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 129

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 129

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In 1832, Mr. Barrow determined to lay out the town, and on doing so, peo- ple began slowly to settle in the place, and it began to assume the appearance of a village.

About this time David Hodge, who had been keeping a small store on Apple Creek Prairie, two miles west, moved into town with his stock, and opened the first store in the town. He moved building and all, and took his sons into partnership, the firm name and style being Hodge & Sons. The store was a small frame building, and the stock but seant, but contained a fair assortment of most everything necessary in the new settlement. Mr. Hodge was a progres- sive business man, and quite public- spirited and enterprising.

Joshua Simonds was the next repre-

sentative of the business of the rising village, who opened a general store.

About 1833, Beverly Holliday erected a carding mill, which, at first, ran with foot power, but into which steam power was afterward introduced.

Jarboe & Hodge were the next mer- chants to locate in White Hall. They rented the first commodious store room ever built in the town. This firm car- ried on business for some years, but hard times setting in, consequent upon the panie of 1837, they were forced to the wall and failed.

Nathan Kendall, who owned a saw and grist mill several miles east of the town, about this time built the first dwelling in the village, which had any pretentions to elegance and comfort.

In 1834, Dr. William Holliday eame to the town of White Hall and hung ont his shingle as a physician, the first in the embryo metropolis. The next was Dr. S. H. Culver, who had moved to this vicinity in 1831, but did not begin practice here until 1835 or 6.

In 1835, Samuel Higbee, a Kentuck- ian, opened a wagon shop, and shortly after entered into a partnership with William Carr, a blacksmith, who at- tended to the iron work of the wagons, carried on the business of manufactur- ing those necessary articles.

Vincent Higbee came from Kentucky, in 1837, where he had been engaged in the trade of a blacksmith, and opened a hotel. This business he continued some years.

Calvin Hagar was the next merchant of the place, coming from the granite hills of his native Vermont, in 1835, and opening up a small general stock, in a small building just north of the

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

place occupied by the old Baptist church. Asbury Davis, afterward prom- inently identified with the business life of the town, and one of its influential merchants was a clerk in the store of Mr. Hagar. The latter gentleman car- ried on business here for some years, when he died, and was succeeded by his son-in-law, Mr. Davis, who soon built up a good business.

In the year 1835, the first pottery was made in White Hall, as detailed further on, by Michael Baker. This is now one of the leading industries of the town, and of Greene county.

In 1835, Joseph Akins and Blackwell Holliday were added to the list of mer- chants, as were Hoaglan & Goodeup, in 1836. The following year the latter firm became Ayres & Iloaglan.

In 1836 Chester Swallow was a promi- nent merchant, who had come here from Vermont, and in his store, acting as clerk was Linus E. Worcester, since one of Greene county's most prominent men.

About this time Aaron Reno settled in White Hall, engaging in mercantile business, in the dry goods line, on Main street, which was afterwards destroyed by fire. Mr. Reno was one of the lead- ing merchants of the town for many years; was a man of excellent judge- ment, and quite popular.

About this time, also, came Josiah Lamborn, the pioneer attorney of the place. He came from Jacksonville.

About the year 1840, Henry Fitch had a small store in this town. He after- wards sold out to Dr. Drish. He is now a resident of San Francisco, Cal., quite a wealthy man. He was one of the projectors and stockholders in the UT. P. railroad.

Goodeup & Mallard were, also, mer- chants about this time. A man by the name of Hall opened a harness shop near where the Masonic hall is now lo- cated, about the same time, where he carried on business for several years.

By the census of the general govern- men, taken in 1840, the town contained between 3 and 400 inhabitants, and about 50 houses, mostly frame. At that time, Ross B. Hughes was running the house so well known as the White Hall house, since and still run by Mrs. Mary Amos.

From this time on the town increased rapidly, until it is now one of the most enterprising, go-ahead, flourishing com- munities in this section of country. A history of the mills, potteries, business houses, churches and other institutions is given elsewhere, so that a repetition would be needless, suffice it to say that in 1880, the town had a population of 2,147 people, and more business places than any town, in proportion to inhabi- tants, in any other place. It has now several church organizations, two weekly and one daily paper, a number of potteries, mills, and all the other concomitants of a thriving town.

PRESENT ASPECT OF THE CITY.

A short review of the present busi- ness and other interests of White Hall, will better show the development of this enterprising town from an almost insignificant village of log and frame shanties to its present solidly built form, than columns of grandiloquent encomiums.

POTTERIES AND TILE WORKS.

