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 126

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 126

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Francis Bell, a Tennessean, came to this county in 1819, and settled upon a farm on Apple creek prairie, in this township. He lived here many years, and died in Tallula, this state, in June, 1866.

Francis M. Bell was born in Upper Alton, Ill., March 15, 1819, and was the son of Francis and Elizabeth (Allen) Bell. Francis M. came with his par-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

ents to this county in 1819, when but an infant. His parents settled on Ap- ple Creek Prairie, where F. M. was reared. His mother died in 1835, his father in 1866. Francis M. was married June 4, 1840, to Margaret A. Morrow, by which union there were four chil- dren. Mrs. Bell died March 29, 1861. Sept. 2, 1862, he was again married to Jane F. Allen. By her there were born four children, three of whom died in extreme infancy. Mr. Bell was elected sheriff as before stated, serving with faithfulness. He was the owner of the mill at Belltown, from 1853 till 1870. Upon the expiration of his term of office moved to Wrights township, where he resided, upon a farm until Sept. 6, 1879, when he died.

A little school was organized in the winter of 1819, which was taught by William Welch, and the young settlers attended to their early education.

In the year 1820, Charles Kitchen made a settlement in T. 12, R. 12, and is believed to have been the pioneer of this part of the township. He made some improvements on section 27, in the fall of the above year. He was afterward a Baptist minister, but was guilty of misconduct and left the county under a cloud.

With him came Lewis Roberts, who located, also, upon section 27, where he resided many years. He was a native of North Carolina, born in 1797. In carly youth he became a resident of Kentucky, where he was united in mar- riage to Miss Rebecea Day. In 1820 he set out from Kentucky to Illinois in a covered wagon. He became quite pros- perous, owning some 600 acres of land, and died here.

About a month after these men had shown the way, John Thompson fol- lowed them and located on the same section, where he passed many years. Mr. Thompson taught the first school in this part of White Hall township, in 1823, and was the first justice of the peace.

Thomas Rattan eame to this part of the county in 1820, and built a cabin, and put up the first ox-mill and dis- tillery in this township, which he run but a short time, for on the organization of the county, and the laying out of the county seat, he removed to Carrollton, where he lived for years.

David J. Seeley, came to Greene county, in 1820, but effected no perma- nent settlement until 1824, when he lo- eated on Sec. 33, T. 12, R. 12, in what is now known as White Hall township. Here he remained until 1833, when he removed to Galena, and engaged in the mining business. He afterward re- moved to Wisconsin, where he died May 4, 1868.

Probably James Martin Allen was the first settler on the site of White Hall. A native of Tennessee, he was born in 1794. He found a home in Greene county as early as 1820. Shortly after his arrival he was married to Eliz- abeth A. Morrow. For many years he kept the only inn, or tavern, on the property now owned by Mr. Adams. When the present town of White Hall was laid, out, he concluded to settle on a farm, and accordingly purchased a tract on Lorton's Prairie. He died in 1873, and his wife 11 months prior.

Andrew Pinkerton came to this settle- ment, in 1820. He was born in Ken- tucky, in Dec., 1799. He was married

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

in 1825 to Ellen Johnson, by whom he had seven children.

Cyrus Tolman, who was afterward identified with the official life of the county, came to this settlement in 1820, and located upon 120 acres of land on Sec. 2, T. 11, R. 12, south of White Hall, where he resided several years. He was a native of Massachusetts, and his wife, Polly (Eldredge) Tolman, of Ohio. From the place of his first set- tlement he removed to Sec. 36, T. 12, R. 12. After a time spent here, he sold out and bought 280 acres of land in Jer- sey township, Jersey county, where he died April 16, 1876. His wife died Oct. 17, 1860. He was the father of W. O. Tolman, who was born in this county in 1869. Cyrus was a member of the first grand jury of Greene county.

Charles Baines, deceased, was born in Yorkshire, Eng., Feb. 8, 1797, and was a son of Robert and Margaret A. (Walls) Baines, natives of England. His father was a rope-maker by trade, as was also his son Charles, who followed that occupation until coming to this country. In 1820 they came to Greene county, Ill., his father entering 160 acres of land, and Charles, 80 acres, both on section 11, in this township. His father afterward sold out, and resided with his son, Solomon, until his death, which occurred in Dec., 1848. Charles had also entered 160 acres of land on section 23, and he afterward erected on this a large two-story brick dwelling, and there resided the balance of his days, his death occurring Dec. 25, 1865. He was beloved by all, being an honest, up- right citizen, an affectionate husband and father, and a friend to the needy and distressed. Being among the ear-

