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 136

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 136

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in 1864 immigrated to Illinois, locating in Schuyler county, where he worked by the month in a saw-mill for about six months. He then came to Greene county, and worked in a saw-mill south of White Hall, about one year. They then went to Menard county, and se- cured employment at the same occupa- tion-saw-mill work. They were there engaged nearly one year, and then went to Jacksonville, where they obtained contract work on the C. & A. R. R., of constructing fences, furnishing wood, etc., and also assisted in the building of the Louisiana bridge, of that railroad. In this work they were engaged about five years, with profit to themselves. At the end of this time he began in the grocery, hardware, dry goods and lum- ber business, in partnership with P. J. Sharp and J. M. Armstrong, having formed under the firm name of Arm- strong & Sharp. They continued for two years and a half, when the business was divided up, Mr. Sharp taking the dry goods and J. M. Armstrong the lumber trade. G. W. Armstrong re- tained the grocery and hardware busi- ness and the real estate and banking business, the latter having been started up after the first year of the partner- ship. Mr. Armstrong continued in the grocery and hardware business until Aug., 1884, when he sold out, and in connection with Messrs. ITusted, Bar- row and Gilmore, has since carried on the banking business. In 1883, he, in partnership with T. L. Smith and E. L. Prindle, purchased a ranche in western Kansas, on the Smoky river, where they are raising and dealing in stock, having a large herd now on the ranche. Mr. Armstrong has large holding in city

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

property. In 1873, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage, at Dubuque, Ia., with Mary L. Sharp, daughter of Peter L, and Jane (Fowler) Sharp. By the above marriage there are four children -- Kate, George, Albert and Herbert. Mr. Armstrong has been intrusted with several important offices, having been city mayor one term of two years, and president of the Building and Loan As- sociation one term, giving entire sat- isfaction herein. Mr. Armstrong is one of the most thorough business men in the northwest, and has done much toward the building up of Roodhouse. He may also be denominated a self-made man in the true sense of the word.

Charles C. VanDoren was born Feb. 7, 1835, at Lesser Cross Roads, near Somerset county, N. J., his parents be- ing Stephen H. and Susan (Nevius) Van Doren, both natives of New Jersey. Charles resided in his native place until he was 39 years of age, but remained with his parents only until he was 11 years old. He was engaged in farming until 1858, after which time he was em- ployed in teaching school for about ten years, and then entered a commission house in Newark, N. J., as bookkeeper, and held that position nearly four years. He then engaged in farming for about three years. He was united in mar- riage with Rebecca VanDyke, a daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary (Gullick) Van Dyke. By this marriage they were the parents of 5 children, three of whom are now living-Mary, Stephen H. and Jc- seph A. Mrs. Van Doren died on April 14, 1872. In 1874, Mr. Van Doren re- moved to Illinois, locating at Raritan, Henderson county, where he was en- gaged in teaching a select school three

years. At the expiration of that time, he moved to White Hall, Greene county, and engaged in the lumber business with Mr. Trask, where he continued six months, and then took a situation as bookkeeper for the firm of Hunt & Briggs, in the grain and milling busi- ness, until they dissolved partnership, July 1, 1882, when he continued with Mr. Briggs, in the same position until April 15, 1885. Mr. VanDoren is now engaged in the Great Western Working- men's Mutual Aid Association, as seere- tary. September 26, 1874, be married his present wife, Margaretta Porter, widow of the late Newton Porter. By this union they have one child-Charles Carroll. Mr. VanDoren is known as a gentleman of energy, honesty of pur- pose and steady perseverance in busi- ness.

POSTOFFICE.

This office was established in about 1867, with Adam Shearer as postmaster, in which position he remained about one year, receiving a salary of $12. per year. John Rawlings, the leading business man of the village, was appoint- ed postmaster, and served three years. He also ran a general store in connection with the office. He took in George N. Sawyer and J. P. Drennan, Sr., as partners, resigned the office and had Mr. Sawyer appointed postmaster, he holding it until the present postmaster, John Roodhouse, was appointed, in 1882. It was not made a money order office until 1883.

ROUNDHOUSE.

The roundhouse at Roodhouse was built in 1870. At this time there were 10 stalls completed, and in 1882, 10

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

more stalls were built in addition. The house holds 19 engines. Mr. W. P. Strunk is the present foreman, and em- ploys about 30 men in the shops. He took charge in Nov., 1884, and has per- formed his duties with satisfaction to all.

