Jersey County, IL Biographies

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Jesse Kersey Cadwallader- now living retired at McClusky, was formerly one of the substantial agriculturists of Jersey County, and served as supervisor, sheriff and as a member of the State Assembly of his native state. He is one of the representative and influential men of the county, and deserves the confidence and esteem he has always inspired. When his country had need of him, although but a lad in years, he responded to its call, and served during the Civil War, so that he is one of its honored veterans.

Mr. Cadwallader was born in Fulton County, Ill., July 31, 1846, son of John and Mary (Branson) Cadwallader, who had the following children; Ruth, who married Caleb Noble, since being widowed has resided in Jerseyville; Ely B., who is deceased; Mary, who married Henry Terry, is widowed and lives at Jerseyville; Adaline, who married J.G. Marston, is deceased; Nannie, who is deceased, and Jesse Kersey. The father of these children came to Illinois when there were still Indians, and with whom he became friendly, and carried on a profitable trade with them. When the land was opened for entry, he secured sixty acres from the government. His death occured in 1880, but the mother survived him many years, not dying until she was ninety-five years old.

Jesse K. Cadwallader attended the schools of his district until he enlisted in the Union Army for service during the Civil War, as a member of Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he served from 1864 until June 13, 1865, when he was mustered out of Montgomery, Ala. Upon his return, he entered Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, Il., and completed his educational training which had been interrupted by the war. Going back to the farm, he assisted his father until his marriage, and then engaged in farming on his own account, becoming the owner of land on Mississippi and Otter Creek Townships, the family having come to Jersey County in 1858. He continued farming until he was elected sheriff in 1886, and he held that important office for four years. He also served as a member of the State Assembly, being elected on the Republican ticket, and while in the legislature he was on the committee appointed to visit the Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home at Pontiac. When Mr. Cadwallader made his visit to the institution he found conditions so bad that he immediately reported the matter personally to Governor Tanner and that executive sent for the superintendent, and the three went into the affair very carefully. When the superintendent had proven to Governor Tanner's satisfaction that the appropriation was insufficient, the executive recommended the it be suitable increased, and Mr. Cadwallader saw that that this was done. While giving public matters his attention, Mr. Cadwallader also conducted a boot and shoe business for a time, and then returned to his farm, where he remained until 1914, when he rented it, and returned to McClusky, where he continued to reside.

In 1871, Mr. Cadwallader was married (first) to Louisa M. Dougherty who died February 2, 1914, having borne him one daughter, Mayme D., who died April 16, 1907, at the age of thirty-four years, eight months, and twenty-two days. In September, 1916, Mr. Cadwallader was married (second) to Mrs. Jessie Cadmus, born in Jersey County, March 18, 1882, widow of the late William Cadmus, who died in 1913. Mr. and Mrs. Cadmus had one daughter, Beulah Leone, who has been adopted by Mr. Cadwallader. She is twelve years of age, and has just entered the high school. Mrs. Cadwallader was born in Jersey County, March 18, 1882, a daughter of William Day, who was a well known and respected farmer of Jersey County. She was educated in the schools at Jerseyville, and prior to her first marriage was a successful teacher. She has two brothers and two sisters; Herman L. and Ira E. Day, Mrs. John Roady of Jerseyville and Mrs. George E. Johnson of Medora, Ill. Mrs. Cadwallader is a member of the Eastern Star, Woman's Relief Corp. and Woman's Aid Society. As a public official, agriculturist and business man, Mr. Cadwallader has proven himself in every respect a man of affairs, and worthy of the confidence and respect of all.

William G. Callahan, admittedly one of the most practical and experienced marble men in this section and so known all over the country, has a fine monument establishment at Jerseyville, and also travels as a representive of the Kansas City(Mo) Marble and Tile Co. He was born in Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1862, a son of William and Elizabeth Callahan, natives of Ireland. The father was a stonecutter, who died early in life, in 1866, and the mother died that same year. Their young son was taken by a farmer in Monroe County, but the lad could not stand the conditions of life there, and when only seven years old, ran away to St.Louis, Mo.

