Borton, Reuben, 1822-1889, Miller, Manufacturer & Alderman

Posted on by March 15, 2024

The following biography was printed in Goodspeed’s History of Williamson County and published in 1887.

“Reuben Borton, miller and dealer in real estate, was born November 17, 1822 in Guernsey County, Ohio, the eldest of eight children (three deceased) of James Borton and Mariah Wilson Borton, the former of English origin, born in 1801, in Mount Holly, N.J., and the latter in 1802 in Loudon County, Va. In 1820 they were married in Guernsey County, Ohio where they were reared from childhood and the father here farmed and distilled essential oils, he died in 1864. The mother died in 1855. Our subject, educated in the home schools of his native county, married when twenty three and followed his father’s business. In 1850, he went to California and mined extensively, paying some men as high as $10 per day. He returned from Acapulco, Mexico City and Vera Cruz, Mexico via New Orleans to his native county.

Continue reading →

McIntosh, Elias A., 1871-1952, Coal Miner & Alderman

Posted on by March 7, 2024

According to his Social Security death record, Elias Anderson McIntosh was born January 23, 1871 in Johnson County. His parents were Benjamin McIntosh & Sarah Swindle. In the 1880 census, his family was located in Southern Township of Williamson County and working as farm laborers. In the census, 9 year old Elias had two siblings Willie 5 and Eddie aged 2.

On February 14, 1891, 21 year old Elias who was listed as living in Creal Springs and working as a farmer married Julia Ann Carter, the 17 year old daughter of Solomon W. Carter & Eliza Ann Harold.

Continue reading →

Crowell, Josiah B., 1866-1932 Veterinary Surgeon & Alderman

Posted on by March 5, 2024

The following biography of this individual was written in 1904 and published in the “1905 Historical Souvenir of Williamson County.”

“The subject of this sketch, who with single exception of Dr. Armstrong easily takes the lead in ranks of his profession in Southern Illinois, is a native of Jackson County and a farmer’s boy. He was born October 31, 1866 near Carbondale and at the age of 18 entered the Carbondale High School. After three years faithful application, however, he returned to the old homestead and in April 1889, two years later, he married and followed the plow for about six years. But, tempted by the good wages offered, he entered the employ of Fredonia Coal Mine and dug coal for a couple of years. But he felt himself superior to the occupation, and entered the private veterinary school of Dr. Killman at Kansas City, Kansas. His studies under that famous teacher were supplemented with a year’s practice with Dr. John Armstrong of Toronto Cananda at Carbondale. In June 1902, he passed the rigid examination of the State Board at Springfield and has since practiced under this certificate. In July 1899, he came to Marion and has been in steady and successful practice here ever since.

Continue reading →