that is needful to the successful prosecution of
agriculture and the convenience of the household. The land is thoroughly tilled
and made to yield abundantly of various fruits of the earth.
In 1880 the Rev. Mr. Johnson received Elder’s orders
and was ordained to preach in the Methodist Protestant Church. He has done all
that in him lay to build up the cause of Christianity, to win souls to Christ
and keep those who have entered the straight and narrow path from going astray.
Believing that the hope of the church, as of the country, lies in the children,
he is especially engaged in Sunday-school work in the county and having now only
local orders, is able to give much attention to that department of Christian
labor. His fellow-citizens in Banner Township have elected him Supervisor six
terms and bestowed upon him the position of School Director during a period of
probably twenty years; he is at present School Trustee. His political faith is
fixed on the policy of the Republican party. His character is one of such purity
and earnestness that he is beloved by all who associate with him.
The Rev. Mr. Johnson was happily married, February 13,
1860, to Elizabeth A., daughter of Robert Johnson, a resident of this county and
formerly a citizen of Washington County, Pa. Mrs. Johnson is of German descent,
is a devoted wife and mother, a true home-keeper and an excellent neighbor. Her
union has been blessed by three children, two of whom are living. Patience E.
was born December 12, 1861, was married November 15, 1887, to Edgar P. Pool and
lives in Canton; Edgar A., born February 11, 1867, is unmarried, resides with
his parents and is now attending the Canton Commercial College.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages
527-528, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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Lemuel Johnson, farmer, son of the next mentioned, married Margaret Weller March
16, 1857, and has two children,--Richard M., born Dec. 1, 1857, and Douglas,
Sept. 1, 1865. The home consists of 90 acres, on sec. 34, Canton tp., and sec.
3, Buckheart tp., the residence being in the latter tp. It is just one mile
from the public square in Canton. Democrat but rather independent.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 491, Buckheart Township section, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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Moses M. Johnson
is a middle-aged man who enjoys the esteem of his fellow-citizens,
especially on account of his strong advocacy of equal rights to the laborer and
the capitalist. Through years of careful observation, reading and study, he has
come to consider the financial status of the people of the United States from a
standpoint of impartiality, and has been led to acknowledge the almost entire
helplessness of the innocent laborers. He is a leader in the farmers’ movement
in this county, and having begun life under adverse circumstances, and from
early manhood having been brought in contact with men of all descriptions,
proclivities and tendencies, he is well fitted to lead his fellows on to a
higher sphere of thought and a broader outlook.
Moses C. Johnson, the father of our subject, was born in
Vermont, and came of the old Green Mountain stock. He came to Illinois prior to
1827, and was one of the first to locate in Fulton County. In 1831 he settled on
a farm in Fairview Township, being the third permanent settler north of Canton.
He served in the Black Hawk War as a scout and patrolman, being an experienced
hunter, and an expert shot. He was married in Liverpool Township to Miss Zerilda
Willcoxen, a daughter of Capt. Elijah Willcoxen, whose history appears elsewhere
in this ALBUM, and a relative of the renowned Daniel Boone. To this union there
were born nine children—Charlotte, Louisa, Mary, Elijah W., Moses Melville,
Deborah, Zerilda, America and Orena Ellen—all but three still living. The father
died when our subject was but nine years of age, and his mother was married
again.
Our subject was born in Fairview Township in August, 1840,
and remained on the farm until sixteen years of age, at which time he rented a
tract of land on shares. He had received a common-school education. When
eighteen years old, in company with a party of friends, he started for Pike’s
Peak, leaving the Indian Ford near London Mills, April 10, 1859. They fell in
with other outfits, and the company was finally increased until it numbered one
hundred adults, and the train consisted of twenty-two wagons. At the Big Blue in
Kansas some of the company became discouraged and returned East, but the major
portion, after some discussion, decided to continue Westward to the Pacific
Coast.
Reaching the Mormon tail at Ft. Kearney, they followed in
until the ninth crossing of the Sweet-Water, when they diverged to the
northwest, traveling over hundreds of miles without seeing a human habitation
until they arrived at Ft. Walla Walla, September 10. Mr. Johnson had but fifteen
cents in his pocket, and was indebt for the scanty half rations on which he had
subsisted for weeks. He at once hired out to work by the month on the Government
ranch, and subsequently worked in the lumber regions near. About this time E. D.
