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 127

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 127

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Hezekiah Boring and his family came to this state in 1829, and liking the looks of this county stuck his stakes in what is now White Hall township. He passed the winter of the deep snow, in 1830-31, in the old orchard on what is now Harry Roodhouse's farm. He af- terward removed to Rubicon township, where he died.

The Ballard family, consisting of the father, mother and three children, came to Greene county, in the fall of 1829, in a covered wagon. They located near the present site of Berdan, and spent the first winter in a rude log shanty, which was open at one end, but which opening was closed during very severe weather, with a blanket. A large open fire-place in the other end of the house, or room, for there was only one room, with ample space to receive huge back logs and plenty of fuel, that when fairly ablaze warmed up the atmosphere con- siderably, and made it endurable, even when the keen, cutting blasts of a cold winter swept the prairie, and among the leafless branches of the trees. The next spring he built a more comfortable cabin.

Benjamin Roodhouse, a native of Yorkshire, Eng., came to the "Land of the Free," in Dec., 1830, locating in White Hall township, Greene county, on section 14. He was married twice. He died Aug. 3, 1831. His wife sur-

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vived him until 1860, rearing a large family.

Ezekiel Edwards, who died here in 1853, settled near the town of New Providenee in 1830. Later he removed to a place near Berdan, where he passed the remainder of his days. His wife Polly (Rucker) Edwards, died in 1859.

William Driver made a settlement on Apple Creek Prairie in 1830. He was a native of North Carolina, Ile died in this county, in an early day.

Edgar Griswold, a native of Addison county, Vt., was born Jan. 2, 1820, his parents being David E. and Lydia (Twitchell) Griswold, natives of Ver- mont. His father came to Illinois in 1829, and spent that winter in Greene county, returning to Vermont in the summer of 1830, where he remained mained until Aug. 24, 1831. Then, with his family of five children-Melissa, Sophia, Damon, Edgar and Edwin, he started back to Illinois, coming all the way in wagons. There were seven wagons in the excursion and they were seven weeks in making the trip. On his arrival here, David Griswold located on 160 acres of land on section 9, in what is now Carrollton township. This was partially improved, there being a small log cabin, a corn crib, and a smoke house thereon, and it was what was then called second-hand land. There he resided until he was called hence by the grim hand of death, Aug. 24, 1875. A remarkable eoincidence is noticeable in connection with that date. He left Vermont on August 24, his eldest son died Ang. 24, and his death occurred Aug. 24. Edgar, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm, and re- mained at home until he had reached the

age of 20 years. He was then married and started out in life for himself, locat- ing at first near Greenfield, where he owned 160 aeres of land, on to which he moved and remained there five years. He then exchanged farms with his brother Edwin, and moved back to the homestead, where he resided several years. From there he removed to Ma- coupin county, where he purchased 320 acres of land, on which he remained two years, then sold out and again re- turned to the homestead where he has since resided. In 1868 he took a trip to California, going by way of New York, and down across the Isthmus of Panama, and was accompanied by his brother-in- law, John North. They visited the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento, and on their return traveled 800 miles by stage. Mr. Griswold has accumu- lated a great deal of property, and now owns 725 acres of rich land, 480 of which lies in Christian county. On the 12th of March, 1810, he was married to Lucy North, daughter of Asa and Prudence North. They are the parents of 11 children, seven of whom are living- Perry, married Olive Stone, resides in Kansas; Seth, married Etta Whiteside, resides in White Hall township; Ellen, wife of Edward Boulton, residing in Greenfield; Sylvia, wife of George W. Whitaker, residing at Kearney, Neb .; Damon, married Etna Baldwin, resides in Christian county; Carrie, wife of T. M. Meek, residing near Rockbridge, and Edward at home. Mr. Griswold is a member of the Masonic fraternity of White Hall, and also of the grange lodge. He is one of the substantial farmers, and enterprising citizens of this township. Mr. Griswold now has in

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his possession two sickles 50 years old, which he brought to this county with him, and which he used to cut his first wheat with.

George Kendall located on Apple Creek Prairie, in 1831, and lived there for some years.