The most important business inter- ests of White Hall centers in the vari-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

ous institutions manufacturing drain tile, fire brick, sewer pipe, terra cotta ware, pottery, and various other forms of clay. Of this industry, the Republi- cin, in its issue of Jan. 4, 1879, says:

" Their proximity to two great rail- road lines crossing each other at White Hall, and their superiority to all others known in this country or in Eu- rope, as shown by analysis of chemists, and render the fire clay deposits of this neighborhood a source of wealth, the extent of which is limited only by man- ufacturing facilities. The deposit near- est to town is owned by Chapin Bros., and is located three-fourths of a mile east of the corporation line. Other deposits belong to A. D. Ruckel, Cul- berson & Smith, Felix Brown, and to the White Hall Fire Clay Works, who own an extensive and exceedingly valu- able traet of clay and coal land. M. C. Purdy owned the first clay bank ever opened here. White Hall is rapidly taking the lead in the manufacture of stoneware, drain tile, sewer pipe, fire brick and terra cotta ware, and these in- dustries must continue to grow and pros- per. No other place in the Union can compete with the quality of the clay found here."

The following article is clipped from the Republican, under date of Jan. 7, 1882:

"From the veteran potter, J. N. Ebey, we learn some hitherto unpublished facts, relating to the early history of the pottery business in the vicinity of White Hall. He writes substantially as fol- lows: In the fall of 1827, I first passed over the ground where White Hall now stands. I was then manufacturing earth- enware in Sangamon county. Michael

Baker, formerly and since a citizen of White Hall, who was working for me and learning to turn ware, informed me that there was fine white clay in that vicinity. I loaded an ox wagon with ware, drove over the beautiful, but unim- proved intervening prairies to Kinkead's Point, some 10 miles east of Carrollton. I sold the ware to A. M. Kennett, father of Mortimer Kennett, since mayor of St. Louis. Thenee I went to the little pottery run by William Heath, father of N. P. Heath, since deceased, on the land now owned by Nancy Evans, south of S. M. Henderson's present residence. Heath built the first kiln, and made the first ware ever manufactured in Greene county. The second kiln was built west of Simeon Ross' present residence.

Heath was using what was known as the Ross clay. I took a part of a load of the clay home with me for painting purposes on common pottery. In 1832, while yet in Springfield, I became very anxious to manufacture stoneware. 1 tested all the clay in the vicinity, with a proportion of the Greene county clay, and all except the latter was a failure. That proved so encouraging, that in 1833, I went to the little village of White Hall, got the numbers of the clay land, and went to Edwardsville and entered it, and in April moved into the front room of a little house near where the old M. E. church stands. Dr. William Holliday occupied the front room. I bought an old log cabin, moved it to the lot now owned by Dr. Chapman, and there turned the first stoneware made in Greene county. I had no kiln, but I hauled the green ware to Edward Heath's redware kiln, then used by Michael Baker, and there burned the

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

first stoneware ever burned in the county. It was a very good, common article. I sold part of it to Joshua Simonds, who sold dry goods in a small tenant house, near the present site of the postoffice. From this time until 1864, a period of 31 years, but little was done in the way of manufacturing stoneware, and from that date the history of the business is familiar to the people of White Hall, and the state at large."

In 1865 the subject of drain tile was agitated, and David Culbertson think- ing that it could be made a success from the excellent fire clay in this vicinity put in a small machine for the manufacture of tile, in the pottery of A. Pierce, during the winter of that year. At that time the capacity of the institution would average about 500 tile per day, the machine being run by hand. When the enterprise was established, or machinery for the same arrived, a partnership was formed with A. Pierce. which existed for five years. At that time, in the spring of 1870, Mr. Cul- bertson, retired from the present suc- eessful tile works of Culbertson, Smith & Co. At that time he purchased the present site, then covered with corn, and began the erection of a frame struc- ture or shed, 18x100 feet in size, put- ting in a machine operated by horse power, and which had a capacity of about 4,000 tile per day. It was gener- ally conceded that Mr. Culbertson had gone too far, and that it would be im- possible for him to make it pay on such a large scale, as drainage was not con- sidered a success, anyway. Conse- quently, he was subjected to considera- ble ridicule. But the success which has crowned those first efforts is abundant

evidence to the contrary. He operated the business on this scale until 1876. The year previous, Thomas A. Smith became a partner in the concern, and in 1876, a brick structure, 20x40 feet in size, and a 30-horse power engine was added, besides new machinery through- out, at an additional expense of $3,500, which increased the capacity to about 7,000. In Jan., 1882, the firm became Culbertson, Smith & Co., John Arm- strong entering the firm. During that summer was erected the present large main building, which is a two-story brick, 40x100 feet in dimensions, in addition to a one-story structure, which is 40x75 feet in size. These additional improvements of 1882 amounted to $10,000, including $2,000 worth of new machinery added. The works now have a capacity of 2,000,000 per year. It has grown from a diminutive concern to its present dimensions during the past 20 years, thus demonstrating what can be accomplished by pluck, energy and en- terprise, such as its founder and present owners possess. The institution is now valued at $30,000.

