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 128

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 128

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on all these enterprises at the time of his death. On the morning of Feb. 5, 1875, what is known as a "mock senate" was holding a session in the Universalist church, on Apple Creek Prairie. Mr. Baldwin was personating the senator from Arkansas and had just finished a speech to the senate, when, in less than five minutes, or just as the next speaker had risen to his feet, Mr. Baldwin was dead in his chair. His death cast a gloom over the neighborhood, as he was a man full of life, ambition, and enter- prise, and was of that class who are a power in the community. He had never entered political life in earnest. He had, however, held the office of justice of the peace. Ile had been grand mar- shal of the Greene county fair for 15 years and was presented, by the board of directors, with a saddle, whip, and spurs, valued at $100. Mrs. Baldwin followed him to the long rest, Feb. 1, 1883, and both now sleep side by side in the White Hall cemetery, their resting place being marked by the handsome Baldwin monument. It is said to be the finest in the county and was erected by the sons, Lewis, George, John, and Curtis, as their last tribute of respect. Mr. Baldwin left 2,000 acres of land to his children. John A. and Alva C. re- side on the home tract of 1,500 acres and are extensive stock farmers. They deal in all grades of stock and generally feed about 800 head of cattle every win- ter. They are very enterprising young men who have an eye to business and are bound to meet with success in all their undertakings.

Elias V. Baldwin was born in Warren county, O., July 15, 1827, his parents being Benjamin and Martha (Varner)

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Baldwin. Elias came to Greene county in 1848, being then 21 years of age, and in the fall, he hired out to husk corn, receiving therefor 50 cents per day. During that fall, he went north to look at the country, but not finding any place more desirable than Greene county, he returned, took the stage to Alton, from there went to St. Louis, where he remained over night, and next day, in the morning, took the boat for Cincinnati, arriving at his home in Ohio, the day before Christmas. He was engaged that winter in driving a team on the Cincinnati, Goshen and Wil- mington turnpike, hauling produce. He remained there until the next spring, and then returned to Greene county and went to farming, on 130 acres of land, which his father had bought for him. Previous to that time, his father had been there, and contracted for the same farm. With a willing hand, Elias com- meneed buying hogs and cattle, which he drove to Alton to dispose of, and when he could not get his price there, would drive them on to St. Louis. Feb. 14, 1850, he was married to Mary Pankey, daughter of William B. and Samantha (Lorton) Pankey. After mar- riage, he began farming a little more extensively, locating on section 21, on which land there was an old log cabin, and into this he moved, and lived six years in it. He had, by that time, laid by enough to build a more commodious residence, and in 1856 erected a fine two-story dwelling, costing something like $4,000. His improvements, in the shape of buildings, will now amount to $10,000, and the surroundings show him to be a man of enterprise and intelli- gence. Mr. Baldwin raises considerable

stock, and also buys and sells hogs, horses and cattle, of all grades. About one-half of his land is in grass, and the balance in grain, all of which is used in feeding stock. In all his undertakings he has been very successful. He has been president of the Greene County Agricultural Society, for two years, and stands high in the estimation of his many acquaintances.

F. M. Baldwin, one of the prominent retired men of Greene county, was born in Warren county, O., May 20, 1831, being a son of Benjamin and Martha (Varner) Baldwin. F. M. came to this state with his parents in the fall of 1850, and located on Apple Creek Prairie. remaining with them until his marriage, April 5, 1855, with Mary Agnes Bowman, daughter of Abram and Agnes(Turley) Bowman. After marriage he removed to String Prairie, where his father had given him 240 acres of land. He resided there until Aug., 1869, when he moved to a place called Baldwin's Mill, and engaged in the milling husi- ness with B. F. Baldwin, his brother, for two years. He then sold his interest in the mill to his brother, and engaged in farming, which he followed until the fall of 1883, when he retired from busi- ness life and moved to White Hall, where he built a fine two-story residence opposite Mr. Wilkenson's nursery, on Franklin street. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are the parents of nine children. four of whom are living-Etna, wife of Damon Griswold ; Martha, wife of Marcus North; Mary, wife of B. W. Greer, and Agnes, at home. Those deceased are-Lewis E., born April 26, 1862, died Nov. 20, 1875; Harry C., born Dec. 5, 1863, was killed by the explosion of a

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

boiler, May 10, 1881 ; Elias V., horn May 15, 1865, died Sept. 2, 1876 ; Frances, a twin sister of Mary, born May 7, 1860, died Sept. 9, 1862; Emma, born March 28, 1869, died Aug. 18, 1869. During active life, Mr. Baldwin was one of the most prominent stock raisers of the county, as was also his father. Mrs. Baldwin died Jan 25, 1885, and is buried at the White Hall cemetery. Mr. Bald- win has made a success of life, and secured for himself a reputation for hon- esty and fair dealings, of which his fam- ily may well feel proud.

