The following is biographical information abstracted from:
Portrait
and Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope and Hardin
Counties, Illinois
Chicago Biographical Publishing Company 1893
(online - link above)
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JAMES P. TAYLOR has been a thrifty and practical farmer of Pope County, Ill., and although he has disposed of the greater part of his real estate, he is still the owner of and engaged in cultivating forty acres of land in the vicinity of Elizabeth, which, though small, most emphatically indicates that Mr. taylor thoroughly understands the art of farming. The land is exceptionally well tilled, and on it are excellent farm buildings of all descriptions, among which is a neat frame residence, in which Mr. Taylor and his amiable wife are spending their declining years. James P. Taylor was born in Bartholomew County, Ind.,
November 9, 1825, a son of Aaron Taylor, who
was born and reared in the Buckeye State, and whose
life was devoted to the honorable occupation of
farming. He became a resident of Pope County, Ill., in
1833, the journey to Golconda being made by water, and
in what was then the wilds of the State he began to
carve out a home for himself and wife and those who
might come after them. His wife was Miss Anna Lee,
a daughter of John Lee, a Hoosier by birth and
bringing up, and to him she proved a true helpmate in
his early days of adversity. They entered a tract of
Government land in the vicinity of Glendale, and on
that tract of land their home continued to be until
the death of Mrs. Taylor in 1834, at which time she
was in the prime of womanhood. She left three sons and
two daughters, of whom the subject of this sketch is
the third child and second son. In 1836 the head of
the family was also taken away, being killed by a
falling tree which he was chopping down. The little
band of orphan children were kindly looked after by
the good citizens in the neighborhood, and young James
P. found a home with Thomas Ellis, with whom
he lived for eight years, or until he was seventeen
years old, when he started to make his own way in the
world and began assisting in construction of a mill in
Grandpier Precinct. Mr. Taylor then spent one year on the farm of Jordan
Story, after which he worked for some time for James
Fulkerson, his compensation being a horse. On
the 22d of November, 1847, he was united in marriage
with Miss Catherine Formwalt, of MIddle
Tennessee, the daughter of John Formwalt, and
soon after the celebration of their nuptials they took
a tract of Government land, consisting of two hundered
and forty acres, for a portion of which they paid
$1.25, and only twelve and one-half cents for a
considerable portion. Both these young people were
sturdy and ambitious, and they labored faithfully to
improve their propety, with the result that in time
they had one hundred acres in a good state of
cultivation. This farm lies one mile north of
Hartsville, and is considered one of the desirable
places of the county. During the twenty-two years that
they resided and labored on this farm, nine children
were born to them. Jonathan F., who is a successful
lawyer of Carbondale, is married and has four sons;
Spencer B., a farmer of Golconda Precinct, as three
daughters andn two sons; Caleb M, who farms near his
parents, has four sons an done daughter; Richard F.,
the prosecuting attorney of Elizabethrown, has one son
and one daughter; William F., at Poplar Bluff, Mo. is
a skillful practiving physician; Priscilla I. is the
wife of Daniel Flannery; and one son and two daughters
they buried in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor make their
home with their daughter Priscilla, owing to the fact
that they are both in poor health and unable to carry
on the labors of their farm. This daughter is the
mother of four children, one girl and three boys. In 1864 Mr. Taylor enlisted in the Union army, in the One Hundred and Thirty-sxith Illinois Infantry, Company K, as Second Sergeant, but was in no battle during his six months' army career. The life that he led was hard, however, and for two months he was dangerously ill in the hospital at Chicago, and long after he returned to his home. He now receives a pension of $12 per month. Our subject has always been a Democrat, wand was at one tim elected Constable, but soon resigned the position. He has been a School Director for many years. Mrs. Taylor has been an invalid for about two yaers, and has been a life-long sufferer with phthisic. She has been a member of the Baptist Church for over twenty-seven years and is an earnest and sincere Christian. |
| DAVID G. THOMPSON, State's Attorney of Pope
County, is one of the most talented and poplar members
of the Bar in this section and is prominent in public,
political and social life. He is a native son of the
county, born on a farm two miles north of Golconda
October 21, 1853. His father, the late Gordon
Thompson, who was well known and honored in this
county during his life, was born in Giles County, Va.,
December 18, 1813. He was a son of John Thompson, who
was a planter and, so far as known, spent his entire
life in Virginia. The maiden name of his wife, the
grandmother of our subject, was Anderson. She
survived her husband a number of years, was married the
second time to Mr. Hughes, and after his death
came to Illinois with her children and septn the
remainder of her days in Pope County.
The father of our subject was very young when his father died, and he then went to live with his maternal grandparents, by whom he was reared. He resided in Virginia until he was twenty-two years of age, and then, in 1836, set out on horseback to traverse the intervening wilderness to visit his mother and family in this State. After his arrival he located on a piece of Government land, intending to stop one season only, and raised a crop of tobacco, which he sent down the river to market, intending to take the proceeds to defray the expenses of his return to Virginia. But he never heard of his tobacco again, and consequently did not go back to his native State, but made a permanent settlement here. He at first entered a small tract of land from the Government, built on the place, and at once began to reclaim a farm from the primitive wilderness. He thus became identified with the pioneers of the county, and well did he perform his part in promoting the development of its agriculture and its growth. He was much prospered in is undertakings and acquired a handsome property. He entered other tracts of land at different times as his means increased, and at one time owned four hundred acres, much of which was improved. he continued to reside on his farm until his death, in January, 1892, rounded out his life at a venerable age. The maiden name of the mother of our subject was Jane Clemens and she was a native of Livingston County, Ky. Her father, David Clemens, was a Virginia by birth and was a son of Jerry Clemens, who was also born in Virginia and was descended from one of the early English families that settled in the Old Dominion in Colonial times. He was a planter and is supposed to have been a life-long resident of his native State. The maternal grandfather of our subject emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky and was one of the early settlers of Livingston County. The mother of our subject died in 1862, and the father subsequently married Louisa J. Williams, who survives him. He reared seven children by his first marriage; Laomi J. Threlkeld, James C., Emma M. Mizell; Amanda J., Sarah, and John N., all deceased; and David G. Our subject obtained the rudimnts of his education in the district school and subsequently became a student at the Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbondale, where he made rapid advancement and stood high in scholarship, beign graduated in the class of '78. At the age of nineteen he began teaching and taught for four terms. This was but a means to an end, as he had decided to adopt the legal profession, and during that time he commenced the study of flaw. In 1880 he bought th Herald, a weekly paper, and was engaged in its publication for a period of two yars. He did not abandon his preparations for the Bar, however, but continued his studies and was admitted in 1883. He at once opened an office at Golconda and has practice here ever since. In 1887 he formed a partnership with George A. Crow, under the firm name of Thompson & Crow, and they conduct an extensive legal business, which has been built up by chose application to professional duties, watchful care of interests intrusted to them, by a clear apprehension of common law and by honorable methods, which have secured to them the confidence of their fellow-citizens. Mr. Thompson's reputation won him election to the important post of State's Attorney in 1888, and re-election in 1892, and all are agreeed that he is eminently fitted for the office. The marriage of our subject with Miss Mary E. Huffman was solemnized in April, 1882, and four children grace their pleasant home, Nellie, Mary, Fay, Eugene G. and John H. Mrs. Thompson is also a native of Pope County and is a daughter of Jared and Mary E. (Holland) Huffman, natives of Tennessee. Mr. Thompson is one of the leaders of the Republicans in this county, having been identified with the part ever since he cast his first Presidential vote for Garfield in 1880. He has served as Secretary of the Republican County Central Committee for some years, also as a member of the Executive Committee; has been delegate to different Congressional conventions, and twice has been sent as delegate to State conventions. In his social relations he is a member of Golgonda Lodge No. 131, A.F. & A.M.; and of Lodge No. 292, I.O.O.F., and is also a member of the Presbyterian Church. |
| FERRIS TROVILLION owns a
well-improved and fertile farm, comprising one hundred
and twenty acres, on section 31, township 13, range 6,
Pope county. His paternal grandfather removed to
Illinois about the year 1835, purchasing land in this
county and here making his home for over half a century.
