ILLINOIS GENEALOGY EXPRESS

A Part of  Genealogy Express
 

Macon County, Illinois
History & Genealogy

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CHAPTER X. -
Biographical Sketches of Early Settlers
who came here prior to 1836, and their families, up to the Present time; Births, Marriages, Deaths, etc.
Pages 246 - 298

AB - CD - EF - GH - IJ - KL - MN - OP - QR - ST - UV - WX - YZ
 

HON. R. J. OGLESBY was born in Oldham county, Kentucky, July 25, 1824.  His parents died when he was but eight years old, and he was placed in charge of an uncle, and in 1836 was brought to Decatur with the family of his uncle, and in 1836 was brought to Decatur with the family of his uncle, Willis Oglesby.  He had, while in Kentucky, worked a year and a half at the carpenter's trade, and after his removal to Decatur worked six months with Hon. E. O. Smith.  In 1844 he commenced studying law at Springfield with Judge Silas Robins, and read with him one year, and was admitted to the bar in 1845, and commenced the practice at Sullivan, Illinois, and remained there until the spring of 1846.  In June of that year he went as Lieutenant in Co. C, 4th regiment, to the Mexican war, and took part in the battles at Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo.  On his return he continued to study and practice law; but on the breaking out of the gold fever, in 1849, he crossed the plains to California, driving a six mule team en route, with a company of eight men, of which Henry Prather was a leading man.  In 1852 he returned home to Macon county, and was a Scott elector.  In 1856 he visited Europe, Asia and Africa, and was absent twenty months.  On his return he resumed practice, as a member of the firm of Gallagher, Wait & Oglesby.  In 1858 he ran as the Republican candidate for congress, and was defeated by Hon. J. C. Robinson.  In 1860 he was elected were coming in, Mr. O. had a fisti-cuff encounter with "Cerro Gordo Williams,"  in which he came out victorious, and which was regarded as the first fight of the rebellion.  During the extra session of the legislature in 1861, Mr. O. was elected colonel of the 8th Illinois Infantry.  He commanded a brigade at Fort Donelson, and was stationed on the right of Gen. Grant's army, and rendered valuable service in that famous battle, where so many Macon county soldiers fell.  He was engaged in the battle of Corinth, and in a brave charge at this place, was shot with an ounce ball, which he still retains, and was borne from the field, as was supposed, mortally wounded.  He had been promoted to brigadier-general in April previous.  After his partial recovery he was promoted to major-general, as a merit for his valiant services, ranking from Nov. 1862, and in the spring of 1863 was assigned to the 16th army corps.  Owing to inability from the effects of his wound, to perform the arduous duties of his position, he resigned his command in July, 1863; but Gen. Grant refused to accept his resignation, and he was detailed, in Dec. 1863, to court martial and try the surgeon-general of the army, at Washington, where he remained until May, 1864, when he returned to his home, and was nominated and elected as the republican candidate for governor of Illinois, and served four years.  At the end of his term he returned home to Decatur, and was re-elected governor in 1872; but upon the meeting of the legislature, in Jan, 1873, he was elected to the senate of the United States, and resigned his office of governor.       Senator Oglesby is a man of no common native ability.  Almost without education, and by the force of his own powers, he has arisen step by step to his present position as senator of one of the most important states in the Union.  Macon county is proud of Senator Oglesby, and we doubt not he is proud of Macon county.

JASPER J. PEDDICORD was born Nov. 8, 1818, in Montgomery county, Maryland, and came to Macon county in June, 1838.  He married Ophelia W. Adamson, sister of Senator R. J. Oglesby, Aug. 30, 1842.  Her first husband was John S. Adamson, who died in 1840.  Mr. P. for a number of years was engaged in merchandising, with Joseph Stickel, and afterwards with Hosea Armstrong.  In 1852 he formed a copartnership with Lowber Burrows, in the banking business, besides engaging to a large extent in manufacturing.

NINIAN PEDDECORD was born in Montgomery county, Maryland, and removed to Macon county in 1836, where he engaged as a clerk for Adamson & Prather.  He afterwards formed a co-partnership with Joseph Stickel.  He was clerk of the circuit court from 1840 to 1847, after which he went to Missouri, and thence to Clinton, Iowa, where he died about 1870.  He married a daughter of John Stickel.

DEMPSEY POPE was born in North Carolina, and removed thence to Tennessee, and thence to this county, in 1827, and settled on Mosquito Creek.  He married in North Carolina, Sarah Edwards, who was born in 1794 and died 1874.  Mr. P. died in 1853 or '4.  Their children were -      Martha, Mary, Tabitha, Elizabeth, William, Leacy J., Sarah, James, Willis Zachariah, Penelope and Matilda.

