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 125

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 125

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

including the high school studies, are taught, with the addition of music, and several of the graduates are now teach- ing in the county, while some are in higher colleges. In 1882, the chancel, sacristies and transepts of a large new church building were erected, and fur- nished at a cost of $10,000, to take the place of the old one. Improvements are constantly being made in the parson- age and grounds. The communicants number about 800, and are about equally divided among Irish and German Amer- icans. The parish is in a very prosper- ous condition, owing to the generosity of her members, and not less to the ex- ertions of their zealous pastor.

Edward Miner was born in Jersey- ville, Jersey county, Ill., in 1835, and was the eldest of a family of seven chil- dren, his parents being Nathaniel and Louisa (Jackson) Miner. As a complete sketch of these people appear in connec- tion with the history of Jersey county, we now follow the fortunes of Edward. the subject, who grew to manhood in that county, where he also received a liberal education. On attaining his majority, he proceeded to Carlinville, Macoupin county, where he entered into mercantile pursuits. This not proving remunerative, at the expiration of two years he abandoned this calling and turned his attention to farming, which he followed for some time. He then re- turned to Jerseyville, where he assumed the local editorship of the Republican, and as such he conducted this enter- prise with marked ability. During the spring of 1874, Mr. Miner concluded to cast his lot among the people of Carroll- ton, and accordingly took possession of the Patriot, its former proprietor having

signally failed to bring the paper up to anything like a general circulation. To the trying task of resuscitating this wan- ing sheet, Mr. Miner bent all the en- ergies, of his nature, and that he suc- ceeded admirably, is well known to the people of the county. As further notice to his editorial duties, we now state that he disposed of hisinterest to C.L.Clapp, the present proprietor of that live paper. During the year 1877, when L. R. Lakin was re-elected county clerk, Mr. Miner became his able deputy. In 1882, he was the republican candidate for that office, but was defeated with the balance of the ticket. However, realizing his ability for the position, Mr. Jones, his opponent, retained him as his deputy, in which capacity he still serves in a satisfactory manner, and with credit to himself. Mr. Miner has been secretary of the Old Settlers' Association for six years, and of the Carrollton school board, seven years, and still retains those positions. He is also serving his third term as clerk of the city of Carrollton. He is a R. A. M., being a charter men- ber of Burke chapter, at Carlinville, Ill. He is also a member of the K. of II. and I. O. G. T. societies. In 1861 Mr. Miner united his fortunes with Ella VanArs- dale, a daughter of W. H. VanArsdale, by whom four children have been born James E., Nettie L., Willie and Lucy.

Hugh P. Farrelly was born Sept. 2, 1858, in Greene county, Ill., his parents being Hugh P. and Elizabeth (Brewer) Farrelly, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Virginia. Hugh lived with his mother until her death, July 2, 1878, she being buried at the Carroll- ton cemetery, where his father is also buried, he having died two weeks be-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

fore Hugh was born. Hugh received his education in the common schools, and graduated in 1877, with the first class that graduated from the Green- field high school. After leaving school he was engaged in farming one year. He then taught six months, at what is known as the Bear Creek school, in this county, after which he taught two terms at the Dover school. The next year he taught an eight month's term in the grammar department of the Greenfield schools, and then accepted a position as principal of the Rockbridge schools, where he taught one term. May 19, 1883, he purchased H. H. Montgom- ery's interest in the Gazette office at Carrollton, it being a half interest, the firm being known as Price & Farrelly. Since his connection with the paper the subscription list has increased nearly 300. Mr. Farrelly was married June 2, 1885, to Florence E. Robinson, daughter of T. C. and Eliza (Legg) Robinson. Mr. Farrelly is a member of the Olympic K. of H. lodge, Carrollton, having passed through the different offices of the same order, at the Green- field lodge, and has represented the Greenfield lodge twice in the grand lodge of the state. He was a charter member of the K. of P. of Greenfield, and passed through the chair of that lodge, also representing that lodge in the grand lodge of the state. Ile is also a member of the I. O. G. T., of Carrollton. He and his wife are mem- bers of the M. E. church of this city. Mr. Farrelly assisted, as far as was in his power, to elect Cleveland.

