1882 Biographies - Ripley Precinct
Anna Mary ARNOLD, hotel-keeper, Old Ripley, was born in Franco-Germany December 31, 1834, the daughter of Peter and Catharine (MOLTER) KLOSTER. They were born in Germany, he in 1807, and died in 1849; she was born at the same place November 23, 1811, and is still living. They had six children, four daughters and two sons. Subject went to school in Germany, and was married to George ARNOLD in 1849, at S. Louis, who was born in Alsace, Germany, April 24, 1812. He was the son of John and Annie (ASSOLT) ARNOLD. Subject had eleven children - Edward, Jacob, Annie, Clotilda, Emil, Rosa, Birdie, Julia, Lizzie, George and Charlie. Subject kept Strasburg Hotel, St. Louis, and since then has kept a hotel here. Mrs. ARNOLD is a Catholic.
John W. COX (deceased) was born in Bath County, Va., December 15, 1845. He was the son of John and Charity Ann COX. John was a dentist, and died at Carrollton, Ill.; his wife died in 1868. They had a family of eleven. Subject received most of his schooling in Marine, Ill. At Mexico, Mo., October 5, 1871, he married Mary J. WEST, who was born there on February 3, 1851. Her parents were J. J. and Zelophia WEST, he of Tennessee, and she of Kentucky. By this union subject had a family of five - George W. (deceased), Berthold, Corwin, Josie (deceased) and Nellie. Mr. COX was a miller at Troy, Ill.; afterward built a mill at Chillicothe, Mo. He died February 11, 1882, and was buried in the old Brown Cemetery at New Berlin. He was a Methodist, a Democrat, and a member of K. P. order. Mr. COX was an excellent business man, public- spirited, of strong character, and loved and esteemed by all who knew him.
J. W. CLANTON, hotel-keeper, Old Ripley, was born in Bond County, Ill., June 16, 1850; the son of Wesley and Nancy (BREWER) CLANTON. Wesley was born in North Carolina, 1811; was a farmer, and died in 1872. Mrs. CLANTON is still living. They had a family of four boys and four girls. Subject's opportunities for receiving a good education were limited, having only attended school a few years in Bond County, Ill., where, January 19, 1873, he married Mary E. LONG, who was born in Bond County October 17, 1853. She is the daughter of I. V. and Nancy LONG. By this union they had three children - John W., Lula A. (deceased) and Wayne L. Mr. CLANTON is a Baptist and a Democrat. He is at present engaged in the hotel business at New Berlin, Ill.
Frank H. DALHAUS, farmer, P. O. Old Ripley, was born in Prussia, Germany, February 22, 1830; son of Aberhardt and Margaret DALHAUS, both born in Germany. He died in Germany in 1854, and she one year later. They had seven children, five girls and two boys. Subject attended school in Germany, for seven years, and after this worked at brick-making there. He was married in St. Louis, April 11, 1874, to Christina URICH, born there June 22, 1852. She is the daughter of Henry and Neberga URICH, natives of Germany. Subject has one child - Henry G. During the war, Mr. DALHAUS served in Company D, Third Illinois Regiment, under Captains DAVIS and McLAIN. He kept saloon [Page 40] in New Berlin, Ill., twelve years, and since ten has farmed. He is a Catholic and a Republican.
John N. FILE, farmer, P. O. Pocahontas, was born July 21, 1828, in Ripley Precinct. His parents were Moses FILE, born in North Carolina, in 1804; was a farmer, and died August 27, 1865, and Elizabeth (LYTTAKER) FILE, born in Tennessee July 1, 1811. They had thirteen children, of whom our subject is the oldest. He received but little education, and that in this precinct. Mr. J. N. FILE was twice married; first, on December 24, 1851, at Pocahontas, to Mary A. STALLARD, and second, on January 6, 1856, at Pleasant Prairie, to Julia A. CRUTHIS, who was born there April 9, 1831. Her parents were John and Millberry (REDFEARN) CRUTHIS, both born in North Carolina. Subject has a family of nine - Elizabeth Millberry, John J. Thomas, A., Mary E., Martha A., Ida M., William M., Henry W. and Edward R. Mr. FILE has always been a farmer, and worked hard to clear the wilderness, and now owns 607.5 acres of as good land as can be found in Bond County. He is a Methodist, and his political views are with the Republican party.
