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BIOGRAPHIES
1879 HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY ILLINOIS

Its Past and Present

Chicago; Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd Publishers


Page 638

TAFFNER, JOHN D. farmer, Sec. 11, P.O. Wrightsville, was born in Prussia in 1852; at an early age his parents emigrated to St. Louis, about the year 1864, and in 1865 came to this State. He is the son of John and Anna Taffner, who came to this country about fourteen years ago. On March 2, 1878, John B. was married to Margaret L. Caine. He owns 50 acres of land. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and is a Democrat

Page 500

TANDY, W. S., photographer, Carrollton, was born in the State of Kentucky, December, 1843. During the same month and year, his parents, Willis and Martha H. Tandy, emigrated from the State of Kentucky to southern Illinois, settling in the vicinity of Jacksonville, on farm property. Jacksonille was then but a village, where the grandfather of the subject of this sketch owned a large tract of land, extending from what is now Cottage Hill to the Mauvaisterre. On the old homestead young Tandy passed the days of his youth, until the death of his father, when he became apprenticed to the trade of a carpenter and becoming in due course of time a journey workman. During the war in 1862, Mr. Tandy turned his attention to photography, in the city of Jacksonville where he conducted a successful business, with a younger brother, until his location at Carrollton in 1865, where he has since resided, and where his skill as a photographer is well known. May 5, 1859, Mr. Tandy was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Johnson, by whom he had three children: Ella, Ida A., and Mattie. Mrs. Tandy passed away in the year 1870. In 1872, Mr. Tandy was united in marriage to Miss Julia Freer, by whom he has three children: Maud, Lulu, and W. Scott.



Page 725

TATE, GEORGE, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P. O. Rockbridge. George Tate is a native of England, where he was born August, 1830, and there followed agricultural pursuits until his emigration to America, which occurred on the 12th of November, 1851. Landing in the City of New York, he eventually made his way to Albany, thence to Rochester, thence to Buffalo, where for a period of time he followed boating. Plying his vocation for years on the broad waters of the Mississippi, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario, at the expiration of this time he wended his way to Greene County, where he subsequently married Miss Phoebe Ann Wolsey, a daughter of Amos Wolsey. Since his arrival here, Mr. T. has been quite successful as an agriculturist, and has now been a resident of the county for a period of twenty years.



Page 638

TAYLOR, ALONZO P. - farmer, Sec. 9, P. O. White Hall, was born March 19, 1853, is a native of this county; is a son of Joseph and Rebecca Taylor, who were natives of Kentucky, and came to this county at an early day. Alonzo was united in matrimony Dec. 26, 1872, to Lizzie Davis, daughter of J. W. Davis; as a result of this married hey have now two children, viz: Warren, born Aug. 9, 1873; Nora, born July 11, 1875. Mr. Taylor owns 80 acres of land, and although young, he has had considerable experience with the world, and expects, if spared, to grow up to be one of the wealthy, and to rank among the most respected of his township.



Page 693

TAYLOR, B. F., farmer, Sec. 35, P. O. Rockbridge. The subject of this sketch now resides on the above named section; was born on the identical spot where he now lives. The record he gives as to the time of his arrival on this stage of action, is dated July 7, 1850. His parents are natives of the "Blue Grass" country, Kentucky, and came to this State and county as early as 1826, and were among the early pioneers in this country, and there being two or three of the name settling there at the time, gave the name which it now bears, Taylor's Prairie. Log cabins were the only houses when they settled here and they were scarce at that. Corn bread, hominy and hog, was the daily bill of fare. His father died March, 1864, and left a clear record behind, and well worthy of the example of those who succeed him; he was a member of the old Baptist Church many years before his death. Benjamin F., is now owner of the farm formerly owned by his father; having bought out the heirs. His sister Hannah L., is keeping house for him.



Page 564

TAYLOR, BURGESS, deceased, was a successful farmer in Greene County. He was married in 1844, to Miss Martha Record. Of this marriage three children were born, two are living: Lucy J. and William P. Mrs. Taylor owns 120 acres of valuable land. As a matter of history, Mrs. Taylor's father was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. Samuel Baird, a patron of this work, was born in Scott County, in 1839, third child Zebulon and Belinda Baird. He was but seven when his parents moved to Greene County, near Barrow. Receiving a district school education, at twenty-one he was married to Miss Lucy J. Taylor, a daughter of Burgess Taylor. Five children blessed this marriage: Martha S., John B., James Z., Alonzo C., and William O.

