Person:George Petefish (3)

Information on George Petefish

Family Information Nick DeRose, Hudson, MA

A story about the life of George Petefish The last Will of George Petefish

THE JACKSONVILLE DAILY JOURNAL WILL UNVEIL MARKER SUNDAY AT GRAVE OF 1812 VETERAN September, 1930

George Petefish, son of John Christian and Anna Maria Petefish, for whom amarker will be unveiled next Sunday at Arcadia cemetery, was born in Rockingham County, Virgina on March 17, 1790. He was the third child of his parents, his brothers were John Christian and Jacob and he had one sister, Katherine.

Severe limitations surrounded the youth of George Petefish. According to the terms of his father's will, he was to receive six months of schooling, it being stipulated that is was to be given in the German language. And as far as was known by his immediate familty that allotted time represented his educational advantages. Yet after life, he was known as a man of wide and useful information upon all public questions of the day, and he was recognized and revered as a peace maker, and as arbitrator in the disagreements of others his services were in great demand.

He was a deeply religious man and the influence of his firm adherence to principals of honesty and uprightness of character was deeply impressed uponthose who knew him well.

His home in early days was headquarters for the pioneer ministers of the Methodist Church and services were frequently held there. He was one of the first group of this particular body of Christian people who worshipped on the old Petefish log school house and he was always deeply interested in the religious life of the community.

SERVED ENLISTMENT FOR BROTHER

George Petefish served three months with the American forces in the War of 1812, and upon the expiration of his term (called tour) continued to serve for a similar period of his brother, Jacob. During most of this period, he was stationed at Norfolk, Virginia.

In reward for his services, he received from the Government a land grand of 80 acres, upon which one of his older sons based a claim in Iowa. In addition to being engaged in farming, he was also a skilled cabinet maker.

Soon after the close of the War of 1812 (probably in 1814), he removed to Ohio, Warren county, where he erected a log cabin and proceeded to cultivate the land which furnished sustensnce for his family until the year 1830, when disposing of all property not transferable by wagon, he journeyed with his family to Illinois, purchasing upon arrival, an 80 acre claim which was located on the so called, "three mile strip", then a part of Morgan County, but now a portion of Cass County.

In payment for this 80 acre tract he game a team of oxen. He subsequently entered a government claim for 40 acres of timber land and by his industry untimately became the owner of a large farm in the North Prairie locality.

He was married first to Polly Aughe, daughter of Harmon Hughe, who died in Ohio and bore him the following children:

1. Jesse born July 27, 1818 Warren County, Ohio

2. Harmon born October 2, 1820 Warren County, Ohio

3. Mary Jane born December 30, 1823 Warren County, Ohio

Their descendants are now for the most part living in Iowa and southwestern Kansas.

His second wife, whom he married in 1823, was Margaret, daughter of John and Margaret Ream. John was of German ancestry and was a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Margaret Ream Petefish, second wife of George Petefish, was born in 1805 and died in 1844.

The children of this marriage were:

1. John R., born in Ohio on March 10, 1825 amd died __________

2. Eliza Ann born November 24, 1826 and is deceased

3. David H. born September 7, 1828 and is deceased

4. Dianah born August 16, 1830 and is deceased

5. Jabez born October 10, 1832 and is deceased

6. Emanuel born November 2, 1832 and is deceased

7. George W. born May 19, 1836 and is deceased

8. James M. born July 17, 1837

9. Aaaron Wesley born January 3, 1941 and died March 2, 1923.

(1) John R. Petefish was married to Lucy Ann Monore on January 2, 1851 in Cass County, Illinois. They were the parents of:

1. Noah

2. George

3. Charles

4. Taylor

5. Lyda, wife of Jason Clark Taylor of Lawrence, Kansas is the only surviving member of this family.

(2) Eliza Ann married David Allen Gibson and died___________________

(3) David H. was a minister of the Methodist Church and lived many years in Sedalia, Missouri, where he died and was buried. He was married and had one daughter, May, who married_________________Heintz of Los Angeles, California. A granddaughter, Bertha is living and has been engaged in missionary work in Alaska.

