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 18

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 18

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Thomas J. Selby was admitted to the bar in 1869, but did not engage in the practice of law for a few years. In 1876, the firm of Pinero and Selby, was formed as above stated. Mr. Selby was prominently identified with the office of county clerk, and is mentioned at length in that connection in the chapter en- titled National, State and County repre- sentation.

W. Ames, while a partner in the law firm of Warren, Pogue and Ames, was a member of the legal fraternity of Jersey county. He left here about 1871.

Among other members of the bar of past was Robert A. King, who was a member of the 27th general assembly, in which connection, he is noted at length.

Atone time a young lawyer by the name of John W. Merrill was in part- nership with R. A. King, and practiced at this bar for a short time.

The bar of Jersey county at present, comprises some of the talented of the past and the rising legislators and states- men of the future. Many of them arc well known professionally, and a few are just rising into public favor. The following list embraces all of them : George E. Warren, George W. Herd- man, William H. Pogue. O. B. Hamil- ton, A. M. Slaten, T. S. Chapman, Morris R. Locke. A. A. Goodrich, Joseph F. Greathouse, Joseph S. Carr, Thomas Ferns, William M. Jackson and George F. Lane, the latter a resi- dent of Elsah. Many of these gentle- men having filled official positions are noticed at length in that connection, for which the reader is referred to the chapters in relation to the courts of the county, and the national, state and county representation.

Adams Augustus Goodrich, a son of Henry O. and Jane A. (Knapp) Good- rich, and a prominent lawyer of Jersey county, was born at Jerseyville, Jan. 8, 1849, and was educated in the graded schools of his native place and at the military academy at West Point, which he was obliged to leave on account of impaired health, in his fourth year. Ile spent nearly two years in Colorado and California, and returned with his health completely restored. He then read law at Jerseyville and Springfield, with

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his maternal uneles. He was admitted to the bar in Jan. 1873, and since that time has been engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, at Jerseyville. He has a good reputation as a lawyer, and manages cases entrusted to him with ability and care. He is studious and painstaking, and a young man of much promise. Thus, by nature stu- dious and ambitious, he is sure to suc- ceed in life, if health will hold out un- der the strain brought to bear upon it. He held the office of city attorney three terms, and was elected state's attorney in 1878; re-elected in 1880, and again in 1884, and is the present incumbent. Po- litically, he affiliates with the demo- cratie party, and is a rapidly rising character in the political field of the future. He is a Blue lodge Mason and Knight Templar, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias. " He has been through the last two orders, holding all the offices of the local lodges.

Thomas F. Ferns, the present city attorney of Jerseyville, is a son of John and Hannah (Hays) Ferns, and was born in this eity July 25, 1862. His father, John Ferns, was a son of Thomas and Margaret Ferns, and was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on the 4th day of March, 1832. He settled in Jersey county in 1835. Ile was married in September, 1860, to Hannah Hays, and two children were born to them -- Thomas F. and Margaret M. In politics he was a democrat, in religion a Catholic. Our subject was educated in the schools of Jerseyville, graduating from the high school in 1882. In October, 1883, he entered the St. Louis law school, from which institution he graduated June 10, 1885. He was admitted to the bar of

Illinois in March previous to his gradu- ation. Ile immediately opened an office in Jerseyville, and commenced practice. He is a member of the West- ern Catholic Union, of which he is one of the supreme trustees. In politics he is a staunch democrat.

Allen M. Slaten, a member of the Jerseyville bar, was born in this county in 1842. His parents were J. W. and Ann F. (Pickett) Slaten. He attended the common schools, and awhile at Kendall college, also taking a commer- cial course. He clerked for his father at Grafton, and afterwards ran a store at Otterville. He was admitted to the bar in August, 1883, after which he commenced practice. He is now a member of the firm of Hamilton & Slaten.

Joseph F. Greathouse, was born near Milton, Pike county, Ill., March 10, 1839. He resided upon a farm, with his widowed mother until he was 17 years of age. He then commenced teaching school, which he followed, suc- cessfully, until the breaking out of the civil war, when obeying the call of his country, he enlisted as private in Co. I, 99th Ill. Inf. regiment. This was in 1862. In 1863, he was made regimental quartermaster, and remained in that position until the close of hostilities. Returning home, he studied law with John B. Henderson, of Louisiana, Mo., from 1866 to 1869, and was admitted to practice as an attorney-at-law, by the rules of the Supreme court of the state of Illinois, in the year 1870. Ile opened an office and practiced his pro- fession at Pittsfield, Ill., for 10 years, but in the spring of 1880, removed to East St. Louis, and in 1882, to Jersey-

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ville, where he now resides, and prac- tices his profession. He was married Sept. 19, 1861, to Nancy L. Binns, and by virtue of this marriage there has been born unto them five children- Dora, Lenore, Valeria, Gertrude and Nina.

