Thomas B. Garrison, farmer and stock-raiser, section 4, Indian Creek Township, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., June 27, 1834. He is a son of Gomer Garrison, of North Carolina, who moved to this county in 1837. He was reared and educated in this county. In 1854 he married Martha A. Davis. They were the parents of three children-James, Monroe, and Susan P. The latter died at the age of twenty. Mrs. Garrison died, and Mr. Garrison married Jane West. Two children were born to them-Cyrus P. (deceased), and Lula. Mr. Garrison owns 173 acres of fine land.

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

Abram Gossett (deceased) was born in Montgomery County, Tenn, in 1791. His father, John Gossett, a native of South Carolina, of German descent, was a minister of the Methodist church for 75 years, and was killed by being thrown from his horse when on his way to an appointment, at the age of 104 years. He was the father of 18 sons & 4 daughters, all children of one wife. Abram is the youngest son & 20th child. He came to White County in 1835, & located in Indian Creek Township. 20 acres were cleared. He always worked hard and cleared large amounts of land. He married Rebecca Batz. They had 5 children - Mary A., Caroline, William J., Martha A., & one deceased. Mrs. GOSSETT died in 1828. In 1832 he married Martha Walters. Of their 6 children, 5 are living - John D., Thomas, Abram, Lucy E., & Eliza. Mr GOSSETT died in April, 1844.

From the History of White County, pg 886, Indian Creek Township
Submitted by Jeff Gossett

John D. Gossett, section 29, Indian Creek Township, was born in Sumner Co. , Tenn., July 17, 1834. His father, Abram Gossett, came to this county in 1835. John D. was reared on a farm, but as his parents were poor his education was limited. His parents died when he was small, and after that he had no schooling. He was bound out, and had to work hard. He was married Oct. 20, 1853, to Matilda, daughter of John Delap, and a native of this county. They have had seven children, three living --Martha, William H., and Etta. William H. clerks for H. May, of Norris. Mr. Gossett owns 334 acres of fine land, and is engaged in farming and stock raising. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church for 30 years. He is a member of the A. O. U. W.

from the History of White County, page 886
Submitted by Jeff Gossett

From History of White County, Published in 1883, page 887.

Christopher C. Greene, M.D., Norris City, was born on Black Warrior River, Alabama, near where Tuscaloosa now stands, sixty miles from any white inhabitant, May 22, 1821. His father, William B. Greene, had settled among the Indians a short time previous with his young wife. She died when Christopher was born. He was nursed by an Indian squaw of the Cherokee tribe for nine months, when his father took him to Blount County, Tennessee, and left him with his grandfather, where he remained till he was five years old. His father then married and took him to his home in Jackson County, Alabama. In 1839 he went to Tennessee, and in 1840 came to Gallatin County, Illinois.

He read medicine about ten months in Shelbyville, Tennessee. He taught school and farmed for seventeen years, and practiced occasionally. He moved to this county in 1847; began regular practice in 1858. In March, 1879, he came to Norris City, where he has built up a large practice.

He is the inventor of a medicine that will absolutely cure cancer in every instance; discovered by experimenting on his first case. He has cured forty-three cancers. He has been a Justice of the Peace fourteen years, and Supervisor three years.

He was married July 29, 1839, to Nancy C. Brown. They are the parents of ten children, seven living: William, Wiley N., James B., Milton S., Mary A., Catharine and Macklin. Two daughters, Elizabeth and Louisa, died after marriage. Both left families.

Carol Fellows, sgtjess@cybertrails.com

Charles R. Galloway, born Jan. 10, 1850, is a son of Dr. D. W. and Malinda J. Galloway.  His father was reared in Kentucky, but when twenty-one came to Illinois, settling on a farm in White County, where he still resides.  He has reared a large family of which Charles R. is the eldest.  Charles R. was married July 16, 1868, to Brunett J. Pearce.  She died, leaving one daughter – Virginia E. Jan. 30, 1875, he married Sylvestra J. McMurtry, of Roland.  They have one child – Dora May, aged four years.  In 1874 Mr. Galloway was employed as engineer in the flouring mill of D. M Porter, and was afterward promoted to chief miller.  In January, 1882, he came to Omaha to take an interest in the mills of J. B. Latimer & Co.  He is building a nice house here and intends making Omaha his permanent home.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

From History of White County (IL) Gallatin County – Bear Creek Township (ca 1882-1884), P.  971

William E. Gregg, son of Franklin A. and Nancy C. Gregg, was born in Hamilton County, Ill., Dec. 24, 1857.  His paternal grandparents were natives of Germany and immigrated to South Carolina early in the State’s history, and from there to Illinois.  His maternal grandparents were from Virginia, his Grandfather Eubanks being one of the pioneers of White County.  William E. attended school in the summer and worked on the farm in the winter, but being quick to learn and making good use of his time he always stood at the head of his classes.  He was often advised to teach, but preferring a mercantile life he entered the dry-goods house of Henry Wakeford, Norris City.  He afterward was employed by C. M. Ferrell & Co., Elizabethtown, Ill.  About two years ago he came to Omaha to work in the branch store of Swafford Bros.  A short time ago he left them and is now engaged in farming and dealing in stock.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