Clement L. Clapp, proprietor of the Carrollton Patriot, was born in Ohio, in 1852. He removed, with his parents, to

Connecticut, where he spent his boy- hood. They afterward removed to Iowa, where he graduated from college, in 1871. lle then taught school three years; after which he spent two years at Yale college, as a graduate student. He was then engaged for two years as a member of the editorial staff of the New Haven, Conn., Daily Journal and Courier. After coming to this state he was em- ployed one year as tutor in the Illinois College, at Jacksonville, and in 1875, bought the Carrollton Patriot, a history of which is given elsewhere. Mr. Clapp was married, March 23, 1875, to Mima Allen, a native of New Haven, Conn. They are the parents of one child-Allan Charles. They are members of the Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Clapp has officiated as superintendent of the Sunday school for seven years.

Luther M. Kennett, well known in the real estate and abstract business, was born in Carrollton, March 26, 1833, and is a son of Dixon HI. and Fanny (Wil- son) Kennett, the former a native of Snowhill, Md., the latter of Virginia. They were united in marriage in Bour- bon county, Ky., and in 1830, removed to Greene county, Ill. Mr. Kennett was engaged in the mercantile business for many years. He died at Carrollton, in 1854, his wife having died there, with that dreadful disease, cholera, in the year 1833. Luther received his educa- tion in the university, at St. Louis, Mo., and, after leaving school, proceeded to New Orleans, and there engaged, with his brother, in a wholesale grocery house, in which he remained 20 years. Since then he has engaged in sundry pursuits, doing considerable traveling, particularly through Colorado and the

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

west. He returned to Carrollton in 1879, and has since resided herc. In 1862, Mr. Kennett enlisted in the Wash- ington artillery, of New Orleans, com- manded by Capt. Slocum, and partici- pated in the engagement at Jackson, Miss., where he was taken sick. A few days before the battle of Mission Ridge, he was detailed to the quartermaster's department, as a clerk, and remained there until the close of the war. He was discharged at Macon, Miss., and returned to New Orleans. Press G. Kennett, an unele of Luther M., settled in Carroll- ton as early as 1825, and here died. A son of his, Luther M., had been mayor of St. Louis three terms. Ferdinand, another son, was also well and favor- ably known in that city. Mortimer, too, was a son of his, but all three are now deceased.

Geo. Wright, a retired merchant, of Carrollton, was born in Yorkshire, Eng., in ISOS. He was bound seven years to the trade of a carpenter, but before his time expired he purchased his inden- tures. At 21 he had acquired a liberal education, and then turned his attention to the New World. Crossing the ocean on a sailing vessel, in 1830, he landed in New York, where he remained but a a short time, when he made his way to Greene county, where he first worked at his trade and farming. In 1836 he made his way to Carrollton, where he began life as a merchant, on a very small seale indeed. For a period of 20 year Mr. Wright, who was slowly climbing to a front position as a mer- chant, bought his goods in St. Louis. Year by year he went steadily forward to a successful mercantile career. His indomitable will, great industry and

honesty, brought its reward, and the statement is to-day given, on good authority, that George Wright was the most successful dry goods merchant in Greene county. Mr. Wright has been twice married. In 1844 he was united in marriage with Miss Anna Turnstall, a daughter of Jno. Turnstall, ex-mayor of Louisville, Ky. Mrs. Wright died in 1856. There were four children born of this marriage; three are living- Warrick, Harry and Lenette. Jan., 1860, Mr. Wright was married to Mrs. Lat- timer, a sister of his former wife, by whom he has two children-Sidney and Arthur. Mr. Wright was a participant in the Black Hawk war. Mr. Wright and wife are members of the Presby- terian church.

John G. F. Powell was born in Jamaica Plains, Queens Co., N. Y., Sept. 4, 1839, and is a son of James H. and Jane (Bernard) Powell. He was edu- cated in the common schools there, and when 16 years of age he went to New York city and entered, as errand boy, the dry goods house of Perego & Son. He made a three year engagement with this firm at a graduated salary, but at the end of the first year he was pro- moted from errand boy to take charge of the hosiery department of the busi- ness. He served this firm six years, and then established a mercantile busi- ness in Brooklyn. A year later his former employers induced him to sell out and take an interest in their busi- ness, and he thus beeame the junior partner in the firm of Perego & Son. Here he continued until the spring of 1871. when on account of failing health, he withdrew from the firm, and in Feb- ruary, 1872, came to Illinois and located

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

at Carrollton. Here he carried on a meat market a few months and then followed various employments until 1874 when he became deputy county clerk, under L. R. Lakin. He afterwards be- came deputy, under John Jones, in the sheriff's office, and has served under succeeding sheriffs, in like capacity, ever since, being now the able assistant of Sheriff Morrow. On Oct. 14, 1876, Mr. Powell was united in marriage with Nellie Brown. They are the parents of one son, Harold. In politics Mr. Pow- ell is a staunch democrat, as was his father before him. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. and K. of H. lodges at Carrollton. He is an active business man, always at his post of duty, which fact has secured him a large circle of warm friends whose confidence and esteem he enjoys.

