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 113
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School district No. 3 has a school house standing on the northeast quarter of section 8, which was erected in 1852, by John C. Winters and J. S. Bencar. The first teacher was Joshua Bigam.
School district No. 4, better known as the Appaloona district, has a school house on section 29. It was built in the summer of 1880, at a cost of $900, and is 20x26 feet in size. The land upon which it stands, consisting of one acre, was donated to the district by Wm. B. Goode. D. M. Whitesides was the first teacher. Miss Ada Hlalbert is the pres- ent preceptress. The first school house in this district was a log cabin, erected at an early day on the site of the pres- ent building. It was replaced by a frame structure, about the year 1855, which was about 20x24 feet in size. With remodeling, this building served the district for school purposes until the present house was erected. The pres- ent directors of this district are, Wil- liam D. Waltrip, Thomas Fox and Jacob Meister.
District No. 5 .- The school building stands about the center of section 26, and was erected in the fall of 1882. £
It is 26x36 feet in size, and cost about $1,000. The first teacher in this build- ing was Rosa Moore. The present ped- agogue is J. C. Bowman. The first school house in the district was built about 1839, almost exactly where the present one stands. It was about 16x18 feet in size, constructed of logs, and was a typical representative of pioneer times. Wooden slabs, with pegs for
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
legs, were the only seats, desks there were none. The cabin was lighted by hav- ing a part of two logs eut out of one side, covered with greased paper for window panes. Stephen Wright was the pioneer teacher in this building, which was among the first in the township. The building was used for several years, but in the fall of 1849, a frame edifice was raised about a quarter of a mile further west, where it yet stands, used for the storage of farm machinery. Ira B. Piekett taught the first school in this building. The third building was put up in 1861, upon the site of the present one, and was used until the commence- ment of the new one, when it was sold to W. V. Rhoads, who moved it away.
School district No. 6 .- A school house was built about the year 1865, where the present building stands, on the north- west quarter of section 22. Andrew MeGowan was the first teacher in this building, but something occurred that caused him to give it up before the com- pletion of the term, and a young man by the name of English finished it. Prior to the building of this edifice, school was taught in a log eabin, which was built at an early day, for school purposes. Mary Lee. afterward the wife of John B. Dodgson, is generally supposed to have been the first teacher in the district. The frame structure, built in 1865, was remodeled and an ad- dition built in 1879, so that at present it covers 24x40 feet of ground. Miss Jo- anna Morrissey is the present teacher. The directors for 1885 are, James Dodg- son, Isaac Davidson and Robert Goodall.
CEMETERY.
Hickory Grove cemetery is situated upon the southeast quarter of section
27, of this township. The first burial here was Nancy, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Wright, who died July 10, 1845, and was buried the following day. The next was the interment of two children of Julius Neymore, during the autumn of the same year.
FIRST ITEMS.
The first corn planted in the township was by William Waltrip, in the spring of 1820, and the first wheat in 1822.
The first church building was a log structure, built on section 20, during the year 1826.
The first preaching in the township was done by Isaac N. Piggott, at the cabins of the pioneers.
The first school was taught in the log church above mentioned by David Pink- erton.
The first marriage was that of Cyrus Tolman to Polly Eldred, in Jan., 1823, by Samuel Lee, a justice of the peace.
A child of Thomas Rattan, born in 1820, is believed to have been the first birth in this township.
The first death in this township was that of Luke, father of William Waltrip, which occurred March 12, 1820, being buried on the north side of Apple creek, on section 7. The coffin was rudely constructed of slabs split from native timber, and dressed and put together with wooden pegs in place of nails, by John Allen. Mr. Waltrip was 76 years of age at the time of his death.
WRIGHTSVILLE.
A small village located upon section 23, of this township, on the line of the C., B. & Q. R. R., bears the name of Wrightsville. This was laid out by A.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
J. Wright, on June 18, 1872. The first business transacted here was by the town proprietor, A. J. Wright, who erected a platform shortly after the railroad was built, in 1870, and shipped grain. The first car-load was sent from here in May, 1870,and was wheat raised by William T. Cooper, and purchased by Mr. Wright. No other business was done here, except the grain buying, until 1871, when A. J. Wright built the first store. This was a small frame building 20x24, with shelves and counter on one side only. The first stoek of goods was put in at a cost of $292.92. The store was opened Feb. 1, 1871. The first article sold was a dollar's worth of sugar to John Doyle.
The building in which this stock was kept, is now in use by William Wright, as a furniture, undertaking and hard- ware store.
The second store was opened by Wil- liam and Daniel Merriek, in June, 1873. They erected the building upon a lot do- nated by Mr. Wright, and which is now occupied by Gardner & Kesinger, as a hardware and agricultural implement depot. Several other small stores were afterward started, but none of them continued very long.
William Ickes was the first black- smith. He constructed a shop in the fall of 1871, and continued in business two or three years, and afterward moved to a farm.
A. J. Wright built the first house for residence purposes, in the fall of 1872.
PRESENT BUSINESS.
A. J. Wright & Son, dealers in gen- eral merchandise, are the lineal repre- sentatives of the pioneer store in the town, established by Mr. Wright, in
1871. ]Ie continued in business until 1881, when the present firm was formed, by admitting his son, Richard D., to a partnership. At that time, they erected their present commodious store building, at a cost of $3,000. This is 28x70 feet in ground area. They carry a large line of miscellaneous goods, which will invoice fully $6,000, and are the leading merchants in the town.
Andrew J. Wright, the founder of the town of Wrightsville, and one of the most prominent citizens of Wrights township, was born southwest of the town of Wrightsville, on the farm now owned by J. K. P. Farrelly. His birth occurred Aug. 29, 1834, he being a son of Thomas and Mary (Cole) Wright. Andrew was reared in his native town- ship, and received his early education in the old log school house which stood within the boundary of the present school district No. 5. At that time it took a portion of four different town- ships to comprise a school district, thus showing how thinly settled the county was in those days. Some two years ago Mr. Wright counted some 35 of the scholars of that school who were yet living, displaying a surprisingly small number of deaths during that period. March 25, 1856, Andrew J. Wright was united in marriage with Lueinda E. Cunningham, a daughter of R. B. and Mary (Brannan) Cunningham. By their marriage they have been blessed with three children-Mary A., born Feb. 8, 1857, married George A. Palmer, and now resides in Kansas; James W., born Aug. 21, 1858, married Mary A. Fair, and Riehard D., born Oet. 30, 1860,now in partnership with his father in the mercantile business. In addition to his
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
store, Mr. Wright is the possessor of 415 acres of land, all situated in this county, with the exception of 120 acres in Shelby county, this state. In poli- ties he is a prohibitionist, and although he has never sought political prefer- ment, he has been called upon a number of times to serve the people, which he did with credit to himself, and satisfac- tion to his constituents. He is at pres- ent a notary public, which office he has held for the past nine years. Mr. Wright is an honest, upright man, and has never made a promise of any kind which he has not fulfilled to the letter. His course through life is worthy of imita- tion by those who will succeed him.
Emerson & Ford, dealers in merchan- dise, commenced business in Wrights- ville, Oct. 9, 1883, as successors to Beth- ard, Emerson & Co., who established the same Sept. 11, 1882. The building they occupy, was built during the sum- mer of 1882, and is 30x70 feet in size, and was completed at a cost of $2,250. They carry a well selected stock of about $5,000, and are doing a large and increasing business.
Jerry Bethard is also engaged in the general merchandise business at this point. He established the stand in 1875, at which time he erected the main part of the building he now occupies. This was 20x48 feet in size, and cost about $450. He has since made addi- tions, one 12x16, the other 16x30 feet in dimension. lle ran alone until 1878, when his brother became a partner, and under the firm name of J. and J. C. Bethard, they operated about a year, when the brother retired. Thus it stood until 1880, when the firm became Bethard Bros., but in 1883, this was
dissolved, and Mr. Bethard has contin- ved alone. "He carries a stock of be- tween $2,500 and $3,000.
The elevator owned by Hunt & Kes- inger, was originally erected by A. J. Wright, as a grain warehouse. In 1880, it was remodeled and rebuilt, as an ele- vator, by the present owners, who had just purchased the building. It was a frame structure, 32×80 feet in size, and cost, when complete, 84,500. It has a capacity of holding 16,000 bushels of grain, and is operated by a 12-horse power engine. This firm also own a warehouse, 30x40 feet in size, which has a capacity of about 4,000 bushels.
John Goodall established a wagon building and repairing shop at this place, in 1876, which he continues to operate.