Thomas B. FILE, farmer, P. O. Pocahontas, was born in Ripley Precinct March 14, 1830; is the son of Moses and Mary E. (LYTTAKER) FILE. Moses FILE, a farmer, was born in North Carolina in 1803, and died August 26, 1865. His wife was born in Tennessee in 1811, and died in 1869. Subject was one of a family of thirteen. His education, which was but scant, was received in Ripley Precinct. At Greenville, Bond County, October 23, 1856, he married Mary E. GILLESPIE, born in Clinton County, Ill., February 6, 1839, daughter of John and Mary GILLESPIE, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter born in Madison County February 5, 1814. By this union they had six children - Frederick S., John W., Benjamin M., Thomas Elmer, Augusta, Martha A. (deceased). Mr. FILE has always farmed in this precinct, and owns 638 acres of the best land in Bond County. He made the first road across the Bond County prairies. Mr. FILE was School Trustee for twelve years, Road Supervisor four terms, and is at present Overseer of the Poor. He is a Methodist and a Republican; also belongs to the Masonic and A. O. U. W. orders.
John F. FILE, farmer, P. O. Greenville, was born in Ripley Precinct July 13, 1832. His parents were George FILE, born in North Carolina; a farmer, and died in February, 1857, and Mary (LYTTAKER) FILE born in Tennessee, and died in March, 1878. They had thirteen children. The subject received his education in Ripley Precinct, where he was married March 17, 1853, to Miss WILLIE, who was born in Pocahontas in 1837. Her parents, Wilson and Fannie WILLIE, were natives of Tennessee. By this union they had nine children - Columbus (deceased), Mary F., George W., Carrie F., Emma J., Lemuel, John F., Henry and Lulie. During thewar, Mr. FILE served eighteen months under Capt. McLAIN and Col. CARNAHAN, in Company E, Third Illinois Cavalry. He began business as blacksmith with his grandfather, Peter LYTTAKER; has also been a Constable and Deputy Sheriff of Bond County. In politics, he is with the Republican party. He now owns eighty acres of land on the Alton road, and is at present a farmer.
John C. FLECK, farmer, P. O. Old Ripley, was born in Baden, Germany, February 20, 1845; son of Jacob and Jacobina (AALZGEBER) FLECK, both natives of Baden, Germany; he, born December 14, 1818, she in 1825. They are both still living, and had a family of nine, with but one daughter. Subject went to school in Baden for eight years; after this [Page 41] he learned the blacksmith's trade with his father, who was a blacksmith at Baden, Germany. In St. Louis, May 7, 1872, he married Mary NEIFAHRT, born in New Berlin, Ill., January 6, 1858, the daughter of Jacob and Sybilla NEIFAHRT. Subject has three children - John L., Ida E. and Charles F. Mr. FLECK was a blacksmith in St. Louis, Mo., in Pleasant Hill, Mo., Pekin, Ill., again in St. Louis, in Pocahontas, and lastly in this place. For the last three years, he has farmed here, is a Justice of the Peace for Ripley Precinct, a Republican, and a member in good standing of the A., F. & A. M., and I. O. O. F.
Frederick W. FRITZ, carpenter, Old Ripley, was born at St. Louis, Mo., April 21, 1862, a son of Jacob L. and Catharine (WITHMER) FRITZ, natives of Bavaria, South Germany; he, born March 15, 1832, a painter, and she, born February 15, 1840; both are still living. Subject is one of a family of three; attended school in Ripley, and was successful in his studies. He taught school at the Union Schoolhouse, in Ripley, for awhile, but has since followed the carpenter's trade, which he learned during his apprenticeship with William BOLDT. Mr. FRITZ is a Republican.
