Benjamin Austin, born in Warren County, Tenn., Dec 6, 1816, is a son of Elisha AUSTIN, a native of North Carolina. When a small boy his parents moved to Kentucky. In March, 1830, he came to Shawneetown, Ill., in 1831 to Shelby County and in March, 1833, to White County. He saw the stars fall that year, when returning from a Corn shucking. He was raised on a farm, and received a very limited education, always being obliged to work hard. He was married in February, 1837, to Lucinda, daughter of William Emerson, deceased. To them have been born nine children, only two now living Benjarnjn F. and Sarah J. One on, Alex, was shot by accident in Kansas, in January, 1877, and left a family. A son, Jesse, and a daughter, Mary E. (Mrs. Matsel),both died with small-pox in the same house in March, 1877. Mrs. Austin died in 1856, and he married Susanna Kello. They are the parents of seven children, ten living-Emily A., Elisha, Mary E., Isaac, Elijah, Angeline, Minnie, Josephine, Dolly and William. Mr. Austin is a member of the Christian church. He owns 400 acres and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He acquired his property by his own labor, as a two-year heifer and a two year old billy was all he had to begin life with.

Source: History White Co., Il 1883
Submitted by: Misty Flannigan

From History of White County (IL) Gallatin County – New Haven (ca 1882-1884), P.  946

Jackson Abshier, born Jan. 8, 1815, the day of the memorable battle of New Orleans, was a son of Thomas and Nancy A. (Perryman) Abshier, natives of North Carolina.  Their parents moved to Adair County, Ky., when they were both quite young and they were married there, about 1812, and moved to Murray County, Tenn.  They resided in Tennessee till 1829, when, with a family of ten children, they moved to Franklin Co., Ill.  In 1833 the children that were living and unmarried and their mother came to New Haven, where they have since resided.  The names of his father’s family were – Elizabeth, Anderson, Jackson, Elias, Malinda, Milly L., now living.  Anderson was in the Black Hawk war.  He lives in Thompson, Franklin Co, Ill.  Elizabeth married Wesley Fletcher and lives in Saline County.  Washington lives at Tipton, Mo.  Maria married J. L. Purvis, of New Haven.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

From History of White County (IL) Gallatin County – New Haven (ca 1882-1884), P.  946-947

F. M. Aldridge, M.D., the well-known physician and surgeon, was born near Mount Vernon, April 14, 1843, and was a son of Eli and Lavina (Kivit) Aldridge, both natives of North Carolina.  His professional education commenced under Dr. E. V. Spencer, physician and surgeon of Mt. Vernon, as preceptor, which took three years of study.  One course of lectures was taken at Ann Arbor, and the graduating ones at the Western Reserve Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, graduating in March, 1868.  Previous to this he had been a farmer, and was married to Mary J. Black daughter of James and Nancy Black, of Posey County.  It was after her death that he commenced to study for his profession.  After his graduation he located in New Haven, where he married Fatima A. Hinch, daughter of Benjamin P. Hinch, by whom he had two children – Spencer (deceased), and Frances.  Here he practiced for three years, gaining reputation and honor.  When his wife died, in 1872, he south travel for his health and to partly savage his grief.  For three years or more he was in Texas, sometimes in business and at others solely for pleasure.  Returning he re-established himself in New Haven, and is to-day a leading surgeon.  For many miles around, in White, Gallatin and Posey counties, his services are sought when cases of dangerous surgical operations require the hand of a skilled surgeon, and are usually attended with the most satisfactory results.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

From History of White County (IL) Gallatin County – New Haven (ca 1882-1884), P.  947-948

William P. Aldridge,  born in Emma Township, White County, Ill., April 16, 1844, is a son of Russell D. and Sarah (Smith) Aldridge.  Russell D.’s father was a Scotchman by birth and came to this country about 1800, locating in North Carolina, where Russell D. was born, in 1811.  Their family consisted of seven children – Peter, Warren, John, Russell D., Eliza, Patsy and Harriet.  They moved to Posey County, Ind., being of the earliest settlers.  The descendants live in that vicinity to-day.  Russell D. was married in White County and settled in Big Prairie Precinct.  His family consisted of four children – Permelia (Mrs. N. McMullen, deceased), William P., George D., and Harriet (Mrs. Joel Clark).  He was in the Mexican war.  William P. Aldridge was married in 1867 to Mary, daughter of George and Emily Hantchel.  They had four children – Sarah (died in infancy), Clara B., Minnie R. and Charles.  Mrs. Aldrich died in November, 1878.  In June, 1881, Mr. Aldrich married Harriet, daughter of William and Mary Downes, of Posey County, Ind.  Her father died when she was a young girl, and her mother married William McDaniel and moved to Emma Township, White County, Ill.  Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge have one child – William.  Mr. Aldridge moved to New Haven in 1877.  He has been Deputy Sheriff of Gallatin County four years; was Marshal of the town three years, til 1880; has been a Township Trustee five years; was appointed Postmaster of New Haven in February, 1882.  At the post office is located the Evansville Telephone Exchange, of which Mr. Aldridge is operator.  Mr. Aldridge enlisted in 1862, when eighteen, in Company A,  Sixty fifth Indiana Infantry.  He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and was in East Tennessee under Foster.  he was in forty-two battles and skirmishes.  He was mustered out at Greenboro, N.C.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

From History of White County (IL) Gallatin County – New Haven (ca 1882-1884), P.  948

I.M. Asbury, M.D., was born in McLeansboro, Hamilton Co., Ill, July 6, 1848.  He was a son of Wesley and Susan M. (Mitchell) Asbury.  His father was a native of North Carolina, and came to this State in 1844; at present engaged in farming.  His mother is a native of Illinois.  Her father, Ichabod Mitchell, was among the earliest settlers of Hamilton County, and was elected the first Treasurer of the county.  The subject of this sketch was reared in his native town, where he received an elementary school education.  When sixteen years of age he enlisted in the Sixtieth Illinois Infantry, Company A, and remained until the close of the war.  He was with Sherman’s army in the grand march to the sea.  After the war he attended the High School of McLeansboro, and in the mean time read medicine with Dr. David Barry as preceptor.  In 1868 he was in Minnesota, where he was employed in a drug store, and at the same time continued his medical studies.  He returned to Illinois in two years, where he was again under the tuition of his former preceptor.  In 1871 Dr. Asbury attended lectures at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, graduating Mary 19, 1873.  he practiced in Springfield for some time with good success, and has since been in practice in and about New Haven.  Dr. Asbury has been a close student and thoroughly in love with his profession.  The Doctor is a member of the Masonic order, and has represented his lodge in McLeansboro, as Master Mason, for several years.  He married, Jan. 1, 1877, Miss Mary Webb, daughter of John Webb, of Hamilton County, where she was born.  The Doctor has find literary tastes, is a close student, and a conscientious, Christian gentleman.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

J. W. Armstrong was born in Indian Creek Township, White CO., Ill., Dec. 24, 1824.  He was a son of Abraham L. Armstrong, and grandson of Lancelot Armstrong, who was one of the earliest settlers of North Carolina, and who served through the war of the Revolution, being in the service seven years.  He was held in captivity by the Indians two years.  Mr. Armstrong’s father was a native of White County, Va.  He emigrated to Kentucky, from there to Tennessee, and then to White County, Ill., in 1819.  He was a journeyman hatter and worked at his trade a number of years in the vicinity of New Haven.  He married Mary Lamb, daughter of John Lamb, a Revolutionary patriot.  He was Justice of the Peace twenty-eight years with an interim of but one term.  He served in the war of 1812 under General Jackson.  J. W. Armstrong was married in 1855 to Margaret S. Blackard.  They have a family of seven sons and three daughters, all living in this vicinity.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

Source:  History of White County, IL, Phillips Township (ca 1882-1884) p 924

J. W. Armstrong, farmer; post office, Crossville; son of Jesse and Alpha (Stinnett) Armstrong, natives of Kentucky.  His father died in Kentucky in August, 1833.  His mother married Nathan Britton, and afterward moved to Illinois, where she died.  J. W. was born in Kentucky, Aug. 22, 1830; he was educated in Kentucky and Indiana, and has followed farming.  He now owns 126 acres of fine land on sections 36, 26, and 35.  In 1852 he married Rebecca, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Elliott) Graves, natives of Kentucky.  They came to Illinois and died here.  Rebecca was born Oct. 6, 1841; by this union there are five children, four living – Eveline, born May 2,1863; wife of John B. Britton, living at home; George Newton, born Dec. 10, 1864; John Edgar, born Aug. 16, 1873; Edith Avica, born Jan. 6, 1876, died Dec. 13, 1875; Ethel Ann, born Aug. 24, 1878.  Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were members of the Regular Baptist church.  Mrs. Armstrong died Feb. 7, 1881.  Mr. Armstrong has held nearly all the township office and has faithfully discharged every trust.  He votes the Democratic ticket.  In 1854 he went to California and engaged in mining; he was there six years, and was quite successful in finding the dust.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

Eugene Ackman was born in Posey County, IN., Aug 15, 1865. He is the
son of William and Lucretia Ackman, both natives of Kentucky. Mr. Ackman
was brought up on a farm and attended the country schools in his native
country. July, 1887, he married Miss Maud Reed. Her father was native of
Maryland, and the mother a native of Indiana. The following children were
born to this union: Alberta, age 12, Frank, age 10, Ione, age 8, They came
to Carmi in 1881. Mr. Ackman served as constible for four years, and was
deputy sherriff for six years. In 1898 he was nominated by the democratic
party for sherriff by a plurality of 518 votes. His majority in the
election was nearly 700. By his energy and plunk he has forced himself to
the front.

