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 117

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 117

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ATHENSVILLE.

The beautiful village that bears the above name was laid out by Greene Weaver, in the summer of 1834, and the plat of the same was filed for record on the 2d of Oet., 1834. It is located on the southwest quarter of the north- west quarter of section 26, and is beau-

tifully situated as to surroundings. Some of the finest farms in eastern Greene county are in the immediate vieinity, of this "loveliest village of the plain."

The first building erected on the site of the town was put up about the year 1832. It was a store room. Greene Weaver had been sent from Carrollton with a stock of goods by John Evans, with which he was to stock a store at Mount Airy, but he came to this place, built the building and put in the stock of goods, and was thus the pioneer merchant of the village. About the year 1840 he sold out to John Arm- strong, an Englishman, who had come to the county, early in its history. He had originally a store near the town, and in the year above named, had moved to the "burg" and bought out Mr. Weaver. He was made postmaster and served for years. lle was in partnership with Alexander King and with T. S. Pat- terson, and about 1845, sold out to the latter. He died in this town about 1854 or 1855. Mr. Patterson ran the store until 1876, when it was sold to John Morrow, and two years later to Z D. Morrow, and is now run by Isaac Morrow.

The business of the village is, at present represented by five general stores, one drug store, three black- smiths, two wood working shops, and the grist-mill.

MeCauley & Spencer are the present leading dealers in general merchandise. This establishment originated with John English, in 1880. Ile ereeted a building 30x60 feet in size, at a cost of about 8700, the second story of which was, and is occupied by the I. O. O. F. lodge. Mr. English put in a stock

988

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

valued at abont $1,500, and ran it suc- cessfully for about two years, when he sold to George Wood. In about a year he disposed of it to Rigg & Spencer. A short time since W. W. McCauley purchased the interest of Mr. Rigg, and the present firm was formed.

W. W. MeCauley was born July 12, 1858, at Milton, Pike county, Ill., his parents being O. F. and Margaret R. (Bowie) MeCauley. When he was seven years old, his parents moved to Green- field, where he lived with them until the year 1877, when he graduated at the high school there. He then began teaching, his first situation being at the Franklin school, about 23 miles west of Fidelity, Jersey county, Ill., where he taught for a term of eight months. He then came to Athensville, where he taught the village school for five years, and is at present the teacher at the Mt. Airy school, in district No. 3, two miles west of Athensville. He is an ener- getic, intelligent gentleman, and is very successful in his chosen profession. On the 12th of October, 1882, he was united in marriage with Mittie A. Bar- nard, a daughter of Elisha Barnard. Mr. Barnard resides in Athensville, and is at present holding the office of town clerk. Mr. MeCauley owns a half interest in the general merchandise store of the firm of MeCauley & Spencer. He is well liked and highly-esteemed by all who have the pleasure of his ae- quaintance.

Henry M. Spencer was born near Mur- rayville, Morgan county, Ill., Oct. 3, 1850,his parents being Major and Naney (Duncan) Spencer. He resided with his parents until the date of his marriage, Nov. 16, 1869, and received his educa-

tion in the common schools. Ile was united in marriage with Virginia Bar- nett, a daughter of William and Cather- ine Barnett. This union has been blessed with five children, all of whom are living - Calvin, Laura, William, Dora and Pius. Mr. Spencer was en- gaged in farming previous to the time of entering into partnership in the mer- eantile business with W. P. Rigg. He is a member of the Athensville lodge, I. O. O. F. and has held all the offices pertaining to a membership in that lodge. His political views are demo- eratie. He is an industrious, go-ahead business man, hence is meeting with success in his undertakings.

Zachariah D. Morrow is engaged in the sale of hardware, groceries, ete., in this village. This business was estab- lished by J. B. Morrow, in April, 1880, who built the edifice and put in a stock of boots, shoes and groceries, valued at $2,000. He operated this business un- til July 14, 1881, when he sold to O. A. Morrow, who on the 2d of May, 1882, turned it over to the present proprietor, for a consideration. The latter changed the stoek from boots and shoes to hard- ware, still retaining the grocery branch. He carries a stock of $2,500.

Syrrel Whitaker is engaged in the general merchandising business here. John L. Stoddard established this busi- ness, for his daughter Lillie May, Oct. 15, 1882, putting in a stoek of about $700. April, 1885, the lady propri- etress getting married, the stock was thrown on Mr. Stoddard's hands, and he ran it for some months, when he sold out to the present proprietor.

