Casner Township

Casner Township

HUGH L. BLEDSOE (deceased) was born in Blount County, Tenn., in 1821, a son of Philadelphus and Mildred (Kendrick) Bledsoe, both natives of the same State. He was a farmer by occupation, a Democrat in politics, and died in 1863. His wife, who survives him, was born July 9, 1828, but a half mile from where she at present resides, and has lived here ever since, making her the oldest resident of Casner Township. She is the mother of seven children, of whom six are living - William M., Eliza L., Permelia E., Philadelphus M., Thomas H. and James D. Mrs. Beldsoe is a member of the Christian Church. She has a fai-m of 140 acres, which is given to general farming. P. M. Bledsoe was born December 30, 1855, and was married, March 28, 1883, to Ollie D. Henley, a daughter of James and Mary (Stilly) Henley. He has a farm of twenty six acres situated in Washington County. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.. Ashley Lodge, No. 302, and in politics is a Democrat.

EDWAKD BOND {deceased) came from Tennessee and settled in Jefferson County with his parents, Mitchell and Elizabeth Bond, at an early day. He was reared on a farm, and during his life gave his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was a man of quiet and unpretending ways and was held in high esteem and respect by the community in which he humbly toiled for many years. He responded -to the country's call for troops for the Mexican war. and also served a year in the late war - in the Thirtysecond Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Decern ber 11, 1850, he married Elizabeth A. Gill,

I d daughter of Joseph and Maria (Campbell) Gill. She still survives him. as do also three of their sis children - William E., Michael A. and Francis M. Mr. Bond died August 23, 1874, at which time his farm consisted of 240 acres. Although departed, his record is with us. and it is resplendent with achievements which, although humble and unassuming in their nature, are, nevertheless, noble and grand, reflecting great credit to the worth of his character, which was at all times pure and imdefiled.

WILLIAM R. CHA.MP, farmer, P. O. Woodlawn, is one of the early settlers of Jefferson County, having come here with his parents, who unloaded their small stock of this world's goods in Grand Prairie Township November 9, 1829. He was born November 15, 1828, in Lincoln County, Tenn., to Henry and Delanie (Brown) Champ. The father was a Georgian by birth, was a substantial farmer during life, had filled many offices, and was a man who occupied a high position in popular favor. He died August 30, 1876. aged nearly seventy-three years, his noble wife having departed this life in 1872. Their union had been blessed with twelve children, of whom five sons and two daughters are still living, our subject being the eldest. His early schooling was extremely limited - to a single spelling book he was indebted for all that he obtained. Farming claimed his attention in early life, and he has since made that his exclusive business. August 5, 1852, he wedded Nancy Bond, a daughter of Mitchell and Elizabeth Bond, and by her raised a family of sis chil- di'pin, of whom five sui'vive - Franklin P., William H , Olive M. , Benjamin P. and Seymour. Mr. Champ has a farm of 262 j acres, mostly in Casner Township. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Woodlawn Lodge, No. 522. He has tilled many offices, including that of Supervisor, Collector, Town Clerk, etc., and is a Democrat in politics. With a possible exception, Mr. Champ is Casner Township's oldest resident at the present time. His success in life is altogether due to his own energy, and it is such characters as these that insure the growth and prosperity of the country.

SPENCER S. EUBANK, farmer and stock-dealer, P. O. Woodlawn, was born in Lincoln County. Tenn.. May 13, 1814, a son of John and Susan (Shelton) Eubank, both natives of Georgia (or South Carolina, as they were right cm the line;, and here they were also married. The father was a carpenter and millwright by trade, which he followed the most of his life. The parents removed to Lincoln County, Tenn., where our subject was born, and after residing in different counties in Alabama and Carroll County, Tenn., they came to Washington County, this State, about 1830. Their marriage had given them fourteen children, five of whom were living at last accounts -Polly, Spencer S., Richard, Margaret and Betsey. Mr. Eubank received but very little early schooling. He has been variously engaged during his long and active life. He made his tii'st crop of corn, and it was a good crop, too, with a grass collar and hickory bark traces, and was the first owner of a plow in Washington (bounty. With his father, he put up the first frame house in Ashley, and they burned the first lime in the county. Mr. Eubank built several steam mills, one of them the second in the county. For thirty years he was engaged in farming and milling, owning at one time 1,400 acres of land, which he lost in the flom-ing mill business in Ashley. He has a present farm of 220 acres, mostly in meadow, which is devoted to stock-raising and grazing. He winters large herds of stock in Missouri and Arkansas and disposes of them in the Northern markets. He was married to Sally White, a daughter of Stinson White. She died in 1875. the mother of fourteen children, of whom seven are living - James, Anrow, Emily, Richard, Robert, Susan and Margaret. Politically, Mr. Eubank is a Republican. .41though advanced in years, he is still hale and hearty, and engages in active every-day wo'"k.

