History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 52

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758

USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 52
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 52

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

LEMUEL ADAMS, Postmaster, Green-

Adams, he born in Kentucky in 1802, by oc- cupation a cooper, and dying in 1877 ; she, a native of Allegany County, N. Y., born in 1804, and died in Greenville, Ill., in 1877; they had six children. Our subject, after ob. taining an education afforded by the common schools of Indiana and Illinois, learned the blacksmith's and wagon-maker's trades, and has chiefly followed those trades and mer- chandising until his appointment as Postmas- ter of Greenville, in the winter of 1881-82. In April, 1861, he entered the military serv- ice, and was elected Lieutenant of Company D, Twenty-Second Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, and was wounded at the battle of Bel- mont, Mo., in November, 1861, coming home in 1862 on account of disability from wounds. In 1862, in Greenville, he married Miss Julia Ellen Birge, a native of Bond County, born in 1839, daughter of Ansel and Millicent (Twiss) Birge, both natives of Vermont, he born in 178S and she in 1808. Three chil- dren have been born to Mr. Adams -- Emma, Edgar and Cora Alice. Mrs. Adams died in 1874. May 4, 1882, he married Miss Anna Morris, of Milton, Ind. Mr. Adams came

BIOGRAPHICAL :

to Bond County in 1852. Is independent in his religious views ; is a Mason, an Odd Fel- low, and a Republican.

GEORGE F. BERRY, merchant, Green- ville, of the well-known general merchandis- ing firm of Berry & Davis, is a native of Bond County, and was born in 1844. His father, from whom our subject takes his name, was a farmer by occupation, and was born in Rock- ingham County, Va., A. D., 1819, moved to Christian Co., Ky., thence to Bond County in 1827. He took as his wife Miss Louise Enloe, the fruits of this alliance being three sons and four daughters. He departed this life in 1867. George F., Jr., received his early education in the common schools of Bond County, and closed his studies with a special academic course. He received his first business experience as a salesman in a store and in 1869 established the business with which he is now connected. October 10, 1871, he married Miss Eliza J. Henry, daugh- ter of Judge A. G. Henry, a prominent and successful politician and a pioneer of Bond County. Mrs. Berry was born in Bond County in 1852. They have four children-Mary N., Nouisie, Ellen and Henry. Mr. Berry is counted among the successful business men of Bond County, and has represented his [the Forty-second] district in the Thirtieth Gen- eral Assembly of Illinois. He has also served one term as Clerk of the city of Greenville. is a member of the Christian Church, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. His grandfather, David Berry, was a native of Delaware, born in 1767, removed when a young man to Rockingham County, Va., where he married. Here all but two of their eight children were born. In 1811, he removed to Christian County, Ky., where they resided until I827, when he came with his family to Greenville, Bond County. Here he resided until his death, which occurred in 1

September, A. D. 1842. But two of his chil- dren are now living.

HENRY BASS, Greenville. In a list of some of the most prominent agriculturists and self-made men of Bond County, the name of Henry Bass, of Greenville City, occupies a prominent place. He was born in Fayette County, Ill., April 22, 1833, and was the sixth child of the family of twelve children of Guilford and Mary Ann (Proctor) Bass. Guilford Bass was a native of North Carolina, and removed from there to Kentucky for a time, thence to Tennessee, thence to Fayette County in 1832, locating northeast of Van- dalia about twelve miles. There he remained until his death, in 1845. His wife survived until 1872, when she also departed this life, leaving ten sons and two daughters to mourn her departure. But two of these, William and our subject, are now residents of Bond County. Henry left home at the age of fourteen. He came to Bond County, sought and found employment on a farm, receiving only $7 for a hard month's work. and saved sufficient means to make part payment on his first purchase of 100 acres of Bond County land, in Beaver Creek Precinct. In August, 1856, he made a second purchase of 100 acres, which he still owns, and to which he has since added, owning at one time 1,500 acres. Mr. Bass married Nancy Goodson, daughter of Spencer Goodson, a native of Kentucky, a farmer and blacksmith, and came to Illinois when a young man. With the exception of a four years' stay in Missouri, he has been a resident of Illinois, and now of Christian County. Mr. Bass is the sixth child. They have six sons and two daughters-William H., Abbie, George, Edward, Walter. Louis, Leoni and Leonard. Abbie is now Mrs. C. C. Squires, of Beaver Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Bass are members of the Baptist Church of Smith Grove. Their home is in

GREENVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT.

Beaver Creek Precinct, Town 1, Section 20. Guilford and Charles S. are deceased. Guil. ford died November 14, 1856, and Charles S. August 31, 1866, at one year and eighteen days old.

C. R. BENNETT, one of the most promi- nent and successful drug merchants of South- ern Illinois. Commenced business in Green- ville, in the fall of 1861, at the corner of Second and Main streets, where he continued until the following February. He then re- moved to west side of public square, where he conducted a most successful business, and in 1869 purchased his present location, where- upon he erected a substantial brick block. fronting twenty-six feet on Third street and and seventy-five feet on College avenue. This is one of the most substantial and attractive blocks in the city of Greenville, is two sto- ries in height and has a roomy basement. The upper floor is occupied with business offi- ces. The first floor and basement are stocked with a complete line of drugs, medicines, paints, oils and varnish, toilet goods, trusses, pocket books and porte-monnaies and pocket cutlery, tobacco, cigars and confectionery, etc. Mr. Bennett also carries a full line of sugars, teas, coffees, spices and fancy groceries. Mr. Bennett is a native of Ohio, and was born at Xenia, Greene County. His father, Mr. E. Ben- nett is a native of New Jersey, and a pioneer druggist of the Buckeye State, and C. R.'s marked success as a druggist is largely due to his early and life long experience, as well as the fact that his goods are always bought and sold at prices made upon the cash basis. The stock of his establishment is always well selected and complete. Mr. Bennett gives his personal and undivided attention to his busi- ness, and makes a point to supply all the de- mands of the trade, and the sales of the es- tablishment are annually increasing.

a native of Bond County, is very properly classed among the pioneers, having been born near Old Ripley March 5. 1835, although he has not continously lived in the county since that time. He is distinguished in his vicinity as having driven an ox team more miles than any other man in the county. The feat of driving a yoke of horned animals from Illinois to San Francisco, Cal., is one worthy of record, especially when accomplished by a backwoods country lad, such as was Mr. Bar- ker in 1854. Williamson's father, Jordan Barker, was a native of Randolph County. N. C., a farmer by occupation, and emigrated to Illinois in the year 1817, and located near Old Ripley, on a tract of 240 acres of land, a portion of which he entered. He was a fearless and aggressive pioneer, came to stay and did stay, developing a farm, tak- ing part in all publie enterprises for the ad- vancement of civilization; was an under offi- cer in the Black Hawk war, and took part in other minor Indian engagements. He raised a family of ten children, Williamson being the third and the only one now living. Will- iamson's mother was one Nancy Plant, and a member of one of the early pioneer fami- lies of Bond County. Our subject received the educational advantage of county schools of Old Ripley, and at nineteen years of age took an overland journey to California, where he spent in all about twenty-four years of his life, making the trip three times. He there spent his time in gold mining with moderate results; returned to permanently remain in Greenville in 1878, and is now in- dependently retired on a fertile farm of 274 acres near the city.

LEVI BORROR, farmer, P. O. Smith- boro. The Borror family came originally from Germany, and settled in Hardin Connty, Va. The father of our subject was Solomon

WILLIAMSON BARKER, a farmer and who emigrated from Virginia to Franklin

BIOGRAPHICAL:

County, Ohio, about the close of the war of 1812; the family consisted of the grandpa- rents of Levi. The names of the children were Absalom, Solomon, Jacob, Isaac, Chris- tina and Martin, all of whom settled near Columbus. Levi was born January 14, 1834, in Franklin County; is of the third genera- tion of those who came to Ohio; his brothers and sisters were Elizabeth, Ichabod, William C. and Gilbert L. Elizabeth married Wes- ley Titus, and resides in Litchfield, Mont- gomery County; Gilbert L., in Marshall County, Ind .; William C., died in the army; Levi, came to Bond County February 28, 1868, and located in Town 5, Range 2, in Greenville Precinct, where he has since lived. His farm consists of 270 acres. He has been twice married, and had children by both wives, both now deceased. His first marriage was March 1. 1859, to Catharine C., --- who bore him two children -- William alone now living. His second wife was Elizabeth Roach, born in Pickaway County, Ohio, daughter of Charles Roach. Mr. Borror had by last wife five children-Benjamin F., Walter W., Al- bert J., Mary P. and Marion R. Mr. Bor- ror is a member of the Baptist Church; his father of the Christian Church.

THOMAS M. BROWN, farmer, P. O. Pocahontas, was born in Belmont County, Ohio, April 12, 1828: son of Simon Brown, born in Virginia in 1783, a millwright and farmer by occupation, who died in December. 1864; his wife, Martha (Williams) Brown, dying in 1860. They were the parents of eleven children, six boys and five girls. Our subject has been engaged in farming all his life; has served as School Director eight years, also Road Supervisor. During the war, he served in Company F. One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Macadams. He owns 120 acres of excellent land, and is a Democrat and an Odd

Fellow. In this county, November 5, 1849, he married Mary E. File, born September 13. 1828, daughter of George and Mary A. File, by which union there were born seven chil- dren-Lafayette, Emma MI., Marcella, Sam- nel M., Mary M .. Sylvester and Benjamin.

SAMUEL M. BROWN, son of the above, Thomas M. Brown, was born in Ripley Town- ship January 24, 1857. He received his ed- ucation in the schools of the county, and has followed farming his entire life. January 6, 1881, he married Frances R. Dixon, born in Greenville Township October 8, 1861, daughter of J. M. Dixon, a farmer, and one son has been born to them-Jesse M .; is a Democrat.

L. S. BROOKS, P. O. Greenville, farmer and stock-raiser, is the owner and proprietor of "Prospect View " farm. He was born April 13, 1853, in Penfield, Monroe Co., N. Y. ; son of Garry Brooks, who was born July 5, 1806, near Middletown in the State of Connecticut, and was married to Emma Chauncey, the mother of L. S. She was a daughter of John and Amelia (Goodridge) Chauncey. The pa- ternal grandsire of L. S. was Samuel Brooks, a native of Scotland. who emigrated to the Eastern States prior to the year 1800. Garry Brooks is a resident of Fairport, in Monroe County. In his early life, he was engaged in farming pursuits and became wealthy, and has since retired from active business life. He had but three children-Fannie L .. L. S. and Emma J. Our subject had good school advantages, and was brought up to farming pursuits. Having heard glowing accounts of the West, and the beauties of the prairies of Illinois State, he resolved to cast his lot there, and in the spring of 1877 he came west to this county, and the year following purchased the farm he now owns, on which he has since built a large and handsome residence and two large barns, the residence being located on a

GREENVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT.

beautiful eminence which overlooks the en- tire township. He has the best improved farm in Bond County, and is one of the young and progressive farmers of the town- ship. His wife was Mary McMillan, daugh- ter of James McMillan and Susan Harmon. This union has been crowned with four chil- dren-Chauncey G., Fannie F., Jesse L. and Emma S. He is a member of the Presbyte- rian Church.

OTIS B. COLCORD, blooded stock raiser Greenville. Mr. Colcord is a native of Yar- mouth, Me., and was born March 16, 1818. His father, Daniel Colcord, was a native of Exe- ter, N. H., and by trade a potter. He had a family of five children, of whom our subject was the third. All of these are now living, and residents of Illinois, Otis B. received his schooling in the public schools of his na- tive place, and came West in the year 1837 on a prospecting tour into Indiana. Returning East the following year, he repeated his jour- ney as far as Bond County in the year 1839. The following eighteen years of his life he spent in the employ of the reaper and mow- er manufacturing company of D. M. Osborne & Co., of Auburn, N. Y., as their Western agent, with headquarters at St. Louis, and at the same time conducting a farm of his own, mak- ing a specialty of Mambrino stock. Among some of his finest specimens of horse flesh are Mambrino Athlete, Leno Mambrino, Lady Harris, Rockey, Lady Plant, Lady Cooper, Membrino Queen, Grape Shot, Maid of the Mist, Marshal, et al.

J. J. CLARKSON, merchant, Greenville, is a native of England, born in 1845; son of James and Elizabeth B. (Douglas) Clarkson. both natives of England, but she of Scotch descent, and at present residing at Alton, Ill. Our subject, in addition to the ordinary com- mon school education, took a course at Jones' Commercial College, St. Louis, and began

life as a farmer, but has been in the express business, and at present is merchandising. In Carlisle, Ill., in 1870, he married Elizabeth McDowell, of Scotch nativity. Mr. Clarkson served his adopted country during the late war, as a member of the One Hundred and Thirty-third and One Hundred and Forty- fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He is a Presbyterian, a member of the I. O. G. T., the A. O. U. W., the I. O. M. A. and is a Republican. Mr. Clarkson is at the head of the well-known firm of J. J. Clarkson & Co., who do an extensive business in their line. They carry a full line of hardware, and are agents for various agricultural imple- ments, being one of the most reliable con- cerns in Southern Illinois.

GEORGE DONNELL (deceased). Among those men whose personal history is insep- arably interwoven with the pioneer history of Bond County, was the lamented George Don- nell. He was a man possessed of all the es- sential qualifications for a most successful pioneer, and came to Bond County at a time when men of his type were most needed. Of his forefathers, this much only can be said: They were of Scotch nativity, and at the time when religious persecution prevailed in Scot- land, they fled to the North of Ireland. George Donnell's grandfather, Thomas Don- nell, was constrained to leave Ireland because of the unsettled state of religious affairs there, and in 1731 came to America with seven brothers and two sisters, and settled near Philadelphia, Penn. Of his immediate family or personal life little is known, except that he lived to a good old age, and that a son of his, Maj. John Donnell, emigrated to Guil- I ford County, N. C., engaged in agriculture, and there raised a family of fifteen children. Maj. John Donnell was an earnest and zeal- ous advocate for the principles of free gov- "ernment, and fought nobly for the independ-

BIOGRAPHICAL:

ence of America in the Revolutionary strug- gle, where he gained his military title. He was twice married. First, to Hannah Meeks, and by her had three daughters and two sons. For his second wife he took one Betsey Denny, and by her had five dangliters and five sons, George, our subject, being his father's eleventh child, or his mother's sixth. He was born in Guilford County, N. C., July I, 1793. His par- ents were both Christian people, and early in life he imbibed the truths and teachings of the Holy Bible, and connected himself with the Presbyterian Church of Buffalo, N. C., where they for many years resided. May 30, 1815, he married Miss Anna McLean, also a native of Guilford County, and born June 18, 1795. Her father was Joseph McLean, a North Carolina pioneer who married one Peggy Mabin, and Anna was their sixth child, and the second youngest of the family. She grew to be a woman of great strength of character, possessing unfaltering energy, and has been to her chosen companion a most faithful wife, to her offspring a loving and devoted mother. This union was blessed with a family of thirteen children, namely, Joseph M., John D., Polly E., William N., James M., Betsey A., Thomas S., George W., Mary J., Robert L., Levi S., Henry C. and Emily R., all born in Bond County except the two first named. Three, Betsey A., Polly and James M., died in infancy. George W .. Henry C. and James are in the West. Josepli M., William N., John D. (deceased), and Thomas S. (deceased), all settled on farms in Bond County. Robert, Mary and Levi are deceased, and Emily, the youngest, married Col. George C. McCord, of Greenville. George Donnell emigrated to Bond County in the year 1819, and first settled near the forks of Shoal Creek, where he lived for several years. He sold his property there and bought one quar- ter section of land about three miles north-

west of Greenville. This land he improved, erected upon it good buildings, making for his family a comfortable home, and not un- frequently the weary traveler a welcome stop- ping place. To his landed estate he from time to time added, so that as his children came of age he gave each a farm of 160 acres. To the education of his family he devoted no little time and means, and for a time took up his residence at Hillsboro that they might have the best of school advantages. As a relig- ious man, Mr. Donnell was always prominent. At once, when coming to Bond County, he iden- tified himself with the people of God, and united with the Shoal Creek Presbyterian Church, the second of the order in Southern Illinois. He, with others, organized the first Sabbath school in Southern Illinois, and be. lieved by many to be the first in the State. This school held sessions on Saturdays and Sundays, reading, writing and arithmetic be- ing in the Saturday programmes. The ad- vantages of this school were improved by whole pioneer families, who came from long distances to attend. Mr. Donnell was one of the organizers of the Presbyterian Church of Greenville, and aided with much time and money in erecting their first church edifice in the city, in 1827. In March, 1828, he was elected and ordained a Ruling Elder, which office he filled with great fidelity until 1875. As he advanced in years he sold most of his farming lands, and afterward secured a comfortable home in Greenville, and from that time until his death lived a compara- tively retired life, devoting much of his leisure time to social and religions duties. Mr. Donnell was a man of positive traits of character, but realizing man's liability to err, he was always open to conviction, and anx- ions to repair an injury. Old age crept upon him, disease was found lurking in his system, and a stroke of paralysis in 1864 ensued.

GREENVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT.

From this he gradually recovered. A second and more severe stroke, however, seized upon him, which resulted in his death Monday, April 16, 1877, at the residence of Col. George C. McCord, surrounded by his children and friends, who lovingly administered to his every need. Mrs. Anna Donnell, for more than sixty years his devoted wife, still sin- vives him, and lives with her son-in-law. and youngest child, Ellen, Mr. and Mrs. MeCord. She is now over eighty-seven years of age, but still enjoys the use of her mental facul- ties, and more than average good health. A full page portrait of the late stalwart pioneer appears in this volume.

W. S. DANN & CO. The mercantile house of W. S. Dann & Co. justly deserves notice in a history of Bond County, as standing at the head of the mercantile trade of Southern Illinois. The business was first established in 1870 by Mr. W. S. Dann and a brother, Mr. E. L. Dann, who opened a general stock in the corner number of the present establish- ment. Mr. E. L. Dann continued until 1875, when he retired, and W. S. Dann remained alone until MIr. F. P. Joy, the present junior partner and manager, became associated with him. The business increased so rapidly that more room was demanded. An adjoining lot was utilized, and the store enlarged and refitted, making it roomy and well lighted. It now has a frontage of fifty-one feet on College avenue, and extends fifty-seven feet on Second street, and comprises two floors and a basement. The basement is used for the storage of surplus stoek, and second floor for display of carpets, mattings, etc., and winter stocks of ladies' cloaks and shawls. The first floor is the general salesroom. It has two double front entrances on College avenne, is conveniently arranged on the depart- ment plan, the stocks or different lines of goods being assorted and displayed in their

respective departments. The stocks of these departments embrace complete lines of dry goods, including dress goods, silks and trim- mings, embroideries, white goods, ladies' and gents' furnishing goods and notions, exten- sive line of boots and shoes of standard makes, hats and eaps, and a fine assortment of staple and fancy groceries. The depart- ments and stocks are presided over by Mr. Joy and his corps of seven efficient sales- men and one saleslady. Each clerk is an experienced stock-keeper, and is responsible for its condition. It must be in good order, every article or piece marked with price in plain figures. They also keep stock memo- randa of goods to be purchased, and from time to time buy or order what the market demands, with the sanction or suggestions of the man- ager. Goods are all bought, marked and sold upon a cash basis, doing a general produce exchange business. The general clearing-out sales of unseasonable and remnant stock are a taking feature of the institution, and the entire establishment is conducted upon mod- ern business principles. Business discipline, not so rigid as to become impracticable, is also a noticeable feature of the establishment. This house carries a stock of about $28,000, and does an annual business of nearly $100,- 000. Mr. W. S. Dann not being able to de- vote his personal time and attention to the business, spends much of his time abroad, and Mr. Joy assumes entire charge, and is always during business hours found at his store.

WILLIAM H. DAWDY, lawyer, was born in Shelby County, III., January 1, 1845; son of John H. and Nancy (Frazier) Dawdy, he a resident of Pana, Ill., a lawyer by profession, of twenty years' practice, and was formerly a merchant; has been Associate Judge of Chris- tian County, and held other minor offices; is Police Magistrate of Pana; his wife is a na- tive of Kentucky. They had two children,

BIOGRAPHICAL:

William H. being the oldest. Our subject attended the seminary at Shelbyville about five years, afterward at Walton Academy, Pana, and later at Eureka College, Illinois, one year. After leaving school he began the study of law with Henry and Ross, and was admitted to practice July 1, 1865. Located at Pana, two years, Vandalia, one year, and came to Greenville August 14, 1868, where he has remained since, having obtained a lucra- tive practice, and being regarded as one of the ablest and most successful lawyers of Bond County. He has held the position of City Attorney of Pana, City Attorney of Greenville, Justice of the Peace, and State's Attorney of Bond County from 1872 to 1880. July 7, 1872, in La Crosse County, Wis., he married Miss Amelia A. Tripp, born in Trum- bull County, Ohio; daughter of Almer Tripp, a native of Vermont. One child has been born to Mr. Dawdy-Clarence A .; is a mem- ! ber of the Christian Church, of the Odd Fel- 1 lows, Workingmen, Good Templars and the Democratic party.

MICHAEL V. DENNY, cashier in bank. Greenville, born August 31, 1833, in Bond County, the only child now living of Samuel W. and Catharine (Finley) Denny, he born in North Carolina in 1805, a farmer by occupa- tion, and died in 1841. His wife was born in Tennessee in 180S, and is still living. Our subject received his education in the acad- emy at Sullivan, Moultrie Co., Ill., where, in 1860, September 6, he married Margaret S. Perryman, who was born in Shelbyville, Ill., April 26, 1838. Her parents were John and Ann S. Perryman, he of North Carolina and she of Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Den- ny was born a family, of whom three daugh- ters are now living-Annie L., Katie M. and Lizzie S. Mr. Denny was in the mercantile business ten years, bank cashier thirteen years, County Superintendent of Schools five

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History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 52

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 758

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758