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 115

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 115

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vestibule in front end, furnished with hat hooks, shelves, etc. The yard is beautifully adorned, and shaded with a grove of maples, planted by W. B. Coates, who, at the time, was director of the school. As it is impossible to name, consecutively, the links which formed the business of this village, we shall con- tent ourselves with giving it thus: In 1855, J. R. Pruitt and L. T. Whitesides were the business men of the place. In 1856, Lee Coates and his father, John Coates, engaged in the mercantile busi- ness, and for four or five years had a good trade. In 1857, W. B. Coates suc- ceeded his father, becoming a partner with his brother Lee, thus forming a strong and prosperous firm, which con- tinued till 1861, when they dissolved, and Lee continued some time alone, dealing heavily in grain, and barge building, with L. E. Carter, at Grand Pass, etc. About that time, W. B. Coates did considerable business as a stock and grain dealer, till in the spring of 1864, he went to the Montana gold mines, where he remained four years. Ile afterward engaged in business here. About 1857, Morris & Simons sold goods here for a short period, and were suc- eceded by Beal Cotter, in 1859. In 1860, Aaron Reno & Bro., succeeded J. R. Pruitt. In 1865, Elihu Yates and James Wilkinson embarked in the dry goods and grocery business, but not succeeding well, soon retired. About 1866, J. R. Pruitt and Philemon Reno formed a dry goods firm, and after a short time retired. Edward S. Hough- ton. also, dealt in boots, shoes, etc., for a short time. About the same time Jones, Patterson & Howard formed a co-partnership, and sold an immense

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IHISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

amount of goods, continuing some three or four years. In 1869, Philemon Reno dealt in groceries alone."

The village was incorporated in 1869, under the general laws of the state. as a town, and as a village under special act, in 1875.

Ford Brothers, dealers in general merchandise, engaged in this line April 13, 1883, in the building which was built in 1835 by Thomas Groce, and first used as a general store by Mr. Groce and Ira Clark. Additions have since been made to this historic structure and it has had about as many owners and occupants as it is years of age, therefore to mention them would be almost an impossibility. The present firm carry a complete stock in their line, and also have the post- office in this building.

D. H. Gilson, dealer in drugs, groce- ries, etc., commeneed business Aug. 11, 1885, as snecessor to Coates & Lovelace. This stand was originally established as a dry goods store by Pruitt & Wil- kinson.

The store building occupied by Ford & Gurley was erected by Isaac Lowen- stein, now a resident of White Hall, in 1874. He put in a general stock, which lie operated three years. His succes- sors have been B. F. & G. W. Carriger, T. J. Albert, Gurley & Doyle, F. M. Gurley, J. S. Watt, Wells & Ford, and the present firm of Ford & Gurley, who began business Sept. 1, 1884. The building is 30x40 feet on the ground and two stories high. They carry a stock of general merchandise.

POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice at Patterson was origi- nally known as Breese, deriving its

name from Chief Justice Breese. The first postmaster was L. T. Whiteside, followed by James Pruitt, Lemuel J. Patterson; D. H. Gilson, and the pres- ent incumbent, C. C. Eaton.

SOCIETY.

Wilmington lodge, No. 167, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was organ- ized April 17, 1880, with the following charter members : James M. Linder, Henry C. Roberts, Joseph P. James, William Jones, Henry Boyer, G. B. Patterson, Sidney H. Wilmington, Geo. W. Burns, Samuel F. Hicks, Perry Wilmington, A. B. Collister, Stanton H. Patterson, William Gollier, Benjamin Hahn, Adam House, Thomas Knox, Absalom Mitchell, Lemuel B. James. The lodge has been kept in a flourishing condition, and the membership has gradually increased until it now num- bers about 28. Those who are officers at present are L. B. James, M. W .; Stanton H. Patterson, P. M. W .; James M. Linder, F .; John J. Wilkinson, O .; S. H. Wilmington, G .; James D. Cade, R .; Adam House, F .; Perry Wilmington, T .; A. T. Peigham, J. A. Cunningham and Henry Boyer, trustees. Meetings are held every Saturday evening at Patterson, over the store of Ford & Gurley, in Eagle hall, the second story of this building being the property of this society.