PAGE 694

TAYLOR, CANDIS E. MRS., farming, Sec. 33, P. O. Rockbridge. Is a native of this county, and a daughter of Franklin and Hannah Barrett; her parents were native born Kentuckians, coming here at an early period of the county's history. In the year 1850, on Easter Sunday, she was married to Ambrose Tayor; after their marriage they settled near the place Mrs. Taylor now lives, engaged in farming, which he carried on up to the time of his death. Several years before his demise he was employed in the store of Messrs. Valentine - his boys carrying on the farm in the meantime. During his life time, was a consistent member of the regular Baptist church; was clerk of the official board of same for sixteen years; was also a member of the Masonic order, "Sheffield Lodge No. 687." His death occurred in April 1876. The have had ten children; four of whom are now living: John F.., born Aug. 28, 1855; Stephen A. D., born Dec. 25, 1857; Olive A., born March 20, 1865; Henry O., born Aug. 10, 1868; Albert F., born Jan. 10, 1871. Stephen died Jan. 1, 1878. A short time previous to his death sickness, made a profession of religion, and was admitted into the church. since the death of her husband, Mrs. Taylor has carried on the farm with the assistance of John F., who remains at home with his mother. John F., is a member of the Rockbridge Brass Band.



Page 725

TAYLOR, JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 8, P. O. Rockbridge. To some extent we trace back the ancestry of John Taylor. Amrose Taylor, his father, was a native Kentuckian, where he was born as near as can be ascertained, in 1800. It must have been that he was of an extremely adventurous disposition, for in the year 1819 he wended his way across the prairies to the southern portion of Illinois. He settled at Madison County, Ill., finding employment in breaking the prairie soil; but little land being then under cultivation. The following year we find him en route for Greene County, where he was destined to become a successful agriculturist. Here he formed the acquaintance of and married in 1822, Miss Nancy Courtney, a daughter of Wm. Courtney, whose ancestry were Irish; in what is now town 10, range 10, he built a two story hewed log cabin, a novelty in its day, and one of the best and most substantial buildings erected in Greene County. We naturally suppose that he lived the frugal life of the pioneer for many years, his energetic struggle carried the day in after life, and he became not only a well-to-do farmer, but one who merited the respect of his many friends in this section; he died at the age of 60 years, and was laid at rest on the broad prairies where so many years of his life were passed. Mrs. Taylor survived her husband eighteen years, departing this life at an advanced age. John, from whom this sketch is obtained, grew to mature years, blessed with a hardy vigor and energy, from his earliest years sharing in the hard work of the farm. In 1846 he was married to Miss Mary Jane Dixon, a daughter of Jefferson Dixon, by whom he had eight children, four of whom are living: Allen, Henry J., Jas. F., and Ida J. Mrs. Taylor departed this life on the 22d of March, 1874, and on the 17th of August 1876, he was married to Mrs. Mahuldah Livingston, a daughter of James Manis, an early settler of this county. John Taylor is the owner of 373 acres of valuable land, and takes a leading position as a farmer and stock raiser.



Page 598

TAYLOR, PRESTON, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 10, P. O. Roodhouse. Preston Taylor, who ranks among the whole-souled farmers of Greene County, was born within its borders July, 1830; his associates, the pioneers boys, like them he acquired a hardy vigor that laid the foundation for his present success. On attaining his majority in 1851 he was united in marriage to Miss Roxanna Thompson, a daughter of Thomas Thompson, who ranks among the first settlers of Greene County. After many years of labor Mr. Taylor finds himself the owner of 200 acres of valuable land in Tp. 12, R. 11, on which he erected eight years ago, a handsome farm residence. With the same bustle and activity that marked his youth he now attends to his farm duties, and where he will, undoubtedly, pass down the stream of time to that great unknown to which we are all drifting.



Page 694

TENDICK, ARNOLD, boots and shoes, Sec. 33, P. O. Rockbridge, was born in Rhine Province, Sept. 26, 1847, is the third of a family of seven children born of Peter and Margaret Tendick; her family name was Brookhouse. At the age of fifteen, he went to work on a farm for one year; was then apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's trade, at which he continued for three years. After he completed his trade, he went into the Prussian army, cavalry department; was in the service two years and a half. After his return home, he went to work at his trade, doing journey work the most of the time, until the Spring of 1870, when he emigrated to this country. Sailed on the Weiser, of the Bremen line; term of voyage fifteen days. Came to Jacksonville, Ill., where he worked for his uncle, Godfrey Tendick, of that place, for one year; then went to St. Louis, where he remained six months; then to Pittsfield, Pike County, where he engaged in business for himself, remaining there until July, 1875; then removed to Rockbridge and engaged in business; manufactures and keeps on hand ready made goods in his line, and is doing a good business; was married Aug. 12, 1874, to Elizabeth Jacobi, sister of Phillip Jacobi. She was born April 14, 1854. They have had three children, Anna M., born Sept. 14, 1875; Mattie Lou, born Feb. 18, 1877. (Doesn't list the third child?)