In addition to those already men- tioned, the following are carrying on business at this place: J. W. Wright, furniture, stoves and tinware; Wright & Kesinger, undertaking; Gardner & Kesinger, blacksmiths and hardware dealers; A. L. Brannen blacksmith.
POSTOFFICE.
This was established in March, 1871, when A. J. Wright was commissioned as postmaster. He held the office until 1875, when he was succeeded by Jerry Bethard, the present incumbent. The office is in the store of the postmaster.
RAILROAD.
Wrightsville has connection with the outside world by means of the C., B. & Q. R. R. This railroad was constructed as the R., R. I. & St. L. R'y, and was completed through this place in the early part of 1870. In 1878, the com-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
pany which built and owned it became bankrupt. A receiver was appointed and the road finally became the property of the C. B. & Q. R'y Co., who still con- tinue to own and operate it. The first station agent at this point was A. J. Wright, who took charge of the business shortly after the road was completed, continuing in that capacity for about five years, and transacting the business of the road at his store building. He was succeeded by his son, James W., for five years. In March, 1870, the depot building was completed, and a telegraph office established, when John Ewald be- came agent and telegraph operator. There has been several changes since then, the present incumbent of the station being Charles Stone.
The American Express Co. have car- ried on business here since the con- struction of the railroad, and when the depot and telegraph office was estab- lished in 1880, an express agency was formed at Wrightsville by that com- pany, who still continue to do business.
FIRST ITEMS.
The first child in the village was that of a boy, in the family of a man by the name of Mansfield, who worked on the railroad, in 1871.
The first marriage was that of George W. Rhoads and Nancy J. Davidson, in April, 1873.
The first station agent here was A. J. Wright, who was also the first post- master.
CHAPTER XXII.
PATTERSON TOWNSHIP.
This sub-division of the county of Greene, lies in the extreme northwest- ern corner, and embraces all of town- ship 12, range 13, sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32, of township 12, range 12, and all of township 12, range 14, lying in this county. It is bounded on the north by Scott county, on the cast by Roodhouse and White Hall townships, on the south by Walker- ville township, and west by Pike coun- ty, from which it is separated by the Illinois river. The soil in the western part is the rich, black, alluvial soil of the river bottom, while the eastern part is mostly the dark colored leafy mould and argrilleous marl.
Much of the bottom lands is unavail- able for culture, owing to the many lakes, ponds, etc., and the danger, or almost certainty of an overflow.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Settlement did not set in quite as early in this portion of the county as it did in some others, but the first to locate in the present limits of Patterson, was a Mr. Swanson, who came here in the spring of 1820, and made a settle- ment on section 13. Here he remained some years.
Anthony S. Seely was a settler of the year 1823. He was, in later years, one of the most prominent farmers in the
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
county. He was born at St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 27. 1812. Ile was left an orphan at the age of 11 years, and being thrown on his own resources, he found his way into Illinois, locating at Greene county. He at first hired out as a farm hand. In his 21st year he was married to Laney Hodges, a daughter of Samuel Hodges. In a short time afterward he purchased 80 acres of land, and went to work on his own account. This little piece of land proved to be the nucleus of one of the finest farms in the state, for at the time of his death, Judge Seely was the owner of about 2,000 acres. He was always a hard worker, thrifty, prudent and public spirited. For many years he was justice of the peace, and for 14 years he was a member of the board of county commissioners. He died at his home near White Hall, Sept. 24, 1885. He leaves eight living children, as fol- lows -- Rufus G., William Frank, Amer- icus, Anthony, Mrs. Louisa Cobb, Mrs. Gus Lang and Addie Seely.
Reuben Martin made a settlement on section 13, during the year 1823. IIe was a native of Tennessee, and was there married to Betsy Carriger, a sister of Leonard Carriger. Mr. Martin died in 1873, and Mrs. Martin followed him to the grave in 1882. Both were buried in the Martin cemetery.
Joseph Buck strayed this way in 1825, and, taking a fancy to the locality, made a settlement on section 3, and lived there until his death, which oc- curred about 1835. Mrs. Buck after- ward married Joshua Jones.
Elijah Little also made a settlement in this township, shortly after Mr. Buck canie here.
In the year 1826, Elisha Brown,
Stephen Schmalt and William Shelton, came to this part of Greene county and made settlements at a place called Happyville.
