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 133

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 133

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ones deceased are -George S., Alvin E., and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer and four daughters are members of the M. E. church. Mr.

Spencer now owns 340 acres of land. He has held the office of township treasurer, and several other offices, and is a highly esteemed citizen of this com- munity.

Alfred W. Taylor was born in Greene county, Nov. 28, 1848, his parents being John A. and Jane E. (Thompson) Tay- lor, natives of Illinois. His father was born in 1822, and was brought up in Greene county as a farmer. His first permanent settlement was on the farm now owned by Alfred W. He first bought 160 aeres of land on section 1, Roodhouse township, where he moved, and lived until 1877, when he moved to Roodhouse, and lived until July, 1884. He then moved back to the farm and lived there until his death, Nov. 6, 1884. There were only two children in the family-Catherine M., who died in 1860, and Alfred W. Mrs. Taylor is yet liv- ing, and resides at the residence of her son, Alfred. Our subject was reared on a farm, remaining at home until 22 years of age, when his parents remov- ing to Roodhouse, he took charge of the homestead, and there he has since re- sided. In 1877 he and his father bought 160 acres of land near Roodhouse, and subsequently purchased 120 acres on Sec. 1, T. 12, R. 12. Alfred now owns 520 acres of land. He was married April 5, 1869, to Terusa Edwards, daughter of Presley and Terusa Ed- wards. They are the parents of four children-John L., Charles L., Albert L. and Clarence E. In the summer of 1884 Mr. Taylor ereeted on his farm a large two-story frame house, at a cost of $2,300. The main building is 24x32 feet, with an L 18x28 feet in dimensions, and it is one of the best and finest

1120

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

buildings in his vicinity. Mr. Taylor is an industrious and enterprising citi- zen, and has, by his energy, placed himself and family in a most comforta- ble position.

James Rawlins was born in Warren county, Ky., April 16, 1798, his parents being James and Lydia (Green) Rawlins, natives of North Carolina. His pater- nal grandfather was born and raised in London, Eng. James was reared in his native state, until, in his 12th year, when the family removed to Bedford county, Tenn., where they remained about three years, then removed to Orange county, Ind., where they re- mained about five years, when they re- moved to Illinois, in 1819, locating in what is now Lawrence county, where they remained until 1826, when they came to Greene county, arriving in April of that year. They settled on the southeast quarter of Sec. 18, T. 12, R. 11. There the parents resided some three or four years, when they removed to a point about a half-mile north of where Wilmington now stands, where they resided until their deaths. James was married Jan. 18, 1827, to Rebecca Taylor, a native of East Tennessee, and daughter of John and Naney (Burgess) Taylor, and afterward settled on Sec. 17, T. 12, R. 11. They are the parents of 14 children, seven of whom are liv- ing-Nancy, deceased; Lydia Jane; Elizabeth; Sarah; Peggy, deceascd; Melissa C .; William A., deceased; John T .; Catherine, deceased; Millie L; Jas. A., deceased; Walter, deceased; Pleas- ant A., and Julia A., deceased. Mrs. Rawlins died June 4, 1885, and is buried in Jones' cemetery. Mr. Rawlins has been identified with Greene county for

a half century. He is a member of the regular Baptist church, of Barrow sta- tion.

Pleasant A. Rawlins was born in Greene county, July 1, 1848, his parents bing James and Rebecca (Taylor) Raw- lins, his father a native of Kentucky, and his mother of Tennessee. His pa- rents came to Greene county in 1822. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and worked around for several years at his trade. His first permanent location was on Sec. 17, T. 12, R. 11, where he entered 80 acres of land. Our subject was reared on a farm, remaining with his parents until 22 years of age, when he was married, and located on section 17, where he owns 160 acres of land. He afterward built a large two-story frame house on section 20, and moved into it, where he has since resided. He was married, March 1, 1870, to Mary E. Vanderheyden, daughter of Derrick L. and Elmira (Greene) Vanderheyden. They are the parents of six children- Leonora, Adelaide, Elbert V., Ira E., Ben. W. and Leon A. Mr. Rawlins now owns 200 acres of land on sections 17 and 20. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. lodges of Rood- house, and the order of P. of H. Heis an intelligent and enterprising citizen of his county.