Judge George W. Herdman, the pres- ent circuit judge of this circuit com- menced the practice of law in Jersey- ville in the spring of 1867, having just graduated. He is ranked among the prominent attorneys of this section of the state and is accorded high rank as a judge. He is noticed at length in the chapter in relation to the courts of the county.

Joseph S. Carr, attorney at law, is a native of St. Charles, Mo., where he was born in the year 1832. His parents were John Carr, a native of Lexington, Ky., and Elizabeth Mary Ann (Sum- ner) Carr, who was born in North Caro- lina. John Carr was murdered in the old City hotel at St. Louis, in 1840. Mrs. Carr died in 1873. The subject of this sketch was reared in St. Charles, re- ceiving a liberal education, graduating at the old St. Charles college. In 1869 he came to Illinois, and located in Kane, in Greene county, where he en- gaged in the practice of law until 1883. He then removed to Jersey county, continuing the practice of his profes- sion in the city of Jerseyville, where he now resides. May 10, 1859, he was united in marriage with Georgie Ann Logan, a native of Callaway county, Mo. They had eleven children, nine of whom are now living, Bettie E., Lois, Ernest HI., Louis M., John, Josephine, Fritz, Festus and Georgie E. He was bereaved by the death of his wife in

1881, and in 1883 was married to Etta Cory, a native of Jersey county. By this marriage there is one child, Etta May. Mr. and Mrs. Carr are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1881 Mr. Carr was chosen to represent his district in the state legislature and served one term. He is Deputy Grand Master of the state in the I. O. O. F., and a member of the Knights of Honor, also of the Knights of Pythias.

George F. Lane was born in Ilavana, Mason county, Ill. Ilis father was a minister of the M. E. church, and died while the subject of this sketch was a small lad. His mother was left a widow, with George and his sister Minnie to support and educate. The mother then removed to Lebanon, III., and gave to her children all the advantages of an excellent education that could be afforded by the McKendree College, located at that place. For several years George did not follow any busi- ness very long, but was what is termed wild. In the year 1874 he became a student in the office of H. H. Horner, a real estate lawyer of that place, and what success has attended George F. Lane's efforts he attributes to the teach- ing of Mr. Horner. While in the law office, and while yet a student, George was chosen city attorney, and filled the office in an acceptable manner to the people. After his admission to the bar he commenced business for himself, and did well, until sickness compelled him to quit work for awhile. He moved to Elsah in 1879, and has resided in that place since. In regard to offices that he has held since he came to Jersey county, we can say he was elected town- ship clerk in 1880; elected justice of the

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peace in 1881, and re-elected without opposition in 1885. He has not been engaged in active law practice since 1878, but has devoted his time to real estate and loan business. His office is in Elsah, where he has a good library of law, as well as books that are to be found on the shelves of private libra- ries. He was married to his wife- Emma Stephany-on Christmas day, 1883, and their union has been blessed by one child, an infant. George F. Lane is a man who tries to enjoy life, and is happy when he sees others enjoy- ing themselves. He is a young man

yet, only about 30 years old. He is at present the president of the board of trustees of the village of Elsah, to which office he was chosen unanimously. His office is the general meeting-place of the old business men of his town- ship, and all matters of interest, either of the village or township, are talked over there. In politics he is a democrat of the Douglas democracy, and the ex- Union soldier has in George a friend who is always ready to help him get his pension papers in shape, and was never known to charge a pensioner a cent for his labor.

