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Biography
Posted 23 Aug 2020 by Michael Miller
M.H. Presley. In representing to the readers of Clay County's history the man whose name heads this sketch, we feel incompetent to do him justice. We fully realize that it is due the present as well as the future generations, that a record of noble men be faithfully preserved; not for the purpose of eulogizing those of whom we write, but to give those for whom we write the benefits of their noble example. It is said that " an honest man is the noblest work of God." Tbis is more especially true because of the potent influence of their example, the emulation of which makes the world happier, and by making it happier makes it better.
M. H. Presley was born in North Carolina in October, 1828, but grew to manhood in Smith County, Tenn., where his parents removed when he was but a child. His father, whose name was Valentine Presley, was born in 1790 in North Carolina, but descends from German parentage on the father's side, and Scotch-Irish on the side of his mother, whose name was Susan Morton, who was born in 1791 in Virginia.
We are informed that the name Presley was originally Bressly, and the change was made as a matter of choice by Valentine, the father of M. H. Valentine Presley and Susan Morton were married about 1808. The result of this union was a large family of children, seven of whom were reared to man and womanhood. The oldest, Sanders M. Presley, became an influential minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in Tennessee at the age of thirty - three; Thursey J., is the wife of Andrew Winchester, of Tennessee; Huldah, deceased, wife of Joel "Winchester; P. W. and Andrew M. , now of De Kalb County, Tenn.; Susan D., deceased, wife of William Coggin, and M. H. Presley, the subject of this sketch. The parents of this family, with M. H., came to Clay County, Ill., in 1852, and settled on a farm in the northwest part of the county, where the father died the same year, and where the mother also died in 1858. December 15, 1853, M. H. Presley was married to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Alfred J. and Sarah J. Moore. She was born in Clay County, Ill., July 21, 1835. Their family comprises five children William, who was drowned in July, 1866, was born July 5, 1855; Selecta J., was born July 25, 1859; Frankie M., was born January 25, 1862, and is the wife of T. A. Wilson, of Flora; Alfred M. Presley, the youngest, was born January 18, 1867.
In politics, Mr. Presley is a Republican, and while he is not a politician, he wields an influence of no mean order in local politics, and positively refuses to accept office. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity and A. O. U. W. As a business man, he displays unusual wisdom, and by a life of energetic, honorable dealing, has become one of the ablest men of Clay County. He is a director and stockholder in tbe First National Bank of Flora.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne & Clay Counties, Illinois, 1884"
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Presley story
Posted 24 Apr 2014 by david_j_mclaren
M.H. PRESLEY
In representing to the readers of Clay County's history the man whose name heads this sketch, we feel incompetent to do him justice. M.H. Presley was born in North Carolina in October, 1828, but grew to manhood in Smith County, Tenn., where his parents removed when he was but a child. His father, whose name was Valentine Presley, was born in 1790 in North Carolina, but descends from German parentage on the father's side, and Scotch-Irish on the side of his mother, whose name was Susan Morton, who was born in 1791 in Virginia. We are informed that the name Presley was originally Bressly, and the change was made as a matter of choice by Valentine, the father of M.H.
Valentine Presley and Susan Morton were married about 1808. The result of this union was a large family of children, seven of whom were reared to man and womanhood. The oldest, Sanders M. Presley, became an influential minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and died in Tennessee at the age of thirty-three; Thursey J., is the wife of Andrew Winchester, of Tennessee; Huldah, deceased, wife of Joel Winchester; P.W. and Andrew M., now of De Kalb County, Term.; Susan D., deceased, wife of William Coggin, and M.H. Presley, the subject of this sketch.
