Jersey County, Illinois - The Part of Biography in General History - Citizens of Jersey, 1919 (part 4 of 6)

On October 11, 1887, Charles E. Lock was married to Louisa J. Radcliffe, born February 11, 1860, at Toledo, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Christina (Cannell) Radcliffe born on the Isle of Man. They came to Ohio, where they were married, in 1858, and soon after¬ ward moved to Alton, Ill., where Mrs. Radcliffe died April 18, 1864, and Mr. Radcliffe died May 13, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Lock became the parents of the following children: John, who was married to Pauline Meyers ; Grace, who is at home ; Helen, who is Mrs. Robert M. McKee of Alton, Ill., has a son, Robert L. ; and Blanche, Charles E. Jr., and Louis IJ., all of whom are at home. Mr. Lock and his family belong to the Episcopal Church. He stands well in his community.

LOELLKE, Frank F., secretary and general manager of the Jerseyville Mercantile Company, is one of the leading business men of the county seat. He was born in Germany, August 24, 1865, a son of Fred TI. and Augusta (Berger) Loellke, born in Germany, who in 1867 came to the United States, and located at St. Louis, Mo. For two years the father was engaged in doing millwright work, but in 1867 he moved to Fieldon, Ill., to become head miller for Belt Bros., millers. There he continued for twenty years, and then bought a farm which he con¬ ducted until his death in the spring of 1917. The mother still lives on the farm. Their children were as follows : Otto, who lives at Alton, Ill. ; Frank F. ; Anna, who is Mrs. F. Rosenthal, of Fieldon, Ill. ; Minnie, who died at the age of three years ; Ida, who is Mrs. William Baum, of

Frank F. Loellke attended a German school until he was fourteen years old, and then spent two years in the English schools. When he was seventeen years old he entered Greer & Son's College, St Louis, Mo., and four months later he became a clerk in a general store at Fieldon, so working from 1883 to 1888. In the latter year he and his father bought the business of August J. Kronsbein, and two years later, Frank F. Loellke became the sole proprietor. In 1908 he sold his store to Wheaton Bros., and moved t(5 Jersey ville, where he bought the gen¬ eral store of J. TI. Smith. In 1913 he consolidated with the Warren & Wiseman Dry Goods Co., and II. S. Daniels and J. H. Smith, to found the Jerseyville Mercantile Company, of which the present officials are : II. S. Daniels, president; Fred Giers, vice president; Frank F. Loellke, secretary and general manager; and F. W. Decker, treasurer. The company handles all kinds of general merchandise, exclusive of agri¬ cultural implements, and controls a fine trade that extends over a wide territory.

On June 4, 1890, Mr. Loellke was married to Carolina Heitzig, born in English Township, a daughter of Fred Heitzig, born in Jersey Coun¬ ty. Mr. and Mrs. Loellke have no children. He is a Catholic. In political faith, he is a Republican, and he belongs to the Community Club. A man of sound judgment and excellent training, he is able to bring to his business a faculty for rendering service that aids very ma¬ terially in strengthening its hold on the community, and increasing its patronage.

LOWE, Frank I., now deceased, was at one time one of the leading agriculturalists of Jersey County, and a large landowner of Jersey Township. He was born in Jersey Township, a son of Judge Richard and Sarah ( Williamson) Lowe, natives of New Jersey, and very prom¬ inent people, who became early settlers of Jersey County. Growing up on the homestead, Frank Lowe attended the local district schools, and took a commercial course at a business college in Madison, Wis.

On March 15, 1888, Frank Lowe was married to Virginia Cress, born at Litchfield, Ill., in July, 1871, a daughter of Martin and Anna (Bridges) Cress, natives of North Carolina and Jerseyville, Ill., respect¬ ively. Hiram and Eliza (Bethel) Bridges the paternal grandparents, were born in Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively, and came to Jersey County, Ill., at a very early day, being counted among its pioneers. After his marriage Frank Lowe resided on rented land until 1892, when he moved on the old Judge Lowe homestead of 280 acres of land, having bought the interests of the other heirs. On this fine property he engaged in raising cattle and hogs upon an extensive scale, and he also carried on general farming. Here his useful life ended September 14, 1907. He and his wife had the following children born to them : Zella, who is Mrs. Festus Florida of St. Louis, Mo. ; Bertha, who is Mrs.

Lowe was a Democrat. Mrs. Lowe attended the public and high schools of her neighborhood, and is a very intelligent and well informed lady. The family is held in high esteem in the county where its rep¬ resentatives have lived for so many years.

MAINS, James F., owner of a fine farm of 335 acres of valuable land in Jersey County, and one of the most successful farmers and stockraisers in this section, was born in Jersey Township,. February 26, 1878, a son of Freeman and Elizabeth (Stevens) Mains. Freeman J. Mains was born February 7, 1836, in what is now Jersey County, but was then included in Greene County. His parents, James and Abigail (Parker) Mains and his wife's parents, Isaiah and Sarah (Scroggins) Stevens, were very early settlers of this part of Illinois. Until he was twenty-four years old Freeman J. Mains lived with his parents, and then he bought twenty acres of land on section 23, on which he erected a small house. Two years later he added forty acres, and in 1881 he erected substantial buildings on his farm, and made other improvements. From time to time he added to his holdings until he owned over 1,900 acres of improved land in Jersey County. On November 24, 1859, he was married, and there are six children living of those born to him and his wife, namely : Lucy, who is Mrs. Thomas C. H. Wilder of Mississippi Township; William T. and Warren, who are of Jersey Township; Tina, who is Mrs. Edward Brown of Greene County; James F. ; Tossie, who is Mrs. Dr. A. S. Hunt. Freeman J. Mains died September 11, 1907, his wife having died June 10, 1883.

James F. Mains has always lived on his present farm where he was reared, and he attended the Sherman district school. On January 23, 1901, he was married to Stella May Davis, who was born at Litchfield, 111., June 23, 1883, a daughter of Charles Augustus and Eliza (Felter) Davis. Charles Augustus Davis was a son of John W. and Eliza A. (Fitzgerald) Davis, he born in North Carolina., September 19, 1819, a son of James and Elizabeth (Morrow) Davis, natives of North Carolina.

After his marriage, James F. Mains took up his residence on a por¬ tion of the homestead, and he and his father farmed the property in partnership until the latter's death, after which the son bought a part of the property, and since then has carried on general grain farming and raises horses, cattle and hogs. He and his wife have had the fol¬ lowing children born to them : Robert W., born August 23, 1902 ; Ken¬ neth Davis, born December 10, 1904; Edith Pearl, born April 20, 1906; Ruth Easter, born April 4, 1908, and James F., born October 27, 1917. Since 1905 Mr. Mains has been a school director and he is. also a mem¬ ber of the drainage commission of his district. In politics he is a Democrat, while fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, attending the local lodge at Kane, Ill.; and Jerseyville Lodge No. 954, B. P. O. E.

one who is widely and favorably known. He was born in Jersey Township, June 24, 1867, a son of Freeman and Elizabeth (Stevens) Mains, he born in Benton County, Mo., and she in Greene County, Ill. The grandparents, James Mains and Isaiah Stevens, were early settlers of Jersey County, the former coming up the Mississippi River to St. Louis in 1838, and crossing it into Illinois where only a shack of a barn marked the present site of East St. Louis. He located on a farm in Jersey County. Isaiah Stevens was born in Illinois, and his wife was born in Kentucky, but her parents brought her during her child¬ hood to Greene County, they making the trip with oxen and on horse¬ back, and after their arrival, her parents secured land from the govern¬ ment in Greene County.

After their marriage Freeman and Elizabeth (Stevens) Mains, located in the northeastern part of Jersey County, where he subse¬ quently owned about 2,000 acres of land. He was a prominent man, being a justice of the peace, and for twenty-four years was supervisor of his township. His death occurred in September, 1907. His wife died in 1883.

William Truman Mains grewT up on the farm and attended the district schools of Jersey Township, and lived on the homestead until he was thirty-five years old, at which time he moved to a farm of 160 acres in Jersey Township that his father owned. This farm is very highly improved, and on it he carries on general farming and stockraisipg.

On February 17, 1897, William Truman Mains was married to Eliza Ann Halbert, born in Greene County, Ill., March 5, 1878, a daughter of Wilson and Naomi (Close) Halbert, natives of Greene County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Mains have the following children: Lucile May, born October 23, 1899; Ralph IT., born May 12, 1904; and Jessie Roberta, born November 24, 1906. The family belongs to the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Mains is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the AYoodmen of the World, and the Masons, in which he has attained to the Royal Arch degree. Mrs. Mains belongs to the order of Eastern Star.

MARSTON, Joseph Goodspeed, one of the retired business men of Jerseyville, was at one time very prominent in commercial circles here and at other points. He was born at Philadelphia, Pa., April 15, 1837, a son of Oliver and Elizabeth (Porter) Marston, he born at Marston Mills, Mass., on Cape Cod, and she at Philadelphia, Pa. The grand¬ parents were Prince and Lydia (Goodspeed) Marston, natives of Massa¬ chusetts, and William and Ann (McCloud) Porter, he a sailor and she a native of New Jersey. Oliver Marston left home when fifteen years old to go to sea, shipping on a sailing vessel, and he rose until he was master of a merchantman, named Archer. He followed the sea from 1814 to 1841, when he came to Jersey County, and bought some land. He built a residence with lumber he brought with him from Cincinnati, Ohio, down the Ohio River and up the Mississippi River to Alton, Ill., from whence he hauled it by teams to his land. He was here engaged in farming until his death which occurred in 1856, when he was fiftythree years old, having been born in 1803. His wife, who was born in 1801, died in 1879. Their children were as follows: William, Oliver, Harvey, Oliver II, all of whom are deceased; Joseph Goodspeed: Lydia, who was Mrs. Donald Robertson, is deceased ; Howard, who is de¬ ceased ; and Samuel, who lives at Bunker Hill, Ill.

