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 102
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The general merchandise establish- ment of John W. Powell, was originally established in 1834, but was moved to its present location by Melvin Brown- ing, who erected a frame building on the site now occupied by Mr. Powell, about 1870. He operated this until 1876, when the building and its contents were burned to the ground. E. B. Pegram then erected the present brick structure and commenced business in this line. He, in 1879, sold out to Paul Wood, who ran it until Oct., 1883, when he
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was succeeded by the present proprietor. The building is substantially construc- ted, is 20x40 feet in size, two-stories high. The upper floor is used as a hall. Mr. Powell handles all the various lines of goods that goes to make up a store of this character. .
Leonard W. Wood is also engaged in the sale of general merchandise, hav- ing erected the building and entered into this business in Oct., 1883. He is young, enterprising, and endowed with good business tact, and is bound to make a success.
Leonard W. Wood was born Dec. 31, 1859, in Bluffdale township, Greene county, Ill., and is a son of Wilson and Luetta (Mulberry) Wood. On the 29th of April, 1884, he was united in mar- riage with Viola Stone, a daughter of James and Mary (Allen) Stone. One child-Clarence-has blessed this union. In Oct., 1883, Mr. Wood erected a store building in the town of Woodville, in which he carries on a general merchan- dise business. His stock consists of dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries, queensware, and everything belonging to a general store. He also owns a res- idence and a blacksmith shop, both in Woodville. Returning to the history of his youthful life, Mr. Wood spent his school days at the Woodville school until he was advanced sufficiently to enter col- lege. He then went 31 years to the State University of Missouri, at Columbia. Becoming tired of school, and wishing to see the west, he went to Colorado, where his brother Clarence was in the cattle business, and doing well. Find- ing, however, that he did not like the business, he went farther west, obtained a position in a grocery store at Canon
City, and remained there nine months. He then went to Leadville and other points. Remaining a few days with his sister at Denver, the Queen city, he then returned home, and soon went into bus- iness, having decided that "there is no place like home." He has since met with good success, and being a live, en- ergetic business man, increased pros- perity will doubtless be his lot.
POSTOFFICE.
The Woodville postoffice is known as Woody, there being another in the state of the former name. It was established here May 8, 1883, with John W. Powell as postmaster, and he has continued in that capacity ever since. This postoffice was formerly known as Greenburgh, but did not continue for any length of time under that name.
The pioneer blacksmith of this vil- lage was HIenry C. Sieverling, who came about 1836, and set up a forge. He was succeeded by Andrew Kelley. Thomas Lyle, about 1840, built a second shop. A sketch of Mr. Sieverling will be given in the history of Carrollton, where he is now in business.
OTHER PROMINENT PEOPLE.
Thomas King, deceased, was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Eng., and was a son of Joseph King. He was reared in his native place, and there learned the cutler's trade, at which he worked as a journeyman some years. Ile then went into business for himself, and was en- gaged in filling orders, in that line of business, for ten years, or more, before coming to America. In the winter of 1841, accompanied by his son, Thomas, Jr., he took passage at Liverpool on a
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
vessel bound for New Orleans. On ar- riving there they came up the river to St. Louis, and on the trip they became acquainted with Mordecai Robinet and Thorret Griffin, two Greene county men who had been down to New Orleans with produce, and by the time they reached St. Louis, he had made up his mind to come to this county with them. He located in what is now Bluffdale township, where the widow and family of his son Thomas now reside. He pur- chased a farm there from Mr. Robinet, made improvements, and there made a permanent location, where he resided until his death, Feb. 23, 1862, aged 70. He was buried near where he lived, as was also his wife, she dying Dec. 12, 1863, aged 71. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas King were the parents of seven child- ren, three of whom died in England, and two in this county. Those who came to America were-Alfred, de- ceased; Charles, whose sketch follows this; Thomas, deceased; and Nathan Ashbury, married Eugenia Griffin, lives in Kansas, at last accounts. On coming to this country, Mr. King adopted farm- ing as his future occupation, and carried it on until his death.
Charles King, son of Thomas King, was born in Sheffield, England, Ang. 2, 1821. He was reared there, and in that city famous for its manufacture of edged tools, he learned the cutler's trade, serving the full seven years. from his 14th to his 21st year. He followed that trade until coming to this country, which was one year after his father had adopted America as his future home. He went in the stage to Manchester, then by rail to Liverpool, arriving there the same day, April 1, and sailed on
the 4th, on the ship Craton, commanded by Capt. Gay. He come by way of New Orleans and the river, arriving at Columbiana, this county, June 4, 1842, coming up the Mississippi on the Gulnare, and from St. Louis to Colum- biana on the Mermaid. They had a pleasant voyage, and were seven weeks and three days making the trip, he be- ing accompanied by his mother and the rest of the family. Charles lived with his father until his marriage, April 15, 1845, to Nancy Crotchelt, a native of southern Illinois, and a danghter of James Crotchelt. By this union seven children were born, of whom four are living-Martha Elizabeth, living south of Woodville, married Jas. Frye, now de- ceased; Pauline, at home; Mary Louisa, wife of Martin Harris, living in Saline county, Mo .; Lydia Ann, wife of Jasper Short, living in Woodville township. Those deceased are-Albert, Hester and an infant unnamed. He has followed farming since coming to this country. He has lived at his present location since 1852, then renting land, which he afterward purchased, and he has by en- terprise and industry, added to his pos- sessions from time to time, until he now owns 520 acres of land, part in Wood- ville and part in Bluffdale townships. His present spacious and handsome residence was erected in 1869. The main part is 26x30, with a wing 16x24, it being a two-story building. Mr. King has in every day use, a set of table knives and a set of dessert knives and forks, the blades and prongs of which he brought from Sheffield. On these he put handles which he made here of buckhorn, and though they have been in constant use ever since his
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
marriage, they are yet as good as new. township. The land was rough and They are considerable of a curiosity, mostly timbered, and he set to work to showing the difference between the fine Sheffield manufacture of that time, and the ordinary cutlery of to-day. Mr. King has been connected with the schools of his township as trustee, and now holds that position, and is one of the most prominent citizens in that sec- tion of country in which he resides.
Frank Schild was born in Nicholas- dorf, Austria, on the 13th of December, 1835, his parents being Joseph and Mary (C'anote) Schild. Frank was reared in his native country, and there learned the trade of shoemaking, and after finish- ing his apprenticeship, started to travel through the country in order to better familiarize himself with the details of his chosen trade, as is the custom in the old countries. After traveling awhile he concluded to cast his fortunes in the new world. Repairing to Hamburg, with a brother and sister, they took passage on an ocean vessel bound for New York. Arriving at that port, they remained but one week and then went to Milwaukee, where Frank obtained employment at his trade. After spend- ing six months there he went to Man- istee, Mich., where he worked in a saw- mill about a year. While in Michigan he met his present neighbor, Jacob Schueter, and becoming friends they re- mained together. From Manistee they went to St. Louis, and from there, after a stay of about a week, they came up to Greene county. The first five years Mr. Schild worked by the month for II. P. Clendenen, and at the expiration of that time, he rented land from him. Ile rented about five years, and then purchased 80 acres on section 16, in this
clear up and make improvements. It took many years and a great deal of hard labor to bring it to its present condition. He now has a substantial stone resi- dence, erected in 1871, and other good improvements. He has increased his possessions, until he now has 240 acres of land, all lying on section 16. In the month of March, 1860, he was married to Anna Lager, a native of Hesse-Cassel, Germany, and a daughter of Henry Rehl, she being a widow when Mr. Schild married her. They are the parents of two children-Joseph and George. Mrs. Schild had two children by her first marriage-Henry and Huston. They both live in this township. Mr. Schild has been connected with the schools as director of district No. 3.
Henry Selhorst was born in the prov- ince of Westphalia, in the empire of Germany, Dec. 2, 1846, his parents be- ing Henry and Mary ( Koppel) Selhorst, also natives of Westphalia. Henry was reared there to farm life, and when 21 years old, entered the German army, serving four years. During that time the Franco-Prussian war came on, and in this he took part. Ilis regiment, the 5th Uhlan, was in the 7th division, under Gen. Zoebner, in the corps com- manded by Gen. Steinmetz. Among other battles, campaigns, etc., he was in the siege of Metz, and participated in all the fighting around that point until its capitulation. From there he went into Normandy, where he was in the fighting which took place in that de- partment. They then went to Germany, and one year later his term of service expired. He re-engaged in farming, but
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
soon began making preparations to come to America. He went to Bremen and took passage for New York, in the year 1874. On arriving there he came di- rectly to St. Louis, and staid there one year, then came to Greene county, Ill., and bought 40 acres of land in T. 9, R. 13. He kept that three years and then sold it and moved to Jersey county, where he rented land for two years. He then returned to Greene county, and bought 80 acres of land, under the bluff in Woodville township. This he sold in the fall of 1884, and bought 377 acres on sections 22 and 27, in the same town- ship, on which he now resides. He was married May 25, 1876, to Elizabeth Goeddy, a native of this county, and a daughter of Henry and Mary Goeddy. By this marriage there are three ehil- dren-Mary, Elizabeth, and an infant, not yet named. Mr. and Mrs. Selhorst are members of the Catholic church, at Carrollton. Mr. Selhorst's parents both died in the old country.