John P. Hunt, a prosperous and highly esteemed citizen of this county, is a native of Gilford, Belknap county, New Hampshire, born Sept. 8, 1839, his parents being Joseph and Martha (Dame) Hunt. He received his educa- tion in the common schools, until he was 13 years of age, and was then sent to Gilford Academy, New London, a scientific and literary institution, from which he graduated in the summer of 1857. He was a post-graduate for some months thereafter. In the fall of 1857, having made up his mind to come west, he proceeded to Greene county, Ill., where he engaged in teaching. at what is known as the Maple Grove school. He filled that position with satisfaction for six years, at the expiration of which time he took a trip to California, where he was employed in teaching school and in mining, at different places on the Pacific coast. In 1868 he returned to Illinois, and Ang. 13, same year, was joined in marriage with Eveline Bald- win, daughter of Judge Benjamin and Martha (Varner) Baldwin. Mr. Hunt moved to what is now Roodhouse town- ship and there engaged in farming, at

which he has since been occupied. He is the possessor of 363 acres of land, 40 of which is on section 20, 263 on section 19, and 60 in White Hall township. He has a fine two-story frame house, a commodious barn, and everything to make home pleasant and comfortable, all of which show his industry and prosperity. He is not only engaged at farming, but at other business enter- prises. He has two coal mines, one lo- cated in Roodhouse township, where he employs 10 men, and the other in White Hall township, which turns out 250 bushels per day, five men being there employed. The latter is leased to Geo. Newton, and the former to Thomas Cotter & Son. Mr. Hunt also carries on a rendering business, which is man- aged by Fabian Toutant, receiving the dead stock from the C. & A. R. R. Co. In politics, Mr. Hunt is a stauuch dem- crat.

Edward A. Giller, a prominent citizen of this county, is a native of Manches- ter, England, born Sept. 11, 1821, his parents being Thomas and Hannah (Bagley) Giller, natives of England. His father was a carriage manufacturer, and was thus engaged until his death, which occurred in his native country in 1839, having survived his wife several years, she dying in 1823. Edward was reared in Manchester, and there learned the trade of carriage painter in his father's manufactory, besides learning to be a very good worker in wood at the same business. His education was lint- ited to a knowledge of reading, writing and some arithmetic. At the age of 20 years, he left England, to seek a home in the new world, being accompanied by his cousin, Robert Frost. They set

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

sail May 14, 1842, on the Roscius, a large sailing vessel, bound for New York. On arriving there they traveled west as far as St. Louis, and then came up to Greene county. Here Edward was employed by a man named King, and received $5 per month for his ser- vices, having to do his own washing and mending. He continued there one win- ter, when, thinking that he was not receiving enough wages, he started out to hunt another place, and was engaged by F. P. Vedder, doing painting in con- neetion with farming. He thus contin- ued to work around until the spring of 1844, when he and his cousin, Robert Frost, went to the Galena lead mines, with the intention of getting some wealth. They spent one summer there, but not meeting with much success, returned to Greene county, and for the first time since coming to this country, he and his cousin parted, he going south and his cousin east. Edward proceeded to New Orleans, but not finding employ- ment, returned as far as Natehez, where he spent the winter, taking a job of cut- ting cord-wood at 75 cents a cord. In the spring of 1845 he returned to White HIall and resumed his trade of painting, and also working at wagon and carriage making, until May, 1846, when the Mex- iean war having broken out, he, with ardent patriotism, enlisted in Co. C, 1st Ill. regiment, and was elected sergeant- major, the regiment being commanded by the gallant John J. Hardin. Maj. Giller participated in the hardships of the voyage down the Mississippi to New Orleans, thence across the Gulf, to Camp Erwin, Tex., continuing the march, on Dee. 21, the troops occupied Agua Nueva, having completed a six weeks'