Joseph Goodspeed Marston spent his boyhood days on the farm with his parents, but when he was fifteen years old he went to Alton, Ill., and learned the harnessmaking trade and worked at making sad¬ dles and harness until 1856, when he returned to Philadelphia and at¬ tended a grammar school for two years. He then clerked in a drug store at Jersey ville for Dr. J. 0. Hamilton for a year, when he took a similar position in a general store at Alton. In 1867 he returned to Jersey ville and with C. M. Hamilton engaged in a grocery and hard¬ ware business until 1872, in which year the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Marston then formed new connections with II. T. Nail, and after a year formed a partnership with Levi Halliday to handle seeds, no¬ tions, crockery and groceries. In 1904 Mr. Marston bought his part¬ ner's interest, and continued the business alone until 1909 when he sold, and since then has been living in retirement.

On February 12, 1868, he was married to Adaline Cadwallader, born in Fulton County, Ill., a daughter of John and Nancy (Branson) Cadwallader, natives of Ohio and Illinois, respectively. There were no children. Mrs. Marston died May 11, 1908. Mr. Marston is a Republican, and served as city clerk two terms, and alderman from the First Ward for two terms. He is a Mason, having attained to the Knight Templar degree. A man of high principles, he has lived up to his ideals and is held in great esteem.

MEYSENBURG, E., president of the Stafford Mercantile Company, and a banker of note, is one of the leading business men of Grafton, where he has been instrumental in securing much of the present mate¬ rial prosperity of the place. He was born February 7, 1842, on a feudal estate in Flanders, Germany, a son of Frederick Meysenburg, who was born in 1802, at Essen, Germany. He was a schoolmate of the elder Krupp, and studied civil engineering with him. The maiden name of the wife of Frederick Meysenburg was Johanna Somitz, and she was born at Cologne, Germany. For a time he was in the employ of the government, and then took charge of the feudal estate where his son was born, managing it until 1857, when he came to the United States, locating at St. Louis, Mo. Being a highly educated man, he found employment as a private tutor, and his children received their educational training under him. These children were as follows : Matildie, who was married to Edward Nixdorff, is a widow residing in New York state; E. Meysenburg; Theodore Aug; O. W., and several who died in infancy. O. W. Mysenburg, the youngest living brother, became prominent as president of the Wells French Car Company, which constructs street railroads both at Chicago and St. Louis, Mo.

Theodore Aug Meysenburg, another brother of E. Meysenburg, en¬ listed as a soldier for service during the Civil War, in the Third Vol¬ unteer Infantry from Missouri, under Col. Franz Sigel, and soon there¬ after participated in the battles of Carthage and AVilson's Creek, Mo., the most important engagements fought in the state, and was chosen as first lieutenant of the company known as the "Benton Hussars," and soon thereafter was assigned to duty on the staff of Colonel Sigel, so serving at the battle of Pea Ridge. When Colonel Sigel was pro¬ moted to be brigadier-general, Lieutenant Meysenburg was appointed by President Lincoln, assistant adjutant general, with the rank of cap¬ tain, in accordance with the recommendation of General Sigel. Captain Meysenburg was transferred with General Sigel's command to the Shenandoah Valley. After their arrival, Captain Meysenburg was assigned to General Fremont's command, and he took part in the sec¬ ond battle of Bull Run, when the troops were under the direction of General Pope. Captain Meysenburg also took part in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, while serving in the Army of the Potomac, and won promotion to the rank of lieutenantcolonel. After the battle of Gettysburg, he was transferred to the Army of the AVest, and took part in the battle of Chattanooga, and later tendered his resignation in order to enter business activities at St. Louis, Mo.

E. Meysenburg came to St. Louis, Mo., to join his uncle Theodore Krunswick, who had located at St. Louis in 1833, and had developed into a very prosperous merchant. In 1849 Mr. Krunswick retired to the suburb of St. Louis that bears his name. After two years of experience in a wholesale dry goods house at St. Louis, Mr. Mey¬ senburg, in 1859, took charge of his uncle's mercantile establishment at Krunswick, and assisted his uncle in discharging the duties of post¬ master. Ilis active young spirit was not satisfied however, and in a short time he returned to St. Louis, where he spent a brief period with a hat house, and then went to Sulphur Springs, Mo., where he was agent for the Iron Mountain Railroad. Having been in the South, his sympathies naturally were with that section in the conflict between the North and the South and he enlisted in Company E, First Missouri Cavalry, and on January 1, 1862, re-enlisted in the Confederate service in Company F, Second Missouri Cavalry. He was paroled May 1, 1865, at Columbus, Miss. After his return, he secured temporary employ¬ ment in collecting taxes in the Fifth AVarcl of St. Louis, and on Sep¬ tember 1, 1865, he entered a wholesale hat house as bookkeeper. In 1867 Air. Meysenburg formed a partnership with Harry Eastman, of Grafton, Ill., and this connection continued until 1871, when Air. Meysenburg bought out his partner, and founded the firm of Mey¬ senburg & Smith. Air. Aleysenburg bought the business of Brook Staf¬ ford in 1876, and with the latter's son, Christopher E. Stafford, formed the mercantile house of Stafford & Co., from which Air. Smith retired in 1879. In 1883 Mr. Aleysenburg bought the banking business of AVilliam II. Allen of Grafton, which he has since continued. In 1896 he and Mr. Stafford incorporated the Stafford Mercantile Company, of which Mr. Meysenburg is president. Although Mr. Meysenburg suf¬ fered a heavy loss from fire in 1912, he immediately rebuilt his mer¬ cantile establishment and bank, and both are now in a nourishing con¬ dition. The bank is fire and burglar proof and modern in every respect.

Mr. Meysenburg was married to Miss Mary H. Frichnor, born at Wheeling, W. Va., January 27, 1849, and they became the parents of the following children : Fannie, who was married to a Mr. Eastoff ; Natalie, who married a Mr. Lawrence, resides at Springfield, Ill. ; Edith and Clara, who are at home ; and Robert L., who is now cashier of the bank, his father being its president. Mr. Meysenburg has served as mayor of Grafton several times, and he has been supervisor of his township. During the early days, he served for four years as captain of the militia, and has never been found lacking in public spirit or interest in the furtherance of the welfare of his community.

MILLER, John D., one of the substantial farmers of Mississippi Township, is a well known and respected citizen of Jersey County, and one who stands high in his own community. He was born in his pres¬ ent township, in August, 1875, a son of John D. and Christina (Schaffer) Miller, natives of Wuerttemberg, Germany. In 1870 the parents located in Mississippi Township, there buying a farm, and there the father died in 1902. After his death, the mother lived on the farm until her death in 1915.

John D. Miller was reared in his native township and attended its schools. Remaining at home he inherited the homestead of 140 acres of land on section 25, when his mother died, but later sold fifty-five acres of it, and now operates eighty acres of the remainder as a gen¬ eral farmer. Five acres^ of his farm is a valuable apple orchard. Mr. Miller's religious connections are with the German Evangelical Church. In politics he is a Democrat, but he has never desired to enter public life, devoting himself to his agricultural duties. Having spent his life in farming, Mr. Miller understands its every detail, and is well fitted for his calling, which recent public events is making one of the most important in the world. In war, unless the armies are fed, vic¬ tory cannot be reasonably expected, and upon the shoulders of the farmers of a country also rest the responsibilities of raising the food¬ stuffs for the sustenance of men, women and children who cannot thus provide for themselves.

MINER, William Kendall, now deceased, was one of the leading men of Jersey County, and during his lifetime owned the largest farm in that part of the state, his homestead being pointed out as a show place to travelers. He was born in Addison County, Vt., February 7, 1803. a son of Nathaniel and Rebecca (Kendall) Miner.

still a very young man, lie was married to Hannah Drury, and after their marriage, they drove overland to Jersey County, where he en¬ tered a large tract of raw prairie land in Fidelity Township. He broke and improved his land, and kept on adding to his holdings until he had many acres. Until a short time prior to his death, when he moved to Fidelity, he resided on this farm, with the exception of one year he spent in Vermont, By his first marriage, he had the following children: Rebecca, who is Mrs. William H. Frost; Elizabeth, who is -Mrs. G. R. Garretson; Abbie, who is Mrs. William Campbell; William P., who is married to Jane Armstrong; Henry Clay, who lives at Sunnyside, Wash.; and Hannah. All these children but Henry Clay are now deceased. In December, 1839, William K. Miner was married to Mary Anne Solly, born at Philadelphia, Pa., December 7, 1815, a daughter of Robert and Ann (Hoffman) Solly, he born in England, and she at Philadelphia, Pa. By his second marriage, Mr. Miner became the father of the following children: James, who died at the age of four years ; Charles Frederick, who is deceased ; Mary L., who is Mrs. Richard Holden of Alton, Ill. ; Margaret, who is the widow of E. A. Dodge, lives at Jersey ville; Harriet, who died in infancy; Adelia E., who is Mrs. A. F. Ely of Fidelity Township ; and Martha Alma, who lives at Alton, Ill. Mr. Miner died March 2, 1870, and his widow died January 29, 1878.

In addition to his Jersey County property, Mr. Miner owned 800 acres of fine timberland near La Crosse, Wis., 320 acres in Clay County, Ill., and 160 acres near Pawnee, Christian County, Ill. Miss Martha Alma Miner inherited a portion of the home farm, but for many years she has lived at Alton, renting her farm. The family is one of the most honored in Jersey and other counties, and the name of Miner stands for integrity and uprightness, and a high standard of morality.

MITZEL, August F., one of the enterprising business men of Jerseyville, is profitably engaged in the manufacture of soda water, and has built up a very large trade. He was born at St. Louis, Mo., June 22, 1868, a son of Gustave and Walbruga (Schneider) Mitzel, natives of Baden, Germany, who came to the United States by way of New Or¬ leans, and settled at St. Louis, Mo., about 1847. The father died during the winter of 1869-70, and his family continued to live at St. Louis. The mother died in 1913, at Festus, Mo., when she was eightv-five years old.

