Jackson Precinct

Preface

This book is published to preserve interesting and important historical data of our county; to record events in the lives of worthy citizens, dead and living; though fraught v^fith many discouragements and onerous toil, onr task is done. You view the result of our labors, and pass judgment thereon. It is not perfect - surely not just as you would have it, kind reader- - but perfect things are not to be expected of others, than ourselves. After passing the cold deductions of your criticisms, may we not ask a fragment of consolation in the fact that our intentions -nere worthy of commendation, at least, and may we ask of you, dear critic, what you did to aid the right in the preservation of our country's history ?

We thank our friends who have contributed in any way to the success of the "History of Massac County" and hope it may receive a generous reception at the hands of the public.

David L. Paris Avas born Feb. 8th, 1862, in Clay county, Indiana, and moved to Uuionville, Massac county, in 1870, where he has since resided.

His education was gained in the rural schools and the farm developed a magnificent physique. He was in the employ of the Mississippi Kiver Commission and Construction Company from 1882 to 1885. March 24, 1885, he and iVTiss Alice Woods of Union ville were united in marriage.

Mr. Paris has been successively elected constable, school trustee, and twice clerk and treasurer of road district No. 1. Always an ardent and zealous republican, he was appointed on the special force of the Southern Illinois penitentiary and has made an enviable record. Fraternally he is a Modern AYoodnian and a member of Orestes lodge 268, Knights of Pythias, Metropolis, Illinois.

Capt. Elisha Thomas Woods

Captain Elisha Thomas Woods, born March 31st, 18l!4, in Indiana; came to Illinois in 1847 or 1848; taught three terras of school and was a general favorite with the pupils on account of his amiable disposition. On March 17th, A. D. 1850, he married Miss Elizabeth Hannah Morrison. As a fruit of this union six children were born, three sons, Francis, Archibald and Jessie, and three daughters, Jane, Kate and Alice. Archibald is residing on the old homestead. Jessie is a successful merchant in TTnionville, and Francis is dead. His sterling qualities commended him to the confidence and esteem of his fellows, hence he offered his services to Ms country in August, 1862, and was chosen captain of the company he was chiefly instrumental in raising, company A of the 131st regiment of Illinois Infantry volunteers. Colonel G. W. Neely, ommanding. Given first position in the regiment, Captain Voods was made senior captain of the regiment. His regilent was one of those unfortunate regiments that was tiicken with disease, and he was compelled day after dav to .'itness the intense suffering and distress of the brave boys e had enlisted in their country's service. His company was ctively engaged in the battles of Milliken's Bend and Arkan- !is Post. Soon after the latter engagement the ranks of the rgiment became so decimated by disease and death that it was rdered by the war department to Paducah, Ky., where it was onsolidated with the twenty-ninth regiment of Illinois Inintrj- Volunteers. By this consolidation a surplus of officers ad to be disposed of and as a result Captain A>'oods resigned is command and returned to the walks of civil life.

During his term of service he contracted a disease of the ves that remained with him until the date of his death, render ig him at times almost totally blind. Capt. AA'oods was ;m old me abolitionist in politics and lived to see the longing desire f his heart fully accomplished. He prized human liberty far bove wealtii, personal ambition or official distinction, and is life was that of a loyal patriot who regarded no sacrifice too great, except that of personal honor, to make for the good of his country. He was an active member of the M. E. church and lived an exemplary christian life. He died on the 21st day of February, 1883, in the 59th year of his age, loved and mourned by all who knew him.

Daniel Risinger Pryor Elder And Mrs. D. R. Pryor

1841. He was the sixth son of Daniel Farley Pryor, who was the youngest son of Captain John Armstrong Pryor, who commanded a company of Virginia volunteers during the struggle for American liberty. After the close of the Revolutionary war Captain Pryor emigrated with his family to Kentucky, where Daniel Farley Pryor, the father of the subject 'if this sketch, was born. Captain Prj'or's ancestors emigrated to this country from Scotland early in the settlement of the colony of Virginia, and were of that hardy and fearless stock known as Scotch-Irish, and possessed to a remarkable degree that peculiar courage and hardihood characteristic cf the pioneer settlers of this country. The ancestral tree was exceedingly prolific and as a result the Pryor family are scattered from "Virginia to New York. Judge Roger A. Pryor, of New York, is a descendant of the Virginia ancestors of the Pryor family, as also is Judge Pryor of Kentucky, who was a member of the notorious Goebel state election commission.

