History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 100

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois > Part 100

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Herman Rawe was born in Hanover, Germany, Dec. 12, 1855, his parents be- ing Joseph and Emma M. (Middendorf) Rawe. Herman lived with his parents as long as he remained in his native country, and was reared to farm life. In November, 1858, Herman took a last

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IHISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

farewell of home and relatives and going to Bremen, took passage on a vessel bound for New Orleans. After a voyage of about three months, he arrived at the ('rescent city, and immediately took a steamer for St. Louis. He remained there but about a week, and then came to Greene county, and engaged in the employ of Eldred Brothers in Carroll- ton township. He only remained there three months and then returned to St. Louis, where he began to learn the ma- son's trade, at which he continued something over two years. He then came back to Greene county and bought 80 acres of land on Sec. 26, T. 10, R. 13, in what is now Bluffdale township. He removed to his present location, on the same section, in the fall of 1878. After coming to the county a second time, Mr. Rawe worked at his trade and carried on farming for a number of years, but now pays all his attention to farming and stock raising. He was married in St. Louis, May 5, 1859, to Mary Pranger, a native of Hanover, and daughter of Henry and Elana (Schneider) Pranger. Mr. and Mrs. Rawe are the parents of six children living; Margaret, wife of Tobias Siemer, living in Carrollton township; Ellen, Elizabeth, Herman, William and Mary. There are three deceased-Benjamin and two named Katrine. When Mr and Mrs. Rawe first came to this county, a quarter of a century ago, they had scareely any money, and no capital save willing hands and dauntless energy, but 210 acres now comprise their landed possessions, all of which lie in section 26. They are both members of the Cath- olie church, and attend at Carrollton. Mr. Rawe's parents are both dead; his

mother dying in Hanover, Germany, his father in Calhoun county, Illinois, in 1877. Mrs. Rawe's parents both died at their home in Macoupin county, near Fayette.

John Rathgeber was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, Feb. 26, 1834, his parents being John and Margaret (Kramer) Rathgeber. John was reared to farm life in his native country. In the year 1855 he went into the army of the Elector of Hesse-Darmstadt, and staid in the service nine years and six months. During the Crimean war, he started with the division of flying artillery to which he belonged, but they were not sent to the seat of war, as peace was declared soon afterward. Ile was also in the army during the trouble with France, in 1859. In 1864 he took leave of the army, and on arriving home, he bade farewell to home and friends, and went to May- ence, where he took passage on the Saxonia, a vessel bound for New York. After an ocean voyage of 16 days, he arrived at that port, meeting there his parents, brothers and sisters, who had come to America ten years before. Ile remained with them about one year and a half, and was then married, in Sept., 1865, to Rachel Grasser, a native of Baden, and a daughter of Fred. Grasser. By that marriage there were four chil- dren-John, Jacob, Rosa and Christina. Mrs. Rathgeber departed this life on the 1st day of Jan., 1877. Mr. Rathge- ber was again married, Nov. 25, 1880, to Frederika Mueller, daughter of John and Mary Mueller, and a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany. By that union they have one child-Amanda. Mr. Rathgeber is the possessor of 200 acres of land, all on section 10, in Bluffdale

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

township. Both his parents are dead, his father having died in New York, in 1878.

Jacob Conrad was born in Calhoun county, Oct. 14, 1850, and is the son of Jacob and Barbara (Mahler) Conrad. They were both natives of Baden and came to this country by way of New Orleans about the year 1845. After stopping in that city some time they came up to Calhoun county, by way of St. Louis. His father died there in the year 1850, and his mother now lives with a son by her second marriage, Fred Yanna, who resides in Carrollton town- ship. The remainder of the Conrad family now live in Chicago. Jacob was reared to farm life and lived there, in Calhoun county, until the fall of 1863, when removed to Greene county, where he was in the employ of J. J. Eldred from that time on for 14 years. He then rented land from Tunnell and Ben Roodhouse for five years, and then in July, 1883, he bought 180 acres of land on Secs. 1 and 12, T. 10, R. 13, it being the old John Gamble place. lIere he has continued to live since that time. He was married in this county, March 27, 1877, to Charlotte Nolan, a native of Greene county, and daughter of John and Mary Nolan. Her parents were early settlers and will be noticed else- where in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad are the parents of three child- ren-John J., Lee M., and Flora T. Mr. Conrad is a member of the Knights of Ilonor, at White Hall, and also of the Grange. He is an esteemed citizen and an enterprising farmer.

