Edgar County IL Archives Biographies.....Embarrass 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, 3:30 pm Author: The History of Edgar Co IL 1879 pages 706-710 EMBARRASS TOWNSHIP WILLIAM M. ASHMORE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; one of the natives of Illinois; was born in Coles Co., Sept. 10, 1846. He is the son of Mr. Samuel Ashmore, who is one of the first settlers of that county. Mr. A. was married Feb. 23, 1868, to Miss Martha J. Housel, who was born in Illinois Nov. 4, 1849; they have five children, viz., William B., Rosa M. J., Pincard E., Anna M. and an infant. The farm of Mr. A. consists of 120 acres, valued at $5,000. Since his residence in the township, he has held office of Clerk and Collector, and is, at present, School Trustee of the township. SAMUEL ANDREW, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Redmon; was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 22, 1837; came to this State and settled in Edgar Co. in 1864. His farm consists of 160 acres, valued at $7,000. He was married to Miss Castara Shively, who was born in Ohio Oct. 23, 1843; they have two children, viz., Lillian and Mary A. Since Mr. Andrew's residence in the township, he has held office of Roadmaster three years, and School Director four years. S. R. ARBUCKLE, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; one of the early and prominent settlers, was born in Knox Co., Ohio, Oct, 11, 1820; came to this State and settled about five miles south of Paris, Edgar Co., in 1851; from that date until his removal to Embarrass, his pursuits were that of a miller and contractor; he is the constructor on the I. M. R. R. of all wood-works from Paris to Isabel, and on the Paris & Danville he was constructor of all wood and trestle works; his farm consists of 450 acres, valued at $18,000. He was married to Miss LaManda Vandervort, who was born in Fayette Co., Penn., Sept. 3, 1828; they have had seven children, five of whom are living, viz., Medora, Alphonso T., Bion E., James L. and Walter V.; deceased — Florence and Albion. JAMES B. BUCKLER, farming; P. O. Isabel; was born in Kentucky, Sept. 16, 1845; came to this State with his father's family when he was but a boy. He was married to Miss Nancy J. Ashmore Dec. 20, 1869; she was born in Coles Co., Ill., July 7, 1849, and is the daughter of Mr. Samuel H. Ashmore, who is one of the early settlers of Coles Co.; they have two children, viz., Iva L. and Leona D. The farm of Mr. Buckler consists of eighty acres, valued at $3,000. JESSE BORTON, farmer and stook-raiser and distiller of essential oils; P. O. Isabel; one of the prominent settlers; was born in Ohio, Jan. 4, 1832; came to this State and settled in Edgar Co. in 1870; he is the son of the late William Borton, deceased, who was one of the first settlers of Ohio, and was the first proprietor of a distillery in that State, and his father the first manufacturer in the United States. The farm of Mr. B. consists of 350 acres, valued at $12,250. He was married to Miss M. Brown, who was born in Ohio, A. D. 1834; they have eight children, viz., John W., William B., Rhoda J., Mary M., Edson S., Eppa L., M. R. and Emmet S. Mr. B. is now holding office of Justice of the Peace, which is his second term, being elected by a majority often to one; he was elected first term by a majority of thirty to one. DAVID BRADFORD, farmer; P. O. Kansas; was born in Ohio July 22, 1826; came to this State in 1863, and settled in Edgar Co. in the same year; his farm consists of twenty acres, valued at $1,000. He was married to Miss Melissa J. Boal, who was born in Ohio Sept. 12, 1824, they have had seven children, five of whom are living, viz., John O., Maria E., Cyrus D. Mary M. and Chancery G.; deceased — Hannah N. and Newton R. L. W. BOLEN, Postmaster and general merchant, Isabel; was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, June 15, 1832; came to Illinois and settled in Edgar Co. in 1869. He was married to Miss Eliza A. Payne, who was born in Harrison Co., Ohio; they have had seven children, four of whom are living, viz., George W., Daniel W., James I. and Adella E.; deceased — two infants and Dennis. Mr. B. has held office of Postmaster in the village of Isabel since 1874. G. W. CARRICO, farmer; P. O. Isabel; one of the early settlers; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., April 22, 1817; came to this State with his father's family and settled in Vermilion Co. in 1839; he removed from there to Edgar in 1851; his farm consists of twenty-five acres, valued at $1,800. He was married to Miss Amanda Henthorn, who was born in Ohio; they have had fifteen children, fourteen of whom are living — Adeline, Elizabeth, James, William W., George W., Marinda, John H., Maranda Ann, Edwin R., Preston R., Amanda B., Frederick, Matilda and Lillie F.; deceased - Sarah E. Mr. C. was the first Postmaster in the township of Embarrass. EDWARD CARROLL, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; was born in Kings Co., Ireland, A. D. 1837; came to the United States in 1858, and to this State, and settled in Edgar Co. in the same year; his farm consists of 140 acres, valued at $5,000. He was married to Miss