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 118

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 118

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president of the Old Settlers' Society, having first been elected in 1884, and again in 1885, and in polities, is a ro- publican. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the White Hall Christian church.

Harry Rollins was born in Warren county, N. Y., Jan. 15, 1806, his parents being James and Hepzibah (Greenwood) Rollins. He was reared in his native state, to farm life, and remained there until 1854, when he came to Greene county. He lived the first year with B. Gillingham, and the next year pur- chased 128 acres on section 23, Walker- ville township, where he has since re- sided. He was married in New York, in 1833, to Hannah Lane, a native of New Hampshire. They were the par- ents of eight children, six of whom are living-Samantha, Hepzibah, Thomas, Alonzo, deceased; Orson, Juliet, de- ceased; Lucina and Joseph. He is the owner of 56 acres of land on section 23, Walkerville township.

Orson Rollins, the second youngest son of Harry and Hannah (Lane) Rol- lins, was born in Warren county, N. Y., May 8, 1840. He remained in his na- tive county until reaching his 14th year, when, with his parents, he came to Greene county, and has made this his home ever since. He was united in marriage, in this county, Nov. 26, 1866, with Anna Lovett, a native of New York. and daughter of Charles Lovett. Mr. and Mrs. Rollins are the parents of four children-Ida May, Etta, Harry and Fred. He owns 236 acres of land in Walkerville township, and devotes his attention principally to farming and stock-raising. He enlisted in the ser- vice of his country, in 1861, in Co. G,

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10th Mo. Inf., and served with his reg- iment until his discharge, in 1862. He was mustered in at St. Louis. During the first part of his service he was en- gaged in operations in Missouri. He went with Rosecrans to Mississippi, and while there took an active part in the battle of Iuka. The next engagement in which he participated was that of Corinth, where he was wounded in the left arm, and had to have it amputated. On this account he was discharged, hav- ing honorably lost a limb in defense of the Union. Since coming to Greene county, Mr. Rollins has never made his home permanent, but has accumulated, from time to time, until he now ranks among the prosperous men of the town- ship.

George Hoselton, one of Walkerville's prominent agriculturists, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Fairfield county, on March 17, 1832, being a son of John and Nancy ( Buzzard) Hoselton, the former being a native of Maryland, and the latter of Ohio. George was reared in Ohio, and when 17 years of age, walked from there to Ft. Wayne, Ind., carrying his pack. After remaining there a short time he went to LaGrange, where he spent that winter, and in the spring returned to Ft. Wayne. He re- mained there until Sept., 1850, and then came to Greene county, locating south of Carrollton. He lived in Greene and Jersey counties, alternately, until 1850, since which time he has resided in Greene almost continuously. On Oct. 11, 1852, Jane Hunnicutt became the beloved wife of Mr. Hoselton. She isa native of this county, and was a daugh- ter of Rowell Hunnicutt, one of the early settlers of the county, and whose

sketch appears elsewhere in this vol- ume. Mr. and Mrs. Hoselton are the happy parents of eight children-Mary, who resides in Missouri; Ellen, Lee, Nora, John, Edgar, Ross and Julia. Mr. H. has 200 acres of good land in Walkerville township, and his house is one of the finest in this section of the county, in dimension being 21×14 and 30x14, with an L, 26x14. The building is handsomely fitted up with trimmings and porches, and is two and a half stories in height. By marriage, Mr. Hoselton is connected with one of the oldest families in the county, which figured in its early history. John Hos- elton. the father of our subject. died in Jersey county, in Jan., 1880, and his widow now resides in Mississippi town- ship.

Aaron Otey, one of Walkerville's in- telligent citizens, is a native of Mont- gomery county, Virginia, and was born March 11, 1851, his parents being Sam- uel and Nancy (Conner) Otey, both of whom were natives of the state of Vir- ginia, the former having departed this life in 1858, and the latter in 1862. Aaron remained in his native state un- til reaching his 17th year, when he re- moved to Ohio. His destination was Greene county, III. He walked across the mountains. and being out of funds, necessary for traveling, he stopped at Gallipolis, Ohio, where he secured work, and attended school. He re- mained there five years, the last three months of which time he was engaged in teaching school. He then came to this county, arriving August 28, 1873, and has ever since been engaged in teaching, with the exception of one win- ter. March 15, 1874, he was united in

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marriage with Nancy Bashon, a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Otey are the parents of five children-Ilarry E., Mabel M., Lucy M., Ellen F. and Maude. Mr. Otey is the owner of 60 acres of land in Walkerville township, and at present is teaching school in distriet No. 1.

