Wabash County, Illinois
Biographies
Wabash County, Illinois
Biographies
John P. HIGGINS was born in Wabash County, Il., March 30, 1825, and at age of thirteen years engaged in flatboating on the Ohio and Mississippi, extending their trips from Bonpass, Ill., to New Orleans, and continuing this pursuit nine years. Mr. HIGGINS and his father were successful hunters, he having killed in one year as many as sixty deer, and his father 120, besides large numbers of turkeys and small game. In 1859, the subject of this sketch went to California, with an ox-team, remaining about two years. While there, he killed a grizzly bear. Mr. HIGGINS was married, in 1849, to Mary K. KEY, also of Wabash County,Ill. He first bought forty acres of land, adding to it as his means would allow, until he now owns 357 acres, with comfortable buildings, ten acres of orchard, and seventy head of cattle and three teams. Mr. Higgins is largely engaged in the live stock business, and is one of the most enterprising men in the county, and one of its oldest settlers.
JOHN P. HIGGINS resides on section 35, Madison Township, Richland County, where he follows the occupation of farming. He is one of the leading agriculturists of the community, and being widely and favorably known we feel assured that this record of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers. His birth occurred in Wabash County, Ill., March 30, 1825, and in a family of five sons and three daughters, he is the second in order of birth. His parents were William and Jane (Jourden) Higgins. His father was born in Genesee County, N. Y., December 7, 1800, and when a small boy he accompanied his father and grandfather with their respective families to Illinois. At that time a colony of thirteen families emigrated to Wabash County, and were among its first settlers. The only road across the country at that time was known as the ''trace" road, which led from Vincennes, Ind., to St. Louis, Mo.
William Higgins remained in Wabash County until 1828, when he came to what is now Richland County, but was then a part of Lawrence County. He entered land from the Government and began the development of a farm. He was a great hunter, and in three days killed twenty-four deer. He also ran a flatboat from this place to New Orleans by way of the Bonpas, Wabash and Mississippi Rivers for about seven years. He was Postmaster of Bonpas for a number of years, and was Justice of the Peace for a quarter of a century. Leading and influential in all public affairs, he took a very prominent part in the development and upbuilding of the county in an early day, and is numbered among its honored pioneers. He died January 12, 1863, at the age of sixty-three years, and, like his parents and grandparents, was buried in Lancaster Cemetery. His wife, who was born in Hard in County, Ky., in 1797, accompanied her parents to Wabash County in an early day. She died a few years later than her husband and sleeps by his side in Lancaster Cemetery. Only two children of the Higgins family are now living. George W., the eldest, died in Richland County in April, 1855; John is the second in order of birth; William J. went to California in 1855, and died soon afterward; Louis W. died in California in 1853; Anson H. died in this county April 30, 1874; Sarah E., who was born in 1834, is the wife of I. M. Key, a farmer of Indian Territory; Vermelia K., wife of James Sorkley, died in 1873.
Mr. Higgins whose name heads this record remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, working on the farm during the summer and hunting during the winter season. He also made several trips down the river to New Orleans. On the 26th of October, 1848, he wedded Miss Mary K. Key, who was born January 1, 1828, and is a daughter of John and Sarah (Runnels) Key. Her father came from Kentucky to Illinois in 1818, locating in Wabash County. His death occurred in Richland County, June 8, 1857, and his remains were interred in Sugar Creek Cemetery. His wife was a native of Georgia, and came with her parents to Illinois when a maiden of sixteen summers. She died in this county in the year 1872, and was also laid to rest in Sugar Creek Cemetery. The following children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Key: Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Wier, a resident of Mt. Vernon, Ill.; Nancy, widow of Thomas Parker, a resident of Wayne County; Mary, wife of our subject; Thomas H., deceased; Martha, who has also passed away; Henry, a farmer of Missouri; Caroline, wife of William Barton, a farmer of Richland County; and Emma, wife of Edwin Risley, an agriculturist of Wabash County, Ill.