CHAPTER XI.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

It has been justly said by one of the deepest thinkers and most philosophic of men, that a physician is the most un- fortunate of men, as he is expected to cure men, and keep them well, when they violate the very laws of their ex- istence, every hour of their lives. Hence the life of the active practitioner in the healing art is no sinecure, at the best, as any one who has followed the profession can testify. Twenty-five to thirty years ago it was rather a serious matter to be a physician and to make the long and toilsome rides, through this then newly and sparsely settled country, when there were scarcely any roads, and no bridges, and the adventurous disciple of Galen was frequently lost on the wide prairie, and often floundered through sloughs. Often in the muddy

days of spring or fall, he found, on emerging from some particularly miry place, that his girth has broken, or some equally important part of the har- ness damaged, and alone on the wide expanse of wind swept prairie, with night coming on, he must stop and re- pair it, with fingers numbed with the cold, and energies exhausted by a hard day's labor.

The medical profession is an honor- able one if conducted in an honorable manner. John Quincy Adams called it "the most honorable of the professions." And one of our eminent physicians in speaking of it, uses the following words:

"The doctor certainly feels proud to relieve the pain and distress of his pa- tients; to soothe the dying pillow, and to comfort the afflicted friends. But the

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people are sometimes imposed upon by pretenders, who claim to cure all the 'ills flesh is heir to,' and to raise the dead, but we think the days of miracles have passed-are there too many doc- tors, or has the profession lost all honor ? The people seem to be growing weaker and wiser, but at the expense of vigorous health-the system of cram- ming in school does not fit the young inan for a useful life, nor the young wo- man to be a good staunch helpmate. Was the boy bright and clever, that was sufficient reason for the forcing and eramming him-so far, however, as that goes, the boys have a certain conserva- tism about them that prevents them from committing suicide by excessive brain work. The poor girls, with their finer organizations are the unfortunate victims,. How often does the doctor have interesting lady patients, who talk beautifully, as they reeline upon the sofa, but who, when married and mothers of a single child, probably are unequal to the task of a household, or the care of a family."

The people owe certain duties to the physician, and the physician owes eer- tain duties to the people, and the way these duties are performed, stamps the standing both of the practitioner and the people.

In all ages of the world, among civil- ized and uneivilized people, the medical profession has been held in high esteem. Whether it be the learned professor, who has studied the science of medi- eine in all of its branches, or the "great medicine man" of the untutored sav- ages, who from actual experience has made discoveries of the healing powers of herbs and roots, honor awaits him

upon every hand, while the life and death of every human being is virtually placed in his keeping. The weary patient lying upon a bed of pain, and the no less weary watcher by his side, wait anxiously for the coming of the "good doctor," and, on his arrival, note his every movement and every expression for a ray of hope.

The medical fraternity of Jersey county have, with few, if any exceptions, been an honor to the profession. They have ever been ready to respond to the call of duty. The winter's cold, the summer's heat, or the rains of spring and autumn, could not keep them back when the cry of distress reached their ears. Not a physician in the county, especially among those who settled here at an early day, but has experienced sufferings that would have deterred those in any other profession, in re- sponse to a summons to attend the bed- side of a sick and suffering one. They have been compelled to cross the road- less prairie, or thread the hills and woods, to face the cold, bleak storms of winter, or the blazing sun of mid-summer often with no hope of fee or reward, but only, if possible, to relieve those who plead for their care. All this has been done by the physicians of Jersey county without complaint. If the good deeds of the profession are not remembered by those who have received aid, a time will come when they will be recollected.

In the following review of the medical profession in the various towns and cities of the county, some of the most promi- nent doctors, who have practiced for any length of time, will be noticed first, and then the representatives of the profes- sion in 1885.

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PHYSICIANS OF THE PAST.

Among the physicians of the county, was Dr. Silas Hamilton, who came to Otterville in 1830. He died there in 1834. A sketch of him is given in con- nection with the history of that township with which he was closely identified.

The first disciple of the healing art to locate at Jerseyville was Dr. A. H. Bur- ritt, who came in 1833, before the town was laid out, being among the first set- tlers on the site of Jerseyville. The old log cabin which he erected still stands as a monument to his memory, and is located on the corner of Exchange and Pleasant streets. He here first settled, and entered 80 acres of land. He was born in Troy, New York, where he resided until 1832, when he came to Illinois, locating in Carrollton, and the following year came to Jerseyville, as above stated. He was of the old allo- pathic school, and practiced here until 1836, when he removed to a farm in Greene county. In 1838, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and later removed to New Orleans, where he lived until his death, about the year 1875.

During the year 1833 there was an ac- cession to the medical profession of Jer- seyville in the person of Dr. Asa Snell, who came from his native state, Vermont. He remained here until his death, Jan. 21, 1874, although retired from active practice during the latter years of his life. He raised quite a large family of children, all of whom proved to be bright, intelligent and industrious. One son is still a resident of the county. Dr. Snell was considered a smart man, having a large and lucrative practice, and died leaving considerable property.