Syrrel Whitaker, the present post- master at Felter postoffice, was born

989

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Aug. 10, 1532, in Morgan county, III., near Exeter, his parents being Joseph and Hannah (Chrysler) Whitaker, the former of whom was a native of Rhode Island, and the latter of New York. They removed to Morgan county in 1821, where our subject was born. Jos. Whitaker died in 1876, while his wife departed this life in 1855. Syrrel re- mained with his parents until 1850, then coming to the county line, just across in Morgan. He was united in marriage, March 20, 1854, with Marga- ret E. Wilcox, a daughter of Joshua and Martha (Jones) Wilcox. In the fall of 1854, Mr. Whitaker removed to Powasheik county, la., and remained until the spring of 1856, when he re- turned to Illinois, and settled in Athens- ville township, Greene county, one mile south of his present residence, to which he moved in March, 1883. He is a member of Athensville lodge, No. 368, I. O. O. F., having been a charter member thereof, and in which he has held the offices of secretary, vice grand, and noble grand, besides other appoint- ive ones, a number of times. He was constable for six years, and, in April, 1885, resigned, and was elected justice of the peace, which office he now holds. Mr. and Mrs. Whitaker had four chil- dren born to them-Mary J., wife of Wm. Moore, of this township; Anna E., wife of Robert Dikis, of this town- ship; Martha H. and Oscar E., both de- ceased. Mr. W. owns a farmi on sec- tion 19, and hasa third interest in a 40- acre tract, on section 20. The most of his time in this county has been de- voted to saw-mill interests, which he has just disposed of. He holds a cer- tifieate in the Covenant Mutual Benefit

Association, of Galesburg, Ill. He has lately engaged in business in Athens- ville, so that he has appointed a deputy postmaster at Felter.

The pioneer drug store of Athensville was opened by Messrs. John Jones and James Butler, in 1861. They ran it but a short time, when they were succeeded by Dr. J. E. Waters, who continued the business for several years. Augustus Lewis & Bro. were the next to manipu- late drugs in this store, and after about three years, gave way for Barnard & Waters. In a very short time, they were succeeded by Downs Hardcastle, who was burnt out in about a year there- after. In 1879, Dr. J. E. Waters started another drug store, and is the present representative of that line of business.

Isaac Massey, the postmaster, is en- gaged in running a grocery and notion store, and does a very nice business. The postoffice is in his store.

POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice of Athensville was es- tablished in 1835, at the store of John Armstrong, located about a quarter of a mile east of the present site of the village. Mr. Armstrong was the first postmaster. When the village was laid out, he moved store and office to this place. In 1845, T. S. Patterson suc- cecded to the office, which he retained until 1876, when John Morrow became the postmaster. Two years later it was transferred to his brother, Zachariah, who acted in that capacity until 1879, when Isaac Massey, the present incum- bent, was appointed.

FLOURING MILL.

The Morrow grist mill, was originally built in 1869, at a cost of $7,000. It was

990

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

24x36 feet in size, three stories high, with an engine room 18x36 feet in size, in an addition. The engine was made by Duncan & Brooks, of Alton. This mill was equipped with two set of buhrs and all other necessary equipment. This mill was burned down in 1869, and in 1870, Morrow & Son, erected the present building, at a cost of $10,000. This is 30x46 feet in ground area, three stories high, with an engine room, in addition, 20x50 feet in size. This mill is fully equipped with the newest ma- chinery, having two run of buhrs, one corn buhr, one Garden city first break machine, one set of Gray's double por- celain rolls, Geo. F. Smith bolting ma- chinery, complete, and other necessary adjuncts to make this a first-class mill. It has a capacity of turning out 25 bar- rels of Hour per day. The firm of Mor- row & Son is composed of Jesse and Marshall Morrow.

SOCIETY.

Athensville Lodge, No. 368, I. O. O. F., was duly organized Mar. 16, 1868, with the following charter members : T. S. Patterson, Syrrel Whitaker, Stew- art McBride, S. S. Patterson and C. A. Worley. As the records were burned the names of the first officers of this so- ciety can not be given. This lodge owned a hall which it had fitted up, and in which they held their meeting until the year 1879, when the building was destroyed by fire with its contents. They then purchased the second story of a building owned by E. M. Husted, of Roodhouse, in which they now meet. The lodge has a present membership of 27, and is in excellent condition, not- withstanding its small number. The

present officers are : W. J. Barnard, N. G .; Albert Tompkins, V. G. ; W. G. Sorter, R. S. ; W. P. Rigg. T. and R. to G. L.

OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS.

Wm. P. Rigg was born in Waverly, Morgan county, Ill., April 8, 1839, and is a son of Archibald P. and Elizabeth (McLane) Rigg, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Illinois. His father immigrated from Kentucky to Morgan county, Ill., where he remained until 1858. He then moved to Greene county, and located about five miles northwest of Athensville, where he bought a tract of land on which he re- mained until 1863. He then returned to Waverly, Morgan county, remaining there until 1873, when he removed to Franklin, residing there until 1881, and then moved to Macoupin county, where he now lives. William was reared in Waverley, where he attended school until he was 16 years of age. He was then engaged in running a saw-mill, which business he followed until about 1883. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. C., 6th Ill. Cav., and served throughout the war. He was engaged in the battle's of Nashville and Franklin, and was on the march from LaGrange to Baton Rouge. Soon after his discharge he came to Greene county, and engaged in running a saw-mill. In 1879, he moved to Athensville, where he engaged in nier- chandising, in which business he con- tinued three years, and then sold, and has since been milling to some extent. He has been justice of the peace of Athensville precinct for 10 years. He owns a residence and an acre of land in town. He was married in Nov., 1866,

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. 993

to Hettie A. Tunnell, daughter of Nich- olas M. and Martha Tunnell. They are the parents of eight children-Ed- win, Charlie, Frederick A., Luella, Samuel A., Emma A., Dora E., and Laura A. Mr. Rigg is a member of the Richwoods Baptist church, and is a well respected citizen of his township.

John D. Johnson was born near Jack- sonville, Morgan county, March 28, 1843, his parents being Benjamin and Mary (Boyd) Johnson; the former a na- tive of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky. They removed from Kentucky to Mor- gan county, Ill., in 1829, Benjamin being the first Baptist preacher in that county. He entered 320 acres of land there, made improvements on it and resided there until his death, March 18, 1861. He died standing on his feet, saying that he de- sired to die in that way, like a man. Mrs. Johnson survived him several years, she dying July 4, 1873. There were seven sons, five of whom were min- isters, all of the same denomination. Those living are-Henry L., Andrew Jackson, Jonas M. and John D. Those deceased are Commodore P., Marcus and Benjamin F. John D. was reared on a farm, remaining at home until he was 19 years of age, and attended school. He then began to teach school at $1 per day, and most of the time since that, up to about two years ago, he has engaged in teaching during the winter. He was united in marriage April 14, 1863, with Sarah J. Ford, daughter of William F. and Lucinda (Drummond) Ford. By this marriage seven children were born, six of whom are living-Leonora; Laura L., wife of T. L. Patterson, Jr., residing near Athensville; Lulu L .; Henry B., named after Gen. Buell; John W. R.,

and Benjamin P. The one deceased is Frank. Nov. 29, 1861, Mr. Johnson enlisted in Co. A., 61st Ill. Inf., and served nine months, being then dis- charged on account of disability. He was in the battles of Corinth and Shiloh, and in a few small skirmishes. In the spring of 1867, he with his family re- moved to southeastern Kansas, Craw- ford county, where he lived about three and a half years, and then came to Greene county, Ill. In 1874, he was or- dained as a Baptist minister, at Pleas- ant Dale Baptist church, five miles west of White Hall, and has been pastor of four churches since. Mr. Johnson owns a house and an acre of land in Athens- ville, and is comfortably fixed, having all the necessary improvements on his place.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school in the township was taught by William Mitchell in a log house erected in 1835, on section 3. This building was built of logs and fur- nished, as all the primitive schools were, with puncheon floor and slab seats. Mr. Mitchell was paid the exorbitant salary of $15 per month.

School district No. 1, had a school house erected in 1856, at a cost of $440, and is 22x24 feet in size. The first teacher in this building was Elizabeth Heaton. This structure stood on sec- tion 3, was used until 1880, when it was sold to J. G. Mitchell, and on the north- west quarter of the northwest quarter of section 10, the present building was erected at a cost of $550. It is 24x30 feet in dimensions. James Story was the first teacher in this building, and Mary Reed the present one.

994

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

School district No. 2 .- This distriet has a school house located upon the southwest quarter of the northeast quar- ter of section 17, and which was ercoted in 1874. The first teacher in this house was Theodore Lce, who taught two terms. The present teacher is Walter Mullins. Syrrel Whitaker, James Bar- nard and George W. Crayne are the directors for 1885.

In district No. 3 there is a school house, neat and commodious in appear- ance, which was ereeted in 1878.