Isaac R. Smith, a prominent agricul- turist of Roodhouse township, was born near Winchester, Scott county, Ill., June 18, 1835, his parents being Ab- salom and Lydia (Baird) Smith. They were both natives of Tennessee, and were married in Wilson county, of that state, from which they removed to the vicinity of Meredosia, Morgan county, Ill., over 60 years ago, being some of the

1121

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

early settlers in that part of the state, and, consequently, having had to en- dure the severe hardships of the winter of the deep snow. From there they re- moved to Scott county, where Isaac R. was born. They resided near Win- chester until they passed to that better world, the father dying about 1856, and the mother in Aug., 1880. They were both interred in the Moore graveyard, near Bloomfield. Mr. Smith was a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and was personally acquainted with Gen. Jack- son. Isaac R. was reared to farm life in Scott county, where he resided up to the time of his coming to Greene county, in March, 1883. He is now the owner of a nice little farm of 53 acres, in Roodhouse township, on which he carries on general farming. Isaac R. Smith and Mrs. Huldah Cox, a native of this county, and daughter of James Moore, were married Aug. 4, 1877. She died in Aug., 1879, and was the mother of one child, who died in infancy. Mr. Smith was again married, March 4, 1881, to Effie Jane Smith, a native of Scott county, and daughter of Coleman Smith, Mrs. Smith is a member of the regular Baptist church, at Barrow Station. Our subject belongs to a family of 11 children, of whom nine are living, the youngest being now 40 years old, while Mrs. Smith is one of a family of 12 children, only three of whom are now living, the youngest being 52 years old.

John Hoots, a representative farmer of Roodhouse township, was born in Chattanooga, Bledsoe county, Tenn., Oct. 13, 1824, his parents being David and Hannah (Welch) Hoots. In 1829, John's parents came to Illinois in a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, the

usual mode of transportation at that early day. On coming to Illinois they located in Scott county, on Indian creek. There the parents of John resided until their death, the father dying March 31, 1871, aged 66 years, and the mother June 6, 1859, aged 55 years. The father was buried in Burns' graveyard, Scott county, and the mother in the Epeth graveyard. David Hoots was born in Lincoln county, Tenn., while his wife was born in Louisville, Ky., where she resided until 12 years of age, when her parents removed to Tennessee, where she was united in marriage with Mr. Hoots. Coming to Illinois, as they did, in 1829, the family were here to endure the hardships of the deep snow, which followed so soon after their arrival in Scott county. John was reared mostly in Scott county, and he remembers well the first time he saw the site of the town of Winchester, there being only one log house where the town now stands, and there he has often hunted squirrel, and also killed rattlesnakes. John Hoots and Sarah Ann Haney, a native of Bledsoe county, Tenn., were united in marriage, in Scott county, Feb. 3, 1844. She departed this life June 10, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Hoots were the parents of eight children, four of whom are now living. The children were as follows- Ella Jane, deceased; David M., married Ollie Dewees, and now resides near Nevada, Vernon county, Mo .; Hannah, deceased; Julia Ann, deceased wife of George Crane; Sophronia E., deceased wife of Robert Selby; Ephraim. married Hattie Henry, and lives in this town- ship; Douglas lives near Walkerville, and Jasper, of this county. Mr. Hoots was again married, Sept. 3, 1873, to

1122

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Mary Eliza Young, a native of Spencer county, Ind., and daughter of Sanford and Matilda Young. Her parents re- moved to Scott coumy. Ill., where she was mostly reared. Her father after- ward removed to Mexico, Audrain county, Mo., where he died in March, 1875. Her mother died at the residence of Mr. Hoots, in Jan., 1880. Mr. Hoots is now the possessor of 80 acres of land on sections 3 and 10, Roodhouse town- ship. On his farm are two springs, possessing medicinal properties, which are attracting general attention, and are known as Hoots' Golden Mineral Springs. The water contains soda, mag- nesia, carbonate of lime, sulphur and iron, with hydrogen gas arising from the bottom of the springs. Religiously, Mr. Hoots is a Christian, while his wife is a Baptist. Mr. Hoots' brother Wil- liam was a member of Co. G, 28th Ill. Inf., and served through the war, being wounded at Pea Ridge. He was in 28 battles and skirmishes. Of his company of 100 men, only six returned to their homes, and, on their arrival in Win- chester, there was quite an affecting scene, while sitting around the dinner table, thinking of the many who went out with them and the few who returned.