THOMAS J. GASKINS, farmer, P. O. Woodlawn, is a native of Clark County, Ind., born August 23, 1838, a son of Elias and Mary (Bear) Gaskins, lie a native of Ohio and she of Indiana. The father was a farmer, and died in 1882, aged nearly seventy-three years; the mother is still living. The married life of the old folks had been blessed with eleven children, seven of whom still survive - Thomas J., Sarah, Harriett, Owen, Mary, Martha and Leah. When Mr. Gaskins was quite small, his parents came to Jefferson County, and here he obtained what little education was afforded by the common schools. He started in life as a tiller of the soil, and has been always thus engaged, having at present a farm of 105 acres, which is devoted to farming in its various branches. March 7. 1801, he married Sarah E. Westcott, born June 4, 1830, a daughter of John D. and Margaret S. (Willis) Westcott, he born September 12, 1803, and died September 29, 1850. and she born August 24, 1804, and died November 30, 1858. Mr. and Mrs. Gaskins have five children - W^illiam T. , born March 23,1862; Mary R. E., February 27, 1864; Francis M., November 19, 1866;

Annie S. C, July 7, 1869; and Harriett E. I., February 27, 1872. Our subject and wife are members of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.

THOMAS W. HARVEY, farmer, P. O. Woodlawn, was born June 27, 1830, in Hampshire CounLy. Va. (now Weat Virginia), to Zachariah and Betsey (Ward) Harvey, both natives of Virginia. His father wa-i a fjirmer by occupation, and was in the war of 1812. The parents had fourteen children, only two of whom are now livings Ann and Thomas W. The latter received what little education the old subscription schools afforded. At the age of five, he removed with his pa-'ents to Tazewell County, 111., where the mother died. Shortly afterward, the father came to Jefferson County, and here our subject has since resided. His present farm consists of 160 acres, which is given to farming in its general branches. He was united in marriage, July 23, 1852, to Catharine Watkius, a daughter of Samuel and Barbara (Bear) Watkins, and the union has been blessed with fourteen children, seven of whom are now living - Mary E. (wife of Simeon L. White), John H. , Isaac Z., Elijah B., Leah F., Thomas J. and Barbara L. Mr. Harvey was a member of the I. O. O. F. until his lodge broke up. He and wife are members of the Southern Methodist (/burch. He has tilled the offices of Supervisor, Assessor. Deputy Sheriff and Constable, and iu politics gives his support to the Democratic party.

THOMAS KELLY, farmer, P. O. Woodlawn, is a native of County Galway, Ireland, born September 25, 1829, the eldest child of Edward and Ma«-y Kelly, both natives of the same cotmtry. His parents had a large family of children, our subject being the only one in America. He spent his early life in Ireland, and iu 1849 embarked for the

United States, landing in New Orleans. In the spring of 1852, he came to Jefferson County, where he has since resided, with the exception of several years' residence in the adjoining county of Washington. He has been twice married, first to Catharine Hayes, who bore him one child - Ashford - and afterward to Lucinda (Green) Pitts, by whom he has four children, of whom two are living - Hattie C. and Charles W. In January, 1862, Mr. Kelly enlisted iu the Forty- ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. Morrison, and was in many heavy engagements throughout the Mississippi and Western campaigns. He received a severe wound in the left leg at the battle of Fort Donelson, but served his three years of enlistment and was mustered out at Springfield. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which he is also a licensed preacher. He has been Justice of the Peace for seven years in succession, and has filled many other offices. Politically, he is a Democrat. Although abrupt and decisive in speech, the Squire is, nevertheless, courteous and considerate, and 'is ever ready to give his support to enterprises calculated for the public good.

JOHN KENDALL, farmer, P. O. Ashley, was born in Scioto County, Ohio, January 5, 1823, the eldest son of William and Christina (Lawson) Kendall, he a native of Pennsylvania, and she of Virginia. The father was first married to a Miss Brown, who bore him seven children, only one of whom survives - Thomas - aresident of Cleveland, Ohio. Of his second marriage, four children are now living - John, Jeremiah, Susan and Louvina. William Kendall was a surveyor and located a great amount of land in Ohio, and also assisted in laying out Portsmouth, that State. He was engaged in the furnace business in Scioto County, and also steamboat building, and built many of the first to run on the Ohio River. He was a member of the State Legislature for many years, and at his death was an honored member of the State Senate. He was a Whig in politics, and during his life was actively identified with numberless popular enterprises of various kinds. He served in the war of 1812. John Kendall, the subject of these lines, obtained a little schooling in his native county, and was raised on the farm. He was in the mercantile and also coal business in Portsmouth, Ohio, and was afterward railroad agent for two years at Jackson, same State, after which he came to Jefierson County and located on his present place, which now consists of 320 acres, with a large orchard and the various attributes of a good farm. He was first married to Louisa Lucas, who died a short time after her marriage. His second marriage was with Louisa J. (Stamper) Martin. Mr. Kendall has tilled many minor offices, and is the present School Treasurer of Casner Township. He is a Republican in politics. He holds a high position in popular esteem, and his humble, yet vigorous life, sets but another example that is worthy of emulation by all.

THOMAS B. LACEY, farmer, P. O. Woodlawn, was born February 17, 1827, in St. Clair County, 111., to Joshua and Malinda (Gooding) Lacey, the father a native of Tennessee and the mother of Kentucky. Joshua Lacey was a tiller of the soil, and came with his father to Illinois Territory about 1807 and settled in what is now Madison County. He served in the war of 1812, as did also several of his brothers. He died in June, 1858, leaving his wife, who is yet living. Their married life had been blessed with ten children, of whom six are living-- Annio, Thomas B., J. R., Thompson, Cynthia and Permelia. The early education of our subject was limited to what little was ob-

' tainable in the early schools of his native county. In 1848, he came to Jefferson County and taught two terms of school at Jordan's Prairie. He returned to St. Clair County, and was there married to Eliza Mc- CuUey. a daughter of John and Matilda (Nelson) McCulley, and the union has been blessed with twelve children, of whom there are now living - John O., Laura A., Matilda J., Joshua v., Charles A., Hugh B., Thomas M., Myrtle Belle, Lillian and Lorenzo D. Mr. Lacey is a member of the I. O. O. F., Woodlawn Lodge, No. 522, in which he was a charter member also. He belongs to the Methodist Church; has tilled many minor offices, including that of Supei'visor, Justice of the Peace, etc., and in politics votes the Republican ticket. He has a good farm and residence in Casner Township.

THOMPSON LACEY, farmer, P. O. Woodlawn, is a native of St. Clair County, 111., born September 1, 1834, a son of Joshua and Malinda (Gooding) Lacey. (See sketch of T. B. Lacey elsewhere.) He obtained his early education in the schools of his native county, and started in life as a farmer. He was united in marriage to Nancy Reed, a daughter of Bird and Emily Reed, and the union has been blessed with eight children - America, Lucinda, Charles S., Robert L., Logan B., Permelia, Frederick and Emma. Mr. Lacey came to Jefferson County in 1858, and has resided here ever since, with the excej)tion of returning to St. Clair County for a few months. He has a farm of eighty acres, and engages in general farming. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., W'oodlawn Lodge, 'No. 522, and, with his wife, of the Methodist Church. He votes the Republican ticket.

Biographical

he learned the trade of shoe-making, and was thus engaged for several years, mostly in Boston, Mass. Here he was united in marriage to Mary A. Riley, who still survives him. She is a daughter of James and Margaret Riley. In February, 1856, Mr. Roach came West and located in Jefferson County, and at tirst boarded hands, then working on the railroad. Shortly afterward, he pui'chased the place his widow now lives on. which consists of 191 acres, which is devoted to farming in its various branches. Mr. Roach died in ISSl, leaving a widow and seven children - Frank P., Sarah M. and David R (twins), Annie. Louisa, Isabelle and Charles. Mr. Roach was a highly respected citizen of Jefferson County. He gave liberally to church and school purposes, and Lis material assistance was forthcoming for the aid of all enterprises calculated for the good of the community, his generosity ofttimes exceeding his actual means. The grim hand of death cannot blot out,, but only brightens with a perpetual glow the footprints of such noble lives, the thoughtful study of which tends to the edification and enlightenment of all mankind.