Catherine Marra, who was born in Kings Co., Ireland; they have had nine children; seven of whom are living — Caleb, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Bridget, Thomas, John, Michael, William and Edward P.; deceased — Edward and Catherine. Since Mr. Carroll's residence in the township, he has held office of School Director five years. JAMES B. DOWNS, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; one of the early and prominent settlers; was born in Virginia Aug. 24, 1813; came to this State with his mother's family in 1835, and settled in Edgar, where he has since resided; his farm consists of 580 acres, valued at $30,000. He was married to Miss B. A. Metcalfe, who was born in Kentucky; they have had three children, all of whom are living, viz., William H., James N. and Anna Mima. Since Mr. Downs' residence in the township, he has held offices of Treasurer, Constable, Assessor and Supervisor. BRANSON DAVIS, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Redmon; one of the natives of Illinois, was born in Edgar Co. Dec. 21, 1836; he is the son of Mr. Solomon Davis, who was one of our first settlers and pioneers; the farm of Mr. Davis consists of 120 acres, valued at $4,200. He was married Nov. 5, 1857, to Miss Eunice Cummins, who was born in Edgar Co., Ill., April 8, 1841; they have had eight children, five of whom are living — John S., William R., James B., Charles C. and Edith E. ; deceased — Florence J., Nancy I. and Mary E. Since Mr. Davis' residence in the township, he has held office of Justice of the Peace four years, School Trustee three years, School Director three years, and Constable four years. HON. A. P. FORSYTH, Isabel, Congressman-elect from the Fifteenth District, Illinois; was born in Ohio, May 24, 1830; came to this State in 1865; his farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $40 per acre. He was a participant in the late war, having enlisted in the 97th Ind. V. I.; served two years, and was discharged with honor, on account of disabilities. JOHN R. GREEN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; one of the early and prominent settlers, was born in Ohio June 7, 1815, came to this State in 1855 and settled in Edgar Co. in the same year; his farm consists of 520 acres, valued at $16,000. He was married to Miss Jane Clark, who was born in Ohio July 19, 1820; they have had eight children, three of whom are living, viz., Milton C, John T. and James A.; deceased, Henry, Salome C, Mary J., Flora, Anne and David. Mr. Green, since his residence in the township, has held office of Supervisor two years. E. B. HICKEY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; one of our early settlers; was born in Ohio Oct. 17, 1827; came to this State and settled in Edgar Co. in 1851; his farm consists of 180 acres, valued $7,000. Since his residence in the township, he has held office of Constable three years. THOMAS HERMAN, fireman on Ill. M. R. R.; P. O. Isabel; was born in Australia; came to the United States in 1863. He was married Oct. 20, 1878, to Miss Mollie Wariner, who was born in Missouri; Mr. Herman has been in the employ of the I. M. R. R. for the past three years. M. HAWKINS, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; was born in Green Co., Ohio, April 21, 1819, came to this State in 1858, and settled in Edgar Co. in the same year; his farm consists of eighty acres, valued at $4,000. He was married to Miss Mary J. Peck, who was born in Virginia June 11, 1826; they have seven children, viz., Allen W., James W., John R., Charles F., Nathan E., Flora & and Joseph M. Since Mr. H.'s residence in the township he has held office of School Director several years. ALLEN W. HAWKINS, farmer; P. O. Isabel; was born in Greene Co. Aug. 21, 1845; came to this State with his father's family, and settled in Edgar Co. in 1858. He was married to Miss Jennie Z. Lyon, who was born in Kentucky Dec. 8, 1850; they have one child, Alpheus E., born May 29, 1873; their property, which is located in the city of Paris, Ill., is valued at $2,000. A. T. JENKINS, dealer in grain, flour and coal, Isabel; was born in Ohio, Aug. 14, 1839; came to this State with his father's family and settled in Edgar Co. in 1871. He was married to Miss Mertie Burt Nov. 12, 1874; they have two children, viz., Nettie and Claudie B. Mr. Jenkins was a participant in the late war, having enlisted in 53d Ohio V. I., served nearly four years, during which time he served nearly three years in Provost Marshal Department; he was mustered out by special order in May, 1865. MARTIN JENKINS, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; was born in Loudoun Co., Va., June 18, 1808; came to this State and settled in Edgar Co. in 1871; his farm consists of 110 acres, valued at $4,000. He was married to Miss Amanda W. Silcott, who was born in Loudoun Co. Va., Sept. 28, 1814; they have five children, viz., Marietta, Adolphus T., Alvernum H., Ella B. and Emma F. NELSON McCOLLUM, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Redmon; was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 18, 1821; came to this State in 1864, and to this county in the same year; his farm consists of 487 