ISRAEL, WILLIAM G., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 17, P. O. Roodhouse. Mr. Israel was born at Griggsville, Pike County, Ill., in 1848, youngest son of James and Elizabeth Israel. James Israel was formerly a prominent merchant of White Hall, now retired, but still a resident of the place. His wife was Miss Elizabeth Grimes, by whom he had five children. Of William who heads this sketch, it maybe said, that at the time of the family departure for Greene County, he was a resident of Griggsville. This was in 1859, the family settling at White Hall, where the head of the family became a merchant, William becoming employed as clerk seven years. During this time, 1870, he was married to Miss Emma J. Webb, a daughter of Mrs. Sarah Grimes, formerly Mrs. Webb; one child, Hermax McKenzie. For the past three years Mr. Israel has followed farming, owning 40 acres in Tp. 12, R. 11.
JACOBI, PHILLIP, blacksmith, Sec. 33, Rockbridge. Phillip was born in Noehern Amt St. Goarhansen, Provine of Nassau, April 19, 1844. Is the oldest of a family of ten children, seven now living; born of Casper and Marie E. Jacobi. She was of the Colonius. In the Fall of 1853, they emigrated to this State, and settled in Macoupin Co., where they engaged in farming pursuits. Phillips remained at home until his eighteenth year, when he went to learn the trade he has since engaged in. Upon his departure from home, he spent the first four and a half years at Alton; and in 1867, went to Carrollton, where he remained a short time, then returning to Alton, where he continued two years, and better, then came to Rockbridge and set up in the blacksmithing business; and has since continued at the same. In May 10, 1868, he was united in marriage to Anna Emmend; born Jan. 29, 1849, in Erie Co., Penn., daughter of John and Catheirne Emmend. By this union they have five children: all of whom are living: Phillip, born Feb. 16, 1869; Loui, born April 10, 1871; William, born April 24, 1873; Anna, born Nov. 21, 1875; Henry, born July 4, 1878. Mr. Jacobi is meeting with success in his business. He is a member of the Rockbridge Cornet Band.
JEFFERS, JAMES, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 4, P. O. White Hall, born in New York State, in 1835, came to Illinois with his father, Abraham Jeffers, who was a native of New York; was married twice, first to Mary Park, who died 1845, in Clark County, Ill.; married the second time to Mrs. Nancy J. Hamilton. He died in Clark County, 1850. The subject of this sketch was six years of age when he came to Clark County, Ill., living there till the late Rebellion and enlisted at Galesburg, in Co. 3, 17th Ilinois Regiment, in 1861, for three years, as private, participating in the battles at Fredericktown, Mo.; Fort Donaldson, Tenn.; Shiloh and Corinth; taken prisoner at Holly Springs, exchanged and sent to Vicksburg, Miss.; his time being out, was honorably discharged in 1864. Married twice; first time 1856 to Miss C. Varyan, two children, Molly, deceased, and Mattie. Married again June 6, 1877, to Mrs. Carrie Bloomfield.
JOHNSON, A. J., farmer, Sec. 3, Pl O. Carrollton. There is not a man in this township born at the time he was, that is yet living on the same spot where born. He first came into existence Nov. 30, 1826, born of John and Mary J.; her maiden name was Maines. His father was a native of North Carolina, born March, 1792 and his mother is a native of Georgia, whose birth occurred the same year of her husband, July 27, 1792. She came to this State in the year 1808 when it was a wilderness; her husband came at the beginning of the war of 1812; their marriage occurring that year, nine children were the result of this marriage, seven of whom lived to be grown, A. J. being the youngest; but two are now living. A. J. and his younger sister. After the marriage he located near Edwardsville, where he engaged in farming; was during the time engaged in the "ranging service", being in pursuit of the Indians. In 1821, he entered the land on which A. J. resides, and on which he was born and is now living. The subject of this sketch was united in marriage June 11, 1857, to Catherine Huitt, born in the county May 17, 1837. She is a daughter of John Huitt. They have had seven children: Perlina E., Edna J., Mary A., Andrew J., William T., Joel, and Sabrilla. He was 150 acres of land. Himself, wife and three girls are members of the Baptist church.
JOHNSON, HENRY, published White Hall Register.
JOHNSON H. H. farmer, Sec. 23, P.O. Breese, was born Aug. 18, 1838. He was married March 27, 1859, to Jane Gibson, daughter of James Gibson; she was born Nov. 15, 1838. They have one child, deceased, born April 8, 1860. He has an adopted son, William Williams, age, fourteen years. He is living on his brother's farm
JOHNSON, JOHN P. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 16, P. O. Roodhouse. Mr. Johnson is the oldest son, now living, of Henry and Nancy Johnson, who settled in Illinois in an early day, locating in Morgan County, where the old folks now reside, and where Henry Johnson is well known as an able minister of the gospel. Nearly all his life young Johnson has followed farming. During the present year he was married to Mrs. Cordelia Day, a daughter of W. F. Ford and widow of Nimrod L. Day, who died four years ago, from the effect of a gun shot would received by accident. By her first husband, Mrs. Johnson has two children, Nancy L. and Minnie L.; through him she also became heir to a valuable farm, consisting of 120 acres.