Henry F. Bechdoldt was born in Cal- houn county, Ill., on the 29th day of July, 1854. He is a son of Henry and

Elizabeth (Meyers) Bechdoldt, natives of Germany. His father lived on the banks of the classic river, Rhine, and his mother on the banks of the Main. His sketch will be found elsewhere in this work. Henry was brought up to farm life, and has since been occupied in the same, with the exception of the time that he assisted his father in the mill. He now owns 150 acres of land, 50 of which is on section 22, 30 on sec- tion 29, and 80 on section 30, all in T. 10, R. 13. His time is spent here in the raising of stock and grain, in which he has been very successful. Mr. Bech- doldt was married on the 17th day of Jan., 1879, to Mary Boyce, a daughter of Thomas and Martha Boyce. Three children have blessed this union-Jacob, Thomas and Katie.

Daniel Flatt is a son of John and Elizabeth (Garrison) Flatt, and was born on the 15th of Sept., 1849, in Greene county. His life has thus far been that of a farmer, and he has a good farm of 160 acres on Sec. 11, T. 10, R. 13, where he is engaged in the raising of grain and stock. On the 4th of July, 1871, Mr. Flatt was married to Katic King, a daughter of Alfred and Charlotta (Gib- son) King, mentioned elsewhere in this work. By this marriage three children were born - Stephen, Anna May, de- ceased, and one who died in infancy. Mrs. Flatt is a member of the United Baptist church. Mr. Flatt is an indus- trious farmer, and a well respected citizen.

Abraham Madison was born in Madi- son county, Ky., three miles south of Bowling Green, Jan. 2, 1816, at + a. m. He was a son of Leroy and Teziah (Lindsay) Madison, natives of Virginia.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

His grandfather on his father's side was a native of Ireland, and his grandmother, of Holland. On his mother's side, his grandfather was an Englishman, and his grandmother was French, having been born in one of the Rhine provinces. Abraham was reared to farm life, right on the place where he was born. In 1833 he came to Illinois, and located in what is now Scott county, then Morgan county. There he was married, April 19, 1845, to Margaret Fletcher, a native of Clark county, Ky., and a daughter of Vardeman and Elizabeth (Rodgers) Fletcher. By this marriage there were eight children, only three of whom are living- Elizabeth, deceased; Winfield Scott, married Ida Cumbey, living on the same farm with his father; Emily, deceased; Catherine, deceased; Martha, wife of Albert Tredway, living at Beardstown; John, deceased; Rebecca, wife of Harrison Shumate, living in Bluffdale township; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Madison enlisted in the service of his country, Aug. 7, 1861, in Co. B, 27th Ill. Inf. He was mustered in at Camp Butler, joining his regiment there, under Col. Buford. They were under the great commander, Gen. Grant, at first, and Abraham was at Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Stone River, and the siege and capture of Vicksburg. At Stone River they lost their lieutenant, and Col. Herrington and our subject assisted in carrying him off the field. They came back through Tennessee, and from there down to Atlanta, Ga., he being in all the engage- ments in which his regiment partici- pated up to that point. Abraham was mustered out at Atlanta, and discharged at Springfield in 1864. From there he

returned to his home in Scott county, but not in as good condition as when he entered the service, having lost a leg, as the result of his faithfulness to the union cause, He lived in Scott county until 1873, when he removed to Greene county, and located in what is now Bluffdale township, where he yet re- sides, on section 35, to which section he removed in Feb., 1884. He owns 100 acres of land there, all well culti- vated. On the 18th of July, 1885, Mrs, Madison was called away from this world to one of rest and happiness, and was buried at the Eldred cemetery. Mr. Madison's parents went to Missouri, in 1835, and there both departed this life.

John B. Pranger was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, now in the en- pire of Germany, Aug. 15, 1831; his parents being B. H. and Mary (Ficker) Pranger. Jno. B. lived with his parents until he had arrived at the age of 20 years, assisting them with the duties and labors of the farm. He then went out to work for himself, continuing until 1858, when, deciding to come to Ameri- ca, he took leave of home and friends, and going to Bremen, took passage on a vessel bound for New Orleans. After a long voyage of ten weeks, and an addi- tional week at New Orleans before leav- ing the ship, he arrived at the Crescent City. The journey was a very unpleas- ant one, and he experienced the worst form of sea life, the ship having gotten out of her course, and going by way of Cuba, San Domingo, ete. The yellow fever was then raging at New Orleans, and he took the boat for St. Louis, at a point distant from the former city. He remained in St. Louis two years, work- ing at the cooper's trade most of the time ..