Nathaniel Kendall, a native of Waldo county, Me., was born June 15, 1815, his parents being George and Sarah · (McLean) Kendall, natives of Maine. He came with his parents to Greene county, Ill., in 1831, they locating on Apple Creek Prairie, where his father purchased 200 acres of land, second- handed, on which he built a small frame house, where they lived some 10 or 15 years. He then moved to White Hall, where he passed the balance of his days in rest and contentment. He died Dec. 24, 1839, and his wife died July 26, 1838, both being buried in White Hall cemetery. Nathaniel remained with his parents while they lived, and had been reared to the duties of farm life. At their death he took charge of the home- stead, and resided on it until 1880, when he sold out and purchased 466 acres on Secs. 1 and 2, T. 11, R. 12, and has since resided on it. Mr. Kendall was married Oct. 13, 1842, to Minerva Smith, daughter of Benj. and Marilla (Bacon) Smith. This union has been blessed with 13 children, 11 of whom are liv- ing-Marilla, wife of L. Barney, resid- ing in Denver, Col .; Frank, resides in Texas county, Mo .; Sarah; Nellie, wife of David Milnes, who resides on the farm; Thursa, wife of George Baldwin, residing in Reno county, Kan .; Ira, Ida, Allen; Mamie, wife of William Cronan, living in Texas county, Mo .; Bentley and Norma. Those deceased are: Mabel,

and one who died in infancy. Mr. Kendall is a member of the Masonic lodge, No. 80, of White Hall. He is one of our most enterprising farmers and highly respected citizens, and is one of the old pioneers of the county, both he and his wife's parents being among the first to locate here, and they will be mentioned in that part of the volume which relates to the early sct- tlers. Marilla Smith, Mrs. Kendall's mother, came to Greene county, from Ohio, in 1820, and located on the farm that Mr. Kendall now lives on, where she resided until the death of her hus- band, in 1879. She is now living in Kansas City, Mo.

Dr. S. H. Culver settled just west of White Hall in 1831, and since that time has been prominently identified with the religious history of the county.

Among the settlers of the year 1832. was Joshua Jones, of Virginia, who, with his wife and children, settled on Sec. 33, T. 12, R. 11. where he resided until overtaken by death.

David B. Jones was born in Pulaski county, Ky., Nov. 9, 1815, his parents being Joshua and Elizabeth (Barrow) Jones, his father a native of Virginia. his mother a native of North Carolina. They came from Kentucky to Greene county. Ill .. in 1832. and were several weeks on the road, having come in a wagon, which was drawn by four yoke of oxen. They settled on what is called Lorton's prairie, where they bought 80 acres of land and also entered a large tract, and built a little log cabin, the location being on Sec. 33 T. 12, R. 11. They lived in this cabin about three years, when his son David B. built a frame house, this being the first one he

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

had ever built, and it is still standing, being now about 50 years old. Here Joshua lived until his death, Feb. 14, 1868, having survived his wife over 30 years, her death occurring March 3, 1835. David B. remained at home until he was 25 years of age, assisting in the labors of the farm. He was then mar- ried, Sept. 24, 1840, to Elvira Davis, daughter of Daniel and Rebecca (Beale) Davis. He purchased 80 acres of land on Sec. 32, T. 12. R. 11, and with some assistance erected a frame house, where they lived until 1870, when they moved to Montgomery county, Kan., and there bought town property. While there, his son-in-law started in the mercan- tile business, but Mr. Jones returned to the old homestead here. and it has since been his home Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the parents of two children -Rebecca A., who died Sept. 25 1871. and Asbury W., who died in 1847. Mr. Jones has a nice farm of 200 acres, and is very successful in his business opera- tions Mrs. Jones died Sept. 13, 1879. Mr. Jones is a member of the M. E. church, as was also his wife during her lifetime.

William H. Nash settled on Apple Creek Prairie in 1832, where he died in 1872. He was a Virginian, but came here from Kentucky, where he had re- sided a few years.

David Crist made a settlement near White Hall in 1833, He was a native of Ohio, and at that time in his 24th year. In the village, which then boas- ted of two buildings, both of the rudest description, one answering for a store, Mr. Crist, in partnership with Joshua Simonds, opened the first general mer- chandise store, which they operated

until a year had rolled by, when Mr. Simonds dying, Mr. Crist closed out the concern at auction, and engaged in other callings, at Belltown and elsewhere, where he grew to be a wealthy man.

James Davis during the year 1835, located on section 33, west of the town of White Hall. He was a native of North Carolina, born in 1780. In 1803, he married Jane Morrow, a native of the same state. During his lifetime he followed farming, and came here as above stated, to better his fortune. He afterwards removed to another farm on Apple Creek Prairie, where he lived until called on to pass to another world. He died near Springfield, Ill., Aug. 18, 1858. His wife had "gone before " Nov. 18, 1855.