Mr. and Mrs. Higgins began their domestic life upon the farm which is still their home. One child came to bless their union, Louis D., who was born in September, 1849, and died in April, 1859. On the 26th of April of the last-named year, our subject left home with an ox-team for the West, his objective point being Pike's Peak, but he changed his mind and went through to California by way of Oregon, the trip taking five months and eleven days. He spent some time mining and was variously employed during his stay in the Golden State, and worked for a time for Maj. Bidwell, who was candidate for President on the Prohibition ticket in 1892. While thus employed he killed a grizzly bear on Bid well's ranch in Butte County, Cal. He returned to his home in 1860, arriving December 12, coming by way of Arizona and Old and New Mexico. The farm upon which he began his married life was at first only forty acres in extent, but our subject devoted himself assiduously to its cultivation, and also dealt in cattle for several years in this and adjoining counties. His business undertakings proved successful, and as his financial resources increased, he extended the boundaries of his farm until it now comprises three hundred and thirteen acres, which yield to him a golden tribute in return for his care and cultivation. The beautiful country home is surrounded by well-tilled fields, and the neat appearance of the place indicates the thrift and enterprise of the owner. For many years Mr. Higgins supported the Republican party, but is now independent in politics. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and to its support he contributes liberally, although he is not connected with any religious denomination. Mr. Higgins' business career has not only been an upright and honorable one, but has been a successful one as well. He started out in life empty-handed, but has steadily worked his way upward, and the difficulties he has encountered have only seemed to make him labor all the more earnestly for his success. He has now attained a position of wealth and influence, and at the same time has won and retains the confidence and regard of all.
[Portrait and Biographical Record of Effingham, Jasper and Richland Counties Illinois, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Governors of the State, and the Presidents of the United States. (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1887), p.600 - Submitted by Judy Edwards]
Jacob Courter one of the most successful farmers of Wabash Precinct, Wabash County, Ill, is descended from some of the earliest settlers of the county, and the family have always been identified with the best interests of their community. Mr. Courter was born in Wabash Precinct, December 22, 1845, and is a son of Samuel J. and Eleanor (Banks) Courter. Samuel J. Courter was born in Wabash County March 27, 1822, a son of Jacob and Rachel (Hammond) Courter, natives of Kentucky and Maryland, respectively. Eleanor Banks was born in Wabash County April 21, 1826, and was a daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Rowlings) Banks, both natives of Kentucky, who came to Wabash County about 1815 and entered land from the Government, part of it timber and part prairie. Jacob Courter, Sr., and his wife located in the northern part of Wabash Precinct and bought land, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Samuel J. Courter and his wife were married in Wabash Precinct in 1842, and rented a farm there about five years. They then bought out the other heirs to his father's farm in Section 5. He died November 4, 1883, on his farm, and his widow died March 21, 1902 at Allendale, Ill. Their children were: James E. who died in Georgia during the war; Jacob; Nancy A., Mrs. E.S. Preston, of Lawrence County, Ill.; Rachel P., Mrs. William Milligan, deceased; Samuel H. of St. Francisville,; Mary E., Mrs. A.M. Milligan, deceased, William A., of Hennessey, Okla.; Jane, Mrs. William O. Ramsey, died in Wabash Precinct; George B. of Chicago, Ill.; Mattie, Mrs. John Dunham, of St. Francisville.
Jacob Courter was reared on a farm and attended the district schools of his neighborhood. He did not leave home until his enlistment in Company B, Forty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in August 1864. He was assigned with his company to the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in five important military engagements, namely: Chickamauga, Siege of Atlanta, Battles of Franklin, Nashville and Springfield, December 15 and 16, 1864. He was never wounded and was discharged in November, 1865. Returning home he resumed his former occupation and on March 12, 1868, married Sarah E. Preston, who was born in Wabash Precinct, a daughter of William and Urzilla (Smith) Preston. Her Father, William Preston, was born in Ohio, January 25, 1815, and his wife in Allendale, Ill., October 20, 1818. Their parents, respectively, were: Joseph and Sarah Preston and William B. and Elizabeth (Jordan) Smith, all natives of Ohio and among the earliest settlers of Wabash County, Ill., William Smith coming to the county about 1809. William Preston died May 2, 1901, and his wife March 7, 1899.
