FAIR JAMES, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 8, P.O. Greenfield, Ill. was born Nov. 22, 1823, in Kentucky; came to Illinois in 1849 on horseback, and with but money enough to pay his traveling expenses; went to farming with his uncle, Absalom Fair, till he was married Dec. 1, 1853 to Lorinda P. Rafferty, who was born March 8, 1836, and died Oct. 19, I864, leaving a family of five children: Amanda H., born March 26,1855; William E., born March 25, 1857; Mary C., born May 6, 1860; Sina E., born April 29, 1862; Thomas A., born Aug. 1, 1864. The subject of this sketch is the fourth child of Aaron B. Fair, who was born Jan. 19, 1792, and died March 10, 1867; was married to Leah Smith who way born Feb. 23, 1793, and died March 2, 1872.
FARLLY, J.K.P., farmer, Sec. 4, P. O. Carrollton. Prominent among the successful "young settlers" of this township is Polk Farlly, who was born in Frederick County, Va., Oct. 4, 1844; is the third child of a family of eight children born of Hugh P. and Elizabeth Farlly; her maiden name was Brewster. The Farllys are descendents of the Emerald Isle, and the Brewsters of the "Faderland." At the age of twelve years, J. K. P. emigrated to this county, locating east of Carrollton; his father died one year subsequent; the care of the family then was thrown upon him, who, with the assistance of his mother, maintained and kept the family together until they were self-supporting. After he attained his majority, set out for himself, and the first enterprise engaged in was to buy a steam thresher, in company with B. B. Bartholomew, being among the first that was run in this country; this partnership lasted two years, then he bought his partner's interest, then run it one year; afterwards associated with one of his brothers, which partnership lasted four years. During all this time he was engaged in farming on rented land in different localities in the county. Feb. 17, 1870, married Etna V. Linder, daughter of Isham Linder. she died Jan. 29, 1871, leaving no issue. Feb. 20, 1873, was again married, to Nancy Jane Cunningham, born Aug. 25, 1852. She is a daughter of Andrew Cunningham; had three children, Robert H., born May 15, 1874, died Sept. 24, 1875; James W., born May 17, 1876; George W., born Oct. 10, 1878. In March, 1874, moved to the place he now owns; has now 240 acres of excellent land under good cultivation, having quite recently built his residence and several other buildings, which, with the general appearance of the place and surroundings, give striking evidence of the energy, thrift and enterprise of the owner. Few young men are more favorably situated than he, and bids fair to become one of the wealthiest agriculturists in the township, of his time. Is Democratic in sentiment.
FARLOW, JAMES, farmer, Sec. 34, P. O. Athensville. born in Ireland, came to this country in 1819, landing in New York; came to Ilinois in 1852, and to Greene County about fourteen years ago. Married Sept. 14, 1854, to Lucinda Johnson, of Macoupin County; this union has been blessed by three children, viz: Lucinda E., born Oct. 16, 1855, now the wife of G. Eggleson of Morgan Co., Michael J., born Dec. 9, 1856, and James P. born April 14, 1859, now in Kansas. Since his marriage Mr. Farlow has devoted his industries to agricultural pursuits; he bought his present homestead, consisting of 80 acres, about five years ago.
FARMER JOHN P. Sec. 12, P.O. Breese, was born in Indiana, Dec. 13, 1853. He came to this county with his parents in March, 1863. His father, William Farmer was born in Tennessee, March 11, 1822, and died in the late war, in which he enlisted Dec. 23, 1863, and died April 3, 1864; he belonged to the 5th Ill. Cavalry. His mother, with whom he lives, was born in Gibson Co., Ind., Aug. 22, 1825. His grandfather, J. R. Field, born Jan. 23, 1803, is still living in this county. He has one brother living, William, born April 21, 1863, and four sisters, namely; Emeline, born Nov. 8, 1843, she was married to James M. Beverly April l0, 1866; Nancy Caroline, born June 27, 1846, died July 31, 1877 ; Joseph Riley, his brother deceased, was born Nov. 23, 1848, died Sept. 10, 1858; Elizabeth J., born Dec. 13, 1850, and twin sisters, Sarah L. and Florinda, born Aug. 5, 1858. Florinda was married to J. N. Dawdy April 5, 1874; Elizabeth J. Was married to Francis M. Pryor, June 8, 1865. His grandmother, Mrs. Field, was born in Kentucky, and died Dec. 15, 1853; his mother, Mrs. Anna J. Farmer, and heirs have 201 acres of improved land, valued at fifty dollars per acre, about one and a half miles northwest of the town of Breese.
