Abel Vaughn was the son of Nathaniel Vaughn, and born April 20, 1803, in Fauquier County, Va. His father crossed the Allegheny Mountains in a wagon (the only way of crossing them it that early day), and settled in Rock Castle County, Ky., when Abel was about four years old. After he became grown he went to East Tennessee, where he was married near Knoxville, to Jane, daughter of Captain Stephen Bond, who was a Captain in the Black Hawk war. Abel was intending entering this war, and was educated as a drummer and fifer, but the war closed before he got into service. In 1831 he moved to Bedford, Ind., where he held a commission from Governor Duncan in charge of a military company. In 1833 he settled in White County, four miles below Grayville, on one of the Stanley farms, and commenced the practice of medicine, being very successfully engaged. In 1835 or early in 1836 he came to Grayville, when there were only a few houses,. nearly all log cabins, and bought the Cave property, and put up the first house on it. He continued his practise here which esulted in a large business. In 1838 or 1839, be bought the lots where the saw-mill of Blood & Vaughn now stands, and put up a warehouse. He shortly afterward sold this property and bought several lots at the lower landing, where he lived until 1844. His health now began to fail him, which resulted in severe attacks of asthma, and hemorrhage of the lungs, and he was obliged to leave and go to Lewisburg, Ky., where he regained his health, and had a large practice. He held the position of Postmaster in that place most all the time he lived there, and in 1848 or early in 1849 he resigned his office in favor of-S. Jackson, of South Carrolton, and it was moved there. He came back to Grayville, and would have been contented to pass the remainder of his days here, but owing to relatives going into Kentucky be finally moved back to South Carrolton and practiced medicine. He held the office of Town Judge, and again was Postmaster of the place. He died Feb.25, 1880, aged nearly seventy-seven years. His aged wife is still living, and can extend her blessing to her fourth generation.

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

James Vaughn, born near Knoxville, Tenn., March 14, 1828, is a son of Abel and Jane Vaughn. He was educated for a bookkeeper, and has followed this business since he was sixteen years old. He was married in Keokuk, Iowa, to Mary Jane Griffith, Feb.26, 1850. He first came to Grayville with his father in 1833. He was living at Keokuk when he was married, after which he returned to Grayville, and lived here till 1857, when he moved to Henderson, Ky. In 1863 he moved to Evansville, where he has resided since. He was bookkeeper for several leading business firms in Evansville, and in 1875 was elected City Clerk,holding the office two terms. They have three children-James Shelley, Ella V., wife of Wm. M. Hull, resides at Louisvi11le, Ky., and Harry Griffith, being with his parents at Evansville. One daughter died at the age of five years.

Submitted by Misty Flannigan
Source: History of White Co 1883

Jamea Shelley Vaughn, born in Grayville, Sept.29, 1855, is a son of James F. and Mary (Griffith) Vaughn. He was educated at Evansville, and graduated from the High School of that city in 1873. He was deputy under his father during his period as City Clerk, and afterward went to keeping books in a wholesale saddlery house for two years. In 1877 he went to Louisville. Ky., and engaged as salesman in a wholesale saddlery house, remaining there a year. He then returned to Evansville, and remained about a year. Sept.29, 1879, he came to Grayville, and engaged with W. W. Gray in the grain buisness, and remained with him a short time. Jan.28, 1880, he entered into a co-partnership with John M Blood in a saw-mill, under the firm name of Blood & Vaughn. This mill is situated on the site where his grandfather, Abel Vanghn, built a warehouse in 1839, and carried on an extensive forwarding and shipping business. He was married April 20,1881, to Callie Cook, of Carmi, a daughter of Dr. Charles Cook, an old physician of the county. They have one daughter-Ella, born Feb.19, 1882.

Submitted by: Misty Flannigan
Source: History of White Co 1883

ISAAC VEATCH, was born January 05, 1791 probably in NC, and died January 1880 in Cottage Grove, Lane Co, Oregon.  He is buried at Shields Cemetery.  He married  Mary Ellen Miller on November 20, 1812 in Henderson Co., KY, daughter of Peter Miller and Susan McClary.  She was born 1793 in NC, and died 1846 in Monterey, Davis Co., Iowa.  She is buried Old Mt. Moriah Church Cemetery.  He married (2) Denessa (Stockton) Gibbs on May 01, 1847 in Schuyler Co, MO.  She died May 1850 in Schuyler Co, MO.  He married (3) Barbara Bryant on March 29, 1853 in Schuyler Co, MO.    He married (4) Old Harrigan (No name ever found) before 1879.

His father, Elias Veatch (1759-1839), was a Private in the Revolutionary War.  He served under General George Washington.  Papers proving his service were inadvertently burned.  Elias came to White County, IL in 1813.