August F. Mitzel attended a parochial school in St. Louis, and began to be self supporting when only twelve years old, working in a brick yard for two years. He then went into the steel mills in South St. Louis, and remained there until he left for Festus, Mo., where he learned the soda water manufacturing business. In 1894 he came to J erseyville, and with his brother-in-law, Fred Schafer, embarked in the manufacture of soda water and all kinds of soft drinks. Two years later he bought out his brother-in-law, and has conducted the business alone ever since. He has a large trade at Fidelity, Kane, Nutwood, Rosedale, Otterville, McClusky, Dow, Medora, and supplies all of Jer¬ sey ville. The quality of his product is of so superior character that it commands excellent prices.

On October 16, 1895, Mr. Mitzel was married to Sarah M. Boyer, born at Bloomsdale, St. Genevieve County, Mo., August 23, 1871, a daughter of Jacob L. and Martha (Boyer) Boyer, born in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Mitzel became the parents of the following children : Francis, who lives at Detroit, Mich. ; and Blanche, Marie, Irene, Agnes, Harold, Leona, Pauline, Raymond and Mildred, all of whom are at home. Mr. and Mrs. Mitzel are Catholics. Politically he is a Demo¬ crat and served as an oil inspector of Jersey ville for three years. Fra¬ ternally he belongs to the Elks, the Western Catholic Union and the Owls.

MORGAN, Alfred, who, for many years was a prosperous farmer of Jersey County, owning and operating eighty acres of land, is now a resident of Jerseyville. He was born in England, in June, 1842, a son of George and Elizabeth (Morgan) Morgan, both of whom died in England. In 1865 Alfred Morgan came to the United States, having been educated in the excellent public schools of his native land, and spent his two first years in America in Clinton County, Ohio. In 1867 he came to Kane, Ill., where he engaged in farming, and for about five years worked as a farmer by the month, and then assumed charge of the farm owned by a widow named Green. In 1890 Mr. Morgan came to English Township, and bought his present farm of eighty acres of improved land. There he carried on general farming until the spring of 1918, when he had a public sale and moved to Jerseyville, where he bought the E. C. Jewsbury property on West Pearl Street where he now lives. He rented his farm to his son-inlaw, who now rents 440 acres of land.

In 1877 Mr. Morgan was married to Anna Huitt, born in Greene County, a daughter of Roland and Meddie Huitt, natives of Greene County. One child, Anna, now Mrs. Sidney Jenkins, of Colorado, was born to this marriage. Mrs. Morgan died in 1878. In 1884 Mr. Morgan was married (second) to Eliza Illger, born at Boston, Lincoln¬ shire, England, a daughter of Robert and Eliza (Illger) Illger. After the death of Mr. Illger, Mrs. Illger was married to William Evison. In 1868 Mrs. Morgan, then a girl, joined her mother at Kane, 111., and remained with her until her marriage to Mr. Mor.gan. By his second marriage, Mr. Morgan became the father of the following children : Sarah Matilda, who married Asa Beckner, of English Town¬ ship ; Bertha May, who is at home; Jessie Agnes, who is a clerk in the Smith & Irvin dry goods store at Kane, Ill., and Amy Alberta, who is a teacher in the public school. The family all belong to the Baptist Church. Mr. Morgan is a Democrat and has served as a school director for about fifteen years. He is a man widely and favorably known and stands very high in public confidence.

MOURNING, Thomas D., a general farmer and stockraiser of Eng¬ lish Township, and one of the large landowners of Jersey County, is a very highly respected citizen. He was born in Lincoln County, Mo., January 28, 1858, a son of William R. and Sally (Barker) Mourn¬ ing, he born in Virginia and she in Lincoln County, Mo., to which county William R. Mourning was taken in boyhood by his parents. In 1860, owing to sectional feeling, he moved to Calhoun County, Ill., and a few years later came to Jersey County, settling near Rosedale, but finally located in English Township, where he bought land and later died. Ilis children were as follows : Richard, who lives at Jer¬ sey ville; Euphrasia, who is deceased; Thomas D. ; Jasper, who lives in English Township; Jennie, who is deceased; and James, William and Sarah, who are living on the homestead.

Thomas D. Mourning never received proper educational advan¬ tages, but he made the best of his opportunities such as they were. When he was seventeen years old he worked as a farm laborer by the month, and so continued for five years, then rented land and farmed, remaining in English Township for six years. Later he bought eighty acres of land on which were no buildings so he had to erect the necessary ones, and he operates this farm in addition to one of 240 acres owned by Colonel Fulkerson, and on it he carries on general farming and stockraising.

On October 14, 1885, Mr. Mourning was married to Jennie Kelley, born in Greene County, Ill., a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Seago) Kelley. Mr. and Mrs. Mourning became the parents of the following children : Lovie, who is Mrs. William Fritz, of English Township ; Charles and Lester, who live in Jersey Township; Viola, who is Mrs. George Geier, of Montana; Jesse, who is deceased; Florence, who is Mrs. William Waters, of Jersey Township; Lottie and Vita, who are deceased ; Emigene, who is at home ; Edna, who is deceased ; Harold, who is deceased; Russell; and Nettie, Hazel, Lois, Melvin, Ruth and Howard, who are at home. Mr. Mourning belongs to Bethany Baptist Church, of which he is a trustee. In politics he is a Democrat, while fraternally he belongs to the Kane Camp, M. W. A. and the Protective League, also of Kane. A hardworking, thrifty man, he has honorably earned all he possesses, and has also gained the confidence and respect of his neighbors.

NELSON, Theodore A., one of the reliable business men of Jersey County, has built up a valuable connection as a contractor and resides at Jerseyville. He was born at the county seat, January 7, 1875, a son of Conrad and Jennie (McCann) Nelson, natives of Sweden and Jersey County, respectively. Conrad Nelson came to the United States in young manhood, in 1863, and upon his arrival, enlisted in the Union army in the Civil War, being then twenty years old. He and his wife had the following children: Gussie E., Dora E., Theodore A., Edwin, Catherine, Carl, Frank, Charles, Or] an S., Mae. After his discharge from the army, Conrad Nelson began working at his trade of a plas- terer which he had learned in Sweden, and was thus engaged for many years. He is still living in Jersey County, but his wife died April 24, 1914.

Theodore A. Nelson attended the Jersey ville schools until he was sixteen years old, when he began an apprenticeship under his father, and remained with him until 1900, when he went to Lamar, Col., and worked at his trade. Later he returned to Jerseyville, but in a short time went to Springfield and worked at his trade there for five years. Once more he came back to Jerseyville, and has since resided here, being still engaged at working as a plasterer, and now contracting.

Mr. Nelson was married July 3, 1903, to Miss Mabel A. Ballow, who was born in Greene County, Ill., July 6, 1885, and comes of French and German extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have one son, Winifred R., who was born November 23, 1910. Mr. Nelson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican, and fra¬ ternally he belongs to the W. 0. W. and the Owls.

NEWLAND, Joseph W., mayor of Grafton, and agent of the C. P. & St. Louis Railroad, is one of the sound and reliable men, of Jersey County, and stands high in public esteem. He was born at Crab Or¬ chard, Ky., July 4, 1880, a son of John A. Newland, born in Kentucky. A civil engineer by profession, he was in the service of the government and stationed at Hot Springs, Ark., and later assisted in locating the route of the L. & N. Railroad in eastern Kentucky. Politically he was a Democrat, while his fraternal relations were with the Masonic order. He was married to Virginia Alice Thomas, who was born at Madison, Ind. Their children were as follows: Frederick Dudley, who is de¬ ceased: Anna Martha, who resides at Cincinnati, Ohio; Joseph W. ; and Allie May and Bessie, both of whom are deceased. The father is de¬ ceased but the mother survives and is agent for the C. P. & St. L. Rail¬ road at Elsah, Ill., having formerly been agent for the L. & N. Rail¬ road at Crab Orchard, Ky., for twenty years,- and the first agent teleg¬ rapher employed by the L. & N. Railroad.

Until he was sixteen years old, Joseph W. Newland attended school, and then he began learning telegraphy, and his first position was at New Haven, Ky., with the L. & N. Railroad, with which he remained as agent and operator until 1906, when he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad at McHenry, Ill. Later he was with the C. H. & D. Railroad as division agent, at Dayton, Ohio, and in 1912 came to Grafton to assume his present position. In 1916 Mr. Newland was elected mayor of Grafton, and is giving the city an extremely good ad¬ ministration. It has always been his practice to cast his vote for the man best suited for office, rather than hold himself down by party lines. Fraternally he is a Mason, and the Methodist Episcopal Church holds his membership. Mr. Newland was married to Miss Maude Render, who was born at McHenry, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Newland have two children: Virginia Belle, who was born December 11, 1911; and Joseph W., who was born July 29, 1913.

NITSCHKE, Paul J., one of the most successful meat packers and farmers of Jersey County, has a farm that is a model of its kind in every respect. He was born in Germany, May 6, 1869, a son of Frank and Louisa (Timpner) Nitschke, natives of Germany, who died in that country.

In 1889 Paul J. Nitschke came to the United States, landing in New York City, from whence he made his way to Syracuse, N. Y., where he worked for a butcher for a year. He then went to Kansas City, Mo., working there at butchering for six months, after which he came to Jerseyville. From February 29, 1892, until 1896 he was employed in a meat market, and then on May 21 of the latter year, he embarked in a meat business for himself, doing all of his own butchering. Since then he has increased the capacity of his plant, and has everything modern in every respect, and controls the largest trade in the country. This plant was erected by Mr. Nitschke and is one of the finest of its kind, with cold storage facilities. He feeds 100 head of cattle and the same number of hogs, and constantly buys live stock in Jersey and Greene counties, and ships principally to St. Louis markets. He also breeds and raises fancy chickens. His farm of twentytwo and one-half acres on the edge of Jersey ville, contains his resi¬ dence, slaughter houses, silos and other buildings. The silos are two fine concrete structures of modern design. In addition to his own land, he farms about fifty acres adjoining.

