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JACOB O. CHANCE, ex-Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois, and one of the leading and influential citizens of Mt. Vernon, has spent his entire life in southern Illinois, and has a wide acquaintance in this part of the state. He was born eight miles southwest of Salem, the county seat of Marion County, where his father, Reuben Chance, located in an early day. The latter was born in Kaskaskia, ILL., in 1805. The grandfather of our subject, Joseph Chance, was a native of Virginia, and came to Illinois in 1797 as a Baptist preacher. He was a man of good education and excellent ability and his entire life was devoted to the cause of Christianity. His death occurred in St. Clair County in 1840. He was twice married and by the first union had four sons, and by the second one son and one daughter. The eldest, David R., a minister of the Christian Church, went to Kansas during the border troubles, and to Texas during the Civil War. He died in the latter state. Four of his sons served in the Confederate army. Daniel lived for nearly sixty years in Iowa, and was a prosperous farmer. Joseph died when young, and Reuben, father of our subject, completes the family. He was a devoted member of the Christian Church, and helped his brother to organize the first church in Marion County. His death occurred in that county, September 6, 1880. He married Catherine Ogle, who was born in St. Clair County in 1806. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Benjamin Ogle, was a native of Virginia and a pioneer settler of southern Illinois. When quite young he was wounded by the Indians at Ft. Kaskaskia, and later in life he served as a Captain in the Indian wars. His death occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Chance, in 1850. The family to which he belonged was of English origin. Jacob Ogle, a half-brother of Mrs. Chance, is now living in St. Clair County, on the old farm where the family first located long before the state was admitted into the union. Mrs. Chance died April 17, 1875. She had ten children, five sons and five daughters, of whom four sons and two daughters are yet living. Samuel S. served as County Clerk of Marion County for several years, and is now Deputy County Clerk. Joseph is a prominent farmer of Marion County. David D. is a successful farmer of Missouri; Elizabeth is the wife of Joshua Metcalf, and with her lives Rachel, who completes the family. Upon the old home farm Jacob O. Chance was reared, and in the public schools was educated. In 1856 he entered the Circuit Clerk's office as an assistant, and in 1860 was elected Circuit Clerk of Marion County for four years. On the expiration of that period he was appointed Master in Chancery, and in 1869 was elected County Clerk, serving until 1873. During that time he read law and was admitted to the Bar, but has never practiced to any extent. He also made a set of abstract books for Marion County, and continued in the abstract business in connection with real-estate dealing until 1878, when he was elected Clerk of the Supreme Court for the Southern Grand Division of Illinois, located at Mt. Vernon, which position he filled for twelve consecutive years. In 1890 he returned to private life, and is now enjoying a well earned rest. He had previously purchased the old Governor Casey farm adjoining the city, and his beautiful nome is there located. On the 1st of February, 1866, Mr. Chance was united in marriage with Miss Emma O. Merritt, a sister of Gen. Wesley Merritt, who graduated from West Point and is now a Brigadier-General of the Regular Army, stationed at St. Paul, Minn. Another brother, Thomas E., served in the two Houses of Illinois Legislature for twenty years, and Edmund L., of Springfield, is now a member of the General Assembly. The father, John W. Merritt, was a lawyer and a newspaper man of prominence and served for two terms in the State Legislature. Mrs. Chance received excellent educational privileges, having been a student in St. Joseph's Academy of St. Louis, and is a lady of culture and refinement. To our subject and his wife have been born two sons and two daughters: Merritt, who is in the Postoflice Department in Washington; Willie W., who is employed in the Interstate Commerce Department; Neone and Katie L. Mr. Chance is a Royal Arch Mason, and in politics has been a life-long Democrat. Since attaining his majority he has almost continuously been connected with public office, his merit and ability winning him political preferment. In the discharge of his public duties he has ever been found faithful and true, and Jefferson County recognizes in him one of its best citizens.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, IL |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer