Grand Prairie Township

Grand Prairie Township

JAMES C, BALDRIDGE, farmer P, O. Centralia, was born in Rutljerford County, N. C, December 10, 1811, a son of Dornton and Mary (Boggs) Baldridge, both natives of North Carolina. They resided in Rufhor- County till November, 1820, when they came <o Jefferson County, where they resided until his death, except for a few years across the line in Marion County. He died January 14, 1832. at about forty-live years of age. His wife was afterward married to Matthew Cunningham, au old settler of thia county, removing to Marion County, where she died. Mr. Baldi-idge was the father of twelve children, of whom three sons and two daughters are now living - James C. , Joseph and Thomas; Mrs. Jane Porter, widow of William Porter; and Mrs. Sarah Baltzell, wife of George Baltzell. The subject of our sketch was reared in this county, receiving such an education as could be obtained at the schools of that day. July 20, 1832, he was married in Marion County to Margaret Kaney, a native of Kentucky and daughter of Matthew Raney. She died October 3, 1845. She was the mother of six childi-en, three of wliom are now living - Sally A., wife of Owen Breeze; Mary J., wife of Zadok Jennings; and James C, of Jerseyville, a minister and farmer. Two children died in youth, and one - Samuel R. - died in the army, Company H, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Mr. Baldridge was married again, January 8, 1846, to Mrs. Tabitha Casey, widow of Isaac Casey and daughter of Robert White. Her father was a native of South Carolina, and came to Madison County, 111., in 1810, and July 10, 1811, Mrs. Baldridge was born in Chamber's Fort. Her mother, Sai-ah Holt, was a native of North Carolina, but was married in Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Baldridge have had four children, two of whom are now living, viz. , Joseph D. and George P., both farmers in this county. Immediately after his first marriage, Mr. Baldridge settled on his present farm, where he has lived ever since; his occupation has always been that of farming and stock-raising. His farm now consists of over 500 acres. In politics, Mr. Baldridge is Republican, but has taken no part in political life.

Beal. He was born in 1801 and died in 1881. In 1840, he came to America with his family and settled in Lehigh County, Penn.. where they remained till our subject was about fourteen years of age, when they removed to St. Clair County, 111., and in 1857, our subject came to this township and has made this his home since. August 15. 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Illinois Voluuteer Infantry, Capt. George C. McKee, Col. W. H. Wallace. He served in the engagements of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, was in the siege of Vicksburg for forty-seven days, and with Sherman on the Mississippi campaign. After serving three years in the army, he again returned to this county and has been engaged as a farmer since. His farm contains 160 acres. On this he does general farming and fruit growing. On his farm also is a quarry of splendid sandstone. September 30, 1866, he was married in this county to Miss Ellen J. Fry. She was born in this township October 18, 1849, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Dellenger) Fry. He was born in North Carolina in 1806; she in 1818. He died in 1877, April 4, in this county, whither he had moved in 1844: she still survives. Of their family of six children, only three are living, viz., John, Zachariah and Mrs. Beal. Mr. and Mrs. Beal have four children living and one dead, viz., David E., Sadie J., Charles W., Freddie, and Ole, deceased. In politics, Mr. Beal is a Republican.

HENRY BREEZE, farmer, P. O. Irvington, was born in Orange County, Ind., November 23, 1823, to Robert and Margaret (Copple) Breeze, both of whom were natives of North Carolina -he of Orange County, she of Rowan County. He in early life had been apprenticed to a hatter in his native State, but at the age of seventeen ran off and came to Crab Orchard, Kv., and for some years followed the river, but in IS 10 was married in Clark County, Ind. , to the mother of our subject, and after that, made farming his occnpatiou. being quite successful. He was in the Indian war under Cien. Harrison, and was at the battle of Tippecanoe. In 1827, he moved with his family to this county, and, with the exception of three years he resided in Washington County, made this his home till the time of his death. December 8, 1802, at the age of eightyfour years. She died in 1875, also eightyfour years of age. In politics, he was a Whig and then a strong Union man, and when the war bi-oke out, although over eighty years of age and feeble, he wanted to do his part, so wrote to Col. S. G. Hicks, of the P'ortieth, asking if there was |,not something he could give him to do. ^^ hile still in Indiana, he and wife joined the Christian Church and were active members of the church till the time of their deaths. At his house, probably the first Christian Church was organized in the county, by Rev. David R. Chance and Rev. William Chaffen, of Marion County. He afterward deeded the land to the church where Little Grove Christian Church now stands. The followiug are the names of his children: Richard, Jacob (deceased), Elizabeth (deceased), wife of Crittenden Anderson; John (deceased), Owen, Hannah (deceased), wife of Rev. John A. Williams; Robert, Henry, James (deceased), Jonathan, Margai'et (deceased), wife of Alexander Bundy; Catherine, wife of George Fonts; Mary, widow of Jacob Sanders; Nancy (deceased), wife of Samuel Bundy (deceased). Our subject remained at home until he was twenty-one years of age, and then came to his present farm and began its improvement. His farm now contains 180 acres in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Breeze has always taken an active part in political matters, and has been honored with various township and county offices. He was one of the committee who attended to the building of the present county court house. Since March ID, 1851, he has served as Justice of the Peace. In 1876, he was nominated by the Greenback j)arty to represent his district in the State Legislature, and carried his own county by a large majority, but was defeated in the district by a few votes. For thirty-two yeai's, Mr. Breeze has been a member of the I. O. O. F., and is also a member of the A., F. & A. M, Irvington Lodge. He is a m jmber of the Christian Church. October 28, 1847, he was married to Catherine Casey, daughter of Samuel Casey, Sr. She died December 3, 1801, and was the mother of eight children, five of whom are still living, viz., Ellen, wife of Jacob Deal; Robert M. ; Harriet; Ida, wife of William Jollififf and Mary. December 11, 1866, he was married to Mrs. Martha .J. (Taylor) Wayman, widow of M. Wayman and daughter of James W. Taylor, who was a native of Georgia, but came to Marion County, 111., in 1818. By her first husband, Mi's. Breeze had four children, viz., Willis, Jasper, Wiley, and Margaret I., wife of Lewis Breeze. By her present husband, she has two childrea, viz., Samuel H. aad Jacob S. SAMUEL COPPLE, farmer, P. O. Walnut Hill, was born in Jefferson County, III., July 16, 1837, a son of William and Abbie (Hanloy) Copplo. Both were born in Indiana and came to this State at an early date. He died in Walnut Hill Prairie, October, 1875; she is still living on the old homestead. To them eleven children were born, five of whom still sm-vive - Mary, wife of John Due, of Missouri; Levi; Susan, wife of Charles Simmons; Harvey and Samuel. The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in thi.« county, and has made it bis home all his life. His occupation has been that of farmer and fruit raiser. August 15, 1861, he enlisted in Company C, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Capt. George C. McKee, Col. W. H. L. Wallace. He served for three years and was mustered out at Vicksburg. August, 1864. He took part in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg. aad for nine months before his discharge had been doing detail work at ordnance department, Vicksburg. In September, 1882, he came to his present fruit farm of forty-three and one half acresjbesides forty in timber and ten in orchards. He was married, in 1857, to Sarah A. Bradford, daughter of Avery Bradford. She died in July, 1869, leaving two children - Marion and Minnie. He was married, November, 1869, to Luan' a Moore, daughter of Thomas B. Moore, and to them were born three children - Charity E. , Wily D. and Ella A Mr. Copple and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Eepublican.