Rev. William M. Campbell, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Carrollton, is a native of Woodstock, Ontario, Can- ada, where he was born Jan. 21, 1846. He is a son of Murdoch and Ann (Mc- Kay) Campbell, natives of Sutherland- shire, Scotland. They came to Canada about 1835 and engaged in farming, after having spent some time in the Maritime Provinces. His father died in 1881, but his mother still resides in Woodstock. William received his ad- vanced literary training in Toronto, after which he pursued his theological studies in Auburn, N. Y., and Chicago, Ill. He was ordained to the ministry in the Presbyterian church by the Pres- bytery of Saginaw, Synod of Michigan, in 1877. After being engaged in mis- sionary work in the west, and laboring in Michigan, for a year or.two, he came to Carrollton, in the fall of 1883, and

took charge of the Presbyterian church, where he at present labors. The rela- tions between himself and people have been pleasant, and the work has, on various lines, been moving encourag- ingly onward. Rev. Mr. Campbell was united in marriage, in New York city, in 1883, shortly after commencing his Carrollton pastorate, with Caroline Wil- helmine Berbecker, daughter of Julius and Emma Marie (Lueneschloss) Ber- becker, natives of Germany, in the vi- cinity of Cologne. They came to America about 1855, and resided in New Orleans, Mrs. Campbell's birth-place, for a few years. They removed to New York city and afterward to Chicago. From the latter city, having been burned out, Mr. Berbecker removed again to New York, engaging in the wholesale upholsters' hardware business, where he at present resides, his wife having died in Chicago. Rev. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He is a contributing member of the American Akademe, a philosophical so- ciety having its headquarters at Jack- sonville, Ill. He is also a member of the Victoria Institute of Philosophy, of London, England, of which the late earl of Shaftesbury was president.

James McPheron was born in Anderson county, Tenn., Feb. 8, 1826, his parents being Amos and Hettie (Morris) Mc- Pheron, the former a native of Tennes- see, the latter of Virginia. His parents were married in Tennessee, where they remained until 1829, when they removed to Jacksonville, Morgan county, Ill., where his father engaged in farming about three years. They made the trip to this state in a four-horse wagon, that being the only means of conveyance in

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IIISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

pioneer times. In the winter of 1831, they came to Greene county, and located in Linder township, where he entered 80 acres of land, for which he gave $100, and what is very remarkable, he is still living on the land which he first entered. Ile is now in his 89th year, and is among the oldest settlers now in Greene county. James was reared on a farm, staying with his parents until he was 17 years old, when he started out in life for him- self, working out from 1843 until 1847. He was then married, and settled down in Linder township, where he farmed two years on rented ground. Ile then bought 130 acres of land in the same township, on which he remained eight years, or until 1858, when he sold out, and with his family took a pleasure trip to Fayetteville, Ark., where they re- mained one winter, returning to Carroll- ton in the spring of 1859. Mr. Mc- Pheron then engaged in teaming and huckstering for one year, and in 1860 purchased 113 acres of ground on section 26, which was owned by the Boston company. There were no improvements on the place, but it cost him $100 per acre. On this ground he started in the garden and nursery business. He im- proved the place, built a nice brick house and all necessary out-buildings, and the present surroundings show that he has been a successful, enterprising business man. Four years previous to going into the nursery business, he ran a grocery store at the C. & A. depot, just after the completion of the road. He now has a business place at Carrollton, opposite the Walker House, where he disposes of fruits and vegetables, all of which he raises, and he carries on the most extensive business of that kind in

this vicinity. He is located inside the city limits, and cultivates 16 acres of ground. He was married, Nov. 4, 1847, to Amanda C. Cato, daughter of George E. and Euphemia (Rief) Cato. By this union there are six children-Edwin N., married Katie Doublebower, resides in Greenfield; Ella, wife of John Seruby, living at Roodhouse; Anna E., wife of L. W. Loomis, of Carrollton; Laura B., wife of John Clough, Jr., of Carrollton township; Robert A., married Maggie E. Camp, resides in Carrollton; and James C., at home. Mr. McPheron has a floral department in connection with his business, which was organized on a small scale, in 1882, by Robert, who is the florist. It is now one of the largest greenhonses in the county. It is 18x70 feet in size, is covered with 1,600 feet of glass, and is the only house in the county heated with hot-water pipes.

