1879 History of Greene
Biographical Directory
[Pages 469-771] Help is needed for additional extractions.
Page 622
FITZJARRELL ROBERT, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 16, P.O. Greenfield. Was born in 1823, in Ohio; came to Greene County, Ill., with is father, Eli Fitzjarrell, who was born in the State of Delaware in 1788, and reared in New Jersey; was married in 1812 to Tabitha Kelsey, who was born in New Jersey in 1793. The family emigrated to Ohio in 1814, living there for fifteen years; then moved to Greene County, Ill., in 1830, the year of the deep snow, and saw some of the privations of that winter among the old settlers of Greene County; entered 280 acres of land near Rock Bridge, Medora, in Jersey County. Eli Fitzjarrell died Dec. 20, 1855; his wife died Oct. 1857. The subject of this sketch was married Aug. 19, 1847, to Susanah Jolly, who was born March 11, 1827. Have four children: Edgar, born April 12, 1852; Carrie, Jan. 28, 1855; Levi, Jan 6, 1857; Francis E., Feb. 6, 1859. Mr. Fitzjarrell owns 120 acres of land, which he has made by his own exertions. His grandfather, Ambrose Fitzjarrell, was born March 10, 1753; was married to Deborah Barrot, who was born in 1757.
FORD THOMAS, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 32, P. O. Greenfield, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1819; emigrated to New York in 1842, and remained there, working for seven dollars a month till the Spring of 1843; then went to Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Ill., and worked for one hundred dollars per year; was married in Morgan Co. in 1845, to Elizabeth Hembrough, who was born in England, and emigrated to America with her parents when she was six years of age; have seven children living; John S., Thomas T., George B., Richard R., Francis A., William J., and Eddie F. When Mr. Ford came to America, he had the sum of $500 to start in life with; has worked hard during his life, and he now stands with the leading farmers of Greene County; owns 846 acres of land; has followed the occupation of a farmer all of his life.
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Smith, Charles, Farmer, Sec. 36, P.O. Greenfield
Smith, E., farmer, Sec. 1, P.O. Greenfield
SMITH ERVIN B farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 8, P.O. Greenfield, was born in 1853, in Greene County. His father, W. W. Smith, was born in 1825, in Indiana, and came to Greene County in 1832, and died Nov. 30, 1877; owned 240 acres of land at his death; was married twice; first, in 18852, to Mary A. Short, who was born in 1830; had four children by this marriage: Ervin, Henry, Elizabeth, and Amanda; married the second time to Lettence Whitlock, who was born in 1838.
SMITH J. P. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 1, P.O. Greenfield, was born in Greene County August 29, 1834; was married in 1853 to Martha A. Smith, who was born February 8, 1834; is the daughter of James and Peninah H. Smith; have five children, four living: Virginia A., James E., Caroline E., Robert L., and Albert E., deceased. Mr. Smith owns 211 acres of land, all fenced, which he has made by his own exertions. His father, Daniel Smith, was married to Lucy A. Pace, and they emigrated to Greene County in 1834, and entered land from the government, to the amount of 160 acres.
Smith John M. farmer, Sec 4, P.O. Greenfield
Smith R. A. farmer, Sec. 15 P.O. Greenfield
SMITH STEPHEN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 6, P.O. Greenfield, was born May 22, 1809, in Vermont. His father, John M. Smith, was born in 1781, in Virginia, and was married to Rachel Packwood, who was born in 1781. They emigrated to Kentucky in 1810, and remained there till 1840, then emigrated to Greene COunty, Ill. He died in 1858, in Greene County, and his wife died in 1836, in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch [Page 628] was twenty-eight years of age when he came to Greene County; was married in Kentucky, Sept. 13, 1836, to Sallie M. Pace, who was born Feb. 22, 1816; have nine children: Thomas A., born Dec. 8, 1837; Greensville Z., born Aug. 31, 1839, died April 7, 1866; Nacy, born Feb. 26, 1842; Edward, born July 11, 1844; James T., born July 30, 1847; William, born March 28, 1850; John C., born Feb. 24, 1853; George W., born Nov. 13, 1855; Martha B., born July 10, 1860. Mr. Smith came to Illinois with a borrowed team and wagon, and all he brought with him was his bed clothes and wearing apparel and cooking utensils, and with money enough to buy 106 acres of the unbroken soil of Greene County, and now owns 175 acres.
Smith W. H. farmer, Sec. 28, P.O. Greenfield
Smith W. H. farmer, Sec. 9, P.O. Greenfield
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Thuet G. farm hand, Sec. 24, P.O. Greenfield
Travis ---, physician, Greenfield
Tucker John, renter, Sec. 11, P.O. Fayette
Tunnell N, druggist, Greenfield
Turner W. V. stock-dealer, Greenfield
TYAS RICHARD, blacksmith, Greenfield, born in Halifax, ...
