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 108

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 108

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Prof. II. B. Stockman, of Massachu- setts, was the first public school teacher of Greenfield, and with Mary and Anna Eddy; as assistants, gave universal sat- isfaction. Prof. John Burroughs, with Laura Ilodge and Miss Akers, taught the school during the year 1858-9. Mr,. Burroughs is remembered as a very

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

muscular teacher, who used the rod on all occasions, to convince the youthful mind of the importance of industry and application to study. Prof.J.P. Mathews, with Mattie Peoples, taught a very suc- cessful school during the years 1859 and 1860. In 1860 Rev. R. M. Tunnell took charge of the school, Laura Hodge, Bet- tie Hodge, Hattie Allen, Mary Edwards, Carrie Prentiss and Mattie Henderson, acting as assistants. Mr. Tunnell has the reputation of having been one of the best teacher's in the county, and was re- tained as principal, three years. In the fall of 1864, Rev. W. C. Pratt, a Baptist minister, assisted by Lydia Henderson and Anna Graves, taught the school very acceptably, and was followed in 1865, by Prof. C. G. Snow, as principal, who held the position for three years, with the following assist- ants: Laura Ilodge, Etna Cooper, Car- rie Prentiss, Julia Graves, and Lydia Henderson. Rev. B. B. Hamilton, now postmaster of White Hall, assisted by Eliza Banning, Mary Holliday, and Jane Barton, taught the school of 1867. Prof. Snow was again employed in 1868, 1869 and 1870, with Etna Cooper, Laura Hodge, Carrie Prentiss, H. B. Hamilton, Lydia Henderson, as assistants. In the fall of 1871, H. J. Waterman, an erratic teacher, was elected principal, with Lydia Henderson, and Katie Pros- ser, as assistants. Prof. R. M. Hitch, succeeded as principal in 1872 and 1873, with Mary Hamilton, Hattie Hart, Winnie Beason, and Ella Woolley, as assistants. Prof. Ilitch taught a most successful school, and is kindly remen- bered by his pupils and the community . generally. In 1874, there were four departments, and Prof. J. M. Stewart,

was elected principal, with Hattie Hart, Meddie Fisher and Mattie Henderson, as assistants. It was now deemed nec- essary to enlarge the main building used for school purposes, because of the rapidly increasing number of pupils, and a new, two story building, contain- ing four large rooms, was erected at a cost of $10,000. The building occupies a commanding position, is well venti- lated, and heated by hot air furnaces that give entire satisfaction even in the coldest weather. In 1875 the high school was inaugurated, with H. H. Montgomery, a graduate of Blackburn University, and a gentleman of rare cul- ture and executive ability, as principal and superintendant. The course of instruction is very full, and supplies the full preparatory course of collegiate in- struction at home. There were besides the high school five other departments under Prof Montgomery's supervision. His assistants during his five years of principalship were-G. W. Piper, Miss Van Wey, Ora Boring, Lanra Hodge, Emma Tunnell, R. M. Throop, Hattie Hart, G. W. Srubb, Josephine Cas- tellaw, Corinne Bonfoy, Dora Johnston, J. W. Dalby, Rosa Caswell, B. E. Harris, Della Teany and Etna Cooper.

Prof. Montgomery removed to Carroll- ton, the county seat, in 1881, to pursue other business, and was succeeded by the present incumbent, D. O. Witmer, as principal and superintendant. Mr. Witmer, ably assisted by H. P. Far- relly, now editor of the Carrollton Ga- zette, Jennie Miller, Nettie Pratt, Lillie Thaxton, Mary Miller, Etna Cooper; and his present corps of assistants- Sadie Burns, Josephine Castellaw, Mary Scott, Annie Wade, Lea Brodmarkle,

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

and Stella Berry, have maintained the splendid reputation of the Greenfield public schools.

The present board of education, con- sisting of John Wahl, John Brodmarkle and James H. Smith, added a new department, 3d primary, in 1884, and during the present year procured read- ing and arithmetical charts, outline maps, Chamber's encyclopedia, Lip- pincott's biographical dictionary, and other needed books of reference. They are publie spirited citizens and fully alive to the demands of the present age, for increased facilities for teaching the young.

From this sketch it will readily be . observed that Greenfield is not behind, but fully abreast of the larger cities of the county and state, in the facilities she offers for the acquirement of an ex- cellent education, which will prepare her rising generation for the responsi- ble duties devolving upon them as citi- zens of a free government, that knows no privileged class, save that which is made exelusive by intellectual culture and nobility of life.

D. O. Witmer, principal and superin- tendent of the Greenfield public schools, was born in Washington county, Ind., Sept. 6, 1838. His forefathers were Swiss Protestants, who emigrated to this country and settled in the Pequa Valley, Laneaster county, Pa., in 1716. Mr. W. received an academic education at Mt. Pleasant, Washington county, and graduated in 1856, when, owing to ill health, he was advised to adopt a more active life, and served an apprentice- ship of three years with D. H. Karner, millwright and machinist, Williamport, Md. In 1860, he received his first cer-

tificate as a teacher. and taught his first school near his home. In 1861 he en- gaged in farming on the old homestead, and in the spring of 1863 removed to IIamilton, Butler county, O., where he followed millwrighting and teaching. He was married Oet. 5, 1865, to Christie Herr, youngest daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Herr, of Flemer's Corner, But- ler county, O., born Jan. 16, 1843. Mr. and Mrs. W. have a family of four chil- dren-Eugene Scott, born Feb. 25, 1867; Helen Claire, born Sept. 5, 1869; Edith Maud, born Oct. 3, 1873, and Daniel Ilurn, born March 31, 1876. Mr. W. returned to Williamsport, Md., in Aug., 1871, where he followed his trade until Sept., 1872, when he opened school at Fountain Rock, near Williamsport. In Sept., 1873, he took charge of the public schools of Williamsport, as prin- cipal and superintendent. which posi- tion he filled acceptably until the spring of 1881, when he resigned his position, to accept his present one, in the schools of Greenfield, Illinois. where he and his family arrived, in Sept., 1881. Mr. Witmer holds a life certificate, from the state of Maryland, dated 1876, and is known as an intelli- gent, industrious, and successful in- structor. Mr. and Mrs. W. united with the Evangelical Lutheran church, of Williamsport, Md., in 1873, and after settling in Greenfield, they became members of the Methodist church. Mr. W. was made a mason in 1859, and joined the K. of P., in 1872. Ile as- sisted, as a charter member, in the or- ganization of Herald lodge, K. of P., in 1882, at Greenfield, being its first past chancellor. In 1884, he became a mem- ber of the order of the K. of H. Mr.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Witmer has always been a staunch dem- ocrat of the Jeffersonian school, and never fails to plead its cause, and up- hold its principles. He usually enters the political arena in presidential cam- paigns, with an untiring zeal, which knows no flagging or doubt, and ably advocates from the hustings, the prin- ciples of his party, and his own convic- tions. He is a fluent speaker, cogent reasoner, and never fails to interest his hearers. Mr. and Mrs. W. are genial and hospitable in their home, and are well and favorably known in the com- munity in which they at present reside.

CITY GOVERNMENT.

The town of Greenfield was incor- porated under the state laws in regard to the government of towns and villages, in 1850, and in 1867, was organized un- der the special charter by the legisla- ture, the first meeting of the council taking place upon the 22d of April, of that year. The following were the first officers of the town: G. T. W. Shef- field, president; A. McCauley, J. B. Brodmarkle and Jackson Drennan, trus- tees; J. B. Brodmarkle, treas .; and R. E. Wilder, sec'y. On Jan. 7, 1884, a petition was presented by 60 or more of the voters of Greenfield, asking the council to call an election for the pur- pose of ascertaining the wishes of the people as to organizing under the state law as a city, which was granted, and the election ordered. This election was held on the 7th of April, 1884, when the vote stood: In favor of incorpora- tion, 203; against, 3. On the 8th of May, of that year, another election was held for the officers under the new regime. Those chosen were: J. W.

Hutchinson, mayor; Jesse A. Drake, city clerk; Geo. W. Coonrod, city attorney; Samuel M. Wilhite, treas. Aldermen: 1st ward, G. B. Metcalf and Jno. Beaty; 2dl ward, H. C. Myers and H. M. Long; 3d ward, J. H. Smith and J. J. Crouch. The present officers of the city are as follows: E. A. Belknap, mayor; V. H. Haven, clerk; Jasper Johnson, treas .; W. M. Ward, attorney; O. B. Edwards, police magistrate. Aldermen: Ist ward, G. B. Metcalf, Carter Drake; 2d ward, H. M. Long; 3d ward, J. J. Crouch, Richard C. Fisher.

POLICE JUSTICE COURT.

This was created about the year 1840, previous to which the preeinet justices . of the peace had jurisdiction. The records of the office, now accessible, date back to 1842, when Henry James was justice. The first case of which there seems to be any record, is num- bered 289. The following named gen- tlemen have held the office: William E. Ryan, Michael Buchanan, George Allen, Ira B. Picket, E. Woolley, Geo. W. Coonrod, and O. B. Edwards, the present incumbent, who succeeded to this office in 1881.

RAILROADS.

Two railroads intersect the town of Greenfield, furnishing it connection with the outside world, for the promo- tion of commercial interests. The R., R. I. & St. L., now owned and operated by the C., B. & Q. R. R. C., was com- pleted through Greenfield, in the early part of 1870, and is the principal line of road at this place, giving them im- mediate connection with all the leading markets of the world. Greenfield is

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

also the eastern terminus of the L., C. & W., which was constructed in 1883.

DEPOT.

The depot at this place was erected during the summer or fall of 1870, at which time the railroad was also com- pleted through here. J. W. Booth was the first station agent. He remained until the winter of 1872, when John Ewald took charge, and held it until Oct., 1879. Charles W. Alexander was the next agent, and was succeeded by William M. Wallace, Nov. 1, 1880. Hle held it until the 1st of April, 1882, when the present incumbent, John Beatty, took charge.

EXPRESS AGENCIES.

The American Express Company's agency at this place, was established in 1870, at the time of the completion of the railroad to this point. J. W. Booth was the first agent. The various sta- tion agents have had the control of the office since.

The United States Express Company also do business here, through the L., C. & W. Railroad, establishing the same soon after the completion of the road. Calloway & Metcalf, hardware dealers, were the first to represent the company at this point, and still con- tinne in that capacity.

CONFLAGRATIONS.

Greenfield has not been without its share of the most destructive of all ele- ments-the fire fiend. Two very severe conflagrations have visited the place which have proven very disastrous and destroyed much property. The first fire occurred Sunday morning about

three o'clock, Dec. 31, 1882, originating in what was known as the Crouch block. The following business houses were burned: Miller's barber shop and con- tents, except a few chairs; Cooper's drug store and contents, except two show cases; the postoffice and contents, in- cluding a fine law library of William Ward; Dr. Martin's office and contents; Oscar Edward's restaurant. and Jones' meat market and ice house. All this destruction was wrought in the short space of about an hour and a half. The buildings were of wood, very inflamma- ble and burnt like tinder, the heat being intense. Madden's harness shop and Southworth's hotel, the former sepa- rated by an alley and the latter by a street, were only saved by the most strenuous efforts on the part of the citi- zens. The loss was exceedingly heavy for the town, being estimated at $10,000, with very light insurance.

The last great fire at Greenfield, oc- enrred but a few months afterward, on the night of May 3, 1883, and was the most disastrous in its history, consum- ing the entire west side of the public square. The business houses which were destroyed were the Tremont hotel, owned by O. R. Southworth; Secor & Cato's, and George Dennis' grocery stores, Thomas Knudson's boot and shoe store, Charles Schnell's and O. L. Sieg- el's restaurants and bakeries; then came the brick dry goods stores of E. P. Met- calf, and Renshaw& Co., with the Masonic and Odd Fellows halls over cach, re- spectively. The main portion of the contents of these several business houses ineluding furniture, etc., was saved in a damaged condition. Greenfield is noted for her promptness and indefatigable

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

energy on such occasions, and only for this there is no telling what the result might have been. The loss on build- ings alone was from $30,000 to $40,000, with but comparatively little insurance. The fire is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary and was first dis- covered by the then constable, Weldon, over the store of George Dennis. on the west side, at about 10:30 p. m., when the alarm was given and the entire towns- people, and those in the immediate vicinity in the country, came to the res- que, with one accord, and almost all did yeoman's service from the beginning to the end of the contest.

The burnt districts have since been rebuilt with substantial structures, al- most entirely of brick, and presents a very fine appearance, making a healthy and solid showing for the town. .

SOCIETIES.

Greenfield lodge, No. 129, A. F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation Oct. 16, 1852, by L. W. Link, of Car- rollton, with the following officers: H. James, W. M .; J. H. Gray, S. W .; M. A. Cooper, J. W .; G. C. Shackelford, T .; Ira B. Picket, S .; II. Holliday, S. D .; J. S. Cooper, J. D .; and T. J. Orand, tyler. Since that time the fol- lowing brothers have filled the position of worshipful master: Andrew J. Steidley, Ira B. Picket, James B. Carter, Edwin Woolley, Thomas Finch, T. J. Capps, W. S. G. Allen, R. L. Crowder, W. L. Kinkead, E. A. Belknap, J. W. Hutchinson, W. A. Saylor and W. P. Ennis, the present incumbent. The lodge received a charter Oct. 4, 1853, under which it is now working. The present membership is 66, and the

lodge is highly prosperous. When it was first organized they rented a hall on the north side of the square, but about 1859, purchased the upper story of a frame building on the west side, and fitted up a hall. In 1868, they built the second story of the brick building, on the northwest corner of the square, at a cost of $3,000. The lodge room was 23x64 feet in size. On the 2d of May, 1883, this building was destroyed by fire, and was a total loss, as there was no insurance. For about a year the society then met in the upper story of W. A. Taylor's drug store. About that time the present brick structure was erected on the site of the one de- stroyed. The society, as formerly, own the upper story, which is 23x92 feet in floor area, 20 feet in height from floor to ceiling. It was constructed and com- pleted at a cost of $3,909.81. It is ele- gantly furnished, and altogether is a much finer hall than is found in places three or four times the size of Green- field. The present officers are as fol- lows: W. P. Ennis, W. M .; J. T. Cal- loway, S. W .; C. G. Edwards, J. W .; J. W. Hutchinson, T .; E. Woolley, S .; R. A. Short, S. D .; E. P. Metcalf, J. D .; G. W. Kinkead and Ralph Metcalf, stewards; and H. Dixon, tyler.

Greenfield chapter, No. 186, R. A. M., was organized under a dispensation, Dec. 15, 1881, with the following officers: J. W. Hutchinson, M. E. H. P .; R. A. Short, E. K .; T. G. Capps, S .; George D. Hudson, C. of H .; J. Howard, P. S .; R. G. Robinson, R. A. C .; Thos. Finch, T .; Geo. M. Fortune, S .; J. II. Valen- tine, M. T. V .; A. Waggoner, M. S. V .; James Walker, M. F. V .; J. M. Short, tyler. Oct. 26, 1882, the chapter re-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

ceived a charter. The following is a list of the charter members: J. W. Hutchinson, R. A. Short, T. G. Capps, G. D. Hudson, J. H. Gray, Thos. Finch, R. G. Robinson, J. H. Valentine, Adam Waggoner, Jas. Walker, J. M. Short, W. B. Short, W. A. Saylor, W. P. Ennis, H. F. Martin, L. P. Allen, J. W. Waller, A. J. Drum, and G. W. Fortune. J. W. Hutchinson has continued to act as high priest ever since the institution of the lodge. The membership is now 24. The following is a list of the officers for 1885: J. W. Hutchinson, M.E.H.P .; J. M. Short, E. K .; T. G. Capps, S .; R. A. Short, C. of H .; L. P. Allen, P. S .; J. T. Calloway, R. A. C .; W. A. Saylor, T .; J. B. Brodmarkle, S .; G. W. Kin- kead, M. T. V .; E. Woolley, M. S. V .; W. S. Short. M. F. V .; W. P. Ennis tyler. The chapter lost its original charter and considerable furniture at the burning of the Masonic hall, but have all now been replaced.

Greenfield lodge, No. 1300, K. of H., was organized Dec. 20, 1878, with the following charter members: B. F. Piper, O. R. Southworth, John Heiner, J. M. Cooper, P. G. Mook, H. F. Martin, J. W. Piper, Thomas Doyle, S. M. Wil- hite, Milus Drum, John Robards and W. M. Ward. The following were cho- sen the first officers of the lodge and duly installed: W. M. Ward, D .; J. M. Cooper, P. D .; J. W. Piper, V. D .; Mi- lus Drum, A. D .; H. F. Martin, R .; P. G. Mook, F. R .; O. R. Southworth, T .; B. F. Piper, C .; Thomas Doyle, G .; John Heiner, Gn .; S. M. Wilhite, Sen .; H. F. Martin, M. E .; J. W. Piper, W. M. Ward and M. Drum, trustees. The following gentlemen have filled the po- sition of dictator since then: P. G.

Mook, HI. F. Martin, M. Drum, H. P. Farrelly, O. R. Southworth, J. M. Cooper and A. J. Rives, the present in- cumbent. The present membership is 27. Meetings are held twice each month, and everything is prosperous. The fol- lowing are the present officers: A. J. Rives, D .; S. M. Wilhite, V. D .; J. M. Cooper, P. D .; T. C. Brown, A. D .; W. M. Wallace, R .; O. B. Edwards, F. R .; J. W. Piper, T .; James Boring, C .; G. W. Kinkead, G ..; Charles Meng, Gn .; P. Bermes, Sen.

Greenfield lodge, No. 195, I. O. O. F., was organized April 1,. 1856, with the following members: Henry Cress, James Carter. Ephraim Barnett, G. T. W. Sheffield, Love Bostick, I. R. Ostrom, Henry Stubblefield and Edward Rut- ledge. They rented the building on the northwest corner of the square, known as Old Town Hall, which they used for lodge purposes until the fall of 1868, when they erected a hall over Sheffield's store, at a cost of $3,500. This they furnished in nice style, as fine as any in this section. The room was 23x60 feet in size. They occupied this room until May 4, 1883, when it was burned down, and they lost their furniture, records, charter and everything except the rega- lia. Since that eventful time, the lodge has rented lodge rooms, now meeting in Secor and Cato's hall. The present officers are: Luther Mitchell, N. G .; James Mitchell, V. G .; John Wahl. T .; J. B. Brodmarkle, S .; M. L. Mitchell, R. S .; Henry Powell, C .; George Secor, I. G .; George Weisner, W .; and W P. Ennis, Rep. to G. L. and lodge deputy.

Weisner post, No. 350, G. A. R., was established Oct. 23, 1883, by John J. Baker, of Petersburg, Menard county,

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Ill., with the following charter men- bers: Thos. A. Weisner, Co. D, 14th Ill. Inf .; Thomas Douglas, D, 4th U. S. Cav .; W. H. Robinson, K, 91st Il]. Inf .; W. S. Allen, F, 12th Ill. Cav .; N. L. Mitchell, F, 12th III. Cav .; 1. M. Linder, F. 12th Ill. Cav .; G. P. Barton, D, 14th Inf .; W. W. Haven, H, 40th Ill. Inf .; Jasper Dennis, D, 14th IN. Inf .; Fred- erick Russell, L, 1st III. Art .; W. P. Baker, II, 7th Ill. Cav .; George O. Weisner, K, 91st Ill. Inf., and William Hand, F, 12th IN. Inf. The first offi- eers were Thomas A. Weisner, C .; Thos. Doyle, S. V. C .; W. II. Robinson, J. V. C .; 1. P. Barton, Chap .; I. M. Linder, Surg .; W. W. Haven, O. D .: W. F. G. Allen, Adjt .; N. L. Mitchell, Q. M .; Jasper Dennis, S. M. There have been two deaths among the members since its organization-W. P. Baker, died in the spring of 1884, and W. W. Haven, died Dec., 1884. The post has a member- ship of 84, and is in a fine healthy con- dition, and the "boys " take much in- terest in it, all round. The present officers are: W. H. Robinson, C .; S. B. Johnson, S. V. C .; S. B. Cole, J. V. C .; Henry Powell, Surg .; John Roberts, O. D .; J. P.Alexander, Chap .; T. G. Capps, Adjt .; W. G. Secor, Q. M .; John Mc- Querry, O. G .; T. A. Weisner, S. M .; N. L. Mitchell, Q. M. S.

CORNET BAND.