Augustus Pierce & Co.'s pottery is lo- cated in the northeastern part of the town. This was established in 1864, and is the oldest one in the county. Mr. Pierce learned the trade of potter, at Akron, O., and afterward came west. In 1863, while working on a farm near White Hall, then a mere hamlet, he procured a strong bag, went prospeet- ing in the clay fields, and selecting a bagful of the best, and carried it to Winchester. B. G. Culver, engaged in the dry goods business, became inter- ested in the enterprise, put up the nee- cessary funds, and the first pottery in

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY. 1089

White Hall was established, just east of the place where the C., B. & Q. depot now stands, and near the site of the works now owned by the firm of which he is the senior member. From this humble beginning has sprung the fine works now operated. The main build- ing is 24x90 feet in size, with an L 24x60, all well and substantially built. It has a capacity of turning out some 40,000 gallons of ware per month, all of the finest description. £

Mr. Pierce operated this pottery for some four years, in company with Mr. Culver, when David Culbertson became a part- ner. The latter was succeeded by F. I. Vedder. In 1881, Isaac Powell became the junior of this firm.

Hill and Prindle are the present rep- resentatives of the old pottery, insti- tuted in White Hall, in the fall or win- ter of 1864, by that pioneer of the pot- teries of this section of the state, J. N. Ebey. At the time he was running it, it was but a small affair. He continued at this some five years, when he dis- posed of it to Hubbs, Moore & Boone, who ran it about a year, when W. W. Hubbs became sole proprietor. In 1873, George Hill succeeded Mr. Hubbs, oper- ating the same until 1879, when L. T. Prindle purchased a half interest in the concern. On the formation of this part- nership, they increased the number of kilns to three, and added steam, for dry- ing the ware and erushing the clay. This firm was the first to make pans by steam, and is the only one at present. They have increased the original capac- ity of the works from 25,000 to 500,000, per year. This is considered the larg- est pottery here. Their ware has a sale as far south as San Antonio, Tex., and

west, as far as Los Angelos, Cal., besides extending a proportionate dis- tance north. They use 25,000 bushels of coal, and 400 cords of wood, annually, and 1,600 tons of potter's elay. During the year 1885, they started a store in connection with their business, for the sale of their ware. They have invested a capital of about $15,000, and do an annual business of about $30,000. They give employment to between 40 and 50 men and boys, in the various branches of their business.

Lyman T. Prindle is a partner of Geo. Hill, in the pottery of Hill & Prindle, White Hall. He was born in Virden, Ill., on Feb. 11, 1858, and is a son of Remsen M. and Cynthia J. (Twitchell) Prindle, natives of Vermont. His father was an architect and builder. Ile died in 1863, in Waitsfield, Vt. His widow now lives in Prattsburgh, N. Y., and is now the wife of S. M. Ostrander. Lyman T. was educated in the high school of Bloomington, and at the Nor- mal University. He began life as a teacher, and followed that profession three years. He then commenced deal- ing in stoneware, which he followed;for 3 years. In 1880 he entered into a part- nership with Mr. George Hill in the manufacture of stoneware in this city, in which he is still engaged. In 1881 he was married to Susan E., daughter of George and Sarah (Rix) Hill. She was born at Gloverville, N. Y., Sept. 1859. Her parents were natives of England, but removed to this country before mar- riage. Mr. and Mrs. Prindle are the parents of three children-Remsen (i., born Feb. 17, 1882; Frank E., born Dec. 8, 1883, and Lyman W., born Oct. 10, 1885. Mrs. Prindle is a member of the

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

M. E. church. Mr. Prindle belongs to White Hall lodge, No. 80, A. F. & A. M., end has been one of its officers for years. Mr. Prindle has a brother, E. M., living in Greenfield, Kan., in the stock business. The family name was formerly spelled Pringle, and is a Scotch name. His ancestors came to this country from Scotland and England in the 17th century.