T. 11, R. 12, was the pioneer town- ship in manufactures. On section 13, was built the first potter's kiln, by Wm. Heath, in about the year 1826, and was abandoned in 1828, on account of his being on government land, and subject to entry by any one, and Peter Fronk purchased the land of the government. A former well known potter, Mike Baker, learned the trade of him. Heath was a man of some noble instincts, but the demon inebriation often possessed him, to the great detriment of himself, his business and family. Ile was the father of the celebrated orator and Methodist preacher, the lamented Rev. Nathaniel Pinckard Heath.

About 1827, Ephraim Harper con- structed a tannery on section 11, which was superintended by George Gordon. an eccentric old bachelor uncle of Mrs. Harper. The bark, at first, was pre- pared in an antiquated method. It was spread upon a floor, a wheel some five

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

feet in diameter, and about two and a half feet of grooved, or rough surface, at the rim, was made to revolve on a shaft, the one end in the center of the track, and propelled by a horse at the other end. The capacity of the tannery, we think, did not exceed 500 hides per year, at no time. The manufacture of leather here, was considered a great convenience, and a decided improve- ment on the home method, of pounding bark by hand, and tanning in rude troughs. The writer has seen persons as late as 1834 and '35, carrying green hides in front of them, on horseback, from as far off as Montgomery county. Mr. Gordon died in about the year 1837, or '38, and Mr. Harper, in 1844. Shortly afterward, the business was en- tirely abandoned.

In about the year 1831 or '32, on this same section, Aaron Hicks erected a castor bean mill, which was a financial success, and a benefit to the commu- nity, for several years. It was accident- ally burned, the writer thinks, in the winter of 1837 or '38. Messrs. Harper &'Hicks were men of staunch integrity, and promoters of education, temperance and good morals; pillars in the Baptist church.

Before White Hall was laid out there was a cotton gin ereeted by "Esq." Archer, in T. 12, R. 12. The seasons proving too short for cotton-raising, it was abandoned. It was erected near the residenee of the late Mrs. Anthony Potts.

Of the first noted law case it is re- marked: It originated in this wise: One, "Judge Marks," lived on section 11. His humble log house stood a few rods east of the railroad, on the hill on

the property now owned by J. D. Tuni- son. Marks was a man of hitherto un- impeached honor and veracity, and justly prized his good name and char- acter. He was a candidate for the highest office in the county (senator we believe). His competitor was Thomas Rattan, the wealthiest man north of Apple creek. On the east of the road was an ox-mill and a distillery. The voting place was at Rattan's house, and on election day excitement ran high, which was in- ereased by the free use of whisky pur- chased, of course, by the candidates. Richard Rattan, the brother of Thomas, was making headway for his brother by arguments, but more by whisky. Mr. Marks finally yielded to the pressure and ordered whisky too. A few minutes passed, and seeing some liquor near, supposing it to be what he had ordered, began dealing it out as his treat. Soon Richard Rattan discovered that Marks was not using his own whisky and said, "You stole brother Tom's whisky and treated out of that." "I did not," said Marks, "I ordered the liquor and treated out of it." "You did not, sir, you stole my brother Tom's whisky and I can prove it." I will give you an oppor- tunity to do so," replied Marks, and began suit for slander. The ease could not be decided in Carrollton. A change of venue was taken to Madison county. The trial came off at Edwardsville. Each party knew of one witness, who was duly and truly sober; and each party had him summoned. Neither party could find out exactly what that witness' testimony would be, before trial, and after hearing, both were dis- satisfied with it; it was not enough, and yet too much. The testimony was as

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we have narrated. The jury's verdiet was, one eent damages for plaintiff. Rattan sold his farm to pay costs. Marks' expenses and chagrin eaused him to dispose of his, and move into another county, where he died, at an advanced age, highly esteemed.

About the year 1821, there came to the Apple Creek Settlement, a man from Pennsylvania, by the name of David Clawson. A man of herculean strength and energy; afoot and alone, swimming streams, sleeping on prairie, or woods, carrying weapons, needed cloth- ing, and provisions, asking no boot of man or beast. He was the match for any two stout men; but genial and affable, provoking no quarrel, and none would be likely to invite one with him. He selected a home on the edge of the Illinois bottom, where, in a short time, his iron frame succumbed to malarial fever. His remains lie buried near by.