liest settlers of the county, he had wit- nessed the development of a vast wil- derness into a flourishing and wealthy county. At the time of his death, he owned 400 acres of land, thus leaving his family in comfortable circumstances. He was married Aug. 17, 1850, to Jane Milnes, a daughter of Adam and Mary Milnes, and this union was blessed with three children-Charles, Solomon, and Henry. Mrs. Baines had a family of five children by a former marriage. They are-John, who married Jane Edwards, and resides in Rockbridge; Joseph, married Mary Green, and re- sides in Carrollton; Mary, wife of J. Umpton, living in Scott county; David, married Nellie Kendall, and resides near White Hall; and Thomas, married to Virginia Starks, and residing in Linder township. The family now own the estate that was left them by Mr. Baines, and Mrs. Baines is now enjoy- ing the comforts of life, which are the result of her own and her husband's in- dustry.

William Potts, one of the Argonauts of 1820, located upon Sec. 33, T. 12, R. 12, the Rattan place. He was an En- glishman by birth. He entered 80 acres prairie, and 80 of timber land, and built a log cabin in which he lived for several years. He then traded for another quarter of the same section, and built a good hewed log cabin, a story and a half high, where he passed the balance of his life. He died in 1862. His son, Elam A. Potts, born in 1821. is one of the oldest living residents of the county.

With him came Jeremiah Smith, who settled on the same section.

In 1820, Henry and Cyrus Griswold made a settlement on Sec. 5, 7. 11, R. 12.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Ilenry, commonly ealled Harry, and Cyrus Griswold, deceased, were born in Waltham, Addison county, Vt., Harry being born Jan. 9, 1790, and Cyrus, Sept. 15, 1792. Their parents were Adonijah and Mary (Barton) Griswold, natives of Vermont. In the spring of 1819, Cyrus Griswold, in company with ('apt. Speneer and others, eame to Mis- souri in wagons, and in the fall of the same year, returned by wagon to Ver- mont, in company with Caleb Post. In the spring of 1820, Harry and Cyrus, in company with Capt. Richard Robley and Desire, his wife, their sister, and others, comprising a company of between 30 and 40 persons, started on their way to Illinois, the train consisting of 16 wagons, Mrs. Robley being the only woman in the company. She and her brother Cyrus, did the cooking for the company. After being on the road 10 weeks they arrived in Missouri, in what is called Bonhomme bottom, on the Mis- souri river, some 35 miles west of St. Louis. Not being satisfied with the prospeet, part of the company built a flat-boat, on which they loaded their effects, bringing them down the Missouri river, and up the Illinois, opposite to what is now called Bluffdale, in this county, the others bringing their teams, all this occurring in 1820. Capt. Robley and others located at Bluffdale, and Har- ry and Cyrus on Apple Creek Prairie, on Sec. 6, T. 11, R. 12, where they built a log cabin, and for a time kept bach- elor's hall. The next year D. E. Woolley moved in and kept house for them. Dec. 24, 1823, Cyrus married Abby Post, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Stick- les) Post, then residents of Missouri. John Post was a brother of Col. Justus

Post, who was educated at West Point, and served his country in the war of 1812, with credit to himself and country. She is still living on the old homestead, and is the oldest settler now living on Apple Creek Prairie, having lived on the homestead 63 years. She has prob- ably seen more changes than any one now living in the neighborhood. The Post family are all natives of Addison county, Vt. After marriage they com- menced life in the log cabin above spoken of, with but few conveniences. Her husband and Harry, being pos- sessed of energy and ingenuity, soon manufactured the necessary furniture out of such materials as could be ob- tained at that date, to supply their pres- ent wants, and make them quite eom- fortable for the time being. The churn that was made of mulberry wood, at that time, is still in use by the Tunison family, and a number of other artieles that were then made, are still in use. In the spring of 1824 they moved from their first location to a tract of land on Sec. 5, T. 11, R. 12, where they had built a story and a half hewed log house weathered on the outside with shaved boards, it then being considered the best house in the neighborhood. Here they erected a wagon shop in which Cyrus worked, while Harry worked on the farm, except in very busy times, when they both worked on the farm and in the shop. Cyrus being considered the best wagon-maker in the county, they had an extensive sale for their wagons. Oct. 5, 1826, Harry was mar- ried to Maria Post, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Stiekles) Post, of Mis- souri, and sister of Abby. Previous to his marriage, the brothers built a hewed

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

log house similar to the one before men- tioned, on the same tract of land, and continued their partnership business as before, which proved remunerative. They soon accumulated considerable wealth by the shop and farm connected. Money being in demand at that time, all of it not needed in their business was loaned to advantage on real estate and in other ways. Cyrus Griswold died July 28, 1838, from being overheated in the harvest field, only living three days after taking sick. Dr. Wood, of Car- rollton, was the attending physician, who is still living at the age of about 90 years. About this time the money crisis came, and Cyrus' death was a heavy blow upon Harry, leaving him with all the partnership business to settle. They having large sums of money loaned on real estate, he was forced to foreclose mortgages, and thereby came in possession of consider- able land, besides many losses otherwise. Previous to Cyrus' death, the two broth- ers had contemplated building each a house, both of the same pattern, and exactly alike in every particular, and Harry, the surviving one, carried out the contemplated plan to the letter, in every respect, thus proving his devo- tion and his high estimation of his brother's counsel. These buildings were erected in 1845, of brick, about 40 rods distant from each other. After the houses were built, in 1841-42, the partnership was dissolved, and the lands divided, sold, and equally distributed among the proper heirs. Cyrus Gris- wold was a Master Mason of Dorchester lodge, No. 320, Vergennes, Vt., having been made a mason about the year 1816, and received his demit Aug. 20, 1820,

He was the father of three children -Justus, who died June 9, 1829, age, 14 months; Rosetta, born April 1, 1832; and Lucy, born Jan. 8, 1836, the latter two now living. Harry Griswold died Oct. 15, 1850; and Maria, his wife died Ang. 31, 1854, in St. Louis county, Mo., while on a visit there, her disease being cholera. She lies buried in Fe Fee cemetery with her brothers and sisters. Their children were-Delia, born Oct. 6, 1827, died Oct. 27, 1827; Henry Ado- nijah, born Dec. 29, 1828; John, born Jan. 24, 1832, died Oct. 20, 1832; Loyal Post, born Aug. 14, 1833; Mary E., born Oct. 31, 1836; Geo., born Sept. 26, 1839, died Oct. 26, 1862; Emily, born Jan. 28, 1843; and Lois, born Nov. 1, 1846. Henry Griswold was made a Master Ma- son in Dorchester lodge, No. 320, Ver- gennes, Vt., and was raised to the de- gree of R. A. M. about the year 1815. After coming to Greene county, he was among the first in organizing White Hall lodge, No. 80, he being one of the charter members. No one stood higher in the estimation of his brother masons than he. He lived and practiced the prin- ciples of masonry in every respect, and was charitable to all, at all times help- ing the needy and comforting the dis- tressed. He was a delegate to the grand lodge of masons, held in Shawneetown in Oct., 1850, having gone there after the charter for White Hall lodge, No. 80. He died in three days after his return, and was buried with masonic honors. The history of these two brothers was identical up to the death of Cyrus, who died at the age of 45 years. Both werc energetic, industrious, honorable and upright men, noted for their benevolence to the poor, their kindness to the sink

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and suffering, their honesty and truth- fulness in all dealings with their fellow men.

Loyal P. Griswold was born in Greene county, Ill., Ang. 14, 1833, his parents being Harry and Maria (Post) Gris- wold, natives of Vermont. Five chil- dren, out of the family of eight, are now living-Henry, married Sallie E. Baker, and resides on the homestead; Loyal P., the subject of this sketch; Mary E., wife of George W. Barton, re- siding in New Haven, Vt .; Emily, sin- gle, and residing with her sister in Ver- mont; Lois, wife of Albert H. Chapin, residing in in Franklin county, Kan. Loyal P. Griswold was raised on the old homestead, remaining there until he had reached the age of 23 years, when he started out in life for himself. He was united in marriage, Dec. 25, 1856, with Nancy C. Swallow, daughter of Guy and Catherine Swallow. After marriage he lived on the homestead one year and then moved to Manchester Prairie, where he bought 160 acres of land, which he farmed six years. This he then traded for 160 acres on Sec.5, T. 11, R. 12, on to which he moved and has since remained there. He has made many improvements on this place, and his residence, with allits surround- ings, show him to be a gentleman of taste and enterprise. He has traveled through Nebraska, Kansas and Colo- rado, and while in Nebraska purchased a tract of land which he yet owns. He also owns 477 acres in this county, and* has an interest in something over 300 aeres, located in Jersey, Macoupin and Clinton counties. Mr. and Mrs. Gris- wold have been blessed with a family of eight children, five of whom are living

-Allen C., Hattie M., Harry, Lucian Guy, and Frank. The children de- ceased are-Lucius J., born Nov. 2, 1857, died Oct. 20, 1865; Emma F., born Nov. 4, 1862, died Oct. 7, 1865; Effie, born Nov. 7, 1877, died July 14, 1878. Mr. Gristvold is a member of the grange lodge, and in his political views is with the republicans. He is one of our most substantial farmers and stands high in the estimation of all who know him.