EDMUND COPPLE, farmer, P. O. Irvington, was bora in Clark County, Ind. , October 12, 1828, to David and Lovina (Huckleberry) Copple. He was a native of North Carolina, but came to Indiana when young. She was born in Indiana. Both died in Marion County, 111., where they had settled in aboLit 1882. They were the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom lived to be grown. He served in the Indian war under Gen. Harrison. Our subject was reared in Marion County, III., receiving his education in the common schools. His occupation has been that of a farmer. In 1852, he came to his pres'snt farm, which contains 258 acres and is well improved. He was married in Mariun County, 111., in 1853, to Miss Nancy Barcmau. She was born in Indiana, daughter of Isaac and Christina (Huckleberry) Barcman, who were the parents of nine children, eight of whom still survive. Mr. aud Mrs Copple are members of the Methodist Episcopal Chtirch, and in politics he is a Greenbacker. Mr. and Mrs. Copple have the folio wing named children: Lucy L. (deceased), wife of Albert Copple; Mary A., wife of Adolphus Allcorn; Effie J., wife of Alexander West; John W. ; Tenie D., wife of Charles Copple, and Isaac W. (twins); Edmund D.. Harriot N. and Orrie.

WILLIAM L. FISHER, farmer, P. O. Irvington, was born in Clark County, Ind., September 7, 1830, a son of John and Elizabeth (Fonts) Fisher. She was born in Indiana, a sister of David Fonts, whose sketch appears in this work. John Fisher was a native of North Carolina, but came to Indiana when small. His occupation was that of farming. Both he and his wife died on the old homestead in Clark County, he at eighty years of age, she at fifty eight. He was a Democrat in politics and took an active part in local afiairs. They were members of the Uni versallst Church. They were the parents of eight children, viz. : William L. ; Sarah J., wife of Alexander Work; James L. (deceased), Isabelle (deceased), Jacob H., John A., Andrew M. and Mollie. Our sub ject was reared on the farm and educated in the common schools of Clark County. He came to this county in 1857, and in 1859 settled on his present farm of 200 acres, which was then unimproved, and has since been engaged in grain and stock raising. He was married, in September, 1859, to Jane Boles, daughter of Hugh Boles. She died in April, 1861, leaving one child - Jennie. He was again married, in 1863, to Margaret Baird, a native of Madison County, III, and daughter of Samuel Baird. Seven children are the result of this union - Erman, Cynthia, Ollie, Carrie, Laura, Wilbur and Harland. Mr. Fisher is a member of A., F. &

DA.VID FOUTS, farmer, P. O. Irvington, was born in Clark County, Ind,, November 3, 1820, son of Jacob and Mary (Uougan) Fonts, both natives of North Carolina, she being a daughter of Thomas Dougan, a Colonel in the Kevolutionary army under Marion. She was born in 1788, and died at Irvington, 111., 1868. He was born to Quaker parents in 178'2, and died in 1860 in Indiana. Mr. and IMrs. Jacob Fonts were married in North Carolina in 1807, and in 1808 landed in the present State of Indiana and settled within one mile of Indian camps. They were the parents of six sous and three daughters, all of whom reached maturity, and six still survive. Our subject was reared on the farm in Clark County, and obtained such an education as the schools then afforded. Till he was twenty-seven years of age, he remained on the fai-m, but from 1847 till 1855, he was engaged in the mercantile business at New Washington, Ind., but on account i>f failing health closed out business and came to this county to his present farm of 400 acres. He remained on that farm till 1866, when he moved to Irvington and engaged in the mercantile business, continuing till 1873, when he again came to the farm and has since remained on it. January 3, 1850, he was married in Indiana to Elizabeth J. Gudgel. She is a native of the same county as her husband, and is the daughter of Allen and Rebecca (Rob ertson) Gudgel. He died when Mrs. Fouts was only about one year of age. Her mother is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Fonts have two children living and two dead, viz. : Jacob O. and Belle R., living; Mary F. (deceased), wife of Charles K. Smith; and Emma J. (deceased). In politics, he is a

