Edgar County IL Archives Biographies.....Elbridge Township, Biographies ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com March 19, 2006, 3:28 pm Author: The History of Edgar Co IL 1879 698-706 ELBRIDGE TOWNSHIP. ROBERT ANDERSON, merchant; P. O. Sanford, Vigo Co., Ind.; this gentleman is one of the leading and one of the oldest merchants in Sandford; was born in Vermilion Co., Ind., Sept. 23, 1839; his parents being early settlers of Vermilion Co., Ind.; Mr. Anderson was raised on his father's farm; engaged in farming from the time he was able to handle the plow. Was a soldier of the late war; enlisted as a private in Co. K, 31th Ind. V. I., and participated in some of the prominent battles; he was in the battle of Fort Donelson where the first substantial success of the war was achieved; Shiloh, where a victory was snatched from the jaws of death; Corinth, Chickamauga, etc.; mustered out December, 1865, close of war, at Victoria, Texas, as First Lieutenant which office he filled for about three years; in 1867, he commenced the mercantile business in Sandford as J. W. Watts & Co.; then in company with J. H. Hussong; firm, Anderson & Hussong; he then purchased Mr. Hussong's interest; since then he has carried on the mercantile business himself; to-day ranks as one of the leading merchants of Sandford. Mr. Anderson's father and mother, J. and Jane (Patton) Anderson, moved to Vigo Co. at an early day. JOHN A. BRIGHT, M. D., Sandford, Vigo Co., Ind.; the above-named gentleman was born in Vermilion Co., Ind., and is the son of Silas and Sarah (Rhoads) Bright; his father was a native of Pennsylvania; parents settled in Indiana at an early day; Dr. Bright commenced the reading of medicine in 1870; in 1873, his teacher was Dr. A. J. Pinson, a prominent physician of Libertyville, Ind.; he then went to Terre Haute, Ind.; while there, his preceptor was Dr. Benjamin Sawford; in 1874, he entered the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, one of the leading medical colleges of the United States; here he attended the winter term and a part of the spring term of 1875; received a sufficient knowledge of medicine; he then went to Libertyville and commenced his profession; from there he came to Sanford, 1877; is the only resident physician of the town. JOHN CUMMINS, farmer; P. O. Vermilion; made his home in Edgar Co. forty-eight years ago; he was born in Harrison Co., Ky., Dec. 25 (Christmas), 1807, and is the son of Joseph and Lydia Cummins; his father was a farmer, a native of Pennsylvania, having moved to Kentucky at an early day; Mr. Cummins was raised on the farm, engaged in farming. He married in Kentucky to Nancy Chapman, of Tennessee, daughter of Robert Chapman. In 1830, with wife and one child and his brother, James Cummins (who died in Edgar Co. 1846), started for Illinois in a wagon drawn by a span of horses; they arrived and settled in Elbridge Tp., Edgar Co. Mr. Cummins, when he first came here, was very poor, having a team of horses and $5,125 in money; the first four years, he rented a farm; in 1834, he purchased the first forty acres of land which lies between the present farm and Vermilion; he built a log cabin in 1834, and lived there until about 1850; with the trials that none but the old settlers have experienced, he has managed to accumulate 280 acres of land. Mr. Cummins was a soldier of the Black Hawk war, and did good service. His wife died February, 1874, at 63 years old; they had thirteen children, ten children living, all married; fifty-nine grand¬children. JAMES FOSTER, farmer; is one of the best known farmers of Elbridge Tp.; was born in Elbridge Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., April 15, 1822, and is the son of Arthur and Nancy (Esry) Foster, who were pioneers of Edgar Co., Ill., having made their home here in 1820. Arthur Foster was a farmer; was born in 1801, raised in Kentucky, with his parents, moved to Vincennes, Ind., 1819, then, in 1820, to Edgar Co., Ill.; they settled north of Marley. Thomas and Catherine Foster, the father and mother of Arthur Foster, moved to Missouri; here Thomas Foster died; his wife, Catharine Foster, returned to Edgar Co., and died at the residence of her son, Arthur Foster, who was a soldier of the Black Hawk war under Col. Blackburn; he did good service, he died April, 1875, at 74 years of age, having been a resident of Edgar Co. for fifty-five years. Mr. James Foster was raised on the farm, which business he has followed through life; his father first gave him a tract of land — 120 acres; since then, with hard work and good management, he has accumulated 470 acres of land, and ranks as one of the successful farmers of Edgar Co. Mr. Foster married twice; first wife was Nancy Parrish, daughter of James Parrish, one of the pioneers of Edgar Co.; five children by first