FAULKNER, H. T. farmer, Sec. 23, P. O. Athensville. Born in Kentucky Dec. 12, 1828, and came to this State and county about 1848; was married Agu. 11, 1852 to Jennie R. Moore, of Greene County, born Sept. 12, 1833; this union was blessed by three children, viz: Sopie E., born June 20, 1853; Jennie B., brn Aug. 17, 1855; and Andre J., born May 16, 1857. Mrs. Faulkner died Aug. 19, 1863; Mr. Faulkner was married again Oct. 19, 1864, to Margaret M. Vedder, of Pike Co., born May 14, 1837; four children have been born of this union, viz: Florence C., born Oct. 16, 1866, died Aug. 16, 1867; Mary R., born Nov. 19, 1868; Cornelia J. born June 11, 1871 and Edward A., born March 15, 1873. M. Faulkner has devoted his industries solely to agricultural pursuits; homestead consists of 80 acres.
FEATHERSON, THOMAS, farmer, Sec. 12, P. O. Wrightsville, was born in England, Jan. 1, 1835, came to New York in the Spring of 1852, and to this county in 1858, and located on the section he now resides on. Was married Feb. 12, 1861, to Elizabeth Barnett, who is a native of this county. From this union they have three children: Wm. H., born in 1862; Nancy Jane, born in 1863; Dora E., born in 1868. Mr. Featherson owns 151 acres of land; is a member of the Republican party.
FELTER, PETER, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 28, P. O. Kane, who ranks among the more prominent citizens of Greene County, was born in the State of New York, October 19th, 1819. In his fifteenth year his parents emigrated to the west and settled in Greene County, not far distant from the village of Kane. During his youth, our subject proceeded to Carrollton, where he became apprenticed to the trade of a tailor, subsequently completing his trade in the city of St. Louis. Removing to Jersey County he engaged in boating, merchandising and farming, and there developed that force of character that laid the foundation for future success. In 1844 he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Brambetta, a daughter of Elkanah Brambetta. Here were passed many years of his life, the latter were principally passed in farming. In 1866 he became a resident of Greene County, where he has since resided. After a life of almost unexampled activity, he has now reached that pinnacle of success open to all who display the same amount of energy that has marked Mr. Felter's career from boyhood. In the counties of Jersey and Greene he is the owner of some five hundred acres of valuable land, and also a valuable tract in Kansas. There were born of this marriage thirteen children, ten of whom are living: George, Josephine, Frank L., Mary, Cornelia, Flora, Della, William, Blanche and Charles.
FENITY, P. physician and surgeon, residence Kane. Dr. Fenity is the oldest practicing physician of the enterprising town of New Kane; he is a native of Roscommon, Ireland, where he was born in the year 1827; he is the oldest son of John and Margaret Fenity, whose maiden name was McDonald; this family crossed the ocean during the Spring of 1840; in Canada our subject received his preliminary education, and also at Oberlin, Ohhio, and became an apt scholar in the Knox College and during the Spring of 1859 he became a graduate of the St. Louis Medical College; although he had owing to the rules of the establishment, practiced as a physician in 1857, a resident of the town designated as Old Kane, as early as 1855. Two years later he was united in marriage to Miss Helan E. Cory, a daughter of Rev. David Cory, whose ancestry was traced back to the May Flower. Four children are living, born of this marriage: Frank C., Edward W., Frederick H. and Clara. Dr. Fenity enjoys a large practice here, due to his many years of experience, and bears the reputation of a skillful practitioner.
FESLER, J. H. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 7, P. O. White Hall, was born in Indiana, in 1842. His father, Henry Fesler, was born in Kentucky, in 1803, emigrated to Pike County, Ill., in 1849; was married in Indiana in 1829, to Miss Elizabeth Chandler, who was born in Kentucky, in 1809; have ten children, six living. The subject of this sketch was six years of age when he came to Illinois; was married in Pike County, in 1863, to Miss Mary E. Patten, who was born in Pike County, in 1845, have five children: James E. deceased, Elizabeth, Charles M., John H., and Freddie. Mr. Fesler, when married, began farming and dealing in stock, which he followed till 1865; merchandising in Griggsville one year; butchering and stock dealing till 1867; farming one season then moved to Greene County; farming a short time, removed to Pike County; bought a farm; staying one year, sold his farm, moved to Missouri, buying a farm; remained there five years; removed to Pike County, staying a short time, and removed to Greene County, where he still resides, farming.
FIELD, JAMES J - one of the most prominent farmers of Greene County, was a resident of Indiana at twenty-five, and for a time worked in the Shackleford Salt Works; here he displayed great courage in punishing the most noted bully of the place. Moving to Alton he remained nearly two years and then moved to Greene County, and was then worth two horses, four wagons, and seventy-two dollars in money. His first purchase was 80 acres. By the display of no ordinary energy he is today the owner of over 2,000 acres in this county.
FITZJARRELL, ROBERT, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 16, P.O. Greenfield. Was born in 1823, in Ohio; came to Greene County, Ill., with his father, Eli Fitzjarrell, in I830, who was born in the State of Delaware in 1788, and reared in New Jersey; was married in 1812 to Tabitha Kelsey, who was born in New Jersey in 1793. The family emigrated to Ohio in 1814, living there for fifteen years; then moved to Greene County, Ill., in 1830, the year of the deep snow, and saw some of the privations of that winter among the old settlers of Greene County; entered 280 acres of land near Rock Bridge, Medora, in Jersey County. Eli Fitzjarrell died Dec. 20, 1855; his wife died Oct. 1857. The subject of this sketch was married Aug. 19, I847, to Susanah Jolly, who was born March 11, 1827. Have four children: Edgar, born April 12, 1852 ; Carrie, Jan. 28, 1855; Levi, Jan 6, 1857; Francis E., Feb. 6, 1859. Mr. Fitzjarrell owns 120 acres of land, which he has made by his own exertions. His grandfather, Ambrose Fitzjarrell, was born March 10, 1753; was married to Deborah Barrot, who was born in 1757.
FORD, JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 36, P.O. Greenfield, was born in Greene Co., Ill., Oct. 26, I845; married Aug. 26, 1875, to Ellen L. Anderson, who was born March 18, 1855 in Greene Co.; have one child, Arthur S., born Oct. 5, 1876.
FORD, JOHN D. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 28, P.O. White Hall, was born in this county Dec. 26, 1837. He has been married twice; first, in Aug., 1863, to Lucinda J. Radcliff, who died Nov. 19, 1875; they had four children by this marriage, but only one is living, John R., born July 6, 1867. Married second time, March 19, 1876, to Eliza Cordelia Clark, born in this county in 1857; he has one child by last marriage which is yet very young. He lives on Schutz Heirs' farm on Long Lake, at the crossing of the C. & A. R.R.
FORD, THOMAS, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 32, P.O. Greenfield, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1819; emigrated to New York in I842, and remained there, working for seven dollars a month till the Spring of 1843; then went to Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Ill., and worked for one hundred dollars per year; was married in Morgan Co. in 1845, to Elizabeth Hembrough, who was born in England, and emigrated to America with her parents when she was six years of age; have seven children living: John S., Thomas T., George B., Richard R., Francis A., William J., and Eddie F. When Mr. Ford came to America, he had the sum of $500. to start in life with; has worked hard during his life, and he now stands with the leading farmers of Greene County; owns 846 acres of land; has followed the occupation of a farmer all his life.