Henry Tunison was born in Somerset county, N. J., March 2, 1828, and is a son of Henry and Sarah (Castner) Tun- ison, natives of New Jersey. They re- moved from that state to Illinois, arriv- ing in Greene county July 28, 1838, and locating first on what is known as the Kendall farm, one mile south of White Hall. They remained there that win- ter, and then his father rented another farm for one year. In the spring of 1840, he purchased 180 acres of land on section 15, in this township, moved his family there and remained until the winter of 1845. His wife died July 28, 1844, and he was again married in the spring of 1845. He then removed northwest of the homestead, about four miles, and resided there until his death Oct. 12, 1864, in the S1st year of his age, he having been born Jan. 13, 1783. He was a successful farmer and stood high in the estimation of all his ac- quaintances. He left a family of six sons and two daughters. Henry re- mained at home until he was 20 years of age, assisting his parents with the duties pertaining to the farm, and then started out to do for himself. He and his brother, Jacob, bought a separator and engaged in threshing for about five years. It was the third machine that

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was ever run in the county, henee it was quite a remunerative oceupation. After being thus engaged for five years, he abandoned that and turned his atten- tion to farming. He and Jacob took the homestead in 1846, having bought the other heirs out, and they farmed it for one year. Henry then bought his brother's interest and it has sinee been his place of residence. He was united in marriage June 14, 1848, with Rosetta Griswold, daughter of Cyrus and Abby (Post) Griswold, a sketch of whom ap- pears in this volume. This union has been blessed with a family of six chil_ dren, three of whom are living-George C., Abbie L. and Harry O. The ones deceased are an infant; Addie E., who died at the age of 11 years; and Laura, who was married Sept. 19, 1876, to James H. Kirby, of Jersey county, Ill., died Sept. 4, 1883, in her 29th year. All his children received a liberal edu- cation, George C., at the State Univer- sity, at Champaign, Ill .; Laura A., at Greenville, Ill .; and Abbie L., at the M. E. College, of Jacksonville, III. In 1870, Mr. Tunison went to Kansas and southwest Missouri, and while in Kan- sas he purchased a tract of land, in Cherokee county, which he still owns. In a short time, after purchasing there, he returned home and resumed farming. He has traveled all through Nebraska and Iowa, and through most all the southern and eastern states. Previous to going to Kansas, or in the fall of 1866, he purchased a half interest in the flouring mill known as Bell's mill, and continued in partnership until 1870, afterward trading it for land in Mis- souri. Mr. Tunison now owns 1,435 acres of land and valuable town prop-

erty in White Hall. He deals in stock of all grades, but principally in the short-horn. He is one of the substan- tial farmers of this county, and stands high in the estimation of all, being es- teemed for his enterprise, honesty and sociability. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of White Hall, and is supervisor of White Hall township.

Jacob D. Tunison, a prominent resi- dent of Greene county, is a native of Somerset county, N. J., born Oct. 4, 1825,his parents being Henry and Sarah (Castner) Tunison, natives of New Jer- sey. They came to Greene county, Ill., in 1838, locating one mile south of White Hall. They remained there until the spring of 1840, when they purchased 180 acres of land. moved on to it, and resided there until 1845. Henry, the father, died Oct. 12, 1864. Jacob D. was reared on a farm, assisting his parents until he was 21 years of age. He and his brother Henry, then took charge of the home- stead, and farmed there one year, when he sold out his interest to his brother Henry. He then purehased a tract of land on Parmer's prairie, in Jersey eounty, and went there to improve the farm. At the expiration of one year he sold it and bought 220 acres on Sec. 11, 7. 11, R. 12, on which he moved, and where he still resides. In 1870 he went to Kansas, and while there purehased a traet of land. He now owns 900 aeres of fine land, 600 of which is under cul- tivation and lies in Greene county, Ill. Mr. Tunison has been married twiee. Sept. 3, 1847, he was married to Ann E. Sehuyler, a daughter of Joseph and Maria (Woodman) Schuyler. She died on the 12th of May, 1848. He was again married Oct 10, 1852, to Lucy Griswold,

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

daughter of Cyrus and Abby (Post) Gris- wold. This union has been blessed with a family of 10 children, eight of whom are living-Mary, wife of Dr. J. W. Red- wine, of White Hall; Ella, Lucius, Alice, Carrie, Ward C., Ada and Nita. Those deceased are Albert B., who died Dec. 6. 1877, aged 17 years; Frank D., died Dec. 11, 1877, aged 15 years. In connection with farming, Mr. Tunison deals in stock, especially in thorough- bred short horn cattle. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity, of White Hall. He stands high in business and social circles, being highly esteemed for his enterprise and fair dealing.