After his marriage Mr. Courter located on a forty-acre tract in Section 5, consisting of timber, which he cleared and put under cultivation. He lived there about four and a half years, when he traded this land for forty acres in Section 22 and bought another forty acres. His wife also owns seventy-five acres adjoining. He added to his possessions many times, and at the present time, owns 140 acres in one body, and has owned much more land which he as given to his sons. He built the handsome two-story frame house which is the present family residence, in 1888. He has erected other buildings on the home farm and has made many improvements, having all the land under cultivation except 10 acres which he has left in timber. Besides carrying on general farming he pays considerable attention to raising Shropshire sheep, short-horn cattle, Poland-China hogs and fine road and draft horses. He has been very successful in all his ventures and has always shown excellent judgment in the conduct of his affairs. He is an intelligent, enterprising farmer, ready to adopt modern methods and ideas in his work.
The children born to Mr. Courter and his wife were: William F. of Wabash Precinct; Edward R., also of Wabash Precinct; Sarah Viola and Walter J., at home. The family are members of the Christian Church and interested in all good work. Mr. Courter is actively interested in local affairs and is a Democrat in politics. He served as County Commissioner from 1896 to 1905 continuously, and filled the office with credit and ability. He belongs to the Modern Americans of St. Francisville, Ill., and also to the Farmers' Union, of Wabash Precinct.
[Extracted from 'Illinois Historical, Wabash County, 1918'] Submitted by Dawn Daddario.
JACKMAN, LOUIS W. Among the citizens of Vincennes well known in both professional and business circles is Louis W. Jackman, who was born in Lawrence County, Illinois, February 3, 1862, a son of Aaron R. and Mary E. (Courter) Jackman. His Father was also born in Lawrence county, Illinois, June 18, 1839, and was a mechanic by trade, but spent most of his life upon a farm. He served in Company E., One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Regiment Illinois Infantry, in the Civil war, enlisting at Olney, Illinois, and becoming chief musician of the regiment, which was stationed at different times at Nashville, Murfreesboro and Tularemia, Tennessee. The mother of our subject was born in Wabash county , Illinois, in 1841, and was a daughter of Elder William Courter, a leading evangelist in southern Illinois in his day. He was a pioneer preacher of the Christian church and the family have been actively identified with that church ever since its organization in this country. John Wood, an early ancestor on the maternal side, came to America from England about 1770. He enlisted in the Revolutionary war from New Jersey and the records show that he was an ensign and served for a time on General Washington's staff. After the close of the war he was give a land grant in what is now known as Barren county, Kentucky, and descendants of his oldest daughter are now living there. In 1807 he disposed of his holdings in that state and settled in Wabash county, Illinois, being identified with the organization of that county and serving for several terms as county judge. His son, Alexander, was the father of Melinda (Wood) Courter, the mother of Mary E. Courter, who became the mother of Louis W. Jackman. The descent is thus traced from the time of the Revolution. Mr. Jackman's great-great grandfather on the paternal side came to Knox county, Indiana early in 1800 and another ancestor, Allen Ramsey, located in this county as far back as 1787. The grandfather, Basil Jackman, and his brother, William R. Jackman, served side by side in the Black Hawk war, the latter being a sergeant in Spy's battalion of mounted infantry. William R. Jackman and his father, Richard Jackman, were in the war with Tecumseh participating in the battle of Tippecanoe.