FORD, THOMAS R. - farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 16, P. O. Roodhouse. Thomas Ford was born in West Tennessee, December, 1842; youngest son of John and Viola Ford; receiving a subscription school education at such odd times as the work of the farm would permit. When the war came on he enlisted in Co. I, 12th Tennessee Infantry, for one year's service; engaged in following battles: Pittsburgh Landing, Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Resakia, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, etc., etc. Returning to Tennessee when the war closed, he remained two years and then came to Scott Co., Ill., where he married Miss Mary E. Roberts, by whom he has five children, Rosa H., Nettie Ann, Laura V., Fannie J., and Lillie Belle. For the past four years a resident of Greene County; Mr. Ford owns 80 acres; at times follows teaching.
FORD, THOMAS T. farmer and stock raiser, See. 35, P O. Greenfield, born in Greene Co., Ill. in I847; is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ford; was married 1876 to Eliza O. Richardson, who was born in Morgan Co., Ill., in I854, is the daughter of William and Ann Richardson, of Jacksonville, Morgan Co.; have one child, William A., born Dec. 18, 1877.
FORD, WILLIAM F. who settled in Greene County in 1835, was the second child of James and Jane Ford, and was born in Tennessee in 1821; he was but seven years of age when his parents moved to Bond Co.; this was in 1823. After the location of the family in Greene County, they first farmed it on the Grand Pass and afterwards on the Sand Ridge. James Ford became a successful farmer and trader; in 1841 he met with great misfortune through the overflow of the river, that carried away a great deal of his personal property, and likewise damaged a great deal of his land; he died about 1863. William early became noted for his industry; on attaining his majority he was married to Miss Lucinda Drummond, a daughter of Benjamin. The first crop of small grain raised by Mr. Ford, was swept away by the flood mentioned. After many years of hard toil Mr. Ford has amassed a competence; he row owns of valuable land over 500 acres; he is among our most enterprising citizens who are progressive and liberal. Mr. Ford has a family of eight children whose names are, Sarah J., James S., Cynthia C., William Perry, Eliza Eldorado, Benjamin F., Mary Ida. Mrs. Ford has one daughter by a former marriage, Paulina.
FOSTER, A. L., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 15, P. O. Greenfield, was born in 1852, in Greene Co., Ill., is the son of A. M. Foster, who is a native of Kentucky; came to Greene County in 1836; was married in Morgan County in 1849, to Mary Larrimore, who is a native of Kentucky; Mr. Foster is a large land owner, in Greene County, 910 acres, and in Morgan County 240 acres and town property in Jacksonville, where he now lives. His son, the subject of this sketch, was married in 1872 to Mary Morison, who was born in 1853 in Scott Co., Ill., is the daughter of Richard Morison, of Jacksonville; have three children, Fanny L., Harry R., Jennie K. Mr. Foste received his education at the Illinois college of Jacksonville, Morgan Co.
FOSTER, D. T. CAPTAIN, who has been proprietor of the popular resort, known as the Railroad Eating House, for the past three years in Roodhouse, was born in Washington Co., Vt., July 22, 1840; parents were Elisha and Louisa Foster, natives of Vermont and New Hampshire. The father passed the remainder of his life in Indiana; his wife died in Vermont, during the Summer of the same year. Captain Foster remained in Vermont until his majority. As this date was the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted in Co. D., Vermont Vol., as private and arose to the rank of captain, being at first color-bearer, sergeant and first lieutenant; a participant in many battles, where he gained an enviable reputation for bravery on the field; honorably discharged June 19, 1865. He married in Bloomingtn, where he moved after the close of the war, Miss Lavilla Waltham, a native of Vermont; one child blessed this union, named Myra. Was a member of the police force at Bloomington; afterward Captain Foster came to Roodhouse, where he has gained a host of friends, who know him for a gentleman of culture and honor.