Pierce, the well-known pioneer prospector, conceiving the idea that there were
great treasures in the upper country formed a company of twenty-two men, of whom
Mr. Johnson was one, and made an expedition. The party traveled one hundred and
fifty miles northeast of Walla Walla, crossing the streams in Indian canoes and
swimming their horses. The adventures of this company, together with the
description of the wonderful scenery of the country which they traversed, would
fill a volume. It is sufficient for us to refer to it as the first which formed
a mining camp north of California and herefore of great historical importance.
The members of the party naturally endured many privations,
such as are common to long journeys through mountainous regions and far from the
haunts of civilization, but notwithstanding this the journey proved most
interesting. Mr. Johnson was on the spot where Dr. Spaulding established his
first mission in 1837 and printed the first newspaper in the northern part of
the Pacific Slope. Mr. Johnson enjoyed the privilege of conversing with the
missionary. The good man planted an orchard of apple trees, which Mr. Johnson
saw in full bloom and which, with the foundation of the stone chimney, were the
only things left of the mission after the massacre.
In mining and prospecting Mr. Johnson spent four seasons, was
then engaged on a ranch three seasons, after which he began freighting, carrying
miner’s supplies principally from the boat landing on the Columbia River to
different mining camps in the upper country, using pack mules. He had many
thrilling experiences with the Indians and narrowly escaped with his life at
different times. He looks back upon his experiences in the West with a great
deal of interest and satisfaction as a wonderful school of actual happenings.
After nine years of life in that country he sailed from Portland to San
Francisco where he embarked for New York, via Panama, finally reaching his old
home, April 2, 1868.
The following December Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Eliza
Jane Downin, daughter of J. S. Downin, whose sketch is given elsewhere in this
volume. She was born in Maryland but came with her parents to Illinois when a
child. She is the eldest daughter in a family of eight children. After their
marriage Mr. and Mrs. Johnson settled on a farm that the husband had bought at
the Master of Chancery sale. It consisted of one hundred and sixty-four acres on
section 7, Fairview Township, and is still in their possession, although not
occupied by them but rented. In 1887 Mr. Johnson removed to a large tract
belonging to his father-in-law, where he continues to reside. He has practiced
strict economy and worked hard and has been reasonably successful in his life’s
labors in a financial sense. He believes that the labor of this country is not
properly recognized and has worked hard and long and expended considerable money
in furthering the labor cause, and proposes to work in this direction as long as
he is allowed to be on earth.
Mr. Johnson has served as School Trustee and Highway
Commissioner, having been elected on the People’s ticket. He is a strict
prohibitionist but considers the labor question of the day of such paramount
importance that he gives his chief attention to the support of the Labor party.
He was a delegate to the great Labor Convention which was held in St. Louis,
Mo., September 3, 1890. When the Greenback party made the labor question a
National issue he heartily endorsed their platform and in 1880 was a delegate to
the National Convention of the Greenback Labor party and as such helped to
nominate James B. Weaver for the Presidency. That year he was tendered the
nomination for member of the Legislature but declined. He had been an
unsuccessful candidate for Sheriff on the Greenback ticket in 1876 and again in
1878.
Mr. Johnson has given the Grange movement his earnest support
from its inception and believes that the order is destined to effect great
improvement in the enlightenment of agriculturists and in freeing them from the
selfishness that mars human efforts. He is Master of Round Top Grange No. 1293,
and has been since its revival in February, 1890. He was prominently connected
with Fairview Grange No. 12, the first organized in the county and was a charter
member. In his farming operations he strives to use intelligence, and scarcely a
year passes but that he introduces something new and of importance in the cereal
line. He has brought into the county several varieties of potatoes and keeps a
high grade of cattle strongly tinged with Short-horn blood. In religion, as in
politics, he believes in equal rights and the careful observance of the Golden
Rule. (Portrait &
Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages 885-886 & 889, submitted by
Danni Hopkins)
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Nelson S. Johnson
, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Fiatt; is a son of the late B. C.