Page 743

TERPENING, JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 2, P. O. Kane. John Terpening is a native of Ulster County, in the State of New York, and was born in 1817, was the third child of David and Hannah Terpening in New York State; his time was principally spent in agricultural pursuits, and while here a resident he united his fortunes to Miss Mahala Roe, a daughter of John S. Roe, a native of New York State by whom he had nine children, seven of whom are living: Simon, Hannah E., Sarah M., Rachel, Ellen and Jerusha, and Uriah D. Mrs. T., died in New York State in 1865, and the following Spring Mr. Terpening emigrated West and located in Greene County, where he first worked as a farm hand; in 1873, he was married to Mrs. Julian Terpening, relict of Jesse Terpening, and a daughter of Joseph Stevens. Mrs. Terpening is a native of Ohio. The estate comprises 40 acres.



Page 536

TETER, O'GORMAN & CO., manufacturers and dealers in flower ports, vases, terra cotta ware. The above name firm became established in business June, 1878, but are rapidly taking a leading position in the manufacturing of this ware. Fine skilled workmen are employed by the firm, who turn out a vast array of flower pots and vases daily, of very superior material and finish. Its present proprietors are Messrs. T. O'Gorman, William Teter, and Henry Hubbard. Mr. Teter, from whom this sketch is obtained was born in Ross County, Ohio, in 1834. When fifteen years old he moved to White Hall, where he settled down to farm life. In 1864 he enlisted in the 91st Reg. Ill. Inf. Remaining in the service one year, he was honorably discharged, a participant in the battles of Spanish Fort, Fort Blakley, and engagements of smaller note. In 1855 Mr. Teter was married to Miss Susannah Pinkerton, a daughter of James E. Pinkerton. Of nine children born of this marriage, five are living: Mary, Ellen, Eva, Alice and William.



Page 639

THAXTON, CLAY DR. farmer, Sec. 28, P.O. Wrightsville, was born near Richmond, Va., Aug. 5, 1799, was the "seventh son" of William and Mary Thaxton. William having served seven years in the Revolutionary War. In 1819 the subject of this sketch came to this county, at which time it was but a wilderness. Indians roamed across the prairies, and it was in the days of horse mills and "hominy mortars," the nearest mill at that time, being at Alton. Large game, such as bears, panthers, elk, wolves and deer in countless numbers could be seen almost at any time. Chills and fevers were among the indispensables at this time, and it is related that there was scarcely a house during these times but what some members of the family would be down with the " ager," and in many instances, all of them_none being left to care for the sick. People speak of hard times now, but they are nothing in comparison to the times in which those early pioneers lived, and the trials which they passed through would daunt and dishearten the hearts of the most hardy at the present time had they to pass through such scenes as related by those hardy pioneers, who opened up the country, and prepared the way for the present generation.

The subject of this sketch was married Nov. 9, 1827, to Caroline Whitaker, who was born March 1, 1811, was the daughter of Robert and Anna Whitaker, from this union they had eleven children, have raised nine

Sarah Ann, born Jan. 1, 1829; Martha Jane, born Dec. 29, 1830 ; Robt. M., born July 9, 1835; Elizabeth, born Oct. 11, 1839; Lauretta, born January 27, 1842; William, M. born May 2, 1844; John Francis, born Aug. 20, 1847, Joseph H. born Jan. 4, 1850. Mr. Thaxton and wife have divided up their land among their children, have reserved 80 acres for himself and wife, which they are now located upon. John and Joseph are still single, and live with their parents. Mr. Thaxton and wife are consistent members of the United Baptist Church, have been members of that body during the last forty years. They are in unusual good health for people of their years; are sprightly, and seem to be in the full possession of their mental as well as physical faculties, to an extent that gives promise of several years yet; they are ready to go, and are like shocks of corn ripe for their Master's use, and when He calls they are ready to enter into the joys prepared for His people before the foundation of the world



Page 537

THAXTON, LARKIN - nearly sixty years ago, came to the State of Illinois, accompanied by wife and five small children. He was a Virginian by birth, who moved to Breckenridge Co., Ky., in the early settlement of that State, and there married Miss Catherine Dudley. Glowing reports of the fertility of Illinois, reached him, and accordingly he determined to emigrate, and after many weeks of travel, located near Edwardsville, Madison County. From this point, in 1820, the family settled three miles southeast of White Hall, near Apple Creek. In this primitive wilderness of prairie, Wm. B. Thaxton was born, Aug. 9, 1820 and here were passed many years of his life. When twelve years of age, his father died; at fourteen he ventured forth on his own resources, hiring out to a man by the name of English, to work by the month, he remained five years, working through the summer months for twenty-five cents per day. During the Winter he was contented to work for his board. Going to Chesterfield, Macoupin County, he worked for a farmer of considerable enterprise, who kept a small store. While here Mr. Thaxton frequently made trips to Alton and St Louis, and showed considerable skill in the purchase of butler and eggs, etc. Leaving the employ of this man, he became employed in a saw-mill on Apple Creek. The following Spring he worked for Col. Gregory at ten dollars per month, for ten years; he then rented property, and from the profits of this procured a sufficient start to purchase eighty acres of land. Years have passed since then, and Mr. Thaxton is now a prominent man of Greene County, a wealthy citizen, due to the vigor, energy and pluck displayed during his younger days. He has been twice married: first to Miss Helen M. McGoffey, Nov. 25, 1852, who, seven years later, passed to a home not made with hands. She was the mother of three children, the oldest and only one living, Mrs. Ella Jane Morrow, wife of John A. Morrow; resides near Roodhouse Jan. 1, 1860. Mr. T., was married to Mrs. Damon Griswold whose maiden name was Swallow, a model lady, who is a worthy helpmate of a noble husband and father. Mr. Thaxton owns a magnificent residence at White Hall, also one on his splendid farm near Roodhouse.

