White County, Illinois

Biographies
P

James W. Pool is a son of John and Sarah A. (Eubanks) Pool, natives of Kentucky. His grandfather, William Pool, was a native of Maryland, and moved to what is now Louisville, Ky., building, as is authentically stated, the first cabin on that site, in company with Samuel Shew. They each brought sixty negroes with them, but finding them unprofitable, sold most of them to emigrants. Mr. Pool removed to Bowling Green, where he and Mr. McCleardy were the original patentees. He had a family of ten children, seven born in Maryland, the rest in Kentucky. He soon after came to Gallatin Co., Ill., where he died; John Pool married Sarah A., daughter of James Eubanks. They were the parents of ten children-Frances Ellen (Mrs. B. Hale), James W., Nelson D. George T. Louisa (Mrs. James Chapman), Sarah Ann (Mrs. Henry Rainey), Mary Ann (deceased), Roenna (Mrs. Jesse Lowell), Rebecca J. (Mrs. Hosea J. Pearce), and John (deceased). Nelson D. and George T. were both killed in the late war. Nelson D. was killed by the kick of a horse while attending to the keeping of telegraph lines intact. George T., a veteran, was wounded before Nashville, having a leg shot off; and dying twenty-one days later. James W. lived at home till his twenty-third year, when he followed the river between this county and New Orleans, trading in chickens, two years. In 1849 he married T. L. Brockett, daughter of James Brockett. To them have been born seven children, six reaching maturity-John W. (married Florida Spence, daughter of John Spence), James Fred (married Margaret Buttery, daughter of William Buttery), Thomas Alex. (deceased), Ellen (married James M. Buttery), Nelson D., Solon Ellsworth, and Joseph C. (deceased). Mr. Pool has 150 acres or land, 120 of it under cultivation. He has been School Director of No.8 for twelve consecutive years. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist church.

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

Thomas Pool Jr., is a son of Thomas and Hannah (Collard) Pool and a grandson of William Pool and William and Betsy Collard. Thomas Pool came to White County when eighteen years of age, and married here. His family consisted of seventeen children, only six now living, Thomas, Jr., being the sixteenth child and the youngest son now living. Mr. Pool was in the Blank Hawk and Mexican wars. He received injuries in the latter which eventually caused his death, but for his valor he never received a pension. He died Nov.30, 1874, aged seventy-four years, and his wife followed him one month and twenty-one days later. His wife was a member of the Herald's Prairie church forty years. Aug.20, 1862, Thomas, Jr., married Rachel E., daughter of John and Lilly A. Marlin. To this union were born four children-Francis C., Mary J., Andrew E., and Sally. Mrs. Pool died April 16, 1875, and Mr. Pool married Mrs. Mary A. (Teachner) Newcomb. They have four children-Thomas, James W., Washington and Hannah. Mr. Pool enlisted before he was seventeen years old in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry. He was wounded in the first battle-Corinth. The Sixth and Seventh Cavalry participated in the Smith and Grierson raid. At Tickfaw Bridge Mr. Pool had his horse shot from under him. Every horse in the company, save two, was either killed or crippled. Lieutenant-Colonel Blackburn received nine shots in his body and fifteen in his horse. The Seventh wan in some of the worst battles of the war. Mr. Pool has a farm of 220 acres.

Source: History Of White Co IL 1883
Submitted By: Misty Flannigan

From History of White County (IL) Gallatin County – New Haven (ca 1882-1884), P.  955

Joseph L. Purvis, born in Chatham County, N.C., Dec. 6, 1816, was a son of William Purvis.  His father was a wealthy planter, and gave Joseph a classical education.  He taught in North Carolina previous to his coming to this county.  He has taught in various districts of Gallatin and White counties; also in Shawneetown.  He came here in 1841.  He married Nancy Maria, daughter of Thomas and Nancy A. (Perryman) Abshier, natives of North Carolina.  She was born in Murray County, Tenn., Feb. 2, 1822.  To this union have been born nine children – Matilda, born Aug. 7, 1817, now Mrs. J. A. Bennett; John M. born July 1, 1849, deceased; James G., born Nov. 19, 1850, married Emma R. Butts; William L., born Jan. 24, 1853; Clarinda, born Mary 19, 1855, deceased; Clarissa, born Aug. 17, 1856; Manna A., born April 12, 1859, deceased; Andrew, born April 16, 1862, deceased; Mary E., born Aug. 25, 1864.  Mr. Purvis raised Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-first Illinois Infantry, in and about this town and precinct.  He was in the service for fourteen months.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts


From History of White County (IL) Gallatin County – Bear Creek Township (ca 1882-1884), P.  967-968

Granville R. Pearce, son of Elisha and A. J. Pearce, was born July 31, 1849, in Indian Creek Township, White Co., Ill.  He was educated in the public schools of Roland.  He remained on the farm till eighteen years of age, when he engaged in the wool-carding business with his father, at Roland.  He then worked on the farm three years, after which he was in the flour-mill of Porter & Rice, Roland; came to Omaha and built the flour-mill here under the firm name of G. R. Pearce & Co.  Since retiring from the flouring mill, he has been engaged in wheat-threshing and running a saw-mill.  Mr. Pearce was married in 1860 to Margaret J. Winfrey, of White County.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts


From History of White County (IL), (ca.1882-1884), P. 845-846

Lock Phipps, was born in Logan Co, Ky., May 16, 1813.  His parents were Lock and Jane B. (Biven) Phipps, both natives of Maryland, of English extraction.  His mother was a relative of the Litchworths, of Maryland.  They came to Kentucky in 1799.  They children were – Mary, Elizabeth, John, Sally, Nathaniel, James B., William M., Lock, and Caroline.  They came to this county in 1818, before the State was admitted into the Union.  They were both members of the Methodist church, as are many of their family.  Mr. Phipps died Feb. 22, 1828.  His wife kept the home until the marriage of her youngest child (Mrs. James Greer), then broke up house-keeping and lived with her children.  She died in Carmi in September, 1837, and is buried beside her husband, on the old home place, known as the Judge Emerson farm.  Lock lived at home until his nineteenth year.  He learned the trade of a blacksmith and worked at it in Carmi thirteen years.  He was married Nov. 15, 1832, to Paulina Johnson, daughter of William and Elizabeth Johnson, of White County.  Their children are – John W., born Oct. 18, 1833, drowned at Paducah, July 22, 1862, a soldier in the war; Elizabeth J., born Jan. 25, 1838; Sandus A., born Jan. 5, 1839, died Dec. 4, 1858; William W., born in March, 1841; Mary L., born Oct. 9, 1842; Alice F., born Oct, 4, 1844, Albert R., born Feb. 27, 1847, died Sept. 8, 1879; Barnett F., born April 18, 1849; Richard M., born Aug. 30, 1851; George E., born May 1, 1854.  Mr. Phipps owns forty-two acres of find land on the west side of the township line.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts

From History of White County (IL), (ca.1882-1884), P. 846

Taylor Phipps,  a son of Nathaniel P. and Mary (Black) Phipps, was born in Herald’s Prairie Precinct, April 24, 1849.  Nathaniel Phipps was a son of Lock Phipps, a native of Maryland, who was one of White County’s oldest settlers, coming from Kentucky in 1818.  He first married Susan Gott, daughter of John Gott, also one of the very earliest pioneers.  By this wife Mr. Phipps had seven children.  Nathaniel, by his second wife, had ten children -–George W., Lawrence M., John S., Lock, Sarah J., Charles, Susan, Taylor and Scott.  William, and Thomas, who died in childhood.  Taylor married Mary E. Walker, Dec 24, 1869, and they have three children – Lena, born Oct. 2, 1870; Aurilla, born April 2, 1873, and one born Jan 8, 1875.  Mr. Phipps is an industrious man, a kind husband and thoughtful father, and a diligent and digestive reader.

