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OTHER BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES:
BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
The History
of
Vermilion County, Illinois
A Tale of its Evolution, Settlement and Progress for
nearly a Century -
Vols. I & 2
By Lottie E. Jones -
Chicago - Pioneer Publishing Company -
1911
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CHARLES ADAM JACKSON,
the owner of ninety-eight acres of rich and productive land
on section 17, Sidell Township, is an agriculturist of
recognized ability. His birth occurred on the farm
where he now resides, his natal day being April 5, 1861.
His parents, Adam and Alicia (Hutt) Jackson, were
natives of Kentucky and Virginia respectively. Their
marriage was celebrated in the Old Dominion, where Adam
Jackson had gone as a young man. Soon afterward,
in the early '40s, they came to Virmilion county, Illinois,
and located in Sidell township, their nearest neighbor being
some five miles distant. Here Adam Jackson
continued to reside throughout the remainder of his life,
accumulating two hundred and forty acres of land. His
demise occurred in 1864, when our subject was but three
years of age. The widowed mother kept the family
together rearing her children to manhood and womanhood.
Charles Adam Jackson undertook the management of
the home farm when but fourteen years of age, his older
brothers having left the parental roof. He continued
the operation of the home place until the time of his
marriage, being joined in wedlock on the 28th of August,
1901, to Miss Addie Belle Price, of Fairmount,
Vermilion county. The following spring he erected his
present residence and continued farming on the tract of
seventy-one acres on section 17, Sidell township, which he
had purchased prior to his marriage. He has since
bought twenty-seven acres more, so that his farm now
embraces ninety-eight acres. The neat and attractive
appearance of the place indicates his careful supervision
and practical and progressive methods, and his labors in the
fields are annually rewarded by bounteous harvests of golden
grain.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jackson was born one child,
Eugene, who is deceased. Mr. Jackson is a
democrat in politics but has never sought nor desired office
as a reward for his party fealty. However, he keeps
well informed on the questions and issues of the day and at
the present time acts as a member of the school board.
Fraternally he is identified with Sidell Lodge, No. 798, A.
F. & A. M., while his religious faith is indicated by his
membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his
wife also belongs. His entire life has been spent
within the borders of Vermilion county and he enjoys the
respect and confidence of all with whom business or social
relations have brought him in contact.
Source: History of Vermilion Co., Ill. -
Vol. II - Pub.
1911 - Page 534 |
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WILLIAM H. JOHNS.
Earnest and eminently capable, it is not strange that
William H. Johns should have attained an enviable
position in the business circles of Danville, nor that the
city should profit directly or indirectly by his efforts. He
was one of those successful Americans whose success is
measured not only by material gain but also by
intellectuality, aggressiveness, independence of spirit and
sincerity of purpose. He was one of Vermilion county's
native sons, his birth having occurred July 14, 1845, on his
father's farm on the old Ottawa road.
His parents were John and Mary (Humphrey) Johns.
The name of the former is engraven deeply upon the pages of
pioneer history, for he was among the first settlers of
Vermilion county, taking up his abode here in 1829 ere the
Indians had left this part of the state to make way for the
civilization of the white race. His birth occurred in
Kentucky on the 25th of May, 1805, and his father was
Judge George W. Johns, who was also born in the Blue
Grass state and followed the occupation of farming. On
leaving the south he crossed the Ohio river into Indiana and
continued his residence in that state until his demise.
John Johns accompanied his parents on their
removal to Vigo county, Indiana, and through his youthful
days met the usual hardships and difficulties which fall to
the lot of the pioneer. He labored on the home farm,
converting wild prairie into productive fields, and adding
to the place such equipment as at that time indicated the
march of progress along agricultural lines. He lived in
Indiana until 1828 and spent the succeeding year in his
native county in Kentucky. In 1829, however, he arrived in
Vermilion county, Illinois, finding here the same conditions
of frontier life which he had previously met in Indiana.
Securing a tract of wild prairie and timber land in Blount
township, he began the development of that place and
evidences of his labor were soon seen in the cultivated
fields, well kept fences and the substantial buildings which
he put upon his farm. Tree by tree was cut down and the
stumps grubbed up that the land might be plowed and planted,
and he carefully carried on the work of general farming
until 1866, when he retired to private life and removed to
Danville to enjoy there the fruits of his former toil in a
comfortable home which he occupied until his death.
John Johns gave his early political
support to the whig party and when the new republican party
was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he
joined its ranks. He was twice elected to represent his ward
on the board of city aldermen of Danville and was also a
member of the state school board. He ever kept well informed
on the issues and questions of the day and was always ready
to support his position by intelligent argument. Both he and
his wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church
of Danville and were earnest and active supporters not only
of the church but also of the temperance cause and of every
movement that works for righteousness, truth and justice.