FRECH, JACOB, boot and shoe maker, P. O. Kane. Jacob Frech is a native of Germany, born in 1837; at the early age of fourteen, he embarked on board a sailing vessel and crossed the Atlantic for America; landing in the city of New Orleans, he remained a short time when he took passage on a steamer bound for St. Louis, where he became the apprentice of a shoemaker, becoming a skillful journeyman workman, in after years he conducted a business on his own responsibility. Formed the acquaintance of, and married Miss Catherine Rettig in 1867. Mr. Frech moved with his family to Illinois, locating in the village of Jalappa, where he became employed three years in the grist mill of Lewis Sundle; at the expiration of this time opening a shoe shop, where he remained until his location of his farm consisting of 115 acres of valuable land. When the war broke out Mr. Frech enlisted in Battery C, lst Ill. Reg., and proceeded from Ottawa to the scene of warfare, and became a participant in many important battles, among them, Fesaca, Atlanta, Buzzard Roost, Dalton, etc., etc.; when the war closed he was honorably discharged at Springfield, Ill.
FREETO, A. E., watch-maker and U. S. express agt., Roodhouse, Ill. Mr. Freeto was born in DuPage Co., Ill., in 1852. His father, William Freeto, was a native of New Hampsire, who moved to Illinois in an early day; a tinner by occupation; he settled at Danby, now known as Prospect Park, where he died in 1860. The wife, a true type of those noble western women who shared the hardships of pioneer life in the West, with her husband, is now a resident of Sangamon County. A. E. Freeto, whose name heads this sketch, learned the trade of tinner, at Lemont, Ill., where he also clerked for J. S. Fisk & Co., hardware dealers, remaining eight years. He moved to Mechanicsburg, Sangamon County, where he entered into a co-partnership with his brother, J. H. and Geo. W. Freeto, firm name, J. H. Freeton & Bros. Here he remained for a period of two years, when he came to Roodhouse, where he became for some time, a partner of J. B. Bullard, in the hardware trade. At the present writing holds the position above stated.
FROST, JOHN H., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 28, P. O. Kane. The above named gentleman is a native of Jersey County, born in 1841, the oldest son of William H. and Rebecca Frost. The days of his youth were spent upon the old farm homestead, where he early became inured to the hard work pertaining to the farm. In 1859 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Tollman a daughter of Cyrus Tolman, one of the first settlers of Greene County. In 1862 Mr. Forst, who was then extensively engaged as a stock dealer, crossed the Plains with horses, by way of speculation, for the Pacific coast, which he sold at a fair profit. In 1865 he concluded to return to the scenes of his youth and accordingly settled on his return in Jersey County, and subsequently in Clay, settling in Greene County during the Autumn of 1874, upon the Tollman estate, the owner of 267 acres in Clay County. Of the marriage above referred to seven children were born, five of whom are living, and whose names are: William, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Charles H. and James G.
FRY, GENERAL JACOB, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Kane. As the career of General Fry is well known to the citizens of the State of Illinois and of Greene County, where he has borne so prominent a part, we will enter into no details, but merely relate facts, hoping thus to perpetuate the memory of one whose ability became recognized in the stirring scenes of western life. General Fry was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, on the 20th day of September, 1799. His father was Barnhardt Fry, a revolutionary soldier, and a native of Maryland. He was of German origin, a farmer by occupation, and served five years in the continental war. He was married to a Miss Swigart, who bore him six children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the youngest. In his own language: "I acquired a round log-cabin education." In his youth he worked at the carpenter trade. At the early age of twenty he became a resident of Greene County, his total possessions footing up to thirty-seven and a half cents. He it was who built the first house in Carrollton. On the 25th of May, 1826, he was married at Carrollton, to Miss Emily Turney, a daughter of the late General James Turney, formerly of Tennessee. At the first County Court ever held in Greene County he was appointed constable and subsequently became deputy sheriff. Holding this position six years, he became sheriff of the county, and his efficiency was so apparent, that for five terms of two years duration, he held the position to the general satisfaction of all. In 1831 occurred the Black Hawk war, and Governor Reynolds, with his usual promptness, ordered out a brigade of mounted volunteers to the disputed territory, to repel the Indians. In this brigade Colonel Fry received the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel, in the regiment of which Henry was Colonel. This body of troops soon received marching orders, and subsequently were disbanded at Rock Island. In 1832 Colon Fry was again called upon to take the field, and