wife, one living; married second time to Nancy Stump, daughter of Matthew Stump; eight children by second wife, six children living. Member of the M. E. Church. WILLIAM W. FUQUA, blacksmith, Sanford, Vigo Co., Ind.; the subject of this sketch is one of the first settlers of Sandford, Ind.; was born in Fleming Co., Ky., Nov. 19, 1826. In about 1837, with his parents, emigrated to Indiana, and settled in Johnson Co.; here he was engaged in farming; he then came to Vigo Co., Ind.; here he learned his trade — blacksmithing; was the first blacksmith located in Sandford. Mr. Fuqua was in the late war; enlisted in Co. B, 6th Ind. V. C.; was a musician; was taken prisoner three times; first at Richmond, Ky., then at Mulrose Hill, Ky.; was prisoner but a short time; was paroled each time; his last capture was at Sunshine Church; here he was taken prisoner and remained a prisoner of war until the close of the war; was nine months in the Andersonville Prison, where history teacbes that thousands of Union soldiers were starved to death. At the close of war, he returned home to Vigo Co., Ind.; here he has remained ever since, engaged at his trade - blacksmithing. Mr. Fuqua married twice: first wife, Mary A. Calder, of 0hio, deceased; he then married the second time to Mary Coble; seven children. Mr. Fuqua is a member of the M. E. Church, and a Republican in politics. H. W. FERRELL, farmer; P. O. Ferrell; is one of the best known farmers of Elbridge Tp.; was born in Muskingum Co., Ohio, Oct. 2, 1833, and is the son of Henry and Elizabeth Ferrell; his father was a farmer here. Mr. Ferrell was raised on his father's farm; engaged in farming from the time he was able to hold the plow; with his parents in 1842 moved to Edgar Co., Ill., and settled in Elbndge Tp.; there his father died Feb. 14, 1862, leaving wife and seven children. Mr. Ferrell is one of the successful farmers of Edgar Co.; owns one of the finest improved farms of the county. He married Miss Eliza Ewing; five children. Mr. Ferrell is a National Greenbacker in politics. The present town of Ferrell was named after Mr. Ferrell. This village has one flour-mill which was erected by Mr. Geo. Mock, at a cost between $6,000 and $7,000 one drug store, one general store which is owned by Mr. Ferrell. JACOB H. HUSSONG, Sandford, Vigo Co., Ind.; the subject of this sketch, is one of the most prominent men of Sandford; was born in Knox Co., Tenn, Nov. 22, 1826, and is the son of Enoch and Naomi (Burnham) Hussong. Mr. Hussong, when he was about 4 years old, with his parents moved to Indiana, and settled on a farm in Sugar Creek Tp., Vigo Co.; here they remained until about 1834, then moved to Illinois and settled in Elbridge Tp., Edgar Co.; here his father, Enoch Hussong, died. Mr. Hussong learned the cooper trade, and was engaged in this business in Vigo Co. and Greencastle, Ind. In 1858, he commenced the mercantile business in Sandford, and ever since he has been a resident of the place. He has been constantly improving the village. He built the large grist- mill at this point at a cost of $8,000; the mill is 50x35, three and a half stories high, four runs of stone, steam power. He has erected a good warehouse with a capacity of 8,000 bushels of grain. To-day he is engaged in erecting a first-class saw-mill. Mr. Hussong ranks as the most enterprising man of Sandford. Was a soldier of the late war; in 1862, he first enlisted in the 71st Ind. V. I.; then in the 6th Ind. Cav., Co. B, as private; he participated in some of the prominent battles during the war - Richmond, Ky., Nashville, Tenn., etc., etc. He served until the close of the war, and was honorably mustered out at Indianapolis as First Lieutenant; this office he had filled about eighteen months; at the close of the war, he returned home to Sandford, Vigo Co., Ind.; here he has remained ever since. Mr. Hussong married Margaret Smith, daughter of Henry Smith, who was an early settler of Vigo Co., Ind; seven children, six living; his son Albert B., is engaged in the mercantile business in Sandford, and ranks as one of the leading merchants of the place. FURMAN JAMES, farmer; P. O. McKeen, Clark Co., Ill.; the subject of this sketch is one of the most successful farmers of Edgar Co.; was born in Alleghany Co., Md., Dec. 27, 1813; his father was a farmer, and was a soldier of the war of 1812. Mr. James, at 2 years of age, moved to Ohio, and settled in Muskingum Co. Here he married his present wife, Miss Mary Ann Hanks, of Virginia; born Oct. 18, 1817; she came to Ohio at about 1 year old with her parents, Jeremiah Catharine (Shively) Hanks. In 1842, Mr. James and wife moved to Elbridge Tp., Edgar Co., and settled on the present farm; here they have remained ever since; when Mr. James first came here he had but little; his first tax paid in Illinois amounted to $2.50; the