Cassius Ilesket was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, May 29, 1829, his parents being Landon and Rachel (Galloway) Hesket. Cassius was reared in his native county. in Ohio, where he re- mained until he had attained the age of 32 years, when he removed to this state and took up his residence in what is now Walkerville township. He re- moved to his present location, on Sec. 11, T. 11. R. 13, in 1857. Cassius Hesket and Sarah M. Collins, a native of Ohio, were united in marriage, in their native state, on Sept. 11, 1862. As a result of this marriage, there were six children born to them, four of whom are now living-Homer Ellwood, mar- ried Ella Cox; Artlissa; Emily Caro- line, wife of Samuel Johnson; and Mina Elizabeth. Two of their chil- dren, Sarah Jane and Rosa Bella, are dead. Mr. Hesket is now the possessor of 160 acres of land in Walkerville township, which is well improved. Both of Mr. H.'s parents died in the state of Ohio.

Anselam Myers is a native of Greene county, Illinois. His parents being Elisha and Rebecca (Chapman) Myers. Anselam was reared to farm life and fol- lowed that pursuit uninterruptedly un- til Oet. 23, 1865, when he enlisted in the 10th Mo., Inf. He served three years and four months before returning home, and participated in the following engagements-Shiloh, Corinth, Iuka,

Tallahatchie, Jackson, Miss., Champion Hills, siege of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and Lookout Mountain, and went with Sherman as far as Atlanta, Ga. After his discharge, Mr. Myers removed to Logan county, Ill., where he remained some three years, and then returned to this county, where he has since re- sided. Anselam Myers was united in marriage, July 4, 1858, with Susan E. Hudson, daughter of Drury Hudson, and his wife, both natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Myers were the parents of five children, three of whom are now living-John H., Lillie B. and William J. Mrs. Myers departed this life Dec. 20, 1879, and was interred in the Walk- erville cemetery. Mr. Myers was again married, March 7, 1882, to Alice R. VanMeter, a native of Illinois. By this marriage there are two children- Luella M. and Harry LeRoy. Mr. Myers is the present road commissioner of his distriet, and divides his atten- tion between the raising of stock and grain. He is the possessor of 40 acres of land on See. 14, T. 11. R. 13.

Nicholas Schier was born in Celle, Prussia, Aug. 22, 1819, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Binns) Schier, natives of Prussia. He received his ed- ucation in his native country, and, after reaching manhood, he engaged in the milling business there for 11 years. In 1852, after bidding adieu to friends and home, he sailed down the river Rhine, to Rotterdam, and from there to Goole, England, where he went, by railroad, to Liverpool. He there took passage for America, on a vessel bound for New Orleans, and after a voyage of nine weeks, he arrived at the Crescent City, and then came up to St. Louis. There.

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in August, 1857, he was married to Catherine Baltes, a native of Prussia. By this marriage there were five chil- dren, all of whom are deceased. His wife died Sept. 15, 1865, and Mr. Schier was again married to Mary Taffner, also a native of Prussia. This union was blessed with five children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are- Katie, Elizabeth, Johnnie, and Chris- tina. Mr. Schier has 40 acres of land on See. 2, T. 11, R. 13, and divides his attention between raising stock and is a steady, industrious farmer. He came to this county in 1855.

FIRST ITEMS.

The first religious services were held in the house of John Walker, by Wil- liam J. McAdams.

The first death was that of James, son of Obediah Silkwood, in 1822.

First school was taught by Hartwell Hunnicutt, in 1824, in a log cabin on section 23.

The first marriage took place in 1826, when Hezekiah Crosby and Eliza Silk- wood united their destinies.

EDUCATIONAL.

The pioneer school of this township was taught by Hartwell Hunnicutt, in 1824, in a temporary log structure erec- ted by the citizens of that neighbor- hood. The building was located upon section 23, northeast of the present home of Bainbridge Gillingham. About the year 1830, the old pioneer land- mark of education was destroyed by fire. Mr. Hunnicutt was a teacher in the schools of the township for a num- ber of years, and was the father of one of its present citizens, Rowell.

School district No. 1, had the first school house erected in 1841, where the church on section 11 now stands. It was an humble log cabin. The pioneer teacher was Isaac Osborn. About 1853, a frame school building was erected, near the old one, which lasted until 1878, when the present frame building was put up. Aaron Otey is the present pedagogue.

School district No. 5. - The first school house in the district was erceted in 1879, and is the one used at present. The first teacher was James Ingram. The present directors are W. A. Ilubi- bard, Hiram Powel and Daniel Otey. The present teacher is Mary King.