Revolutionary Records in White Co. say he was born Pendleton Co, SC, other records show Pinkleton's Rest, Montgomery Co., MD and another record says NC.  Widow’s pension claim rejected (Act 7/7/1838) - not on rolls R10926 (SC).  Widow (Bonnie Jean Brown --1759-1844) was a resident of Nashville (Washington Co), IL when the pension claim was rejected.  His name, however, is on a monument in Carmi, IL.  Placed there by the Wabash Chapter of the DAR in 1936.  Both died in Washington Co, IL.

Isaac served in the War of 1812 and was drafted at Red Banks, Henderson Co, KY on 2/15/1813.

Isaac was a wheelwright by trade and built and operated a saw and grist mill on his 40 acre farm near Enfield. He served on the jury for the "first murder trial" in White Co. 8/30-9/3/1824.

Isaac Veatch was married four times and had a total of 18 "known" children.  Sixteen were by Mary Ellen and two by Nicie Gibbs, who died during the birth of his last child.  His third wife was Barbara Bryant.  His fourth wife's name was not given.  She was referred to as the "Old Harrigan", whom he soon left.

The children of Isaac Veatch and Mary Ellen Miller were:

 WILLIAM J. VEATCH, b. November 06, 1813, Henderson Co, KY; d. October 24, 1902, Enfield, White Co., IL. He married Elgelitha Elizabeth Wallace October 26, 1837 in Enfield, White Co., IL.  She was born October 06, 1822 in IL, and died January 21, 1902 in Enfield, White Co., IL.  Both are buried in Old Sharon Cemetery

 JAMES MONROE VEATCH, b. October 16, 1815; d. June 09, 1901, IL.   He is buried in Enfield Cemetery.

 REBECCA VEATCH, b. Abt. 1817; m. JESSE H. WALLACE, September 09, 1836.

 JOHN M. VEATCH, b. January 27, 1819, Enfield Twp, IL; d. February 19, 1861.  He is buried in Enfield Cemetery.

 ELIAS ANDERSON VEATCH, b. 1822; d. Abt. 1895; m. (1) Emily Gray; m. (2) Rebecca Howard; m. (3) Elizabeth Dodrell.

 PETER LOWRY VEATCH, b. March 19, 1823; d. March 29, 1890; m. (1) Sarah Jane Johnson; m. (2) Lovancha Howard.

 POSEY H. VEATCH, b. 1825; d. Abt. 1858; m. Eliza Locker.

 ISAAC MILTON VEATCH, b. November 04, 1826; d. March 20, 1903; m. Frances Hannah (Brown) Davis Smith.

 HARVEY CLAYBURN VEATCH, b. November 10, 1828; d. December 18, 1921; m. Margaret Jane Knox.

 SYLVESTER EWING VEATCH, b. March 27, 1831; d. October 19, 1918; m. Mariah Elizabeth Knox.

 NICEY JANE VEATCH, b. December 06, 1832; d. January 22, 1919; m. Leland B. Whorton.

 ELIZABETH ANN VEATCH, b. September 19, 1834; d. July 14, 1916; m. Charles Hamilton Wallace.

 LEANDER VEATCH, b. Abt. 1836; d. Died young.

 HARRIET LUCRETIA VEATCH, b. May 06, 1838; d. April 24, 1921; m. John Calvin Wallace.

 LAFAYETTE MCGRADY VEATCH, b. March 24, 1840; d. May 28, 1902; m. Keziah Roseline Stout.

 ROBERT MCCLEARY VEATCH, b. June 05, 1843; d. May 07, 1925; m. Surphina Currin.

Children of Isaac Veatch and Denessa Gibbs were:

 MARY ADELINE VEATCH, b. 1848.
 MUNDANA VEATCH, b. May 1850.

Isaac, apparently, was forever the adventurer.  Early in 1845, Isaac and family [exclusive of William, John and Rebecca] moved to Monterey, Davis Co, Iowa. He also lived in Schuyler Co, Missouri (during marriages to his second and third wives) and Oregon and traveled by horseback and wagon train.  He arrived in Oregon the last time in Oct, 1874 to live with his son, Sylvester Ewing "Ves" Veatch.  He died the at home of his son, Harvey Clayburn Veatch, at Cottage Grove, Lane Co., Oregon.

In an interview written by a local newspaper in 1946 with Charles Sylvester “Buddy” Veatch (a grandson of Isaac and son of William J. Veatch), he had the following story to tell about the Veatch family:

UNCLE BUDDY VEATCH NEARING 86 YEARS

“Interviewing “Uncle Buddy” Veatch was a pleasure.  His memory covers a span of 80 years and he recollects many stories told to him by his father and grandfather.  He began by telling about his great-grandfather, Elias Veatch, who fought under General George Washington.