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

He then came up to Greene county, where he had relatives living, Mr. Sny- der being among them. Thus those two gentlemen were about the first German settlers of this vicinity. On arriving here, John was employed by Mr. Snyder the first year, and the next year he rented five acres of land, and hired the work done on it, he himself working at the cooper's trade mostly, thereby turning out over 10,000 staves. In 1874, he purchased 30 acres of land on S. 12, T. 10, R. 13, where he has since resided. There were then no buildings on it, and the ground was mostly wild. It is now a finely im- proved farm, with very creditable and substantial buildings thereon, and he has since added to his land, so that he now has 60 acres. Mr. Pranger was married in St. Louis, Dec. 24, 1858, to Helena Johnson, a native of Hanover, and a daughter of Henry Johnson. This marriage has been blessed by seven children-Anna, married Oswald Beck- er, living in Washington territory; Henry, who married Frances Camerer, and also lives in Washington territory; Catherine, Benjamin, John, Mary and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Pranger are members of the Catholic church, of

Carrollton. Coming here 25 years ago with no capital save energy and willing hands, Mr. Pranger has certainly made a creditable record.

Silas H. Winchell was born in New- port, Vermillion, county, Ind., Jan. 16, 1836. He was a son of Sylvia and Agnes Winchell, natives of New York. Ilis father died at Newport, Ind., and his mother now lives at Maple River, la. Silas H. came to Greene county, 111., in March, 1858, settling under the bluffs, in Bluffdale township. Mr. Win- chell enlisted in the service of his coun- try, at Bedford, in the 7th Ill. Inf., Co. K, and was nmstered into the service on the 2d of Oct., 1861, at Post Holt, Ky. He served three years, and engaged in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, and Corinth, under Gen. Grant. He was mustered out, Oct. 2, 1864, and re- turned home. He was married in Dec., 1864, to Jennie Phillips, daughter of Curtis Bushnell, of Woodville town- ship. They are the parents of six chil- dren-Violetta, wife of John Loger, now living at Maple River, la .; Alvin, Franklin, John, Monroe and Walter. Mr. Winchell owns 60 acres of land on sections 32 and 33. For the past 18 years he has served as school director.

CHAPTER XVII.

WOODVILLE TOWNSHIP.

The sub-division of Greene county known as Woodville, is an irregular shaped body of land, and comprises, firstly, all of T. 9, R. 13, except the por-

tions of Secs. 32, 33, 34, and 35, south of the Macoupin ereek, lying in Jersey county; secondly, of Secs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, and 31, of T. 9, R. 12;

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

thirdly, of fractional Sees. 6, 7, and 18, of T. S, R. 13; fourthly, of fractional Secs. 1, 12, 19, and 20, T. 8, R. 14; and fifthly, of fractional Sees. 1, 6, 7, and 18, of T. 8, R. 13. It is bounded on the north by Bluffdale township, on the cast by Kane township, on the south by Jersey county, from which it is sepa- rated by Macoupin creek, and on the west by the Illinois river. The western part of the township is the bottom land of the Illinois river, the richest soil in the world, but liable to annual over- flow, and therefore not reliable as farm- ing Iand. Back of this rises the line of bluffs that form the true banks of the river, and east of these, and on the sum- mit of the prairie plateau, the land is generally of a rolling character, rich and fertile, where cleared of the primeval forest that encumbered the ground when this county was first settled, and which now covers a considerable portion of this territory. The most of this town- ship would be available for cultivation as the timber could be cleared off and levees built to restrain the waters of the river. The inhabitants, are as a class, not able to ineur the heavy expense at- tendant upon this, and hence the growth in that direction is necessarily slow.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

As far as can be ascertained, the first . permanent settler within the present limits of Woodville township was made by George W. Clendenen. This gentle- man was a son of Robert and Mary Clendenen, the former of whom was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and had command of the fort at Gallopolis, on the Ohio river. George W. Clen- denen was born in Greenbrier county, Va., about the year 1779, and spent his

early life in the state of his nativity. His father afterward removed to Bour- bon county, Ky., where George was married to Mary Reynolds. In 1817, he removed with his young family to St. Charles county, Mo., making the trip in a one-horse Dearborn wagon. He resided in that locality until 1819, when he came to Greene county and made a settlement on section 27, near where the Macoupin creek breaks through the bluffs. Here he lived, a pioneer, until his death, which occurred in 1841. He was the first justice of the peace in the township, and was a man respected by all his associates. His widow survived him until Nov., 1869. With Mr. Clen- denen, came his son Hazard Perry Clendenen, then a lad of eight or nine years.