James Henderson was the first to make a claim on land north of Apple Creek, in this county, which was in Aug., 1818. He was born in Hunter- don county, N. J., March 9, 1783. He was the youngest of 10 children. His father's name was Edward, and of Prot- estant Irish descent. At the age of 21, he went to Virginia, remained there two years, and then went to Ohio, where, in 1807, he married Mary White, eldest daughter of Thomas and Amy W. White, born Oct. 25, 1787. Her father's grandfather was English. Her father's mother's maiden name was Shreve, whose grandfather, Derick Arison im- migrated to New Amsterdam in 1680, from Holland. The maiden name of Mrs. White was MeGhee, and her parents were Scotch. The children of

James and Mary Henderson were eleven, 10 of whom grew to man- hood and womanhood, three daughters and seven sons. Of these-Caroline, born in Oct., 1808, married by Rev. Bo- garth, Jan. 1, 1828, to Geo. W. Allen, who died in Jan., 1864, and his widow now resides in Greenfield; Hope, mar- ried by John Allen, Esq., in Oct., 1831, to Rev. Amos Prentice, who died in Shelbyville, Ill., in Aug., 1849, she dying in Nov., 1879; Nathaniel, married in Dec., 1833, by John Allen, Esq., to Martha E. Bacon, who died in May, 1850, her husband following her in July, 1863, dying in Macoupin county; Thos., who now lives in Harrison county, Ia., married in June, 1834, to Eliza Estes, by Rev. J. B. Corrington; Edwin, now of Maeoupin county, married in Nov., 1839, to Eliza J. Williams, by Rev. J. B. Corrington; James, now of Harrison county, Ia., married in March, 1841, to Elizabeth Peters; Perry, married to Ellen Williams, in Jan., 1846, by Rev. H. Wallace; his wife died in March, 1858, and he was found dead in his bed, on his farm, on Rock river, Rock Island county, Ill., June 10, 1882; Amy A., married to T. J. Robinson, in Jan., 1846, by Rev. H. Wallace; they now reside in Rock Island county; Safety M., married Hezekiah J. Williams, March 5, 1854, Rev. Rutledge, officiat-

ing; Franklin, married in July, 1851, by Rev. C. P. Baldwin, to Sarah A. Metcalf; F. Henderson now resides in Towanda, Ill .; S. M. Henderson now lives on the old homestead, where he was born, three miles southeast of White Hall. He says, "Few and evil have been the days of the years of my pil- grimage, and I have not attained unto

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

the days of the years of my fathers." James 11. Henderson died July 25, 1849, after a long and painful illness. His wife followed him Aug. 9, of the same year, having been an invalid for nine years. There are more than 150 de- seendants of James and Mary Hender- son now living.

RECOLLECTIONS OF S. M. HENDERSON.

Many of the foregoing facts, which precede the sketch of the Henderson family, are given by S. M. Henderson, and a sketch of early times is herewith given from the pen of that worthy gen- tleman :

Three sons were born in 1820, on Henderson creek, in the order named- William Speakes, W. B. Thaxton, and Perry Henderson.

One of the first school houses built in the township, stood about one-fourth mile east of the state road, on the Rood- house farm. It was built of large logs, a fire-place in each end, with chimneys made of sticks and mud, with puncheon floor, a elapboard door, and for light, oiled paper was used instead of glass.

The second teacher in the settlement was a plucky little Yankee by the name of Augustus Barbour. One morning about Christmas time, the young men met at the school house just at day- break, built a good fire, barred the door, and waited for the teacher. He was somewhat earlier that morning than usual, hoping to be in time to enter the house before the crowd arrived, for there were a number of neighbors and married men ready for the fun, but they were in readiness for the attack or to repel one. Mr. Barbour pretended to be very wrathy, and after a few feints

to get in, started for his boarding place, which was at Thomas Rattan's. The bolters saw their opportunity, and soon pursued. He was caught by Hamp. Rattan, just as he stepped on his father's porch; and they soon had him with his feet in the air over the spring. "Treat, or we'll duck you till you do!" were the stern words. "One, two, three!" "I'll treat," said the convinced teacher; and whiskey and sugar flowed so freely that many small children reeled and stag- gered as they returned home, which in- eensed a number of the patrons of the school, and the tide began to set against the practice, until it was abandoned, more than forty years ago.

Not quite 60 years ago (wouldn't do to give names), a young lady was pre- paring for her wedding day, and thought she could not obtain her outfit nearer than St. Louis, proposed to her father to help him drive cattle to that city, where she could purchase articles de- sirable. The offer was accepted, and she rode on horseback there and back, bringing some things of which the queen of Sheba never saw.

OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS.