Six children were born to Aaron R. and Mary E. (Courter) Jackman, five of whom are living: Louis W., the subject of this review; William C., a conductor on the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad with headquarters at Enid, Oklahoma; Emma H., the wife of the wife of Oscar E. Hollowell, of St. Louis; Clara F. the wife of John W. Williamson, of St. Louis, and Della the wife of Marion Pickering, of Vincennes.
Louis W. Jackman received his early education in the common schools of Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. He later attended the National Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, and also the Southern Indiana Normal College of Mitchell, Indiana. In the meantime he taught school to secure the necessary funds for further education. He began the study of law under the preceptorship of Hon S.Z. Landes, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, and continued it under W.F. Schoch, of Mound Valley, Kansas. He was admitted to the bar in Kansas in June, 1887, in Illinois in 1889, and Vincennes in January, 1890, since which time he has devoted his attention principally to the law, but on November 1, 1909, he acquired possession of the Vincennes Agency Company, of which he is manager. He was prime mover and organizer of the Denison Building & Loan Association at St. Francisville, Illinois, the St. Francisville Canning Company, and also one of the organizers of the First National Bank of St. Francisville, being attorney and director of each of these organizations. He served as mayor one term and city attorney of St. Francisville five terms, and as city attorney of Cedarvale, Kansas, one term. He has been a Mason since 1883, and was initiated, passed and raised in Allendale Lodge, No. 752, of Allendale, Illinois, serving as secretary of the lodge for two terms and master for the same length of time. After moving to St. Francisville, desiring a lodge at that place, he petitioned the grand lodge of the State of Illinois for a dispensation, but found the petition barred on account of the grand lodge-by-laws. Being a delegate to the grand lodge, he introduced and secured the passage of two amendments to the by-laws, whereby the territory became available for a new Masonic lodge. Application for a dispensation, however, was again refused by the grand master, necessitating a personal interview with that officer, which resulted in the issuance of the desired dispensation. Mr. Jackman is also a member of the Modern Americans and the Tribe of Ben Hur.
In 1889, at Vincennes, Mr. Jackman was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Collison, a native of Lawrence County, Illinois. Her father, James M. Collison, was born in the same county and served for four and half years in the Civil War under General Grant in the Vicksburg campaign, and W.T. Sherman at Chattanooga, and a the battle of Missionary Ridge, and was in the division that marched to the relief of Knoxville. He then marched with Sherman to the sea and back to Washington, D.C., and participated in twenty-seven hard-fought battles and eighteen skirmishes on land and water. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Jackman, three of whom are now living, James Bruce, born August 22, 1890; Ruth E. born January 13, 1892; and S. Roy, born September 26, 1894. The oldest son served in the band of the Eighth United States Infantry at San Francisco and Monterey, California, for one and one-half years. He then bought his release in order to return home and assist his father in the insurance business, which he is now doing.
Mr. Jackman is a member of the Christian church and was an elder of that church and chairman of the board of trustees for fifteen years at St. Francisville. He has always been an active worker in the church and Sunday school, and was president of the Lawrence County Sunday School Association two terms. In the various responsibilities of citizenship he has always attempted to perform his part with fidelity and has always been actively identified with the democratic party. As is to be seen by the above record, Mr. Jackman is a man of unusual energy and perseverance, and when he undertakes anything he generally carries it through to a successful issue. These traits have been handed down from worthy ancestors, and wherever we find them we may expect a sturdy character and reputation for solid and enduring worth."