first wheat he sold brought 40 cents per bushel; the first hogs, $2 per hundred. Mr. James has worked faithfully and with his good management he owns 1,440 acres of land with improvements that rank among the best of Edgar Co. W. D. MARLEY, P. O. Nevins; was born in Randolph Co., N. C., July 31, 1818, and is the son of John and Lillie (Fields) Marley; his father was a boot and shoe maker by trade; when Mr. Marley was about 15 years old, his mother died; he then went to live with an uncle; there he remained but a short time; he returned to his father's home, and learned the boot and shoe maker's trade; this profession he followed but a short time; thence to farming; in 1836, he came West to Illinois, and settled in Edgar Co.; here he first commenced to split rails and farm, and, with the help of Peter Gares, he managed to enter forty acres of land where the town of Sandford, Vigo Co., Ind., now stands; in entering this land, he walked to Vincennes, Ind., crossed the Wabash River in a sugar-trough; had just entered the land, when two other parties arrived to enter the same; when he returned to Edgar Co., in 1837, he commenced to work in a saw-mill; his second purchase of land was eighty acres in Elbridge Tp.; this he improved, and farmed it; he traded it off for 160 acres of land in Jasper Co., Ill.; here he lived about two years; he then returned to Edgar Co., and rented a farm near Vermilion; then entered the saw-mill business; this he followed about two years, then purchased eighty acres of land in Elbridge Tp.; from that time on, Mr. Marley has been very successful in life; with hard work and good management, he had accumulated 1,300 acres of land in Elbridge Tp.; to-day, he ranks as one of the most successful farmers of Edgar Co.; Mr. Marley has given to his children sufficient land to farm. The village of Marley was named after Mr. Marley; here in this village is the M. E. Church, which was erected in 1877, at a cost of $2,130, and is one of the largest and finest churches in Edgar Co. outside of Paris; the church was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Walker, of Michigan; first preacher was the Rev. S. A. Long; also, located at Marley, is one blacksmith-shop, one shoemaker's shop, one store, kept by Messrs. Marley & Brown, one warehouse, size 24x60, used and owned by Mr. Marley, to store grain, of which article he has handled as high as 20,000 bushels in one season. Mr. Marley married in 1839 to Miss Julia Yeargin, of Randolph Co., N. C.; ten children; two sons in the late war; John W. enlisted as private in Co. E, 31st I. V. I.; participated in some very prominent battles; took sick and died at Vicksburg, after the surrender of the city; George W. enlisted as private, 1864, in Co. A, 66th I. V. I.; was with Sherman's march to the sea, through North and South Carolina, to Washington, D.C., on the grand review; was honorably discharged at the close of war. GEORGE W. MARLEY, farmer; P. O. Nevins; was born in Jasper Co., Ill., June 25, 1844, and is the son of W. D. Marley, who made his home in Edgar Co. in 1836. Mr. Marley was brought up on his father's farm, engaged in farming; in 1845, his parents returned to Edgar Co. In 1864, Mr. Marley enlisted in Co. E, 66th I. V. I., and did good service in the late war; was with Gen. Sherman at Chattanooga, Tenn., and Sherman's march to the sea, through the swamps of the Carolinas, on to Richmond, at Washington, D. C., on the grand review; was mustered out at close of war, returned to the farm, here he has been ever since. He married Miss Sue Middleton, who was born in Edgar Co., Ill., Nov. 26, 1848, and is the daughter of J. and Sarah (Pemberton) Middleton. Her father was an early settler of Edgar Co., having come here when he was a boy; he was born Sept. 12, 1813, and died April 27, 1874; her mother was born in Virginia Nov. 21, 1816, now living with Mrs. Marley. Have one child — Julia A., born in Edgar Co., Ill., May 5, 1870. Mr. Marley owns 225 acres of land. JAMES MARLEY, merchant, Marley, of the firm of Marley & Brown, dry goods and groceries; P.O. Nevins; Mr. James Marley was born in Edgar Co., Ill., March 1, 1854, and is the son of W. D. Marley, one of the early settlers of Edgar Co. Mr. M. was brought up on his father's farm; in 1874, he commenced the mercantile business with his father; in 1875, his father sold one-half interest to Mr. E. P. Brown, who was born in Edgar Co.; his father, James Brown, of Connecticut, settled in Edgar Co. in 1836; he with his wife, Mary (Parke) Brown, came west in a wagon drawn by two horses, taking them four weeks in making the trip. Perhaps there are no two young men in Elbridge Tp. known better than Messrs. Marley and Brown; Mr. Marley has taken a very active part in politics; in 1876, he was elected to office as Tax Collector of Elbridge Tp., and from