PROMINENT CITIZENS,

Among the representative men of Patterson may be mentioned the follow- ing:

John House was born in Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, Dec. 2, 1827, his pa- rents being John and Savina House. On

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

arriving at the age of 16. having finished his education, he started to learn the ! trade of stone-mason and plasterer, and after serving an apprenticeship of three years, he worked at his trade at Frank- fort-on-the-Rhine. lle returned home in 1849, and taking leave of home and friends, went to Antwerp, and took pass- age on the ship Victoria, bound for New York. After a voyage of 37 days, he arrived at New York, Sept. 16, 1849, and the same evening started west. He stopped at Pittsburgh three months, where he worked at his trade, and from there he came to St. Louis, where he worked at his trade three years and a half. IJe then came to this county, the first fall engaging at general work, and after that time working steadily at his trade until 1868, since which time he has divided his time between farming and working at hi- trade. He was mar- ried, Ang. 13, 1853, to Sarah Cranfill, a ' native of Tennessee, and a daughter of George and Mary Cranfill, who were early settlers here. Mr. House and wife are the parents of four children- Mary Savina, Lura Adelia, John Eras- mus and Adam Benjamin. When Mr. House came to this country, he had no capital save willing hands, and accu- mulated gradually, until he now has 75 acres of valuable land, adjoining Wil- mington. He is a member of the Cath- olic church. His parents both died in Germany, in 1836, his mother dying just two weeks before his father. Mr. House has a brother, Adam, living at Wilmington, and a sister. Elisabetha. wife of Charles Voelp, living in St .- Louis.

Adam House was born in Muenster, Hesse-Darmstadt, Nov. 11, 1834, and is

a son of John and Savina House, who died Nov. 11, 1836, when Adam was a mere child, leaving him an orphan almost from infancy. After finishing his schooling, he learned the mason's trade, and in 1851, having a chance to come to America, he embraced the op- portunity, and, bidding farewell to home and friends, took passage at Antwerp, on the ship John Hancock, bound for New Orleans, on the 20th of May, 1851. After a voyage of -41 days he arrived at the Crescent City, and from there went to St. Louis, being 11 days on the river. On arriving there he began to learn the carpenter's trade, at which he was em- ployed about three years. He then came to Greene county, locating at White Hall, and after one year removed to Wilmington, where he remained from March, 1856, until 1864, when he returned to St. Louis, and while there he was in the militia for a time. He remained there between one and two years and then returned to Wilmington, where he has ever since resided. Mr. House has been twice married; the first time, Sept. 15, 1855, to Kathrina Ebbert, a native of Saxony. By that union there were three children-John William, born July 18, 1858, died July 26, 1860; Mary C., living in Patterson township, married Leonard Owdom, and George, married Luella Smith, and lives in Texas. Mrs. House died March 1, 1863, and Mr. House was again married September 14, 1863, to Eliza King, a daughter of William and Jane ( Drummond ) King. By that mar- riage there were four children, three of whom are living-Lena B., wife of John Allen, living in Patterson township; Carrie, Manelius, and one who died in infancy. Mr. House has property in

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Wilmington, and he has erected all the best buildings in that town and vicinity, besides constructing many in the towns of White Hall, Roodhouse, and other points, showing his ability and popu- larity as a carpenter. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. lodge, and has hekl the office of financier, ever since the organization of the lodge.

A. B. Collister was born in Greene county, Ill., Ang. 14, 1840, and is a son of G. W. and Maria Collister. He was reared in the town of Wilmington, in Patterson township, and in 1857, in the 17th year of his age, he commencing to learn the blacksmith's trade, and continued in that business until Oct., 1861. He then enlisted in the service of his country, in Co. E, 28th Ill. Inf. He was mustered in at Ft. Holt, Ky., and participated in the battle of Shiloh, after which battle he worked in the blacksmith department. In June, 1864, he was taken prisoner and confined at Catawba, Ala., for two months, and was then transferred to Millen prison, near Savannah. Ga., and from there to An- dersonville, where he had to undergo the most terrible confinement for seven long months. When the war was over, Mr. Collister returned home, and then built a blacksmith shop on Bridgeport

street, in Wilmington, where he carried on the business from 1867 until 1880. He then purchased the building of Wil- liam Taylor & Bro., on the corner of White Hall and Bridgeport streets, where he carries on a general repair business, and has considerable trade. The building is 10x40 feet, and contains two rooms. Mr. Collister was married March 13, 1863, in Indiana, while he was in the service, being united with Sarah E. Stoleup, a daughter of Peter and Jane Stolcup, deceased. By this marriage they are the parents of five children-William, Lucy, Daisy, Bert and Harold, all living at home. Mr. Collister is a member of White Hall lodge, No. 227, I. O. O. F., and also of the Wilmington lodge, No. 167, A. (). U. W., and is an enterprising citizen of the town in which he resides.