In that city he secured employment in a livery stable owned by Louis C. Bowley, with whom he remained until sixteen years old. Once more he ran away, riding on freight trains, to his objective point, Dallas, Tex., and after reaching Dallas, he worked in livery barns. As was but natural under the circumstances, he soon became interested in racing horses, and followed the races at different places. Then he determined to learn the stone cutting trade, and spent five years with the W.F. Menke Stone Company at Quincy, Ill., and having acquired it, he went to St.Louis to work for the Pickett Marble Company, as a marble cutter and setter, and continued to work for this firm and others at different places until 1905, when he came to Jersey County. For four years he conducted a marble cutting business at Grafton, moving it in 1909 to Jerseyville, where he has since been located. Upon coming to the county seat he branched out, his work now including the making of monuments, and he has a trade that extends over a territory which includes all of the leading cities of the country. Owing to his being left an orphan at so early an age, he secured few educational advantages, but travel and experience has made him familiar with and well informed upon many subjects.

In October 1901, Mr. Callahan was married at St.Louis, Mo., to Elizabeth Albright, born in Jersey Co., Ill., a daughter of Louis and Elizabeth Albright, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Callahan have two children; Margaret Elizabeth and George William. Mr. Callahan is a Catholic, and he belongs to the Knights of Columbus. Politically he is a Democrat. A man like Mr. Callahan deserves much credit because he rose above adverse circumstances and has made a success of his life work through his own unaided efforts.

George W. Campbell, cashier of the State Bank of Jerseyville, and one of the experienced and conservative bankers of the county, is a man who holds the confidence of all who know him. He is a native son of the county seat, having been born March 18, 1877, a son of Joseph R. and Eleanor (Young) Campbell, who were born near Salisbury, N.C. They moved to Jersey County after their marriage, and engaged in farming in Jersey Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. Their children were as follows: Laura, James R., and John Y., all of whom reside in Jerseyville; Nannie J., who is Mrs. Edward Martin, of Little Rock Arkansas; Joshua N., and Joseph D., who are both of Jerseyville; Letta C., who is Mrs. James L. Edwards, of Jerseyville; and George W., who was the youngest born.

George W. attended the grammar and high schools of Jerseyville, and when he was twenty-five years of age, he entered the National Bank of Commerce at St.Louis, Mo., as a clerk, remaining with that concern for a decade leaving it to come to Jerseyville as assistant cashier of the State Bank of this city. Two years later he was made cashier and has held this important position ever since.

On April 11, 1906, Mr. Campbell was married to Leita Pearl Noble, who was born at Otterville, this county, a daughter of William H. and Eudora (Chappell) Noble, natives of Jersey County. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have no children. Mr. Campbell is a Presbyterian and has been a trustee of the church since 1916, and treasurer of the Sunday School since 1914. In Politics he is a Democrat. A Mason in good standing, he belongs to the Jerseyville Chapter, R.A.M., and the Jerseyville Lodge, B.P. O.E. and the Jerseyville Camp, M.W.A. During the time he has been connected with the State Bank of Jerseyville that institution has shown the effect of his wise policies, and its standing and worth to the community have increased in value accordingly.

Walter Evans Carlin, now deceased, was for many years one of the distinguished and useful men of Jerseyville, and is remembered in kindly gratitiude and affection by many who benefitted by his public spirit and generosity. He was born at Carrollton, Ill., April 11, 1844, son of William and Mary Goode Carlin, the former of whom died April 20, 1850. After the death of his father, Walter Carlin remained with his mother and attended the public schools, the Christian Brothers College of St. Louis, Mo., and the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, Wis. On August 17, 1861, he enlisted in defense of his country during the Civil War, in Company A, Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry; and was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant. Later he became a first lieutenant, then captain, although too young for the office, yet he was so ranked, and he served on the staff of Gen. J. C. Davis, and later on staff of his brother, Gen. William P. Carlin, a West Point graduate. He was highly commended by General Davis for gallantry at the battle of Chickamauga, when two horses were shot under him.