the faithful manner he performed his duty he has been elected to this office ever since. He was married in 1878, to Miss Laura E. Ferrell, daughter to H. W. Ferrell. GEORGE MOCK, SR., farmer; P. O. Ferrell; forty-nine years ago, the above named pioneer made his home in the wilds of Edgar Co.; he was born in Rowan Co., N. C. in 1802, and is the son of John and Catharine (Graves) Mock; his father was a farmer and carried on a distillery; he died when Mr. Mock was very young. Mr. Mock emigrated west, to Orange Co., Ind. Here he married March 4, 1819, Lucinda Pippin, who was born in Edgecomb Co., N. C., about 1801, her mother having moved to 0range Co., Ind., at an early day; thence to Edgar Co., where she died; her father, A. Pippin; was a soldier of the war of 1812; he died in North Carolina. Mr. George Mock, with wife and six children, came to Edgar Co. March 15, 1829, and first settled wfthin two miles of Paris; when he came here he knew about all the first settlers of Edgar Co.; he moved on the Terre Haute road; here he started to make improvements; times were hard and money scarce; Mr. Mock has harvested and mowed hard for 50 cents per day, has split rails at 25 cents per hundred; wheat was 25 cents per bushel. Here, amidst these days, Mr. Mock started in the world a poor man; he moved to the present farm, which was thickly timbered, lived in a shanty, then built the present homestead; here he and his aged wife have been living ever since, respected and honored by every one; have had fourteen children, ten children living, fifty-seven grandchildren, and thirty-five great-grandchildren. One son in the late war, George, enlisted in the 30th I. V. I., served twelve months, then enlisted in Co. C, 135th I. V. I., five months; participated in some very prominent battles — Ft. Henry, at Ft. Donaldson he was wounded in hand; was honorably discharged. Now Postmaster of Ferrell, Ill. J. B. McDIVITT, farmer; P. O. Nevins; was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Aug. 17, 1817, and is the son of Philip and Elizabeth (Booker) McDivitt; his father was a shoemaker by trade, and in his latter days engaged in farming; he emigrated to Ohio about 1811; Mr. McDivitt was raised on the farm; when he was 17 years old, he went to Boston, Wayne Co., Ohio, and learned the wagon and carriage making trade; he returned to Preble Co. and commenced business for himself in the wagon and carriage making; here he remained until 1841; he then, with his wife and one child, started in a wagon drawn by two horses for Illinois; they arrived in Elbridge Tp., Edgar Co., after being eight days out on the way; he first purchased 92 1/2 acres of land, consisting partly of the present farm, for which he paid nearly $4.50 per acre; there were only about three acres cleared and fifteen acres partially cleared, with a little log hut with a fire- place in one end about six feet long; here they lived about one year, until they could build better accommodations; with hard work and industry, Mr. McDivitt owns to-day a fine improved farm — 460 acres. He married Feb. 21, 1839, to Sarah Morton, who was born in Preble Co., Ohio, May 29, 1822, and is the daughter of Benjamin and Hannah (Janney) Morton; have had nine children, six children living. JOHN MASON, farmer; P. O. Vermilion; forty years ago, Mr. Mason came to Edgar Co.; he was born in Casey Co., Ky., Dec. 6, 1815, and is the son of William and Mary (Spoonamore) Mason, who emigrated to Illinois, with ten children, and settled in Elbridge Tp., Edgar Co., in 1838; they set out in farming on eighty acres of land with but few improvements — a log cabin; here they lived about three years, then to better quarters; in about 1865, Mr. Mason's father and mother (William and Mary Mason) moved to Knox Co., Mo.; here his father died in his 81st year; his mother is still living in Knox Co. at 83 years old. Mr. Mason has followed farming through life; he came to Edgar Co. with his parents; he was worth $100 cash and a horse and cow; when he set out his first purchase was forty acres of land; from that on, by his industry, he has accumulated 240 acres of good improved land. Mr. Mason has been married twice; first wife was Sydena Davis, daughter of George Davis; she died in 1866, by whom he had ten children, eight children living; married second time to Fannie Roll, daughter of David Roll; one son in the late war — William W.; enlisted in 1862; participated in several battles; died at Little Rock, Ark., in 1864. Mr. Mason is a member of the Baptist Church. JOHN MORTON, farmer; P. O. Nevins; was born in Warren Co., Ohio, Feb. 18, 1819, and is the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Janney) Morton, of New Jersey; his father was a farmer; moved to Ohio in about 1813; was a soldier of the war of 1812; was a second cousin to Oliver