On April 20, 1893, Mr. Nitschke was married to Anna C. Schattgen, born at Jerseyville, a daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Schattgen, natives of Germany and New York, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Nitschke have the following children: Louisa, who is a public school teacher; Frank, who is serving his country in the World War; and Josephine, Catherine and Paul, who are at home. In politics, Mr. Nitschke is a Republican, and he served as a member of the city coun¬ cil from the Second Ward for two terms. He is a Catholic. Mr. Nitschke attributes his success to the fact that he has always kept busy, has never wasted time or money, and has always given an active, personal supervision to every department of his business.

NOBLE, George W., one of the representative residents of Jersey¬ ville, has been successfully engaged in farming in Jersey County all of his mature years. He was born in Otter Creek Township, in April, 1861, a son of Caleb and Ruth (Cadwalder) Noble, he born in Adams County, Miss., and she in Fulton County, Ill. The paternal grand¬ parents, Henry and Mary (Swayze) Noble came to Jersey County in an early day, having previously freed their slaves. The maternal grand¬ parents were John and Mary (Branson ( Cadwalder, natives of Fulton and Sangamon counties, Ill., respectively. On April 3, 1833, Henry Noble and his wife came to Grafton, Ill., and settled on a farm he had bought, located three-quarters of a mile northwest of Otterville. Henry Noble died on this farm.

Otterville, and continued to operate it for many years. In the fall of 1865 he was elected associate judge of Jersey County. He and his wife were spared to live together for thirty-two years, having been married in 1858, and he died in 1890. Since his demise, the wid¬ owed mother and two of her daughters and her son George W. Noble, have lived together. There were ten children born to Caleb Noble and his wife, namely: C. Wq who lives in Otter Creek Township; George W. ; Mary, who is Mrs. C. C. Calhoun, of Otter Creek Town¬ ship; Olivia, who is Mrs. John Lurton, of Fargo, N. D. ; Addie F., who is living with her mother; F. II., who is living in California; Jay M., who lives in Otter Creek Township ; Clark, who lives at Portland, Ore. ; Ruth, who is living with her mother; and Lillie, who died in child¬ hood.

George W. Noble attended the primary school founded by Dr. Silas Hamilton at Otterville. When his father died he received ninety acres of land as his share of the estate, and he conducts this farm, together with the remaining 260 acres of the homestead. Until 1914 the family lived on the farm, but that year they moved to Jerseyville, where they have since made their home. Mr. Noble has never married. He belongs to the Otter Creek Methodist Church, which he has served as trustee and steward, and he has also taught in the Sunday school. Politically he is a Democrat, and has served Otter Creek Township for one year as supervisor.

O'DONNELL, Thomas, one of the best examples of self made men Jersey County affords, is residing just outside the city of Grafton, lie was born in Ireland, in April, 1855, and was brought by his mother to the United States when he was but a few years old. The family located first at Camden, Ark., and then spent four years at Texarcana, Ark. Still later Thomas O'Donnell went to Chicago, Ill., where he entered the dry goods business and conducted an establishment of his own, specializing on Irish linens. Subsequently he went on the road, and traveled through Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois until 1883, when he bought 140 acres of land just outside of Grafton, and conducted it until 1917, when he sold, but still occupies the residence upon the property. While the family was residing in the South, during the Civil War, Mr. O'Donnell's father served three years in the Confederate army.

On July 20, 1880, Mr. O'Donnell was married to Margaret Quinn, who was born in Illinois, November 18, 1861. Her father was a farmer and she has one brother, Anthony Quinn, who lives at Jerseyville, Ill.; and two sisters, namely: Mrs. Archibald Ely, who lives at Jerseyville; and Mrs. Martin Timmons, who lives at Kansas City, Mo. The Catholic Church holds Mr. O'Donnell's membership. Politically he is a Demo¬ crat. A man of industry and thrift he has earned all he possesses through his own unaided exertions, and at the same time firmly es¬ tablished himself in the respect of his associates and neighbors, by whom he is very highly regarded.

PAGE, Joseph M., ex-mayor of Jersey ville, editor and proprietor of the Jersey County Democrat, and one of the most patriotic and representative men of this section of the state, was born at Stoughton, Mass., May 20, 1845. He was unfortunate enough to lose his father when he was but three years old, but was reared carefully by his widowed mother, who saw to it that he attended the public schools until he was sixteen years old. Although but a mere lad at the out¬ break of the Civil War, his patriotism was so great that he endeavored to serve his country, and tried to enlist in the Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry and then in the Thirty-fifth Massachusetts Volun¬ teer Infantry, but wTas refused by both organizations. At the age of eighteen he came west to Illinois, and obtained employment on a farm in the vicinity of Greenville, Bond County, leaving this work later on to go to St. Louis, Mo., where he engaged with a wholesale grocery establishment. Once more he offered his services to his country, and they were accepted in August, 1864, and he became a member of the Fortieth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and remained in the army until his honorable discharge in August, 1865, after the war had ended. He was twice promoted, to corporal and sergeant.

During the spring of 1866, Mr. Page came to Jersey ville, having at that time just a quarter, "two bits," as his capital, but he im¬ mediately apprenticed himself to the carpenter trade. For the first six months his instructor was William Embley, who then turned his young apprentice over to N. F. (Nick) Smith, receiving from the latter $15 per week for his services, although he only paid the young man $2 per week for two and one half years. So faithful and efficient did Mr. Page prove, however, that when the apprenticeship was ended, Mr. Smith hired him at $18 per week, and made him his foreman. Until 1877 Mr. Page continued to work at his trade, but in that year he was elected city marshal because of the great labor strike filling the city of Jersey ville with foreign tramps and held that office for three years, resigning in October, 1880, upon his purchase of the Jersey County Democrat, of which he still continues owner and editor. Fur¬ ther political honors awaited him, for in 1887, he was elected mayor of Jerseyville, and was re-elected to that office three times, and had he followed the wishes of the people he would have continued in that office for a much longer period. While occupying the office, a City Hall was built, the waterworks and electric light system inaugurated and completed, and when he returned to private life, he organized the Jerseyville Telephone Company. In 1912 he was again elected mayor and in two years put in $100,000 of vitrified brick paving and extended the water mains one mile and the sewers two miles. At present Mr. Page is master-in-chancery of the Circuit Court, having held that office for thirty-three years, and he is otherwise identified with Jersey County enterprises. In 1897 he organized the Cold Spring Gold Mining and Tunnel Company of Denver Colo., which owns 420 acres of valuable mining land, and has a paid up capital of

On March 26, 1871, Mr. Page was married to Miss Sadie M. Remer, a daughter of Abram Remer of Jersey ville. Mr. and Mrs. Page have one son, Theodore H., who is a physician and surgeon in active prac¬ tice in Peoria, Ill., and now a captain in the U. S. Medical Reserve Corps, at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga. Mr. Page was secretary of the Illinois Press Association, for twenty-four years and afterwards president and corresponding secretary of the National Editorial Association for fifteen years. He is now a member of the State Highway Advisory Board of five, that will control the $60,000,000 bond issue; county chairman of the State Council of Defense and County Food Adminis¬ trator, these offices being honorary without salary.

PEARCE, Gilbert Ray, who is a general farmer and dairyman of Jersey Township, owns eighty acres, and farms it and additional land. He was born in Fidelity Township, May 19, 1897, a son of Gilbert Drew and Hattie S. (Miller) Pearce, natives of England and Macoupin County, Ill., respectively. Gilbert Drew Pearce came to Jersey County when he was eighteen years old and began farming. After his marriage, he located on a farm in Fidelity Township, which he conducted for several years and then bought eighty acres in Jersey Township, living upon it until 1908, when he moved to Jerseyville, where he lived in re¬ tirement until his death, which occurred in February, 1911. His widow survives and makes her home at Jerseyville. Their children were as follows: Grover P., who lives in Fidelity Township; Gilbert Ray; Wylmot S., who lives with his mother ; and Marion D., who is also living with his mother.

After attending the grammar and high schools of his locality, Gilbert Ray Pearce, at the age of twenty years, went into a butchering busi¬ ness at Shipman, Ill., but a year later went to Oakland, Cal., and worked there and at Los Angeles for a year at lumbering. Still later, he returned to Shipman, Ill., and for the subsequent two years was en¬ gaged in a real estate business, and then took possession of the eightyacre farm in Jersey Township, owned by his father, and since then has carried on general farming and dairying.

On October 9, 1912, Mr. Pearce was married to Hattie Irene Boswell, born in Hillvard Township, Macoupin County, Ill., February 26, 1888, a daughter of John M. and Hannah M. (Smith) Boswell, natives of England and Bunker Hill, Ill., respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce have two daughters, namely : Pauline Margaret, who was born May 17, 1914 ; and Harriet Vivian, who was born March 28, 1916. Mrs. -Peaice is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Pearce is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason, being connected with the lodge at Shipman, Ill. He is a man of enterprise and experience, and is making a success of his present undertakings.

PIGGOTT, Andrew Begole, now deceased, was for a number of years prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Jer¬ sey County, owning and operating a valuable farm in Jersey Town¬ ship of 160 acres. He was born in St. Clair County, Ill., July 6, 1856, a son of Levi and Mary (Begole) Piggott. Andrew B. Piggott attended the district schools of his native locality, and came to Jersey County in young manhood, to join his parents who had bought a farm in Fidelity Township, remaining with them, until he was married, May 15, 1889, to Elizabeth J. McCollister, born in Fidelity Township, May 9, 1862, a daughter of Isaac and Sylvia (North) Mc¬ Collister, he born in Lewis County, N. Y., and she on Apple Creek Prairie, near White Hall, Ill. Mrs. Piggott 's grandparents were John and Mary (Fay) McCollister, and Asahel and Prudence (Swallow) North, who were all early settlers of Greene County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. McCollister, parents of Mrs. Piggott, were married near AVhite Hall, Ill., and settled in Rugle Township, Greene County, from whence ten years later they moved to Fidelity Township, where they bought a farm. She died there March 6, 1880, and he died December 4, 1900.