William C. Kennett, a native of Mil- lersburg, Bourbon county, Ky., was born Feb. 6, 1814, his parents being Dixon H. and Fanny (Wilson) Kennett. D. H. Kennett was a native of Mary- land, born in 1782. He came to Illi- nois at an early day, and was a mechanic and justice of the peace at Carrollton. Mrs. Kennett was a native of Pendle- ton county, Ky, Her father was a native of Virginia, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He departed this life in the year 1854. Mrs. Kennett died with the cholera in 1833. William was educated in the common schools, and afterward clerked in a dry goods store in St. Louis. He then engaged as clerk on a steamboat for a number of years, and subsequently was employed by an insurance company, as book- keeper, during which time his health

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

failed and he decided to take a trip to the Rocky mountains to see if possibly he might be benefitted. He traveled with a party of some fifty persons, among whom were Father De Smet, and several Englishmen, who were journey- ing for pleasure. Many of them died on the way, but Mr. Kennet improved so in health, that he increased in weight from 128 pounds to 192 pounds in six months. Ile returned to St. Louis, and from there removed to New Orleans, where he engaged in the commission business, in which he continued until the breaking out of the civil war, which caused his failure. Since then he re- turned to St. Louis, where he again engaged in the commission business, until having acquired a competency, he decided to retire from business. This he did, and took up his place of residence at Carrollton, where he has been for the past eight years. He first came to this city in 1831, remaining but a short time and often afterwards he made visits here. In the year 1847, Mr. Kennett was united in marriage with Julia Clapp, daughter of Benjamin Clapp, a native of New York. Julia was born March 5, 1829, in New York city. By the above marriage they are the parents of 7 children-Fannie, Alfred, Violet, Lucy, Dixon H., Grace and Agnes. The family are members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Kennett has many friends, being highly esteemed for his many good qualities.

Thomas D. Price, of the Carrollton Gazette, was born March 22, 1836, in New York city, and is a son of Geo. B. and Mary A. (Green) Price, the former a na- tive of Massachusetts, the latter of England. In 1838 they moved to St.

Louis, where they resided a short time, his father being engaged in the Bulletin office, now the St. Louis Republican. From there they removed to Bowling Green, Mo., where Geo. B. edited, printed and published the first religious paper ever published in that state. Two years after, they removed to Pittsfield, Ill., where he was engaged in publish- ing a paper for 'Squire Noyes, remaining there two years. He then removed to Carlisle, there publishing the Truth- Teller for about two years, and from there came to Carrollton, establishing the Gazette, June 26, 1847, since which time they have resided here. In 1882, Geo. B. turned the office over to Thomas, who with his brother Matthew N., and his brother-in-law, H. S. Clay, took charge of it, the two latter being connected with it about two years. In 1878 they established the Jacksonville Courier, under the firm name of Messrs. T. D. Price & Co., Mathew N. Price and H. S. Clay conducting it. They pub- lished this paper about six years, and then sold out to Doying & Hinrichsen. Thomas D., during the time of this en- terprise, had remained in Carrollton, conducting the Gazette, and in July, 1881, had admitted H. H. Montgomery as a partner. This firm continued until May, 1883, when H. P. Farrelly purchased Montgomery's interest in the enterprise, since being ably conducted under the firm name of Price & Farrelly. Mr. Price was married Oct. 3, 1861, to Mary J. Howard, daughter of Jordan and Eveline (Rider) Howard. By this union there is one child-George Howard, who was born on the 21st Dec., 1863. Mr. Price is a member of the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. lodges.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXVI.

WHITE HALL TOWNSHIP.