On the side of his maternal ancestry his mother was Nancy Louis Eisinger, the oldest daughter of John Kisinger, of whose ancestors little is known beyond the fact that he was of German origin. His maternal grandmother was Miss Mary Pike and a descendant of General Zebulon Pike, of Revolutionary fame. It will be seen that Mr. Pryor has a long line of illustrious ancestors, men whom the state and nation have honored with positions of official distinction. Daniel Risiuger Pryor, the subject of this biography, was reared on a farm in what is known as "Goose Neck," in Pope county, Illinois; with the exception of five years, from 1851 to ISSG he resided with his parents in Smithland, Ky. Since 1850 his place of residence has been in southern Illinois. In his rearing he had none of the advantages of the present free school system of the state, but had to depend on the uncertain and incapable subscription school for an education. But notwithstanding these educational disadvantages, by dint of perseverance and self-denial he managed to acquire a fair common school eduaction. His early life was like most boys raised on the farm, rather uneventful, until the breaking out of the Rebellion in 1861. The exciting campaign of 1860 so impressed him with the spirit of human liberty that the first call to arms found him ready to respond. He enlisted as a member of company K, 29th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry on the 1.3th day of July, 1861, but unfortunately for him he suffered a sunstroke the following September which so disabled him that in November, 1861, he was honorably discharged from the sei-vice for disability to perform military duty. However, he was not content to remain at home inactive while the life of the nation was threatened by armed rebellion, and in August, 1862, he re enlisted in company H, 131st Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but he was again doomed to disappointment as his disability prevented him from being regularly mustered into the service and he was again sent home as unfit for military dtity. Broken down in health and suffering severely from disappointment, because of the early and unfavorable termination of his military career, he returned to the walks of civil life.

On the 28tli day of December, 1862, he was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Woodward, the widow of B. F. Woodward, and daughter of John and Lucinda Eoberts. During all the trials and afllictions of life she has been a faithful and affectionate wife, sharing alike his joys and sorrows.

In 1865 he was converted to the christian religion and connected himself with the Baptist church. In 1867 he was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry.

The disability contracted in the United States army continued to afflict him to such a degree that he found himself unable to perform manual labor, and he was therefore forced to resort to some less laborious profession to gain a livelihood for himself and family. He chose that of teaching in the public schools, which he entered upon in 1864 ond pursued with unqualified success for a period of twelve years, w^hen his health became so badly impaired that he was compelled to abandon the school room. In 1874 he suffered a stroke of paralysis which was followed by a still more severe one in 1882 from which he has never recovered. In 1889 he and H. O. Laughlin founded the Metropolis Republican, and run it very successfully for two years when his constantly declining health forced him to abandon the editorial chair, but his paper was consolidated with the Massac Journal and still lives.

Mr. Pryor is a man who has made his impression socially and particularly among the people of his religious denomination. As a minister he is regarded as a very close logical reasoner, and as possessing very considerable pulpit power. .\s a writer he has few superiors, and as a consequence his productions are sought after by newspaper publishers and magazines. At the present time he is associate editor of the Baptist News, a Baptist publication of national reputation. He is also trustee of Ewing College, located at Ewing, 111., and also a trustee of the Baptist Ministerial Education Society.

He and his amiable wife aie at this time living quietly on their farm in Jackson precinct, jNIassae county, \\here Ihey expect to welcome the sunset of life it is the Master's ji'ood pleasure to call them to their final home.

Charles Adam Giltner Mr. And Mrs C. A. Giltner

He came to Massac county in 1848 and taught a term or two of school. He was married to Miss Sarah Jane Leeper on the 2Tth day of March, 1851. To them were born five sons and two daughters. His sons are among the most thrifty and prosperous farmers of the county at the present time. By close management and the exercise of self denial Mr. Giltner, the subject of this sketch, acquired a farm and accumulated some considerable property during the early years of his married life and exercised a wholesome influence on the lives and characters of the rather rude and uncivilized inhabitants of the county at that time. In August, 1862, he enlisted in company C, 131st Eegiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Captain Purdyon. His record as a soldier is without a blemish, but he must be classed with a large number of unfortunates whose military career was cut short by the wasting hand of disease. He was attacked with chronic diarrhoea and after a lingering illness he was sent to St. Louis, Mo., on a hospital boat and died on board the boat just before it reached its destination on Feb. 1st, 1863, and his remains were interred in Jefferson Barracks cemetery. Thus away from home and friends but under the folds and protection of the flag for which he saci-ifled his life, he sleeps the peaceful sleep of the patriot soldier, loved and revered by all who knew him as brave soldier, a loyal patriot, an exemplary citizen, and a model husband and father. His widow lived true to his memory, having never given to another the place he held in her youthful affections, but she peacefully resided on the old homestead in Jackson precinct, this county, and in the lengthening shadows of the evening of life she calmly waited to join her husband in the grand reunion on the final camping ground of soldiers, dying this year.