Elias Veatch was born in North Carolina, the son of Robert Veatch, who was born in Scotland in 1725.  Elias Veatch came to White County in 1813 and with him was his son, Isaac Veatch, who had married Mary Ellen Miller, a daughter of Peter Miller, in Henderson County, Kentucky, in 1812.  They were “Uncle Buddy’s” grandparents.  Isaac and “Polly” Veatch were members of Hopewell Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1819.

WENT TO OREGON

They went to Oregon in 1860.  Isaac Veatch made three trips to Oregon, twice by horse and wagon and the third time by train when he was past 80 years old.  “Uncle Buddy” remembers seeing him off when he was just a lad.  Isaac Veatch had 12 sons and four daughters and to provide clothing for them was a problem for the mother.

It was not customary for boys to wear trousers until they were six or seven years old.  A lad was considered suitably and decently clad in a single garment that resembled a long-tailed shirt.  When “Uncle Buddy’s” father, William J. Veatch and his brother, James, reached school age, Aunt Polly made a pair of trousers.  She had planted and raised the flax; she had soaked it and then used paddles to break or “scootchin” it; she hackled it to remove the woody fiber; she had spun the thread on a flax spinning wheel; she had woven the thread into cloth on a loom; the cloth was dipped in dye made from walnuts and the bark of trees; finally the cloth was cut and made into a pair of trousers.

SCHOOL STARTED

About that time an itinerant teacher started a subscription school in the neighborhood.  Both William and James were eager for book-learning and naturally both boys wanted to wear the pants to school.  Aunt Polly wisely ruled that they should both go and take turn about wearing the trousers for the six weeks’ term.

“Uncle Buddy” has a gift for vivid description, mentally alert and in good health.  He enjoys life to the utmost.  It is difficult to believe that he will be 86 his next birthday.”

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts
[Source: Excerpts from personal Veatch Family History Book distributed to family members in 1997 by submitter]

From History of White County (IL), (ca.1882-1884), P. 899

Allen P. Veatch, farmer and stock-raiser, section 33, Enfield Township, was born in this township, April 13, 1843.  His father John M. Veatch (deceased), was also born and reared in this county.  Allen P. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools.  He ran a flouring mill in Enfield two years.  He was married Nov. 8, 1871, to Emily J., daughter of Samuel Elliott (deceased).  They have two children – Cora O., and Ralph R.  He has served his township as Assessor one year.  He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.  He owns 115 acres of good land.  He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

From History of White County (IL), (ca.1882-1884), P. 899-900

John M. Veatch, born in Enfield Township, Jan. 27, 1819, was a son of Isaac Veatch, an early pioneer of White County.  His education was limited to the subscription schools.  He was married Nov. 19, 1840, to Sarah M., daughter of Abel Rice.  To them were born nine children, five still living – Allen P., Vilbert W., Gamalial A., Elgelitha A., and Iva R.  One daughter, Harriet D., died at the age of twenty-four years.  Mr. Veatch died Feb. 19, 1861.  He was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.  Gamaliel runs the home farm.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

From History of White County (IL), (ca.1882-1884), P. 900

Vilbert W. Veatch, son of John W. Veatch (deceased), was born in Enfield Township, White County, March 28, 1847.  He was reared on a farm.  His education was limited.  He worked in a flouring mill in Enfield two years.  He owns a farm of 238 acres, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising.  He has been threshing for nine years.  Oct 7, 1868, he married Ellen Elliott.  They are the parents of seven children, six living – Orval, Ollie, Derascus, Mary, Ellen and Luella.  He is a member of the Baptist church.  He is a very liberal man and subscribed largely for the Enfield College, the new Baptist church at Sacramento and other benevolent enterprises.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

From History of White County (IL), (ca.1882-1884), P. 900

William A. Vineyard, farmer and stock-raiser, Indian Creek Township, was born in Norris City, Jan. 18, 1838.  His father, Thomas M. Vineyard, a native of Kentucky, came to this county about sixty-five years ago, when a boy.  He was a soldier in the Black Hawk war.  He cleared a great deal of land in this county.  He died in June, 1874.  Wm. A. was reared on a farm and educated in this county.  Nov. 14, 1861, he married Patsey Caroline Garrison.  Of their seven children five are living – Lewis M., Ophelia L., Mattie M., Thomas E. and George C.  Mr. Vineyard is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Mt. Oval.  He owns 138 acres of fine land.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

Return to Main Biographies Page

Return to White County

Copyright ©1998, 1999, 2000 by Laurel Crook  and  Cindy Birk Conley, all rights reserved. For personal use only. Commercial use of the information contained in these pages is strictly prohibited without prior permission. If copied, this copyright notice must appear with the information.