On the 9th of Feb., 1876, the move- ment toward the organization of a band in the town of Greenfield was consum- mated and the organization completed with the following members: E. M. Middleton, E. N. MePherson, L. G. Riggs, A. T. Burke, D. F. Clark, J. T. Calloway, M. D. Powell, R. L. Metcalf,

W. F. Stock, A. J. Dixon, W. G. Bean. W. F. Stock was elected president; M. D. Powell, secretary; J. T. Calloway, treasurer; and Prof. E. M. Middleton, musical director and leader. Instru- ments costing about $300 were ordered, and upon the evening of March 19, the ears of the citizens were greeted by the duleet strains of Mollie Darling, which the band had learned for their initiatory piece. Their first public playing was done upon Decoration day, May 30, 1876. The organization has been kept up, until to-day this band takes high rank with any in the state. The present members are as follows: Prof. E. M. Middleton, leader and 1st Eb; J. E. Brodmarkle, Eb; G. W. Green, Bb; C. O. Fesler and W. E. Drennan, altos; C. J. Metcalf, tenor; V. H. Ilaven, baritone; L. Haven, tuba; H. E. Wilhite and J. S. Dixon, drums.

REPRESENTATIVE PEOPLE.

George Washington Allen, the founder of Greenfield, was born May 15, 1801, in Tennessee. His father, Zachariah Allen, emigrated to Greene county in 1819, settling near the present site of White Hall. George W. was the seventh son of the first wife, and whether from being left an infant by the death of his mother, or from a desire that he might fill a clerical position in the church of his fathers-the United Presbyterians- he was favored by his father in receiving the elements of a good education. His bent of mind was indulged in books of theology, philosophy, science, jurispru- dence and civil engineering. His the- ology was a disappointment to his father, for instead of a pastorate in the church of ancestral faith, he became a

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

member of the M. E. church at the age of 28; filling important local positions in this church to the end of his life; often throwing open his house to the denomination for worship, and giving a resting place and home to its weary ministers, while they laid the founda- tion for one of the strongest protestant churches in the vicinity. In 1828 he was married to Caroline Henderson, oldest child of James Henderson, who had removed from Ohio and settled near White IFall, in 1819. She was born in Ohio, in 1808, and is now living in the city of Greenfield, its oflest resident. He was the father of nine children, two dying in infancy, and one-Mary J., wife of William A. Tunnell, in mature womanhood. Four of the children- Sarah A., wife of J. Howard Gray; W. S. G .; George B., and Luther T., are living in the city of Greenfield; and two daughters, Mrs. Harriet E. Sweeney, and Mrs. Caroline M. Noftsker, in the the city of Rock Island. The old whig party found in Mr. Allen an earnest ad- vocate, and his home was often honored by the presence of the leaders of this party. The republican party received his last vote, it being cast for Abraham Lincoln, for his second term. He re- moved from the neighborhood of White Hall, to the eastern portion of the county, in 1832, and laid out the plat of the town of Greenfield, in 1834. He was the first postmaster, and held the office 15 consecutive years. He was, also, justice of the peace for a number of years. He died Jan. 17, 1865.

George W. Sheffield was one of the pioneers and public spirited citizens of Greenfield for many years. He located here in the spring of 1836, being an or-

phan boy of very limited circumstances and education. He engaged in general merchandising. He was enterprising, and by close application to money-mak- ing, he succeeded in reaching the top round of the ladder in business. He carried on the concern very success- fully, for many years, until about 1872, when he established the first banking house, now operated by his heirs.

Edwin Woolley, a son of David Wool- Jey, a sketch of whose early settlement appears elsewhere, was born in Hamil- ton county, Ill., May 22, 1822, and was brought to Greene county in his mother's arms, in the following Dec. In 1826 he, with his father's family, settled on a farm in Bluffdale, in said county, where he, with others, had excellent facilities for more than an ordinary education. Being of a studious turn, he acquired a knowledge of the sciences, superior to his class-mates. Upon arriving at his majority, he engaged as a teacher of common schools, and continued in that business for four successive years. He then, as is common, concluded to seek a companion to share his joys and sor- rows, and in Nov. 1847, was married to Jane E. Barber, who still continues to make a happy home for her husband and children, of whom four are living, three of whom are married, and occupy homes of their own. Mr. Woolley was always a strictly temperate and moral man, always engaging in all temperance movements that came within his reach. In 1845, he settled in Milton, Pike county. Ill., where he remained for 12 years, when he removed to Greenfield, where he now resides. He has occu- pied many offices of trust, which his friends put upon him. He was always

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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 108

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