Win. P. Strunk was born in Reading, Penn., April 24, 1840, his parents being Perry and Elizabeth (Harmon) Strunk William was reared at his native place, and when 18 years of age, was employed in the Pennsylvania shops at Altoona, and after 18 months, went on an engine of that road as fireman, where he was employed until July, 1862. He then came to Will county, Ill., and worked on a farmi, but in two months went to Twelve-Mile Grove, and enlisted in Co. H, 101st Ill. Inf., and was mustered in at Joliet. From there he went to Spring- field, thence to New Albany, and thenee marched to Louisville, and was placed in Wood's Div., Haskell's Brig., T. L. Crittenden's 1st A. C. The first service was at Walnut Grove, where they skir- mished with Morgan's cavalry, and after that, in the engagement at Stuart's Creek, Laverne, Stone River, Resaca, Tallahoma and Chickamauga, where William was wounded, and captured by the rebels of Longstreet's corps, was held 13 days, and then paroled. He was then taken baek to Chattanooga,and after 13 days in the hospital there, was taken to Washington. and assigned to the hospital corps, in hospital No. 19, Cherry street. After two months he received a 30-day furlough, which he spent at his home. He then reported at the hospital, still on cruteh and cane. In December, 1863, he was sent to the convalescent camp, at Chattanooga,

the regiment being at Strawberry Plains, East Tennessee. He remained there until the mareh to Atlanta, and was then assigned to the general field hos- pital, under Surg. Gen. Woodward, for- merly an engineer. They went on the the 72 days' march to Atlanta, and after that battle encamped until Sherman marched to the sea, when they followed up llood to Nashville, remaining in that vicinity the rest of that year. William was mustered out at Nashville, and dis- charged at Camp Douglas, Chieago, July 1, 1865, having served three years, lacking 19 days. He then returned to Reading, and was employed by the East Pennsylvania R. R.Co., as assistant dis- patcher and general train and road man, until August, 1868. He then went to Lafayette and was there employed as fireman on the Wabash R. R., and a year later was promoted to engineer. In Oct., 1870, he went south, and ran an engine 14 months on the Mobile & Ohio R. R., between Columbus, Ky., and Mobile. He then returned to Penn- sylvania, and became conductor and train despatcher at the Reading yards, on the R. & C. R. R. By request of the superintendent, he, five months later, took a way freight engine, and ran it nearly four years. This road was controlled by the P. & R. R. R. Co., which issued a circular, March 27, 1877, requesting all members of the B. of L. E. to leave the order, or quit their eni- ploy. Mr. Strunk went to Columbia that day, and, got his time, and returned home, he being the first man to quit his position. If all had quit that day, the strike would have been successful. Mr. Strunk went from there to the M. & O. R. R., running between Tupelo

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

and Macon, and was there when the yellow fever was so bad, in 1878. In May, 1879, at the second breaking out of the scourge, he went to Atchison, Kan., but not getting a railroad situa- tion, took such work as he could obtain, being hostler for the Santa Fe road for for three weeks. He then got employ- ment as engineer in the Commercial mills, on the first Corliss engine in Kan- sas. In December they stopped night running, and he was again unemployed. Hle then became engineer on No. 122, of the C. & A. R. R. His first regular en- gine was No. 119. He afterward ran other engines between Bloomington, St. Louis and Kansas City. The last regular engine he ran was No. 177 (now run by William Dolan), which he named the Pride of the West, as she was so good, neat and clean, and one of the best pullers on the road, which reputa- tion she still holds. Nov. 1, 1884, Mr. Strunk was appointed foreman of the C. & A. roundhouse, at Roodhouse, hav- ing charge of 17 engines, besides having to look after 56 engines, which run through the city every 24 hours. In the fall of 1863, while on furlough, he was married to Anna M. Talbert, a native of Pennsylvania, born and reared in Wom- elsdorf. Two children were born to them, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Strunk died Dec. 22, 1867. He was again married, July 12, 1868, to Emma L. Boas, of Reading, Pa. By this union there were seven children- William P., born at Lafayette, Ind .; Eola May, born at Jackson, Tenn .; Oli- ver Paul, born at Reading; Emma Lou- isa, born at Jackson, Tenn .; James A. Garfield; Katie Darling, deceased; and Bertie Logan-the last three being born

at Roodhouse. Mr. Strunk was one of the charter members of the G. A. R., and is now commander of the post. He belongs to the Patriotic Order of Sons of America, at Reading; to the Met- amora Odd Fellows' lodge; to Lafayette lodge, A. F. & A. M; to the B. of L. E .; and also to the Y. M. C. A., at Rood- house.