DAVID P. FOUTS, farmer, P. O. Irvington, was born in Clark County, Ind., February 28, 1845. He is a son of Lemon and E valine V. (Reid) Fouts, both natives of Indiana. They came to this county in 1846, settling on the farm now occupied by our subject, where his mother died when he was quite small. His father now resides in Irvington, where for years he was Postmaster and in mercantile business, from which he has now retired. In politics, he is Republican, but has never taken part in political life. He organized Companj H of the Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was elected Captain, but through exposure at Central City, was taken si k and never went to the field. His family by his first wife consisted of six children, five of whom are still living - Mary D. (wife of Joseph Porter), David P., John H., Evaline V. (wife of John M. Breeze), and Cynthia H. (wife of Joseph D. Baldridge). Our subject was reared on the farm and has made it his home all his life, except one season. He was married in this county, September 9, 1869, to Rebecca E. Baldridge, daughter of Alexander Baldridge and Evaline (West) Baldridge, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fonts have six children living - Lemon A., David A., Cora E., Lula A. and _Lela E. (twins), and Daisie I. and one son deceased. Farming and stock dealing has been his occupation. Mr. Fouts is a member of the Christian Church, his wife of the Methodist Episcopal. In politics, he votes the Republican ticket, but takes little part! in political life.

WILLIAM M. GALBR.ilTH. fruit-grower, P. O. Walnut Hill, was born in Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, 111., December 23, 1826, Sun of John S. Galbraith, a native of

Biographical

Tennessee, but came to this county in 1825, and died here in 1868. He was married in Tennessee to the mother of our subject and by her had two sons, viz., James M., of Villa Ridge, 111., and William M. Mrs. Galbraith died in this county during the infancy of William M. Mi-. Galbraith was again married--lo33 - and had a family of four sons and one daughter. His occupation was that of farmer and horticulturist. He had one of the first budded fruit orchards in Southern Illinois, and to his industry and success as a fruit grower can now be attributed much of the success which this county has attained in fruit growing. He was a stanch Republican, and was one of the stockholders of the lirst Republican paper in Mount Vernon. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a thorough temperance man. Our subject was reared in this county, receiving such an education as the common schools afforded. When twentytv?o years of age, he went to Wayne County, and for some years was engaged in the mercantile business at Johnsonville. When the civil war broke out, he responded to his country's call, enlisting in Company I, Fortyeighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in as Quartermaster Sergeant and was promoted successively to the Second and First Lieutenancy, and then to Quartermaster of the regiment. He remained in the service till August, 1865, when they were mustered out at Little Rock. After return - in2 from the service, he again entered the mercantile business at Johnsonville, continuing in the same for two years. Then for one year was in Cairo, and in 1868 came to his present farm of 136 acre.s, and began its improvement, it being all growing in brush, etc. He has since been engaged in raising small fruits, apples, etc. July 16, 1865, he was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth M. Casey, daughter of Rev. Abraham T. Casey and Vylinda (Maxey) Casey. This union has been blest with the following childi-en: John and Charles. He and wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church for years. In politics, he is Independent, not voting for the party but for the man. Rev. Abraham T. Casey was born in Barren County, Ky., July 29, 1798, and in infancy came with his parents to Illinois, and in 1817 to Jefferson County, 111. He was converted when only twelve years of age. August 28, 1824, he was licensed as a local minister, and in 1833 was ordained Elder. In 1819, he was married to Vylinda Maxey, daughter of William Maxey. She was born December 31, 1803. They were the parents of one son - Lafayette--and SIX daughters - Harriet (deceased), Bell and Catherine (twins), Sarah (deceased), Elizabeth, and Martha (deceased). Mr. Casey carried the first temperance pledge in this county. He died September 14, 1834. Mrs. Casey remained a widow till the time of her death, March 26, 1883.

JOHN W. HAILS, farmer, P. O. Richview, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., March 19, 1823. His parents were Thomas and Sarah (Justice) .Hails, his father a native of North Carolina and his mother of Virginia. Previous to their marriage, they had moved to Tennessee, and in 1827 came to Illinois, settling in Jefferson County, near Mount Vernon, where they lived until their death. His occupation was that of farming, making his home on the wild prairie, with Indians camping near. They were the parents of eleven children, six of whom are still living. He was in the war of 1812, and fought with Gen. Jackson at New Orleans. Both wei-e members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and had been since early life. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and educated in the log schoolhouses of the day. When he reached his majority, he began life as a farmer, and has follownd the same occupation to the present time, being engaged in stock-raising in connection with his farm. When he left the old home, he came to his present farm and began to improve it. He has now a well-cultivated farm of 330 acres, and besides this has deeded to his children 360 acres. In politics, he still holds to the opinions of his fathers. He has held various township offices, and is now tilling the position of Highway Commissioner. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South). He was married, August 8, 1848, to Annis M. Casey, daughter of F. S.and grand-daughter of Abram Casey. Mr. and Mrs. Hails have one child, dead, and eleven living - Narcissus C. (deceased), Thomas F., Alfred M., Zadok C, Sarah, Harriet J., Ellen, Ida P., Mary, Charles, John and Samuel T. - all living in the immediate neighborhood.