H. P. Clendenen, father of Mrs. Rob- ert King, was born in Bourbon county, Ky., Oct. 12, 1812, his parents being George W. and Mary Clendenen. In 1817, Mr. Clendenen went, with his pa- rents, to St. Charles county, Mo., where they resided until 1820, when they came to Greene county, Ill., settling in what is now Woodville township. Here he received his early education, principally from his father, and afterward became a man well informed on the leading top- ics of the day. He assisted in the farm duties at home, during his early life, and when about 20 years of age, he engaged in flat-boating for about 14 years, taking farm produce and stock to New Orleans. Ile was married Dec. 20, 1842, to Maria A. Clark, daughter of Absalom and Lydia Clark, carly settlers of this county, having located on the Macou- pin creek, in the fall of 1819, where Maria was born, Nov. 16, 1823. By

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

that marriage there were six children, two of whom died when quite young. Those living are-Mary A., wife of Robert King; Jennie M., wife of James Ellis, living in Montgomery county, Ill .; and two sons. Mr. Clendenen started in life with almost nothing, but succeeded, by economy and industry, in acquiring a large amount of property, having a farm of 1,700 acres on the Illi- nois bottom. He early became identi- fied with the whig party, and so contin- ued until it disorganized, when he joined the ranks of the republican party, and two of his family, Oscar C., and Robert King, aided in the preservation of the Union, in the late war, and Mr. Clen- denen was one of the strong supporters of the Union cause. Mrs. Clendenen died on Dec., 5, 1862, and Mr. Clen- denen survived her until Nov. 20, 1880, both being buried at the old homestead. He was highly respected and esteemed by all who knew him.

Robert King was born in Copiah county, Miss., Dee. 23, 1843, his par- ents being John and Zerilda (Stewart) King. His father was born in Ken- tucky, and his mother in Mississippi. In 1847, his parents left the state in which he was born, and removed to Illinois, locating in Jersey county, under the bluff in Richwoods township. There Robert was reared, and there his parents resided, until their death. His father was engaged in farming, all his life. Ile died Feb. 14, 1862, and is buried in the Campbell cemetery, as is also his wife, she having died in Jan., 1860. Robert, our subject, came to Greene county in 1867, and located in the now township of Wood- ville. He was married the same year,

on the 7th of May, to Mary A. Clen- denen, daughter of H. P. and Maria (Clark) Clendenen, who were among the pioneers of Greene county, he hav- ing come in 1819. A sketch of his life will appear elsewhere. Mrs. and Mrs. King were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living-Morgan L., died in 1869, aged 14 months; Maria, Orson, Janie; Oscar, died in 1876, aged about 14 months; Frederick and Joseph. All the living children reside at home. Mr. King remained in this county until 1861, when he went to Saline county, Missouri, where he resided until March, 1885, when he moved back to Greene county, Illinois, where he now lives, on section 16. He has a farm of 80 aeres here, and one of 160 acres in Missouri. On the 1st of May, 1861, though only 17 years of age, Robert enlisted in Co. E, 6th Mo., Inf., being mustered in at St. Louis. He was assigned to the com- mand of Gen. Grant, and his first ser- vice was at Pilot Knob. He was at Champion Hills; the siege and capture of Vicksburg; Jackson, Mississippi ; Mission Ridge; then in the fighting from Chattanooga to Atlanta, partici- pating in the battles of Dalton, Resaca, Lost Mountain, and Kenesaw Mountain. At the last named battle, he was wounded in the left leg, and lay in the hospital mostly from that time till the close of the war, but remained in the service, and was not discharged until the 17th of July, 1865. He was mustered out at New York city, and from there he returned to Jersey county. Although he was among the first in the service, and one of the last to leave it, he was never in the guard-house during the entire period of his enlistment.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Matthew Dayton, deceased, was born in Schoharie county, N. Y., July 6, 1798, his parents being Thomas and Elizabeth Dayton, of English parentage. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and when about 20 years old im- migrated to the west. In 1819 he came to Greene county, and located in this township, on the Ilinois bottom. On coming to the west, he was accompanied by Capt. Robley and others, making the trip by wagon. Like many others of the old settlers of the county, he would build a boat, fill it with produce and float down the river to market. In 1825, he was married to Margaret Taylor, who died in March, 1862, and he died Oct. 4, 1874, in Montgomery county. They had a family of eight children-Lewis, living in T. 9, R. 13; Harvey and Matthew, living in Bates county, Mo .; Smith, liv- ing near the old homestead; Thomas H., deceased; Elizabeth, wife of Wm. R. Thomas, Jr., living near Virden, Ma- coupin county; and two daughters, de- ceased, Amanda, wife of Absalom Clark, and Jane, wife of Col. Nulton. Mr. Dayton commenced life without capital, but by thrift, energy and perseverance, succeeded in making a good farm of about 500 acres of fine land, along the Illinois river bluff. He was a member of the whig party until it disorganized, when he united with the democratic party. Two of his sons, Smith and Thomas H., and one son-in-law, Col. Nulton, participated in the late war, from 1861, until its closc.

