USA > Illinois > Warren County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Warren County, Volume II > Part 65
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
libraries, with a total of 131 volumes valued at $90; tax levy for schools, $3,150; value of school property, $4,650; value of school appara- tus, $385.
The assessment rolls for 1901 show 863 horses, 2,912 cattle, 39 mules and asses, 245 sheep and 3,088 hogs in the township. The total value of the personal property of the township was $301,475, and the assessed valu- ation $60,545. The assessed valuation of the lands was $230,630, and of lots $3,155.
The population of Greenbush township in 1900 was 802, a loss of 17 from the census of 1890.
Greenbush obtained considerable notoriety during January, 1899, by the attempts to or ganize there the National Farmers' party. The party had been forming for some time under the leadership of A. W. Holeman of Avon, and on January 27 a meeting was held at the town hall in the center of the township, at which the affair was formally launched. John C. Bond of Swan township was chairman of the meeting and William Starr of Greenbush clerk. It was decided to hold a national convention the following March, with one delegate from each Congressional district, and William Starr, A. L. Wingate and A. W. Holeman were named as a committee of arrangements. February 9 al other meeting was hield and the movement was abandoned, together with all former plat- forms and declarations of principles. A com- mittee was appointed to draw up a new plat- form for a union independent of politics, but nothing further has been done.
CHURCHES.
The New Hope church of the Old School Predestinarian Baptist denomination was or- ganized at the house of Caleb Hedges in Rose- ville township in July, 1836, with the follow- ing members: John Murphy, John Riggs. B. W. Lewis, Martha Riggs, Rosanna Murphy, Charles Vandiveer, James Kelsey, Joseph Rog- ers, Caleb Hedges, Polly Hedges, Rachel Butler, and Polly Vandiveer. Charles Vandiveer was the first pastor; afterwards Robert Mayo, George Tracy, Elder Frazey, Benj. Bradbury, R. M. Simmons, Isaac N. Van Meter, and the present pastor is Rev. Smith Ketchum. They first held their meetings in school houses and private residences. After the building of the
academy in the village of Greenbush in 1853 they held their meetings there and continued to do so until they erected their church building in the village in 1897. They now have a mem- bership of 45.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Green- bush was organized in 1838 with James Haney acting pastor and the following members: Alex- ander Willard, John C. Foster, William Mc- Mahill, Mary Sargeant, Lucy Willard, Cynthia Foster, and Mary McMahill. James Haney, their pastor, was the father of Richard Haney, William Haney and Milton Haney, all promi- nent ministers of this denomination. Their meetings were held at school houses and pri- vate residences until after the building of the Greenbush academy, after which they wor- shipped there until their church edifice was erected in 1871. John and Amos Morey preach- ed for them occasionally in an early day and J. M. Prouty is their present pastor. The pres- ent membership of the society is 50.
Olive church was organized at the Greenleaf school house February 12, 1859, by Rev. Joseph Kindle and Rev. McMillen. There were man, Priscilla Lahman, John Rubart, Nancy Rubart, David Wrenn, James W. Rubart, Joshua Rhoades, Charles S. Holman, Harvey Edie, James Bishop, James M. Bradbury, Alexander Foster, Alexander Wrenn, Francis Van Vel- sor, Rebecca Morris, Minerva Honts, Sarah A. Lee (Kelly), Martha J. Rubart, Virinda Wrenn (Foster), William Kirk, Harriet Kirk, Julia A. Bradbury, Delila Blakely. For twenty years after the organization of this church no min- utes were recorded, and again from 1883 to 1889 it is blank. The list of pastors, made up partly from information given by the older members, but believed to be complete, is as follows: Joseph Kindle, McMillen,
Thomas, - Fortner, E. W. Irons, G. B. Ful- ler, J. R. Welsh, 1877 or 1878; J. S. Hanger, 1879-82; J. E. Amos, 1883; J. L. Towner, 1884- 85; Jacob Crawford, 1886; D. S. Ray, 1887- 88; E. W. Irons, 1889; J. S. Hanger, 1890-91; James M. Carmean, 1892; E. E. Bennett, 1893- 95; R. W. Pittman, 1896-1901; and William B. Milne, the present pastor. The present mem- bership of the church is 125. The present. church building was erected in 1868 at a cost of about $2,500, and dedicated the following year by Rev. P. C. Goff.
Warren W: Hatch.
9II
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
GREENBUSH.