FIRST ITEMS.

Among the first religious services here were those held by Peter H. Clark, who was a Methodist preacher. Rev. William McAdams held services in this neighborhood at an early day.

The first mill was built by David Seely, in 1833. It was a grist mill, run by water power. It was operated by David Seely and David Hodge.

CHAPTER XXIII.

ATHENSVILLE TOWNSHIP.

The township now known as Athens- ville embraces the greater part of the old precinet of Mount Airy, and is tech-

nically known as congressional town- ship 12 north, range 10 west. It is sit- uated in the extreme northeastern part

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

of the county, and contains some of the finest farm land in the county. It is well watered by Apple, Marks and Nig- ger Lick creeks. The first of these en- ters the township on the east line of section 12, crosses that section and on 11 receives the waters of a small branch locally known as Fanning's creek, it then proceeds on, in a southwesterly course, traversing sections 14, 15, 22, 21, 20, 30, making a confluence on the lat- ter with Mark's creek, and on passing out of the township on the west line of section 31, after crossing its territory. Nigger Lick creek crosses the entire southern part of the township, and Marks creek the western. These streams and numerous small tributaries and af- fluents, thoroughly drain the country, and supply an abundance of running water for all stock purposes. Most of this territory was covered with timber when the first settlers came, but it is somewhat cleared now, as a large num ber of elegant farms have been made.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first to make a settlement was Edward Prather, who came to Greene county and settled in what is now Ath- ensville township, in 1822, entering land in both this and Rubicon town- ship. He was a resident here for a time, when he removed to the latter named township, where he lived until 1881, when he died. He was a native of Kentucky's dark and bloody ground, born in 1795. He grew to manhood on that classic soil, and was there married to Maria Harrison, a native of Culpep- per county, Va. They came to Illinois in 1819, but remained for about three years in Madison county, when he came

here as above. He had a family of 13 children.

Thomas Sharp settled on what was known as the Nigger Lick springs, in this township, in 1827. He did not remain very long, but moved to other lands.

William Hopper left his home in Ken- tucky in 1828, and journeyed to this part of the great state of Illinois. On arriving in Athensville township, he eu- tered land on section 11 and built a home thereon, in 1830. This was a log cabin 16x18 feet in size, containing but one room. The floor was made of puncheons and the door of clapboards.

The next settler was William Whit- lock, who came here in 1828, and enter- ing land on section 11, built a cabin. He was born in Adair county, Ky., Dec. 23, 1813, and was the son of William and Rosanna (Shelton) Whitlock. He re- sided with his parents until his 16th year, when he came to Illinois, but after a short stay, returned to Kentucky. In 1829, he came here and built the home as above stated, and went back for his parents, returning the next year. He returned to his native state to get mar- ried, girls being quite scarce as yet in this part of the state, which is quite the reverse at the present. He was there united with Ali Sheppard, Jan. 29, 1829, and came back to this section, where he still resides. They were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living. Mrs. Whitlock died Dec. 13, 1880, and Mr. Whitlock again married in October, 1885. This lady's name was Rebecca Neece, widow of C. W. Neece.

David Jackson, a North Carolinian by birth, came from Tennessee to Morgan county, Illinois, in 1829, but in 1832 removed to this township and county,

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

settling on section 24, where he lived until his death, which occurred Ang. 9, 1851.

Russell Stoddard came to this local- ity in 1829, and settled upon the north- west quarter of the northeast quarter of section 20. He was a native of Vermont, but when young immigrated to Indiana, where he afterward was united in marriage with Ellen Kelly, a Virginian. He lived in this township until his death, which occurred in 1838. His wife died in 1840. They had a fam- ily of six children.

Charles Whitlock, a native of Vir- ginia, but for some years a resident of the state of Kentucky, came to this county in the fall of 1829, and settled on seetion 10, in this township, where the family resided but about a year, when they moved to section 14, where he en- tered 120 acres of land, now belonging to David Jackson, where they lived un- til the death of Charles, which occurred Sept. 24, 1846. His wife died in 1864.

A man whose name is believed to have been Scroggs, came from Morgan county, in 1829, and made a settlement on sec- tion 26 or 27. He did not reside here long.

Sandy Wiggins located upon a farm on section 26, in 1830, but the following year he removed from the county, and his place taken possession of by a Mr. Rigsby, who came to this county about that time.

John Ruyle settled in this township in 1830, on section 24.