commanded a regiment of General Samuel Whiteside's brigade. The army was soon in motion, and proceeded to within a short distance of Rock Island, and up the river to Dixon where they encamped for several days, thence to Ottawa, where the troops were disbanded; and now, at the request of the Governor, he raised one regiment of the disbanded troops for twenty days service, to guard the frontier. At the expiration of this time the volunteers forming this regiment were disbanded. Colonel Fry proceeded to LaSalle, where he was elected colonel of a regiment of new levies, and subsequently formed a part of General Henry's brigade. Shortly after the regiment received marching orders, their first objective point being Mud Lake, near Rock River, whence they joined the regular troops under General Atkinson. Provisions were now scarce, and Henry was ordered by his superior officer to Fort Winnebago to get rations and return. Obtaining their supplies, the troops, after consultation between General henry and Colonel Fry, hearing of the close proximity of the Indians, moved up the river, where they found trace of the marauders. On pursuing the trail they overtook the enemy at the Wisconsin River, where a sharp conflict of short duration took place, and late in the afternoon the enemy escaped across the river. The following morning General Atkinson came up with the main body, and joining General Henry's forces, were soon in hot pursuit of the enemy, bringing them to bay below the mouth of Bad Ax Creek. This fight ended the Black Hawk war, and for a time the Indian troubles in the northwest. Colonel Fry then took charge of the brigade and proceeded to Dixon, where they were mustered out of the service, to follow more peaceful pursuits. He was soon after made Brigadier General and subsequently major General of the militia of Illinois. He was elected by the State legislature, during the sessions of 1836-7, as acting canal commissioner, and accordingly removed to Lockport during the winter of 1837. He served until 1846 a period of nine years, in this capacity, displaying marked ability. Remaining in Lockport, he entered upon a mercantile career, and in 1850 organized a party for the gold mines of California, and after an overland trip of some months duration, starting from Lockport on the first of April, he reached Sacramento on the second day of August. He was destined to remain for a period of three years, entering into mercantile pursuits, and turning his attention to mining, he became quite successful. His experience of former years had enabled him to grasp many difficult State problems, and on the golden coast he displayed an executive capacity that caused him to become the nominee of the Democratic party for the State Senate, receiving the election by an overwhelming majority. Serving in this honorable body through one session he then returned to Illinois, locating at Ottawa. By James Buchanan, and through the direct influence of his old friend, Judge Douglas, he received the appointment of the responsible position of collector of customs, at Chicago, and received, while the holder of this important position, the first unbroken cargo that entered that port. The tide in governmental affairs now began to turn, and the political excitement in many instances ran high; General Fry was outspoken in favor of his old friend, Stephen A. Douglas, then a member of the Untied States Senate, and was accordingly superseded by a more pliable successor. This removal, as stated by the Secretary of the Treasury, to General Fry, in a conversation at the city of Washington, was caused solely through his friendship for and warm admiration of the Little Giant. Eventually he returned to his old home in Greene County, where he was quietly pursuing the duties appertaining to his farm when the war of rebellion came. He was well advanced in years, but he had a reverence for the old flag that had floated over many a battle field in the revolutionary struggle, and now when the tramp of armed feet resounded through many of our cities and towns, through the solicitation of Governor Yates, he organized the 16st Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and received form him the appointment of Colonel. Proceeding to the front from Carrollton, he bore a prominent part in the rebellion, where he became a participant in many important battles, especially that of Pittsburgh Landing. Resigning his commission through disability, since the war he has resided at his beautiful farm residence. For twelve years he has been deprived of sight through the exposures of war, but through well-directed efforts the declining years of his life are blessed with plenty, and no one in State or county evinces a more liberal disposition toward all things worthy, than the honored gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Fry is the owner of 640 acres. His marriage to Miss Turney was blessed with five children: James, a graduate of West Point, holds the position of Adjutant General in the regular army; Sarah, now the wife of Douglas Fry, a wealthy Californian; William M., a captain in the late war, and proprietor of the Arcadia Mills at Carrollton; Edward M., a broker at San Francisco, and Julia A., now the wife of George W. Ware, a merchant and banker of Jerseyville.