[From the Biography of Louis W. Jackman, pg 116-117, Vol 1 of Greene's 1911 "History of Old Vincennes and Knox County" - submitted by Dawn Daddario]
WOOD, Abner. - The Wood family came to Wabash County at an early day, and Alexander Wood, the grandfather of Abner, was one of the pioneers of Friendsville Precinct. His maternal grandfather, Ira Keen, was also an early settler in Friendsville Precinct and a soldier in the Black Hawk War. Abner Wood was born in Friendsville Precinct, October 16, 1850, a son of Ira and Rubina (Keen) Wood, both natives of that precinct. Alexander Wood was a native of Kentucky and Ira Keen from Hamilton County, Ohio. Ira Wood was married in Friendsville Precinct, where he was reared, and settled on a farm of 200 acres. He died in 1873 and his widow continued to live on the home farm several years, and then spent the remainder of her life with her children. She died in Mt. Carmel, March 26, 1908. They had four sons and five daughters, of whom those surviving are: Abner; Emily, Mrs. George Goodhart, of Mt. Carmel; Clinton, of Mt. Carmel; and Eleanor and William, of Friendsville Precinct.
The early days of of Abner Wood were spent on a farm and he attended the district schools. He resided with his parents and after the death of his father, remained in charge of the home farm until his own marriage, June 11, 1876, to Sarah Smith, who was born in Wabash County, a daughter of George and Mary (Banks) Smith, both natives of Wabash Precinct. George Smith is a son of John and Rebecca (Ballard) Smith, who was born in Wabash County, a daughter of George and Mary (Banks) Smith, he of Vermont, and she of New York, daughter of a Methodist circuit-rider. Mr. Smith was married in New Hampshire and was a turner by trade. He came down the Wabash River on a flat-boat - while the Indians were still living in Wabash County, and secured timer land from the Government, which he improved and developed into a good farm. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Wood, Alexander and Nellie (Rawlins) Banks, were early settlers in Illinois, the latter a native of Lawrence County, Ill., and the former of England.
After his marriage Abner Wood lived on his farm and made a speciality of raising stock. About seven years later he moved from this farm of ninety acres, locating in Mt. Carmel in the fall of 1902. He still looks after his farm, but devotes the most of his time to buying and selling hogs, cattle and sheep, a business which he has found very profitable. He has established a reputation for fairness and honest dealing in business and is highly esteemed for his many good qualities. The following children were born to him and his wife: Ira, of Mt. Carmel, a school teacher; George, a physician and surgeon of Indianapolis, Ind.; Della, Mrs. Emery Davidson, of Mt. Carmel . . . " To be continued . . .
[Extracted from 'Illinois Historical, Wabash County, 1918'] Submitted by Dawn Daddario.
Wood, John F576
John Wood, son of Joseph and Catharine Julian Wood, was born 27 Nov 1754 in Frederick County, Maryland. He was a soldier in the American Revolution from Frederick County. He served first for about two months under Wagonmaster, John Peirce. On 1 Jan 1777 he was appointed Sergeant in Captain Philip Smith's Company, Colonel James Johnson's Battalion of the Maryland Militia. On 17 Apr 1781 he was commissioned Ensign in Captain Jacob Collins' Company of the same battalion.
John Wood was married twice. His first marriage was on 5 Dec 1781 in Frederick County, Maryland to Martha Ogle (1761-1820), daughter of Colonel Alexander Ogle of Frederick County. It is said, but not proven at this point, that Alexander Ogle was of royal descend through King John I and King Henry III of England. Alexander Ogle died in 1783 and devised to his daughter, Martha Wood, 200 acres of land in Berkeley County, (West) Virginia. John Wood and his family moved to this farm where they lived for ten years. They sold out and returned to Frederick County, Maryland for a short time. They then moved to Kentucky and in 1798 settled in Warren County, Kentucky where they lived until 1808, at which time they again sold out and moved to what is now Wabash County, Illinois. He constructed a fort, called Wood's Fort. After the death of his wife, Martha Ogle Wood, John Wood married Rachel Bratton on 27 Jan 1824. Rachel was the widow of James Bratton and a daughter of Enoch Greathouse. She was granted a widow's pension on 21 Apr 1853. John Wood died 14 Nov 1832 and was buried near his first wife, Martha Ogle Wood, in the old Wood Cemetery not far from Friendsville, Wabash County, Illinois. His grave marker reads "John Wood, Ensign, Maryland Militia."