Greenfield was he name originally given the first and only townsite in the township, but it is now known as Greenbush. It was the sec- ond town platted in the county. The town was surveyed by County Surveyor William C. But- ler and certified by him April 14, 1836. The owners of the townsite were Roland and James Simmons, and it was situated on the northwest corner of Section 5. The first plat contained a public square and sixteen blocks. Afterward Roland Simmons made an addition of four blocks on the west of the original plat, and James Simmons made a like addition of four blocks on the east side. When a postoffice was desired in the new town of which so much was expected, it was found the name would have to be changed, and accordingly the office and town have since been known as Greenbush. Charles Stice was the first postmaster, and Frank Merrill now serves in that capacity. The business interests of Greenbush at one time rivaled those of any town in the county, or adjoining counties, and did not wane until after the advent of railroads in this section. When the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy line between Galesburg and Quincy was construct- ed, Greenbush was left several miles to one side, and as other towns sprung up along the railroad this place lost its prestige and busi- ness. Blakenship & Bro. were the first to en- gage in the mercantile business in the place.
The Greenbush Academy was the result of a meeting of citizens of the village held in the village school house January 27, 1852. Alfred Osborn was chairman of the meeting, and F. H. Merrill secretary. It was decided to form a joint stock company for the purpose of erecting a two-story building, 30 by 50 feet in size, and costing between $1,500 and $2,000, to be used as a high school or academy. Nine trustees were chosen to have charge of the erection of the building and management of the institu- tion, as follows: John M. Hoisington, Elipha- let C. Lewis, Alfred Osborn, for three years; Dr. N. B. Mckay, Julius Lathrop, Andrew W. Simmons, for two years; and Hanson H. Hew- itt, John C. Bond, Stephen Lieurance, for one year. The State Legislature of the following year (1853) granted a charter to the school under the name of the Greenbush Academy. and the school was opened the October fol- lowing for the reception of students. Prof.
William W. Happy of Jacksonville was the first principal, with Miss Margaret Gaines as assistant. The school started out with a good attendance of students, and during the years of its existence it did good work. In the school year 1854-55, with David Negley as principal and Lucinda A. Stillman and A. T. Shaw as assistants, the attendance of pupils was as high as 84. The school was abandoned several years ago, and the property is now owned by New Hope church.
Greenbush Camp No. 4664 of the Modern Woodmen of America was organized April 23, 1897, with seventeen charter members. The. officers were: N. B. Johnson, venerable consul: J. C. Bond, worthy adviser; J. A. Barbour, banker; J. C. Wigert, clerk; J. E. Simmons, watchman; S. M. Pittman, escort; C. W. John- son, sentry; Dr. S. M. Pittman, physician. The present membership of the camp is 17, and the officers are: J. C. Bond, venerable consul; Charles T. Carr, worthy adviser; Wm. H. Car- rol, clerk; A. H. Wingate, banker.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
BURRIDGE, FRANKLIN E., a prominent farmer of Greenbush Township, where he holds the office of Assessor, is a stanch Republican; was born in Herkimer County, New York, July 7, 1859, a son of William and Olive (Lockwood) Burridge, natives respectively of New Jersey and Herkimer County, N. Y. His paternal grandfather married Jeanette Cruthers, a
native of Scotland. The Lockwoods have long been prominent in the East. Henry Lockwood, the great-grandfather of Frank- lin E., born June 30, 1760, was a son of Jeremiah Lockwood, born at Greenwich. Conn., in 1733, where he married Abigail Smith, June S, 1758, and enlisted September 15, 1779, in the command of Major Thorp, which formed part of the Fourth Connecticut Regiment under Colonel John Durkee. His name appears on the muster-rolls of November and December, 1780. Jeremiah Lockwood was a son of Gresh- am Lockwood and served as a member of the old Colonial Assembly of Connecticut. Gresh- am Lockwood was a son of Jonathan Lockwood, born September 10, 1634, and died May 12, 1688. Jonathan Lockwood was a son of Mer- ritt Lockwood, who died at Greenwich, Conn., in 1660. Merritt Lockwood was a son of Rob-
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HISTORY OF WARRENN COUNTY.
ert Lockwood, who was born in Fairfield, Conn., in 1614. William Burridge came to Illinois in 1863, making his home for a time near Mon- mouth, and then removing to Nebraska. He was in the Black Hills for a time, and then re- turned to his Nebraska home, where he died. Franklin Burridge came into Illinois in com- pany with his parents. When they journed on to the far west he remained in Warren County, and has maintained his residence here to the present time. His mother came to spend some time in his home in 1886, but is now living in Kansas. These are her children: John, Frank- -lin E., Duane, Jeanette and Ida. One son is dead. Ida is keeping house for her brother, Franklin E. She is married, and has two daughters, Clatie and Vera. Mr. Burridge is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and is one of the solid and reliable men of the community.