Thomas Johnson Moseley

Thomas Johnson Moseley, the oldest son of William Moseley and Eliza Dunn Moseley, was born in Trigg county, Ky., the 22nd day of November, 1832. He came to Illinois with his parents in 1836 or 1837. He grew up on the farm and had all the disadvantages of pioneer life. His educational advantages were very meagre, and his life wholly void of every exciting incident until the breaking out of the Rebellion in L861. He was married at the early age of 19 years to Miss Mary Lane I'urcell by whom was born to him six children, one of whom, George W. Moseley, is living, and a prosperous farmer in Jackson precinct, near the place of his birth. Edna Henriette died just as she was badding into womanhood. The remaining four died in infancy.

Capt. And Mrs. T.J, Moseley

He was mustered into the service at Oamp Butler, aad soon after was sent to Cairo, 111., under command of General John A. McClernand. He participated in the battles of Belmont, Missouri; Paducah, Ky.; Port Henry, Tenn.; Fort Donaldson and Pittsburg Ijanding. Soon after the last named battle he was attacked with typhoid fever and was sent to the hospital in a dying condition, when all trace of him was lost. He was a brave, patriotic soldier, always ready to answer every call to duty. It was proverbial among his comrades that Corporal Moseley could be depended on in any emergency. Thus through the carelesness of our hospital oflBcials the life of a brave, patriotic soldier is lost in oblivion, and a grave injustice done one of our country's defenders. His widow, still faithful to his memory, lives in the solitude of widowhood at the home of her only child, George W. Moseley. She is the oldest daughter of Edward and Sarah Purcell and was born to them in Henry county, Tennessee, on the 23rd day of SeiJtemher, 1828, and though somewhat eccentric she is a model type of American womanhood, having all those sterling qualities that commend her to the hearts and confidence of her associates. She is a faithful member of the Christian church and is calmly waiting the final call of the Master.

Hon. Isaac Webb, the father of Dr. Webb, was born in Henry county, Ky., and was a lawyer hj profession. He represented his section in the legislature of Kentucky. His wife was Miss Levina Gist, who was a native of Alabama.

Chenault Webb, their son, was born in Henry county, Tennessee, Sept. 30, 1869. Their home was in Newcastle, the county seat, but they owned a large farm adjacent to the city on which young Webb spent most of his early time.

He attended the Newcastle high school, and was graduated in a course of private instruction under Prof. H. K. Bowan. He clerked in a drugstore in his native city for two years and in 1890 matriculated in the Louisville Medical College, Louisville, Ky., also taking an unofficial term in the

Dr. And Mrs. Chenault Webb Catherine Webb

In June, 1891, he opened an office at Hamlettsburg, Pope county. 111., and within one year removed to Unionville, Illinois, where he maintains a large practice. He is an Odd Fellow and Modern Woodman,

Daniel Deane Merchant

The grandfather of Mr. Deane was an expert weaver of velvet in Spittlefleld, England, and was the superintendent of velvet weavers. His son's name was Daniel Deane.

Daniel Deane, Jr., was the son of Daniel and Mary Deane, two hardy English ancestors. He was born June 3, 1839, in London, England, and was educated under a private instructor and secured a good education. His early life was spent in his native country.

Twenty-six years ago he came almost direct to Massac county and farmed for about six years. Having a business turn of mind he opened a general store in Unionville, Massac county, twenty years ago and has continued merchandising for a fifth of a century in the same bulding.

March 24th, 1885, he and Mrs. Mary Anders were married and they have two bright children. Mr. Deane is of a pleasing disposition and stands high in the community.

