Ralph Jeffris |
RALPH
JEFFRIS, Treasurer of Coles County, Ill., was born in
Pleasant Grove Township, Coles County, Jan. 30, 1860, the
son of John and Mary (Vandeveer) Jeffris. The
father was born in Coles County, Jan. 6, 1831, and probably
is the only one of the first children born in that county
who is alive today. His father, Thomas Jeffris
and a brother William, were among the earliest
settlers to arrive in the county, and William was the
first Sheriff ever elected there.
Thomas Jeffris founder of the family in America,
came from Ireland, about the middle of the eighteenth
century, and settled in Halifax County, Va. He had
three sons, John, William and Thomas, the last
being the grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
Thomas, Jr. was born in Halifax County, Va., Mar. 9,
1756. Thomas and his brother William
served as privates in the Revolutionary War. Thomas
returned alone from the war. He then re-enlisted,
serving in all seven years. In 1772 he married
Martha Ferguson, a native of Scotland. They then
removed to Tennessee, but after a few years or about 1807 -
went to Hardin County (now Hart County), Ky. In 1811
they purchased land in Grayson County, Ky., and began to
farm. They were the parents of ten children.
Thomas the grandfather of Ralph Jeffris, was the
third child, and his son John was Ralph Jeffris'
father.
Ralph Jeffris received his education in the public
schools with courses later at Lee's Academy at Loxa.
When he was twenty two years of age he began farming on his
own land near the old homestead. He now has a fine,
well improved place of 300 acres upon which he has built two
good residences. On Jan. 17, 1882, Mr. Jeffris
was married to Mattie E. daughter of James and
Lucinda Anderson of Pleasant Grove Township, Coles
County, and of this union three children have been born:
Stella, Ross and Sybil. In his political
views, Mr. Jeffris is a Democrat. He was
elected County Treasurer in 1902. He is generally a
Delegate to all County and State Conventions, and is a
member of the County Central Committee. He has held
the offices of Supervisor, Township Collector and Treasurer,
and also School Teacher for a period of eighteen years.
Mr. Jeffris belongs to the Masonic, the Elks, the
Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen fraternities, while
himself and wife belong to the Eastern Star and Royal
Neighbors organizations. Mr. Jeffries is a
member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. |
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