FITZJARRELL & GREENE Biographies
William FITZJARRELL
FITZJARRELL, William William FITZJARRELL, retired farmer, Raymond, was born in Warren County, Ohio, October 3, 1815. He received a limited education, and at fifteen years of age he was brought to Macoupin County, Ill., by his parents, but permanently located in Jersey County. In 1849, he bought land and moved where Plainview now is, in Macoupin County, where he remained seven years. He then moved to Montgomery County, and settled 200 acres of land, on which he was the first settler. He erected a farm residence, and made all other improvements, and by his en- [Page 219] ergy and industry he soon added to the above property, which numbered at one time nearly hour hundred acres. He devoted his time to growing the usual farm crops and raising stock, and, perhaps, no man has ever done more for the advancement, growth and prosperity of the agricultural interests of Montgomery County. He was noted for his hospitality, and his house was made the stopping place of all travelers. He was regularly ordained as a Baptist minister on Christmas Day, 1842, but previous to this had received a license and had been preaching in the neighboring towns and villages. For something over twenty years he filled the pulpit at Little Flock Church, at Honey Bend; has served the people of the county as Associate Judge four years. He was married in Greene County, November 10, 1836, to Miss Elizabeth COURTNEY, born in Madison County February 20, 1817. They have six children, viz.: William R., Tabitha A., Cyrus, Naomi, Harriet and Meredith. All his sons are farmers, and his daughters are all married – Tabitha, wife of J. W. ASH; Naomi, wife of Isaac F. LAWLER; Harriet A., wife of James F. THOMAS. Mrs. FITZJARRELL was a daughter of William COURTNEY, a native of Kentucky, and one of the early settlers of Illinois. He settled in Madison County in 1809; his death occurred in May, 1835. His wife, Margaret BARNETT, was also a native of Kentucky; she died in 1845. The father of William, the subject of this sketch, Eli FITZJARRELL, was a native of New Jersey, and one of the early settlers of Macoupin County; was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation in Warren County, Ohio, but had in an early day taught school in New Jersey. He died December 18, 1854. The mother of William, Tabitha KELSEY, was also a native of New Jersey. She was the mother of sixteen children, of whom William was the second. She died October 24, 1856. In early life, Mr. F. was identified with the old Whig party, but since its day his sympathies have been with the Democratic party. He has always been an energetic worker in the cause of temperance.
Cyrus FITZJARRELL
FITZJARRELL, Cyrus Cyrus FITZJARRELL, farmer, P. O. Raymond, son of William and Elizabeth (COURTNEY) FITZJARRELL, he born In Ohio in 1815; she born in Madison County. They have six children, Cyrus being the third child. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Macoupin and Montgomery Counties, and came to Montgomery County in February, 1857; remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. In September, 1867, he was married to Miss Eliza A. GREENWOOD, a native of Kentucky, born in 1843, who removed with her parents to Macoupin County when about two years of age. In 1867, he, our subject, commenced farming on his own account by renting a farm and working the same, and continued on the same farm as a renter until 1876, when he bought 165 acres, and in 1881 bought eighty acres more and added to it; now is the owner of 245 acres of choice land, upon which he makes the raising of wheat, oats and corn; also stock of good grades – mules, horses, hogs and cattle. Upon his farm stands a fine residence, erected from his own design in 1878. Upon his place he has a wind-mill, scales, etc. Everything about his farm denotes his ability as a farmer. His farm is a portion of the same tract settled by his father when he first came to the county, valued at that time at $5 or $6 per acre, and is now worth $50 per acre. When our subject’s father came to the county there were no neighbors inside of two miles, and now houses dot the county as far as the eye can see. Plenty of deer, wolves, etc., were here when his father came; farm is inclosed with hedge fence, probably five miles of hedging. Five children, three … [Page 220] living - Etta, Harry, and William Ross; all at home. He is a Democrat.
John GREENE
John GREENE, banker, Raymond. The grandfather of our subject was a native of Kentucky. In 1819, he sought a home in the then far West, and became a resident of Greene County, Ill. In many ways he will be long remembered as one who helped materially toward making Greene County one of the most flourishing counties in the State, and which was named in honor of himself and his brother John. His death occurred in 1828. He was the father of five children, of whom Nelson, the father of our subject, was the fourth child. He was born in the year 1822, and grew up to be a stout and vigorous boy, early becoming inured to the hard work of a farm. He was married in 1847, to Ann E. GANO, a daughter of John S. GANO, a Virginian. In his own language - "I borrowed the clothes I wore to the marriage" - and subsequently borrowed many of the household utensils that formed the simple furniture of his cabin; but he worked hard, and thus paved the way for future success. He is the owner of 120 acres of land in one of the best townships of Greene County; is a whole-souled, liberal gentleman, and enjoys the confidence of his many friends. He was twice elected Justice of the Peace, serving eight years. He is the father of eight children, namely: Emily, wife of N. M. PERRY, Jr., at Olathe, Kan.; Mary, wife of Luther SNELL, of Carlinville, Ill.; Sarah, wife of Scott GREENE, of Tallula, Ill., a prominent farmer and stock-raiser; Lucy, Herschel, Robert, Clarence, and John, the subject of this sketch, who was born on the old farm homestead April 15, 1847, receiving a liberal education from the common schools of his native place. His first venture in business was made with Mr. N. M. PERRY, in the town designated as Old Kane, where a general merchandising business was done. Subsequently, Mr. GREENE purchased the interest of Mr. PERRY, and conducted a successful business for a number of years. In September, 1880, he opened a general banking business at Raymond, and, in addition to the duties of this business, he is Township Collector, elected by the Democratic ticket. He was married August 31, 1870, to Miss Emma E. PERRY, who was born in Greene County December 26, 1846. They have two children - Mabel, born August 18, 1871, and Morrison, born December 26, 1877. Mrs. GREENE was a daughter of Col. N. M. and Eliza (HILL) PERRY. He was born in Orange County, Va., November 30, 1806, and was the sixth child of James and Ann PERRY, who were of English descent. In 1864, he was nominated and elected as a candidate of the Democratic party to a seat in the legislature of Illinois, and in that responsible position acquitted himself with honor. His death occurred in 1875, and that of his wife in 1861. Mr. GREENE is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery. He is a man of unsullied reputation, and well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by the community at large.
Extracted 02 Mar 2012 from History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, as published in 1882, Part II Biographical Sketches, Montgomery County, Raymond Township, Pages 218-220