Page 537

THAXTON, PARHAM, farmer, Sec. 31, P.O. Carrollton. Mr. Thaxton first saw the light of day Jan. 8, 1826, on a spot of ground on the land he now occupies, and which is now used as a cornfield, and off of it grew corn, which took the blue ribbon at the Greene County Fair this year; so much for association. Mr. Thaxton was the seventh child of Larkin and Catherine Thaxton, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Scotland. The subject of this sketch had but few educational advantages, for while in his minority there was not, he relates a regularly organized district in the county, and what education he did get was by walking several miles to the rude structures incident to those pioneer days. Mr. Thaxton learned the trade of an operative mason, and worked at it for a number of years in Virden and various other localities. In Jan. 27, 1858, he concluded that he had lived a bachelor sufficiently long, and solicited the hand of Anna Drum, and as a result of the alliance have had four children: Florence, born Dec. 26, 1859; Luella, born March 7, 1861; Jeanette, born July 5, 1868; Clifford born Nov. 25, 1869. Mr. Thaxton is a man whose honesty and integrity are unquestioned; has held office of Coroner and Township Trustee to the satisfaction of the people.

Page 564>

THOMAS, A. PROF. insurance agent, liberal lecturer and public reader, was born in Mead Co., Kentucky, on the 6th of April, 1826; the second child of Benjamin and Hepsibah Thomas. At the age of two years his parents emigrated from Kentucky and settled at the Saline Salt Works, Gallatin Co., Illinois; it was here our subject passed his boyhood upon a farm, where it was frequently his lot to plow all day with a yoke of unruly steers. During the winter season he acquired a liberal education in the common rough, round log cabin school house. When the war was declared between the U. S. Government and Mexico, Mr. Thomas, then in the flush of early manhood, enlisted in the 14th U. S. Infantry Regt. at Shawneetown, Gallatin Co., Ill., under the command of Col. Truesdell. On reaching the scene of carnage he afterwards became a participant in those battles so famous n history as Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, and Chepulteepec. When the war closed he returned to Illinois and settled in Brown County, afterwards proceeding to Pike County, he became a teacher of district schools; locating in Scott County during the Spring of 1849. On the fifth of October, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Anderson, a daughter of Andrew Anderson, of Delaware. March, 1856, Mr. Thomas became a resident of Greene County, locating at the village of Wilmington, where he was destined to play a prominent part in its growth and development, and for the long period of time in which he has lived here he has proved himself a wide-awake business man, and has gained considerable local celebrity as a public reader and lecturer. The marriage of Mr. Thomas to Miss Anderson was blessed with five chidren, two of whom are living, whose names in order of birth are: George and Charles; children not living: Eugene, Jospehine and Julia.

Page 658

THOMAS, JOHN H. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 3, P. O. White Hall. The genial and liberal gentleman whose name heads this biography is a native of Germany, where he was born on the 25th of April, 1835. In early youth he became apprenticed to the trade of a weaver, and at 17 concluded to cast his fortunes in America, and accordingly during the Autumn of 1852 he embarked on board the sailing vessel Georgia at Liverpool; shipwrecked off the coast of Long Island Sound; after the usual delay incident to a shipwreck our subject landed in New York City. Until the Spring opened he lay ill at the hospital at Ward's Island, and on recovering remained in New York City a short time. He afterwards hired as a farm hand. Leaving Albany n the winter of 1854 Mr. Thomas directed his footsteps westward, and first located in what is now termed East St. Louis. When the Spring opened he sought employment on the Mississippi, as a fireman on the Adriatic, one of the largest boats on the river. In 1856 Mr. Thomas located permanently in Greene county, in Tp. 11, R. 13, where he first worked for George Schutz. In 1858 he united his fortunes to Miss Nancy Paire, a daughter of Hiram Paire, of the first settlers of Greene County. Mr. Thomas possessed no captial at this date, financially speaking, but he had an unlimited fund of energy that laid the foundation for the success that greeted his efforts in after years. Step by step he accumulated his present farm property of 240 acres of well-cultivated land, which will compare favorably with other tracts of similar size in Greene County. Mr. Thomas has never aspired to office, yet has ever taken a deep interest in the advancement of education. Of the marriage, ten children, four only of whom are living and whose names in order of birth are Sophia Jane, John H., Martha A., and Ortery M.