VALLENTINE, JAMES, farmer, Sec. 31, P. O. Rockbridge. Were it possible for the reader to take a retrospective view of the locality and its surroundings, of the place now occupied by its present owners, during the first few years of its occupancy, could have seen a little, low log cabin with "cat-and-clay chimney", and split boards for a roof, which was held to its place by being weighted down with poles. Parlow, sitting, dining, and bed-room up stairs, and cellar, hall, pantry and wardrobe, being embraced in one room. Its owner having just returned from a trip to St. Louis, took a load of wheat and pork thither, for the wheat he got 33 cents per bushel, and $1.25 per one hundred lbs. for the pork, taking script in payment; and, as we take a peep inside this structure through a crevice in the logs, we see the fair matron plying industriously at her wheel, while just across on the other side of the fire-place, sits her husband on his bench, making a pair of shoes for a neighbor; and, as he is stitching and pegging away, he is [page 696] sending up a harmonious bass to "home, sweet home," which his wife has "stuck up," while John and Edward S. are stretched out on the puncheon floor regaling themselves with a chunk of corn bread, this being the regular article of diet, wheat bread the exception. This is not a overdrawn picture, it was but the true state of things as they existed, when Mr. and Mrs. Vallentine began life, yet from these unpropitious and unfavorable surrounding have, by economy and industry, attained their present condition, as we find them today. Mr. Vallentine was born in Dover, New Hampshire, Sept. 11, 1812, was a son of John Vallentine and Anna Plant. At an early age James moved with his parents to Taunton, Mass., where they continued up to the year 1837, when they moved to Greene County this State, first settling in Carrollton. On September 11, 1838, was united in marriage to Martha A. Vanarsdale, born June 24, 1818, in Mercer Co., Kentucky. Left Carrollton in 1840 and moved on the place he now lives, having loaned a party $500, which he could not pay, he took the forty acres in lieu of the money, and began farming. He being raised up a mechanic, this new vocation was very distasteful to him, yet he plodded on and having in the person of his wife a very efficient helpmeet, he was double-handed. They remained at this place about eight years, when at this time there was a piece of land the he desired, but not having the money, he, to pay for it, traded his horses and implements for the land, and returned to Carrollton and resumed his trade, where he continued two years, then returned to his farm and began again, and has since continued farming, yet during the time of driving stock to St. Louis, has traded quite extensively in that line. Subsequent to this he engaged in commercial business at Rockbridge, where he built the storehouse now occupied by J. M. & J. H. Vallentine. He continued in business there for about eight years, when he sold out his interest to its present occupants, and he is still carrying on his farm, but considers himself partially retired. Having divided up his property among his children, is not attempting to do much business, being more interested in their success than of his own at the present. Mr. and Mrs. Valletine and daughter are members of the Presbyterian church. He is also a member of Sheffield Lodge, A.F. & A. M., No. 687. Mr. and Mrs. Vallentine have had eight children, but five are now living: John H., born December 7, 1840; Edward S., born January 29, 1843; Ellen J., born November 25, 1844; J. Meade, born August 7, 1849; Cora B., born April 3, 1857. Edward S. is now settled in Christian County in this State, Ellen J. is now the wife of A. Bowman, Cora B. is at home.
VALLENTINE J. H. dry goods and groceries, and general store, Rockbridge. John Henry first saw the light of day, in town 10, range 10, December 7, 1840; he is the first child in a family of five children born of James and Martha Ann Vallentine, her maiden name was Vanarsdale; both of the above named families are favorably known in the county. The subject of this sketch had excellent educational advantages which were improved. In 1862 he embarked in business for himself, first engaging in agricultural pursuits, at which he continued two years. During this time he was in command of the Yates Guard, a company of militia that was in organization since the outbreak of the war, a portion of which company went with him into the one hundred days service, joining the 133d Regiment, J. Henry receiving a commission as 1st Lieutenant. Upon his return from service he embarked in the mercantile business with his brother, Edward S.Vallentine, October 24, 1864, which partnership continued until the Spring of 1867. He then associated with Albert Bowman, his brother-in-law, they doing business together until 1869, when he bought his partner out, and his father, James Vallentine, became one of the firm, and remained with him until 1876, when Joseph Mead bought his father's interest, and the firm is now known as J H. & J. M. Vallentine. They have one of the largest and best arranged business houses in the county, being 75x25 feet, main building two stories high, having a cellar under the entire portion, and attached to the main building in the rear, is an agricultural room, one story and a half high, 32x22 feet. They carry a large stock of goods, having every thing that is needed: dry goods, groceries, [Page 697] clothing, boots and shoes, stoves, hardware, and fancy goods, and are doing a thriving business. On June the 20th he was united in marriage to Susan B. Ryan, daughter of W. E. Ryan; she was born November 15. 