George M. Hopkins, about the year 1830,settled in this township, on section 29, where he made his home until Oct. 14, 1866, when he died.

John Mason was one of the settlers of

1830, in this township. He was born in Kentucky, May 18, 1812, and was mar- ried in that state, Jan. 1, 1830, to Re- becea Moss, born in Tennessee in 1813. In 1846, he enlisted in the 1st Ill. Inf., and served in the Mexican war.

Theophilus Sheppard made a settle- ment about a mile northeast of the present site of the village of Athens- ville, where he resided many years. He located here in 1831. A Mr. Morton settled about the same distance west of the village, the same year, as did Alex- ander Johnsen and Musgrove. Benoni Banning, also, moved to this neighborhood in 1831.

Ben. Sanders came to Greene county in 1831, from Morgan county, this state. He was born in North Carolina, Sept. 30, 1803, and immigrated to Morgan county in 1827. Hle was married in Kentucky, where he was living, June, 1846, to Elizabeth Strong, who died March, 1872, and May 20, 1876, he was united in marriage with Mattie Brink- ley, widow of Thomas Brinkley.

Isham Wood, who had come here with his parents in 1832, entered land on section 23, his father living on see- tion 28. Isham was married in Ma- coupin county, and they lived on the old homestead until death, claiming Isham, dissolved the link that bound them. His widow died Nov. 10, 1885, at an age of about 75 years.

Andrew Downs came to this township about the year 1833. He was born in Kentucky in 1810, and was the son of Thomas Downs. From his native state he moved to Indiana, where he was married to a Miss Bullington, and by that union had four children. Mrs. Downs died about 1832 or 3, and in 1834

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

he was married to Eleanor Spencer, and they were the parents of 12 children, four of whom are living. In 1824, Mr. Downs had moved to Morgan county, this state, from whence he had come here as above stated. He settled on section 18, in this township, where he lived until death overtook him. This event occurred in August, 1865. IIe followed blacksmithing and ran a saw- mill here, while living, as well as car- ried on his farm.

Thomas B. Downs, son of Andrew and Ellen (Spencer) Downs, was born Feb. 3, 1848, in Athensville township, Greene county. He remained with his parents until he was 16 years old, when he ran away from home, and enlisted in the 101st Ill. Inf., Co. F, Jan. 3, 1864. He served 18 months, and was then mustered out at Fort McDougall, Ang. 4, 1865. He took part in the battles of Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Columbia, Goldsboro, and Big Shanty, and was with Sherman on his march through Georgia to the sea. After Gen. Johnston's surrender, Thomas was taken sick with typhoid fever, and was taken on a dirt train to the sea, from there to Washington, and thence to Fort McDougall, where he was mustered out. He remained there two months, and then returned home, where he resided during the remainder of his father's lifetime. In May, 1866, he began blacksmithing at his location, on section 16, where he still resides, and does a flourishing business, at re- pairing and horse-shoeing He was married, May 23, 1866, to Mary E. Hicks, daughter of Washington Ilicks. By this marriage there are four chil- dren-James Monroe, Andrew Wash-

ington, George Green, and Thomas Henry. Mr. Downs owns 40 acres of land, on section 16, where he carries on farming in connection with blacksmith- ing. He belongs to the G. A. R., Jacob Fry post, at Roodhouse, and is a union democrat. When in the campaign from Atlanta to the sea, he and a man named Wheeler were detailed by the colonel and major as foragers. Adjt. Wheeler was taken prisoner at the battle of Pea Ridge, and afterward enlisted in the 101st Ill. Inf., Co. A. They were fur- nished with a complete ontfit, and were to share the contents of each house, the signal, when in close quarters, to be the report of a pistol. While Downs was at a place one day, and Wheeler was guard- ing, the former, not hearing any signal, came around the house with a demijohn of apple-jack for the colonel, but was met by an officer and six privates, rebels, who said, "You - Yankee, drop that and throw up your hands!" Downs im- mediately did so, but it required con- siderable effort on the part of the officer to keep his men from shooting him. The officer then found out from him that there were three more Yankees a quar- ter of a mile south of there, and taking five of his men with him, left Downs in charge of one, but did not make him deliver his gun. He was sent a short distance north of there with a man named Welliford, who came from the same county as Mr. Down's father, and he made him believe they were related, by getting him so drunk with apple- jack that he was unable to take care of himself, much less guard Downs. The latter then grappled with him, took away his arms, shot him in the armi, and succeeded in getting away, although

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

pursued by the other rebels, who had come at the report of the pistol. He got back to his regiment just as Wheeler was reporting to the colonel that he (Downs) had met his death at the hands of the rebels.