(4) Dianah was married to Jackson Henderson on December 23, 1947 in Cass County, Illinois, and she died in 1863, leaving the following children:

1. Minerva, who died at the age of 14.

2. Commodore Perry, who passed away June 9, 1930

3. Phoebe A., wife of Richard Gudgell, residing in Fairfield, Iowa

4. Mary E. deceased

5. Ada M., wife of John Myers of Literberry, Morgan County, Illinois.

(5) Jabez was married to Mary ________________and lived in Oronogo, Jasper County, Missouri, where he died in 1912.

His children were: (All of Jahez's children resided in Oronogo, Jasper County, Missouri)

1. Mattie, married to George Petefish

2. Frank L.

3. Howard

(6) Emanuel died___________________________

(7) George W. married Margaret Morris on January 5, 1865 in Cass County, Illinois and his home was near Lawrence, Kansas. He and his wife are both deceased.

The following children survive and all live in Lawrence, Kansas:

1. Lincoln

2. Alva

3. Howard

(8) James M. married Mary Henderson, and both are deceased. The following children survive:

1. James W.

2. Oscar M.

3. William H.

The first two reside at Literberry, Morgan County, Illinois.

(9) William Aaron Wesley, the youngest son of George and Margaret Ream Petefish was married, December 23, 1868. to Martha, daughter of Jacob Paul. Shedied July 28, 1882. The children of this marriage were:

1. Alma Olive born November 4, 1869 and died 1885

2. Abraham Ellsworth born February 7, 1871, married Lena L. Carpenter and resides at Springfield, Illinois

3. Harrison W. born May 9, 1873 married to Myrtle Deaton and resides at Literberry, Illinois

4. Estella Clara born November 12, 1875, married Melvin O. Smith and resides at Corncord, Illinois

5. Grace Margaret, born December 25, 1877, married to Franklin L. Ogle and lives in Virginia, Illinois

6. George Ellis born November 28, 1878, married Laura L. Clark and resides in Jacksonville, Illinois.

On February 28, 1884, Aaron W. Petefish was married to Mrs. Lourena Liter Wright, daughter of Jesse T. and Susan Butler Liter. They were the parents of the follwoing children:

1. Lora Dell

2. Aaron Dudley married Bernice Cooper

3. Orville O.

4. Eva Lee married to Clyde Lewis

5. Jesse Liter married Jean Galdwell

6. Dewey Hobson

All members of Aaron Wesley Petefish are living except the eldest daughter, Alma. There are 2 living grandchildren and seven great grandchildren of Aaron W. Petefish family.

George Petefish was married a third time to a widow named Sarah Pence, no children were born to this union.

SON SERVED IN CIVIL WAR

This soldier patriot lived to see the dissolution of his country threatened and although past the allotted three score and ten and too heavily laden with the weight of years to bear arms in his country's defense, his youngest son, Aaron W. enlisted August 9, 1862, in Co. E, 101st Illinois Volunteers and served until severely wounded at the Battle of Peach Tree Creek, Georgia, in 1864. This strain of loyalty and patrotic service has ever been true to demands made upon it and today in Morgan County, Illinois, the soldier of 1812 serving his own term and his brother's also, is represented by three pairs of brothers.

His grandsons, Orville and Jesse Petefish, veterans of World War, servingoverseas, great grandsons, Ellis Henderson, veteran of Spanish-American War; Elmer J. Henderson, vertan of World War, overseas; and Carl and Earl Myers, great grandsons; Carl enlisting in the Navy and being stationed at Norfolk, VA. Earl serving for the same period of time and in Battery A, 124th Field Artillery with his cousins, the Petefish brothers.

George Petefish lived to see the Union of States glorioulsy consumated anddied in the sumer of 1867, aged 77 years. Concord was represented in the city yesterday by William Goffnet.

THE JACKSONVILLE DAILY JOURNAL, TUESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 23, 1930 UNVEIL MARKER ON ARCADIA GRAVE FOR VET OF 1812

On Sunday afternoon, September 21, at 3 PM, in the quiet, beautiful Old Arcadia Cemetery, more than 200 descendants and friends of George Petefish gathered to do him honor.