Thomas H. Dayton, deceased, was born in Woodville township, Greene county, Ill., Nov. 6, 1843, and was a son of Matthew and Margaret (Taylor) Dayton. Thomas was reared within the

limits of this township, and made that his residence during his entire lifetime. Ile lived at home until the date of his marriage, Dec. 31, 1867, when he was united in marriage with Mattie J. Rick- etts, daughter of Aaron and Margaret (Barr) Ricketts. Her father was a sol- dier in the Black Hawk war, and after its expiration, settled in Jersey county, locating in Richwoods township, where her parents were married. Her father died there in March, 1852, and her mother died in this county, April 21, 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Dayton were the parents of seven children -John M., Lizzie J., Margaret Gertrude, Amanda Ann, Robert E. Lee, Guy, and Thomas Henry. Mr. Dayton departed this life May 7, 1882. He was an enterprising energetic citizen of that community, an affectionate husband and father, hence his loss was deeply mourned by family and friends. He was a soldier in the civil war, having been mustcred in Oct. 9, 1861, in Co. G, 61st Ill. Inf. He was at the battle of Shiloh, and participated in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and many other engage- ments. He was with his regiment all the time of his enlistment, until when taken very sick, he was compelled to return home, rejoining his regiment after a stay of about six months. At the close of the war he was mustered out at Springfield. The regiment was commanded by his brother-in-law, Col. Nulton, of Carrollton. Mr. Dayton had been connceted with the schools as director. Hc owned 575 acres of land, all in this township, and was well fixed. Mrs. Dayton was again married on the 29th of July, 1884, to Frank Clark.

Lewis Dayton, a son of Matthew and

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Margaret (Taylor) Dayton, was born on Sce. 4. T. 9, R. 13 west, in this county. He was born June 26, 1826, and in the ten years over half a century which has elapsed since that time, he has never called any place home except the section on which he now resides, and the ad- joining section 9. His father, Matthew Dayton, was one of the oldest pioneers of the county, and is mentioned at length, elsewhere. Lewis, although reared in this county, at present so well settled and prosperous, grew up among scenes of wildness, it being then a wild. unimproved country. What schooling he received was in a little stone build- ing, at what is now the station of El- dred, in Bluffdale township. Although his entire time of attendance did not exceed over two years, yet it was as good an education as the children of any of the neighbor's families received. Amid such eireumstances he grew up, the principal features of his life being the hard work incident to clearing up the land, and the consequent hearty enjoyment of all opportunities for pleas- ure and recreation. Mr. Dayton was married on the 24th of March, 1853, to Sarah Ann Anderson, daughter of Wil- liam and Nancy Anderson. They were all natives of Kentucky, and came to Greene county, Ill., in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. Dayton were the parents of six children-Luetta L., deceased; Sarah Jane, wife of William S. Miller, living in this township; Nancy M., wife of Henry J. Keyes, living at Roodhouse; Mary Ellen, deceased, and two who died in infancy. Mrs. Dayton died on the 20th day of Oct., 1876, and is buried in the Dayton cemetery. Mr. Dayton is a member of the Forest Oak church,

of Woodville township, and is a well respected citizen of the community in which he lives.

Vines Hieks made a settlement in this township in 1820. It is said of him that he was fearful that the land sales would oceur before he could obtain mon- ey to purchase the land, and that some one else would purchase it and deprive him of his improvements, therefore, he selected for his home, a poor, flinty point of the Macoupin bluff, where he would feel perfectly seeure in its pos- session, as no one would want so poor a piece of land. Ile afterward aeeumu- lated considerable money and did not live here long, but purchased property north of Apple creek.

John Stone made a settlement in this township, on See. 6, T. 9, R. 12, about 1823 or 1824, although he had come to the county in 1818. He died here about 1854.

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History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 100

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150