The civil sub-division of the county of Greene, known as White Hall, is one of the most irregularly shaped of any. It lies in the northern part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Rood- house township, on the east by Athens- ville and Wrights, on the south by Car- rollton township, from which it is sep- arated by Apple creek, and on the west by Walkerville and Patterson town- ships. It comprises about 42 sections of some as fine land as there is in this section of the state. Apple creek, with its tributaries, chief among which are Seminary and Wolf creeks, afford ample drainage. Some portions of this terri- tory are high, rolling prairie, stretching in "airy undulations, far away," while others are more hilly and covered with a mature growth of valuable timber. The soil has the same general character- istics that have made this portion of the state so famous in agricultural history, and is prolific and fertile beyond com- pare. The C., A. & St. L., and the C., B. & Q. railroads traverse a portion of this township, meeting at the city of White Hall, where both have stations. These unequalled railroad facilities have doubtless, been an important fac- tor in the building up and development of this portion of the county.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

There seems to be no doubt but that the first settler north of Apple creek

was James Henderson. He first crossed that stream in Aug., 1818. His family settled here, as soon as he could get a cabin up, which was not until the fol- lowing year.

The same summer of 1819, Thomas and Samnel Allen, Thomas Rattan, Levi Reeder, and others crossed Apple creek, attracted by the beauty of the land, and made settlements.

Thomas Allen and his brother also built the first mill in this county at this point on Apple creek, near the present site of New Providence. Thomas Allen was one of the prominent men of that early day. He was a large, corpulent man, weighing over 250 pounds, and was good natured and jolly, and especially delighted in romping with children. He had a great love for the young folks, common to all men of his build. His mill, of which a history is given further on, was one of the leading institutions of the county, in its day, and for many years the place was known as Allen's mill. He died at this place about the year 1833.

Thomas Rattan did not live here very long, for when the new county seat was laid out in 1821, he removed to that lo- cality, where he finished the first house, and where he kept the only tavern or hotel in the place. Mr. Rattan repre- sented this district in the general assem- bly of the state several times, and is noticed in that connection, in the chap-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

ter entitled National, State and County Representation.

All of these parties settled just east of the road now leading from Carrollton to White Hall, except, that part of Thomas Rattan's land lay to the west of it.

In the autumn of the same year, 1819, Zachariah and John Allen, Isaac Hill and others crossed the creek, and aug- mented the little settlement.

William Allen came to what is now Greene county in 1818, and settled in White Hall township, in 1819. He was born in Rowan county, N. C., July 17, 1798, and was the son of Thomas and Mary (Pinkerton) Allen. He came to what is now the city of Alton, in 1817, and coming to this county looked the country over, and, in the spring of 1818, came here as above. He lived here until his death, April 4, 1874. He had a family of nine children, seven of whom are living. He and his wife were members of the United Presbyterian church, and he was a staunch democrat. During the war of 1812, Mr. Allen was a soldier in the United States army, and participated in the glorious victory at New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815. Mr. Allen was a man much respected by all, and held several local offices in the county.

Seldon Beebe, a native of the "Key- stone State," and his wife, Fidelia (Bushnell) Beebe, came to Illinois in 1818, and made a settlement on Apple Creek Prairie, in this township, in 1820. In a short time he removed to Bluffdale, and located under the bluff's, where he resided until 1853, when he died. His wife, who was a native of Connecticut, survived him until 1870, when she too, was called to the other shore.

William Speaks came with the others,

from Tennessee, in 1819, and located on Apple creek, in what is now White Hall township. The first winter, for it was late in the fall when they came herc, they were unable to put up a house, or get one, so they were compelled to camp out all that inclement season, by the side of a big log. While roughing it in this fashion, a child was born unto them.

William Speaks was born in Mary- land, Jan. 17, 1782, his father being a native of North Carolina, his mother of Welsh descent. His wife was Sarah Orten, born July 14, 1782, in Rowan county, N. C. William removed to North Carolina when quite young, and later on, was married there. He then removed to Tennessee, and after five years, came to Greene county, Ill., in the fall of 1819, accompanied by the Allens, Morrows and Bells. They set- tled on Apple creek, near White Hall. Mr. Speaks lived on the old homestead until he was too old to work, when he sold out and, with his wife, removed to Greenfield, where they spent the bal- ance of their days with their daughter, Mrs. N. C. Woolley. He died July 3, 1854, of cancer, and his wife died Oet. 11, 1864. Both were members of the Baptist church. They had raised a family of nine children.

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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 125

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