Page 521

THOMAS, JOHN I. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 33, Tp. 10, R. 12. Mr. Thomas was born in Madison County, Ill., March 15, 1818. During the Autumn of this year, his father, the late Honorable Samuel Thomas, settled on the western prairies of Illinois, that portion now comprised in Greene, locating three miles from the present city of Carrollton. John Thomas, who heads this sketch, relates that, at this early day, within 600 yards of his father's cabin, he at one time counted twenty-six deer. Bears were also frequently seen. Deer abounded, while wild cats and panthers were frequently seen. One incident here, as related by Mr. Thomas, is worthy of remark. Close to the Mississippi, on the margin of a small stream in Pike County there stood an old mill, used by the early settlers for pounding grain; it was made in a similar manner to the mills in use, with the exception that a large wheel, revolving through the water, kept the mortar in motion, rapidly or otherwise owing to the rising or lowering of the tide. One day, at law tide, an opossum, discovering no one near, made his way to mill, discovered the corn or other grain, and heedless of danger, proceeded to help himself. While doing so the mortar, slowly descending, snuffed out the life of the poor possum, the inanimate remains being found by the pioneers shortly after. John I. Thomas received his education in a log cabin, where greased paper was in use for window glass, and a large fire place occupied one end of the cabin. Mr. Thoams has followed farming from boyhood up to the present time, and now takes rank among the leading farmers of the Northwest. But those early days of log cabins, of the many happy days of pioneer life, are vividly impressed upon his memory. HIs wonderful success in life is due to untiring efforts in the agricultural walks of life. In 1840 he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Corn, by whom he had five children, four living: Elmira, Alice, Samuel and Lenora. Mr. Thomas owns over a thousand acres of as good land as lies in the State of Illinois. During the present year he was elected to fill the responsible position of president of the Carrollton Banking Institution, one of the soundest organizations in the West.



Page 522

THOMAS, WILLIAM D., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 29, P. O. Carrollton. The subject of this sketch, it may be truly said, is one of the old settlers of Greene, the fourth son of Samuel Thomas, the first settler north of Macoupin Creek, and one of the most prominent farmers of Greene County, whose loss was deeply deplored by a host of friends who knew him as a generous, whole-souled citizen and a prosperous farmer. William grew to manhood in Greene County; received a liberal education in the district schools of his native place and the higher graded schools of Carrollton. In 1860 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Mary J. Rainey, a daughter of Major Rainey, by whom he has eight children: Frederick W., Leslie C., Charles R., Harry S., Jane E., Mary S., Lewis H., and John H. Mr. Thomas is the owner of 760 acres of land in one of the best townships in Greene County. It would perhaps be superfluous here to state that he ranks among the leading agriculturists of this prosperous county.



Page 763

THOMASSON, JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 18, P.O. Carrollton. The above named gentleman is a native of Greene County, where he was born in 1833; second child of William and Sarah Thomasson; his boyhood was spent amid pioneer associations, and from early to mature years he has followed agricultural pursuits; when the war broke out he became enrolled in Uncle Sam's troops, and remaining a short time, he subsequently returned to the duties of the farm; in 1868, he was married to Miss Sarah C. Varble, a daughter of George Varble, by whom he has five children: S. Pasey Elizabeth, Sophia J., George T., John N., and infant child. Mr. Thomasson is the owner of 120 acres, and is a thorough-going, hard working farmer.

Page 743

THOMPSON, DAVID A., is a gentleman of rare energy, and comes from a numerous and respected family. He was born in 1847, on the old farm homestead of his parent, near the village of Old Kane, where he passed his early years; from his father, who became an exceedingly prosperous farmer, he inherited that force of character that laid the foundation for his present success. In September, 1869, he was married to Miss Margaret Race, who was born in Virginia, and who died in 1871, leaving to the care of her husband one child, Charles. On the 19th of February, 1873, Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Sarah Race, a sister of his former wife; five children blessed this union, two of whom are living, Georgie and Susan S. Mr. Thompson is the owner of 160 acres of land, town property in New Kane, and is extensively engaged in stock shipping.



Page 577

THOMPSON, GEO. W. who is one of the oldest residents of Greene County, was born September 7, 1829, near Barrow Station. Eighth child of James and Susan Thompson, natives of Kentucky, who emigreated to Illinois during its earliest settlement. Growing to manhood, having for associates the pioneer boys of long ago, George attended the same log cabin ,studied the same simple lessons, composed principally of Webster's speller and the New Testament; on the old homestead property he recieved a full share of the hard work of the farm. December 13, 1855, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Perkins, a daughter of William Perkins, of Scott County; seven children were born of this marriage, six of whom are living: Alice Ann, Samuel A., John H., William M., James E. and Eliza A. Mr. Thompson followed farming any years, and witnessed many hardships incident to those good old days of long ago. In 1867 Mr. Thompson locoated at Roodhouse, where in connection with S. L. Simmons, he put up the first dry goods and grocery store in the place. The business prospered far beyond the expectations of its proprietors. In 1876 Mr. Thompson was elected justice of the peace of Roodhouse, an office he was well qualified to fill. There were of the first marriage of Mr. Thompson no children. His first wife died in 1863. The following year he ws united in marriage to Miss Emily McNemer, a daughter of Robert Kidney and widow of Landford McNemer; seven children born of this marriage. As written above it would appear to the general reader as though the children named were of the first marriage. We take this means of correcting this impression.