Rev. Thomas W. HYNES, farmer and preacher, Old Ripley, was born at Bardstown, Nelson Co., Ky., October 5, 1815; was the son of William R. and Barbara (CHENAULT) HYNES. William R. was born in Washington County Md., January 27, 1771; was a merchant and farmer in Kentucky, and died at Bardstown, Ky. April 10, 1837. Barbara, his wife, was born in Essex County, Va. March 13, 1793, and died at Greenville, Ill., June 1, 1856. Subject's father was married twice; by his first wife he had seven children, and by his last he had twelve, of which our subject is one. He first attended his uncle, Stephen CHENAULT's school, at Bardstown; then for two or three years attended a Roman Catholic college, called St. Joseph's College, at the same place; then entered the Hanover College, Indiana, and lastly the Theological Seminary at Hanover, Ind. He taught mathematics six or seven years in Hanover College; then became a Presbyterian minister. At Hanover, Ind. October 1, 1839, he married his first wife, Nancy J. DUNN;, born at Hanover, Ind., November 22, 1820. He married Elizabeth WAFER, who was born in Bond County, Ill., March 30, 1825. She was the daughter of James and Sarah (ELDER) WAFER, he born in York County, N. C. September 28, 1775; she, born in Livingston County, Ky., May 22, 1795. Subject had a family of eleven , five of whom are still living - William D., who is route agent for the Vandalia Railroad, living at Indianapolis, Ind.; Samuel B. is General Agent for A., T. & S. F. Railroad at Chicago, Ill.; Ella M., Charles H. and Walter B. Mr. HYNES was County Superintendent of Schools in Bond County for nearly twenty years. He is a Republican.
W. H. HARRIS, physician, Old Ripley, was born in Fillmore Township, Montgomery County, Ill., September 10, 1858. He was the son of Samuel and Emma (ALLEN) HARRIS, both natives of England, he a blacksmith, born February 4, 1834, and died July 26, 1867, and she, born January 23, 1836, and died May 1, 1870. Our subject was one of a family of seven. He was educated in the common schools of Fillmore Township, and attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, and the American Medical College at St. Louis, Mo. In Montgomery county, Ill., April 14, 1882, he married Katie E. MOODY, who was born in Fillmore Township February 16, 1859. She was the daughter of James S. and Eliza (BLISS) MOODY, he a native of Indiana, and she a native of Vermont. Dr. HARRIS is a practic-[Page 42] ing physician at present, and is doing well, and his efforts to assist and lighten the sufferings of humanity are being appreciated more and more every day. He is a Republican.
August HUHN, farmer, P. O. Greenville, was born in Prussia March 18, 1823; a son of C. C. and Mary (THASLER) HUHN, both natives of Prussia, he a coal miner, died in 1865; she, in 1836. Subject was of a family of three boys and two girls, and was educated in the land of his birth. In 1859, in Lake County, Ind., he married Sophia RIABE, also a native of Prussia. They had seven children - Otila, Amanda, Mary, Selma, Emma, and two died in infancy. Subject's second wife, Anna Mary ANDERS, is a native of Austria. Mr. HUHN was a coal miner in Prussia for twelve years, and came to this country when he was thirty years old. He is now a farmer, and owns 160 acres of land; is a Lutheran, a Republican, holds the office of School Director, and has been Road Supervisor several terms.
Lemuel B. LONG, farmer, P. O. Old Ripley, was born in Ripley Precinct July 22, 1833. He is the son of Peter and Betsey S. (VINCENT) LONG. He was born in Washington County, Ky., August 9, 1804; was a farmer, and is still living. His wife was born in North Carolina July 31, 1807, and died September 3, 1839. Subject was of a family of seven, four boys and three girls. What little education he got was in the common schools of Ripley Precinct, and a short time at Greenville, where, on January 16, 1862, he married Sarah G. SMITH, born in this county October 17, 1831. She was the daughter of Aaron and Mary (LAUGHLIN) SMITH. Aaron was born February 4, 1789, in Spartansburg District, N. C.; died October 12, 1851, and his wife was born in Pendleton District, S. C., January 26, 1796, and died April 12, 1859. Subject had a family of six - James E., Paul W., Peter L., Mary C., Sarah E. and Lemuel S. Mr. LONG was a printer, farmer and merchant; was Postmaster in Old Ripley for twelve years, and Justice of the Peace at Ripley Precinct for some time. He has been engaged merchandising in New Berlin, Ill., for sixteen years. His religion is that of a Baptist; his politics Republican, and is a member of the Masonic and A. O. U. W. orders.