march of 1,000 miles. The march con- tinued until the battle of Buena Vista, in which severe fight Maj. Giller was engaged, his duties calling him to the the side of Col. Hardin. From there he went to Camargo, where he was mus- tered out, June 17, 1847, when he returned to White Hall, where, March 1, 1849, Major Giller was married to Augusta Ladd, daughter of Timothy and Deidamia (Swallow) Ladd. He bought 120 acres of land on sections 5 and 6, where he settled down, building a little shop in which he worked at his trade at night, and improved his farm by day. This shop is still standing on the old farm. By the frugal and energetic efforts of the major and his wife, they continued adding to their original tract, from time to time, until they now own two of the finest farms in the county, comprising 985 acres of land, in a good state of cultivation. Major and Mrs. Giller have been blessed with a family of 11 children, seven of whom are liv- ing -- George A., married Emily C. Rob- ley, resides in Missouri; Charles H., married Hattie Bonfoy, and resides in Roodhouse township; Sophronia J., wife of Jacob Riekert, residing in Kan- sas; William M., now attending school at Ann Arbor, Mich .; Ella A., Lora B., and Edward A., at home. Those deceased are Mareus R., Walter, Emma, an infant and Alice M. Major Giller is a promi- nent and enterprising gentleman, and enjoys the confidence of all. He and his family are now enjoying a home of ease and comfort, the fruits of their industry and perseverance. He has served his township as treasurer a great many years, and is a representative member of the grange lodge.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

David Woolley, one of the earliest settlers of Greene county, is a native of New York. Early in Feb., 1822, he started from his home east of the Hud- son, with a span of horses and a wagon, his wife and three children, to move to the great west. Coming as far as Olean, on the Allegheny river, he, with two other families, stopped, and built two flat-boats. On one they put their fami- lies and better class of goods, while on the other, they freighted their teams, wagons, and other goods. The two boats having been lashed together, were set adrift, and floated down the Alle- gheny into the Ohio, and down that river, until reaching Shawneetown, where they landed, the latter part of March. They sold their boats for what they could get, and struck out into the country. The principal of this sketeh went as far north as Hamilton county, where he stopped and remained through the summer and fall. Not liking that part of the country, he again hitched up his team, and started for Morgan county, and, on looking around for a situation, found one more to his liking in Greene county, where he settled, in Dee., 1822, on what is known as Apple Creek Prairie. There he remained till March, 1826, when he moved to his farm in Bluffdale, where he remained until he died, in 1860. regretted by all who knew him. In common with other en- terprising, early settlers, he acquired a reasonable share of this world's goods, and raised a family of nine children, all of whom occupy respectable positions in the communities in which they re- side.

Benj. Smith, deceased, was born in New Haven, Conn., Sept. 25, 1796, and

was a son of Benj., Sr., and Sarah (Kim- berly) Smith. His father was a sea captain and was lost in a storm, two weeks before our subject's birth, and a wharf which he owned on the coast of New Haven was destroyed by fire soon afterwards. Benj., Jr., came to Illinois in 1818, locating in Madison county, where Alton now stands, and where he helped build the first frame house. Jan. 4, 1820, he married Marilla E. Bacon, of Madison county. In 1822 he moved to Greene county and entered 80 acres of land near White Hall. Here he lived until his death, with the excep- tion of the years '54 and '56 spent in California. He died Aug. 7, 1879, and was buried in White IIall cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were the parents of nine children, the three eldest dying in infancy. Those living are-Sarah A., Minerva, Harvey A., Theresa O., Ange- line M. and Ira B. Mrs. Smith was born in Massachusetts, March 17, 1799, her parents being Joel and Polly (Wheaton ) Bacon, natives of Massachu- setts and Connecticut. They moved to Ohio in 1803, and, in 1818, to Madison county, Ill. After Mr. Smith's death she staid one year at the homestead, then moved to White Hall, where she lived two years, and then moved to Iowa. In 1884, she moved to Kansas City, and is now residing there with her daughter. She sent what is now ealled "the Edmunds polygamy bill" to Senator Logan, who presented it to congress.

CEMETERIES.

In 1835, Joshua Jones laid out a burial ground on about an aere and a half, on his farm, which is now known as Jones' cemetery, which he donated

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

to the public for their use and benefit. The first interment was that of Eliza- beth Jones, who was buried the same year of the laying out of the cemetery. There are over 200 bodies now at rest in this "God's acre."

North cemetery was opened as a pri- vate burial place, but was afterward thrown open to the public. The ground was given by Asahel North, whose child was the first to be buried there.