CAPT. JOEL S. POST was born in the town of Ontario, in what is now Wayne county, New York, Apr. 27, 1816.  In 1828 hi8s father removed to Washtinaw county, Michigan territory, where he remained until the subject of this sketch was 23 years old.  In 1839 Mr. Post removed to Macon county; and commenced the study of law under the late Judge Emerson in 1840; was admitted to the bar in 1841, and entered into the practice at Decatur, where he has since remained, being now the oldest practitioner of the Macon county bar.  In 1846 Mr. P. enlisted in the service for the Mexican war and was appointed quartermaster with the rank of captain.  In 1856 he was elected to represent the senatorial district including Macon and other counties, in the State Senate, and served two sessions.  During this term of service he was mainly instrumental in securing the passage of a law establishing the Normal University at Normal, Illinois.  Mr. Post married Sally Ann Bunn, the oldest daughter of Rev. D. P. Bunn, in November, 1853.  She was born in Ross county, Ohio, in 1823.  Of their children:      Bunn was born in 1856.  Hellen was born in 1859.      It was proper in this connection to say, that in the preparation of this work, we have been materially aided and assisted by Captain Post.  He has taken more interest in this effort by which something might be placed in a permanent shape, of the early history of the county, than any other person.

DANIEL K. POUND and Lucinda R. Davidson were married, Nov. 22, 1842 (See Purdue).  He died Aug. 10, 1875.  Of their children -      D. K., Jr.  was born Jan. 12, 1845; married Apr. 29, 1866.  J. B. was born Mar. 26, 1859; died Mar. 15, 1850.  M. H. was born July 10, 1850; married W. M. Purdue, Mar., 1868.       Mrs. P. married Aaron Widick, Jan. 22, 1858.  Of their children -      Larkin W., born Jan. 23, 1850.  Aaron K., born Aug. 7, 1860.

GEO. POWERS was born in Charleston, Saratoga county, N. Y., Jan. 17, 1814; was married to Almira A. Giles, in Alabama, April 30, 1840, who was born in Franklin county, Mass.  They removed to Macon county in 1839.  He was admitted to the bar soon after his arrival, and was elected to the State Senate in 1844.  He held other offices of trust and responsibility, and died in 1849, leaving three daughters: Emma, who married John K. Warren; Sarah A., who married Geo. S. Durfee, and Ada, who married E. D. Bartholomew. ~ pg. 267

HENRY PRATHER was born Nov. 26, 1802, in Montgomery county, Maryland, and removed to this state in 1836, and settled in Macoupin county.  His first wife was a Miss Ratcliff, whom he married before leaving Maryland, who died in Macoupin county.  He came to Macon county in 1837, and in 1838 married *Amanda Oglesby, who still resides in Decatur.  He was killed accidently by being thrown from a buggy in 1869.  He was an honest, upright citizen, prominently connected with all the public enterprises tending to advance the interests of Macon county and the city of Decatur.  He was public spirited, and nothing calculated to advance the material prosperity of the city or county escaped his earnest solicitation and support in both means and influence.  He was a member of the legislature in 1852.  He left no children.  A fond recollection in the hearts of the people with whom he associated will last during their lives. ~ pg. 297

GEN. ISAAC C. PUGH was born Nov. 23, 1805, in Christian county, Ky.  He came to Illinois in 1821, and settled with his father's family in Shelby county, where he remained until 1829, when he came to Macon county; resided here until his death, which occurred Nov. 19, 1874.  He was married to Elvira E. Gorin, Aug. 2, 831, who was born in Todd county, Ky., Dec. 17, 1814, and came to Illinois in 1829, and to Macon county in 1831.  Of their eleven children, five died in infancy -      Maria M. was born June 4, 1832, and married to J. Milton Lowry, Feb. 17, 1852.  John H.  was born Dec. 30, 1838, and married Sophia Wood, May 29, 1862.  Bartley G. was born Apr. 22, 1841; married Mary C. Rohrer, Sept. 3, 1862.  Isaac R. was born Jan. 28, 1843; married Nellie M. Upton, Jun. 21, 1867.  He died July 20, 1868.  Venitin Isabel was born Mar. 11, 1846; married Perry B. Gilham, Sept. 26, 1865.  Almira H. was born Mar. 23, 1861; married John C. Mark, June 20, 1874.      Gen. Pugh has been prominently connected with all the important affairs of the county, and took a lively interest in everything calculated to advance the interest of the city and county.  He was in the Black Hawk war, and served as Captain at the time of Stillman's defeat.  He was also Captain of Co. C, in the Mexican wars, and took a prominent and active part in the late war.  He was elected clerk of the county court, and served for four years, and held other positions of trust during this long residence in the county, and always, whether in office or as a private citizen, was where duty called him.  He was kind hearted, affectionate, and in all respects upright and honorable.

JOSHUA G. PURDEW wsa born in Montgomery county, Tennessee, Mar. 1, 1811, and moved to Macon county in 1832; was married to Margaret Ward, who was born in Tennessee Jan. 11, 1814; she died in 1862.  Of their children -      Mary E., born May 1, 1835; married W. A. Wilson.  Pheriba A., born Oct. 5, 1836.  John B., born Mar. 27, 1838; married M. A. Frezee; died Mar. 27, 1863.  Nancy A., born Oct. 30, 1841; married John Neyhard; died Mar. 31, 1861.  William M., born Oct. 30, 1841; married M. H. Pound,  Joel T., born Dec. 12, 1843; died March, 1863.  James Y., born May 12, 1845.  Wilson S., born Feb. 3, 1847.  America M., born Nov. 21, 1848.  Joshua L. born Apr. 26, 1850.  Lewis M., born July 28, 1854.      Mr. P. married a second time, to Mrs. Lucinda P. Widick, who was born in Wayne county, Illinois, Aug. 1, 1825.  Her first husband was Daniel K. Pound. (See Pound)

NOTES