E. J. MUNSON, physician, Old Ripley, was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 24, 1834. He is the son of Dr. George and Emily (BLISS) MUNSON, he born in Ohio in 1808; was a physician, she born in January, 1815, is still living. They had twelve children, three boys and nine girls. Subject first attended school in Jeffersonville, Ind.; then about six years at New London, Iowa, where he studied medicine with his father. He was married three times, and each time in Bond County. First time, February 5, 1863, to Adeline M. WATSON, daughter of Wilson WATSON; second time to Jeannette GUNN, daughter of Seal GUNN, an old resident here, and third time to Martha E. WEST, daughter of Thomas WEST, another old settler. Subject had four children died in infancy, and has a son living, Lorenzo F., eight years old. Dr. MUNSON served ten months in Company I, Fifty-seventh Illinois, under Capt. W. B. GUTHRIE. The Doctor is a Republican, and commenced his professional career as a physician in New London under his father's supervision. The Doctor is a writer of considerable ability; has written several able lectures, and has now manuscript ready for publication of several important lectures.
Joseph J. MUELLER, blacksmith, Old Ripley, was born in Wabasha County, Minn., July 7, 1858. His father, Anton J. MUELLER, was a saddler and harness-maker. He died February 17, 1868. His mother, Magdalena [Page 43] (BETSCHART) MUELLER, is still living. They had two sons and one daughter. Subject attended school about four years at Greenville. Here, on February 23, 1882, he married Frances E. HUNTER, who was born in Bond County April 28, 1857, and daughter of Wm. McLin and Nancy (GLENN) HUNTER. Mr. MUELLER is a blacksmith, and has run a shop at New Berlin for two years, with his custom increasing every day. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and a Democrat.
Joseph NEATHAMMER, farmer, P. O. Pocahontas, was born in Bond County April 20, 1854, son of John NEATHAMMER (whose biography appears in this work) and Catharine (DAUDERMANN) NEATHAMMER, born in Germany, and died November, 1878. They had a family of four girls and one boy. Subject was educated at Mt. Vernon School, Bond County, and two years at Highland, after which he went on the farm. He married October 19, 1876, in Greenville, Isabella ZELLER, born in Madison County December 20, 1857, and a daughter of Sebastian and Margaret ZELLER. They have four children - Catharine M., Isabella O., Joseph A. and Rosa E. Subject held the office of Road Supervisor in 1880, is a Republican, a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. societies, and owns 138 acres of fine land.
John H. PAINE, farmer, P. O. Greenville, was born in Ripley Township, Bond County, January 12, 1836, son of Elisha and Nancy A. (FENTON) PAINE, he a farmer, born in North Carolina; died July, 1871; she died in 1877. Subject is one of a family of twelve, and was educated in this county, where, June 3, 1858, he married Elizabeth BEAN, born in Tennessee in 1840, and daughter of William and Margaret BEAN. Subject had eight children, two of whom died in their infancy. those living are Mary, Margaret A., John H., Lewis A., George and Albert. At the time of the war, Mr. PAINE joined Company B, Sixty-second Illinois Regiment, under Capt. JOURDON. He is a Baptist, a Democrat, has always been a farmer, has held the offices of School Director and Road Supervisor, and owns ninety acres of land.
James WHITE was born in Rutherford County, N. C., in the year 1794, and emigrated to Illinois in company with his father, Thomas WHITE, and family, in the fall of 1816. They came by wagon, the only means of transportation at that time, James being the driver of a five-horse team, carrying the household goods of the family over a route, the greater portion of which traversed as hilly, mountainous and rugged a country as can be found in the United States east of the Mississippi River. They crossed the Blue Ridge and the Cumberland Mountains over roads that would now be called impassable. In going down the steep, rocky mountain sides, in addition to having both the hind wheels of the wagon locked, it was often necessary to cut down small trees and fasten them by the top end to the hind part of the wagon, in order to prevent its going too fast and becoming unmanageable. The crossings of the mountain creeks and rivers were equally hazardous; but in the face of every obstacle they persevered until, being ferried over the Ohio River in a flat-boat pushed along with poles, they landed in Illinois, and land of beautiful prairies, which, to mountaineers, as they were, appeared surprisingly level. Continuing their northwestern course from where they crossed the Ohio, near Golconda, they came to a halt, and settled in Section 9, Town 5 north, Range 3 west, one and a half miles west of where Greenville now stands. The country was then a wilderness, without roads, bridges, mills, schools, churches, or any other appurtenances of civilization. The wild beasts usually found in this region, and the [Page 44] Indians who hunted them, roamed at will over the vast domain. The forests were rich with the stores of the wild bee, and the streams abounded with fish. The prairies were covered with a rank growth of grass, as tall as a man, and in many places much taller, while the timbered lands, in many localities, produced a luxuriant growth called by the settlers "wild pea-vine", which was equally as tall, and through which it was almost impossible to pass, either on foot or on horseback. All this afforded ample pasturage for the few cattle and horses that were in the country. All supplies for the settlers had to be procured at St. Louis, then a small trading post, and were exchanged mostly for furs, venison hams, honey, etc., and Mr. WHITE, having had ample experience as a teamster, was engaged much of the time during the first years of his residence here in hauling to and from St. Louis, for the different traders scattered over a wide extent of country. The only means of crossing the Mississippi then was by what was called a horse-boat - that is, a boat propelled by horse-power. when the people wished to go to mill, or when they needed a physician they had to go to Edwardsville, there being none nearer. The subject of this sketch was married in August, 1823, to Miss Mary DENNY, whose family emigrated to Bond County in 1819, from Lincoln County, N. C. He settled on a tract of land in Section 9, above named, where he resided until the death of his wife, which occurred in 1852, she having been his faithful consort during twenty-nine years of the toils and hardships incident to frontier life. They raised a family of six children, five of whom are yet living. Since his wife's death, he has resided most of the time with his youngest son, near Jerseyville, Ill., and, although eighty-eight years of age, is in the enjoyment of excellent health and spirits, and bids fair to live many years longer. He has been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church for over sixty years, and has never been addicted to intemperate habits of any kind. His recollection of the scenes and incidents connected with the early history of this country is remarkably good, and he delights to tell of the ups and downs of frontier life in Illinois.
Robert WILLEFORD, farmer, P. O. Old Ripley, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., June 6, 1818. His parents were James and Sallie (PRICE) WILLEFORD. James was born in Southampton County, Va., in 1791; was a farmer, and died in 1862. His wife was born in Franklin County, Va., and died in 1824. They had a family of two boys and two girls. Our subject attended a subscription school in Tennessee about two months, and for a short time in Bond County, where, on January 3, 1849, he married Malinda E. FILE, who was born in this county in 1830. Her parents were Daniel and Martha (JAMES) FILE. By this marriage they had one son, Edward L., who married Lucy DAVENPORT in 1869, and has five children. Mr. WILLEFORD served twelve months in the Mexican war under Capt. Benjamin SELLERS and Col. Ferris FOREMAN. Subject has always been a farmer and stock-raiser; has held the offices of School Director, County Commissioner and Township Trustee. He is a Regular Baptist, his political views are Democratic, and he owns 515 acres of the best land in Ripley Precinct.
Willis WILLEFORD, farmer, P. O. Old Ripley, was born in Ripley Precinct January 30, 1832; was the son of James and Nancy (PRICE) WILLEFORD, natives of Virginia. James was born November 30, 1791; was a farmer by occupation, and died April 25, 1862. Nancy, his wife, was born February 6, 1801, and is still living with her son Willis, the subject of our sketch, who is one of her [Page 45] family of eight. He never went to school much; what little education he received was in subscription schools. He married in Bond County February 22, 1855, Polly A. LONG, who was born in Madison May 15, 1836. She was the daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (VINCENT) LONG. Subject has six children - John, Elizabeth, James L., Martha E. (all married), William and Mary. Mr. WILLEFORD is a farmer and stock-raiser. He was Justice of the Peace in 1864, Bond Supervisor in 1855 and is at the present time Township Trustee. He is a Regular Baptist and a Democrat. Mr. WILLEFORD is one of the most thrifty and successful farmers in Bond County, and now owns nearly fourteen hundred acres of land.
Extracted by Norma Hass from the History of Bond and
Montgomery Counties