This pioneer of Morgan County, Illinois, widely known for his fine manly character was more than a pioneer, he was a patriot, and cmae from a race of patroits. His grandfather, Conrad Petefish gave aid to the colony of Virginia by service and furnishing munitions during the French and Indian Wars. He fought under Lewis and was at the battle of Point Pleasant. An official marker of the N.S.U.S.D. of 1812 was unveiled in his honor, with an impressive service. Assembly by Bugler John W. Claus called the large crowd together, a tribute was paid to the soldiers of the War of 1812, who save our infant nation, for the War of 1812 was waged against oppression and England's piracy upon the high seas. In paying this tribute of the soldiers of 1812, George Petefish, John Turley, Aaron Peters and James Wilson, three other soldiers of this war, who sleep in Arcadia Cemetery, received honorable mention.

DR. STEARNS SPEAKS

Following this tribute by Mrs. Sara John English, Dr. Wallace N. Stearns, president of Morgan County Historical Society impressed upon those present how in honoring these men, we honor ourselves. Our debt of gratitude to them is beyond hope of liquidation, he said.

Miss Lora D. Petefish, who presented the marker, gave the history of this family, who for 100 years have been valuable and worthy citizens of the state and country, for this is the 100th anniversary of the coming of the Petefish family from Rockingham County, VA to Morgan County, Illinois.

GRANDSONS UNVEIL MARKER

Two of George Petefish's grandsons, Orville O. and Jesse L. Petefish, unveiled the marker. These fine sturdy young men are overseas veterans of the World War.

The ritual of the National Society of the United States Daughters of 1812 concluded the services. Through the air came the clear beautiful notes of "Taps" by Bugler John W. Claus. After this the large concourse of relatives and friends lingered around the honered dead for a brief family reunion before going to their homes.

A most beautiful day neared its close and the impressive service made each of those present feel a bit better and a justifiable pride in the lofty deed of their ancestors and strong desire and determination to be worthy of honor by their propriety when another 100 years have rolled into the mighty past.

The service was in charge of the state vice chairman of 1812, Grace Marking, Mrs. Sara English serving as chaplain.

MANY REGISTER NAMES

A list of those present who registered follow:

GRANDCHILDREN

1. James W. Petefish

2. Jackariah Taylor Petefish

3. William Henry Petefish

4. Oscar M. Petefish

5. Abraham E. Petefish

6. Harry W. Petefish

7. George E. Petefish

8. Aaron D. Petefish

9. Orville O. Petefish

10. Dewey H. Petefish

11. Frank Petefish

12. Alva Petefish

13. Estella C. Smith

14. Grace M. Ogle

15. Lora D. Petefish

GREAT GRANDCHILDREN

1. Russell O. Petefish

2. Charles W. Petefish

3. Harold J. Petefish

4. Earl W. Petefish

5. Paul E. Petefish

6. George R. Petefish

7. Margerie Petefish

8. Helen Petefish

9. Ruth Petefish

10. Irvin Petefish

11. Paul G. Ogle

12. Ruel Petefish

13. Garland Petefish

14. Virginia R. Petefish

15. Sarah F. Petefish

16. Ward Petefish

17. Lois Petefish

18. Mary Lou Petefish

19. Hattie McDonald

GREAT GREAT GRANDCHILDREN

1. Wendell Petefish

2. Betty Jean Petefish

3. Lowell Petefish

4. Mary Jane Petefish

5. Norma Ann Petefish

6. Audrey Petman

7. Jene Caldwell

8. Charles Runkle

FRIENDS

1. Mr. & Mrs. W.B. Rogers of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

2. Mr. & Mrs. Albert Crum of Literberry, Morgan County, Illinois

3. Helen Irene Braner, Route 4

4. Kathryn Thompson, Route 2, Arenzville, Cass County, Illinois

5. Mrs. Clarence Thompson, Route 2, Arenzville, Cass County, Illinois

6. Mrs. J.W. Pfeil

7. Mr. & Mrs. E.J. Henderson of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

8. Dr. & Mrs. Wallace N. Stearns, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

9. Mr. & Mrs. John M. Martin, Sinclair, Morgan County, Illinois

10. Miss Nora L. Maul

11. Mrs. Ida Hitchens

12. Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. English, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