Dr. Edward Augustus D'Arcy, for

thirty years one of the most prominent physicians of this county, came here in 1833, and settled on land which he en- tered near a small stream which still bears his name. He was born in Han- over, Morris county, N. J., April 15, 1796, and was the son of Dr. John D'- Arcy, an eminent physician of that state, and surgeon of the 1st New Jersey regiment, in the Revolutionary war. His mother was Phoebe Johnes, who be- fore the dawn of the new century was numbered with the silent inmates of the tomb, leaving Edward an infant but three years old. He received his edu- cation at the schools of Morristown, and studied medicine under the tuition of his father, and was licensed to practice medicine April 4, 1817. He was mar- ried Oct. 22, 1821, to Mary MeEowen, a daughter of Dr. Hugh McEowen, of Baskingridge, N. J., by whom he had two daughters-Ann Caroline, wife of Judge Frederick H. Teese, of New Jer- sey, member of the 44th Congress; and Catherine M., late wife of P. D. Cheney, of Jerseyville. In 1833 he came to Jersey county, and located on a farm on the stream now known as Dorsey's branch. He was considered a very skillful man and pronounced authority. He did not like practicing very well, but was a great admirer of horses. con- sequently did not devote much time or attention to medicine. He died here April 25, 1863.

Dr: John W. Lott, a native of New Jersey, came to Jerseyville in 1834. He was one of the proprietors of the original town plat, assisting in the lay- ing out and naming of the place in honor of his native state. He practiced for some time, but having a strong at-

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tachment for his native soil, returned to that state.

Dr. James C. Perry, a native born Scotchman, who had served in the Brit- ish service for seven years, eame about the year 1838. He is well remembered by the citizens of Jerseyville as a skill- ful practitioner, and an honest and up- right man in all his dealings. He con- tinued to practice here until his death in May, 1859. He was a scholarly and scientific man, generous to a fault and was never known to oppress the poor for payment for medical aid.

Dr. Edwin A. Casey, who came to Jerseyville about the year 1840, and practiced successfully many years, died March 22, 1874. Ile was a native of Rhode Island, and at the time of his death was 66 years of age. He was the senior member of the medical firm of Casey & Wellington, the latter coming to Jerseyville about the same time- 1840.

Dr. R. H. Van Dyke came to the city of Jerseyville from the state of New Jersey, about the year 1840, and was one of the prominent physicians of this county until the day of his death, Sep- tember 6, 1845.

Dr. James Bringhurst, now deceased, was one of the early physicians of Jer- sey county. He was born in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, in 1818. His par- ents were James and Sarah Bringhurst. When he had arrived at the age of about 13 years, his parents removed to Wilmington, Delaware. There he re- sided until coming out to Illinois. He commeneed the study of medicine with Dr. Robert Porter, of Wilmington. After this he attended the Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, and before

graduating there, he spent eight years in the acquirement of a knowledge of the profession. He practiced in Wil- mington until 1842, when he came out to Illinois, and located in what is now Ruyle township, Jersey county. He remained at that location about two years, and then removed to seetion "2, Fidelity township, where his son, John, now resides. About 1850 he moved into Jerseyville, and entered into partner- ship with Dr. D'Arcy. From that time until 1857, he practiced in Jerseyville, Chicago and Springfield, and from 1857 to 1861 in Jerseyville alone. In April, 1861, he enlisted as surgeon of the 128th Ill. Inf. He was afterwards promoted to be brigade surgeon. He was taken sick in the service, and his constitution was undermined, so that he never re- gained his health. From the army he returned to Jerseyville, where he re- mained a short time, then removing to Alton. For short periods after this he resided in Jerseyville, on his farm in Fidelity township, and in Alton. In the latter place he contracted Bright's disease, and he steadily declined, until, on coming to Jersey county for rest, he died at the house of his cousin, Henry Ryan, now of Ruyle township, on the 23d day of June, 1870. He was married to Mary Ryan, a daughter of John Ryan, an old settler, in 1850. They were the parents of four children-James, John, Robert and Harry.