Rodgers' cemetery consists of one acre of ground, donated by W. H. Rodgers.

NEW PROVIDENCE.

This village, better known to the res- idents of the county as Belltown, was laid out in 1866, the plat of the same being filed for record on the 20th of Feb., of that year, by John Bell, F. M. Bell and Jesse S. Allen. Prior to the inception of the town, however, these parties resided here as is noticed else- where. About the earliest attempt at any business at this point was a store started by a man by the name of King, who kept a few groceries.

Shortly after this T. L. Miller opened a store for the sale of general merchan- dise, who was followed shortly after by B. F. Baldwin. The latter carried a good stock and did a large trade. He removed to White Hall at a later day.

The village of New Providence lies upon the southwest quarter of Sec. 23, of T. 11, R. 12, and contains about 100 inhabitants. At one time this was quite an ambitious little village, but on the railroad passing it by, and the foun- dation of the town of Berdan, its hopes departed.

One of the first mills in the county was built in 1820, at this place by Thomas

and Samuel Allen. In those days, all felt the inconvenience of going nearly to St. Louis to have their grain ground, and the idea of having a mill in their midst pleased everybody, so when Mr. Allen asked for help, they gladly hast- ened to his assistance, remaining faith- fully until the whole thing was com- pleted. But no sooner had it com- menced work, than a freshet in the stream washed away the abutment, and left the mill without any water. The settlers gathered again, filling the crev- asse with logs, stone, brush, straw, clay, sand, in fact any and everything that was at hand, effectually closing the breech. Soon after, another flood in the stream made an excavation under the building to the depth of about 20 feet, and the mill was again silenced. But willing hands once more were in attendance, and soon the hole was filled up, and the danger of its recurring was guarded against. The mill now com- menced an active life, and was a great convenience to the people of this section of this state. It is to the honor of Mr. Allen, that, remembering the timely assistance of his neighbors in time of need, he ground their grain for years without any charge. There was a saw- mill run in connection with the mill. This mill they ran for many years, when they tore it down, and built an- other, which they ran three or four years, when they sold it to F. M. Bell & Bro.

About the year 1857, the old mill hav- ing long outlived its usefulness, Fran- cis M. and John Bell and Arthur Davis tore it down, and built what is known as the new mill, which they ran for sev- eral years, when it was purchased by

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Jesse Allen. In 1869, Henry Tunison became a half owner with Mr. Bell, forming the firm of Bell & Tunison, who ran it for four years. F. M. Bell & Son were the next proprietors, operating it for three or four years, when it was sold to Peter Roodhouse, who was followed by Thomas Johnson in 1876, who oper- ated it for three or four years. It next passed into the hands of the present proprietors, Roodhouse & Strang, in 1882.

When this mill was first built, by the Bell Bros., it eost about $10,000. It was run by water power for a time, but they finally purchased an engine, at a cost of about $3,000. It is three stories in height, well constructed, is equipped with three run of buhrs, and all the necessary machinery.

REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

J. D. Pinkerton was born in Greene county, Ill., Jan. 28, 1847, and is a son of John F. F. and Margaret E. (Mc- Donald) Pinkerton, his father a native of Tennessee, his mother of Kentucky. His father came to Greene county at an early day, and located near Berdan, where he lived several years, and then moved to New Providence, where he has sinee resided. J. D. was brought up on a farm where he has spent most of his life. In 1881 he commeneed engi- neering, running the engine of the flour- ing mill of Thomas Johnson, for some time, in New Providence. He has for the last two years turned his attention to farming, and is now thus engaged. He cultivates about 50 acres of land and owns 14 lots, in partnership with his brother, Wiley B., in the village where he resides. He was united in marriage,

Nov. 23, 1884, with Sarah I. (Crump) Lynn, daughter of Eli Crump. She has a family of four children by her first husband-Etta, Ada, Harry and Myrtle. Mr. Pinkerton is an intelligent, indus- trious citizen, and well respected in this community.