Judge Benjamin Baldwin, deceased, who was one of Greene county's most prominent and wealthy citizens, and whose portrait will be found in this vol- ume, was a native of Virginia, born in 1792. He was reared to the duties of farm life, in his native state, and when quite a young man, removed to Ohio. Having ahnost no education, and with a capital of but 50 cents, he arrived in Cincinnati previous to the war of 1812. He volunteered and served under Har- rison, being lieutenant at the time, and

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his widow is now receiving a pension for his services. He helped to build Fort Meigs, during a most inclement winter, but never received any compen- sation for his service, nor did his widow, until since 1878. After the war, he pro- ceeded to Warren county, O., and there becanie self-educated by reading and taking part in debates, and subsequently worked his way up until he had finally filled every office in the county. He was also made brigadier-general of the Ohio militia. The last time he was a candidate for office in that state, was for the state senate, on the democratic ticket, but that time the opposition was successful. This defeat being the first and last he had ever met with. He was married in Ohio, in 1814, to Martha Varner, who was born near Newtown, Hamilton county, O., in 1796. By this union there were 13 children-Mar- tin V., Joshua C., Mary B., Franklin, Jesse H., Elizabeth, Elias V., Andrew J., Francis M., Thomas J., Joseph W., Martha J., and Evaline. In the fall of 1849, Judge Baldwin came to Greene county and selected and purchased land in White Hall township, He then re- turned to Ohio to dispose of his prop- erty there, after which, in 1851, he returned to this county, bringing with him his family. The land on which he located is what is known as the Henry Robley farm, and on it he remained until 1860, when he moved to White Hall. He purchased property there and resided in that city the remainder of his days, his death occurring Feb. 13, 1865. He was truly a self-made man, having started in life with merely nothing, but with enterprise, activity, and shrewd- ness, had acquired during life, several

thousand acres of land, a great part of which he gave to his children, as they became of age. In 1860 he was elected to a seat in the state legislature, having also filled that office during two terms in Ohio, his first election being in 1829. He won the esteem of all, by his candor, uprightness and affable manners. The judge was a lifelong democrat and was heartily in accord with his party on all issues. In religious beliefhe assimilated with those of the Universalist faith. In these two matters he was always firm and steadfast, Mrs. Baldwin still sur- vives at the ripe old age of 90 years, and makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. John P. Hunt. She is an amiable lady, in full possession of all her facul- ties, and quite active still, for one who has seen so many summers come and go.

Benjamin F. Baldwin, deceased was born in Warren county, Ohio, Feb. 28, 1821. his parents being Judge Benja- min and Martha (Varner) Baldwin. Benjamin F. was reared to manhood at the family homestead, 30 miles from Cincinnati, and was educated in the schools of his native county. On ar- riving at a suitable age, he adopted farming as his business. April 3, 1843, he married Hannah Sever, a native of the same county, born April 3, 1823. Her parents were Lewis and Mary (Pca- cock) Sever, both natives of New Jer- sey, although they were of German descent. In the fall of 1819, his father, having come out to Illinois and selected and purchased land in White Hall township, was so well pleased with the country, that in the spring of 1850 Benj. F. also came out to this county, and located on section 16, in White Hall township, where he had purchased a

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tract of land. On this he resided until 1858, when he bought another tract south of his first location, on to which he moved, having erected a fine, two and one-half story, frame house, cele- brating the 4th of July, that year, by raising the frame thereof. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Baldwin were seven in number, of whom six are living-Lewis S., of Roodhouse Tp .; Martha Marilla, who died at the age of 21 years; Mary Amanda, married Henry M. Hunt, now living in Kansas City; George E., married Theresa Ken- dall, lives near Nickerson, Kan .; John A., residing at the old homestead ; Alice C., widow of Marcus R. Gil- ler, of White Hall; Alva C., liv- ing at the old homestead. In this county Benj. Baldwin not only followed farming and stock raising, but also engaged in other kinds of business. He established a store at New Provi- dence and carried on a general merchan- dise trade there, conducting it while act- ing as postmaster for some five or six years. His term of service as postmas- ter was under Lincoln's administration, though he, himself, was a democrat. From New Providence, Mr. Baldwin re- moved to White Hall and carried on the general merchandise business about 10 years, having in stock about $20,000 worth of goods. He built an elevator there at a cost of $14,000, which was burned down in the summer of 1885, while in the possession of his son-in- law, H. M. Hunt. Mr. Baldwin had also operated for some time, a large grist mill on Apple Creek Prairie, which had been constructed by Jesse and E. V. Baldwin, and which had a capacity of 60 barrels per day. He was carrying

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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 127

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