The various members of his family and their descendants
have long been considered among the best citizens and
worthy men in this portion of the State, n whatever walk
of life they have been found. Ferris Trovillion is a native of Pope County, his brith having occurred August 26, 1851. He is the son of Elijah and Nancy T. (Carr) Trovillion, both of whom were born in the same part of Tennessee. The former, who was born in 1826, was the son of James Y. and Betsey Ann Trovillion, the father a native of the Old Dominion, and the mother of Tennessee. Our subject's mother was born May 6, 1821, and was a daughter of John Carr, also of an old Virginian family, his wife being in her girlhood days Miss Elizabeth Horsley, of the same State. They both departed this life in Tennessee at the age of eighty-two years. Grandfather Trovillion was called to his final rest in 1878, being then over seventy-five years of age. Our subject's father emigrated with his parents to Illinois iabout the year 1835, and was in the Mexican War from beginning to end. He purchased land and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, being also a teacher in different parts of southern Illinois. He was married January 10, 1849, and had a family of seven children. During the Divil War he enlisted at Goldconda, in November, 1862, in Company G, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, being commissioned First Lieutenant. He was obliged to resign on account of bad health, being honorable discharge at Columbus, Ky., in May, 1863. Soon after his return to Illinois he was called to the home beyond March 10, 1865. The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood days and youth on his father's farm, and being early left with much of the responsibility and care of the homestead upon his hsoulders, he was not enabled to acquire much of an education, but has amply atoned for the early lack of privileges in this direction by wisely-selected reading and a critical observation of everything coming beneath his notice. So well did he improve such opportunities as he had, that from 1869 to 1872 he taught school in the county with very fair success. He has always resided on the farm where he first saw the light of day, and after his marriage purchased the interest of the other heirs, now being in entire ossession of the place, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres on section 31. He has developed into a skillful and thrifty agriculturist, the evidences of his industry and wife supervision being shown on every hand. At the age of thirty-two years Mr. Trovillion concluded to become a Benedict, and it was in accordance with that resolve that on May 30, 1883, he wedded Miss Carrie Clanahan, who was born August 16, 1859, in Pope County. Her father was a native of South Carolina, while her mother was born in Tennessee. They both removed to Illinois, where they first formed an acquaintance and were married. For a number of years they resided on a farm, which they have lately sold, and are now making their home in Golconda. To our worthy subject and his estimable wife was born a family of five children, three of whom are living. The record is as follows: Maud, who was born May 19, 1884; Edna, January 24, 1886; Mary, August 23, 1891; Lela, born March 9, 1888, and who died July 5, of the same year; and Don, whose birth occurred June 24, 1892. Mr. Trovillion is liberal in his religious view and is not connected with any denomination, though his wife is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He has served as School Director for several terms, and always votes the straight Republican ticket. |
| JAMES K. TROVILLION has preached
in the Baptist Church for over twenty years, beginning
soon after his graduation, and taking charge of the
church at Harrisburgh, where he remained until 1884, at
which time he removed to Columbus, and has since been
pastor of the Baptist Church of this place. He owns a
farm which is located on section 30, township 13, range
6, which he superintends, and on which he carries on