acres, valued at $23,000. He was married to Miss Jane Hathaway, who was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 18, 1827, they have had thirteen children, ten of whom are living, viz., Florinda, Lena, Deba, Emma, Hiram, Simeon, Nelson, Robert, Jennie and Clara Belle; deceased Melissa, Alice and Isa. MRS. M. MORRIS, farmer; P. O. Redmon; was born in the State of Delaware A. D. 1814; she is the widow of the late Elias Morris (deceased); they have had twelve children, nine of whom are living — John w., Mary E., Prudence Anne, William James, Bennett, Margaret, George, Wesley and John Henry; deceased, Prudence Anne, George and Charles. The farm of Mrs. Morris consists of eighty acres, valued at $3,000. CHARLES MERKLE, J. P., farmer, stock-raiser; P. O. Redmon; one of the early settlers and prominent men; was born in Germany Oct. 26, 1825; came to the United States in 1846, and to this State and settled in Edgar Co. in 1852; his farm consists of 1,100 acres, valued at $33,000. He was married in Chillicothe, Ohio, to Miss Eve Schlager, who was born in Germany; they have had seven children, five of whom are living, viz., Andrew, Charles, Henry, Mary E. and Douglas; deceased, Louisa and Jacob. Since Mr. Merkle's residence in the township, he has held the offices School Trustee and Road Commissioner thirteen years; he is now present Justice of the Peace, and is serving in that offioe his fourth term. JACOB MCVAY, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel: one of our most prominent farmers; was born in Pennsylvania July 28, 1823; came to this State and settled in Edgar Co. in 1854. He was married to Miss Mary Hollis, who was born in Ohio Jan. 1, 1832; they have had six children — Jerome, Lincoln, Wiley, Oscar, Jennie L. and Herman. The farm of Mr. M. consists of 630 acres, valued at $25,000. JOHN NOBLE, farmer; P. O. Isabel; one of the early settlers on the prairie; was born in Ireland Oct. 15, 1828; came to the United States in 1852, and to this State in 1855; his farm consists of 160 acres, valued at $5,000. He was married to Miss Fannie Baxter, who was born in Ireland June, 1828; they have had seven children, five of whom are living, viz., William B., David S., Catherine J., Henry G. and Matilda Fannie; deceased, John T. and an infant. Since Mr. Noble's residence in the township, he has held office of Supervisor one term, and Commissioner of Highways three years. MRS. ELIZABETH OUSLEY, retired; P. O. Isabel; one of the early settlers; was born in Ohio Dec. 3, 1831; came to this State with her parents and settled in Edgar Co., in 1840; she is the widow of the late William Ousley, who was born Oct. 24, 1823, and who died Sept. 12, 1875; they have had eight children, six of whom are living, viz., James, Mary E., Clarinda, Charles, Ida F. and Ulysses G.; deceased, Sarah J. and Robert R. The farm of Mrs. Ousley consists of eighty-five and two-thirds acres, valued at $2,600. D. D. ROBERTS, M. D. and surgeon, Redmon; was born in Boone Co., Ky., Sept. 17, 1847; came to this State and settled in Edgar Co. in 1871. The Doctor is a graduate of the medical department of the Institute of Louisville, Ky. He was married to Miss Mary F. Brown, who was born in Nelson Co., Ky., Nov. 18, 1850; they have two children, viz., William Edward and Irene C. HORACE SHERMAN, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; was born in Rhode Island Jan. 22, 1812; came to this State in 1864, and settled in Edgar in the same year; his farm consists of 180 acres, valued at $7,500. He was married to Miss Rachel Logee, who was born in Massachusetts May 30, 1814; they have eight children, viz., Nancy, Mary, Roena, Duty, Daniel, Mowrey, Phebe and Manson. Mr. Sherman, since his residence in the township, has held office of Road Commissioner six years. CHARLES SMITH, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Redmon; one of the natives of Illinois; was born in Edgar Co., Nov. 13, 1857; he is the son of the late David Smith, deceased, who was one of the early settlers of Edgar Co; the estate of Mr. Smith consists of 172 acres, valued at $6,000; it being as yet unsettled, is controlled principally by Charles; he has nine brothers and sisters who are also heirs to said property; their names are Harriet A., Jane M., Mary D., Robert E., Daniel T., William J., Cynthia M., Rachel L. and Louisa F. HARRISON B. THOMPSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; was born in Ohio March 4, 1850; came to this State with his father's family and settled in Edgar Co. in 1864; his farm consists of seventy-six acres, valued at $2,500. He was married to Miss Mary C. McDavett, who was born in Illinois Oct. 29, 1855; they have one child, viz., Thomas Ora. HARRISON THOMPSON, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Isabel; one of the early settlers; was born in Kentucky Jan. 1, 1823; came to this State in 1849, and settled in Edgar Co. in 1851; his farm consists of eighty acres, valued $3,000. He was married to Miss Savilla Milburn, who was born in Indiana Jan. 1, 1820; they have one child, viz., Sarah M. 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/embarras554nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 15.8 Kb