Jefferson County Illinois Biographies

   Downing Baugh came early, acted well his part as a business man, Judge, Justice of the Peace, enterprising and useful citizen. and above all, as a Christian. Some years ago he moved to McGregor, Iowa, and but recently died there at a ripe old age of perhaps ninety-live. He left his imprint on the early history of Mount Vernon, and left with us his posterity, of which we are justly proud. His children were: Mrs. J. J. Fly, who is still with us, at an advanced age, and is the mother of Walter, Oscar and Addison Fly, and Mrs. Carrie Spiese and Amy, at home; Mrs. H. H. Wilkerson, who moved to Chicago and died; Thomas J. (dead); John W., our well known express agent-whose children are: Frank and Nellie; Joe V., the present editor of the Mount Vernon News, whose children are: Ernest and Harry, and Mrs. "Hat" Thurston, living in Dakota. The writer well remembers being one of the charivari party who "serenaded" Mrs. Fly and Mrs. Wilkerson both having been married the same night, over fifty years ago. The Baughs then lived on what is now Herrin's corner. We were sent over to Aunt Mariah's, who kept gingerbread and cider about where George Carter now lives, for the "treat" and it was a good one just such a one as Aunt Mariah (colored) delighted to give.

Submitted By: Cindy Ford