Robert Vantuyle, was born in Somer- set county, N. J., on Nov. 26, 1832, his parents being Otto and Charlotte (Bul- mer) Vantuyle, natives of New Jersey. When our subject was about four years of age, his parents immigrated to Greene county, in 1837 and wintered near White IIall. In the spring of 1838, they moved north of Roodhouse about two miles, where his father entered 100 acres of land, and moved into a little log cabin where he lived several years making

improvements, and building a nice frame house and barn. He lived here until the spring of 1851, when he sold out and bought 100 acres of land, just over the line of Greene,in Scott county, and removed on to it, where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1852. Our subject remained on this farm until 1882, when he moved back to Greene county. His mother is yet living and resides in Manchester. Our subject was reared on a farm, remaining at home and on the homestead from boyhood. After his father's death, he purchased the homestead from his mother, in Scott county, and remained there until 1882, when he bought 130 acres of land on Sec. 7, T. 12, R. 11, and removed on to the place, where he has since resided. He now owns 400 acres of land in Scott county. and 290 in Greene county. He was married May 3, 1859, to Margaret A Clark, a daughter of Edward J. and Sarah (Smith) Clark. They are the pa- rents of three children-Frederick O., married to Sulie Rawlins, lives on the homestead in Scott county; Edward J. and Lottie A. Mr. Vantuyle is an in- dustrious and enterprising citizen of his county and is now the supervisor of Roodhouse township. While a resident of Scott county he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners and served in that capacity with great credit. In politics he is a strong dem- ocrat. He now devotes his attention almost exclusively to stock-raising.

Charles K. Smead, was born in Add ;- son county, Vermont, on August 30, 1826, his parents being Elisha and Filena (Kellogg) Smead, natives of New Hampshire. His parents immigrated from Vermont to Greene county in 1837,

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

1123

and located on Apple Creek Prairie. They came over in a two-horse wagon, starting all alone, but overtook a com- pany, which they followed to this county. There were four children that came- Harriet, Charles K., Mary F. and Laura. His mother died when he was an infant, and his father again married. His father died in July, 1840, and his stepmother in 1839, when our subject was only 14 years of age. After the death of his parents he worked for James Simmons for five years, going to school 30 days out of a year. He was to have a suit of clothes, horse, saddle and bridle, to stay until 21 years of age, but becoming dissatisfied before he was 21, he left and went to Jacksonville, Ill., and worked one year on a farm, then came back to Greene county, and worked out on a farm during the summer, and went to school during the winter, for two years. In 1847 he had gained a fair education, and came into the vicinity where he now lives, and began teaching school. He taught school for about three years, when he was married, and bought 40 acres of land on section 24, and moved into a log cabin, and commenced in earnest to earn an honest living, which he has accomplished by hard work. He was married January 30, 1851, to Sarah Alverson. By this union they had two children-Darius C., married to Huldy Hunt, of Vermont, and Barclay. His wife died Jan. 5, 1854, and he was again married, May 23, 1855, to Mary (Wheel- er) Stowall, daughter of Sylvenas and Eunice Wheeler. By this union they have three children-Laura J., Herbert N. and Edgar. His wife had two chil- dren by her first husband-Ellen, mar- ried to Thomas O'Connoll, and Adelia,

who is dead. Mr. Smead now owns 140 acres of land on sections 23 and 24. Mr. and Mrs. Smead are members of the Baptist church.

John A. Morrow, a prosperous far- mer and stock-raiser, living west of Roodhouse, was born in Greene county, Ill., April 18, 1849, and is a son of Ab- ner and Mary A. (Wood) Morrow. His father was a native of Tennessee, and farming was his occupation. His mother was a native of Alabama. Both died in this county during the year 1853. John A. was educated in the schools of this county and began life as a farmer, thus continuing until he was 20 years of age. He then engaged in the butcher business for one year, and then became proprietor of a grocery and hardware store in Roodhouse, which business he conducted one year, when he sold out and again returned to the pursuits of agriculture. He has since been engaged in farming and raising stock. In the spring of 1872, Mr. Morrow was united in marriage with Ella J. Thaxton, a daughter of William B. and Ellen (Mc- Gaffey) Thaxton, natives of this county, and of Vermont, respectively. Her mother is dead and her father has since married again and is now a resident of White Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Morrow are the parents of two children-Willie A. and George B. Mr. Morrow is a men- ber of Roodhouse lodge, No. 681, I. O. O. F., and of the K. of P. and A. O. U. W. lodges, of the same city. He is a gentleman of good business qualities and has the reputation of being one of our most reliable and enterprising citi- zens.