ORGANIC.

At the township organization in 1885, the following officers were duly elected to fill the positions made by the new method of government: James M. Otey, supervisor; J. H. Greene, clerk; I. R. Kinser, assessor; William Vinyard, collector; John Painter and H. T. Hun- nicutt, justices; Floyd Otey and B. R. Cox, constables; Ensel Myers, Wash. Brubaker and John C. Price, highway commissioners.

WALKERVILLE.

In 1835, John Walker, one of the early settlers, conceived the idea of laying out a town on his farm on section 24, T. 11, R. 13. This he proceeded to do, and on the 18th of July, 1836, he filed for record, with the clerk of the circuit court, a plat of the town. Mr. Walker was the first resident of the town site.

The pioneer store building was put up by Jason C. Lewis, in 1836, and

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dealt in all the miscellaneous goods us- ually dispensed in stores, in early times, and sometimes now, in small places. The postoffice was established about this time, and Mr. Lewis was ap- pointed postmaster, and served several years.

Squire Vinyard built one of the first residences in the town, and he put up a building and was the second to open a store here. After a time he sold out to Kinser and Brantlett.

The latter firm was not very long in business, when they became bankrupt, were closed out, and have removed from the village.

They were succeeded by Ezra Swank, who kept the postoffice in his store. | In the postmastership, he was succeeded by Jesse Ballard, and he, in 1884, by E. J. Green, and he in turn, by Kane Fields. The latter is the present in- cumbent. Mr. Swank died in the fall of 1882.

J. H. Greene is one of the present representatives of the business of the place, dividing with Kane Fields the general merchandise business of the place.

Kane Fields, one of the merchants, started in business in this place, in May, 1884. His store room is 18x30 feet in size, two stories high, the upper room having formerly been used as a hall for daneing. This structure was built by Thomas S. Tatman, and was used at first as a saloon, but afterwards

a small stock of goods was put in by him. Ezra Swank succeeded him, but moving out, it remained idle until Mr. Fields opened his stock here. He car- ries groceries, boots and shoes, flour, etc.

RELIGIOUS.

The Christian church, of Walkerville, was organized April 1, 1861, at the school house in Walkerville, Revs. J. W. Miller and Hiram Hess officiating. The first members were, Mr. and Mrs. B. Gillingham, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Mays, Elsie Mays, Andrew Kelley, Sr., Jordan Suttles and Elizabeth Suttles. The congregation has no church edifice as yet, worshipping in the school house still.

Andrew Kelley, early in the history of the little village, built a blacksmith shop and therein set up the first forge in it. He continued for many years and was succeeded by his son, D. Kelley, and he by Washington Brubaker.

The edifice in which school is held was ereeted in 1855 by Newton Cox, and is 18x26 in dimensions, and one story high. The first teacher was Samuel Wing. The present one is Maggie Kil- larney. The directors are, Jesse Ballard, Albert Swank and Robert Allen.

Walkerville once was ambitious, and for a time promised to become one of the leading villages in the county, but the railroads of this section passing all around it, has naturally forced it into a decline.

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IIISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXV.

CARROLLTON TOWNSHIP.

The township of Carrollton, one of the most beautiful in the county, em- braces all of township 10, range 12, and all that part of township 11, range 12, that lies south of Apple creek, and alto- gether comprises about 45 sections of most excellent land. The surface is most beautifully diversified, containing almost level prairie, rolling prairie, timbered land, cleared land, hills and hollows, and the picturesqueness and beauty of the scenery is almost unsur- passed in the eyes of the cultivated viewer. In the north part, Apple creek, with its smaller affluents, afford an abundance of water, and in the southern part, tributaries of the Ma- coupin creek furnish water, as well as drain the surrounding country. The soil is the rich, dark, loamy soil, so characteristic of this section of the state, and for fertility and productive power has no superior in the world. Corn, wheat, oats, barley and the other cereals flourish luxuriantly, while vege- tables and fruits bear abundant evi- dence of the nourishing qualities of the soil, and indigenous and imported grasses run wild in a marvel of ineredi- ble growth. The C. & A. R. R. passes through the entire township, from north to south, and, with the L., C. & W. R. R., affords easy facilities for communi- eation with the markets of the world. Carrollton and Berdan are the towns in this township.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

During the summer of 1818, Samuel Thomas came to Greene county, and, arriving on the banks of the Macoupin, cast his eyes over at the earthly para- dise north of the creek, as yet, totally uninhabited, and, fording that stream, came to section 33, where, in August, he erected a cabin. He had been in this neighborhood in 1816, and cut some hay, and made some preparations look- ing to a residence, but the Indians de- stroyed the result of his labors.