The children of John and Martha Ogle Wood are: Susanna (born 6 Jan 1783, married Joshua Buchanan), Elizabeth (born 23 Aug 1783, married William Bright), Joseph (born 5 Aug 1786, married Leah Greathouse), Mary (born 15 Jul 1788, married William Barney), Alexander (born 14 Aug 1790, married Priscilla Greathouse, Jeremiah (born 28 Aug 1792, married 12 Jan 1815 Jane Philpott or Phelpatt), Rebecca (born 27 Dec 1794, married John A Greathouse), Eli (born 8 Dec 1797, married Mary E. Courter), Martha (born 6 Nov 1800, married Lewis Armstrong, son of John and Elizabeth Martin Armstrong), and John (born 20 Dec 1803, married Katherine Bratton).
See the Joshua Buchanan story for information on the family of Joshua and Susanna Wood Buchanan.
By Mary H. Buchanan
[Source title info pending - submitted by Dawn Daddario]
WOOD, OLIVER H.
Among the oldest families of Wabash County, Ill, are the Wood and Keen families who have been represented there for several generations. Oliver H. Wood was born in Friendsville Precinct, November 6, 1845, a son of Joseph and Charlotte (Keen) Wood, and a worthy representative of his race. Joseph Wood was a son Joseph and Leah (Greathouse) Wood, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky, and his wife was a daughter of Ira and Eleanor (Jordan) Keen, the former born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the later of Kentucky. Joseph Wood came down the Ohio River and up the Wabash to Palmyra, formerly the county seat of Edwards County, then drove to Friendsville Precinct, where he secured government land, there married and spent the remainder of his life. Ira and Eleanor Keen were very early settlers of Wabash County, he being brought there by his parents when a lad, and the family took up government land in Wabash Precinct. Ira Keen married and settled in Friendsville Precinct, where he died at the age of ninety-two years.
Joseph and Charlotte Wood were married in Wabash County and settled on land they bought and entered, adding to it until they owned 500 acres. He died April 27, 1859, at the age of thirty-nine years and she died April 18, 1884, at the age of sixty years. Their children were: Exima, married W. R. Couch, and died in Friendsville Precinct; Oliver H., Mary, Mrs. S.A. Williams, of Springfield, ILL; Horace, died at the age of thirty-five years; Joseph O., of Friendsville Precinct; Linder, died at the age of twenty-seven.
Oliver H. Wood lived with his mother after his father's death and took charge of the farm, remaining at home until his marriage, December 21, 1871, to Mary E. Milburn, born in Friendsville Precinct, daughter of Harrison and Emily (Shoaff) Milburn, the former a native of Patoka, Ind., and the latter of Pennsylvania. After his marriage, Mr. Wood and his wife moved to the farm in Friendsville Precinct. This land had been previously improved and tiled and buildings erected on it by him. He has since added thereto until he has 135 acres, and here carried on farming, raising Jersey cattle and registered Poland-China hogs. He and his wife have two children, Clifton J. who is in partnership with his father in carrying on the farm, and Nora E., Mrs. George Schrader, of Friendsville Precinct. Mr. Wood and his son have made a specialty of breeding Barred Plymouth Rock chicks and White Holland turkeys. Mr. Wood is much interested in this industry and formerly served as President of the Wabash County Poultry and Pet Stock Association. As a boy he attended the district school and the Presbyterian parochial school at Friendsville. He is now a member of the Christian Church and has been an Elder in the since 1890. Politically he is a Republican and served three years as County Commissioners, from December 5, 1887. He takes great interest in anything that pertains to farming and has always liked this class of work, in which his whole life has been passed. He is an able and industrious farmer and has reaped results accordingly. He is now President of the Wabash County Fair Association, and his administration of its affairs has been most satisfactory to all concerned.
[Extracted from 'Illinois Historical, Wabash County- 1918' - submitted by Dawn Daddario].
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