general farming and stock-raising. Mr. Trovillion is a native of Pope County, having been born April 2, 1845. His father, James Y., was born in the Old Dominion, while his mother, whose maiden name was Betta A. Maddox, was a native of Tennessee. Our sujbect's paternal grandfather was a prominent man in Virginia in early life, and afterward removed to Tennessee, there wedding Miss Susan Carr. James Y. Trobillion emigrated to Illinois in 1835, making the journey by flatboat on the Tennessee River, the trip taking about six weeks, during all of which time they cooked and lived entirely on the boat. Landing at Golconda, he purchased land and located in Pope County. His property consisted of one hundred and twenty acres on section 29, township 13, range 6, where he devoted himself to general agriculture and stock-raising during the remainder of his life. He was an industrious and honorabl eman, one who attended strictly to his own business and reared his childre, giving them as many advantages as were in his power. He departed this life on the 15th of October, 1881, a man who was thoroughly respected by his friends and neighbors. The subject of this sketch assisted his fater in caring for the homestead until he reached the age of twenty-six years. His education privileges were those afforded by the district schools of the old-fashioned type, the building being made of logs, with a puncheon floor, and desks made of roughly-hewn planks built against the side of the wall. Mr. Trovillion attended school until the breaking out of the war, and with youthful patriotism and zeal was hardly able to control his impatience to go to the assistance of his county until he had arrived at the age at which he could be admitted to the service, according to army regulations. He was only eighteen when he enlisted as a member of Company F. Twenty-ninth Illinois Infantry, at Columbus, in the year 1864. He participated in the battle of Mobile, and faithfully served until the close of the conflict, receiving an honorable discharge at New Orleans, June 30, 1865. Returning home, he assumed the charge of his father's farm, which he carried on until 1872; then, purchasing sixty acres of land in the same township, he devoted himself to its development and improvement for the following seven years. He then sold the farm and removed to Harrisburgh, since which he has given his time more especially in the ministry, though he has not, however, entirely given up the peaceful vocation of a farmer. In 1870 and 1871 Mr. Trovillion began studying for the ministry, attending the Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago one term. From that time he preached considerably in different parts of the county, and on his removal to Harrisburgh he was made the regular pastor of the Bapatist Church at that place, remaining in charge of the same for about four years. He is an unostentatious shepherd of his flock, one who is thoroughly conscientious, and who feels the high sense of responsibility devolving upon him. For the past eight years, as previously mentioned, he has been in charge of the church at Columbus, and has largely increased the membership and strengthened the various relations, financial and otherwise, of the congregation. On April 27, 1870, occurred the marriage of Mr. Trovillion and Hanna L. Hillerman, who was born in Missouri, March 31, 1846. She was called to the home beyond December 16, 1883, leaving two children: Marie and Josiah C. On APril 26, 1885, our subject was again married, the lady of his choice being Miss Missouri Jones, a native of Jackson County, Ill. Their union has been blessed with two children: William B. and Millie Elsie Alice. The family are attendants of the Baptist Church, of which the older ones are members. Our subject is a straightforward Republican, and his influence is ever found on the side of right and justice. |
| Penn V. Trovillion, County Clerk
of Pope County, is no only one of our most valued civic
officials, but he is one of our most progressive and
successful business men. He is a native of the county,
born in Columbus Precinct April 7, 1855. His father, Edward
E. Trovillion, was born in Lebanon, Wilson County,
Ky. The grandfather of our subject, James Y.