Submitted by:  Linda Roberts


Daniel Powell was born around 1793.  According to Silas Wright Heard, the Powells came from Virginia.  According to other sources, the Powells came from South Carolina.  Some sources say Daniel and his family moved from South Carolina to East Tennessee when Daniel was 12 (about 1805).  They did live in Kentucky before moving to Illinois.  In the War of 1814, Battle of New Orleans, Daniel served under William Mitchisson of Caldwell County, Kentucky in the 14th Regiment Kentucky Militia as a Sergeant.  He appeared on the tax lists for Henderson County, KY for the first time in 1816 as the only white male in his household over 21, owning 3 horses / mares for a total tax of 100.  In 1817, he was taxed on 2 horses for a total tax of 100. In 1818 he was again taxed on 3 horses for a total tax of 160.  On 29 Jun 1815, in Henderson County, KY, he married Margery Jane Miller.  He disappeared from the Henderson County tax lists in 1819.  When living in Illinois, he was very wealthy and owned much land, 720 acres in Hamilton and 1852 acres in White County.   He started purchasing this land 19 Jan 1819 in Hamilton County and listed Henderson County, KY as his place of residence.  He was head of household, age 16-26, in 1820 census in White County, Illinois with 1 male under 10 (should be 1 female under 10 Lucinda), 1 female 16-26 (wife Margery), and 1 person (himself) in agriculture. Although he was enumerated in White County, he appeared to be living in Hamilton County.  When the County Commissioners’ Court met for the first time 9 Apr 1821, he was appointed fence viewer along with Frederick Mayberry Sr. for range 7E, township 7S.  On 5 Mar 1825, his wife Margery died in Hamilton County and was buried at Wolf Creek Cemetery.  He then married Rhoda Douglas 4 Aug 1825 in Hamilton County.  Sometime before 1830 he moved to White County.  He was head of household, age 30-40, in 1830 census in White County, Illinois with 2 males under 5 (Thomas & Henderson B - it seems Hezekiah was not counted), 1 female under 5 (Lucretia), 1 female 10-15 (Lucinda), 1 female 20-30 (Rhoda Jane Douglass Powell), and 1 female 30-40 (unknown).  He was captain of his own company during the Black Hawk war in regiment 3, brigade 2 of the Illinois Mounted Volunteers with 54 men under him.  It was called into the service of the US on the requisition of General Atkinson by governor’s proclamation dated 15 May 1832.  The company actually formed 19 Jul 1832.  He was mustered out 15 Aug 1832.  James Eubanks was his 2nd Lieutenant and head of a detachment.  Daniel was a Major during the Black Hawk War according to some records.  He was head of household, age 40-50, in 1840 census in White County, Illinois with 3 males under 5 (James, John J, Hezekiah), 1 male 5-10 (John G), 1 male 10-15 (Henderson), 1 male 15-20 (Thomas), 1 female under 5 (Sarah), 1 female 10-15 (Lucretia), 1 female 30-40 (Rhoda, his wife).  He ran for State Senator on the Democratic ticket in 1840 and was defeated.  A History of White County recalls the following incident: "All the candidates of both parties made a canvass through the county and had a joint discussion.  At their meeting at Phillipstown, while Major Powell was speaking, a very zealous Whig thought he would send a prosser between the Major’s eyes.  It was this: ‘Well, old Powell, you want to step on another butcher knife and cut your foot, so you can draw a pension.’  Powell, as quick as powder, replied: ‘You are a dirty liar, and I can whip you like a dog,’ and down he stepped from the stand, and at it they went.  Each of the men would weigh over 200 pounds, and both very fleshy.  Major Powell rode the bald horse in that fight."  At age 57 in 1850 census he was living on a farm, valued at $10,000, in Grayville, Illinois as a farmer with wife Rhoda and 8 children: Thomas, John G, Sarah J, Jehu J, James W, Mary E, Elizabeth C, Silas W, and a farm laborer John W Snider.  At age 66 in 1860 census he was living on a farm, real property $20,000 and personal property $20,000, in Duncanton, Illinois as a farmer with wife Rhoda, 6 children: John G, Jehu J, James W, Mary E, Elizabeth C, Silas W, 2 grandchildren Florence & Mary Dagley, and 2 boarders Ed Barnes and John Gillis.  In about 1862 Daniel built a house (on the property, which presently belongs to the Powell General Baptist Church,) in hopes that the Predestination Baptists would organize a church there, something which never happened.  The land was sold in 1875, three years after his death, to the General Baptist Church, which was still active there in the 1880’s.  Silas W Powell, Daniel’s youngest child, was buried in the adjoining graveyard in 1899, his monument being one of the largest in the center of the graveyard.  At age 76 in 1870 census Daniel was living on a farm, valued at $11,565, in Roland, Illinois as a farmer with wife Rhoda, youngest son Silas W, and grandchild Mary Dagley.  He moved to Carmi in 1871 after his wife died, where he remained until his death.  He was buried in the Lick Creek or Old Prairie Cemetery near Herald's Prairie.  In Jan 1939 Florence Powell Caton wrote the following about Daniel and his home:  "I believe it was one of the Bryant men who told me the foundation of the old Powell home was of hickory.  It might have been OAK; I wouldn’t want to go on record that it was hickory, but some way or other it was imbedded in my consciousness.  At any rate it stands there imposing, homey as staunch as the people who built it were.  Two years ago when I visited it last they told me that long ago, there were great granaries, a blacksmith shop, a store, all kinds of stock, Jacks [mules?], stallions, bulls, rams – everything to improve the farm.  He [Daniel] built a church with doors too narrow for women with hoops to crowd in – he did not permit his women folks to wear those ‘contraptions’ Cousin Rebecca told me.  He built the school house, and mostly paid the preachers who came now and then, also the teachers.  They said he had a voice that would reach from one end of the county to the other, when he called his hogs, of which he had hundreds fattening on the native nuts in the forests.  Cousin Rebecca said he used to call my father [James] or Uncle Jay [John Gideon] out of school to add up interest when some one came to pay their indebtedness to him.  The Bryants told me during my last visit that the house had 11 rooms.  I did not suspect it of being so large, but I’ve no doubt it was always pretty well filled.  I have an old portrait of grandfather hanging up here near my desk and a large photo of his old home.  Some ten years ago [about 1928] I visited the old Herald’s Prairie cemetery, and midst tall weeds and bushes and grass was a fallen monument with grandfather’s [Daniel Powell] name on it."  By 2002, when Robert & Carol Olson visited the grave, there were two markers, both in fine condition, although the Lick Creek Baptist Church nearby was being torn down.  The inscription on one of the tombstones at Old Prairie or Lick Creek Cemetery in Herald’s Prairie reads: "Daniel Powell Illinois Captain Capt Powell’s Co 3 Regt 2 Brigade Black Hawk War 1793 1872".  The large monument reads: "In Memory of Daniel Powell Died Dec 9, A. D. 1872 Aged About 79 years He lived an honest man.  Yet for Salvation he trusted only in the Lord."  On the opposite side of the monument is his wife's inscription which reads: "Rhoda wife of Daniel Powell died Jan 3 AD 1871 Aged 66yrs 2 ms 25 ds Good bye dear mother, sweetly rest, with Jesus and the blest."