Andrew Witaschek was born in Prus- sia, Nov. 16, 1815, and is a son of Peter and Anna (Tonnebaum) Witaschek. His father died in 1843. Andrew was reared in his native country, and on arriving at a suitable age, he learned the trade of stocking making. After an appren- ticeship of three years, he worked as a journeyman for some time at Neustadt, Prussia. In 1838 he worked in Saxony one year, and in 1839 went to the Rhine, and to Coblentz and Koln. In 1840 went to Bremen, Hamburg, Lubec and Berlin, then returned to Saxony, not far from Leipsic, in Delitz, and from there, in 1841, went to Prague in Bohemia, and Wien in Austria, and from there to Tri- este, Ungarn and Hamburg. From
there in 1842, he went to Ofen and Pesth, and from there to Wien, where he received from the Prussian consul new passports. From there he went to Venice and Milan, and in February, 1843, left Milan and went to Rome, where he staid until July of the same vear, when he went to Venice and Tri- este, through Ungarn, Hermanstadt and Kronstadt, through Turkish Wallacia, to Bucharest. From there he proceeded to Zchurgug, Rutschuk and Varna, on the Black sea, and thence to Constantinople. In March, 1844, went to Jerusalem; then to Jordan and the Dead sea, and thence to Nazareth, on the sea of Galilee, then to Mt. Carmel and Beirut, crossed Mt. Lebanon to Damascus and thence back to Jerusalem. From there trav- eled to Damietta and Cairo, in Egypt; from Cairo to Suez, and from there sailed on the Red sea to Tor, and thence trav- eled on foot to Mt. Sinai, Mt. Horeb and Mt. Catherine, and back again to Cairo. From Cairo, in 1845, he went to Alexan- dria and to Malta, to Naples, to Civita Vecchia and to Rome, and in July, 1846, again returned home. They visited altogether 463 cities, Andrew having been accompanied in his travels by his brother Anthony. In 1850 Andrew bade farewell to his mother and friends in the fatherland, and went to Bremen, where he took passage on a vessel bound for New York. His brother eame to America a year before that. After a voyage of five weeks, Andrew arrived at the port of New York, and from there went to New Orleans, going by the way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He remained in New Orleans that winter, and in March, 1851, he went to Central America, going to Chagres, and after
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
remaining a few days, to San Juan. His brother Anthony was with him; but from there he went back to New York, while Andrew went to New Orleans, and from there to St. Louis, where he staid about one year. He then took a trip to New York to see his brother, and after remaining a short time in the vicinity of that city, he returned by way of Detroit and Chicago to St. Louis. Ile staid there about a year, but being sick all the time, he went to St. Paul, and thence to Lyons, Ia, for his health. He then came to Greene county, Illinois, and went to work for James Eldred, an old settler residing under the bluff. He next put in a wheat crop for himself, but it failed. In 1857 he came to Wood- ville township and located under the bluff. In 1860 he bought 80 acres of land on sections 14 and 15, on which he located. By thrift and industry he has added to this until he now has 200 acres, and he divides his time between stock and grain raising. He was married January 1, 1857, to Christina Gralmes, a native of Germany, and to them one child was born-John, living at home. Mrs. Witaschek had two children by a former marriage-Joseph, and Ann, who married Joseph Lessman, now living in Montgomery county. Mr. Witaschek has probably been the greatest traveler among the citizens of Greene county, he having spent about eight years trav- eling through Europe, Asia, North and Central America, making his own way all the time.
Philip Varble, deceased, an early set- tler of this county, was born near Lex- ington, Ky., and was the son of Charles Varble. He was reared in his native state and was there married to Sarah
Barrett, also a native of Kentucky. They removed to Illinois, locating in Greene county, in 1835, on the south- west quarter of section 13, where Philip resided until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Varble were the parents of 13 children, nine of whom grew to manhood and womanhood-Henry, deceased; Peggy, wife of William Barrett, both deceased; Elisha, subject of the following sketch; Polly, wife of Andrew McCormick, of this township; George, deceased; Har- rison, now living near Hepler, Kan .; Betsy, married Lewis Dayton; Philip, married and living in this township; and Sallie, wife of John McCormick, also of this township. Philip Varble died about the year 1850. Mrs. Varble died about the year 1867, and both are buried at the old homestead.
Elisha Varble, son of Philip and Sarah (Barrett) Varble, was born on the 22d of Oct., 1816, in Henry county, Ky. When he had reached the age of 19 years, he came with his parents to Greene county, Ill. Ile was married July 9, 1838, to Sarah Fry, born Sept. 2, 1819. She was a daughter of George Fry, well known at that day. By this union there were eight children-James, born June 26, 1839, married Elizabeth Varble, daughter of Charles Varble; she died and he was again married to Melissa Nemore, and now resides in this township; Emeline, born Nov. 4, 1841, married Caleb Stout, who died, and she was again married to George Anderson; he also died and she then married Moses Underwood, and in 1866 she, too, was called hence by death; George, born Feb. 7, 1845, married Naney Ann Gilleland, who died, and he was again married to Martha Fry,
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
widow of James Fry, and resides in this township; John D., born Sept. 28, 1847, married Sarah Malenda Sturmion, resides in this township; Mary A., born Nov. 30, 1849, married Samuel Martin, residing in this township; Preston, born Jan. 29, 1851, deceased; Jacob, born Feb. 22, 1853, is deceased; Eliza, born June 19, 1857, married George Sturmon, and they now reside with her father. Mr. Varble has 160 acres of land and is comfortably fixed. He has spent a half century in this township, with the ex- ception of the time occupied during two trips to Kansas. He is a well respected citizen of the community in which he resides.
Christian Schmidt was born in Sax- ony, Empire of Germany, on the Sth of Dec., 1826, his parents being Michael and Jane (Bodcher) Schmidt, both na- tives of Saxony. Christian was reared in his native country, and there learned the carpenter's trade, in the town in which he was born. After finishing his apprenticeship, he started out to travel, as is usual in the old country, so as to more thoroughly fit himselfin the trade which he had acquired. In his travels, he went through lower and middle Ger- many, and then went to Switzerland, lo- cating in the city of Basle, where he obtained steady employment at his trade. While there, he was married, on the 4th day of March, 1864, to Sophia Doebelin, a native of Baden, Germany, and a daughter of Mathias and Archada Doebelin. In 1869, Christian deter- mined to remove, with his family, to America. He first went home to make a parting visit to his parents, and from there, went to Bremen, and took passage on a vessel bound for New York. On
arriving there, he remained but a few days, and then came out to Greene county, IN., where he had relatives liv- ing. He first located under the bluff, in T. 9, R. 13. He worked at his trade five or six years after coming to this county, part of the time in Calhoun county, and has built many structures in this vicinity. In 1875, he rented a piece of land, and commenced farming. In 1880, he bought 200 acres of land, on Sec. 1, T. 8, R. 13, on to which he moved, and has since made his resi- dence there. He has made all the im- provements that are on the place, there being nothing on it when he came, ex- cept some old shanties. Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt are the parents of five chil- dren-Emma, Charles, Emil, Rosa, and Mollie. Mr. Schmidt has been super- visor one term, and is an energetic and enterprising man. His father is still living in Germany, his mother having died in 1870.
William M. Ashlock was born in Greene county, near Kane, May 28, 1850. He is a son of Jesse and Nancy (Boyle) Ashlock, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of Kentucky. Jesse Ashlock's death occurred about 1852 or 1853. His wife still survives him, and resides with her son Jesse, near Kane. William M. was married, Jan. 9, 1873, to Dora Ashlock, daughter of Meredith and Lizzie (Martin) Ash- lock, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of Kentucky. Her father re- moved from Illinois to Texas in 1845, and her mother removed from Kentucky to the same state in 1844, and there they were married. Dora was reared in Texas, and in that state occurred her marriage to our subject. After this
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
event they remained in Texas about three years, and then came to Illinois, settling near Kane, Greene county, where they lived until 1880, when they came to their present location, in this township. They have a family of six children-Doeia B., born Nov. 20, 1873; an infant son, deceased, born Sept. 16, 1875; Florence, born Oct. 22, 1876; Liz- zie M., born Jan. 19, 1880; Bettie C., born Sept. 30, 1883,and William.Jr., born May 2, 1884. Mr. Ashlock has 120 acres of good land, and by thrift and energy his efforts in farming are very success- ful. Politically, he is a democrat.
Peter Mayer, was born in the prov- ince of Lorraine, then in France, on the 10th of Oct., 1826, his parents be- ing Peter and Margaret (Champierre) Mayer, natives of Lorraine. There Peter was reared, mostly to farm life, though he worked some two years at weaving, that being his father's trade. In 1846 he entered the French army, and served until 1853. Three years and a half of that time he served in Algiers, Africa, in the department of Oran, taking part in all the serviee re- quired of the soldiers there. He re- ecived his discharge from the army in Jan., 1853, at Oran. He then returned to France, and after his return, visited Paris. In May, 1854, he went to Havre and took passage on a vessel bound for New York, and after a voy- age of 69 days, arrived at that port. Hle remained there but a few days, and then went to Dayton, O., where he staid a short time, and then went into the county near there, and worked on a farm during that winter. In the spring he went to Indianapolis, Ind., staid a a month, then returned to Hamilton,
(., where he worked on a farm until fall, and then went to New Orleans. He remained there that winter, and engaged in shipping on a boat, running to St. Louis, remaining on the river about two years. Mr. Meyer has been three times married. In 1857, he was married at St. Louis, to Anna-Schaaf, a native of France. By that union there were two children, one of whom is liv- ing-Frank. Mrs. Meyer dicd, and in 1877 he was again married to Mrs. Elzina P. Crotchett, by whom one child -Peter, was born. Mr. Meyer was again left a widower, and in 1879 he was a third time married to Annie Hermsen, a native of Hanover, Ger- many. By this union there are two children -Angelina and Charles Ed- ward. After this last marriage, Mr. Mayer removed from St. Louis to Greene county, Ill., and bought 136 aeres of land on Sec. 2, T. 9, R. 13, where he now resides.
Henry Walter, a native of Germany, was born July 18, 1817, in Frankfort-on- the-Main, his parents being Henry and Katherine (Knoepp) Walter. When Henry was 12 years old, his parents de- cided to come to America to spend the remainder of their days. They sailed to New York city, and from there pro- ceeded to Jefferson county, N. Y., where Mr. Walter bought a farm. Ile lived there between three and four years, and then removed to Oswego, where he staid about three years, and then came to Madison county, Ill., where he bought a farm, and he and his wife resided there while they lived. He died about the year 1833, and Mrs. Walter about 1830. In 1832, Henry enlisted in Co. D, 2d U. S. Inf., and was soon on his way to
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Florida, to take part in the Seminole war. He served under Gen. Winfield Scott, during all the swamp fighting, marching and campaigning of that severe war, from the time of his enlistment until the close of the war, retaining his health all the time they were in the Everglades. When the war with Mexico came on, while not in active service at the front, he was engaged as drill-master in drilling recruits for the regular ser- vice, at Governor's Island, and in that time drilled thousands of men, hence most of them were in good condition for future service in the Mexican war. As soon as it broke out, he went with Co. A, 3d U. S. Inf., to Vera Cruz, arriv- ing in time to take part in the bombard- ing and capture of that city. The authorities wanted him to remain at Governor's Island, but he had gone three times to Mexico with squads of men that he had drilled, and the third time was allowed to remain. He was given a sergeant's position, and served with his regiment through all their tri- umphant progress from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico, engaging in every battle with them. After the capture of the last named city he was given the com- mand of a company of eity guards, dur- ing the four months of occupation. From there they went to Mobile, where he was discharged. He went to St. Louis, where he remained some time, and from there removed to Madison county, Ill., where he bought a small tract of land. In 1855, he came to Greene county, locating where he still resides, on See. 2, T. 9, R. 13. Oct. 1, 1851, he was married in St. Louis, to Mary Kemper, a native of Hanover, and a daughter of Victor Kemper. To them were born eleven
children, ten of whom are living-Mary, wife of Henry Borlin; Katherine, wife of Harmon Schepers, living in Carrollton township; Henry, married Nettie Busch, and lives near his parents; Eliza; Sophie, wife of Bernard Wiist, living in Jersey county; Charles, married Miss Dugan; Laura, ITelen, and Rosa. The one de- ceased is Sarah, who died at the age of five years and four months. Mr. Walter has a fine farm of 560 acres of land, well improved. He and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Walter spent 12 years of his life in the service of his country, most of the the time in some of the severest fighting and campaigning in its history, and though surviving all the dangers of war, he came out with his health so impaired that he he has endured much suffering since, as a result of his service.
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