Trovillian, was a Virginian by birth and was a son
of Edward Trevelyan, a native of France, who
came to America in Colonial times and located in
Virginia. The grandfather of our subject removed from the Old Dominion to Tennessee, and for some years lived in Wilson County, that State. In 1847 he came to Illinois, and locating in Columbus Precinct, Pope County, he spent his remaining days there. His wife, who was also born in Virginia and whose maiden name was Elizabeth Mattox, likewise died in this county. Edward E. Trovillion passed his boyhood in his mative State and at the age of eighteen enlisted for service in the Mexican War. After its close he camae to Pop county, secured a tract of land in what is now Columbus Precinct, and built the log house in which our subject was born. Mr. Trovillion at once commenced to clear his land and was thus engaged at the breaking out of the civil War. Again he volunteered to serve his country, enlisting in Company G., Sixth Illinois Cavalry, his former experience as a soldier making him a valuable addition to the regiment, and he was commissioned First Lieutenant. He displayed high qualities as an officer during his term of service, but he was obliged to learve the army, privations and exposure undermining his health, and he resigned only to return home to die, as his health continued to fail, and death ensued March 10, 1865. Thus his brake and patriotic spirit was sacrifieced on the alter of his country as truly as if he had died on the battle-field. His had been a blameless life and he stood high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. He was a preacher in the Baptist Church and was inflential in its upbuilding. In politics, he was distinguished as being one of the first Republicans in the county, and was one of the few to vote for Lincoln in 1860. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Nancy Carr and was born in Wilson County, Tenn. By the death of her husband she was left with the care of seven children, and nobly did she shoulder her burden. But few acres of her land were cleared, but she superintended its further development and managed the farm with marked ability. She kept her children together until they were able to care for themselves, and still occupies the old farm, surrounded with every evidence of comfort and plenty, the fruits of her early toil. Her father was John Carr, a native of Virginia and a son of Thomas Carr, who was also, it is supposed a native of the Old Dominion and was probably descended from one Thomas Carr, an Englishman who came to America in 1680 and settled on a grant of land in Virginia that he had secured from the king. The grandfather of our subject was reared and married in Virginia but subsequently went from there to Wilson County, Tenn., where he obtained a large tract of land, which he cultivated by slave labor. He lived to an advanced age and died curing the Civil War. our subject had to begin the battle of life early, but he was fortified by a good home training that inculcated industrious habits as well as honorable principles. As soon as large enough he began to assist on the farm, but his education was by no means neglected, as he attended the district school a part of each year. He was ambitious to secure a higher education, and at the age of twenty entered the High School at Galatia and was a close student within its walls two years. In the meantime he made his home with a physician and earned his board by doing chores and otherwise making himself useful. After leaving college he taught school in Saline County, and was so engaged two years. In January, 1878, he entered the employ of Maj. Pierce as clerk as a salary of $25 a month, paying $15 of it for board. he clerked nearly two years and gained a business experience that has been invaluable to him, besides receiving many benefits at the hands of Maj. Pierce, for which he will never cease to be grateful. When he left the Major's employ it was to form a partnership with Thomas Baker in the dry-goods business. The months later Mr. Trovillion received the appointment of Deputy county Clerk and sold his interest in the mercantile business. He continued as Deputy Clerk until 1882, when he was honored by election to the office of county Clerk, to which he was re-elected in 1886 and again in 1890, and is now serving his third term, to the universal satisfaction of all concerned, irrespective of party. His genial personality has gained him popularity among his associates, and he is one of the leading members, of the following social organizations: Golconda Lodge No. 131, A.F. & A.M., and Golconda chapter No. 162, R.A.M. Mr. Trovillion is a fine type of our self-made men, and while yet in the prime of life has won for himself a name in business circles as one of the substantial citizens of the county. He started in life with no capital, prudently saved his earnings, invested them judiciously and has acquird a handsome property. he has dealt quite extensively in real estate and has paid some attention to farming and stock-raising with good profit. At the present time he owns three hundred and eighteen acres of land in Livingston County, Ky., which he devotes to raising corn in large quantities. In 1892 he became associated with Charles C. Steyer as owner of the Golconda Roller Flouring Mills. These mills are furnished with all modern machinery for the manufacture of flour and have a capacity of one hundred barrels a day, turning out a fine grade of flour, which is always in demand in the markets. Mr. Trovillion was married in September, 1880, to Miss Maggie Murphy, a native of New Orleans. She died Augst 18, 1889, leaving three children: Madge, Rob and Ralph, the latter two twins. |
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