Charles Gregory came to this county in 1821, and entering land on Sec. 11, T. 11, R. 12, resided there until his death, in May, 1845. He was largely identified with the official life of this county, and a sketch of him is given in detail in the chapter devoted to repre- sentation.

Absalom Frame and William Hudson made settlements on section 35, in 1821, where they lived for many years.

Redmond Strickland, with his family, came to Greene county in 1821, and set- tled on Sec. 32, T. 12, R. 11. He re- sided in T. 11, R. 11, on Sec. 6, at the time of his death, April 19, 1849. He was from Tennessee, and moved to San- gamon county, Ill., where he was united in marriage with Phæbe Lakin. His wife died Jan. 12, 1849. They had 10 children. He was a soldier in the war of 1812-15, and in the Black Hawk war.

James H. Whiteside came into what is now Greene county, about 1821, and settled on Apple Creek Prairie, in this township, although he had settled in Jersey county, which was then a part of

Greene. in 1817. He was a native of Rutherford county, N. C., born in 1782. While yet in infancy his parents moved to the small French settlement at St. Louis, Mo., where his father, Thomas S., built what was known as Whiteside's Station, which was used as a protection against the Indians. On the breaking out of the war of 1812, James White- side enlisted and was made major of one of the Missouri regiments. He re- mained a citizen of St. Louis until June 10, 1817, when he located in Jersey county as above mentioned, and after- ward removed to this county. He died here in March, 1862.

In 1821, Sec. 8, of T. 11, R. 12, re- ceived a family of settlers in the persons of Asahel North, his wife, Prudence (Swallow) North, and the children of their union. He was a native of Con- necticut, and his wife of Vermont. He entered 600 acres of land on coming here, and built a rough, log cabin, in which they dwelt several years, and then erected a large, two story frame building into which they moved. Here, in 1846, Mr. North peacefully breathed his last. He was one of the greatest financiers of his day, and was noted for his financial sagacity.

Benjamin Smith came to Greene county in 1822, and settled about one mile and a quarter southeast of where White Hall now stands.

Alfred Hinton made a settlement on Apple Creek Prairie, in 1822. A sketch of him is given elsewhere.

James Morrow, a native of North Carolina, came to Greene county in the fall of 1824, and crossing Apple creek, journeyed until he had reached a point north of the site of White Hall, where

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

he made a settlement, and resided until 1848, then moved to the suburbs of that city, and in 1850 to Roodhouse town- ship, where he died some six years later.

Lemuel Stubblefield and family came to what is now known as White Hall township, in the spring of 1827, and after renting several pieces of land, in 1830, located on some land in that pre- cinet, where they lived for some years. Lemuel died at Greenfield, at the resi- dence of his son, in 1859, his widow in 1863.

Adonijah Griswold made a settle- ment in this township, on Apple Creek Prairie, in 1828, being induced to re- move here from his native state, Ver- mont, by some of his children, who had already located in this region. Mr. Griswold was reared in Vermont, where he was also married to Mary Barton. He served in the war 1812, and during that struggle was taken prisoner by the British troops and placed in prison. After an incarceration of some time, he succeeded in effecting an escape, by scaling the prison walls, only to be re- captured and returned to his place of confinement, receiving 20 lashes as a penalty for seeking freedom. At the expiration of three years, however, he was released. He remained a resident of this township until his death, Sept. 1, 1841. The widowed wife and mother survived him until 1844.

Among the early settlers of this part of the county was Samuel Doyle, who came here in 1829, settling upon section 36. A sketch of this pioneer is given elsewhere.

John Martin made a settlement on what was afterward known as Martin's

Prairie. in 1829, where he lived until 1864, when he died.

James Fears came to this county from Tennessee, in March, 1829, and settled upon section 6, of this township, where lie remained until 1830, when he re- moved to Walkerville township, where he afterward died.

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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 126

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