BUTLER, JOHN A., farmer and stock dealer, Greenbush, Warren County, Ill., has been a resi- dent of Greenbush Township since 1839, is one of the most successful agriculturists and men of affairs in the county, and is the owner of more than 4,000 acres of land, 2,000 of which lies within the borders of the township mentioned, 1,400 in other parts of Warren County and 600 acres in Kansas and Iowa. He was born at Galion, Ohio, December 6, 1827. and received a public school education. His parents were John and Mary (Adney) Butler, natives of Greenbriar County, Va., and his grandfathers, William Butler and John Adney, were both born in Virginia.
John Butler came from Ohio to Greenbushı Township in 1839, and bought forty acres of government land, which was the nucleus of the extensive landed property acquired by him- self and his sons. He early became interested in public affairs and was a leader in all move- ments for the general good as was evidenced July 20, 1844, when he was commissioned Colonel of the Eighty-seventh Regiment raised in his vicinity for service in the Mexican War. John and Mary ( Adney) Butler had children as follows: Vincent W., who died April 7, 1900; John A., the subject of this sketch; Thomas A., who died March 4, 1901; Rhoda M., wife of E. W. Woods; Tacy L., wife of Moses B. Threl- keld; Olivia S., wife of Samuel Cline; Mary H., who died in 1896.
John A. Butler has been a farmer and stock- raiser for more than half a century and has taken an active interest in many important business affairs. Politically he is a stanch Re- publican and he has the success of his party very near to his heart. In religion he is identi- fied with the Christian Church. In every re- lation of life he is a most helpful man, genial, whosesouled and influential. Mr. Butler was married in Greenbush Township November 22, 1849, to Maria J. Snapp, who has borne him twelve children named as follows: Albert, born September 26, 1850, died November 3, 1850; Edgar L., born March 5, 1852; Ira F., born January 22, 1855, died March 12, 1874; Roswell M., born March 25, 1857, died March 13, 1874; Mary A., born April 4, 1859; Caroline, born December 7, 1861, died January 7, 1863; Clara E., born January 6, 1864; Giles H., born December 6, 1867, died November 10, 1868; Vester, born August 8, 1869, died May 21, 1870; Ella R., born August 9, 1871; George S., born March 11, 1874; Lora C., born March 1, 1877, died September 15, 1878. Edgar L. married Harriet Enni, they have children, Lawrence and Ethel; Addie, wife of James Ennis, two children, Clara and Gertie; Clara, wife of Douglas Vaughn; Ella, wife of Charles Mings, two children Vern (deceased) and Christine; George S. married Kai Rickey, two children, Emeline Marie and James R.
GILLETT, R. G., insurance agent, Green- bush Township (postoffice address, Avon), is well and widely known to farmers in this and adjoining counties, among whom, for the past seven years, he has represented the German Insurance Company, of Freeport, Ill., an agri- cultural company which does a safe business on principles which have made it a favorite in a large territory. Previous to his connection with this company Mr. Gillett had had an in- surance experience covering twelve years, and had become widely known as a trustworthy in- surance man. Born in Swan Township, March 23, 1860, a son of Jeson and Mary (Blue) Gil- lett and a grandson of F. M. and Nancy (Jones) Blue, of Kentucky, he was educated in district schools and began the battle of life with good promise of success which has not failed him. His father was born at Ashtabula, Ohio, and came to Warren County, Ill., in 1851. There he met Miss Blue, a native of Swan Township,
John A Butter
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
whom he married in December, 1857, and who bore him fourteen children. In 1882 he moved with his family to Missouri, where he still lives. In 1886 the subject of this sketch re- turned from Missouri to Warren County, and May 20, that year, he married, in the house in which he now lives, Miss Mary Kelly, who was born under its roof and has lived there all the years of her life except one. Mr. and Mrs. Gil- lett have two children named Nellie May and Alvin K. Politically Mr. Gillett affiliates with the Republican party, with the principles and policy of which he is in the fullest accord.
HATCH, WARREN W., one of the enterpris- ing farmers of Greenbush Township, Warren County, at the present time holding the office of Township Supervisor, was born in the town of Greenbush, August 14, 1853, and is a son of Jerome B. and Mary (Woods) Hatch, born respectively in Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio, November 9, 1827, and in Madison County, New York, in 1826. His paternal grandparents were Noah and Sarah (Bunnell) Hatch; and his maternal grandparents, Asa and Mary (Willford) Woods, born in New York and in Connecticut respectively.