Hugh C. Gregg, son of William R. and Elizabeth A. Gregg, was born in this county, Sept. 8, 1856.  His father died in 1859, and his mother married Mr. Trousdale.  His paternal grandparents were natives of South Carolina, and came to Illinois in 1832.  his maternal grandparents (Cook) were natives of North Carolina, and removed to Tennessee, from there to Indiana, and in 1815 came to Gallatin County.  His Grandfather Cook enlisted in the war of 1812, but his father objected on account of his age, and an older brother went in his place.  He served as First Lieutenant in the Black Hawk war.  Mr. Gregg spent his youth alternately on the farm, and attending the district school.  He attended a select school in Omaha two terms, and Hamilton College, McLeansboro, a short time; also attended the Normal School at Carmi one term.  He has been a very successful teacher, having taught six years in one district.  He owns a good farm of 150 acres, and its worth about $2,500.  Mr. Gregg is County Superintendent of Schools.  Politically he is a Democrat.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

Source:  History of White County, IL, Phillips Township (ca 1882-1884) p 931

James R. Graham, was born in Union County, Ky., Dec. 12, 1810.  He came to White County in 1818, but only remained a short time, and returned to Kentucky.  he attended school part of the time for two years, and then returned to Illinois, where he has since resided.  He is a tanner by trade, and worked at that business four or five years.  He owns forty acres of good land in Phillips Township and is now farming.  He was married Jan. 19, 1837, to Susanna Davenport, a native of White County, born Nov. 2, 1822, and died July 21, 1850, leaving four children 00 James T., Nathaniel P., David M. and Mary A.  In 1861 Mr. Graham married Arvazena Cherry, widow of H. Cherry.  They have no children.  Politically Mr. Graham is a Democrat.  He has served fourteen years as School Trustee, and three years as School Director.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

John Graham, born Sept. 13, 1814, in Fayette County, Pa, is a son of John and Elizabeth (Thompson) Graham, natives of Scotland and Ireland.  He received a common-school education, and worked on the farm till his eighteenth year, when he went to Elizabethtown, Pa., and learned the shipwright’s trade; worked at his trade on land eight years, and was then steamboat carpenter twenty-three years, working on many boats and experiencing the dangers of many storms.  He has been on three different boats where the boilers burst, killing many, the last one killing twenty-seven.  Securing a competence in his rough life, he came West and bought a farm, and settled down to a quiet life.  He also deals quite largely in grain, having charge of Brown’s Station on the Wabash Railroad, his son-in-law, B.I. Brockett, running the farm, and he the grain depot.  Mr. Gram married Miss Jane Wilson, of Pittsburg, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Grant) Wilson, of the same State.  Their family consisted of two sons and this one daughter.  Mr. and Mrs. Graham have one daughter – Virginia Belle, now Mrs. B. I. Brockett, and living with her parents.  Their children are – Laura B., Graham D., Jane B., Etta M., Edward L. and Nellie B.  Mr. Graham and Mr. Brockett own land on section 31, Carmi Township.  Mr. Graham ran a steamboat for seven years between St. Louis and Ft. Benton, Montana, a 3,600 mile route; this brought him from civilization to the wild lands of the warlike Sioux, Blackfoots, Winnebagoes, etc., and where elk, deer, and buffaloes abounded; has had skirmishes with the Indians, and the boat, City of Pekin, was shot into many times.  He was also on a steamboat, The Belle Peoria, taken into the service of the Untied States, and served as ship carpenter during the war; was before Vicksburg six weeks; also on the Tennessee River in the region of Morgan’s guerrilla raids, but escaped unmolested.  Mr. and Mrs. Graham and Mr. and Mrs. Brockett are members of the West Union United Presbyterian church.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

From History of White County (IL), (ca.1882-1884), P. 583-584

Smiley Graham, was born in Fayette County, Pa., June 26, 1807, and when about eleven years of age went to Ohio.  In the fall of 1838 he came to Illinois.  He owns eighty-three acres of land on sections 29 and 30, Carmi Township.  He was married Mary 14, 1840, to Emily M. Brockett, who was born in Saline County, Ill., in 1816.  They have five children – Benjamin B., born June 26, 1844; Elizabeth T., Sept. 14, 1846; John M., Feb. 2, 1849; Mary Jane, Mary 16, 1852; Maria T., Sept. 18, 1865.  Mr. and Mrs. Graham are members of the United Presbyterian church.  Politically he is a Republican.  His son, John M., was married Oct. 4, 1876, to Emma C. Parkhurst, who was born in White County, Nov. 3, 1862.  They have two children – Charles O., born Oct. 13, 187, and Emma C., born Dec. 23, 1881.  He lives with his father, and has charge of the farm.  Mr. and Mrs. John Graham are also members of the United Presbyterian church.  Politically he is a Republican.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

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