The parents of this family, with M.H,, came to Clay Co., Ill., in 1852, and settled on a farm in the northwest part of the county, where the father died the same year, and where the mother also died in 1858. December 15, 1853, M.H. Presley was married to Miss Sarah E., daughter of Alfred J. and Sarah J. Moore. She was born in Clay County, Ill., July 21, 1835. Their family comprises five children — William, who was drowned in July, 1866, was born July 5, 1855? Selecta J., was born July 25, 1859; Frankie M., was born January 25, 1862, and is the wife of T.A. Wilson of Flora; Alfred M. Presley, the youngest, was born January 18, 1867.
In politics, Mr. Presley is a Republican, and while he is not a politician, he wields an influence of no mean order in local politics, and positively refuses to accept office. He is an honored member of the Masonic fraternity and A.O.U.W. As a business man, he displays unusual wisdom, and by a life of energetic, honorable dealing, has become one of the ablest men of Clay County. He is a director and stockholder in the First National Bank of Flora
- History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois, Chicago, 1884.
(Ed. Note: The above biographical sketch was contributed by Una Bowman, 338 W. Holmes St., Box 42, Oneida, Illinois 61467. She reports that, "1 thinK the first name of M.H, Presley (the son of Valentine) was Mayberry. Deeds in Clay County, Illinois refer to a Mayberry Presley."
"Valentine Presley and family were living in Smith County, TN in 1850 when the census was taken. Shortly after the census they moved to Clay Co., Illinois, where Valentine died in 1852. At the Old Baptist Cemetery - Oskaloosa Twp. Section 16 4N R5E (1% miles south lola, \ mile E to lane, S-% mile) [are the] graves of Valentine Pressley, 28 July 1852, age 63 yrs, 23(?) months and 19 days; Susan Pressley,. died 9 November 1858, age 67 yrs., 9 months and 26 days; Susan D. Presle wife of William Coggin, 15 May 1824, died 27 June 1878. At the Elmwood Cemetery are found: M.H. Pressley, 24 October 1828, died 2 June 1904; and Sarah Elizabeth, wife of M.H., 21 July 1835 - 12 May 1922."
Note was taken of Sanders M. Presley in a biographical sketch of his son, M.B. Presley, on pages 16-17 of the Sept. 1989 issue of the Newsletter.
The following excerpts were taken from Jolce Love's book, Love's. Valley, Nashville, Term.(date not given):
p. 48. James Hosea Winchester was the son of Andrew Winchester and Theresa Presley. Theresa Presley was the daughter of Valentine Presley, who was the son of Peter Presley.
p. 106. Dec. 14, 1833. Valentine Pressley assigne of A.G. Braswell 150 acres East side of Caney Fork bordering Peter Huffe. The witnesses were Washington Pressley and Hezekiah Love.
Page 54
p. 379. Among the early settlers were: P.W. Pressley.
p. 380. The Laurel Hill people are either Baptists or Methodist in religious faith. Among early ministers were Milton Pressley,.
p. 400. Jennie Pressley's father was John Johnson Pressley, the son of Pleasant Washington Pressley (?). The wife of John Johnson Pressley was Mary Lucy Braswell, the daughter of Egbert Braswell, the son of Reuben Braswell (?), the son of Valentine Braswell (?)..
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Mrs. Bowman goes on to state, "in P.W. Pressley cemetery — Pleasant Washington Pressley, born December 9, 1816, died March 15, 1904." Milton A. Presley, age 50, b. N.C., was a stonemason and head-of-family in DeKalb Co., Tenn, in 1870. Also living in Laurel Hill, DeKalb Co., Tenn, in 1870 was Theresa (Thursey) (Presley) Winchester, age 54, b. N.C., with John P., age 19, Hosea James, Paulina, Rufus,, Nancy, William V., Joseph, Lear, Louisa C. Joel and Huldy (Presley) Winchester and family were in Wilson Co., Tenn, in 1850, but by 1860 were in Clay Co., Ill. One of their children was named Pleasant W. Winchester.)
[From The Pressley Newsletter, http://bapresley.com/presley/vol5no3/, March 1990]
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1828 - 1904 (75 years)
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