JOHN M. SEVERS, farmer, P. O. Ashley. Abram Severs was born in Indiana. He was a farmer in early life, but in later years engaged in the saw mill business in Jefferson County, being the owner of several different mills. He married Rebecca C. Dubrise, a native of Tennessee, and raised a family of thirteen children, eight of whom are now living - John M. , Eliza J., Joel F., William A., Abraham L., Nancy R. , Dora B. and Laura A. John M. , the subject of these lines, was born May 26. 18-16. in this county, in which he obtained his early education, and which he has always made his home. He has been a farmer all bis life, his present farm consisting of eight}' acres, which is devoted to farming in its various branches. In February, 1865. ho enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. Stevenson, and was at Tullahoma and Memphis, at which latter place he was mustered out at the close of the war. He was united in marriage, January 7, 1872, to Cansada McMillion, a daughter of Merediths, and Caroline (Carter") McMillion. This union has been blessed with live children, two of whom are living - Emery E. , born December 12, 1S74; and Frank M.. May 21, 1880. Politically, Mr. Severs is a Republican.

JAMES WOOD, farmer, P. O. Woodlawn. was born in Saline County, 111., March 30, 1817, a son of Alfred and Mary (Jackson) Wood, he a native of Tennessee and she of South Carolina. The father was a son of William Wood, who was known throughout the country as " Roaring Billy." Alfi-ed Wood was a farmer by occupation; was in the war of 1812, and was accidentally killed when our subject was small, by a limb striking him while felling a bee tree. The parents were blessed with six children - James, and Leonard, who resides in Texas, being the only ones now living. James received but a very limited schooling, his parents being in poor circumstances. There were no winter schools at that time, and his father needed his assistance in the summer in making the crops He has always given his attention to farming pursuits, his present property consisting of 320 acres, and he has given largely to his children. He was married to Marga- I'et A. Dyer, a daughter of Martin Dyer, and by her had a family of nine children, of whom six still survive - Francis, John. Pierce. Rodum, Isaac and Annie. Mr. Wood has filled many minor ofilces. Politcially. he has always been a Democrat. He is one of Casner Township's respected citizens, and,

Source changes here: from Wall's History of Jefferson County, Illinois, by Wall, John A, published 1909; 395 words in this source stream.

Casner Township

This township lies south of Grand Prairie, along the Washington county line and contains fine farming lands. Originally it was mostly timber, but of the best varieties, oak, walnut, hickory, ash, cherry - with hazel, sumach, etc. It has the same streams as Grand Prairie. Among the first settlers was George Casner, for whom the township was named. He raised a large family and died only a few years ago, leaving his widow on the old farm. Contemporary with him, came Howell, Clark, Burris, Patterson, Creel, Daniels, the Laceys, John Holt, Walter Bean, the Champs and others whose names are linked with the history of Casner township. At first the people beat their meal with pestle in little mortars, but the Caseys put up a little mill and worked by hand that would grind a bushel or two a day, which was a vast improvement. Mr. Carroll ran a mill near the west side of the township. One of the first roads through the township was the Shawneetown and St. Louis road coming through Mount Vernon. The first school-houses and churches were rude affairs, but back of these, religious services were held at private houses, until Reynold's chapel was erected. Reynolds professed religion as he died and the chapel was named for him. The votmg place is at Roachville on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, and the result is always a rock-ribbed Democratic majority - in fact, it has been said that it would be easy for Anwall's history of JEFFERSON CO.. ILL. 187 drew Jackson and Stephen A. Douglas to be elected to any office in Casner township, from President to constable. Roachville, the capital of Casner, is in the south part of the township, but it proved to be too far from Mount Vernon and too close to Ashley ever to amount to much. The first supervisor was E. V. Harvey. Among the prominent citizens have been the Champs, Laceys, Schmidts, Clarks, Bledsoes, Severs, Carrolls, Morgans, Watkins, Moores, and others whom we do not now recall. Casner is a splendid farming region; is well adapted to fruit, grain and stock raising, with a little less bourbonism and a few grains more enterprise, energy and snap - a good seasoning of ginger - Casner would surprise the other parts of the county with her wonderful development. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad taps Casner.