Amburgh Campbell was born in Des Moines countv, Ia., Aug. 1840, his par-

1124

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

ents being Daniel A. and Sarah C. (Lor- ton) Campbell. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Kentucky, His parents came to Greene county in 1833, and lived here several years, when they moved to Iowa, where they lived a few years, when they moved back to Greene county, but only staid here a short time, when, loading up the family, they went to Fannin county, Tex., and bought a tract of land, and remained there five years, when his fathers' eyes began to fail, and he removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he had his eyes doctored. In 1855 he, with his family, removed to Greene county, and located about three miles southeast of White Hall, where he bought a tract of land, and remained there until his death, which occurred in 1857. The mother died in 1879. Our subject was brought up on a farm, remaining at home until 17 years of age. IIe then worked out until the breaking out of the war. In Feb., 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 61st Ill. Inf., and served until the close of the war. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Nashville, and several small skirmishes. After he was discharged, he went to Macoupin county, where he farmed one year, then came to Greene county, and bought 40 acres of land on section 21, where he lived a short time, when he bought 180 acres of land, on Secs. 16 and 21, T. 12, R. 11, and moved on to it, where he has since resided. He was married March 28, 1866, to Sarah A. Crist, daughter of David Crist. They are the parents of eight children-Flora, Mor- ton, Robert, Clara, Kittie, Pearl, Emma, and an infant. Mr. Campbell and son are members of the Grange.

John A. McNail was born in St. Clair county, Ill., Jan. 18, 1817, his parents being Abel and Nancy (Thomp- son) McNail, his father a native of South Carolina, and his mother of Ken- tucky. His father came to Illinois when a territory, and settled in St. Clair county, where he remained until 1825, when he came to Greene county, and located under the bluff, in what is now Walkerville township, where he remained about two years. He then removed one mile north of Roodhouse, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1828. His parents were among the early settlers of Greene county, and went through the hardships of an early settler's life, which was in- deed very hard in those days. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, remaining at home until in his 21st year, when he started out to do for himself, without a penny. He hired ont by the month for two years, work- ing on a farm and in a distillery at Alton. He also drove a team at Alton for six months; then he hired out to drive stock, for different parties. He was engaged in this business for five years and by industry and being saving commenced trading for himself, and working on a farm in the summer sea- son. He continued trading and farming until 1846, when the Mexican war broke out, and he enlisted in Co. C, 1st Ill. Reg., under Colonel Hardin. He had served about five months, when he was discharged on account of his having the yellow fever. After recovering, he came back to Greene county, and bought 80 acres of land on Sec. 9, T .- 12, R. 12, and moved on to it, and where he has since resided, with the exception of about

1125

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

five years, when he was traveling around to different states trying to bury his deep troubles and sorrow, which were occasioned by the death ofhis wife. He has been twice married, first on June 7, 1846, to Hopey Lemons, who died in 1851. By this union they had two chil- dren, one of whom is living-Edward C. He was again married April 5, 1854, to Amanda Cranfill, daughter of Isham and Nancy (Groce) Cranfill. By this union they had five children, four of whom are living-Lou J., married to Thomas Hickman, resides in Montgom- ery county; Isham P., married to Amanda McGown, resides in Roodhouse. William G. and Alta L. The one de- ceased was one who died in infancy. Mrs McNail is a member of the Regular Baptist church of Barrow. Mr. and Mrs. MeNail own 250 acres of land. In 1868, he built a large two-story frame house at a cost of $3,000. Mr. MeNail has been a man of strong mind, having borne up under a great many serious troubles, and has been a hard worker in his life, being industrious, intelligent and enterprising.

James Ballard was born in Greene county, May 2, 1854, his parents being William and Armelia (Smith) Ballard, natives of Illinois. There was a fam- ily of nine children, all of whom are liv- ing-James, married to Amanda J. Ed- wards; David, Charles, William, Mar- tha, Emma, Fannie, Sarah E. and Ella. Our subject was reared on a farm, re- maining with his parents until 26 years of age, when he was married and pur- chased 80 acres of land on See. S, T. 12, R. 12, and moved on to it, where he has since resided. He was married Jan. 1, 1880, to Amanda J. Edwards, daughter

of Isham and Sarah Edwards. They are members of the Baptist church of Oakley. Mr. Ballard now owns 80 acres of land and is an industrious and intelligent citizen.

EDUCATIONAL.

The first school house in distriet No. 1 was erected about 1855, and it was used for school purposes until 1877. In that year it was torn down, and a new one erected, at a cost of $600. Rosa Moore was the first teacher in this structure. In 1883, this building was blown down by a cyclone, and a new one, 21x30, erected, which also cost $600. The first teacher in the last edifice was Mary S. Craig. The present teacher is Lowell Call. The enroll- ment is 65; average attendance 58.

District No. 2, T. 12, R. 12 .- The present school house was ereeted in 1872, at a cost of about $900. William Cooksie taught the first term of school therein. The present teacher is J. S. Hess, of Macoupin county. The en- rollment is 40, and the average attend- ance about 35 scholars. The building now used took the place of one erected about 1854. The first teacher then was Joshua Bigham.

District No. 5, T. 12, R. 11 .- This building was put up about the year 1875, at a cost of about $800. The present teacher is Charles Crist.

District No. 6, T. 12, R. 11 .- This school house was built in 1882, at a cost of about $900. The first teacher was James C. Smith. The present teacher is John Hawkins.

The present school house in Dist. No. 10, T. 12, R. 12, was erected in 1860. At that time it stood on section 12, but

1126

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

about 1873 it was removed about one- half mile north, to its present location, on section 1. In size, it is 18x24 feet, and is fitted with single desks. The present directors are, David Thompson, A. W. Taylor, and Z. Baird. Mary J. Thompson is the teacher.

BARROW.

Barrow is a small village of about 100 inhabitants, situated on the St. Louis branch of the C., B. & Q. R. R., in the north part of Greene county. The place was originally laid out by Robt. Thomp- son, in 1869, as a result of a contract, whereby the railroad company built a side track at this point, and agreed to maintain it, in return for the right of way, freely granted, through his land. The next year, the first dwelling and first blacksmith shop were built, by James Ashlock. John Williams erected the first store building, and the residents in the vicinity, put up a depot, costing about $500.

In 1871, Mr. Thomas sold out his farm and his entire interest in the town, to Mr. Alfred Barrow, by whom it was again laid out, platted, and for whom it was named. Mr. Barrow donated one acre for stock pens, and two acres for other depot grounds. Very soon, Mr. Barrow erected a fine residence in the town for himself, and several other small buildings, for rent. The people united in the erection of a neat and commodi- ous church, which is used by the Meth- odists and two Baptist churches. There is also a good church building about half a mile south of the village. It was during 1871, that the first warehouse . was erected, by Smith, Edwards & Bar- row.

The growth of the town has been very slow, although the richness of the soil about it is a guarantee of steady in- crease. 70,000 bushels of wheat have been shipped from Barrow during one season. Its business history is sumnied up as follows:

The village now contains about 25 dwelling houses, one store, two church buildings and three church organiza- tions, one saw-mill, grist-mill for corn only,one elevator, one warehouse, one blacksmith and wagon shop, one broom factory and one or two boarding houses.

The first store was built by John Williams, in the fall of 1870. He put in a stock of merchandise and ran it about one year, when he took in as a partner J. J. Short, the firm being known as Williams & Short. About a year afterward, W. A. Thompson suc- ceeded Short, and the firm became Wil- liams & Thompson. Williams died about a year afterward, when Thomp- son became sole proprietor and so con- tinued about one year, when he asso- ciated with him J. F. Doyel. This partnership existed some three years. About the year 1877, George W. Man- ley succeeded this firm, operating the business about a year. Short periods intervened the successions of A. D. Cochran and J. B. Edwards & Son, who were successors of Mr. Manley. In 1883, David Hubbard and Henry Hanks became owners of the business, which they continue to operate. It is a gen- eral store, with a small stock of goods.

The next man to commence business here was J. J. Short, who built a two- story building in 1874. The second floor was used as a town hall. He put in a stock of groceries, and ran it about

1127

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

one and a half years, when he sold out to Thompson & Doyel, who consoli- dated their store with the one they had just bought, and moved into the new building.

In 1877, J. W. Campbell started a general merchandise store, and ran it about one year, when he sold out to A. D. Cochran, who ran it about 18 months, when he sold out to David Hubbard, who ran it about two years. He and Henry Hanks then bought out Edwards & Son, and consolidated the two stores. J. B. Edwards brought on a new stock of goods, and started a new store, conduct- ing it until the spring of 1885, when he moved his stock to Alsey.

ELEVATOR.

This was built in 1873, at a cost of about $1,000, by C. F. Bruce, who left it uncompleted. He built it for a mill, but sold it to J. N. Israel, who finished the building at a cost of $2,000,and con- verted it into an elevator. It is 30x40 feet in dimensions, and three stories in height. This elevator has done a great deal of business, but owing to the scarcity of grain, is now idle.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 133

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