Biography - Josiah Throgmorton
JOSIAH THROGMORTON, a Director in the First National Bank of Vienna, Johnson County, was born in Union County, Ill., July 24, 1828. His father, Joshua Throgmorton, was born in Virginia, and removed from that State to North Carolina, where he married. He then removed to Kentucky and thence to the Territory of Illinois, becoming one of the pioneer settlers of Union County. He there secured a tract of Government land and improved a farm, upon which he spent the rest of his days. The maiden name of his wife was Fannie Stokes. She was a native of North Carolina, and died on the home farm in Union County. Her father, William Stokes, was a native of North Carolina, and one of the early settlers of Union County.
Joshua Throgmorton and his wife reared four children: Mary, Patsy, Elizabeth and Josiah. The last-named was reared and educated in his native county. The early schools were taught on the subscription plan, the schoolhouses being of the most primitive kind. The seats were made of puncheon, with wooden pins for legs. There were no backs to the seats nor desks in front of them. Holes were bored in the logs at the sides, in which pins were driven, and upon these pins was laid a piece of puncheon, which served as a desk for the larger scholars to write upon. Young Throgmorton split rails to earn the money with which to pay his tuition for the last term he attended school. He was thirteen years old when his father died, and seven years later his mother passed away. He commenced life for himself working on the farm at $10 per month.
There being no railroads in this part of the country at that early day, the towns along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers were the markets for the interior. Having accumulated a little capital, Mr. Throgmorton became a dealer in poultry, eggs and produce, buying in Union County and taking his produce down the Mississippi River to New Orleans. This course he followed a portion of the time for two or three years, when he purchased a steam sawmill, and engaged in the lumber business. This proved a failure and he lost all his money and became involved in debt besides. In 1858 he removed to Vienna and became interested in a gristmill. This mill he continued to operate until 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Sixtieth Illinois Infantry. He was soon appointed Commissary Sergeant, which position he held while in the service. He was with Sherman in the Atlanta campaign, and went with him to the sea, and thence to Fayetteville, N. C, where he was honorably discharged in March, 1865. Returning home, he resumed his milling, which he continued until 1884. He has also been engaged in buying and shipping grain, and in farming, and has continued in both these lines until the present time. In 1891 he became interested with P. T. Chapman in a steam saw and planing mill, etc., and since then he has devoted much of his time to the supervision of these mills.
November 10, 1853, Mr. Throgmorton married Abigail Musgrove, a native of Union County, Ill., she was born there January 11, 1828. Her father, Caleb Musgrove, was born in North Carolina, and moving from that State to Illinois, became one of the pioneer settlers of Union County. He improved a farm and resided upon it until his death. The maiden name of the mother of Mrs. Throgmorton was Clarkey Cox; she was born in North Carolina and died in Union County, Ill. Mrs. Throgmorton was reared in her native county. In her youthful days her mother used to card and spin, and she learned both arts from her mother. Mr. and Mrs. Throgmorton have one daughter living, Fanny, who is the wife of Thomas H. Sheridan. In his political sympathies our subject is a Republican. In his religious belief he is a Universalist. He is a member of Vienna Lodge No. 150, A. F. & A. M.; and of Vienna Chapter No. 67, R. A. M. He has served as High Priest of the Chapter several times and has been a representative to the Grand Lodge at Chicago.
Extracted 29 Oct 2016 by Norma Hass from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 543-544