RELIGIOUS.

The M. E. church at Roodhouse was organized by J. M. Reynolds, the first pastor. The first members were : Jno. Roodhouse and wife, J. M. Armstrong and wife, Grandmother Armstrong, Mary Armstrong, J. J. Short and wife, and Lizzie J. Hickox. The second pas- tor was H. C. Wallace, who was suc- ceeded by J. K. Maxfield. The organi- zation took place in the district school house, on west Palm street, where ser- vices were held previous to the erection of the Union church building-now Presbyterian. The remainder of the history of this church is to be found in the ecclesiastical chapter.

SOCIETIES.

Gen. Jacob Fry Post, No. 193, G. A. R., is a leading organization of Rood- house. It was organized at a meeting held in I. O. M. A. hall, of discharged soldiers and sailors of the civil war. The meeting was called to order by W. L. Gardner, John G. Mack, of Spring- field, mustering officer, department of Illinois, being present. The work of organizing commenced after prayer, by Frank Crane, son of Rev. Crane, pastor of Grant's old regiment. The petition for charter was read. Forty responded to the call of names, and were mustered in as charter members. They were: S.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

T. Carrieo, D. H. R. MeNeal, J. C. Weisner. Ira Martin, John Gross, W. P. Sitton, O. H. Cole, E. H. Sawyer, J. H. Murray, W. P. Cobb, W. J. Tucker, Joseph Christopher, A. D Rnyle, E. A. Shibley, M. Carmean, J. W. Mansfield, Samuel Piper, R. A. Roberts, N. H. Williams, T. J. Grant, Theo. Crissin- ger, Jerome Ives, W. H. Carlton, J. F. Smith, Wm. Eddy, Andrew Johnson, I. J. Sanford, C. J. Riddle, D. C. McIver, Thomas Ruyle, Robert S. Gibberson, H. Winser, W. P. Strunk, Robert Warren, G. W. Burge, A. Campbell, V. Market, Jaeob Boas, A. J. Brainer. The first officers were: L. T. Carrico, P. C .; W. P. Sitton, S. V. C .; D. H. R. McNeal, J. V. C .; Dr. A. J. Bruner, Surg .; W. P. Strunk, Chap .; E. A. Sawyer. Q. M .; J. H. Murray, O. D .; J. C. Weisner, O. G .; Geo. N. Sawyer, Adjt .; W. P. Cobb, S. M .; Theo. Crissinger, Q. M. S .; T. J. Grant, G. The commanders, since the organization, have been: S. T. Carrieo, J. H. Murray and W. P. Strunk, one term eaeh. Commander Murray died in April, 1885. Besides him, there has been one other death, that of Jerome L. Ives. The post now has 46 members, all in good standing. There have been as many as 82. The post is in good working condition, and meets regularly on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month, at the opera house hall. The present offieers are: W. P. Strunk, P. C .; Mark Heaton, S. V. C .; George Lawson, J. V. C .; Frank Martin, Q. M .; Ira Martin, Chap .; T. J. Grant, Sr., Surg .; C. J. Riddle, Adjt .; Wm. Eddy, S. M .; J. C. Weisner, Q. M. S .; John Whitworth, O. G .; Willis Cobb, O. D .; Thos. Ruyle, Sergt. of G. Worcester lodge, No. 113, K. of P.,

was organized Mareh 16, 1883, by W. M. Montgomery, D. D. G. C., with the following charter members: Y. D. Scales, S. H. Kyle, John H. English, A. J. R. Fields, E. S. Needles, W. T. Lowry, S. M. Pegram, E. Briggs, D. F. King. H. C. Worcester, G. W. Fisk, E. DeSilva, J. F. Cobaugh, H. Wies- meyer, William A. Ralston W. S. Riddle, H. H. Palmer, J. L. Patterson, D. M. Trusdale, H. C. Bender, E. C. Peters, C. C. VanDoren, J. A. Morrow, F. M. Bateman, S. T. Carrico, J. A. Martin, F. Crane, F. N. Lydiek, R. A. Roberts, Edgar Husted, and James Martin. At the first meeting the fol- lowing officers were installed: S. H. Kyle, P. C .; Y. D. Scales, C. C .; Ellis Briggs, V. C .; David F. King, P .; Ed- gar Husted. M. of E .; Henry Wies- meyer. M. of F .; D. M. Trusdale, K. of R. and S .; Geo. W. Fisk, M. at A .; E. DeSilva, I. G .; T. W. Lowry, O. G. The first representative to the grand lodge was S. H. Kyle. The present offieers are: E. DeSilva, P. C .; C. C. VanDoren, C. C .; James A. Weldon, V. C .; L. H. Clampit, P .; J. J. Cotter, M. of E .; Henry Carr, M. of F .; H. C. Bender, K. of R. and S .; Fred Ep- stein, M. at A .; A. P. Ferguson, I. G .; Jos. Martin. O. G .; E. S. Needles, Rep. to G. L .; Jas. A. Weldon, W .; S. Mur- ray and T. Gowling, trustees; C. C. VanDoren, J. A. Welden, and H. C. Bender, relief committee. The lodge has a membership of 67. The hall is 20x40 feet, and is over the Y. M. C. A. chapel room. They are in a good finan- cial condition, having money out at in- terest.

Roodhouse Div., No. 220, B. of L. E., was instituted June 18, 1883, with the

1148 HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

following charter members: William P. Strunk, J. W. Casey, Wm. Jenness, W. Jones and John Q. Moran. The first officers were: W. P. Strunk, C. E .; W. Jenness. F. A. E .; S. Moran, S. A. E. After one year, they were succeeded by J. W. Casey, C. E .; J. H. Brown, F. A. E., J. C. Updegraff, S. A. E. The pres- ent officers are: Bernhard Zahn, C. E .; J. H. Brown, F. A. E .; J. C. Updegraff, S. A. E. This division has been very prosperous, having now 40 members, and has funds in the treasury.

J. P. Slaten, Sr., camp No. 27, S. of V., was organized in Aug., 1885, with the following charter members: B. F. Booker, H. A. Day, J. E. Day, T. C. Rearick, S. W. Whitworth, J. P. Slaten, Jr., W. H. Reynolds, Harrie G. Moore, J. M. Reynolds, J. H. Reynolds, J. Bishop, George Carter, C. E. McIver, J. M. Potter, Thomas Ruyle, F. G. Han- naford, H. A. Stoffer. The first officers are: Harrie G. Moore, Capt ; J. P. Slaten, Jr., 1st Lieut .; T. C. Rearick, 2d Lieut .; W. H. Reynolds, O. S. Meet- ings are held in the same hall with the G. A. R.

Roodhouse lodge No. 681, I. O. O.F., was granted a charter Aug. 10, 1880, and was instituted by David Culbertson, of White Hall, who was D. G. M. of No. 227. The first officers of the lodge were as follows: James Gordy, N. G .; S. L. Stone, V. G .; J. H. Browne, Sec .; S. Whitaker, Treas .; J. J. Hatfield. C .; Y. D. Scales, W .; Barney Green, I. G .; G. W. Sayer, O. G .; R. A. Kel- ley, R. S. to N. G .; R. N. Ruyle, L. S. to N. G .; P. A. Rawlings, R. S. to V.G .; G. R. Eastham, L. S. to V. G .; A. D. Ruyle, R. S. S .; A. S. Hatfield, L. S.S ; Geo. W. Sayer, P. A. Rawlings, A. S.

Hatfield, R. N. Ruyle and James Corey, trustees. The officers at present are: C. C. VanDoren, N. G .; Chas. Rogers, V. G .; J. H. English, R. S. and P. S .; F. M. Shields, Treas .; E. DeSilva, Cond .; S. T. King, W .; Jas. L. Briggs, I. G .; T.I. Lemon, O. G .; D. F. King, R. S. to N. G .; B. Hearnen, L. S. to N. G .; R. M. Hale, R. S. to V. G .; Arthur Wylie, L. S. to V. G .; Thos. Trainer, R. S. S .; J. H. Richards, L. S. S .; J. J. Hatfield, Chap .; Ellis Briggs, Chm'n board of trustees; E. DeSilva, Rep. to G. L. Their hall is located on Palm street, over the R. R. Y. M. C. A. rooms. It is 20x35 feet in area, and is nicely furnished. The lodge is in a prosper- ous condition.

The Railway Y. M. C. A .. is one of the prided institutionss of Roodhouse. Its organization was mainly the work of officials of the C. & A. railroad who saw the need of a place where employes of the road, when not on duty could spend their leisure time in a manner at once agreeable and profitable, and thus en- courage a feeling in favor of intellectual advancement and moral gain among them. The plan included not only the formation of a society of the Y. M. C. A., but also a reading room, where members and others could have access to stand- ard works as well as the newspapers of the day. The scheme was ably cham- pioned and successfully carried out, mainly through the instrumentality of T. M. Bates, E. S. Needles, E. S. Nich- ols, and T. F. Williams. The building occupied for the carrying out of this pur- pose is located on the corner of Palm and Railroad streets. The reading room is 20x40 feet in floor area, and contains about 850 well selected volumes. They

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

also have on file 11 daily papers, 60 weeklies, and 12 magazines. There are also at hand two bath rooms. The aver- age daily attendance at the rooms is about 55. The room set aside for the chapel has an area of 20x50 feet, and besides being neatly fitted up, is sup- plied with an organ and piano. Meet- ings are held by the association every Sunday, at 4:30 p. M. All of these meet- ings are for general attendance, save three, which are for men only. There is also in connection a junior depart- ment, for boys ranging in age from 10 to 16 years. They hold meetings in the chapel every Tuesday evening. Among the exercises at these meetings are bible classes, entertainments, sociables, talks on medical and other familiar topics, and lectures. The membership in this de- partment is 32. Its management is in the hands of the boys themselves, under the direction of the general secretary, Will. H. Worth. The present officers of the association are: T. M. Bates, Pres .; S. D. Reeve, V. P .; E. S. Needles, Rec. Sec .; E. S. Nichols, Treas .; W. H. Worth, Gen. Sec.

MUNICIPAL.

The officers of Roodhouse since 1S81, have been as follows:

1881 - Ellis Briggs, mayor; G. P. Leighton, clerk; G. W. Fisk, treasurer; D. C. Melver, attorney; E. F. Wade, marshal.

1883-G. W. Armstrong, mayor; G. P. Leighton, clerk; H. C. Worcester, treas .; J. W. Starkey, attorney; W. T. Sitton, marshal.

1885-Ellis Briggs, mayor; F. L. Mar- shall,elerk; J. P. Slaten, Jr .. treas .; D.F. King, attorney; R. N. Ruyle, marshal.

REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Among the prominent citizens of this eity is Ellis Briggs, the present mayor. He is a native of Litehfield county, Conn., born April 25, 1839, and is the son of Ellis and Clarissa A. (Lawrence) Briggs. His father was a pattern-maker, and died at Joliet in 1864. In 1849 he removed to Cuyhoga county, Ohio, and six years later to Cook county, Ill., where he lived until removing to Joliet. Mrs. Clarissa Briggs died in the same eity in 1877. Ellis attended district school in three different states, and, after finishing his education, eommeneed life as a fireman on the O. & M. R. R. in 1857. He was next employed as brakeman on the C. & A. R. R., and some time afterward as seetion foreman on the same road. He next was appointed as conductor of a construction train, from that position to that of freight conductor, and then to that of a passenger eonduetor. Prior to this, however, Mr. Briggs had, with patriotism, enlisted, April, 1861, in Co. F., 20th Ill. Inf., and served over three years, being mustered out at Atlanta, Ga., in July, 1864. He par- ticipated in many engagements and was wounded in the arm by a ball, and the thigh by a piece of a shell, during the battle of Shiloh. At the battle of Thomp- son's Ilill, he was again wounded in the arm, about an inch from the place where hit before. Also received wounds in his lower limbs, and still carries the lead in them. On returning he resumed his place on the C. & A. R. R., remaining until 1867, when he engaged as con- tractor on the line of that road, between White Hall and Godfrey, and Alton and St. Louis, and other branches. He