Samuel Thomas was a native of Pen- dleton county, S. C., born Sept. 13, 1794. He was the youngest of five children, of Irwin and Elizabeth (Hub- bard) Thomas. His father died in July, 1795, when Samuel was less than a year old. After her husband's death, his widow labored in the field and garden, to keep her children together, and provide for them. She, in about a year, was united in marriage with Wm. Hamilton, by whom she had five children. He proved an excellent husband and kind father to his step-children. About 1802, the family removed to Kentucky, and located in Caldwell county, where Sam- uel was reared to farm life. He had but meager facilities, but, through his indomitable energy, managed to learn to read and write, and to acquire a fair education, being almost entirely self- taught. In 1811, his step-father died, and his mother married a man by the

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name of John Flint: In 1822, Mr. Flint died, and his widow, with her son, Lewis Hamilton, came to Greene county, but, after about a year, moved to Adams county, Ill., where she died in 1840. In 1813, in company with two of his broth- ers-in-law, Reason Reagan and Dennis Davis, and their wives and children, came to Illinois, landing at the forks of Wood river. Here he showed his me- chanical ingenuity, by building a loom for his sister, a species of furniture he often made afterward. In the summer of 1814, he joined the company of rangers, under Capt. Judy, but after a short campaign, joined Capt. Whiteside's company, and continued in that service until peace was declared. While on one of his trips, he passed over what is now Greene county, in 1816. After his return from the war, Mr. Thomas put in a crop of corn, in what is now Madison county, and June 4, 1816, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Isley. Mrs. Thomas was born in Sullivan county, Tenn., Sept. 2, 1796, and was the daugh- ter of Philip and Margaret Isley. In a few days, the young couple moved into a cabin which he had built, where he lived about two years. He then made a trip to Greene county; as recounted elsewhere, and in Aug., 1818, built a cabin on the section where he long lived. Nov. 9, 1818, he arrived, with his family, at this cabin, and made a settlement, which was the first in the county north of Macoupin creek, and here he lived the balance of his natural life. Mr. Thomas and wife were blessed with twelve children, of whom eleven are yet living, as follows-John I., who was a small child when his parents immigrated to their present residence,

is married and settled near the old homestead, whose sketeh is given else- where; Eliza J., wife of the well known and successful agriculturist, Jeduthan B. Eldred; Mary A., who was married to Wm. H. Bowlin, and after his death, married Francis Brown, both of Pike county; Nancy, wife of Otis Haskins, of Pike county, Ill .; Elizabeth A., the wife of John Clemmons; Lewis II., and Samuel R., now living in Montgom- ery county; Matilda A., wife of Dr. C. P. Clemmons, of Carrollton; William D., residing on his farm, which is in close proximity to the old homestead; Cath- arine M., the wife of John Raincy Henry D., residing near Virden, Mont- gomery county; Gila A., the only child deceased, died July 27th, 1883. In 1839, Mr. Thomas built a large and commodious brick house, in which he resided until called by death to cross the dark river. From his earliest rec- ollection; Mr. Thomas ever loved the beautiful scenery and pleasures of na- ture, the sweet fragrance of flowers, the beauty of green pastures, inviting groves, and sparkling water courses; and, more than this, he loved the rich, productive soil, that had made himself and children opulent. Whatever he undertook he did with all his might, and, with well developed order, worked to successful ends. He was plain in manners, companionable in intercourse, and genial in disposition; and, from the clearness of his mind, and elasticity of his step, we hardly recognized the fact that he lived an active life for upwards of three-quarters of a century. He was a little impetuous sometimes, but usu- ally well guarded, and found to be nearly right in his conclusions. He was

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one of those men who were always look- ing ahead. Truthfulness and sobriety were among his shining virtues; honor- able and reliable, he was a fair example of the older pioneers of the west. Mr. Thomas was long identified with the best interests of the country, of which he was a loyal citizen, whether in the proudness of her prosperity, or in the darker and humbler hours of her adver- sity. Ile gave to the Union his quiet, though earnest, support, and even when the state of his nativity was in arms against the life of the government, it had no influence in swerving him from the determination of standing firm to the cause of the Union. Mr. Thomas died at his residence near Carrollton, in the fullness of time, mourned by a large cir- cle of friends, and by the community in general.