P. Morton, ex-Governor of Indiana; both parents died in Preble Co., Ohio, mother died in 1850 and father died in 1854. Mr. Morton, the subject of this sketch, was born and raised on his father's farm; when he was about 3 years old his parents moved from Warren Co. to Preble Co., Ohio: here Mr. Mortou remained until the winter of 1846-47; he then came to Edgar Co. with $800 cash; he made this amount of money in Ohio farming, and at the carpenter trade, which trade he worked at from the time he was 21 to 26 years old; he first purchased eighty acres of land in Elbridge Tp., for which he paid $700; here he set out in farming, and has been very successful in life; to-day owns a fine improved farm of 457 acres; when he first came here, he lived in a log hut, which was his residence about ten years. Mr. Morton has held several offices of public trust, that of Justice of the Peace six years, and Supervisor one term. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Christian Church. He married Miss Minerva Sims, who was born in Sims Tp., Edgar Co., Ill., Aug. 29, 1828, and is the daughter of Hall Sims, one of the pioneers of Edgar Co.; have had ten children, seven children living. BENJAMIN MORTON, farmer; P. O. Nevins; was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Aug. 31, 1825, and is the son of Benjamin and Hannah Morton, who emigrated to Ohio at an early day; his father was a soldier of the war of 1812; his grandfather, Morton, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Mr. Morton was raised on the farm and has been engaged in farming, with the exception of about seven years he was engaged at the carpenter trade. In 1853, he moved to Edgar Co., Ill, and settled on Sugar Creek, in Elbridge Tp., here he remained until he moved to the present homestead. Owns 278 acres of fine improved land, and ranks as one of the leading farmers of Elbridge Tp. Married Jane Stewart, of Ohio, daughter of James Stewart; have four children. ASHER MORTON, farmer; P. O. Nevins; was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Nov. 3, 1823, and is the son of Benjamin and Hannah (Janney) Morton; his father was a farmer; was a soldier of the war of 1812. Mr. Morton was brought up on the farm; engaged in farming and part of the time at the carpenter trade; in 1850, he came to Illinois and settled in Elbridge Tp., Edgar Co., then worth $1,400; he worked at his trade, carpenter, the first year he came to Edgar Co. and saved $400 cash, he invested $1,400 in 140 acres of land in Elbridge Tp., then set out in farming, since that time, Mr. Morton has been very successful in life; owns 600 acres of land; in 1860, he commenced the saw-mill business; this business he has followed ever since, to-day, owns a saw-mill, four miles south of Nevins. Mr. Morton and James W. Parrish laid out the present village of Nevins. He married Aug. 28, 1851, to Miss Lydia Jane Parrish, who was born Jan. 15, 1826, and is the daughter of James W. Parrish, who is one of the pioneers of Edgar Co.; have had eight children, five children living — Emily, born Aug. 15, 1852; Hannah E., born May 20, 1854; Samuel M., born Feb. 7, 1851; Gertrude A., born March 8, 1866; Lillie, born Sept. 5, 1869. Mr. Morton held the office of County Coroner for seven years. He is a Democrat in politics. NATHAN MADDOCK, farmer; P. O. Ferrell; was born in Preble Co., Ohio, May 26, 1815, and is the son of William and Hannah (Stubbs) Maddock; his father a native of North Carolina, and his mother of Georgia; his father moved to Ohio in 1804 and settled in Preble Co. Mr. Maddock was raised on the farm. At 18 years old, he married Miss Hannah McDonald, born in Preble Co., Feb. 10, 1813, she died June, 1836; had two children, both now dead. He married the second time, August, 1837, to Patience McDonald, who was born in Preble Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 1823. Mr. Maddock remained in Preble Co. engaged in farming until 1841, then, with wife and two children, moved to Illinois and settled in Elbridge Tp., on Sugar Creek; he first purchased eighty acres of land and set out in farming. Mr. Maddock has been engaged considerably at the carpenter trade; with hard work, he has accumulated between 500 and 600 acres of land, and ranks as one of the successful farmers of Edgar Co. Mr. M. has held several offices pf public trust; three times Supervisor of Elbridge Tp., Which office he filled with honor and credit to himself. Is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Church. Had five children by second wife; four children living — Wm. R., John Q., Stephen and Sarah L.; two sons in the late war — Wm. R. and Stephen who did good service and were honorably discharged at close of war. JAMES W. PARRISH, retired farmer; P. O. Nevins; was born in Jackson Co., Ga., Nov. 8, 1801, and is the son of John and Lydia (Downing) Parrish; his father was a native of Virginia and followed school-teaching; his mother of Maryland; they married in Georgia. When Mr. Parrish was 9 years of age (1810), he, with his parents, moved to Wayne Co., Ky.; here he remained until 1815; then to Jackson Co., Tenn. Here Mr. Parrish married in 1823, to Miss Polly Hiclin, of Kentucky; born 1804; in 1829, they came to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co., five miles south of Paris; here he set out in farming; in 1830, he entered eighty acres of land; 1831, he purchased 160 acres; in 1836, he moved near the present homestead; here he has remained ever since. The village of Nevins, where Mr. Parrish now lives, was named by his son after Col. Robert Nevins, a very prominent man of Tennessee. Mr. Parrish came to Edgar Co., in 1829, worth $5 cash, and a very poor span of horses; this was his start; he set out in farming, and with industry and good management he is one of the successful farmers of Edgar Co. He has held several offices of public trust: Constable, four years, Justice of the Peace, Associate Judge and County Commissioner; these offices he has filled with honor and credit. Mr. Parrish was a soldier of the Black Hawk war of 1832; enlisted from Edgar Co., and was in Col. Blackburn's regiment. He is a Democrat in politics. Has had eleven children, eight children living. JOHN A. RAY, farmer; P. O. Nelson, Vigo Co., Ind.; was born in Crawford Co., Ill., Jan. 13, 1820, and is the son of Andrew B. and Jane (Gillespy) Ray; his father was born near Knoxville, Tenn.; came to Illinois and settled in Crawford Co. in 1818; in 1823, he moved to Edgar Co. and settled on the farm where Mr. Ray now lives; this farm was settled by John Ray, Mr. Ray's grandfather, in 1818; he afterward moved to Tennessee, where he died; here on this farm lived Andrew B. Ray until March 25, 1876, when he died at little over 82 years old; he was a soldier of the war of 1812; he owned the first grist-mill (run by water-power) in Edgar Co.; he also entered the land for Mr. Vance where the city of Paris now stands; Mr. John A. Ray has been living on the old homestead since 1823, now fifty five years ago; owns 320 acres of fine improved land. Has held the office of Supervisor of Elbridge three terms. He married, January, 1843, to Louisa Shell, who was born in Kentucky May 16, 1820; have had nine children, three living. S. A. RICKETTS, merchant, Sandford, Vigo Co., Ind.; is one of the leading merchants of Sandford, Ind.; was born in Decatur Co., Ind., 1834; Mr. Ricketts, when a young man, learned the carpenter trade; from that he commenced railroading; he first accepted a position as brakeman on the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & La Fayette R. R. in about 1855; he followed braking about four years; then conductor, which position Mr. Ricketts has held on the principal railroads East and West; was a railroad man for twenty-one years; on retiring from the railroad business, he entered the mercantile business at Terre Haute, Ind.; from there he came to Sandford February, 1878; here he opened a general store of groceries, notions and drugs, of which he constantly keeps on hand a full line, and all goods sold at Terre Haute prices. GEORGE ROUTLEDGE, farmer and blacksmith; P. O. Paris; this gentleman was born in Cumberland Co., England, March 14, 1821, and is the son of George and Mary (Archer) Routledge,of England, his father was a merchant and a weaver; Mr. Routledge, in 1835, emigrated to America; he first commenced to learn his trade, blacksmithing, at Worcester, Mass.; in 1837, he moved to Xenia, Ohio; here he worked at his trade, also in Cincinnati; from this city he went to Oldtown, near Xenia, Ohio; at this place, he became owner of a blacksmith-shop and followed blacksmithing in Oldtown for twenty-one years; in 1865, he came to Edgar Co., Ill., and settled in Paris; here he was engaged as a blacksmith in a wagon and plow manufactory, and remained in Paris; in 1868, he moved to Elbridge Tp., Edgar Co., on the present homestead; here he has been engaged at his trade, his sons doing most of the work on the farm. Mr. Routledge has held several offices of public trust; that of School Treasurer, where he has given entire satisfaction; was elected in the spring of 1878, as Supervisor of Elbridge Tp.; this office he still holds; was elected to this office on the Independent ticket. Mr. Routledge is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Universalist Church. Married in Greene Co., Ohio, Dec. 4, 1845, to Miss Sarah McNeice, of Pennsylvania, by whom he has had eight children; five children living — Mary E., Archer, Riley, Sarah and Laura J. J. P. ROBERTSON (of the firm of Schank & Robertson), manufacturers of drain- tile; these gentlemen commenced the manufacture of tile in 1875; these works