A. King is operating the most north- ern pottery in the town. It was estab- lished in 1870, by John King, who ran it for about nine years, when he dis- posed of it, but in a short time had to foreclose the mortgage and bid it in. The property is valued at about $2,000 and has a capacity of turning out about 15,000 gallons of ware. Owing to the depression of the times at this writing, these works are doing but a minimum business, but in the bright future that awaits all that have learned "to labor and to wait," they no doubt will reap a rich harvest, for the merits of White Hall ware needs no praise.

The pottery of P. J. McGowan was established in 1880 by the present pro- prietor, in company with T. O'Gorman and M. Golula, but this partnership did not last long, since which time Mr. McGowan has operated alone. He now has about three acres of land in the city, connected with the works. The building he occupies is 60x30 feet in size, with an L 30x50. The entire plant is valued at about $3,000. He employs about 15 hands. The works have a ca- pacity of turning out 16,000 gallons of stoneware, and about $500 per month of terra cotta ware.

P. J. McGowan was born in the city of New York,, March 12, 1855, and is a

son of Charles and Mary (Murphy) McGowan, natives of Ireland. They removed from New York to Akron, O., in 1865, where they still reside. The subject of this sketch was educated at Akron, where he also learned the trade of a painter, and has since followed that business. He came to Illinois in 1872, and worked as a "jour" some four years, when he engaged in the business near Quincy. In 1880 he was married to Addie Brickart, a native of Greene county. By this union there was one child-Mollie. Mrs. McGowan's death occurred in 1883. Mr. McGowan is a member of the Benevolent lodge, No. 227, I. O. O. F. He is a successful business man, and has won many friends by his genial manner, his honesty and fair dealings.

Ruckel's pottery was established by Charles Ebey, the son of the veteran potter of White Hall, John Ebey. He was succeeded by Murphy & Bates, but the latter retiring, L.C. Murphy carried on the business until Oct., 1878, when D. C. Banta became the proprietor. On Jan. 1, 1883, A. D. Ruekel, the present owner, came into possession, and has continued therein ever since. The in- stitution has a capacity of turning out 200,000 gallons of ware a year, but is not driven to its extreme limit now. The plant is worth about $2,000.

The Purdy pottery was instituted in 1865, by F. C. Garbitt, who built the edifice at this place. This is north of the depots. He used horse power for the propulsion of the machinery. He was succeeded by Brown, Cogdell & Sax, but it finally came into the hands of Purdy & Ruckel. On the retirement of the latter, M. C. Purdy became sole pro-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

prietor, and is to-day. The works have a capacity of making over 250,000 gal- lons of ware per year, besides a large amount of potter's clay is shipped to other points. Mr. Purdy owns about 60 acres of excellent fire clay lands.

WHITE HALL MACHINE WORKS.

This enterprise was established in 1877, by Winn Bros. & Co. At that time they erected the present brick building, which is 40x70 feet in size, and which was built at a cost of $2,500. In 1880 the firm became Winn Bros., composed of George W. and Richard B. Winn. They have the institution fully equipped with all necessary machinery, run by a 12-horse power engine. The enterprise includes foundry, wagon and blacksmith shops, etc., and brings into requisition a capital invested of about $8,000. During good seasons they give employment to about 15 men.

William Winn, son of William and Elizabeth (Ford) Winn, was born in Richmond, Va., May 17, 1803. His father was a native born Welshman, and his mother of Scotch descent. They immigrated to this country, locat- ing near Richmond, Va., where they re- sided until their death. William, the subject, immigrated to Lexington, Ky., where he remained but a short time, when he removed to near Cincinnati, O., where he was married to Phoebe Osborne, March 3, 1825, who was a na- 1 tive of that state and a daughter of Aaron and Eleanor (Frazier) Osborne, natives of N. J. The former died at Grandview, Ind., at the very advanced age of 104 years. The latter's death occurred in Ohio. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Winn, they removed

to Indiana, and located near Rising Sun, where they remained until coming to this county in 1829. They lived upon the old homestead until their death. Mrs. Winn died April 22, 1858, and her husband survived her death until Nov, 27, 1866. They are both in- terred in the Richwoods cemetery, within 50 yards of where these pioneers first settled, and where they erected their first rude log cabin to shelter them from the stormy blasts of the then new western wilds.

George W. Winn, a son of William and Phoebe (Osborne) Winn, was born near Rising Sun, Ind., May 3, 1827, coming with his parents to this county, when about two years of age. His ed- ucation was derived, sitting on an oak- wood seat, principally from a Webster's spelling book. Young Winn became apprenticed to the trade of a black- smith, and became a superior workman. When the war of the rebellion came on he enlisted in Co. I, 91st Ill. Inf., and was afterward detailed to hospital ser- vice at St. Louis, being general ward- master of l'ost Hospital. While in the service, two little children of Mr. Winn died. The bereaved mother, now left entirely alone, decided to enter the service of the United States, for the relief of the boys in blue. For 19 months she administered to the sick and dying with a solicitude that gained for her the esteem of all. The heroine of the hospital wards at St. Louis, and the wife of G. W. Winn, who were mar- ried Oct. 20, 1859, was Mary C. Bog- gess, a daughter of Madison and Eliza- beth (Reddin) Boggess, who settled in Carrollton, or on the site of that place, in the summer of 1818. Mr. Boggess

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

was a wagon-maker by trade, and fought in the Black Hawk war. He was a young man when he came from his na- tive state. Kentucky, to this county, be- ing a member of a party of surveyors and "carrying the chain." His wife died in Jan., 1854, and he followed her June. 7, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Winn are the parents of eight children-James M., born Dec. 7, 1860, died Aug. 18, 1862; Charles D., born June 4, 1862, died Aug. 27, 1863; Mary E., born Oct. 10, 1869; Julia A. born March 23, 1871; Craig, born Nov. 28, 1873, and died Aug. 17, 1879; Walter, born June 3, 1879; and one child that died in in- fancy, not christened. Mr. Winn was previously twice married. The first time to Mary A. Tucker, April 30, 1849. They were the parents of one child- John A., born March 29, 1850. His first wife died Aug. 3, 1852. He was again married Nov. 3, 1852, to Sarah Tucker, and were blessed with one child-William, born Nov. 9, 1856. Mrs. Winn's death occurred Feb. 7, 1859. In company with his brother, Richard B, Mr. Winn established the Carrollton machine shops, which he operated successfully until coming to White Hall, in 1877. In conclusion it may be stated that Mr. Winn's life has been a success, owning a half interest in the foundry and machine shops at White Hall, besides other valuable property. What is somewhat remark- able, he has never uttered an oath, never drank any liquor, and has never used tobacco. He is a member of the M. E. church, the Masonic fraternity and the G. A. R. He is a republican.

Richard B. Winn, son of William and Phoebe (Osborne) Winn, was born Dec.

8, 1843, at the old homestead, four miles west of Carrollton. His carly years were spent upon the old homestead with his parents, obtaining his education in the public schools of Carrollton. From the time he was 17 years of age until he attained his 20th birthday, he labored the majority of the time as an appren- tice at gunsmithing and as a machinist. He also taught school during the winter of 1861 and 1862. At the age of 20 he enlisted Aug. 22, 1864, in company H, 40th Mo. Inf., serving until the close of the war, and being honorably dis- charged, Aug. 11, 1865. During the struggle he served in the engagements of Columbia, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn., besides fourteen days' fighting at Spanish Fort, Mobile, and one day at Fort Blakeley, Ala. While marching from Fort Blakeley to Mont- gomery, Ala., Mr. W. was so unfortu- nate as to have his right arm broken and crushed by falling over a log, April 11, 1865, the result of which has rendered it almost entirely useless. Returning from the army, Mr. W. engaged in farm- ing for about a year, when he entered the foundry an I machine shops with his brother, George. W., at Carrollton. Here he remained until 1877, when they established their present successful en- terprise in White Hall. He was mar- ried Nov. 19, 1868, to Mary Luther, who was born Sept. 17, 1850, in Grundy county, Ill. She was a daughter of Martin and Ursula (Cosgrove) Luther, the former of Pennsylvania and the lat- ter of New York. In 1858, they emi- grated to Illinois, locating at Pioneer, now known as Palmer, about eight miles west of Carrollton. Mrs. Luther died in March, 1859, and was buried in

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Eldred's cemetery, under the bluffs. Mr. Luther was again married to Mrs. Caroline Briscoe, in May, 1866. Mrs. Briscoe was the widow of Wm. Briscoe, and a daughter of Selden and Fidelia Beebe. They remained here until 1869, when they removed to Christian county, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. W. have two children-Wm. L., born July 9, 1870; Harry L., born Feb. 21, 1883. Mr. Winn is among the prominent busi- ness men of White Hall, having in com- pany with his brother, a large foundry machine ship, etc., as already described, besides residence property in the city. He is a member of the K. of H., G. A. R. and the city council from the Third ward. He was at one time correspon- dent of the Carrollton Gazette from this place, and attained considerable promi- nence and notoriety as a decidedly spicy and racy local writer. He is also a member of the Methodist church, and in politics affiliates with the republican party.

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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 129

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