After his own marriage, Mr. Piggott rented the Piggott homestead in Fidelity Township until 1891, when he moved to 120 acres of im¬ proved land in Jersey Township, part of Isaac McCollister 's estate. Here he made many improvements, including the erection of a resi¬ dence and barns, and developed a very valuable property. After his death, June 15, 1905, his widow and the children moved to Jerseyville, renting the farm, but in the spring of 1917 they returned to it and the sons are operating it, doing general farming and stockraising. Mr. and Mrs. Piggott had the following children born to them: Homer C., born June 16, 1891, who died at the age of twentyfour years; Mary, born November 17, 1892; Charles, born June 27, 1894; Leslie, born November 4, 1895, who are all at home; Mabel, who died in infancy, December 25, 1899 ; and Raymond, who is also at home, was born November 20, 1902. Mary, Charles and Leslie were all graduated from the Jerseyville High school, and were given a business training as well. Mrs. Piggott attended the public schools and went to the high school for one year. She is a member of the Meth¬ odist Episcopal Church, but her husband belonged to the Baptist Church. In politics he was a Republican and he belonged to the Grange.

POGUE, Harrison Warren. Jersey County not only has some very distinguished men at present living within its confines, but the list of those who have assisted in making its history, shows that there^have been equally prominent ones in the past, among whom must be num¬ bered the late Judge Harrison Warren Pogue. Mr. Pogue was born in 1861, a son of William H. and Mary A. (Warren) Pogue. Attending the Jerseyville schools, he was graduated from its high school in 1882. Deciding upon a legal career, he began reading law in the office of Warren & Pogue in the fall of 1882, and having passed the neces- sary examinations, he was admitted to the bar at the May term of the Supreme court in 1886. Immediately thereafter he entered upon a general practice, which extended over Jersey and surrounding counties. His offices were in the same building his grandfather, Judge George E. Warren and his father, Judge William II. Pogue occupied, and he lived up to the high standards set by these distinguished attorneys.

Judge Harrison AArarren Pogue early displayed those qualities which later so eminently fitted him for the discharge of public duties, and recognition of his ability was shown in his election to the office of state's attorney at a special election held in 1887, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of A. A. Goodrich upon his election to the office of county judge upon the death of William H. Pogue, September 21, 1887, who was then the county judge. So ably did Judge Pogue serve in this capacity, that he was re-elected twice, going out of office in December, 1896. In 1910 he was elected county judge of Jersey County, and held that office until 1916. His death occurred November 21, 1916.

POHLMAN, William J., manager of the telephone system of Graf¬ ton, and one of the reliable men of Jersey County, is held in high es¬ teem by all who know him. He was born in Calhoun County, Ill., March 27, 1885, a son of Barney and Ida (Seiferman) Pohlman, the latter of whom was born in Calhoun County. These parents had the following children: Katie. Rose, Herman, Alary, Frank, Joseph, Stanis¬ laus and William J. The family belongs to St. Mary's Catholic Church, and the father is a Democrat. He is engaged in operating his farm in Calhoun County.

Until he was thirteen years old, William J. Pohlman attended St. Joseph's Catholic School, and then commenced farming. He married Miss Mary Fortschnieder, who was born in Calhoun County, and they had the following children born to them : Gertrude, Bernhard, and George William, the latter being deceased. After his marriage, Air. Pohlman was engaged in the retail liquor business at Brussels, Ill., closing it out to go on the police force, where he continued for two years. Leaving Brussels, he came to Grafton and assumed charge of the telephone system. He has 145 subscribers, and handles long dis¬ tance and country calls, and has both the Bell and Kinlock systems. In politics Air. Pohlman is a Democrat, and was elected to the council from the First Ward in 1916. The Catholic Church holds his mem¬ bership. A man of progressive ideas, he has fogged ahead, and is giv¬ ing the people of Grafton and vicinity a very effective service, and his value to his community is unquestioned.

POST, Caleb Alanson, now deceased, was for many years a capable agriculturist of Jersey County, and during his latter days a resident of Jerseyville. He was born in Jersey County, Ill., November 24, 1834, a son of James and Ardelia (Whitford) Post, natives of Vermont, who came to Jersey County in 1833, settling on the farm where their son Caleb A. grew to manhood.

During his boyhood Caleb A. Post attended the district schools, and he made himself useful assisting his father. Later he attended an east¬ ern college. Marrying early, he located on a farm in Jersey County, but some years later traded it for 180 acres of land in Macoupin Coun¬ ty. In four years he returned to Jersey County. At one time he owned 650 acres in Nebraska, and 280 acres three miles northeast of Jerseyville, but in 1903 he sold the latter farm and bought three acres of land in the northeastern part of Jersevville, where he resided until death claimed him October 15, 1908.

Mr. Post was four times married. Ilis first wife died within six weeks of her marriage, and he later was married to Mary Norris and they had seven children, five of whom survive. After her death, he was married to Mrs. Maggie (Murray) Murphy, and they had five children, four of whom survive. The third Mrs. Post dying, Mr. Post was married on September 9, 1894, to Mrs. Mattie A. (Springate) (Benson) Young. She was born in Jersey County, Ill., a daughter of Arthur M. and Caroline (Davis) Springate, natives of Jersey Comity. Mrs. Post was first married to Robert A. Benson and they had two children, namely: Clara E., who is Mrs. Fred L. Brooks, of Jersey Township; and Robert A., who lives with his mother. After the death of Mr. Benson, Mrs. Benson was married to James A. Young, but they had no issue. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Post spent many happy years together, and she greatly misses the companionship of the kindly man taken from her by death. He was a Mason, a Baptist and a Republican.

POWELL, John, one of the respected retired residents of Jerseyville, has borne an important part in the life of the county. He was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, February 15, 1836, a son of John J. and Dorcas (Rigney) Powell, natives of Berkley County, Va., and Barnesville, Md., respectively. During the AYar of 1812, John J. Powell served his country as a soldier, and was at Washington at the time it was partially destroyed by fire by the enemy. In 1828 John J. Powell was married to Hattie Clark, who bore him' five children. She died in \ irginia, and he later moved to the present site of Miami, Ohio, where he was married (second) to Dorcas Rigney In the spring of 1836 he moved to Jersey County, Ill., where he bought land north of Fieldon and there he erected a grist-mill. His death occurred February 18, 1864, he having been born in 1771. The mother died at Los Angeles, Cal., in 1898.

In 1852 John Powell moved to what is now Fort Buford, Mont., going in a train of 380 wagons. He was engaged in teaming in Mon¬ tana for two seasons, and then returned to Jersey County by ox-teams, arriving December 23, 1854. For a time he was engaged in farming and then went to steamboating on the Mississippi, thence to Missouri and back to Illinois, studying river navigation. In November, 1861, lie enlisted in Company G, Sixty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry under General Prentiss for service during the Civil War, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Davis Bridge and Iuka, and was at Vicksburg during the siege of that city. Following the capitulation of Vicksburg, he was transferred to General Steele's division, and as¬ sisted in capturing Little Rock, Ark. ; was in the engagement at Arkaclelphia, Ark. where the division built a pontoon bridge across Cow's Horn Bend. Returning to Little Rock, his regiment was sent thence to Clairington, Ark., where they had an engagement and a gunboat was burned, and the command returned to Little Rock, and was then sent to Cairo, Ill. Going on to St. Louis, the command was sent to Alton, Ill., and thence to Nashville, Tenn., and then to Murplieysboro and Franklin. During this period Mr. Powell received his commission as second lieutenant, and with forty men was sent to Overall Creek, where he captured some of the enemy, but was wounded by a gunshot in the right arm. On September 8, 1865, he received his honorable discharge at Nashville, Tenn., and was mustered out of the service at Springfield, Ill., September 8, 1865. Returning to Fieldon, he worked as a carpenter for a time and also at coopering, his employers in the latter being John and Henry Belt. Leaving Jersey County, he went on a 280 acre farm in Greene County, where his first wife died in 1870. Mr. Powell in 1872 went to New Orleans, La., to help build the Great Northern Railroad to run through Texas and Old Mexico, but in 1884 he returned to Jerseyville, and later went to Pasadena, Cal., where he built a hotel, when once more he returned to Jersejwille where he has since lived.

On September 28, 1857, Mr. Powell was married to Harriet Varble, born in Greene County, Ill,, a daughter of William and Matilda Varble, natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Powell had the following children : John J., who is deceased; William, who lives at Marked Tree, Ark.; Jerome B., who died in infancy; and George and Asa, who are also de¬ ceased. Mr. Powell was married (second) to Anna E. Patterson Snow, widow of Samuel Snow. For four years Mr. Powell served Jerseyville as constable, and he was city marshal for four years and alderman for one term, being elected to all these offices on the Democratic ticket. In 1870 he joined Kane Lodge No. 192, A. F. & A. M., and he also be¬ longs to the Grand Army Post.

POWEL, Joseph Samuel, now deceased, formerly of Jerseyville, was successfully engaged in agricultural operations in Jersey County for a number of years. He was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., August 27, 1847, a son of Oliver Perry and Sarah E. (Russell) Powel, natives of Tennessee. In 1848 they started with teams to Jersey County, the grandparents, Samuel and Margaret Powel and Joseph and Margaret Russell, coming along. The men rode on horseback, and the women and children were in the wagons. Upon their arrival they took up government land in Jersey County and grandfather Russell also en- tered land in Iowa, and in St. Louis County, Mo. The land entered in Jersey County, is still in the Powel family. There Oliver Perry and his wife spent a number of years, but later moved to Jerseyville. Their children were as follows: Joseph Samuel Powel; Robert, who lives at Jerseyville; William, who lives at Appleton, Wis. ; James, who lives in Jersey Township; Minnie, who is Mrs. William Eggleson, of Slater, Mo.; Fannie, who is Mrs. L. F. Wilson, of Folsom, N. M- ; John, who lives in Jersey County, and Cornelia A., who married Clarence Hamilton.