have now been in running order over three years, and since they were first built they have been gradually improving, and to-day manufacture an excellent and standard quality of tile, which rank among the best manufactured; their standard sizes are two and a half inches to six inches; have all buildings, sheds, kilns and other apparatus, including one tile machine to turn out a large amount of tile; have turned out this season some three thousand rods of tile. J. P. Robertson was born in Jefferson Co., Ky., Jan. 21, 1839, and is the son of James E. and Eveline (Allen) Robertson; father was a native of Virginia, having come to Kentucky at an early day. Mr. Robertson has been in several vocations in his life; first, we find him clerking in a dry goods store; then in the mercantile business, etc.; after the death of his mother, he moved to Spencer Co., Ky.; here he lived with an uncle; then to Shelby, Anderson and Mercer Cos., Ky.; he then came to Indiana; returned to Kentucky, and was a soldier of the late war. Enlisted in Co. I, 19th Ky. V. I.; served about eleven months; on account of health, was honorably discharged; in 1866, came to Edgar Co. Married Miss Margaret Schank, daughter of William and Elizabeth Schank; four children — Eva, John W., Lillie B. and Lou Ella. WILLIAM E. SMITH, farmer; P. O. Sandford, Ind. Perhaps there is not a gentleman more extensively known in Elbridge Tp. than the above-named gentleman, who was born near Doncaster, England, June 25, 1807, and is the son of James and Mary E. Smith; his father was a farmer here; Mr. Smith was raised on his father's farm; in 1840, he emigrated to America alone; landed in Philadelphia a stranger; was eight months and two days in making the trip from England to America; he came west to Ohio, and first settled in Cincinnati; here he entered the milk business, which proved a failure to him; he lost about all his money—nearly $500; he then went to farming in Brown Co. and on the Little Miami River; here he managed well and was successful, and, in 1855, he moved to Illinois, and settled on the present farm, which at that time was very poorly improved; he set out in farming and to-day, with hard labor and good management, owns one of the best improved farms in Edgar Co., of 240 acres. Mr. Smith owns 600 acres of land in Texas, and ranks as one of the successful farmers of Edgar Co., Ill.; when Mr. Smith first settled in Elbridge Tp. there were several Billy Smiths in the vicinity; so, to know them apart, the name Extra was given to Mr. Smith, and ever since that time he has been known as Extra Billy Smith; this name was given to him because his horses, cattle, hogs and land were of the extra quality. Mr. Smith has donated $300 for the erection of the M. E. Church at Sandford, of which church he is a member. He married Mrs. Mary Ann Varley; they have five children. JOHN W. STAPLES, merchant, P. O. Nevins; was born in Barren Co., Ky., Jan. 26, 1832, and is the son of William and Elizabeth (Thacker) Staples; his father was a farmer here; Mr. S. was brought up on the farm with his grandfather Thacker, and remained with him until 1841, he then went to Oldham Co., Ky., and remained there until 1847; thence to Clarke Co., Ind.; here he learned the cooper trade and followed this until 1850; he then went to Missouri; while here, he was working at his trade and in the mercantile business; in 1864, he moved to Illinois, and settled in Hunter Tp., Edgar Co.; here he was engaged at his trade and farming, in 1867, in the huckster business; in 1869 to 1874, he was engaged in the mercantile business at Clay's Prairie, in Hunter Tp.; in 1874, he moved to Nevins; here he is engaged in the mercantile business; keeps a full line of staples, fancy groceries, notions, dry goods, etc. Mr. S. married Miss Eliza Jane Ball of Illinois. WALL SIMS; P. O. Nevins; this gentleman is one of the oldest settlers of Edgar Co.; he was born in South Carolina April 25, 1795; he, with his parents, moved to Kentucky when he was a child. Here he married June 27, 1813, to Annie Jones, of South Carolina; she died in April, 1846. He married the second time in 1847, to Jane Kimbrough, of Hardin Co., Ky.; she died June 5, 1875. Mr. Sims, in 1815, came to Illinois Territory, and located on what is now known as Crawford Co.; lived there about six years, then moved to Edgar Co.; here he has remained ever since. Is now one of the oldest pioneers of Edgar Co. Mr. Sims has held a number of public offices of trust and honor. In 1826, he was elected to the office as County Commissioner, this office he filled until 1834; in 1839, was elected to the Legislature, this office he filled off and on until 1846; these offices he has filled with honor, having proven himself a gentleman of acknowledged ability. In 1832, he was a Lieutenant in the Black Hawk war. When