Mr. Hatch received his education in the dis- trict school and early applied himself to the tillage of the soil in which he has been sig- nally successful. He was married on February 18, 1891, to Iona Walker, in Union Township, Fulton County, where she was born March 15, 1860, the daughter of J. G. and Minerva (Brown) Walker. Her father, who now has his home in Avon, was born in Kentucky in 1831, and her mother, who was born in Fulton County, is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Hatch have a son, Edward Warren Hatch.
Jerome B. Hatch came to Illinois at an early day, and very soon acquired a farm. He led a long and useful career as a farmer, and both himself and wife are still living, in their cosy and comfortable home in Avon. He owns 400 acres in Fulton County, and a hundred acres in Warren County. The father and mother both belong to the Universalist Church.
Warren W. Hatch lived at home until he reached his majority, and for the ensuing four years was in the employment of his father at wages. At the expiration of that period in company with his father he bought a farm in Section 36 of Greenbush Township, Warren County, and has now become wealthy, owning
354 acres, and being extensively engaged in buying, feeding and raising stock, principally hogs and horses. He is in his third term as Supervisor of the town of Greenbush, and has served as School Director about twelve years. Politically Mr. Hatch is a strong Republican.
LAHMAN, JACOB L., farmer, Greenbush Township, Warren County, (postoffice, Avon), is a lineal descendant of John Lahman, who was First Lieutenant in the Colonial Army and fought five years for American independence in the Revolutionary War. John Lahman was a Pennsylvanian, and his son, John Lahman, father of Jacob Lahman, was born in the Key- stone State, where Jacob Lahman himself was born September 25, 1831. The second John Lahman married Catherine Everly, who was also of Pennsylvania birth, and was an early settler in Cass County, Ill., where he died about fifty years ago. In 1855 Jacob Lahman, who had received a fair education in district schools, removed from Cass County to Warren County and bought eighty acres of land in Section 12, Greenbush Township, on which he lived until 1870, when he bought his present farm. He has been successful as a farmer and a stock-raiser, and is influential in his township as a Republi- can and as a member of the Christian church. He married in Cass County, Priscilla Buck, August 14, 1853. To them were born children as follows: Julia, Franklin, Viola, Luther, Josiah and Emma P. His wife died April 10, 1864. He married Sarah Jones Lake September 10, 1865. To this union two children were born: Rosa C. and Jacob Enos; the last mentioned died at the age of six years, nine months and twenty-eight days. Jacob Lahman died Octo- ber 17, 1901, at the age of seventy years, twen- ty-two days.
PITTMAN, SAMUEL M .; physician and sur- geon; Greenbush, Warren County, Ill .; has won a reputation as a painstaking and successful family doctor which commends him to a large and increasing patronage. Doctor Pittman is a grandson of John B. Pittman, a native of Ger- many, who married an Irish woman named Susan Cunningham. James B. Pittman, son of John B. Pittman and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Indiana, and married Eliza Ann Simmons, daughter of J. F. and Ruth (Jared) Simmons, natives of Kentucky, where she was also born. John B. Pittman came to
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
the United States many years ago and settled in Ohio as a farmer, but after a few years r'e- moved to Indiana, whence he came to Warren County in 1844, settling on about five hundred acres of land in Greenbush Township, where he died about 1861, leaving a widow and six children. His son, James B. Pittman, farmed about ninety acres of his father's homestead until his retirement from active life, since when he and his good wife have lived at Rose- ville. The following facts concerning their children will be of interest in this connection: Dr. W. E. Pittman is practicing medicine at Roseville; J. B. and C. E. Pittman are mer- chants at Kewanee, Henry County; Dr. Samuel M. Pittman was the next in the order of birth; George E. Pittman, Miss Emma Pittman and Mrs. Callie (Pittman) Hiatt live at Roseville; Harry Pittman is practicing medicine in Camp Point, Ill .; J. S. Pittman is a member of his father's household; Oscar Pittman died in 1883. Dr. Samuel M. Pittman received his primary education in the district schools in Greenbush Township, his advanced literary education at Lake Forest University, and his professional education at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which institution he was graduated witlı the degree of M. D. in 1888, since when he has been in active practice in Greenbush. Politi- cally he is a Democrat, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married at Chicago, October, 1888, Flora M. Vandeveer, daughter of A. Vandeveer, for- merly of Warren County, who removed to Ne- braska nine years ago and is now living at Auburn, his wife being dead. Mrs. Pittman has borne her husband a son whom they named Claude. Doctor Pittman's grandfather and grandmother, J. F. and Ruth (Jared) Simmons, are living in the village of Greenbush; the for- mer was born in 1813, the latter in 1815.