1844. They have been blessed with five children, three of whom are now living: James W., Birdie M. Claudie M., Edward M., Lucy W. B. Mr. John H. is a member of the Masonic Order, Sheffield Lodge, No. 687, also of the Knights of Honor, Golden Rule Lodge No. 1017. From the present outlook we predict for him a bright and successful career, and he will no doubt become one of the most opulent commercial men in the county VALLENTINE J.M. grain and lumber Sec. 34, P.O. Rockbridge. Joseph Mead, is a son of James Vallentine, a well-known self-made man of this county. Joseph first beheld the light of day in T 10, R 10. His educational advantages were good; aside from the common schools he attended the high school at Carrollton; and the Iowa State University. Having an inclination to study materia medica, entered Rush Medical College, with the intention of taking a thorough course, but only attended one year, when in consequence of ill health was compelled to relinquish his studies for a time, to return home and recuperate; but was restrained from following out the bent of his inclination, as his father's health not being good, and having at the time a large amount of business on hand, he importuned Joseph to engage with him in business, and on July 25, 1870, began business with Jas, Vallentine & Co., dealers in general merchandise, grain and lumber; firm composed of James, John H., George R. and J. M. Vallentine, he continuing with them until November 1, 1871, at which time he withdrew from the partnership, and taking the grain and lumber business as his, then associated himself with another brother, E. S. Vallentine adding the stock trade also. This partnership was of short duration, terminating in April, 1872, by the withdrawal of E. S. Vallentine. The grain business, also the lumber, has since been controlled by him alone. July i, 1876, he bought his father's interest in firm of James Vallentine & Co., and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of J. M. & J. H. Vallentine, each being equal partner. March 2, 1871, he formed a matrimonial alliance with Anna Rhodes, born March 26, 1852. She was a daughter of John Rhodes, an old resident of the county. Their association together was short, though very happy, as they had congenial temperaments and were "mated" as well as married; but Joseph was caused to "pass under the rod." Death, the grim monster, Aug. 14, 1873, invaded his happy home and bore off, on his icy bosom, his first born, named Rhodes, and, not being content with this invasion, Aug. 11, 1874, returned and bore away to the Spirit land his wife, Anna, thus leaving his home desolate indeed. After her death he continued keeping house until 1877, and has since been boarding with Wm. Rhodes. Mr. J. M. is now doing business in the first house building that was erected in the town. He is doing a good business, and well deserving of the high regard and esteem with which he is viewed in the community in which he resides.
VANABSDALE J. H. farmer, Sec. 31, P.O. Rockbridge, was a native born Kentuckian, having first beheld the light of day in Mercer County, June 28, 1816. His father, Peter, married Miss Charity Demerce, both of them being of Dutch descent. The father of J. H. being a man who believed that slavery was morally wrong, and advocating this idea, with a fervency characteristic of the man, his ideas were not entertained by those people as being orthodox, and Peter, like the Pilgrim Fathers, emigrated to a clime more congenial to his conceptions of right, where he could exercise his opinions and principles untrammeled by that sectional or partisan feeling so rife in that locality, and in the year 1836 moved to Carrollton, where he remained about two years, when he removed to the country, as he had become unpopular on account of his (what was then styled) "Abolition" principles. He never lived to see the triumph of the principles which he advocated so zealously, but his children have witnessed with pride the final victory of the tenets to which he adhered, and which have now become governmentally the chief corner stone. After J. H. had arrived at his twenty-first year, [Page 698] he engaged for himself at farming pursuits, at which he continued up to the date of his marriage, which occurred Dec. 9, 1839, to Susan Demere, by whom he had two children: Alfred H., who is now in Colorado, and James, who died in the service. Mr. V. lost his wife in 1854; was married second time to Mrs. Sarah S. Batchelder, by whom he has five children: Sue -F., born April 28, 1856; Hattie E., born March 29, 1858; Harry P., born March 29, 1858, twins; Allie J., born July 11, 1859; Ernest S., born Sept. 29, 1862, all of whom are now at home. Miss Sue is music teacher and Hattie teacher in the public school. Mr. Van. was elected justice of the peace, in 1849, which office he continued to hold by re-election until the year 1862, when, he was appointed U. S. district assessor internal revenue department for the county, and in 1867 received an appointment as a member of the board of equalization for this Congressional district. Mr. Vanarsdale has always been an uncompromising temperance man, and politically is of his father's belief, and says he voted the anti-slavery ticket when there was not another voter to bear him company; voted for Martin Van Buren in 1836. He and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Still engaged in agricultural pursuits; has been school director twenty-five years.
Vanarsdale Lewis, clerk. Sec. 30, P.O. Rockbridge
Vanmeter Amanda Mrs. Sec. 33, P.O. Rockbridge
Vanmeter Mrs. farming. Sec. 35, P.O. Greenfield
Extracted from History of Greene County, Illinois: Its Past and Present published in 1879, pages 469-771.