Page 598

THOMPSON, GEO. W., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 29, P. O. Roodhouse, is a native of Logan County, Illinois, where he was born in 1853; his father, John Thompson, whose ancestry are traced back to Ireland, followed farming from his earliest years, and where the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood on the farm homestead; for the past four years he has been a resident of Greene County; Mr. Thompson is a gentleman of genial manners, a warm friend, and a liberal citizen.



Page 694

THORPE, J. MARTIN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P. O. Greenfield. Prominent among the representatives of this township who are self-made, and have worked their way up to wealth through their own industry and individual exertions, is Mr. Thorpe, who was born in Drax, Yorkshire, England, Nov. 23, 1814. His father, William, was twice married; the second time to Ann Petly, who gave birth to J. Martin; his parents dying when he was quite young, and by their demise, he was thus left alone. At the age of 14, he embarked for America in company with Adam Allinson, now of Morgan County, and upon their arrival, located west of Jacksonville, Martin remaining with Mr. Allison until he became of age, in consideration of the amount of his passage money and a horse, saddle, and bridle; then hired to Mr. Allison two years - first year, $10 per month; second year, $12 1/2 per month. February, 1843, was united in marriage to Anna Hembrough; one child, William H., born July 3, 1844, now in Missouri. Subsequent to this marriage, rented for two years of Mr. Allinson, then moved to Apple Creed Prairie, near White Hall; expectd to remain here for good, but after contracting for some land, the trade not being consumated, he then moved to the place he now owns in 1846. His wife dying in 1845, he was united in marriage to Mrs. L. N. Bibb February, 1846. Five children have blessed this union. James H., born July 9, 1848; Benjamin F., born April 30, 1850; Mary A., born February, 1852; Sarah Allinson, born Oct. 1854; Maria Otis, born Feb. 10, 1856. After his location, he first bought 120 acres, and began work with a right good will. He has since added to it until he now has 600 acres of choice land; also 440 acres in Cass County, Mo.; has been a man of great energy, and possessing in a large degree,, that ingredient so essential to success - "pluck" - has been a tireless worker and always considered his word as valid as his note; has been engaged in stock-trading for several years past, and in this capacity been of much service to the county. His early education and association with a class of people whose honesty and integrity were unquestioned, has caused him to rely too much confidence in some who have taken advantage of this trust, and in consequence, he has become temporarily embarrassed; but not to an extent as to deprive any of his creditors of their just dues, having property enough, if disposed of at anything near its value to liquidate all his indebtedness, and then leave him a competence. There is no man in the county whose commercial honesty stands higher, or is more highly respected. Himself and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. Republican in sentiment.



Page 743

TOLMAN, W. O., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 28, P. O. Kane. W. O. Tolman ranks among the wealthier earlier residents of Greene County, is a native of White Hall, born in 1829; of his parents it will be well to extend more than a passing notice. Cyrus Tolman was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1796. Wending his way westward as early as 1817, and proceeded to Utica in the State of Indiana; one year later, although comparatively without means, he landed at Edwardsville, in this State, and first secured employment in helping toward the survey of the town of Gibraltar. In 1821 he entered a piece of land near the present town of White Hall. In connection with Carl Gregory he erected the first two frame blocks in Greene County. Jan. 30, 1828, he was married to Miss Polly Eldred, a daughter of Jehosophat Eldred and Polly. In 1830 he was elected assessor and treasurer of Greene and Macoupin Counties, receiving for his services $75. A short time after he was elected judge of Greene County, and in 1840 moved to Jerseyville, where, during the Fall of the year he was elected to fill the same office. As a farmer, Judge Tolman was more than ordinarily successful, few of the old settlers having come to the State under more trying circumstances. Mrs. Tolman passed away in Oct. 17, 1860. Mr. T. was laid at rest two years ago, after a long life fraught no ordinary interest. The subject of this notice, whose name heads this sketch, is the third child born of this marriage. Like nearly all who grew up on the West, he attained the usual primitive education in the old familiar log cabin. In 1857 he was married to Miss Eliza Pope, a daughter of Samuel and Mary Pope. Mr. Tolman started in life under many discouragements, the prairie everywhere remained unbroken, but as the years few onward, his industry paved the way to success. At the present writing he is the owner of 210 acres of valuable land, and a farm residence that will compare very favorably with any in the county. Of nine children born of the above marriage, all are living: Fanny, Emma, Polly, Anna and Chloe, Cyrus, William Curtis and Elon.



