Macoupin County
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Families of Modesto City Fathers

It was on a Monday, 16 March 1896, when 9 civic minded men gathered for the purpose of organizing the territory in the middle of the Northern portion of Macoupin Co., IL, into a village. At this time there were four towns surrounding this area. There was Scottville, Inc. on 31 Jan. 1880, about 10 miles to the West with Virden, Inc. on 22 Feb 1861 about 12 miles to the East. Palmyra, Inc. 15 July 1881 was located 3 miles South. About 8 miles North of this territory in Morgan Co., was Waverly, Inc. on 25 Feb. 1867.

This territory was defined as follows: beginning at the Center of Section Fifteen: Running Thence West to the Center of Section Sixteen: Thence South to the Center of Section Twenty one: Thence East to the Center of Section twenty two: Thence North to the point of beginning all in Township Twelve. North of --?--. Eight West of the Third principal Meridian in the said County and State of Illinois. This was done under the General Incorporation Laws of the State of Illinois in Relation to Cities, Villages, and Towns. The Village would be called Modesto and it was named after Modesto, CA. There were 9 positions to be filled. These were given as follows: a president, 6 trustees, one clerk, and one police magistrate. Those people who filled these positions are given as follows:

1. Hiram A. Drum - President. He was abt. 56 years old and was b. 5 Dec. 1839, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. 12 Nov. 1904, Macoupin Co., IL. He was a farmer. He m 1. Martha Belle Barr, b. abt. 1840, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. ------ on 6 March 1861. There were 6 sons and three daughters, all b. in Macoupin Co., IL. He m 2. Harriet H. Lankford, b. abt. 1842 and d. ----- on 1 Feb. 1894, Macoupin Co., IL. Had four sons. He was Postmaster at Barr's Store on 28 Nov. 1862. He was in the Civil War, Commander Co., D. Infantry. Served as Justice of Peace, Nov. 1867 - 1881. He was town clerk from 1871 - 1873 and town constable in 1872.

His father was Silas Drum, b. 19 Dec. 1803, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. 14 June 1874, and his mother was Mary Roe, b 30 March 1805, Macoupin Co., IL and d. ---. They were m. 6 Oct. 1825, Macoupin Co., IL. Had 10 children all b. in Macoupin Co., IL.

2. Robert Keen Alderson, Jr. - Trustee. He was 47 years old. He was b. 20 Feb. 1849, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. 13 Oct. 1929. He m. Lucy Ann Nevins, b. 17 May 1849, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. 9 Nov. 1932, Macoupin Co., IL. on 20 Feb. 1866, Macoupin Co., IL. Had 8 children.

His father was Robert Keen Alderson, Sr., b. 14 March 1810, GA. and d. 11 Feb. 1884. He m. Elizabeth Bell Clack, b. 1812 and d. --- on 24 May 1832, Sumner Co., TN. Had one child.

His father was James Alderson, b. 1784, GA. and d. 8 July 1900 and his mother was Elizabeth Russell, b 1788, GA. and d. - and were m. 1809, GA. Had one child.

Lucy Ann Nevins was daughter of William Nevins, b. 1782 and d. ---- and Elizabeth Simms, b. 18 Oct. 1784 and d. 19 Oct. 1876, Morgan Co., IL. They were m. before 1812

3. Javan Gibson Nead - Trustee. He was 32 years old and was b. 1862. IL. and d. ---.He m. Fannie Gertrude Solomon, b. 30 March 1866, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. 23 Sept. 1950 on 25 Dec., 1884, Macoupin Co., IL. Had 8 children.

His father was Daniel Roadcap Nead, b. 9 April 1830, Jonesboro, Johnson Co., TN. and d. 2 Jan. 1882, Washington Co., TN. His mother was Jane Saylor, b. 4 March 1831, TN. and d. 10 July 1909, Palmyra, Macoupin Co., IL. They were m. 13 June 1854, Washington Co., TN. Had two children.

His father was Daniel Nead Jr., b. 30 Dec. 1793, Jonesboro, Johnson Co., TN. and d. 4 April 1884, -----. He m. Barbara Roadcap, b. 4 April 1804, Jonesboro, Johnson Co., TN. and d. 23 Jan. 1887 on abt. 1826, Jonesboro, Johnson Co., TN. Had 11 children.

His father was Daniel Nead Sr., b. abt. 1765, Germany and d, 1820 -----. He m. Anna Hefleich, b. 1769, Jonesboro, Johnson Co., TN. and.d. ---- on abt. 1789, Jonesboro, Johnson Co., TN. Had 6 children.

His father was Matthias Nead, b. abt. 1743 and d. ----. His wife was unknown, b. abt. 1743 and d. ---- They were m. abt.1763, ---------. Had one child.

