ANDREW JACKSON ETHERTON, who is successfully engaged in general farming and stock-raising on section 28, Murphysboro Township, Jackson County, Ill., is numbered among the leading citizens of this community, and is a representative of one of the honored pioneer families. His father, A. J. Etherton, Sr., was born in Tennessee, July 19, 1822, and is a son of Thomas Etherton, who came to Jackson County in 1828, locating in Ridge Township.
The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Lydia Luvisa Waller, and was a daughter of Joseph and Polly (McDaniel) Waller. Her parents were married in Illinois, and located in Union County, where the father died in 1823. His wife survived him many years, passing away in 1855. Of their family of five children, Mrs. Etherton is now the only survivor. She was born in Union County November 25, 1819, and on the 23d of December, 1841, was celebrated the marriage of the parents of our subject. They began their domestic life upon an unimproved farm on section 27, Murphysboro Township, and there made their home for five years, when they removed to section 28. There Mr. Etherton carried on agricultural pursuits continuously until the year 1868, when he sold out and removed to the farm on which his son A. J. now resides. In connection with his agricultural pursuits, he opened a store in Eltham, and afterward removed it to Pomona. The cause of education found in him a warm friend, and he was ever active in supporting the best interests of the community in which he so long made his home. He and his wife were active and faithful members of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which he served as Trustee for some years. His death occurred in April, 1878.
In the Etherton family were nine children, seven of whom are yet living: Mary Jane, wife of Hiram A. Whitlow; William C.; Matilda E., wife of John Crawshaw; A. J., of this sketch; Luvisa A., wife of Joseph Hunsaker; Maria Emma, wife of Scott Hinchcliff; and Sarah F., wife of Joseph Hagler.
Andrew J. Etherton, was born May 6, 1853, upon a farm of Murphysboro Township, and in the public schools of the neighborhood acquired the greater part of his education. He spent three months as a student in a college in Carbondale, and three months in Shawnee County, Kan. After he had arrived at mature years, he was united in marriage, on the 4th of November, 1875, with Lydia E. Spence, daughter of William and Lydia E. (Butcher) Spence. Her father was a native of Ireland, and her mother of Union County, Ill., where their marriage was celebrated. They located in Ridge Township, upon a tract of wild land, and there Mr. Spence began the development of a farm. He was in very limited circumstances, but he labored on industriously, and at length success crowned his efforts. He is now living a retired life in Murphysboro, having lost his wife in August, 1886. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Etherton was born in Ridge Township in January, 1854, and was one of fourteen children, eight of whom are still living. By her marriage she became the mother of eight children, of whom six are now living: William J., Joseph E., Lula M., Minnie L., Myrtie and Mary F. Benjamin F. and Lydia E. are deceased.
Upon his marriage, Mr. Elherton located on a farm on section 32, Murphysboro Township, where he lived for three years, and then removed to his present farm. He now owns five hundred and thirty-five and a-half acres of valuable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation. He carries on general farming and stockraising, and in his business dealings meets with good success. In 1888 he erected a comfortable residence at a cost of $2,000. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows' society of Sugar Creek, and is now serving as Noble Grand. His wife is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and he has done effective service in its interest during the fifteen years he has filled the office of School Director. He has also served as Township Commissioner, and in politics is a Democrat.
Extracted 22 Feb 2017 by Norma Hass from 1894 Biographical Review of Jackson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 535-536.