Hon. Charles P. Skaggs Harrisburg, Ill

Pryor L. Skaggs, the father, was born in East Tennessee, Aug. 6, 1829, and came to Illinois in 1851. He is a harness maker and worker of leather. For three years he served as a volunteer in the 120th Illinois infantry with the rank of corporal. Miss Eliza J. Davis, who was also born in East Tennessee, Nov. 23, 1831, became his wife June 22, 1818, and to them were born four sons and one daughter.

Charles P. Skaggs, their son, was born in Marion, Williamson county. 111., December 1, 1858, and attended the common schools. He extended his education at the Southern Illinois normal university, Carbondale, paying his way by his own labors. For some time he read law with Messrs. Gregg and Gregg until he went to Mt. Vernon, 111., and engaged in the real estate and abstract business in the contiguous counties for about five years.

Returning to Harrisburg in 1883 he became cashier of the Bank of Harrisburg, in which capacity he served for fifteen years, when he resigned, immediately resumed the study of law, was admitted to the bar and became a member of the law firm of Thompson, ^^'illiford & Skaggs, which yet exists.

Fraternally Mr. Skaggs has attained success. He was made a thirty-second degree Mason in oriental causistry, Chicago, April, 1887, was knighted in 1886 in the Gethsemane commandery. Knights Temxjlar, Metropolis, 111.; is grand conductor in the grand lodge of the I. O. O. F. of Illinois, trustee in the grand lodge. Knights of Pythias, domain of Illinois; also a member of the Modern Woodmen, A. O. U. AV., Court of Honor and Tribe of Ben Hur.

Mr. Skaggs is an ex-mayor of Harrisburg, his home city, and was nominated by the republican party as the candidate for the forty-second general assembly of Illinois at Mound City, July 12th, 1900, and elected Nov. Cth, 1900, without opposition. His extended experience in parliamentary bodies, wide

November 29, 1882, he was married to Miss Carrie E. Seimer, daughter of H. W. Seimer, Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Their two sons, Charles Seimer (16) and Frank P. (14) are cadets in the Kenyon military academy, Gambler, Ohio; Helen H., who is 12, and AA'illiam B., who is 11, are at home with their parents.

Hon. Marion Sumner Whitley Harrisburg, Ill

The paternal ancestry of the subject of this sketch were of English lineage originally in North Carolina, while the maternal family was of German descent and early settled in the state of New York.

Silas A. Whitley, the father, came to Williamson county, 111., in 1837, and died in the spring of 1900, while his son Marion was attending the republican state convention, Peoria, Illinois. His wife was Miss Hannah Crawford, who died when her son Marion was only five years old.

June 17, 1860, Marion Sumner, their son, was born in Saline county, Illinois, where the parents then lived. In youth he attended the rural school for a short while and labored in a saw mill when young to earn money to pursue an education. When 19 he taught his first school and alternately taught and attended school until he was 26 years of age, when he married, settled at Gallatia and was admitted to the bar in 1888, practicing there for four years.

In 1892 he was elected state's attorney of Saline county and in 1893 he formed a partnership with Choisser and Choisser. His practice has, perhaps, extended into more counties than any other lawyer of southern Illinois. In 1897 he was elected mayor of Harrisburg and in 1900 was nominated by the congressional convention at Carbondale as the republican presidential elector of the twenty-second congressional district and made an earnest, capable and telling canvass for his party.

James Elliott

Of the early pioneers of Massac county none did more to develop along the correct lines the rude conditions then existing than did James Elliott.

Undaunted he secured a good education and came to Vienna, Johnson county, Illinois, in 1842, where he clerked in a store until he later came to Massac county, and it is said taught the second term of subscription school in the first school house in Massac county. This profession he followed for quite awhile and was made the fourth county school commissioner of the county, now the county superintendent. This office he filled for a number of years.

Before the civil war he was twice elected circuit clerk and gave universal satisfaction. He retired to his farm until after the war was over, when he was again elected circuit clerk as a republican, but died in 1866.

Mr. Elliott and Miss Eliza Laird were married in Massac county, of which she was a native. Her father was a pioneer of Massac county originally from New England. She died in 1888. Their children living here are James L. Elliott, cashier of the National State Bank, and John M. Elliott, a well established undertaker and furniture dealer.

Dr. A. E. Adkins is a native of Massac county, the son of Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Adkins, two of the foremost citizens of the county. He was born Oct. 12, 1859, and his early life was tempered by the happy environments of the farm.

Dr. And Mrs. E. A. Adkins

the study of medicine under Dr. J. D. Yoimg, of Brooklyn, 111., also entering the drug store as clerk, where he gained a pharmaceutical knowledge very valuable to him during his extended practice.