Joseph Samuel Powel attended the school of his neighborhood, and remained with his parents until 1874 when he was married and moved six miles southeast of Jerseyville on a farm of 160 acres which Mrs. Powel owned, and he conducted it until the fall of 1912, when he moved to Jersevville where he resided, until his death, September 7, 1918.

On October 1, 1874, Mr. Powel was married to Antoinette Van Horne, of Jersey County, a daughter of James and Nancy (Wilson) Van Horne, born in New York. For eleven years Mrs. Powel took tender care of her mother who had become blind and helpless from paralysis. Mr. and Mrs. Pov'el became the parents of the following children: James, who lives at Jerseyville, is in an insurance business; George, who conducts a livery establishment ; Cora, who is Mrs. Harry T. Darby, of Mississippi Township ; Carrie, who is Mrs. Herbert G. Neely, of Jerseyville ; Sarah, who is Mrs. Truman Scribner, of Mississippi Township; Spencer, who is operating his father's farm; Andrew Wilson, who is in the employ of the Continental Motor Co., of Detroit, Mich.; and Minnie, Russell and Joseph, who are all deceased. In politics Mr. Powel was a Democrat, and he was elected on that ticket and served as school trustee of his township. Fraternally he belonged to the Odd Fellows and the Encampment, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and formerly was quite active in the Grange. A man of intelligence and excellent ideas, he always took the lead in his community and was held in high esteem by all who knew him.

POWERS, Walter, one of the successful grain farmers of Fidelity Township, has proven his right to be numbered among the leading young agriculturalists of Jersey County. He was born at Alton, Ill., October 12, 1882, a son of Walter and Ellen (McCarthy) Powers. Natives of Ireland, they came to the United States, where they sub¬ sequently married, and after coming to the vicinity of Alton, Ill., bought a farm upon which they lived, and where six children were born to them. They then bought 160 acres of land in Fidelity Town¬ ship, where the father died in October, 1899, the mother surviving him until 1906. Their children were as follows: John J. and Naomi, who both live at St. Louis, Mo. ; Nellie, who is now deceased, was Mrs. T. C. Maloney; Kate, who lives at St. Louis, Mo.; William, who lives in Fidelity Township; Walter; Edward, who lives at St. Louis; Lizzie,

Walter Powers attended school in his native district, and in Fidelity Township, and remained with his parents until April 12, 1904, when he was united in marriage with Mary Hart, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a daughter of James and Mary (Maley) Hart. Following his marriage Mr. Powers rented 205 acres of land in Fidelity Township, and in 1907 he rented the L. G. Wilkinson farm in the same township, compris¬ ing 400 acres, which he still operates, doing grain farming and rais¬ ing horses, cattle and hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Powers have the following children: James, Mary Ellen, John, William Francis. A Catholic, Mr. Powers belongs to the church of his faith at Shipman. In politics he is a Democrat, while his fraternal relations are with the Modem Wood¬ men of America, at Fidelity, Ill.

REARDON, Francis Gerald Griffin, one of the leading attorneys of Jersey County, is a young man of sterling and upright character and is a very highly respected member of his profession. He was born August 10, 1883, at Boynton Center, Tazewell County, Ill., and aside from the time spent in attaining his education and in the practice of the law, has been occupied largely in farm work. His parents, Bryan and Anna (Flemming) Reardon, were natives of the counties of Tip¬ perary and Waterford, Ireland respectively. They came to the United States shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War, and Capt. John Reardon and Edward Flemming, Jr., brothers, respectively of Bryan and Anna (Flemming) Reardon, were soldiers in the Union Army.

The grandparents were Daniel and Margaret (Keefe) Reardon and Edward and Honora (Cooney) Flemming. Daniel Reardon, with his family, emigrated to America and settled on the Delavan Prairie, in Tazewell County of this state. Edward Flemming, having died in the old country, the mother, Honora, wishing her children to have better opportunities than were offered in Ireland, decided to try their for¬ tunes in America, and came to the United States with all of them, except her eldest daughter, Anna, who was then eleven years old, and located at Pekin, Ill. Anna, two years later, after a long and perilous journey alone from Ireland, joined her mother at the new home of the family in Illinois.

After his marriage, Bryan Reardon settled on a farm in Ilopedale Township, Tazewell County, and later moved to his farm at Boynton Center in the same county. Here he died July 10, 1906, but his widow survives and still makes her home on the farm. Their children were as follows : Edward E.. who lives in Oklahoma City, Okla. ; Michael, who lives at Delavan, Ill.; Neal Daniel, who lives at Omaha, Neb.; Bryan, who died March 22, 1904, aged twenty-eight years ; William J., who lives at Pekin, Ill.; Clarence H., who lives west of Fieldon, in Jer¬ sey County; Charles Carroll, who lives on the homestead; and Francis Gerald Griffin, of Jersey ville, who was the youngest.

is more intimately known among liis personal acquaintances, entered the high school at Delavan, which school on different occasions he suc¬ cessfully represented both in athletics and debating. He was gradu¬ ated therefrom as valedictorian of his class. Following this he matric¬ ulated at the University of Illinois, and took his degree of A. B. in the College of Science in 1910. After finishing the course in general science, he studied law there for one year, and then entered the John Marshall Law School at Chicago, where he took a year's course. The following year was spent in the College of Law in the Wesleyan Uni¬ versity at Bloomington, Ill., from which he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1912. Immediately thereafter he was admitted to the practice of law in this state, and entered actively into this pro¬ fession at Pekin, Ill., where for a short period he was associated with his elder brother, William, then state's attorney of Tazewell County.

In the spring of 1913, Gerald Reardon came to Jersey County, went on a tract of land in the Nutwood Drainage and Levee District, in Richwoods Township, and helped to improve and clear the same for agricultural purposes. Shortly after locating on the farm he was chosen drainage and levee commissioner of the district, and while there, in the latter part of 1913 and 1914, combined the duties of this office with his work of reclaiming land for farm purposes.

Mr. Reardon, while attending the universities, took a very active part in the social, literary and scientific functions of those institutions. When at the University of Illinois he became a member of Phi Kappa fraternity. He also belonged to Philomathean Literary Society of that institution and took a very active part in a number of debates and other oratorical contests during his collegiate career. He was a mem¬ ber of the Chemistry Club, a scientific organization of the university, the members of which applied themselves to the study and investiga¬ tion of scientific matters pertaining to chemistry and other studies closely allied thereto. He was also a member of the Athletic Asso¬ ciation.

On April 1, 1915, he became associated with Will T. Sumner in the practice of law at Jerseyville. He took the place of Thomas F. Ferns, who retired from the legal firm of Ferns & Sumner, and since then Mr. Reardon has devoted himself to the practice of his profession with remarkable distinction. The people of the city of Jerseyville, in the spring of 1917, adopted the commission form of government. Mr. Reardon was chosen corporation counsel by the new administration and serves the city in that capacity and as legal advisor under the new regime.

REED, Edwin E., a prosperous farmer of Jersey County, owns 160 acres of land, one-half mile outside of Dow, Ill. He was born in Jersey County, June 3, 1860, a son of Joseph 0. and Nancy L. (McDow) Reed. Joseph O. Reed was born in Virginia, and came to Jersey County with his parents, here following farming. His wife was a sister of j. II. McDow, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. About eighteen years before his death, Joseph 0. Reed moved to Cowley County, Kas., where he passed away. During the Civil War, he served his country as a soldier. In politics he was a Republican, and in fra¬ ternal matters he affiliated with the Odd Fellows. For many years he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Edwin E. Reed attended the district schools until he was seventeen years old, and then went to Shurtleff College for a short period. He was married on October 4, 1882, to Mary Buckles, born in Jersey County, November 8, 1863. Her parents came here from England. After his marriage Mr. Reed went to Kansas and lived there for twentytwo years, then went to Missouri, and spent two years. He was in the employ of the Adams Express Company at Kansas City, and worked for them prior to going to Missouri. Returning to Illinois, Mr. Reed bought his present farm, which he operated until recently when he re¬ tired and moved to Dow.

Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had the following children: Ilallie E., who was born July 21, 1884, is married to Bernice Frank, and their children are, Mary F. and Edwin E. ; Walter I., who was born May 1, 1887, lives at Granite City, Ill., and married Mabel Smith, and they have had one son, Walter, who is deceased; Helen, who was born July 19, 1890, is Mrs. Walter Knight, and she has one son, Joseph E. ; and Clarence B., who was born October 5, 1894, married Maurine Smith. Mr. Reed belongs to the Masons and Elks. He is widely and favorably known, standing very high in public esteem because of his sterling character.

RETTERATH, William J., one of the substantial business men of Jerseyville, and a man widely and favorably known' throughout Jersey County, was born at Evansville, Ind., August 6, 1853, a son of W. J. Retterath who was born in Germany. In young manhood the father came to the United States where he worked as a baker and confectioner. After the death of his first wife in 1854, he changed his location several times, and finally came to Jerseyville, where he died in 1864.

After the death of his father, William J. Retterath lived with his stepmother. He learned the tinner's trade, and worked at it for twenty-nine years for the Daniels' hardware store, doing all kinds of work in his line. In 1914 he entered into the hardware business him¬ self. specializing on tin work of all kinds, and has been very successful.

On September 16, 1876, Mr. Retterath was married to Mary Senger, born in Jersey County, Ill., a daughter of Louis Senger, a native of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Retterath became the parents of the fol¬ lowing children: William L. and Edward, who are deceased; Mabel and Elizabeth, who live at St. Louis, Mo. ; Minnie, who is at home, and Augusta, who is in St. Louis. Mr. Retterath had but few educational advantages, and they were confined to those afforded in the common schools. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, but his daughters are Baptists. In politics he is a Democrat, and fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America.