Black Hawk war information from Illinois State Archives on line:
http://www.sos.state.il.us/departments/archives/databases.html and
"dhwright" database at http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com

Obituary from the Carmi Weekly Courier 12 Dec 1872

War of 1812 from "dhwright" database at http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com

Land information from Illinois State Archives on line: http://www.sos.state.il.us/departments/archives/databases.html

Information on county commissioners court found on p 275 at http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilhamilt/hist1887/index.htm

1820 census for Illinois, White county, Waconteby, p 340, Im 4 (Ancestry.com)
1830 census for Illinois, White county, p 35, Im 67 & 68 (Ancestry.com)
1840 census for Illinois, White county, p 295, Im 45 & 46 (Ancestry.com)
24 Oct 1850 census for Illinois, White county, Grayville District 13, p
334, Im 62 (Ancestry.com)
7 Aug 1860 census for Illinois, White county, Twn 6S Rn 8E, Duncanton
PO, p 452, Im 136 (Ancestry.com)
26 Jul 1870 census for Illinois, White county, Indian Creek Twnshp, p
32, Im 32 (Ancestry.com)

Marriage to Rhoda Douglass found at ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/il/hamilton/vitals/marriag2.txt

Marriage to Margery Miller found at reno2002 at http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com

Death date & burial found at "dhwright" database at
http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com and confirmed by visiting the cemetery

Death place found at "reno2002" at http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com

Some Black Hawk War information found at FHC, fiche # 6051257- #1

Some land information and marriage to Rhoda found in Marriage Records &
Related Notes - Hamilton County Illinois 1821-1854, Compiled and
Annotated by Harold G Felty, published 1981 by Cook / McDowell
Publications, 1233 Sweeney St, Owensboro, KY 42301, FHC books 977.395 V2f

Tax lists of Henderson County, KY, FHC film # 8032

Some information from History of White County Illinois, Inter-State
Publishing Co., Chicago, Ill 1883, FHL US/CAN book 977.396 H2h 1966

Letter From Florence Powell Caton, 3967 Drexel Blvd, Chicago, Illinois
to Eugene E Silliman, 3647 Grim Street, San Diego, California, 26 Jan 1939

Submitted by Carol Olson

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Created by Laurel Crook, 05 Oct 1998

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