Johnson; was born in Joshua township, this county, June 9, ’49. His father came
to Joshua township in 1832, and hence was one of the first settlers there; was
about the first man who ran for Sheriff of Fulton Co. on the Whig ticket; and
was tendered 160 acres of land within 2 ½ miles of Canton at one time, for a
horse. He was also a self-made teacher, teaching several years in Joshua
township. When a little boy he went to Chicago to mill. He began active life
with 40 acres of land and a horse, and died wealthy at the age of 58 years,
leaving his son N. S., the subject of this sketch, a large farm. Mr. J. is
inventor and sole proprietor of Johnson’s Pulverizing Harrow and Clod Smasher,
which the farmers of Deerfield and adjoining townships so highly prize. He has
traveled through the West, and attended the Centennial. He was united in
marriage Dec. 27, ’71 with Dollie Hester, by whom he had a little girl, Adda
Claudie; but Providence called her away. Mrs. J. is a member of the M. E.
Church.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 605, Deerfield Township section, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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Richard M. Johnson
, deceased, was born in Randolph Co., N. C., Aug. 8, 1797. His
parents, Josiah and Sarah (Wright) Johnson, moved with him to Indiana and died
there. He married Catharine Fouts in Clark Co., Ind., who had also been born in
Randolph Co., N. C. Her parents, David and Mary, were early settlers of Fulton
Co., and died here, aged 91 and 84 years respectively. Richard M. and family
emigrated to Fulton Co. in Nov., 1827; the following March he bought a farm on
sec. 32, Canton tp., and settled upon it, where the widow still lives, aged
about 78 years. He died Feb. 8, 1879. Their children born in Indiana were:
Sarah, Nov. 21, 1820; Lemuel, March 1, 1823; and David, March 26, 1825. Those
born here were: Emsley, Dec. 22, 1829; Mary Ann, Sept. 7, 1831 (died Dec. 3,
1872); Martha, Feb. 22, 1833; Elisha and Elijah (twins), March 20, 1836; and
Julia Ann, May 28, 1840. All live in this Co. except Julia, the wife of Wm.
Bocock, who lives in Woodford Co., Ill. Mr. And Mrs. J. were members of the
Christian Church. The widow is still able to do all her own work. In early times
Mr. J. acted as marshal, or minute man, to call the settlers together when
Indians threatened. The “fort” was the brick dwelling of Jacob Ellis, on sec. 9,
Buckheart tp., and was such at the time of Westerfield’s defeat.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, page 491, Buckheart Township section, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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Robert Johnson
was born in Belmont Co., O., in 1807, and is the son of John and
Rachel (Statts) Johnson. Mr. R. came to this county March 27, 1857, and located
on sec. 16, Buckheart tp., and built a house into which he moved. After living
in it for 15 years it was burned during the absence of the family. It was
supposed to have been robbed and then set on fire. Mr. J. had several hundred
dollars in money in the house at the time. He immediately built his present
residence. He married Mary Myers, daughter of John Myers, in 1833. They brought
7 children to this county with them: Susan M., Elizabeth M., Andrew M., Abram,
Charles S., Wm. A., and Robert S. Mrs. J. died Aug. 10, 1877. Two of the boys
served in the army during the late war: Abram and Charles.
(History of Fulton County, C. C.
Chapman, 1879, pages 491-492, Buckheart Township section, submitted by Danni
Hopkins)
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William Johnson
, farmer, sec. 34; P. O., Smithfield; was born in this county. Benj.
Johnson, his father, is a native of New York State; was educated in the common
schools of Fulton co. He helped put down the Indian raids and depredations in
Colorado in 1865, under Colonel Chivington. On returning from the battle of Sand
creek, he with others traveled 48 hours without halting. The son of the guide
who led them to the Indian camp was the chief of the tribe. He was taken
prisoner, and afterward shot by some revengeful soldiers. Mr. J. has been twice
to Kansas, once to Texas, and lived three months in the Choctaw nation. Was
herder in the mountains and learned to swing the lasso with precision. He
married Miss Crawford, march 10, ’76, by whom he has 2 children.