The first Methodist services held in Vermilion county were
on his farm in Blount township in 1829. He was honored
wherever known because of his many sterling traits of
character and his fidelity to the best interests of
citizenship.
John Johns was married three times. For
his first wife he wedded Miss Mary Humphrey,
a daughter of John Humphrey, of Virginia, who
removed from the Old Dominion to Kentucky, where he entered
land from the government and developed a farm. By this
marriage there were the following children: John, who
was a soldier in the Civil war; Sarah, the deceased
wife of Perry Copeland; Eliza, who became the wife of
J. H. Miller and who has passed away; Sue,
a resident of Danville; Martha, who married R. S.
Partlow, of Oregon and is deceased; Margaret, the
deceased wife of Charles Hacker; and
William H. Mr. John's second wife was a sister of the
first, while his third wife bore the maiden name of Miss
Jane Myers. At her death she left a son and
daughter; Charles, who is employed as clerk in
Klein's clothing store of Danville; and Amelia who is
engaged in the millinery business in this city.
Of this family William H. Johns spent his entire
life in Vermilion county, supplementing his early
educational advantages by study in the Danville Methodist
Seminary. He was a young man in his teens when he responded
to the country's call for aid to crush out the rebellion in
the south, enlisting in Company K, One Hundred and
Thirty-Fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he
served during the entire time of his enlistment. He made a
creditable military record by his unfaltering loyalty to
duty, performing faithfully every service whether called to
the lonely picket line or stationed on the firing line.
After receiving an honorable discharge he returned home and
became identified with commercial interests in Danville as
proprietor of a grocery store. In that business he was quite
successful and continued in that line for a number of years,
after which he became associated with C. H. Giddings in the
real-estate business. They bought and sold much property,
negotiating many important realty transfers, and through
their operation contributed directly to the welfare and
upbuilding of the city.
He was thoroughly conversant with the value of property,
knew what was upon the market and was thus able to assist
his clients in making judicious investments.
In 1875 Mr. Johns was united in marriage to Miss Eva G. Swannell, a daughter of
John Swannell, who was of English
birth. He was a cabinet-maker by trade and owned and
conducted a store in Danville, having arrived in this city
at an early day in its business development. He had the
first turning lathe ever brought to Danville and was well
known as an early maker of furniture here. After the
outbreak of hostilities between the north and the south he
responded to the country's call for troops and was assigned
to duty with Company A, Seventy-first Regiment of Illinois
Infantry, with which he entered the battle of Fort Donelson
and there gave his life in defense of the principles for
which the Union army stood. It was his daughter Eva who
became the wife of William H. Johns and of this marriage
there were born two daughters, Nellie and Evelyn.
In his political views Mr. Johns was an earnest republican,
supporting the party from the time he attained his majority
until his demise. He belonged to the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows and to the Modern Woodmen camp, and his
religious faith was indicated by his membership in the First
Methodist Episcopal church. He possessed many sterling
traits of character, so that when he passed away on the 1st
of May, 1899, the community lost an upright and valued
citizen. He stood for progress along all lines and there was
in his life history not a single esoteric phase. He was
always a resident of Vermilion county and from his boyhood
to his death he exemplified in his life those sterling traits
of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence
and regard.
Source: History of Vermilion Co.,
Ill. - Vol. II - Pub. 1911 - page 307 |
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HENRY JOHNSON.
The year James Butler came to the place
afterward called Butler's Point with his family, the
first settlement on the Little Vermilion was made by Henry
Johnson. Some doubt is expressed on the matter of
date, however, and there is good reason to think that he
came in the fall after Butler returned to Ohio. A
letter written by Henry Johnson addressed to William
Lowery, the member in the Illinois legislature from
Clark County at that time, and dated
November
22, 1822, is also dated at Achilles township, and
from what is written in the letter it is evident that
"Achilles township at that time embraced the entire of
Clark County, watered
by
two Vermilion rivers and extended as far north as the
Kankakee river.” In this letter Henry Johnson states
that “he had knowledge of the affairs of this (Achilles)
township since October, 1820."
With that evidence it is fair to assume
that Henry Johnson came to the Little Vermilion, some
two miles west of Georgetown in the fall of the year
that James Butler came in the spring and put
in
a crop and in the fall about the time Johnson came, went
back to Ohio for the winter.
Mr.
Johnson was a man of generous impulses and his neighbors
long sang his praises.
If
a man was hard pushed for ready money and went to
Henry Johnson he was sure to get it, if it was to be had, and
the loan given so cordially was never to pay interest.