RAY, DELOS PORTER, farmer and stock- raiser, Greenbush, Warren County, is a repre- sentative of two old Kentucky families and of much that is commendable in character and citizenship. He is a successful man who has made his way in the world by sheer force of character, and whose example is worthy of emulation by young men just entering upon the stern duties of life. Mr. Ray was born in Lenox Township, Warren County, April 12, 1866, and was educated in the public schools of Monmouth, brought up in the Methodist faith and trained in the political principles of
the Democratic party. His parents were Wood- ford and Mary (Vertrees) Ray; his paternal grandfather was Garland Ray, and his grand- father in the maternal line was Lewis Vertrees. Woodford Ray came early in life to Warren County and died in Lenox Township in 1864, aged forty-two years, leaving a wife and six children named as follows: Joshua and Gar- land, who live in Greenbush Township; Clin- ton, who lives in Avon, Ill .; Mrs. Ida J. Emert, who lives in Peoria, Ill .; Louis, a groceryman, who lives in Iola, Kansas; Delos Porter Ray, the immediate subject of this sketch. Harriet died in girlhood. Mr. Ray married, July 3, 1887, at Roseville, Ill., Miss Clara Regan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Regan, now of Greenbush, and she has borne him a son named Harold, who died March 26, 1898. Mr. Ray is the owner of an eighty-acre farm in Lenox Township, which he operates successfully. For the past fifteen years he has lived in the vil- lage of Greenbush, where he takes an active in- terest in all public affairs.
RUBART, ALBERT EDGAR, prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Greenbush Town- ship, Warren County, where he was born De- cember 28, 1861, a son of John and Nancy (Lah- man) Rubart. His father was born in Ken- tucky, July 21, 1797, and his mother near Mans- field, Penn., October 21, 1827. She died April 21, 1902, aged seventy-four years and six months.
Albert E. Rubart obtained his education in district school No. one, of Greenbush Town- ship, and was married September 18, 1887, in Greenbush Township, to Nellie Lloyd, by whom he has had two children: Chester J. and Rob- ert Benjamin. Politically he is a Republican, and in his religious association a member of the Christian church.
Mrs. Nellie Rubart was born in Greenbush Township, in 1869, a daughter of Robert and Josephine (Park) Lloyd. They were both born in Kentucky, and came into Illinois with their parents. Her father settled on Spoon River near Ellisville, Fulton County, and in 1842 re- moved to Greenbush Township, where he en- gaged in farming. He was born February 16, 1831, and died December 21, 1879. Her mother, who was born September 17, 1839, is still liv- ing in Avon. The land which is the site of Prairie City was broken by him before ever a town was thought of at that point.
John Rubart removed from Kentucky into
1
Q 8 Rubart
BWRubart .
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Ohio when a boy in company with his parents. They came into Greenbush Township, Warren County, in 1852, where they purchased a farm in Sections 1 and 2, where they lived until the death of the elder Rubart, December 30, 1872. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and had one son who died in the Union army during the War of the Rebellion.
Albert E. Rubart began life for himself in the year of his majority, and now owns 115 acres in Section 14, of Greenbush Township, where he has built a fine home, and surrounded it with evidences of agricultural skill and suc- cess. For several terms he has been School Director and is one of the leading men of his community.
RUBART, BENJAMIN WALTER, farmer and stockman, Greenbush Township, Warren Coun- ty, Ill., (postoffice address, Avon), is a son of John Rubart, who died December 30th, 1872, and whose funeral on January 1st, 1873, aged 75 years, 5 months and 9 days, is a landmark in local history. Mrs. Rubart died April 21, 1902, aged seventy-four years and six months. She and other members of her family are referred to in a biographical sketch of another of her sons, in which is set forth the genealogy of sev- eral members of the family in both lines of descent.
Benjamin Walter Rubart was born in War- ren County, January 17, 1858, and was educated in the district schools of Greenbush Township. He has been a busy farmer ever since he was old enough to plow, and for the past fifteen years has had the management of 223 acres of the Rubart homestead, which comprises alto- gether 303 acres. He has farmed on scientific principles and has achieved noteworthy suc- cess in the production of general crops as well as in the management of various business in- terests and has given a good deal of attention to stock-raising. As a Republican he wields considerable influence in the political affairs of his township, and he has been called to the of- fice of Clerk of the School Board. He has the interests of his community and the county at large in constant consideration, and is ready at all times to do anything in his power to fur- ther any movement which, in his good judg- ment, promises to benefit his fellow-citizens. He is a member of the Christian Church and is a liberal contributor to the support of its var- ied interests.
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