James S. Standerfer

James S. Standerfer

James S. Standerfer was born on July 27, 1845 in Jonathan Creek Township, Moultrie County, Illinois. Sullivan, the county seat, is about 11 miles away. While James was growing up there was a small town of Wasco, now extinct, near his home.

Both of his parent’s families were early settlers of Moultrie County. His father Jeremiah Standerfer, son of Archibald Standerfer and Priscellah Bolin, came with his family to Illinois in 1810 at the age of 2 to White County and later to Shelby County in 1830. Moultrie County was formed from Shelby County in 1843. Malinda Purvis, daughter of John Purvis and Sarah Ginn, came with her father and mother to Shelby County in 1830, also. Many of her bothers had arrived earlier.

His parents married March 18, 1833 and lived on Jonathan Creek for at least 47 years. James was one of 13 children. We know lots about some of his siblings and very little about others.

We know from the 1860 census that James attended school.

During the Civil War, James served with the 18th Illinois Infantry as part of Company H which was from Moultrie County. His personal description at enlistment was as follows:
Age 20 years; height 5ft. 8 in.; complexion florid; hair brown; eyes hazel.
His company was stationed principally at Pine Bluff, Duval Bluff, and Little Rock, and was engaged in numerous campaigns and expeditions.
He was mustered out December 16, 1865, at Little Rock, Arkansas; arrived at Camp Butler December 31, 1865, where discharge was made.

After returning home, on October 14, 1866, he married Eliza Jane Bonham, daughter of William Lewis Bonham and Nancy Hagerman. Eliza was the oldest of 10 children. Years later, one of their sons told that they grew up as neighbors.

On the 1870 census we find them in Jonathan Creek, Moultrie County, Illinois.
James is 25, Eliza age 24 and son William Lewis age 3.

In 1880 they are in Liberty Township, White County Arkansas.
James is 35, Eliza age 34 with sons, William L., age 12; Jeremiah age 9; George W. age 7; John; age 4; and Charles age 1.

In 1881 Harrison was born and Lafave was born in 1883

In 1886 Eliza Jane dies. From an affidavit from her son Jerry, the following;
"My mother died at Prescott, Nevada County, Arkansas, October 1, 1886.
When my Mother died I was the oldest one at home as my father and oldest brother were away from home at work when she died and they did not get home until next day after she was buried "

On July 10, 1890, James filed for and invalid pension. He states that his Post Office address is Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas and since his discharge from the United States service, he has resided at the following places during the years stated.

" Moultrie County, Illinois for about 14 years. Then we moved to Johnson County, Texas where I remained for about 2 years. Then we moved to White County, Arkansas where I remained one year. And then went back to Moultrie County, Illinois where I stayed about one year. And then went to Nevada County, Arkansas and from there made a short visit to Missouri and back through the Indian Territory to Sebastian County, Arkansas where I now reside."

In 1891 we find affidavits from neighbors that say he is living in Cache, Scullyville County, Indian Territory.

James remarries in September 20, 1893 in Indian Territory to Nancy Evans. Nancy was the daughter of _______Evans and Susan Wommack. She was orphaned at a very early age and was raised by her mother’s brother Henry Wommack and his wife Rosie. Nancy was first married to Jasper Newton Flowers and had two sons, Andrew and George. Her daughter Viola lived with James and Nancy.

From 1900 to near 1910 they lived in Arkansas. From records we know the following:

February 4, 1900 – James Thomas was born near Gillum, Arkansas

October 20, 1902 – A pension declaration in Grannis, Polk County, Arkansas

November 12, 1902 – Adaline was born near Gillum, Arkansas.

December 17, 1902 – James has a physical examination in Mena, Polk County, Arkansas.

March 18, 1907 – Arthur was born near Gillum, Arkansas.

January 5, 1910 – Stella was born near Hartshorne, Oklahoma.

James died August 22, 1913 about 15 miles from Hartshorne, Oklahoma at the Southwestern States Lumber Company’s saw mill. He is buried with a military head stone about 25 miles from Hartshorne in the now named O’Kelly Cemetery.

Nancy died November 16, 1962 and is buried in the Sardis Cemetery in Sardis, Oklahoma.

copied from twillastinytreasures.com