Biography of W. R. Jones

The subject of this sketch was born in Wayne County, Illinois, December 1, 1861. His father and mother were born in Illinois; both his grandfathers were born in Kentucky, and his great-grand-father, Cadwaledar Jones, was born in South Carolina. His ancestors took a prominent part in the Revolutionary War, one of them, Robert Anderson, being a chieftain along with Marion and Sumter. The Jones family originally came from Wales. The Anderson family, into which the grandfather of the subject of this sketch married, came from Ireland. The Staten family, into which the father of the subject of this sketch married, … Read more

Taylor, Thomas – Obituary

Baker County Pioneer Called Beyond Thomas Taylor, a resident of the Haines district for the past 45 years, died at his home there at 3 pm today after an extended illness. His condition became worse following a paralytic stroke March 19. Mr. Taylor was born February 3, 1846 in Wayne County, Illinois. He was 80 years old at his death. He came across the plains with his parents in 1852 and settled in the Willamette Valley. Later he came to Umatilla County and then to Haines, where he settled in 1881. In 1883 he was married to Delila Ann Phillips … Read more

Biographical Sketch of J. J. Beall

J. J. Beall, student at law, Mattoon; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Nov. 26, 1843; his father came with his family to Illinois in the fall of 1852, and settled in Wayne Co. Here he engaged in farming. The subject of this sketch passed his life upon the farm and obtained his education at the common schools. In February, 1862, he left home, and began the trade of saddle and harness maker; he worked under instruction three years; he then worked as journeyman at his trade till 1870; in December, 1870, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff of Coles Co., … Read more

Biography of William E. Borah

In the “learned professions” merit alone can win advancement. When success must depend upon the various mental attributes of the individual, neither wealth nor influential friends can aid one in the progress toward fame. The man who has attained prominence at the bar is there-fore entitled to great credit, for as he lengthens the distance between himself and mediocrity it is the indication of great zeal, marked ability, close application and thorough knowledge. It has been through the exercise of these qualities that William E. Borah has attained a position at the bar that might well be envied by many … Read more

Illinois, Diocese of Belleville, Catholic Parish Records, 1695-1956

Illinois Bellville Church Records

A help guide for accessing the images of parish registers recording the events of baptism, first communion, confirmation (to 1907), marriage (to 1930) or death (to 1956) in the Diocese of Belleville (Illinois), Roman Catholic Church. The index to some volumes may reference pages within a given volume beyond current publication dates. As such, these images are not currently available. In addition to traditional parish registers, this collection includes a small number of census, church history, family and financial records. To assist the researcher I have broken down the available registers by county and name of parish, including the years covered by those parish records.

Biography of Edward W. Calvin

Edward W. Calvin, the leading druggist and owner of both livery stables of Newman, was born in Wayne County, Illinois, December 21, 1860. He is a son of Dr. J. W. Calvin, who was born in Kentucky in 1829, and he the son of Hiram Calvin, who was a native of Virginia. His father was a graduate of Rush Medical College. He married Sarah Brown, of New Buffalo, Michigan, whose death occurred some twenty years ago. He has practiced at various places, was at Newman one year and is at present in active and successful practice at Toledo, Ohio. E. … Read more

Biography of Jeremiah B. Simpson, M. D.

JEREMIAH B. SIMPSON, M. D. There is no man more highly esteemed in a community than the medical practitioner, and there is not among all the physicians of Baxter County, Arkansas, one who is held higher in public favor than Dr. Jeremiah B. Simpson. This gentleman was born in Wayne County, Illinois, in 1851 , to John W. and Sallie (Murphy) Simpson, the former of whom was also born there. The paternal grandfather, William Simpson, was a Tennessean, and a pioneer of Wayne County, Illinois, where he lived and died. John W. Simpson was a worthy tiller of the soil, … Read more

Biography of Holmes, Samuel

Samuel Holmes has shown an ability amounting to genius for the successful handling of business affairs, especially landed transactions, and during his long residence in Kansas had accumulated some of the finest sections of farming land in Greenwood and surrounding counties. Mr. Holmes learned the value of industry when a boy, also the principles of straightforward integrity, and it may be said that in consequence he had always been a successful man. He is now eighty-three years of age and lives practically retired at Eureka. One of the connections he still retains is as vice president of the Home National … Read more