In April, 1868, Mr. Carlin was married (first) to Mary Cross of Jersey County, a daughter of Hugh and Antoinette (Van Horn) Cross, natives of Summerville, N.J. and New York state, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Carlin had the following children: Hugh C., who died at the age of two years; Mary Eugenia, who is Mrs. Ralph Vandenburg of Peoria, Ill., has two children, Mary J., and Alma F; and Alma who is Mrs. Paul Hamilton, of Jerseyville, Ill., has two children, Helen Eugenia and Pauline Cross. Mrs. Carlin died in March 1880. On June 5, 1883, Mr. Carlin was married(second) to Lina Darneille, born at Chatham, Sangamon County, Ill., a daughter of James M. and Clarissa (Kinney) Darneille, born in Sangamon Co., Ill. By his second marriage, Mr. Carlin had the following children: Clara A., who was Mrs. Everett Alexander, of Jerseyville., died December 4, 1914, and Julie Barr who is a teacher in the Laawerence Junior High School of Springfield, Ill.

William Carlin, now deceased, was one of the pioneers of Illinois, coming here before this state was admitted to the Union, and because of his own acheivements and his distinguished family connections, is deserving of special mention in a work of this nature. He was born at Fredericksburg, Va., May 31, 1804, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth(Evans) Carlin, natives of Ireland and Virginia, who later lived in Kentucky, and then came to Illinois. There children were as follows: John; Thomas, who became the sixth governor of Illinois; and James, Hugh, Hannnah, and William who have all since passed away.

When he was still a boy, the Carlin family moved to the territory of Illinois, and William Carlin was reared in the WoodRiver district in what was then Madison County. In the fall of 1820 he came to Greene County, entering land near Carrollton, and he developed into a very prominent man. Active as a Democrat, he was elected in 1839, as county clerk, but resigned from that office in 1844, but in 1848, while he was away from home, on a trip to New Orleans, La., on business, he was nominated for circuit clerk, and was elected to that office in December, 1848. His death occured while he was discharging the duties of that office, April 20, 1858.

On December 6, 1826, William Carlin was married to Mary Goode, born at Lynchburg, Va., a daughter of William and Agnes (Cole) Goode, natives of Lynchburg, Va. They later moved to Shelbyville Ky., and still later to St. Genevieve, Mo., where William Goode died.

Andrew Carrico, whose agricultural success entitles him to a place among the leading farmers of Jersey County, where he owns 266 acres of land, was born in English Township, August 16, 1848, a son of John Clark and Winnie Ann (Van Meter) Carrico, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. After attending the schools of his district, Andrew Carrico worked among the neighboring farmers for a short period, and then went to Call County, Mo., driving there overland. After a year, he drove back to Jersey County and began farming on the homestead, thus continuing for a year, when he went to Blanco Co., Tx., where he had interests, and assisted in conducting a sawmill for a year. Once more he returned to Jersey County, and for two years was engaged in farming the homestead, and then bought forty-five acres of land from his father, forty acres of which were in Greene County, and five in Jersey. On the latter he built his residence, and he kept on adding to his holdings until he now owns 346 acres of land, all except eighty acres being in Jersey County. In 1910 Mr. Carrico turned over his farm to his children and moved to Fieldon, Ill., where for five years he was engaged in a mercantile business. His wife dying January 19, 1915, he sold his business and returned to the farm where he once resided.

On August 20, 1868, Andrew Carrico was married to Sarah L. Ritchie, born at Fieldon, Ill., a daughter of James and Mary Ann Ritchie. Mr. and Mrs. Carrico had the following children: John C. who lives at Alton Ill., Willie, who died at the age of eight years; Cora, who is Mrs. Edward Mourning, lives on her fathers homestead; Elmer, who died in infancy; and Marion R. who lives in Greene County. Mr. Carrico is a Democrat, and served as township collector for two terms, and for many years as a school director.