Mr. Johnson would never take interest on
any
money
he
loaned. Mr. Johnson sold his farm in about
1832
or 34,
to Levy Long and
he
moved further west, to the fertile strip between the
Illinois and Mississippi rivers, called the "Military
Tract." Here he was making a good farm until it was
discovered that his title was worthless as so many were,
and he lost all
his land. Thus was the man of whom his old neighbors
could say nothing but praise, who was known by the name
of the "Good Samaritan," kind and generous, was rendered
penniless by these "land sharks" and forced to go yet
further west. He was after this lost to the knowledge
of his old friends but his kindness was told
by
one generation to the next and his name kept as
synonymous for generosity and helpfulness.
Source:
History of Vermilion Co., Ill. - Vol. I - Pub. 1911 -
pg. 102 - Submitted by Mary Paulius |
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CHARLES
E. JONES,
a prosperous citizen and representative agriculturist of
Vance Township, there owns and operates an excellent farm of
one hundred and ninety-five acres. His birth occurred in
Dubuque, Iowa, on the 9th of November, 1853
his
parents being William Raper H. And Penninnah (Coon) Jones,
who were born, reared and married in Ohio. The father, being
of a roving disposition, Lived at different places, for some
years, after his marriage; spending the time principally in
Illinois. The property which is now in possession of his
son, George T. Jones is situated near Conkeytown, Vermilion
County. It was the eleventh farm which William R. H. Jones
owned and is the place where his demise occurred. He made
his money largely through speculation in farm lands, being a
man of keen discrimination and sound judgment. On the
17th
of March, 1891, when about seventy-one years of age, he was
called to his final rest. His wife passed away at the age of
fifty-four years. He read broadly and thought deeply,
keeping well informed on all current topics. He was a
lifelong subscriber of Harper's publications and similar
papers. His political allegiance was unfalteringly given to
the Republican Party and, though not an office seeker, he
became an influential factor in its local ranks. Both he and
his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church and
their lives were in consistent harmony with their
professions.
Charles
E.
Jones was reared under the parental roof and attended the
common schools in the acquirement of an education.
Subsequently he taught for six months in his own district,
imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that
he had acquired. On abandoning educational interests he
became identified with agricultural pursuits, beginning the
operation of a rented farm when twenty-two
years of age. At the end of two years, in 1877, he
purchased one hundred and fifty-three acres of his present
place in Vance township, where he has made his home
continuously since with the exception of one year's
residence
in
Danville. His holdings at the present time include his home
farm of one hundred and ninety-five acres, a quarter
sections of land in Michigan and five residence properties
in Danville. His undertakings as an agriculturist have
been
attended with a gratifying measure of success and he has
long been numbered among the substantial and respected
citizens of the community.
On
the 24th of
December, 1874,
Mr. Jones was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary A. Stearns, a
daughter of Harrison Stearns, who was a prominent farmer of
Oakwood Township, Vermilion county, and one of the earliest
settlers of this part of the state, coming to this county
from Ohio by wagon in
1835. He
entered a tract of land from the government, erected a log
house and made his home therein until he had accumulated
sufficient capital to build a frame structure, which
remained his place of abode throughout the remainder of his
life.
Unto
Mr. And Mrs. Jones were born nine children,
eight of whom are yet living, as follows: Nettie
E.,
the wife of Coll McPherson, of Wabash County, Illinois;
Herman
P.,
who follows farming in Vance Township; Harrison
H.,
who is a resident of Jamaica Township, Vermilion County;
Penninnah
A.,
who is the wife of Dr.
J.
W.
O'Haver and lives in Danville, Illinois; Carrie
P.,
who is the widow of Earl
R.
Baird and makes her home in Fairmount, this county;
Turner
E.,
who operates the home farm; and Lennie A. and Marguerite,
both at home. Mr. Jones is a staunch republican in politics
but has never sought nor desired office as a reward for his
party fealty. For six years, however, he served as a member
of the school board. He was a deacon in the Baptist church
for several years and his wife is also a consistent member
thereof. He is a gentleman of genial disposition and
courteous manner and has other sterling qualities which
command the friendship and regard of those with whom he is
brought in contact.
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Illinois - Vol. II - Publ. 1911
-
pgs. 654 & 655 - Submitted by Mary Paulius |
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EVAN J. JONES is
the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and twenty acres
situated on section 22, Catlin township, and his time and
energies are now given in an undivided manner to the further
development and improvement of this property. A native of Wales,
he was born October 16, 1856, and is a son of Thomas and Mary
(Clark) Jones, who were also natives of the same little
rock-ribbed country. They remained residents of Wales until
1868, when the favorable reports which reached them concerning
America and her opportunities led them to cross the Atlantic to
the new world. They first located in Ohio, where they resided
for about three years, and in 1871 came to Vermilion county,
Illinois, taking up their abode in Catlin township. After a year
they removed to Danville, where they lived for one year, and in
1874 they took up their abode upon the farm which is now
occupied by their son Evan, the father purchasing forty acres.