Source: White County Illinois Biographical Sketches 1901
Submitted by: Misty Flannigan misty@midwest.net

From Barb Lithander EMAIL: Minnbar@aol.com

My grandfather, Eugene Ackman, was the sheriff in Carmi during the
1880's and 90's. He left Carmi and moved his family to St. Louis. He passed
away in 1923. His widow, Maud Reed Ackman returned intermittantly to Carmi,
with their son, Frank Ackman and his son Eugene Ackman. The younger Eugene
Ackman was one of the original US Secret Service agents. My mother, Maude
Ackman Hines Collodi, was adopted by Eugene (SR)'s sister, Alberta Ackman
Hines. Alberta married Edward Ramsey Hines of Kentucky. Ed Hines's brother
was Duncan Hines of cake mix fame. The Hines's adopted my mother after her
biological mother -- Francis Foster passed away. My mother was about 5 years
old. Her father, Frank, had problems with alcohol.

When my great grandfather passed away, an article regarding his death
appeared on the first page of the Carmi newspaper. I have the original
clipping. He was a very well liked and well respected man in Carmi..
 

John N. Anderson, one of the most popular men in this township, was born
sixty-six years ago--November 4, 1834, in Enfield township. In fact, he
first opened his eyes to the light of day on the same farm where he now
lives.
School facilities were not the same W those days farms not drain am
equipped, as now, therefore, Mr. Anderson waded streams of water going
through the fields to the school house. Only limited educations were
acquired under those circumstances.
November 8, 1857, he married Pauline E. daughter of Samuel and Sarah Kirk.
They had three children, two of whom are living. His son, Samuel J,
Anderson, is in the employ of the Champion Machine company, as traveling
salesman. His daughter is Mrs. A.C. Biggerstaff who lives in Hamilton
county.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have been valued members of the Methosist church for
over thirty years. In politics he is a Democrat and believes with Bryan.
Mr. Anderson owns about 20 acres of fine land. His residence being located
in a beautiful grove of forest trees. The neighbors sy that Uncle John and
wife are the best of people, and by our neighbor's opinion we are known.
May this worthy couple have many years of happiness.

Source: White Co., Il Biographical Sketches 1901
Submitted by Misty Flannigan
misty@midwest.net

Jesse Arbaugh, farmer, stock raiser, horseman and veterinary surgeon,
had the good fortune to be born on St. Valentine's Day in the year 1843, in
Smith County, TN. He moved to White Co., Il in 1844, and has lived here
ever since. He is a son of Geo. W. and Ruthey (Pine) Arbaugh, who were
natives of Virginia but moved to White County at a very early day and were
amoung the oldest settlers. The mother died here in 1868 and the father in
1898, at the age of eighty-eight years.

The first wife of Mr. Arbaugh was Miss Celia Russel, daughter od Ezekiel
and Nancy (Johnson) Russel who were old settlers of this county.
Nov 5, 1868, Mr. Arbaugh was married to Fannie Stum, daughter of J.W.
and Polly (Stallings) Stum, also old settlers of this county. The mother
died May, 1869, and the father May 1897.

Mr. and Mrs. Arbaugh had ten children---Charles, Mary F., John W.,
Ruthie E., Jessie D., Lulie M., Delbert, Arthur, Edna, and Harvey.
July 29, 1891, Mrs Arbaugh was the victim of a horrible accident. She
was struck and killed by a train, the accident happening near her home.
Thus the loving wife and mother was snatched from her loved ones without a
moment's warning.

Mr. Arbaugh owns 260 acres of good land. In addition to farming he
raises fine trotting horses and short-horn cattle, and his grades are the
best. Guided by extraordinary good buissness judgment, his undertakings in
this line are a success.

SOURCE: White County, Illinois Biographical Sketches 1901
SUBMITTER: Misty Flannigan Misty@midwest.net

Mr. Terry Anderson remained at home until the age of nineteen, when obeying
his country's call, he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-seventh Illinois
Volunteers, and remained in the service until July 3, 1865.

He returned to this section In 1873 and was married to Sarah J. Bingham
daughter of Mathias and Catherine Bingham. Matthias Bingham died in
Evansville about 1860. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born seven children,
three boys and four girls, all of whom are living. With the
exception of his period of army service, and fifteen months spent in Kansas,
our subject has lived in White county.

He is a member of the Christian church, and votes the Republican ticket.
Mr. Anderson's farm, in section 28, is well improved and has a nice frame
residence and good outbuildings. He devotes much time to stockraising.

SOURCE: White County, Illinois Biographical Sketches 1901
Submitted by: Misty Flannigan misty@midwest.net

John Appel  One of the most prominent German-American citizens of the county is John.Appel, who was born in Ulrickstein, Germany, Febuary 11, 1843, and
immigrated to New York in 1868. He came to White county, Illinois, in 1873.
His parents were John and Elizabeth (Rebb) Appel, who lived and died In
Germany; his father In 1854 and his mother in 1883.

He recieved a German education and that means a good one for the system
in that country is ridgid, thorough and complete. What a young man learns
is learned well.

Mr. Appel is an active man of affairs, having interesta in several
places. He has a blacksmith buisness in Centervile. Has town property in
both of the last named palces. He is one of the big land owners of White
County, having 354 acres of as fine land as there is in the county. He is a
man who is never idle a moment and manages with consumate skill hi large
business interests.

He believes in the principles of the Democratic party and has always
voted that way. His first vote was cast for Samuel J. Tilden.

Source: White County, Illinois Biographical Sketches 1901
Submitted By: Misty Flannigan misty@ midwest.net

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