WILLIAM JOHNSON, farmer, P. O. Centralia, was born in Clark County, Ind., December 4, 1822. He is a son of John and Millie (Bower) Johnson; he was a native of New Jersey, she of North Carolina. They came to Indiana about 1808, where they died, he in 1836, she in May, 1839. They had nine children, eight sons and onedaugh ter. seven of whom are still living. Our subject was reared in Clark County,' Ind., and in the fall of 1850 came to this county. In 1847, he enlisted in the Mexican war. Company B, Fifth Indiana Regiment, under Col. James Lane, and served nine months, when the war 'closed. September 28, 1854, he was married in Indiana to Sarah B. Rogers. She was born in Clark County. Ind., a daughter of Archibald A. Rogers, a native of North Carolina. Mi-s. Johnson died April 22, 1858; she was the mother of two children, one of whom is still living, viz., John

A., of Nebraska. Mr. Johnson was again married, in ISaU, to Susan A. Beadles. She was born in Clark County, Ind., but came to this State when six years of age. She is a daughter of Richard F. Beadles. There is one son - William R. - by this marriage. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Johnson moved to his present farm of 200 acres. He has a splendid rock quarry on his farm, and furnishes stone for different localities. He and his wife are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he is a Republican.

CHARLES D. KELL, farmer, P. O. Walnut Hill, was born on his present farm, April 24, 1859, son of James and Margaret (Baldridge) Kell. he born in North Carolina and the son of Thomas Kell. one of the early settlers of this county; she a sister of James C. Baldridge. whose sketch appears in this work. They settled the farm now owned V>y our subject, but both died at Walnut Hill, Marion County, he in 1873, she in 1875. The}' were the parents of seven children, three of whom still survive, viz., D. T>. Kell, of Walnut Hill; Margaret M. (wife of James L. Patton), and Charles D. Kell. For some years his occupation was that of farmer; he

Source changes here: from Wall's History of Jefferson County, Illinois, by Wall, John A, published 1909; 265 words in this source stream.

Grand Prairie Township

This township has Marion county on the north and Washington county on the west, Rome and Casner townships east and south. Most of its lands are prairie, with surface sufficiently rolling to afford drainage without artificial means, the principal streams being tributaries to Big Muddy, Ray's creek and other small streams. It is a splendid farming and stock-raising region and can boast of some of the finest farms and some of the most prosperous farmers in the county. Among the first settlers were Abraham Casey, James Ray, the Baldridges, the Breezes, William Fulton, Stephen Cameron, French, Roberts, Taylor, Depriest, Bangamon, Woods, Reilly, Poston, Clark Casey and others. The first named was a brother to Governor Casey. These original settlers gave Grand Prairie a good name for intelligence, sobriety and industry, and these characteristics have been prominent with the citizens of the township through all these years. It was the first township in the county to cut loose from the bourbons and assert itself along new political lines. Its first marriage was that of Clark Casey and Polly Bangamon, the ceremony being performed by Governor Casey. The first death was that of Joseph Baldridge. At first the people voted at Mount Vernon, but later Grand Prairie precinct was formed, with voting place at Paston's Mill. Religious services were held from house to house till Pisgah and Gilead churches were built. The first supervisor after the adoption of township organization, was Joseph Breeze. There is no village in Grand Prairie, but it is near Centralia in Marion and Richview and Irvington are close by, in Washington county.