(History of Fulton County, C. C. Chapman, 1879, page 593, Cass Township section, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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W. D. Johnson,
foreman of the painting department of Parlin & Orendorff's manufactory in
Canton, was born in Newark, Newcastle County, Del., October 17, 1840. He is the
son of James C. and Martha (Caldwell) Johnson, and his grandparents came
respectively from Ireland and Scotland. His father was born in New York, spent
some years in Pennsylvania and removed thence to Delaware while still a young
man. In 1860 he changed his place of residence to New Jersey, where he died in
1882 at the age of seventy-five years. His marriage had been solemnized in
Pennsylvania, which was the native State of his wife. The union was blessed by
the birth of three children, to whom the mother bade adieu in 1848 when called
from time to eternity, she being then but thirty-two years of age.
The father of our subject
subsequently married Miss Sarah Hickman, and to them was born one child,—Lola.
After the death of his second wife Mr. Johnson married Miss Mary Case, who is
still living. To this union were born three children, who are still living. The
own brother of our subject, James T. Johnson, was graduated from Delaware
College and was for many years President of the La Grange (Ga.) Female Seminary.
During the war he was pressed into the service of the Confederate Army upon two
occasions, but each time was released about two weeks after his conscription on
account of his eminence as an educator. He is still living in the Southern city,
now cashier of a bank. The other child of our subject's mother is Margaret E.,
the wife of J. T. Conover, of Flemington, N. J.
The subject of our sketch
remained with his father until after he had reached his seventeenth year,
receiving a fair education in the common schools and at the age of sixteen
entering the Delaware College. One of his schoolmates there was Senator Anthony
M. Higgins, of Delaware. Young Johnson had been attending the college but a year
when the institution was broken up and he began his personal work in life. In
1861 he went to New Jersey, which State he made his home until he took up his
residence in Canton. At Clinton, in 1862, he enlisted in Company E, Thirty-first
New Jersey Infantry, and being mustered in at Flemington, was sent to the
defense of Washington, remaining in or near that city several months. He took an
active part in the battle of Chancellorsville and also at Fredericksburg. He had
enlisted as a private, but was elected Fourth Sergeant of his company, and after
serving as such for a period of three months, was advanced to be First Sergeant,
and continued in that capacity until discharged.
The regiment was enlisted for
nine months, and at the expiration of that time was mustered out of the service
and disbanded, the last march being from Falmouth to Washington—a distance of
one hundred miles—which they covered in less than three days' time. Immediately
after his discharge Mr. Johnson came West, and in February following his arrival
in this State enlisted in Company I, Fifty-first Illinois Infantry, and upon the
organization of the company was elected Orderly Sergeant. The troops were first
sent to Texas and stationed in Port Lavaca on Matagorda Bay, and later were at
Nashville and New Orleans, doing post and camp duty until discharged in
September, 1865.
In Boston, in 1869, Mr.
Johnson was married to Miss Mary Colville, a native of Canada who, after ten
years of happy wedded life died in LaGrange, Ga., where she had gone for her
health. She left two children—Stella and Maggie—both of whom live in Canton. Mr.
Johnson was again married in 1881, the lady of his choice being Miss Belle
Comstock, a native of Woonsocket, Conn., and the ceremony being solemnized at
Detroit. This lady breathed her last in 1884, and our subject was once more
united in matrimony, this time at Canton, Ill., in September, 1889, with Miss
Kittie Flory, of Clear Springs, Md. Mrs. Johnson is a faithful member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and both she and her husband have numbers of warm
personal friends, both in Canton and throughout the county.