Fannie Gertrude Solomon's father was Thomas Jefferson Solomon, b. 8 Feb. 1840, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. 3 Dec. 1875, Macoupin Co., IL. and m. Ann Elizabeth Yowell, b. 1845, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. ----- on 21 Oct. 1862, Macoupin Co., IL. Had three children.

His father was Lewis Solomon, b. 1 April 1812, Muhlenberg Co., KY., and d. 1 April 1886, Macoupin Co., IL. m. Nancy Ann Fink, b. 22 Feb. 1818, Lexington, Fayette Co., KY. and d. 18 Sept. 1863, Macoupin Co., IL. Had 11 children.

His father was Lewis Solomon, Jr. b. 1 April 1778, Franklin Co., NC. and d. 28 July 1849, Macoupin Co., IL. m. Sarah (Sally) Bowden, b. 1779, Franklin Co., NC. and d. 26 Feb. 1848, Macoupin Co., IL. on abt. 1797, Franklin Co., NC.

His father was James Solomon Sr., b. 31 July 1741 Surry Co., VA. and d. 1826, Franklin Co., VA. m Elizabeth Parramore, b. abt. 1743 and d. after 1834 on abt. 1766. Had 9 children.

Nancy Ann Fink's father was John Fink, b. abt. 1794, -------- and d.--------- m. Matilda Hammon, b. abt. 1794 and d. --- on 29 Dec. 1814, Woodford Co., KY. Had two children.

Sarah (Sally) Bowden's father was John Bowden III. b. abt. 1761, Isle of Wight Co., VA. and d. ----. m. Mary "Polly" Underwood, b. abt. 1760 and d. ----- on abt. 1779. Had 15 children.

4. R. J. Allyn - Trustee. Nothing available.

5. John Quincy Fletcher - Trustee. He was 55 years old. He was b. 14 Aug. 1841, Scottville, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. 14 April 1928, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. He m. Minerva "Minnie" Hockensmith b. 1845, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. before 1893 · on Nov. 1869, Macoupin Co., IL. Served in the Civil War as a 2nd Lt. in Co., B. Illinois Infantry. Was responsible for securing the Post Office for Modesto as he signed the document on 17 Sept. 1898. No children,

His father was James S. Fletcher, b. 8 May 1803, Adair Co., KY. and d. 16 Sept. 1845, Scottville, Macoupin Co., IL. and his mother was Jane Powell, b. 8 Nov. 1807, Adair Co., KY. and d. 18 Dec. 1891, Girard, Macoupin Co., IL. They were m. 20 Sept. 1826, Adair Co., KY. Had 8 children.

His father was John D. Fletcher, Sr. b. 19 March 1770, Rockbridge Co., VA. and d. 23 Nov. 1817, Adair Co., KY. and his mother was Elizabeth Jane "Betsy" Harvey, b. 17 Oct. 1773, Augusta Co., VA. and d. 23 Feb. 1863, Adair Co., KY. They were m. 10 Aug. 1791, Rockbridge Co., VA. Had 9 children.

His father was Robert Fletcher I, b. 1738, Chester Co., PA. and d. 16 Aug. 1797 Green Co., KY. and his mother was Christinah B. Kinder, b. 1737, Augusta Co., VA. and d. 29 April 1806, Adair Co., KY. They were m. on 23 Nov. 1760, Rockbridge Co., VA. Had five children.

His father was John Fletcher, Sr., b. 1717 Chester Co., PA. and d. 21 Aug. 1758, Augusta Co., VA. and his mother was Eleanor Hindman, b. abt. 1719 Londonderry Co., Ireland and d. Sept. 1791, Rockbridge Co., VA. They were m. 25 May 1735 Chester Co., PA.. They had 7 children.

Jane Powell's father was Elias Burke Powell, b. 1 Jan. 1774, Wilkes Co., NC. and d. 6 April 1863, Scottville, Macoupin Co., IL. and mother was Elizabeth Day, b. 25 Feb. 1773, Burke Co., NC. and d. 15 Nov. 1855, Williamson Co., TN. They were m. abt. 1794, NC.

His father was Ambrose Powell, b. 1750, Burke Co., NC. and d. Sept. 1827, Maury Co., TN. and his mother was Margaret Holt, b. abt. 1750, NC. and d. ------. They were m. abt. 1765, NC.

Minerva "Minnie" Hockensmith's father was Andrew J. Hockensmith, b. 1803, KY and d. 20 Aug. 1872, Scottville, Macoupin Co., IL. Her mother was Mary Parke, b. abt. 1809, Madison Co., KY. They were m. 25 July 1826, Madison Co., KY.

Mary Park's father was Amos Parke, b. 1777, Rowan Co., NC. and d. 1847, Madison Co., KY. and her mother was Sallie French, b. 1781, Madison Co., KY. They were m. abt. 1802, Madison Co., KY.

His father was Allen Parke, Sr, b. 1747, Frederick Co., VA. and d. 1805, Madison Co., KY. and his mother was Elizabeth Giles, b. abt. 1751, Rowan Co., NC. They were m. abt. 1775, Rowan Co., NC.

6. Robert L. Conlee, Trustee. He was abt. 29 years old. He was b. abt. 1868, IL. and d. abt. May 1933 and m. Emma L. Gates, b. Sept. 1870 and d.------ on 28 May 1891 Carlinville, Macoupin Co., IL.

His father was John F. Conlee, b. abt. 1833, ---- and d. 3 Sept. 1898 and his mother was Susan C. Spires, b. 10 Jan. 1835 and d. -----. They were m. 8 Jan. 1852, Morgan Co., IL. Had five children.

7. Leonard Grayson Brown, Trustee. He was 29 years old. He was b. 17 Nov. 1867, Pisgah, Morgan Co., IL. and d. 2 Sept. 1957, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. and m. Ida Amy Vancil, b. 27 Jan. 1871, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. and d. 10 July 1960, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. on 25 Oct. 1893, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. Had three children.

His father was George Scroggin Brown, b. 11 Dec. 1823, Franklin Co., KY. and d. 11 Nov. 1892, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. and his mother was Mary Susan Wood, b. 1828, Bourbon Co., KY. and d. 11 April 1900, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. They were m. 22 Oct. 1849, Morgan Co., IL. There were 6 children. The oldest was William Thomas Brown. See Number 9 below. The youngest was Leonard Grayson Brown.

His father was Bedford Brown, b. 7 Oct. 1799, Franklin Co., KY. and d. 26 May 1874, Pisgah, Morgan Co., IL. and his mother was Caroline America Springer, b. 28 Sept. 1806, Franklin Co., KY. and d. 25 Jan. 1879, Pisgah, Morgan Co., IL. They were m. 5 Sept. 1822, Franklin Co., Ky. Children: 9.

His father was Jesse Brown, Sr. b. Sept. 1768, Franklin Co., KY. and d. 19 April 1813, Woodford Co., KY and his mother was Elizabeth Scroggin, b. 10 Oct. 1768, KY. and d. 6 Oct. 1839, KY. They were m. 20 Nov. 1792, Woodford Co., KY. They had 11 children.

His father was George Brown Sr. b. 1740 and d. 1806, and his mother was Sally Collier , b. 1739 and d. 1799. They were m. abt. 1765. They had 3 Children.

Ida Amy Vancil's father was Imri Byars Vancil, b. 15 Oct. 1825, Union Co., IL. and d. 23 March 1907, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. Her mother was Elizabeth Strother Rice, b. 17 Nov. 1832, Fauquier Co., VA. and d. 28 July 1924, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. They were m. 4 April 1860, Medora, Macoupin Co., IL. Thy had four children.

His father was Edmund C. Vancil, Dr., b. 10 May 1799, Muhlenberg Co., KY. and d. 31 Dec. 1891, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. and his mother was Mary Thomas Byars, b. 7 Feb. 1802, Jackson Co., IL and d. 25 May 1890, Modesto, Macoupin Co., IL. They were m. 24 Aug. 1824, Jackson Co., IL Had 7 children.

His father was Tobias (Wensell) Vancil, b. 13 Feb. 1769, Frederick Co., MD, and d. 18 May 1818, Logan Co., KY. and his mother was Nancy (Potmeisser) Jack, b. abt. 1773, Ireland and d. -------. Union Co., IL. Had 4 children.

His father was John Vancil Sr., b. 1747, --- and d.1817----- and his mother was Mary Penrod, b. 1750 ------- and d. 1815 -------. Had 12 children.

Mary Susan Wood's father was Thomas Wood, b. 1803, Athens, Fayette Co., KY. and d. 30 Dec. 1851, ------------- and her mother was Lucretia Fry, b. 1807, Fayette Co., KY. and d. 26 May 1881, Pisgah, Morgan Co., IL. They were m. 8 Oct. 1827, Bourbon Co., KY.

8. Charles Van Winkle -- Clerk. He was 20 years old and was b. in CA.

His father was ------- b. in IL. and his mother was ------- b. in CA.. He was single at the time of the city charter.

His parents information was not available.

9. William Thomas Brown - Police magistrate. He was abt. 50 years old. He was b. 1851, Pisgah, Morgan Co., IL. and d. ------- He m. Melinda ----------------. b. --- and d. --------------. Had one son.

He was a brother of Leonard Grayson Brown. See number 7 above. Both were children of Bedford Brown and Caroline America Springer.


Sources: City Charter, Personal Family Notes, Information on the Internet, Village of Modesto Centennial, 1896-1996

Submitted by Robert Fletcher, 14 President Way, Belleville, IL 62226-5424, Formerly of Modesto <rfletmod@accessus.net>


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