Marion Carrico- one of the prosperous farmers of English Township, Jersey County, Ill., who has made a success of his agricultural operations, was born in this same township, September 22, 1850, a son of John Clark and Winnie Ann (Van Meter) Carrico, natives of St.Louis County, Mo., and a grandson of Dennis and Elizabeth (Clark) Carrico. Dennis Carrico was born at Boston, Mass, but his parents were natives of France who came to America at an early day. The maternal grandparents of Marion Carrico were very early settlers of Greene County, Ill., where they entered land from the government. After his marriage, John Clark Carrico bought about 285 acres of land, all in timber, which he improved to a considerable extent. For many years he served as justice of the peace, and died full of years and honors in 1897 when he was seventy-eight years of age. His wife died in 1898 at seventy-six years of age. Their children were as follows; LaFayette, who is of Jersey Co.,;Achsah, who is Mrs. J.L. Seago, of English Township; Andrew and Marion, who are of English Township; Nancy Jane, who is Mrs. C.C.Berry, is now deceased; Mary, who died at the age of fourteen years; Phebe Ann, who is Mrs. F. Bean, is now deceased; and Elizabeth, who died in infancy.Marion Carrico attened the district schools and made himself useful of his father's homestead, where he remained until a year after his marriage in 1874. He then moved on a farm owned by his father in Greene County, where he was engaged in farming until 1898, and in the spring of that year came to the homestead in English Township, buying 145 acres from the other heirs. Of this he has 115 acres under cultivation, the balance being in timber. In addition to his farming, he conducted a threshing machine from the time he was seventeen years old until 1890.
On December 10, 1874, Mr. Carrico was married to Mary Ellen East, born in Greene County, Il., January 10, 1856, a daughter of Elisha and Jane (Wicks) East, natives of Missouri and Cleveland, Ohio, respectively, and granddaughter of William and Mary (Dunham) Wicks, of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Carrico have one son of their own, Sylvester Marion, who was born September 18, 1875. He was married on July 24, 1898, to Nettie Pearl Berry, and they have two sons, namely; Sylvester Everett, who was born August 1, 1899 and Homer Clarence, who was born January 26, 1906. Mrs. Sylvester M. Carrico died November 21, 1912, since which time Sylvester M. Carrico has lived with his parents. Mr, and Mrs. Marion Carrico are notable and charitable, and have given a home to and kindly cared to orphan children, and in the forty-three years of their married life, they have only been three weeks without having orphan children in their home. They adopted a daughter, Eugenia East, born at Dennison Tex., when she was an infant. She is now Mrs. Orville Barry, of Greene Co., Ill., and has two children, namely; Robert Earl and Delbert O. Mr. Carrico belongs to Kane Lodge No. 197. A. F. & A.M. and Mrs. Carrico to the Eastern Star. Their son is also a Mason. In politics, Mr. Carrico is a Democrat. [Transcribed by Billie Trail]

Stephen Catt- now deceased, was for many years one of the beloved clergymen of the Baptist faith, and a missionary for the Carrollton Baptist Association, whose last years were spent at Jerseyville. He was born at Rotherfield County of Sussex, England, April 10, 1844, and died at Jerseyville, April 27, 1915. Stephen Catt was a son of James and Harriet Catt and the youngest child born to them.
Leaving his native land the day he was seventeen years old, he reached New York City, May 18, 1861, to find the United States in the throes of the civil war, and his sympathies were so enlisted in behalf of the established government that on November 24, 1863, he enlisted in its defense in Company F, Fourth Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, at Springfield, Ill., he in the meanwhile having gone west to Illinois. After a faithful and honorable service he was discharged August 29, 1865.

The object of Stephen Catt coming to this country was to join an uncle who lived in Jersey County, but as he had only seventeen cents in his pocket when he landed, he had to make his way west best he could, and was thankful to a Jersey County farmer for giving him a ride from Alton to Jersey County. Naturally a young man of serious mind, it is probable that his experiences as a soldier turned his thoughts toward a religious profession, and he was licensed to preach by the Jerseyville Baptist Church January 30, 1879. For eleven years he served the Carrollton Baptist Association as a missionary, and through his aid the churches at Roadhouse, Palmyra, and Greenfield were erected, while it is estimated that at least ten per cent of the members added to the district under the jurisdiction of this association came through his preaching and earnest endeavors. During his residence at Jerseyville he became a very familiar figure to the people of the county seat, especially any of them who were in need of sympathy, spirtitual inspiration or material aid. He was the friend of the downtrodden and afflicted, and awakened a love for humanity in many a desolate heart and turned hundreds to the church. When he died a multitude gathered to pay homage to the memory of a good man, and while all that is earthly of him has passed away, the work he accomplished will live forever and stand as a monument to him and his.