School district No. 4 .- The present school house was built in 1881 at a cost of about $500. There was a school house built previous to this a number of years ago. The present teacher in this dis- trict is William McCauley.

School district No. 5. - The first school house in this district was erected in 1836, on the site of the present one. This was a log structure, 20x24 feet in size, and within its classic walls George

Reynolds was the first to wield the birch. This building was used until 1850, when a frame edifice, 18x20 feet in size, was put up. An addition was afterward put to this, which increased its size to 20x30 fect. In 1881, the pres- ent edifice, which is 24x36 feet in ground area, was built, at a cost of about $900. B. P. Vauter, the present teacher, has an average attendance of about 60 pupils.

School district No. 6 has a school house which was erected in 1876 and which is 18x22 feet in size. It was built at a cost of $300. The first teacher was Mary J. Reed, a Miss Hall being the present one. The average attendance is 22 in winter and seven in summer.

In district No. 7 is a school house on the southwest quarter of section 1, which was erected in the fall of 1878. It is 16x20 feet size and cost about $250. Edward Mason was the first and Laura Story is the present teacher.

CHAPTER XXIV.

WALKERVILLE TOWNSHIP.

This township lies in the western part of the county, on the Illinois river, and embraces 25 sections of township 11, range 13, 6 sections of township 11, range 12, and the fractional sections 1, 12, 13, 24 and 25, of township 11, range 14. It is bounded on the north by the township of Patterson, on the east side by White Hall, on the south by Bluff- dale, and on the west by Calhoun county,

from which latter it is separated by the Illinois river. Apple ereek entering at | the southeast corner of the township, winds with tortuous course through sec- tion 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 19, 20 and the frac- tional sections east of these, making its confluence with the river just below the southern boundary line in Bluffdale township. Here, as in the other river township, the land is of two descrip-

995

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

tions, the west half being the rich, fertile, river bottoms, that but for their being liable to overflow from annual freshets, would have no peer in the world, and the elevated plateau of land on the top of the bluffs. A large portion of the bottom, in this county is taken up by Grassy lake, a shallow body of water lying near the foot of the bluffs. These latter traverse the county in a north and south direction to the banks of Apple creek, and are, here, in the neighbor- hood of 300 feet high. On the upland, the bulk of the land is covered by a fine growth of timber, except where the en- terprising hand of man, has with vast labor, cleared up a farm. Most of the first comers to this part of the county were from the southern states, as will be seen by a glance over the

EARLY SETTLEMENT

It is very difficult, at this late day, to determine who was the first to make a settlement in the territory now com- prised in the township of Walkerville, but the balance of testimony seems to be, that the pioneers of this locality were Henry and Cyrus Griswold. In 1820, they entered 165 acres of land, on Sec. 6, T. 11, R. 12, where they built a cabin and dwelt about three years, when they removed to White Hall township, in connection with the his- tory of which a sketch of them is given.

The next was John Powel, who came from his native state, Kentucky, to this county, in 1821, settling in this town- ship, on section 21, where he resided until overtaken by death. His son, James, who was born in Kentucky, in 1810, remained a resident of this town-

ship until 1830, when he was married to Harriet, a daughter of Obadiah and Sally Silkwood, when he removed to Madison county, this state. Mr. and Mrs. Powel died in that county, and are buried there. Some of their family are still residents of this county.

With Mr. Powel, came Davis Carter, who, in the spring of 1820, made a set- tlement here. An extended sketch of this representative pioneer will be seen in the history of Patterson township.

In the spring of 1824 Obadiah Silk- wood came to this township, and set- tled on section 15, where he passed the remainder of his days. Some of his descendants are still residing in this county. He was a native of Kentucky, and removed from there to St. Clair county, Ill., and from there to this county.

John Walker came to Walkerville township, to which in after years he gave the name, and located on section 24.

Hartwell Hunnicutt made a settlement in this township in 1823, on section 20, moving here from Bluffdale township. He died here in 1833. A sketch of him appears in Bluffdale township, the place of his first settlement in the county.

John C. Wells came to this part of the county in 1823, or thereabouts and entering a farm in this township, con- menced to improve it. He was a na- tive of Tennessee, but while yet a young man came to this state. He located at Alton and entered the butcher business. While there he took a hand in destroy- ing the office of an abolition paper printed by E. P. Lovejoy. Coming to Greene county, he was united in mar- riage with Hannah Garrison. Some time

996

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

after this he removed to Jefferson coun- ty, and from there to Scott county. He returned here in 1853, again settling in this township and here he lost his wife. When the dark cloud of war hung over our country, he enlisted in Co. H, 91st Ill. Inf., and died while in the service, June 10, 1863.