RHINE, Rcllie Vale, now living in comfortable retirement at Jerseyville, owns a very valuable farm of 120 acres of land in Fidelity Township. He was bom near Bunker Hill, Ill., January 7, 1860. a son of Martin and Ann E. (Jones) Rhine, he born in Cape Girardeau, Mo., and she in England. He came to Macoupin County, Ill., at an early date, while she was brought to Alton, Ill., by her parents, who settled there when there was but one warehouse in the village. After marriage, Martin Rhine and wife located at Carlinville, where he worked at his trade of cabinetmaking. While there he had an unusual and unpleasant experience, for during the cholera epidemic he was forced to work night and day to make a sufficient number of coffins for the burial of the victims of that dread disease. Later on in life he bought a farm near Bunker Hill, Ill., and there he was engaged in farming for many years. When he sold his farm he retired to Shipman, where he died in 1900. His wife had died in 1881.

Rollie Vale Rhine spent his boyhood at home, and attended the dis¬ trict schools. When his mother died he left home, and until 1889 was engaged in working for farmers by the month. He was then married and rented a farm at Rockbridge, Ill., for three years. In 1902 he bought 120 acres on section 12, Fidelity Township. Although this was an improved farm, he made many changes and greatly increased its value, conducting it as a stock and grain farm until 1910 when he moved to Jerseyville, renting his property. Since 1910 he has spent a year at Denver, Col., and in Colorado Springs in the same state.

On January 1, 1889, Mr. Rhine was married to Catharine Chism, born in Maconpin County, Ill., one and one-half miles north of Medora, a daughter of John and Rachel (Skeen) Chism, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Rhine have no children. In politics he is a Democrat, while fraternally he belongs to Medora Camp, M. W. A.

RICH, James Hooper, owner of 160 acres of valuable land in Fidelity Township, belongs to an old and honored family. He wras born in Fidelity Township, in August, 1872, a son of Samuel and Hannah (Grandy) Rich, he born in England, and she in Greene County, 111. He came to America in 1851, making the trip on a sailing vessel which took thirteen weeks to cross the ocean. Landing at New Orleans, lie spent Christmas day of 1851 in that city, and then came up the Mississippi River to Alton. It is interesting to note that the passage from England to New Orleans cost only $3.10, while from New Orleans to Alton, the fare was $11.00. Alton was only a day's trip by boat from St. Louis. Two sisters of his had already made the trip, and one was married to John Hooper of Fidelity Township, and Samuel Rich joined his sisters in Jersey County, Ill.

After his marriage, Samuel Rich bought land, having saved up and added to the $100 he had with him when he arrived in Jersey County, and in time he acquired 860 acres, and lived on his farm until his death. A friend of education, he held the offices of school director and trustee.

He and liis wife had the following children : Clara, who is Mrs. Beeby of Urbana, Ill. ; Elizabeth Birkenmayer, who lives in Fidelity Town¬ ship; William, who lives at Enid, Okla. ; James H. ; Cora, who is Mrs. J. D. Wilson of Christian County, Ill.; and Arthur, who is the twin brother of Cora, lives in Fidelity Township, on the original homestead of his father. Samuel Rich died in 1904, and his widow died in 1913.

Janies H. Rich attended the district schools and one winter at Shnrtleif College, Upper Alton, Ill. In October, 1897, he was married to Alice Thatcher, born in Jersey County, a daughter of Paul C. and Hannah (Van Pelt) Thatcher. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Rich lived on the 160-acre farm they now own, and erected their present residence in a wheat field. They put up all of the other necessary farm buildings, and made many improvements, including the building of suitable fences and the installation of modern farm machinery, so that now they have a very fine property. On it they raise horses, cattle and hogs and carry on general farming. They have one son, Russel T., who was born in November, 1902. Mr. Rich is a Baptist, and served the church for eight years as its treasurer. In politics, he is a Republi¬ can, and fraternally he belongs to Fidelity Camp, M. W. A.

RICHARDS, William P., one of the substantial business men of Jersey ville, is engaged in conducting a poultry, egg and country prod¬ uce establishment and has held a number of positions of responsi¬ bility and trust. He was born at Jerseyville, June 11, 1865, a son of John L. C. and Mary A. (Corbett) Richards, he born at Springfield, N. J., and she at Bristol, R. I. The grandparents, William and Eliza¬ beth (Clark) Richards, were born at Springfield, N. J., and Penuel and Charlotte (Bourne) Corbett, he born at Milford, Mass., in 1789, died at Jerseyville, in May, 1888, and she August 31, 1795, died at Jersey¬ ville, September 1, 1880. In 1855 John L. C. Richards came to Jersey¬ ville, where he carried on contracting and building, and later embarked in a lumber business at Alton, Ill. Enlisting in Company C, One Hun¬ dred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, he served during the Civil War, and was mustered out with the rank of captain. In 1836 the Corbetts came to Jerseyville by boat on the Ohio and Missis¬ sippi rivers to Alton, Ill., and thence by team to Jerseyville. Penuel Corbett was a schoolteacher and he taught the first school in Jersey¬ ville. Later on in life he engaged in farming. The parents of William P. Richards were married at Jerseyville in 1859. Following the close of the Civil War, John L. C. Richards continued his contracting busi¬ ness and was postmaster of Jerseyville from 1877 to 1882. He was the organizer of the G. A. R. Post at Jerseyville, and also served as captain of a militia company organized at Jerseyville. In 1883 he moved to Missouri and later to Colorado Springs, Colo., where he died October 12, 1908. His wife died in Missouri October 12, 1894.

William P. Richards attended the grammar and the high school of Jerseyville, and after he was graduated from the latter, he was a clerk and assistant postmaster from 1883 to 1895. He then conducted a hardware and furniture business under the firm name of Richards, Beaty & Company from 1898 to 1902. During this period he was state agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of Kentucky. In 1898 he established his present business with W. M. Manning as a partner, and has continued it ever since. In 1906 he was appointed post¬ master of Jerseyville and served until 1914. In 1902 he bought a controlling interest in the Jerseyville Republican, with J. AY. Becker. In the winter of 1913, Air. Richards sold the Republican to Krug & Son and since 1914 has devoted his time to his poultry, egg and country produce business, which had assumed large proportions.

On November 6, 1889, Air. Richards was married to Lora A. Cowen, born in Jersey County, Ill., a daughter of Francis M. and Alary (Landon) Cowen, born in Jersey County. The grandparents, AYilliam and Maria (Cory) Cowen, were born in Vermont, and in 1832 came to Jersey County, entering land in Jersey Township, which is still owned and occupied by members of the Cowen family. Air. Cowen died in 1869, and Airs. Cowen in 1867. Air. and Airs. Richards became the parents of two children, namely: Theodore Clark, who is an attorney of New York City; and Bernice, who is Airs. Joseph H. AlcCready of Okmulgee, Okla. Air. Richards belongs to the First Presbyterian Church of Jerseyville, of which he is an elder, and he is superintendent of the Sunday school. A Republican, he has served two terms as a member of the city council. A thirty-second degree Mason in good standing, he has also attained to the Knight Templar degree, and is also a Sliriner, and belongs to the Afodern AVoodmen of America. As both of his great-grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers, he is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

ROADY, John, for many years a successful general farmer of Fidel¬ ity Township, now living retired on his farm, was born in Knox County, Tenn., May 4, 1846, a son of Nathaniel L. and Rebecca (Long) Roady, natives of eastern Tennessee who came to Jersey County in the fall of 1851, driving overland and settling on a farm he bought from the original owner who had secured it from the government. There the parents both died. Their children were as follows : Christian, who lives in New Alexico ; Sarah E., who is Airs. AYilliam Moore, a widow, who lives at Fidelity, Ill.; Thomas, who lives at Sunnyside, AYash. ; Peter, who also lives at Sunnyside; Henry, who lives at Denver, Colo.; Fannie, who is Airs. George Clower, of Piasa, Ill.; Alfred, who lives at St. Louis, AIo. ; and John.

John Roady in boyhood had to assist his father in clearing their land of timber, after arrival in the new home, and had but little time to attend school. In 1867 he began renting land and continued to farm on rented land until he bought forty acres. From time to time he added more land until he owned 100 acres in Fidelity Township, and 100 acres of the old homestead which adjoined it, and lived on this property until he sold it and bought eighty acres of finely improved land in Fidelity Township. Here he carried on general farming until 1917, when he rented his farm, but continues to live on it.

On October 21, 1867, Mr. Roady was married to Rebecca Jones, born in Madison County, Ill., a daughter of Thomas and Adeline Jones. Mr. and Mrs. Roady have the following children : Charles, who lives at Alton, Ill. ; Rosa E., who is Mrs. Charles Petty, of southwestern Oklahoma; John, who lives at Alton, Ill.; Dora, who is at home; Grace, who is Mrs. Oliver Strunk, of Medora, Ill. ; and Alice, who is Mrs. Grant Goodman, of Macoupin County, Ill.

Mr. Roady belongs to the Baptist Church at Fidelity, Ill. In pol¬ itics 'he is a Democrat and he has served as road commissioner, school trustee and school director. He is a man well and favorably known throughout the county and deserves the respect and esteem which is' his, for he has been honest, industrious and neighborly and has done his part in advancing the interests of Fidelity Township.

ROBB, Alexander C., who is a representative citizen of Jersey County, has been prominent in business and political circles for many years but is now living retired at Jersey ville. He was born in Greene County, Ill., May 27, 1868, a son of John L. and Elizabeth (Crone) Robb, born near Belfast, Ireland, who were married there, and from there came to Chicago, Ill., early in 1860. Soon thereafter, they located on a farm near Kane, in Greene County. In 1876 they retired from the farm to Kane, Ill., where the mother of Alexander C. died in 1876, the father surviving her until 1907, when he passed away being a resident of Jersey County.