He continued to cultivate his fields there until his life's
labors were ended in death in 1875. He left a widow and seven
children, Mrs. Jones surviving him until 1907, when she passed
away at the venerable age of eighty-two years.
In the county schools of his native country Evan J. Jones
pursued his education. He was a youth of twelve years when he
came with his parents to the United States and here for a time
he again attended school. He has lived continuously in Vermilion
county for thirty-nine years and has a wide and favorable
acquaintance. At the time of the father's death, which occurred
when the son was but nineteen years of age, he took charge of
the home farm and has occupied it continuously since. During his
early life, however, he followed coal mining. After managing the
farm for some time he purchased the property with the capital
which he had wisely and economically saved from his earnings and
has further extended the boundaries of the place until it now
comprises one hundred and twenty acres on section 22, Catlin
township. His fields are highly cultivated and, in addition to
raising the cereals best adapted to the soil and climatic
conditions here, he also makes a specialty of raising and
breeding full blooded Poland China hogs.
Mr. Jones has filled the office of school director and the cause
of education finds in him a stalwart champion. His labors are
effective and far-reaching. His political allegiance is given to
the republican party. He is truly a self-made man and one whose
labors are effective forces in business. Without any outside aid
or influence he has worked diligently and persistently and has
become recognized as one of the men of affluence in Catlin
township.
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Illinois - Vol. II
- Publ. 1911 - page 276 |
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GEORGE B. JONES, V. S.
Dr. George B. Jones, whose skill as a veterinarian has
brought him a large and lucrative practice in his chosen
profession, was born near Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, on the
28th of October, 1864, and is a son of Lewis and Eliza (Shields)
Jones, natives of Bourbon county, Kentucky, and of Edgar county,
Illinois, respectively. The father came with: his parents to
this state about 1843, settling in Edgar County, where he
attained his majority, was married and still makes his home. He
has devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits, and is
now the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable
land, which responds readily to the care and cultivation that he
bestows upon it. His political allegiance is given to the
Democratic Party but without desire for office as a reward for
party fealty. His wife is a consistent Christian woman, holding
membership in the Baptist church. Her father, Elder William
Shields, was a member of the state legislature from his district
for a number of years, and was one of the prominent influential
and honored residents of his section.
Dr. Jones spent his youthful days at home, and the
public schools afforded him his early educational privileges,
which were supplemented by a course of study in the Valparaiso
Normal School, from which he was graduated with the class of
1888. He then began teaching and for seven years was identified
with educational work, but abandoned that profession in 1892, in
order to go to Toronto, Canada, and enter the Ontario Veterinary
College at Toronto, Canada, in preparation for the profession
which he is now making his life work. He was graduated from that
school in the class of 1894, and came direct to Sidell,
Illinois, where he began his practice, which has been built up
to extensive and profitable proportions. He is one of the ablest
representatives of the profession in this section of the state
and holds the government appointment of deputy on the United
States Board of Animal Industry. He is also filling the position of deputy assistant state veterinary for the state of
Illinois. These two appointments came to him without his
solicitation and indicate his standing in his profession. He is
an active member of the American Veterinary Association and a
member of the Illinois State Veterinary Association, and is a
contributor to the columns of the publication of each
organization.
On the 6th of March, 1895, Dr. Jones was married to
Miss Ettie Mapes, who resided near Paris, Edgar County, and unto
them have been born three sons, Howard L., George C.
and Frank. Dr. Jones is a member of Austin Lodge, I.
O. O. F., at Paris:
with which he has been identified for thirty years. He also
belongs to the Modern woodmen of America, gives his political
allegiance to the democracy and has served both as alderman and
mayor of Sidell, being called to public office by the vote of
his fellow to serve recognize his public spirit and his fidelity
to the best interests of the community. He manifests both
promptness and accuracy in the discharge of his duties and his
devotion to the public good stands as an unquestioned fact in
his life. He has been a member of the school board of Sidell,
serving as its president for five years.
Source:
History of Vermilion County, Illinois - Vol. II
- Publ. 1911 - page 168 - Submitted by Mary
Paulius |
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ANDREW JUVINALL
Andrew and Mary (James) Juvinall cast their lot in with
the white settlers of Vermilion County at an early day, coming
in 1827. They were both natives of Ohio and made their new home
in Pilot township.
Source: History of Vermilion
County, Illinois - Vol. I - 1911 - page 128 - Submitted by Mary
Paulius |
NOTES: |