Alexander S. Boirun and family set- tled in what is now Walkerville town- ship in 1827.

Benjamin Joseph Boirun, deceased, was born in Madison county, Ill., Feb. 23, 1820, his parents being Alexander S. and Polly (Wood) Boirun, the former of whom was born Dee. 2, 1792, and the latter Aug. 30, 1801. The family came to Greene county, Ill., at an early day, and located under the bluff, in what is now Walkerville township. Here Ben- jamin J. was reared and resided up to the time of his death, which oceurred Jan. 28, 1863. He was united in mar- riage Sept. 7, 1848, with Maria Jane Wood, a native of Missouri, and daugh- ter of William and Nancy (Kline) Wood, both of whom were born and reared in the state of Tennessee, from whence they removed to Missouri at an early day. They came to Greene eoun- ty, Ill., in 1827, and loeated about five miles west of White Hall, in what is now Wałkerville township, where they resided until their death, the former dy- ing about 1870, and the latter in 1840. They are both buried in the Wood eeme- tery. Mr. and Mrs. Boirun were the parents of six children, three of whom are living-Silvia Jane, wife of Elisha Bridgewater ; Sarah C., who died at the age of five years; John Wesley, who died in 1863; William A. married llar- riet 1. Kinser ; Geo. D. married Nancy

Watts. Mrs. Boirun was next married to Isaiah Whiteman. By that marriage she had one ehild, Charles, who now lives with his mother. Jan. 21, 1875, Mrs. Whitman was united in marriage with Joseph Tomlinson. She owns 400 aeres of well cultivated land in Walker- ville township.

James Fears located in this township in 1830, eoming here from White Hall township, where he had settled the pre- vious year. He took up his residence on section 11. He was a Tennessean and was married in the state of his na- tivity to Catherine Douglas. They were the parents of 12 children. Mr. Fears died here in 1862.

Mrs. Lueinda (Crafton) Vinyard, who was married to John Vinyard, who died in Kentucky, in 1825, came to this county from that state in 1831, settling in what is now known as Walkersville township, where she resided until her death, about the year 1853. She is buried in the Walkerville cemetery. Some of her children still survive her and are resi- dents of this township.

John Suttles settled in this township in 1831. He was born in 1810, and with his father's family came to Illinois in 1821, locating in Madison county, from where he came to Greene county. He made this his residenee until 1863, where he died.

Jesse Suttles, the father of John Sut- tles, came to this county in the year 1831.

Philip Wells, in the year 1834, .made a settlement in this township, on seetion 2, but afterward removed to seetion 9. He died January 1, 1856.

Samuel Wells, his son, came with him. He was born in Kentucky, in Sept. 1809,

997

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

but was reared in Hickman county, Ten- nessee. In 1822 the family moved to Nashville, and from there, in 1829, to Hamilton county, all in the same state. The next move was to Greene county, as above stated. Samuel moved to sec- tion 11, in 1847, where he still lives.

REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Bainbridge Gillingham, one of Walk- erville's most prominent citizens, is a native of Merrimac county, N. H,, hav- ing been born there on the 15th of Sep- tember, 1826, his parents being James and Elizabeth (Lane) Gillingham, both of whom were natives of the same state. Bainbridge was reared to agricultural pursuits in his native state, where he remained until coming to Illinois in 1849. At that time, he located in Greene county, buying land upon which he now resides, on section 23, Walker- ville township. He was united in mar- riage, in this county, on the 22d day of Jan , 1857, with Mrs. Juliet A. E. Til- den, widow of Alfred Tilden, and daugh- ter of John and Laura (Spencer ) Russell. Mr. and Mrs. Gillingham have been blessed with two children-Willis, who married Elizabeth Tatman, and now re- sides in this township; and Daisy Jose- phine, the wife of Dr. G. W. Ross, of Carrollton. Mrs. Gillingham has, by her first marriage, four children living -Charlotte S., wife of L. B. Richard- son, of Danville, 1Il .; Elizabeth F., wife of Stephen F. Farrow, of Kingman, Kan .; Mattie L., widow of D. C. Rum- mell, of Virginia, this state; and Kate R., wife of John W. Gamble, of Bluff- dale township. Mr. Gillingham is now the owner of 428 acres of good land, all situated in this township. He is vice-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 117

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