At the beginning of his
business career in this State Mr. Johnson worked for Mr. Parlin in the capacity
of a common hand, but in three years' time was promoted to his present
position—that of foreman of the painting department. He has had a share in the
municipal offices, having been City Clerk in 1880, and in 1890 he received the
appointment of Census Enumerator for this place. He is interested in the social
orders, being a charter member of the Masonic Lodge in Canton, a Knight of
Pythias and a United Workman. He has been an active political worker, and was
for many years manager of the Canton Opera House. (Portrait &
Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages 193-194, submitted by
Janine Crandell)
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Lewis Lloyd Jones
,
a prosperous farmer and mine owner of Orion Township, having a fine farm,
underlying which is a valuable strata of coal, is one of the prominent citizens
of Fulton County and is active in its public life. He is of Welsh origin and
antecedents, born in Merthyr-Tydfil, Glamorganshire, Wales, March 16,1827. His
parents, Thomas and Hannah (Lloyd) Jones, were natives of the same town, and
there they spent their entire life, dying at an advanced age. The father was a
miner by occupation. They had a family of twelve children, of whom the following
is the record: Thomas, born October 31, 1820, now lives at Dutch Gap, Luzerne
County, Pa.; Benjamin, born September 11, 1822, is now a resident of Australia;
William, born January 16, 1825, was killed by one of his subordinates while in
English Government employ; Lewis L., our subject; Catherine, born January
31,1829, died at home unmarried; Noah, born February 1, 1830, went to California
and engaged in gold mining, and was there murdered in 1853 or 1854; Ruth, born
January 1,1833, married Thomas Jenkins, and died near Scranton, Pa.; Ebenezer,
born December 10, 1834, now resides in Mason County, Mo.; Nahomi, born November
30, 1836, married John Blarney, and lives in Scranton, Pa.; Myriam, born
September 1, 1838, is married and lives in Scranton, Pa.; Joseph, born March 20,
1841, now lives in Canton; Hannah, born September 26, 1843, married William
Jones, and lives in Russia.
The subject of this biography received a limited
education in his native town, where he subsequently followed the occupation of a
miner until 1849. Ambitious to see more of life and to better his financial
condition, in the opening years of a vigorous manhood, he left his old home on
the 26th of February, in the year just mentioned, and embarking on a sailing
vessel at Liverpool, England, crossed the Atlantic to this country, landing at
New Orleans about the 16th of the following April. From there he proceeded up
the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to Council Bluffs, and thence went by
ox-team to Utah, where he engaged in farming the succeeding eight years. He was,
however, not satisfied with the country and his prospects there, and he then
came eastward as far as St. Louis, Mo., and for five or six years was engaged in
mining in that vicinity. He next came to Canton, in this State, and followed the
same calling there until 1870. In that year he bought the place where he now
resides on section 30, Orion Township. It comprises one hundred, and sixty acres
of excellent farming land, which is well cultivated and is amply supplied with
neat and substantial buildings, and is in all respects a well-ordered farm.
After locating on this place Mr. Jones soon began to prospect for coal, and
finally developed a five foot vein of excellent quality, which he has continued
to work up to the present time, and derives from that source a good income. Some
years he has employed as many as thirty miners, but at present is working only
five or six men in the winter season.
While in Utah Mr. Jones was married, in November, 1849,
to Elizabeth (Morgan) Davis, widow of James Davis, who is a native of the same
town as himself, and came to America in the same vessel on which he crossed the
Atlantic. She has been to him a true wife, and is thoroughly devoted to his
interests. Of their family the following is noted: Lewis M., now a farmer in
Sheridan County, Neb.; Elizabeth, wife of Ephraim Grim, of Canton; Catherine,
deceased; Thomas, of Canton; Margaret, wife of George Gilmore, of Canton; David,
who died in infancy; and Hannah, who married Albert Kiser, and lives near the
homestead. Hannah was adopted when a babe of a year old. William Davis Jones, a
son of Mrs. Jones by her first marriage, lives at home and assists our subject
in the management of the farm.
Since Mr. Jones has resided here he has been
prominently identified with its public and political life, and is a sound and
consistent Democrat. He is a man of much energy, tact and business capacity, and
his fellow townsmen have not failed to recognize his superior merits and
qualifications, and have called him to responsible offices. He has filled the
position of Supervisor for four years, and is now prominently mentioned by his
party for County Treasurer. Mr. Jones is a member of the Josephite, or
anti-polygamist branch of the Mormon Church, and is considered one of the most
substantial as well as one of the best-respected citizens. (Portrait &
Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages 288-289, submitted by
Janine Crandell)
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Simeon Jones
.
It is a generally conceded fact that the farmer enjoys a greater amount of
personal freedom than any other man who is engaged in the busy and almost
endless task of accumulating money. There is something about life in the country
where one is surrounded by Nature on every side, that seems to bring a quietness
and peace found nowhere else.
Our subject, who is at present a prosperous farmer of
Kerton Township, was born in South Bend, Ind., on the 11th of April, 1845. His
father, Seabron Jones, was born in Ohio, but removed to Indiana when a young
man, settling near South Bend. He was married there to Miss Fetna Curtis, and in
1849 removed to Illinois, making the trip by wagon and camping on the way. He
settled at Bath, Mason County, where he remained one year, and then moved to
this county, on section 17, Kerton Township, where he rented land and farmed.