Among the settlers of 1827, was Thos. Groce, who came from Tennessee to this township, and a year later settled on section 18, where the town of Wilming- ton is now located. He erected the first house in that village. He was born in Surry county, N. C., in Nov., 1796, being a son of Peter Groce. When quite young he removed with his par- ents to Tennessee, where he was mar- ried to Nancy Cunningham in 1818, coming to this county in 1827, as above. Mr. and Mrs. Groce were the parents of eight children, some of whom are still residents of this township. Mr. Groce's death occurred in 1873, and his wife survived him until 1875. They are both buried in Missouri.
David Hahn came to Greene county in 1829, and afterward located upon Sec. 31, of T. 12, R. 12, being among the pioncers of this township. He was born in 1810, in Cape Girardeau county, Mo., where his youthful days were spent. He was twice married after coming to this township, the first time to Mary Hubbard, who was born in Kentucky, and who came with her par- ents to this county in 1820. His second marriage was with Keziah Sccly.
Leonard Carriger and family made a settlement in this township in the fall of 1830, on Sec. 8, of T. 12, R. 12, where he purchased 80 acres of land, upon which were a few improvements. He was born in Carter county, Tenn., May 4, 1794, his parents being Nicholas and Catherine (Millard) Carriger. When he was quite young his parents removed
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
to Lincoln county, Tenn., where Leon- ard was reared and where he was mar- ried, March 6, 1823, to Sylvania Marsh, born in North Carolina, Feb. 17, 1796, although reared and educated in South Carolina. By this union five children were born, two of whom are still resi- dents of this township-Martha J and Nicholas. Mr. and Mrs. Carriger re- sided upon the old homestead until called upon to pay the debt of nature, her death occurring April 17, 1870, while her husband survived her until Jan. 10, 1871. They are both buried in what is known as the Martin cemetery. Mr. Carriger served his country in the war of 1812, and also took part in the Seminole war. He was truly one of the pioneers of Greene county, and as such contributed to the transformation of an almost primitive wilderness into what is now one of the best counties in the state.
James Ford, with his family, natives of North Carolina, came in the fall of 1835, and after a year at Grand Pass settled on Sand ridge, where he remained until his death, in 1845. His wife, who was also born in North Carolina, where they were married, was Jane Watts, who survived her husband until July 7, 1864. They are both interred in the Wilmington cemetery.
John Coates and family made a settle- ment in this township in 1835. He was a native of South Carolina, and resided here until his death. Ilis place of settle- ment was between Schutz's mill and Patterson.
John Coates, deceased, was born in Edgefield distriet, S. C., in 1799. He was there reared and learned the miller's trade, which had also been his father's
occupation. He there married Eliza- beth Owdom, a native of the same state, and they resided there until coming to Greene county, Ill., in the spring of 1835, making the entire trip by wagon. They first located in the northern part of what is now Patterson township, under the bluff, where they remained but a short time, and then removed to Wilmington, remaining but a short time there, also, when he moved to the neighborhood of the present Schutz's mill. At that time the old mill was yet standing, and he leased it from Hodges, the builder. Ile took charge of the mill, it being then run by water-power, and conducted it a number of years, when in turn leased it to Seely, Patterson & Sehutz, during whose time of management it was burned. Mr. Coates had erected a dwelling on section 25, and there resided until his death, May 4, 1876. He is buried in the Wilmington cemetery. He was one of the first to conduct an in- dustrial institution in this township, the mill having been run by only one person before that. Mrs. Coates had preceded him in death over two seore years, having died in March, 1849, and both now lie buried in Wilmington cem- etery. Mr. and Mrs. John Coates were the parents of ten children-Leonidas, John S., James, living at Pearl; Wil- liam, Milton, Chester, Jasper, Marcus, Mary, wife of Elihu Yates, living at Roodhouse, and Elizabeth, wife of Luke Farmer, living in Kansas.
Milton Coates was born in Greene county, Ill., near Schutz's mill, in what is now Patterson township, Feb. 3, 1839, and is a son of John and Nancy (Ow- dom) Coates, as mentioned above. Mil- ton was reared to farm life, and has
-
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
always been engaged in that business. lle was married on March 1, 1863, to Barbara Schutz, a daughter of Thomas Schutz, deceased. By this union they are the parents of four children-John, Christina, lda and Willie, all living at home. Mr. Coates has a farm contain- ing 109 acres of land, under good culti- vation, located on Sec. 25, T. 12, R. 13, on which he raises stock and grain, and is comfortably fixed. He has been con- nected with the schools of his district as trustee, and is a well respected citizen.