One of the most prominent and rep- resentative men of Greene county. and one of the oldest living residents, is John I. Thomas, son of Samuel Thomas, the pioneer of Greene county, north of the Macoupin creek, and of Elizabeth Thomas, nee Isley. his wife. John 1. Thomas was born on Wood river, in Madison county, Ill., March 15, 1818, and was the oldest of 11 children that came to bless the home and cheer the loving parents. He resided with the "old folks" until his marriage to Ann Chorn, daughter of Jesse and Ann (Sam- uels) Chorn, Nov. 12, 1840. For 45 years this affectionate couple have jour- neyed down the rugged path of life, hand in hand, and during this almost a life time of connubial bliss, they have had five children born to them, four of whom are living-Ahnira; Elizabeth, born Sept. 25, 1841, is now the wife of

Henry Ryan, of Ruyle township, Jersey county; Alice Catherine, born June 22, 1843, was united in marriage with Wil- liam Baker, who dying, she was again married to Leonard Ryan, but Nov. 17, 1885, was herself called hence; Jane Eliza, born Jan. 6, 1845, married Elon Eldred, of this county, but died April 21, 1876; Samuel Lewis, born April 15, 1847, now living in Carrollton township, near his father; and Mary Lenora, born Feb. 11, 1856, wife of Frank Robertson, living near the city of Jacksonville, Morgan county. Mrs. Thomas was born in Chillicothe, O., Feb. 21, 1821, and although over 64 years old bears her age most remarkably well, and takes as much interest in life as if she was 30 years younger. Mr. Thomas ranks with the largest land owners in the county, possessing 852 acres of as fine land as lies under the sun; 300 acres are on section 33, on which are a brick res- idence and commodious barn; over 165 aeres are on section 34, both these in T. 10, R. 12, and in T. 9, R. 12, he has 408 acres on sections 3 and 9. He is a suc- cessful farmer and stock-raiser, and has added largely to his store. He is the president of the Greene County National Bank, of Carrollton, and one of the fi- nancial pillars of that monetarily strong institution, and is looked up to as a suc- cessful and able financier. One of the pioneers of Greene county, coming here with his parents in 1818, when but an infant, he has grown up, so to speak, with the county, and watched it develope from a virgin wilderness, destitute of inhabitants, its rich acres running waste with a luxuriant growth of grass, or covered with the primeval forest, to a state of high cultivation and civilization,

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teeming with busy inhabitants and cov- ered with towns, cities, villages and farms, until, to-day, Greene county stands, almost pre-eminent among the bright jewels that cluster in the diadem of a noble state. Still he lingers in his strength, just as stout, just as healthy as in his younger days, when he took his part in the rough sports of the pio- neers, and is an excellent example of the healthier condition of life of our an- eestors, who first "blazed" the broad mark of civilization into these pristine wastes.

Samuel F. Thomas was born in Greene county, April 15, 1847, his par- ents being John I. and Ann (Chorn) Thomas, mentioned above. Samuel F. was reared to farm life, remaining with his parents until he was 23 years of age, when he was married, and then started in life for himself. He located one mile east of the homestead, on section 34, where he owned 154 acres of land, on which he resided five years. He then traded that traet of land for one lying partly in Kane township, and partly in Carrollton township, and moved all his buildings except the house, from where he first lived to his present location, where he has since resided. He has been twice married, first in Oet., 1870, to Susan Clark, daughter of Israel and Esther Clark. By this union there were four children, three of whom are living -Arthur Lee, Albin Clark and Walter E. His wife died July 22, 1881. In 1880, before the death of his first wife, Mr. Thomas and she spent a year in Marion Center, Marion county, Kan., and in September of the same year, went to Glasgow, Cloud county, in the same state, where they spent the winter.

Sept. 13, 1882, Mr. Thomas was again married to Belle M. Eldred, daughter of Lueius S. and Nellie (Cavanaugh) Eldred. They celebrated their union with a wedding tour to the east, going by way of Chicago, through Canada to the Niagara Falls, and from there to Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington. From there they returned to St. Louis, and thenee home, having remained four or five days in each eity, and enjoying a delightful time. This union has been blessed with one child -Edward M. Mr. Thomas now owns 460 acres of land and his residence and other surroundings, show that he is one who appreciates the comforts of life, obtained by industry and enterprise. He buys cattle, which he feeds during the winter, and sells off in the spring. He now resides on the first 40 acres of land which his grandfather, Samuel Thomas, located on, when he came to the county. Mr. Thomas is one of the enterprising citizens of this township, and is highly esteemed by all.

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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 118

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