Doctor R. D. Farley, one of the early doctors of Jerseyville, came to this county sometime in the "forties." In 1852 he was county physician, attending to the wants of those unfortunates who had to depend upon the charity and commiseration of those about them.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Dr. Farley was the oldest child of Rev. Abel and Hannah (Dressler) Farley, born Dec. 3, 1808, in Massachusetts. He was twice married, first in March, 1831, to Mary G. Rand, of Boston. Soon after his marriage he removed to Illinois, locating at Carrollton, and af- terward removed to Alton, from which place he came to Jerseyville, where he lived until his death, Sept. 27, 1884. His first wife died Sept. 25, 1875. He was married, the second time, July 26, 1877, to Mrs. Mary E. Briggs. Dr. Farley did not commence practice here at a very early day, but was the first homeopathic phy i ian in the city. He was well known and highly esteemed, and a gentleman whose wisdom and judgment were much respected by his many friends and associates.

Dr. Augustus R. Knapp was one of the most prominent physicians of Jer- sey county in early days. He came to Jerseyville in 1844, and after enjoying a large and extensive practice, died at his residence in that eity, July 13, 1862., Dr. Knapp was a member of the consti- tutional convention of 1847, and is spoken of in that connection.

Charles Glazier, a German physician, located in Jerseyville in 1846, but only remained about a year.

Dr. Pitner also came about this time, from Marion county. In 1848 he joined the excited throng for the far west, to seek his fortunes in the gold regions of California, and has not been heard of since.

Dr. George Adrain, at one time con- nected with the medical profession of Jerseyville, deserves mention in this connection. He came here about 1850. Dr. John L. White was prominently

identified with the profession at Jersey- ville for several years. He was born in Massachusetts in 1832, and came to this place in 1852. He was married in 1858 to Hattie Ilawley, who resided a short distance from Jerseyville. He contin- ued the pursuit of his profession at this place until 1870, when he removed to Bloomington, this state, where he still resides. He has passed into history as having been one of the leading phy- sicians of Jerseyville, and a skillful and successful practitioner. He was also a prominent member of the Masonic fra- ternity, having attained the position of master.

Among the medical profession during the "fifties," was Dr. H. C. Harriman, a native of Massachusetts, who came from Gardner, that state, to Jerseyville. He died here March 12, 1858.

Among the former physicians of Jer- seyville was Dr. William T. Hutchin- son, a native of Kentucky, who continued in the practice of his profession until his death, January 27, 1864.

Dr. John L. Furber came to Jersey- ville about the year 1860, where he was shortly afterward married. He practiced here two or three years, when he re- moved to Kansas and engaged in the cattle business, and has subsequently became wealthy. He is an Illinoian,

Dr. W. L. Burnett, a native of Indiana, came to Jerseyville and commenced the study of the science of medicine in the office of J. O. Hamilton, in 1866, and later attended lectures at the St. Louis Medical College, from which he grad- uated in 1869. He practiced his pro- fession in the village of Fidelity and vicinity for several years, when he re- moved to Kane; Greene county.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Among the physicians of Jerseyville of the past was Dr. John B. Ilamilton. He is the second of a family of nine children of Rev. B. B. and Mary A. Hamilton. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Jersey and Greene counties. In 1862 he became a clerk in the drug store of his uncle, Dr. J. O. Hamilton, of Jer- seyville, and afterward clerked in the drug store of J. M. Israel, M. D., at White Hall. When about the age of seventeen he commenced the study of medicine, under the instruction of Dr. J. O. Hamilton. From White Hall he removed to Bunker Hill, where he sold goods in the store of C. C. Campbell, until February, 1864, when he returned to Jerseyville and resumed his studies. Soon after this his father purchased an interest in a drug store at Manchester, 111., and in September, 1865, the subject of this sketch went to Manchester to conduct the store, where he remained till February, 1867. While there he de- voted his leisure hours to the study of Latin, under the tuition of John Grant, A. M,, and in the winter of 1867-8 at- tended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago. He spent his vacation at Jer- seyville, in study, and in the winter of 1868-9 attended the same college, and in February of the latter year graduated. That session in college he was assistant to Dr. R. L. Rhea, professor of anatomy. In March, 1869, he settled at Jerseyville, in partnership with Dr. J.O. Hamilton, and in December following purchased the practice of Dr. O. K. Reynolds, of Kane. Besides enjoying a good prac- tice, he was proprietor of a drug store at that place. In May, 1869, he became a member of the State Medical Society,

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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 18

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