In the winter of 1883 and '84 he entered the medical department of the University of Louisiana, New Orleans, took two courses of lectures in the Missouri Medical college, St. Louis, Mo., and graduated from that noted institution in March, 1887.

Returning home he opened an oflQce at his old home, where he has resided ever since, enjoying the confidence and ])rofltable patronage of his life long friends. On April 7, 1886, he and Miss Laura B., daughter of Dr. J. D. Young, were married and they have a pleasant and well arranged home.

Round Knob

Daniel P. Trovillion, the father of our subject, was born in Tennessee, and was early brought to Illinois by his parents. He became a prosperous farmer in Pope county. 111., and retired to Brownfleld, 1891, to enjoy his later years. His wife was Elizabeth Lewis, and a native of Illinois.

Milo H. Trovillion, M. D., was born in Columbus, Pope county, 111., Oct. 31, 1805, and reared on a farm. He attended the common schools and the private normal schools. In 1885 he taught school for one term and began to read medicine under his brother. Dr. J. A. Trovillion, of Pope county.

In the fall of 1889 he matriculated in the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating with the title of "M. D." March 14, 1892, and opened an office in McCormick, Pope county. Later he removed to Bloomfield, in the same county, tmd practiced his profession there for two and one-half years. In 1899 he located at Eound Knob, in Massac county, where he is building up a paying practice.

ciation. He is assistant physician at the Metropolis Sanitarium and has contributed scientific medical papers for the Southern Illinois Journal of Medicine and Surgery. Tn 1888 he and Miss Anna Williams were married. They hare one child living, Loren, now 13; Carlos died at the age of 3 rears.

Hon. James E. Jobe Harriseurg, Ill

The Hon. James E. Jobe was born in Indiana, but early came to Saline county, Illinois, where he entered the profession of teacher and met with great success. He was elected county superintendent of public schools for several terms, resigning during the last term to accept appointment as commissioner of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary, Chester, 111.

Mr. Jobe has for a number of years been active in politics and has been delegate for his county to senatorial, congressional and state conventions, where he has always wielded marked influence. He was a delegate from the Twenty-second congressional district to the national republican convention in 1896.

conducting the business of that great institution. When the present commission took charge, the penitentiary was !$ 1 15,000 w debt with nothing to meet the emergency. Although the annual appropriations have been much less during the four jeais of his administration than that of his predecessors, the |1 15,000 indebtedness is paid, the institution's bills paid, and a balance to its credit. Of this record the friends of Mr. Jobe are justly proud.

Hon. Ben O. Jones Metropolis, Ill

Benjamin O. Jones was born in Graves county, Ky., "Nov. 23, 1844, the son of Dr. Caleb Jones, a native of Virginia. He early laid the foundation of a liberal education in literature and languages, being recognized as a close student of poetry and history. He is a versatile writer and fluent speaker.

In 1864 he came to Metropolis and in 1869 became editor of the Western Star, a year later purchasing the "Promulgator," and changed its name to "Massac Journal." In 1871 he, with A. J. Alden, also founded the "Pulaski Patriot" at Mound City, 111. He parted with his newspaper interests in 1887.

He was elected as a republican member of the XXIXth gen- <^ral assembly and took foremost rank as a leader. In 1870 he was admitted to the bar, was elected state's attorney the following year, and county judge in 1890. As a campaign speaker he has few superiors.

We have endeavored to give a full and detailed account of tlie churches, lodges and points of interest, and feel that the most important facts have been secured, but several friends failed to keep their promises to our request.

Joppa is one of the oldest points in the county situated nine miles below Metropolis on the river. For years it has been a small village, boat landing and postoffice. This summer of 1900 the Chicago & Eastern Illinois has built a line into the quiet little place and will perhaps cross the river there, giving new life and vigor to Joppa, v.'orthy a larger population than heretofore.

Along the Illinois Central railroad is Round Knob, a neat little village and station, and Big-bay, further up the line. Several other minor postoffices also exist throughout the county.

We might have secured many more sketches by soliciting the same but we have extensively advertised for all those desiring to publish their family record. Now time and the press of business forbid further delay. 'S'S'e thank all our friends who have supported an honest effort to more particularly put in I>ermanent form the facts of the history of Massac county. When this book is placed in our State Historical Library it v,all be abo'ut the last county of Illinois.