Ahirah and Rosanna (Hall) Clifford, are natives of North Carolina. Ahirah was born July 15, 1811, and Rosanna Aug. 12, 1816. They remained in their na- tive state until the spring of 1866, when they removed to Cannon county, Tenn., where they lived until the fall of 1868. From there they removed to Caldwell county, Ky., only remaining therr a short time, when in 1869 they eame with their family to Greene county, Ill., loeating near Wilmington, where they lived about three years. Their next move was to Crawford county, Kan., where they staid three years, then moved to Montgomery county in the same state, remaining there six months, and then returned to Illinois, locating in Jersey county, where they bought a small tract of land, and farmed there until 1882, when they moved to New Providence, bought property there and have since made it their home. He was married Feb. 5, 1835, to Rosanna Hall, daughter of Moses and Lydia (Hunter) Hall. By this union there were eight children, seven of whom are living-Lydia S., wife of John Henkle, living in Kansas; Samantha M., wife of Zadoc L. Gaither, residing in Jersey county; John H. married Mary Hayes, resides in New Providence; Rachel Emeline, wife of Milton Williams, re- sides in Jersey county; William M .. married Susan Ogle, and resides in New Providence; James W. and Joseph G.,

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

remaining at home with their parents; Elizabeth J., departed this life April 24, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford are members of the United Baptist church, together with their entire family of chil- dren, and also some of their grand- children.

John H. Clifford, son of Ahirah and Rosanna Clifford, was born in Davie county, N. C., Dec. 16, 1839, and was brought up to a farm life with his par- ents, until the commencement of the war, when he enlisted as a musician under Capt. W. A. Clement, Co. F, 42d North Carolina regiment, eastern division of the Confederate army, under Gen. Lee. He was wounded in the left arm at Murry Hill, N. C., in February, 1863. He was afterwards on post duty in Salisbury, N. C., until the close of the war. In 1866 Mr. Clifford moved with his family to Cannon county, Tenn., and engaged in the milling busi- ness at Woodbury. He married Mary M. Hays, daughter of Sampson Hays, Sept. 12, 1867, remaining in Tennessee until 1872, when the family moved to Caldwell county, Ky., and there en- gaged in the milling business, near Princeton, where he resided until April, 1880, when he moved to New Provi- dence, Greene county, Ill., where he has ever since been engaged in the mill- ing business. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford are the parents of seven children- Fannie B., married D. E. Gaither, re- siding in New Providence; Addie, Robert James, Ada, Suda and Lula. Mr. Clifford is a member of the Masonic fraternity. being made a mason in Princeton, Ky., lodge No. 82, and is now a member of White Hall lodge No. 80. Himself and wife and two oldest

daughters, are also members of the United Baptist church at New Provi- dence, Greene county, Ill.

WHITE HALL.

One of the most flourishing and enter- prising towns in this section of the state, is White llall. It is located upon the south part of Sec. 35, T. 12, R. 12, and upon Sec. 2, T. 11, R. 12, and cov- ers more than half a section. It was originally laid out by David Barrow, upon the southeast quarter of section 35, on the 12th of Jan., 1832, and the plat filed for record, March 9, 1832. It was surveyed and platted by Jeremiah Smith, who was, at the time, deputy county surveyor, and originally con- tained 48 lots and four streets, called, respectively, East, West, Main and Church streets. There have since been added several additions, chief among which are those laid out by Linus E. Worcester, first in 1860, and the second, in 1863; I. D. Vedder, in 1864; Bates, in 1873; A. F. Vedder, in 1873, and the three additions of Ayres', two of Davis' and Carr's, and one each of Culver, Milne, Israel, Drummond, and Potts.

James M. Allen, as has been already mentioned, was the first settler upon the site of the city of White Hall, locating here in 1820, and erecting a log cabin, where he lived for some 12 years. When Mr. Barrow laid out the town in 1832, Mr. Allen removed to a farm on Loft- on's prairie. James Allen kept a tavern at his place, the only place of the kind between Jacksonville and Carrollton.

In 1830, Beverly Holliday made a settlement on the site of the town. He was afterward the first postmaster of the town, and the story goes that he,

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

like nearly all of the pioneer postmas- ters, carried the office in his hat, and when accosted and asked for a letter, he would take it off, and, searching around in its depths, fish out the missive and hand it to the recipient, and walk off with the balance of the othce on his head. He also had a carding machine, which was the only one ever in the place.

Widow Holliday was the other inhab- itant on the town site, in 1830. She came here from Virginia and occupied a small log cabin. She had five sons.

In 1830, David Barrow built a brick residence here, owning considerable land in this neighborhood.

Next came Elijah Lot, who built a cabin, in 1831, just north of where the Baptist church now stands. He was af- terward the second postmaster in the town, and was quite an important man in the settlement.

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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 128

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