Page 537

TRASK, GEO. W.- lumber dealer, whose yards are located near the C.B.& Q. R.R., became a resident of White Hall but a little over a year ago, entering into the above business, where he takes the leading position in the lumber trade, and has shown himself to be not only a man of generous impulses and height of character, but a reliable business man; born at Paterson, N. J., Sept. 30, 1834. When quite small, his parents moved to New Orleans, remaining there four years, and then moved to Louisville, Ky., where the head of the family became a cigar-maker; moving to Missouri, thence to California, from whose golden shores he went to Cuba, where he died. Geo. W. Trask, in early life, became a R. R. contractor, in which he accumulated wealth, and a large experience, which have paved the way for his preserit success in life. He afterwards became a stock buyer and trader, in Kansas. Sept. 16, 1860 he was united in marriage to Julia A. Greene, of Macoupin Co.; two children were born of this marriage, not living. In 1869, Mrs. Trask died; during the Autumn of 1871 Mr. Trask was married to Miss Mary L. Terry, of Greene County; one child: Harry E. When the war came on Mr. Trask enlisted in Co. A., 97th Ill. Inft.; was promoted 1st sergeant for meritorious conduct; battles: Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas .Post, Jackson, Carthage, Grand Gulf, Fort Gibson, and many others.

Page 763

TRIMBLE, HARVEY, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 6, P. O. Carrollton. Not many of the veteran pioneers of Greene County are left to tell the story of frontier hardships, but among those whose settlement in Greene County occurred in an early day, we mention with more than ordinary notice the name of Harvey Trimble, born in Nicholasville, Kentucky, on the 17th of November, 1810. His father John Trimble a native Virginian who moved to Kentucky in an early day, from his earliest years he followed agricultural pursuits; he married in Kentucky Miss Polly Guy also of Virginia, of this marriage eleven children were born, of whom our subject was the fifth, and of whom we have only space to say that he grew up amid pioneer associations. In 1832 he moved to Missouri, and thence to Greene County in 1834 as a permanent resident, but the year 1833 had witnessed his marriage in Greene County to Miss Margaret A. Rice, a daughter of Jefferson and Nancy Rice. In his own language there was plenty of hard work to be done and he had little capital, but strong will and some little energy, and he now set resolutely to work to obtain a livelihood in Illinois; for several years he lived in a rough round log cabin, and necessarily lived an economical life; the regular bill of fare, except on Sunday, was principally corn-dodgers or corn bread; when Sunday came, warm biscuit, a rare treat for old and young; oftimes it happened when the wheat became more generally grown young Trimble put in considerable time hanging to the end of a sheet, and kept in rapid motion for the purpose of winnowing or separating wheat from chaff; to be more particular, two men holding a sheet kept it in rapid motion while a third held aloft an old sieve, the contents of which were chaff and wheat violently shaken in the hands of the operative, in its fall the sheet kept in constant motion served as a separator of the chaff from the grain; in after years horse mills came into vogue for the grinding of grain and vast numbers congregated awaiting their turn, and enjoying themselves meanwhile; we have related the above in order to show what industry and economy will accomplish from poverty. Mr. T. has become comfortably situated in life, and is now the owner of 240 acres of valuable farm property; elsewhere we have spoken of Mr. Trimble's marriage, his wife Miss Margaret H. Rice, was born in Kentucky; of this marriage twelve children were born, of whom eight are living: Georgianna, Jane, Aggie, Napoleon Bonaparte, Susan, Ellen, Lafayette and Augusta; deceased, John R., Jefferson R., Thomas P. and James H. (twins). For ten years Mr. T. worked as a tanner at which he served four years apprenticeship.

Page 725

TUCKER, DAVID M., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 18, P. O. Rockbridge. David Tucker was born in Tennessee in 1833. In an early day his parents moved to the West, locating in Greene County, where the youthful years of our subject were spent upon the farm homestead. In 1855 he was married to Miss Rhoda Whitlock, a daughter of Henry and Hannah Whitlock, by whom he has five children living: Henry B., Thomas A., Sarah S., Melvina J., and Bertha B. Like nearly all of those whose boyhood was passed amid the scenes of western life, David Tucker found a hard row to hoe for many years. He now resides in comfortable circumstances in township 9 range 10, the owner of 80 acres of valuable land. The only office he has ever held or aspired to he holds at present, that of constable of this precinct.