13. Mr. & Mrs. William Emerick, Virginia, Cass County, Illinois

14. Mr. & Mrs. John W. Claus and son

15. Mrs. Ralph Rudsill

16. Mrs. Kate C. Challiner

17. Mr. & Mrs. Levi Deatherage, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

18. Mr. & Mrs. Luttier Cooper

19. Mrs. Helen M. Ford, Greenfield

20. J.J. Clark, Arcadia

21. F.M. Masters, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

22. Miss Carolyn G. Taft, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

23. Mr. & Mrs. C.A. Beaver, Literberry, Morgan County, Illinois

24. Charles T. James

25. N.C. Wilson and family, Sinclair, Morgan County, Illinois

26. William Hurst, Sinclair, Morgan County, Illinois

27. Mr. & Mrs. Carl McGee, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

28. William J. Werning, Denver, Colorado

29. Mrs. Mary C. Rudisill, Route 4

30. Roscoe Goodpasture

31. Miss Cora Goodpasture

32. Charles Goodpasture

33. Mr. & Mrs. J.A. Liter, Literberry, Morgan County, Illinois

34. Mr. & Mrs. Green

35. L.H. Maul

36. Mrs. Mable Clark

37. Charles Clark, Arcadia, Morgan County, Illinois

38. Floy Clark, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

39. Sam Young, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

40. Elmer C. Smith and Pearl M. Smith, Concord, Morgan County, Illinois

41. Edgar (this area was blank so don't know if Edgar & Bessie belong together.) Bessie Stewart

42. Lester Stewart, Waverly, Morgan County, Illinois

43. Mr. & Mrs. Harry Hutches

44. Mr. & Mrs. Arthur L. Henderson

45. Mr. & Mrs. Edgar O. Cully and daughters

46. Mr. & Mrs. Neil Sorrill and sons

47. Mrs. Jennie Wright Burch

48. Arthur Wright Henderson

49. Mr. & Mrs. S.J. Baxter

50. Miss Hester Korty

51. Mr. & Mrs. G.H. Houston and family

52. Clyde A. Smith

53. Ralph Rudisill

54. Dale Rudisill

55. E. Braner

56. John Franklin and family

57. Mr. & Mrs. Carl E. Myers

58. Mr. & Mrs. C.S. Young

59. Miss Jane Young

60. H.E. Barber

61. Chester Braner

62. Harry Braner

63. Dwight Green, Literberry, Morgan County, Illinois

64. J.B. Cooper, Concord, Morgan County, Illinois

65. Sam M. Challiner

66. Mr. & Mrs. John Myers

67. Mae Meyers

68. Miss Barbara Cooper

69. Miss Anna McDonald

70. Mrs. A.J. Gafftey

71. D.O. & Ann Wilson, Virgina, Cass County, Illinois

72. C.E. Newton, Concord, Morgan County, Illinois

73. Mrs. Cora M. Newson, Concord, Morgan County, Illinois

74. Mrs. Cora M. Newson, Concord, Morgan County, Illinois

75. G.W.Rexroat, Jr. , Virginia, Cass County, Illinois

76. Mrs. G.W. Rexroat

77. Miss Verna Rexroat

78. Mrs. Fred R. Bailey

79. Fred R. Bailey, Jr, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

80. Glenn Petefish

81. George Jacob Petefish

82. Charles O. Ogle, Route 4, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

83. Mrs. Charles Ogle

84. Miss Kathryn Petefish McDonald, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

85. Farrell Kenneth McDonald

86. James Petefish

87. Wilma Petefish

88. Edward Petefish

89. Rowena Petefish

90. Mr. & Mrs. Taylor Petefish, Lawrence, Douglas County, Kansas

91. Mrs. James Kennedy

92. Mrs. T.R. Elsome

93. Mr. & Mrs. E.E. Henderson, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

94. Mr. & Mrs. R.C. Hufford, Troy, Madison County, Illinois

95. D.C.Byus, Jacksonville, Morgan County, Illinois

96. Mrs. Jesse Petefish