Mr. Sims first came to Edgar Co., fifty-seven years ago, he was very poor; he came here with wife and four children; he owned two dogs and a rifle-gun; he set out in a new country, worked hard and managed well; to-day he ranks as one of the successful farmers of Edgar Co. Owns 231 acres of fine land, and can look back with satisfaction upon his efforts to provide for his old age, and to help his children. Mr. Sims is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Christian Church since 1843. SOLOMON TROGDON, farmer; this gentleman was born in Randolph Co., N. C., July 30, 1802, and is the son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Reding) Trogdon; his father was a farmer; he moved to Indiana at an early day; here he died. Mr. Trogdon was raised on the farm; in 1826, he started West for Illinois, horseback; arrived and settled in Edgar Co.; here he has remained ever since; when he first came here, the country was wild; he set out in farming; this business he has followed through life; the first land he purchased was part of the present farm; Mr. Trogdon married Susanna Hunsaker, of Kentucky, by whom he has had seven children; three children living — Isaac, Thomas J. and Sallie; two sons in the late war — Isaac and Thomas J.; both did good service, and were honorably discharged. Mr. Trogdon owns 120 acres of land. JAMES SHICKEL, merchant, Sandford, Vigo Co., Ind., commenced business in Sandford in 1876; ranks as one of the leading merchants of the town; Mr. Shickel was born in Augusta Co., Va., Feb. 27, 1852, and is the son of John and Keziah (Bolton) Shickel of Virginia; his father is a practicing physician in Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. Shickel first learned the carpenter trade; then in the mercantile business; owns one of the leading drug and grocery stores of Sandford; keeps constantly on hand a fine assortment drugs and patent medicines; physicians' prescriptions carefully compounded; also a full line of family groceries. WILLIAM WHITE, farmer; was born in Knox Co., Tenn., Nov. 13, 1811; and is the son of Isaac and Rebecca White; his father died in Knox Co., Tenn., when Mr. White was about 6 years old; he was raised on the farm; he, with Luke Hood, a brother-in-law, in 1831, came to Indiana; Mr. White settled in Vigo Co.; here he remained until about 1836; he then came to Edgar Co. and settled in Elbridge Tp.; here he has remained ever since, with the exception of two years; when Mr. White came here, he states he had $4 cash and a rifle-gun; he set out in farming, and by industry he owns to-day 315 acres of land. Mr. White's mother, after the death of her first husband, married the second time; she lived in Indiana; here she lost her second husband; Mr. White then brought her home to his present homestead; here she died. Mr. White married Eliza Hoge, who was born in Fort La Moot; her father was a soldier of the war of 1812; they have six children. When Mr. White came to Indiana in 1831, he and Mr. Hood came in a wagon, drawn part of the time by a spiked team — that is, one horse and one ox. P. YEARGIN, M. D., Ferrell; this gentleman is one of the oldest practicing physicians of Edgar Co. Forty-two years ago, he came to Edgar Co., Ill.; Dr. Yeargin was born in Randolph Co., N. C, Sept. 26, 1813, and is the son of Peterson and Patience (Swafford) Yeargin; his father was a native of Virginia, and a hatter by trade; in 1836, Dr. Yeargin with his parents, emigrated West to Illinois, and settled in Stratton Tp.; here they remained but short time, then moved to Elbridge Tp., and settled on Sugar Creek; his father died in 1867, 77 years old; his mother is now living at a good old age, born in 1794. Dr. Yeargin was raised on the farm, engaged in farming, and, in the winter months, attending the district schools of the period; he was engaged in teaching school, and drew the first public money for school-teaching in Range 11, Cong. Tp. 12, Edgar Co.; from school-teaching, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. S. J. Weldon, then a prominent physician of Elbridge; in 1839, the Doctor commenced the practice in medicine, and to-day ranks as one of the leading M. D.'s of the vicinity. Dr. Yeargin married in 1845, to Miss Catharine Parker, of Kentucky, by whom he has twelve children, seven children living; one son in the late war — James; he died June 30, 1864, at Big Shanty, near Atlanta, Ga. Dr. Yeargin has held several offices of public trust - Postmaster for a number of years of Elbridge; School Treasurer twenty-five years. He is a Republican in politics. Additional Comments: The History of Edgar County, Illinois. Chicago: Wm. Le Baron, Jr. & Co., 186 Dearborn St., 1879 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/edgar/bios/elbridge553nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 38.9 Kb