SCHUTZ'S MILL.
This mill stands on the site of one that burned down long ago. The old one was built away back in the thirties, and after passing through several hands, came into the possession of Thomas Hodgson. He was succeeded in the proprietorship by John Coates, the lat- ter never operating it, but rented it to George Schutz, L. J. Patterson and A. S. Seely, who conducted the business until the spring of 1859, when it burned down. This mill was run by water power, and did only custom work. Noth- ing was done toward re-building the mill until 1860, when George Schutz erected the present mill, which is run by steam power. The main building is 28×60 feet in size. An addition, con- taining the engine and boiler room, is 50x60 feet in size, three stories high, with a basement under all. The engine was made by Gates, MeEwen & Co., St. Louis, and is of 40-horse power. The mill has two run of buhrs, and has a capacity of 20 barrels every day of ten hours. The mill was conducted by Geo. Schutz until 1867, when he died. His widow then ran it until 1873. Up-
to this time it had been run as a dis- tillery and corn mill, but at the latter date, John Schutz came into possession, and put in the milling machinery, and is running it now.
George Schutz, deceased, the builder of Schutz's mill, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1815, and was a son of B. Schutz. He was reared in his native country, and there learned the miller's trade. In 1842, he took leave of his friends in his native country, and took passage on an ocean vessel destined for New Orleans. Thence he came to St. Louis, Mo., where he remained two years, engaged in distilling at Rock Springs, St. Louis county. From there he came to Greene county, and engaged in the same business, at what is now known as Schutz's mill. Connected with him in this enterprise was L. J. Patter- son and Judge A. S. Seely. Mr. Schutz built the present mill, and engaged in business at that point until his death. He was married in 1852, to Lena Hugh, a native of Switzerland. They were the parents of seven children-John, the subject of the following sketch; Louisa M., married Jacob Meister, and lives near Berdan; George; Sophia, wife of Rudolph Klamm, of Christian county; Joseph, Amelia C., and Ann, who died at the age of two years. Mr. Schutz died in 1867, on the 20th of November, and was buried in the Wilmington cem- etery. He was a member of the Catholic church, and up to the time of his death had accumulated, in addition to his manufacturing interests, some 500 aeres of land, and was ranked as a go-a-head, enterprising man.
John Schutz, the eldest son of the above, was born in this county, on the
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
27th day of May, 1853. He was reared and educated in the county, and made his home with his parents up to the present time. Besides attending the district schools, he spent three years in the Burlington, lowa, schools, where he finished his education. He succeed- ed to the ownership of the mill in 1873, at which time he turned it into a flour mill. He is the present post- master at Schutz's Mill, having been appointed to the office in 1880.
In 1856, a store building was erected at Schutz's mill, and a general stock added by Matthew Schutz, the building at that time standing over near the mill. Mr. Schutz continued business here until 1869, when he crected the building which is located south of the railroad track, and which is 20x40 feet in dimensions. The store was con- ducted by Matthew Schutz, until his death, in the latter part of 1879, since which time it has been conducted by his son, Joseph J. He handles dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, and, in fact, everything that goes to make up a general stock of a country store.
Matthew Schutz, deceased, originator of the store, and the first store keeper at this point, was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, July 4, 1823. He was reared to farm life, in his native country, and re- mained with his parents until coming to this country. In 1847, he took leave of friends and relatives, in his native land, and sailed for America. llis first location here was in St. Louis, where he remained between two and three years, and then came up to Greene county, Ill., locating in what is now Patterson township. Here he engaged in the distillery and milling business,
with his brother George, at Schutz's Mill, to whom he afterward sold out his interest, having started in the mer- cantile business, which he carried on, in connection with farming, during the re- mainder of his life. He owned 1,020 acres of land, mostly in Patterson town- ship. He was married in Iowa, in 1846, to Christina Hug, a native of Switzer- land, and by this marriage, there were nine children, of whom seven are liv- ing-Sophia, wife of August Raabe, liv- ing in this township; Christina, wife of Marcus Lec Coates, living in this town- ship; Mathias, deceased; Mary, wife of William Wells, living in this township; Andrew M .; Joseph J., subject of the following sketch; Albert J .; Charles; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Schutz was postmaster at Schutz's Mill. for a number of years. On Dec. 27. 1879, he departed this life, and was bur- ied at the Wilmington cemetery. The family are living at Schutz's Mill.
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