JOHNSON, THOMAS M., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 10, P. O. Barrow. Mr. Johnson was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky, December 5, 1823. He was in his fourth years when his parents set out for the State of Missouri, settling in Brown County, where the family remained some two years, and then moved to Greene County, in 1829. Thomas, from whom this sketch is obtained, related that at this early stage of the county's progress, deer were very numerous, and venison was frequently found on the family table. The father of Thomas has long since been gathered to his fathers. He was a most worthy man and a noble type of the western pioneer. His wife, who shared the privations of western life, still survives. There were many Indians still in Greene County, and when Thomas was a boy he became a frequent visitor of their camps. He was fourteen when he first attended school in a log cabin, where the studies consisted of spelling, reading, writing, and arithmetic. It has often fell to his lot to put in his time at a rough horse mill, common enough in early days. In his twenty-fourth year he was married to Miss Elizabeth Webb, a daughter of William Webb, by whom he had six children, two living. Mrs. Johnson died in 1859. In 1860 Mr. Johnson was married to Mrs. Lucinda Bradshaw, a daughter of Thomas Lorton and relict of Vance Bradshaw. Of this marriage seven children were born, six living. Mr. Johnson is a prosperous farmer, owning 159 acres of valuable land.
JONES, DAVID B., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 33, P. O. White Hall. Mr. Jones is worthy of more than a passing notice. He was born in Kentucky, near Sommerset, on the 9th of Nov. 1815. In his seventeenth year he accompanied his parents, Joshua and Eliza Jones, to the prairies of Southern Illinois, where they settled on what is now called Lorton's Prairie. Here the head of the family, a very industrious man, erected the first frame building. Joshua Jones, who, as heretofore mentioned, was the head of the family, became an exceedingly prosperous farmer, who is well remembered by the older settlers of Greene County. He passed away in 1868. His wife, who died during the earlier years of David, was a most estimable woman, whose memory is cherished to this day. David, reared amid pioneer associations, attained a vigorous energy that counted in after years. In 1840 he was married to Miss Elvira Davis, a daughter of the late Daniel Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Davis first began housekeeping in the usual pioneer cabin, on the property they now own, consisting of 160 acres. Like his worthy parents Mr. Jones is disposed to be generous. Two children were born of this marriage, Rebecca A., and Asbury W.
JUDD, J. S. agent at White Hall, Ill., for the Neosha Valley Lands of Kansas, was born at Potosi, Wisconsin, in 1836. His father was Corbin C. Judd, of whom we here extend a short notice; he was born near Cincinnati, in 1800. In his younger days he was a school teacher, in after years a minister of the gospel. In 1818 he married Miss Nancy Lakin, of Ohio; shortly afterwards he moved to Mechanicsburg, Sangamon County, Illinois. Remaining several years, he taught school; from here he went to Wisconsin, thence to Iowa. In 1847 he located near White Hall, Greene County; in the Autumn of 1847 he enlisted for the Mexican War in Captain Little's Mexican Dragoons; he died at Pueblo, Mexico, through exposure. Mr. Judd was a brave soldier; a non-commissioned officer. The family then consisted of wife and seven children, of whom J. S. was the fifth child. A stout healthy boy of twelve, barefooted generally, and working for six dollars per month; at 16 his mother died. He now worked steadily for neighboring farmers, his highest pay being twenty dollars per month, but by economy he saved some money. At 21 he came to White Hall and engaged as a clerk to Reno & Barrow, who were doing a business of $40,000 a year. One year later he entered into partnership with S. H. Culver & Co., firm name Judd, Culver & Co. At the end of three years, after a successful business, he entered into partnership with A. Barrow. In 1860 his health gave way through overwork, and he accordingly made a trip to the Rocky Mountains. In 1862 he entered the service of Uncle Sam, enlisting in Co. I, 91st Ill., Inft; he was appointed 2d Sergreant, but was shortly promoted to lst Lieutenant. When the war closed he returned to White Hall, opening the first exclusively grocery and provision store in the town. For seven years he conducted a very successful business, when he sold to Myntinger & Baker. For the past three years Mr. Judd has been agent for Kansas lands. For description see business directory. January 3, 1867, Mr. Judd was married to Miss M. J. Culver, a daughter of Dr. Culver, who died at White Hall, in 1869. On January 20, 1870, Mr. Judd married Miss L. A. McCollister, by whom he has three children: Norman, Herman and Corbin. Mr. J. is a strict advocate of temperance.