His father was a member of the Democratic party. He died in 1853. His wife died
at the age of sixty-five. To them were born six children, viz: Nancy, Warren,
Ada, Anna, Simeon, and Henry, only three of whom are living at the present time,
viz: Anna, Warren, and Simeon.
Mr. Jones came to this place with his parents when he
was only four years of age, and attended school in the little log schoolhouse in
his neighborhood, but received a very limited educational training, the matter
of education not receiving any of the care that is universally given it now in
all parts of the country. At an early age he commenced working on a farm, and
when only twelve years of age he worked for one man, and received in payment for
his labor $9 per month at the start, and afterward received $30.
Our subject, in March, 1870, married Miss Josephine
McCausland. Her parents were born in Canada, but her birth occurred in this
State, and she received her education in this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones have
been born five children, all of whom are living, viz: Adda L., Irvin O., Rosa,
Scott and Kennett. After his marriage our subject rented a place for four years,
and at the end of that time bought eighty acres of land, and lived on the same
for a period of ten years. The place was little improved, and the only dwelling
house was a small log cabin. He soon cleared thirty acres of the land, and built
a nice house and large barn, and still owns the place, although he is now living
on property which he has rented for five years, and which is a picturesque spot.
The house stands on the edge of the bluffs that overhang the Illinois River, and
commands a fine view of the beautiful landscape around. He is a member of the
Democratic party, and is popular in political circles. He is held in the highest
esteem throughout the township, and has been Road Commissioner for the past nine
years.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Fulton County, 1890, pages
419, submitted by Danni Hopkins)
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James Jennings
,
farmer and trader, sec. 33; P. O., Astoria; was born in Tuscarawas Co., O. His
father, Lewis Jennings, who is still living, upwards of 80, was born in
Frederick Co., Va. In an early day his parents settled in Ohio, where Lewis
married Miss Martha Moore, by whom he had 4 children,---James, Robert, Wilson
and Nancy. At 35 Mr. J. left Ohio and located in Indiana where he lived for a
number of years. Mrs. J. died in Ohio, and the second wife of Mr. J., Susan
Miller, bore him 4 children,---Mary, Julia A., Anderson and William. This lady
departed this life in Indiana. Mr. J. came to Fulton Co. in 1854, where he
resides at present. One year prior to this James Jennings, his son, settled in
Astoria tp. He was then married, having united his fortunes with Miss Elizabeth,
daughter of Wm. Wheeler, of Va. There were born of this marriage 5
children,---George E., Nancy, William, Benjamin and Julia A. Mrs. J. died in
1856, and three years later he was married to Miss Delilah Doll, of Ohio.
(History of Fulton County, C.
C. Chapman, 1879, page 441, Astoria Township section, submitted by Carla Finley)
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Immer Johnson
,
deceased. Well and favorably known to the farmers of this county in pioneer days
was Mr. Johnson. He was born in Harrison Co., O., Feb. 14, 1815, and but little
of his early life is now brought to mind. He was raised upon a farm in his
native State. In 1835 he came to Astoria township, where he worked at this
trade, that of a carpenter. He it was that built many of the cabins, and
afterwards the frame buildings that were erected as the county became settled.
Without doubt he erected the first church building in the township; it was for
the Methodists. The second church was also built by him; it was for the United
Brethren. He was united in marriage in 1839 with Miss Priscilla Buck, of Ohio.
He then built a hewn-log house, one rather more comfortable than those generally
in use. During the spring of 1857 he sold his property and went to Texas, where
he remained until 1865: then he returned and bought 240 acres of land in this
township. Mr. J. was not only a prosperous farmer, but one of the most generous
of men. He was an exemplary Christian and gave freely to help support all
religious denominations. He died 13 years ago and his remains were consigned to
rest on the farm property. To the care of his wife he left 2 children,---Lydia,
who has since died, and Thomas, who resides on the old homestead.
(History of Fulton County, C.
C. Chapman, 1879, page 441, Astoria Township section, submitted by Carla Finley)
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