Simon Nixon, when but 17 years of age came to this county with his father, in 1834, and the family settled in this township. Simon was born in North Carolina, in 1817.

Anderson Mitchell came to this part of the county, in 1835, and located upon section 4. His son, Jackson, is a resi- dent of the township.

Jackson G. Mitchell was born in Greene county, Ill., Aug. 21, 1838, his parents being Anderson and Elzira (Whitlock) Mitchell, the former a na- tive of Tennessee, and the latter of Kentucky. His parents came to Greene county in 1835, locating on section 34, where they built a residence, and other- wise improved it, and remained there until 1846. Ilis father then sold out, and removed to Pike county, where he purchased a tract of land, but the man he bought of, had no title to the land, and his father, therefore, was the loser of the property. In 1849, he returned to Greene county, rented land for one year, and then bought 40 acres, on sec- tion 14, on which he lived until the spring of 1855. He then sold out and moved to Macoupin county, where he remained only a short time, when he returned to Greene county, and bought 120 acres of land, on sections 10 and 11, on which he lived until his death, in 1866. His mother is yet living, and re- sides with her son, Jackson G. Our subject was reared on a farm, remain- ing at home until about 22 years of age,

when he was married, Feb. 2, 1860, to Sarah E. Hubbell, daughter of Justus and Nancy Hubbell. Ile then went to live by himself, building a small cabin on his father's farm, where he lived about one year. He then bought 40 acres, on section 2, to which he moved, and lived eight years. 'In the spring of 1870, he moved on to the old homestead, and built a large two-story frame house and a large barn, at a cost of $2,000, and has since resided at this place. Mr. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are the parents of 11 children, eight of whom are liv- ing-Oscar, John, Nancy E., Emily, Alice J., Richard, Charlie and Edgar. Those who have passed away are, Ro- sanna, one who died in infancy, and Laura. Mr. Mitchell now owns 343 acres of land on Secs. 2, 10, 11 and 12, in T. 12, R. 10. He raises and feeds stock, but makes no traffic of it. He is an enterprising, energetic citizen of this county, and is highly respected by all. Mrs. Mitchell is a member of the Rich- woods Baptist church.

PROMINENT CITIZENS.

Elisha Spencer, deceased, was a na- tive of Virginia, being born about 1790. From his native state he went to In- diana, and was married there in 1811, just 10 days before the battle of Horse- shoe Bend. His wife's name was Nancy Hupp, she being a native of Kentucky. They staid in Indiana until 1819, then removed to Lawrence county, Ill. The following year they came to Greene county and located in Roodhouse town- ship, on the farm now owned by John Spencer. In 1864, Mrs. Spencer died, and was buried in Martin's Prairie cem- etery. There were seven children born

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

to them, four of whom are now living- James R .; Ellen, widow of Andrew Downs; Sarah, widow of Martin Smith; and Major, of Morgan county. Of their children, the three deceased were-Wil- liam, Elijah and Polly. Mr. Spencer was again married, in 1865, to Mrs. Margaret (Morton) Depew. By this marriage two children were born, now deceased. Mr. Spencer departed this life in Oct., 1882, and was buried in Martin's Prairie cemetery. His widow is now a resident of Athensville town- ship. Mr. Spencer was a consistent member of the Richwoods Baptist church at the time of his death, he hay- ing been a member of that church for the last 20 years of his life.

James R. Spencer, a son of the above, was born May 23,1814,in Hardin county, Ky. He remained with his parents un- til reaching his 14th year, when he went to Jacksonville, Ill.,and remained until his marriage, June 6, 1835, with Eliza- beth Gilmore, a daughter of IIenry and Mary (MeDaniel) Gilmore, the former of whom was a native of Georgia, and the latter of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer have had six children born to them, five of whom are yet living- Mary C., wife of George W. Fanning; Celia, wife of Samuel Goacher; Sarah, wife of John Story; J. Thomas and Peter. They lost one child-James H., by the hand of the grim destroyer. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer came to their present location. on section 5, Athensville town- ship, in 1865, but lived one mile north of that ever since 1844. Ile started in life, a poor boy, and although having met with a great many disheartening trials, by hard work and good manage- ment, he succeeded in accumulating 360

acres of land, which he has since divided among his children, with the exception of 100 acres, which he still retains. He participated in the Black Hawk war, from beginning to end. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer are consistent members of the Richwoods Baptist church, they being among its original members.

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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 115

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