Rev. Stephen Catt was married November 14, 1866, to Tabitha Smalley, born at Plainfield, Union County, N.J., a daughter of Issac and Nancy (Drake) Smalley, the former of whom was born February 23, 1796, at Plainfield, N.J., and in 1858 came to Jersey County, settling on the edge of Jerseyville, where he died in 1878, the latter surviving him until 1889. Mrs. Catt attended Mrs. Cutting's Seminary at Jerseyville. The children born to Rev. and Mrs. Catt were as follows: Mary H., who is Mrs. George Gard of Los Angles, Cal.,;Isabell, who is a professional nurse; Nellie J., who is Mrs. Dr. Justus White of Auburn, Ill.,; J. Henry who lives at Jerseyville; Stephen W., who is a mail carrier at Jerseyville; Charles I., who lives at Jerseyville; Orville S., who lives at Litchfield, Ill.,; Fannie R. who married Charles S. Jewsbury, lives with her mother; Flora, who is Mrs. William Martin of Moline Ill., and Ethel B., who died when one year old. In politics Mr. Catt was a Republican. Fraternally he belonged to the Masonic Order, and he was an enthusiastic member of the Jerseyville Post, G.A.R., which served as a commander for many years. Mr. Catt lived for thirty-eight years in the house where his widow now lives. [Transcribed by Billie Trail]

Walter Joseph Chapman, one of the active practicing attorneys of Jersey County, is located at Jerseyville, where he is held in the highest esteem. He was born near Roodhouse, Il., October 18, 1874, a son of William D., and Hannah M.(Mitchell) Chapman, he born at London, England, and she in Northamptonshire, England. In 1870 William D. Chapman came to the United States and spent a year in New York, where he worked in a brickyard. He then came to Whitehall, Ill., and worked for Jacob Tunison for two years, doing farm labor, and then rented land from his employer, that was located near Roodhouse., Ill. Two years later he bought a farm located three miles east of Manchester, Ill., and in 1895, bought another farm in the same vicinity, and was engaged in operating his land until his death, which occured May 19, 1910. His widow still lives on the farm.

Walter Joseph Chapman attended the common and high schools of his native county, and took one term at the Western Normal school, at Bushnell, Ill., another term at the Northern Illinois Normal school at Dixon Ill., from which institution he graduated in 1898, and later took a course at the University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill.. During the winter terms of 1895-6-7-8--9- and 1900, he taught school. In August, 1900, Mr. Chapman was married to Parthena Spencer, of Murrayville, Ill., a daughter of Benjamin F. and Mary (Payton) Spencer, born at Morgan and Hancock counties, respectively. During the first winter following his marriage, Mr. Chapman taught school, and then he entered the office of Thomas Henchaw, at Carrollton, Ill., and continued to read law during the summer months, and teach school in the winter until October, 1905, when he was admitted to the bar. At that time he was principal of the public schools of Medora. For a time he was engaged in the practice of law at Medora, Ill. On August 1, 1906, he came to Jerseyville, and formed a partnership with E.J. Vaughn, which association continued 1910, when the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Chapman remained alone until in October, 1915, when he associated Fred A. DuHadway with him, the latter gentlman having charge of the firm's office at Hardin, Calhoun, Ill.

Mr. and Mrs. Chapman have two children, namely; William Donald, who was born July 27, 1906; and Thelma Faye, who was born November 26, 1911. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and was elected state's attorney in 1908, and held that office until 1916, and during that period proved himself a fearless and energetic prosecutor. A Mason in good standing, he belongs to Jerseyville Chapter , R.A.M., and he also belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Elks. Since 1911, Mr. Chapman has been a member of the library board, and was its president for one year, and was also president of the board of education for one year. A man of great ability and careful training, he is a lawyer of note, and a citizen whose worth has been proven upon many occasions. [Transcribed by Billie Trail]