After he had completed the school course at Jerseyville, Alexander C. Robb was a clerk in the postoffice of Jerseyville for two years, and then was connected with coal and lumber interests at the county seat, and in 1914, bought a coal and lumber business at Kane. On Sep¬ tember 1, 1916, he sold his Jerseyville business to F. R. Miller. When the State Bank of Jerseyville was re-organized, he was made its vice president, and held that office until he resigned in the spring of 1917. In 1911 Mr. Robb ran for the office of mayor of Jerseyville, and was defeated, but when he ran again for the same office in 1913, he was elected by the largest majority ever given in this city, and was re¬ elected in 1915, meeting with no opposition. In politics he is a Dem¬ ocrat.

On June 20, 1894, Mr. Robb was married to Capitola Davis, born in Pike County, Ill., a daughter of Levi M. and Sarah (Walk) Davis, he born in Kentucky, and she in Pike County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Robb have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Robb are members of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Boston, Mass. Fraternally he belongs to the Jerseyville Chapter, R. A. M., and the Carrollton Commandery, K. T. He is also a member of the Jerseyville Lodge No. 954, B. P. 0. E., of which he was exalted ruler during 1915 and 1916.

ROERIG, Frank W., now living retired at Jerseyville, is still inter¬ ested in looking after his fine 160-acre farm. He was born at Jerseyville, January 29, 1860, a son of Anthony AY. and Teressa (Zeiser) Roerig, he born in Prussia and she in Germany. During the rebellion of 1848, Anthony AY. Roerig was against the oppressive government, and became one of the leaders for freedom, and was imprisoned but fortunately escaped, and he came to the United States in a sailing vessel. He was four months on the ocean, but finally landed at New Orleans, and from that city he came up the Mississippi River as far as Alton, Ill., and thence overland to Jerseyville. Later he became the regular stage driver between JerseAwille and Alton, so continuing until the building of the Chicago and Alton Railroad. His lasf trip from Alton was on the day and at the hour that the first train left Alton, and he arrived at Jerseyville only an hour behind the train. During his long residence at Jerseyville, he was interested in much of its earlier building activity, and was a very prominent and sub¬ stantial man. His death occurred in 1873, but his wife lived until 1888. Their children were as follows: Fannie, who is Mrs. AY. C. Pfeffer of St. Louis, Mo. ; Frank AY. ; Mary L., who is matron of the State institution at Polk, Pa. ; Teressa J., who is the widow of AY. M. Hanley, of Jerseyville; AVilliam, who lives at San Antonio, Tex., and Anthony, who lives at Jerseyville.

Until he was thirteen years old, Frank AY. Roerig attended the pub¬ lic schools, then began working on a farm, so continuing for three years. He then started to learn the harnessmaking trade, and two years later took up carriage-trimming work. For the succeeding three years he worked as a carriage trimmer, and then started in business as a harness maker, but sold his business December 23, 1903. He lias always been interested in farming and still enjoys looking after his 160-acre farm in Jersey Township, and in addition to it oavus business and residential property in Jerseyville.

On April 19, 1897, Mr. Roerig was married to Anna M. Dreesbach, born at Arenzville, Ill., a daughter of AVilliam and Caroline (Kuttenkuchler) Dreesbach, born in Siegbui;g, Germany. Air. and Mrs. Roerig have no children. Mr. Roerig served tAvo terms as alderman, being elected on the Democratic ticket. lie belongs to the Odd FelloAVS. A man of excellent principles and high moral character, he stands Avell in his community and is a very desirable citizen.

ROWDEN, Frank, one of the leading business men of Fieldon, and a substantial citizen of Jersey County, has borne an important part in the development of this section. He Avas born in Rosedale ToAvnship, February 18, 1876, a son of Miles F. and Lydia (Maltimore) RoAvden, natives of Jersey County. The paternal grandparents Avere natives of Virginia. The maternal grandfather, John Maltimore, Avas born in Ohio, and they all came to Jersey County at an early day, and bought land. John Maltimore became the largest landowner in the Avestern part of Jersey County, and Avas a leading Democrat and very prominent

When he was eleven years old, Frank Rowden went to live with Freeman Sweet, of Shipman, Ill., and attended school at that place and at Hooperston, Ill. In 1895 he returned to Jersey County, and for five years he was engaged in teaching school in the township of Richwoods. lie then formed a partnership with F. C. Ileitzig and the firm con¬ ducted a mercantile business for three years, when Mr. Rowden bought his partner's interest and continued the business alone until 1907. In that year he sold, and became cashier for the Belt Bank at Bunker Ilill, Ill. On November 19, 1910, lie helped to organize the State Bank of Fieldon, of which William Wieghard is president; L. J. Krueger is vice president ; and Frank Rowden is cashier. Mr. Rowden is commissioner of the Nutwood Drainage District, and he served for four years on the Board of Review, and for the same number of years as supervisor. For one term he was mayor of Fieldon, and he is one of the live men of this section. The Methodist Episcopal Church holds his member¬ ship. Fraternally he belongs to Jerseyville Lodge, A. F. & A. M. ; Jerseyville Chapter, R. A. M., and Fieldon Camp No. 1683, M. W. A.

On June 7, 1897, Mr. Rowden was married to Mary Heitzig, born in English Township, a daughter of Fred and Anna (AYahle) Heitzig, natives of Jersey County, Ill., and Germany, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Rowden have three children, namely; Cornelia, Fred F. and Rob¬ ert C.

RYAN, Richardson, one of the substantial farmers of Ruyle Town¬ ship, owns and operates 242 acres of very valuable land on section 35. He was born in Ruyle Township November 7, 1855, a son of Richard¬ son and Angeline (Richey) Ryan, he born at Zanesville, Ohio, in 1818, and she in Pope County, Ill., in 1822. He was a son of John and Jane (Wilcox) Ryan, natives of Philadelphia, Pa., and New London, Canada. They were married at Janesville, Ohio, and later came by boat on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Alton, Ill., and located about three miles south of Jerseyville, on a farm. While he was away working at his trade of a millwright, one of his children was taken ill, and the brave wife hitched up a yoke of oxen and started off on a ride of twenty-five miles to Carrollton to reach the nearest physician. After she had gone some distance, her motherly heart would not rest for fear some acci¬ dent would befall the children left at home, so she turned back, secured the other children, took them to a neighbor, and then resumed her journey to the doctor. It is interesting to know that the child re¬ covered and later became Dr. Charles Ryan of Springfield, Ill., who died in January, 1883. After several years on the farm, the grand¬ father sold and went to Greene County, Ill., locating southwest of Carrollton, where he remained twelve years. Once more he sold and returned to Jersey County, locating in what is now Ruyle Township, buying about 1,400 acres of land in Ruyle Township. There Ee died January 8, 1863, and the grandmother died also on the homestead.

The maternal grandparents, James and Jnlia (Robinett) Ritchie, were natives of North Carolina, who were married in Pope County, Ill., and the grandfather conducted a ferry at Cape Girardeau. He was noted for his sound ; judgment, and for many years was a justice of the peace. Buying considerable land in Jersey Township, he became one of the leading men of that locality.

After his marriage, the father of Richardson Ryan, Jr., settled on section 35, Ruyle Township, and at the time of his death owned 580 acres of land. In 1849, with his brother, Dr. Charles Ryan, he took the overland trip to the California gold fields, walking all the way from St. Joseph, Mo., and enduring many hardships. On one occasion, after going without water for two days, the little company came to a water hole, but none save he would drink, as there were five dead mules lying about it. After traveling a considerable distance farther, how¬ ever, and finding no other water, they decided that the contaminated water was better than none, and Richardson Ryan, being the most powerful man in the company, returned on foot with two pails, and carried back some to his companions, as far as known all surviving the unpleasant experience. After arriving in California, the two brothers spent a season digging for gold, and then he and Dr. Charles Ryan went into a commission business in Sacramento, where they remained for two years. They then returned home by way of Central America to New York City, and thence overland to the Ohio River and by boat to Alton. From there he took a team to his old home and afterward was engaged in farming until his death. He and his wife had three chil¬ dren, namely: Alice, who is Mrs. George Drake, of Ruyle Township; Leonard, who died at the age of sixty-four years ; and Richardson.

There are some interesting stories preserved in the family regard¬ ing pioneer days. One of them tells of an occasion when the family, possessing of course no matches, and being unable to strike fire with the flint and steel, went a long distance to the nearest neighbor, and brought back sufficient coals to start a fire.

As long as the elder Richardson Ryan lived, his son lived with him, and then he inherited the 242 acres of land which he continues to operate, although from 1887 to 1888, he lived at Jersey ville in order that Mrs. Ryan have expert medical attendance. In 1888 he returned to his farm and has since been engaged in general farming. He has remodeled the residence and barns, and has a very valuable property. The farm is known as the Oakland Stock Farm. On January 24, 1883, Mr. Ryan was married to Lillie May Flatt, born in Jersey Township December 31, 1865, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Bryant) Flatt, natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have two children, namely: Agnes, who is Mrs. Richard Chism, of Macoupin County, Ill,; and Walter, who is at home. Mr. Ryan attended the Oakland district school and has served it as a school director for many years, and he has also served as assessor for three years. In politics he is a Democrat. Few men are better known than he, and he is held in very high esteem as a fine type of American citizen.

SANDERS, Clarence F., owner and operator of the famous Elm¬ hurst Stock Farm of Ruyle Township, has one of the finest rural prop¬ erties in Jersey County, and has brought it to its present condition through his own efforts. He was born in Ruyle Township, October 17, 1876, a son of Charles and Laura (Brown) Sanders, he born in Ruyle Township, and she in Chesterfield, Macoupin County, Ill. He was born November 10, 1845, and died April 12, 1878, while she was born March 24, 1847, and survives, residing at Greenfield, Ill.