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

then moved to Texas and became road- master on the l. & G. N. R. R., remaining about a year, when he took a contract to build the viaduct and iron drawbridge over Buffalo bayou, at Houston, Texas, and afterward, built 50 miles of an extension of the I. & G. N. R. R. to Columbia, on the Brazos river. He returned to Illinois in 1874, and after about a year's resi- dence in Petersburg, came to Roodhouse in the spring of 1876, since being promi- nently identified with its interests. About this time he built a large mill and elevator, which was burned down in 1877, but he immediately rebuilt the mill, this time of brick, it being known as the Victor mill. He, in 1876, bought a farm of 120 acres, now within the city limits, upon which he erected one of finest residences in the city. He also owns considerable other property here. He was the first mayor of the city, and has held the office over four years, most efficiently. In 1866, he was married to Mattie E., daughter of Joel and Char-

lotte S. (Cory) Terry. They are the parents of two children-George E., born Nov. 20, 1869; and Gertrude M., born April 29, 1876. Mr. Briggs is a member of White Hall lodge, No. 83, A. F. & A. M., of Carrollton chapter, and of Hospitaller commandery, No. 31, of Jacksonville. He is also a member of Roodhouse lodge, No. 681, I. O. O. F., of the K. of P. and A. O. U. W. fraternities, and of the G. A. R., and is one of the Democratic Veterans. He is quite an important factor in the politi- cal life in this section of the state. He was the choice of the people of Greene county for the state senatorship made vacant by the death of F. M. Bridges,

and was the delegate from here to the national convention that nominated the present president of the United States. In every position, either public, politi- cal or private, he has been governed by motives that makes him a favorite of the people of this county.

John P. Drennan, Sr., police magis- trate, and justice of the peace, was born in Canton, Stark county, O., in 1815. He removed with his father and family to Mansfield, Richland county, in 1821. His father and uncles were interested in the strife of politics that raged from 1824 to 1840-"Coffin hand bills," the Washington Globe, the U. S. Bank, "Nic. Biddle and General Jackson." Under these influences he could not fail to be ed- ucated a Jackson democrat. In 1833 he entered a dry goods store, and has fol- lowed the business at intervals for 50 years. He was very popular, and was elected by his party to fill various im- portant offices in his county. At an early age he united with the First Con- gregational church at Mansfield, also joined the Masons and Odd Fellows, and is now a member of Hugh DePayen commandery and Carrollton chapter; also of the Congregational church, in Roodhouse. He is among the oldest Masons in Greene county. He was married, in 1846, to Rebecca Sage Riley, a daughter of Capt. Calvin and Eunice (Miller) Riley, and niece of Capt. James Riley, author of "Riley's Narrative," famous 50 years ago. Two children were born to them-John P., editor and part proprietor of the Roodhouse Eye; and Eunice Riley; both live with their parents. In 1861, he volunteered, and was commissioned 1st Lieut. and Reg. Q. M. in the 82d O. Vol. Inf. His reg-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

iment served in Virginia, was engaged in the second battle of Bull Run, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Moun- tain, Atlanta, etc., etc. During 1864 and 1865, he was captain and Ass't Q. M., in charge of clothing. camp and garrison equipage at Cincinnati, O. This depot supplied the whole south- west and south, requiring $3,000,000 to $4,000,000 a montli. In 1867, he and family moved to Alton, Ill., and thence, in 1871, to Roodhouse. During his 14 years' residence here, he has aided, to the extent of his ability, in the moral and financial growth of the city.

Anderson Orr,a successful gardener of this city was born in Ilarrison county, O., October 19, 1833. He is a son of Harrison Young and Isabella Orr, the former a native of Ohio, the latter of Pennsylvania. His father was drowned in the Ohio river in 1833, while on his way to seek a home in Illinois. His mother died May 5, 1882, in Roodhouse. lle was reared in Pike county, Ill., by his uncle, Alexander Taylor. He re- ceived his education in the common schools there, and finished in the high school at Griggsville. . After that he engaged in teaching school three and a half years, and then entered the ministry of the M. E. church, and has since labored in various places. His health failing him, he came to Rood- house, and purchased ten acres of land for the purpose of engaging at something that would give him more out-door ex- ercise. The annual conference has, in the meantime, given him such appoint- ments as he could fill, and at the same time attend to his place. IIe has,by this means, been able to secure good health. He now has a finely cultivated farm of

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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 136

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