Page 744

TUCKER, JOHN A., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 1, P. O. Rockbridge. John A. Tucker is a native of Clayburn County, East Tenn., where he was born July 22, 1820, third child of Obadiah and Elizabeth Tucker, whose maiden name was James. In the famous old State of Tennessee, those who bore the name, so far as we have any knowledge followed agricultural pursuits. Obadiah Tucker was a renter of land in his native State, and consequently living in moderate circumstances; to better his condition in life he concluded to cast his fortunes in the West, and accordingly, the year i843 found him en route for the fertile prairies of Illinois, where he settled in due time in Greene County. He never became opulent as many have in Greene County, but he became moderately successful through well directed energy, and an honesty of purpose that never wavered. He died in 1850 and thus there passed to a home not made with hands, another pioneer who helped to pave the way for the prosperity that we of today enjoy; many of us scarcely realizing the hardships undergone by the people of the South and East, whose restless ambition have carried them ever onward. Mrs. T. died many years prior to her husband, finding a last resting place in the Witt Cemetery. John was in his 23d year when the family arrived in Greene County, and the head of a family, having united his fortunes to Miss Rachel Graves, a daughter of Henry Graves, in Tennessee; to use his own language, his capital, financially speaking, consisted of seventy-five cents, and for many years he held his own remarkably well. His first purchase of property was made in 1861 and consisted of ten acres, known as Bottom Prairie. Since this date he has gone steadily forward to a successful career, and from the little patch of ground has come an estate of over 300 acres, acquired by the same energy of character that distinguished Obadiah Tucker and his estimable wife. Of eleven children that blessed the union of Mr. Tucker and Miss Graves, six only are living: Martha E., James H., Nancy C., Eva E., Jacob M., and Samuel O.

Page 650

TUNISON, J. E. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 5, P. O. White Hall, was born in Greene County, in 1846; was married the first time to Minerva Baker, Dec. 24, 1867, a native of Kentucky, and died Oct. 26, 1869; was married the second time, Sept. 14, 1871, to Mary H. Ledford, who was born in 1849; have four children: Julia E., born March 16, 1873, deceased; William H., born July 14, 1874, deceased; George E., born Oct. 1, 1876, deceased; Minnie M., born 1878. The homestead contains 200 acres of well improved land, and is well stocked with fine breeds of cattle.



Page 500

TURNER, Dr. W. D., physician and surgeon, Carrollton, was born in London, England, June 21, 1843; left an orphan at five, when eight years old he was placed in charge of a family, who crossed the Atlantic for America. In due course of time the little waif became a resident of Pike Co., Ill., where he received a liberal education. When the war broke out he enlisted in Co. E, 50th Ill. Inf., becoming a participant in the following battles: Pittsburg Landing, where he received a severe scalp wound, Corinth, siege of Atlanta, and battle of Nashville, etc., etc.; elected First Lieutenant by a large majority, owing to his youth he did not accept; afterward he received the appointment and served as Sergeant Major. Honorably discharged, he returned to Pike County, where he began the study of medicine, under G. C. Pitzer, now Professor American Medical College and editor "American Medical Journal", St. Louis; remaining one year he then attended three courses of study at the Cincinnati, Ohio, Eclectic College, and two clinical courses at Commercial Hospital; on leaving the college he went to Waynesville, Dewitt Co., Ill., where he obtained a large practice. In 1871 he came to Carrollton, where he has a large and constantly growing practice; Oct. 1st, 1868 he was united in marriage to Miss S. J. Peebles; two children, Walter P. and Frank.



Page 715

TUTTEROW, BALSAR, farmer, Sec. 27, P.O. Carrollton, is a native of Knox County,Tenn., was born Sept. 23, 1820, son of Jacob and Susan T.; her maiden name was Probst. There were five children in the family, Balsar being the eldest. His father dying at the time when his parental aid was the most needed, the care of the family from that time devolved upon him and his mother, and he was thus deprived of the privilege of attending school. Remained with his mother until he attained his 27th year, when he was united in marriage to Caroline Gowan; they had four children, namely, Arthama Ann, Orpha C., John P., Battie and Willie A. Moved to this State in October, 1851 and first located one mile and a quarter south of Carrollton, where he began renting land, which he continued for about nine years, until the year 1857, when he bought eighty acres of land. His wife died the same year; was married the second time to Celia E. Pinkerton, March, 1858. She was born May 16, 1832. They have three children - Alva C., Rhoda J., and Lavina C. Member of the M. E. Church, is a strong advocate of temperance principles; was formerly a member of the Whig party.

Page 695

TYAS, RICHARD, blacksmith, Greenfield, born in Halifax, Yorkshire, Jan. 9, 1840, son of James and Mary Tyas, whose family name was Riley. Parents dying, he was under the care of relatives; left school when eight years of age, and went to learn the blacksmith trade with his uncle. In the Spring of 1860 emigrated to this State, and after stopping with his uncle in Sangamon County one year, came to Greenfield and soon after enlisted in Co. D, 30th REgt. I. V. Infantry; and after three years and two months faithful service in behalf of his country, received an honorable discharge and returned to peaceful pursuits, working at his trade for Broadmarkle and others; then went to Waverly, Morgan County, where he engaged in business for himself for six years. In 1872 sold out, and made a trip to England. Upon his return to Greenfield, went into partnership with Charles Boring, a comrade in the service, in 1875, bought his partner out, and has since been conducting the business himself. The worst thing that can be said of Richard is that he is a bachelor.



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