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 35
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John Cadwalader was born in Harrison county, Ohio, Feb. 29, 1812, and died Nov. 24, 1880. His wife, Mary (Bran- son) Cadwalader, was born in 1818, and is now living in Jerseyville.
Adrastus Calhoun came to Jersey county in 1833, accompanying his parents, Solomon and Rhoda (Walker) Calhoun. They settled near the site of the present city of Jerseyville. Solo- mon Calhoun was a native of New Hampshire, and his wife of Massachu- setts. They remained residents of Jersey county until their death. Solo- mon Calhoun died near Jerseyville in 1869. His widow survived until Jan., 1882. Both are buried in the Jersey- ville cemetery. The subject of this sketch was born in Vermont in 1828, and was five years of age when he came to this county, which has ever since been his home. He was educated in the pub- lic schools of this county, and in 1859, married to Emeline Moore, who was born in this county. Mr. Calhoun has a fine farm of 260 acres, with a handsome and commodious residence. He is engaged in general farming. He is the present assessor of Otter Creek township, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoun have six children- Frank, living near Otterville; Charles, in Belleville, Ill .; Caleb, James, Joseph and Frederick, living with their parents. Mr. Calhoun has in his possession a gun which was carried through the Revolu- tionary war by his grandfather, who was a soldier in the British army, but who deserted to join the colonists.
Isaac T. Patton was born in Tennes- see in the year 1828, and is a son of Josiah and Julia (Coile) Patton, the for- mer a native of Tennessee, and the lat-
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
ter of South Carolina. In 1831, the family removed to Illinois, and settled in Bond county, where Isaac remained until 1854. In that year he came to Jersey county, locating there on the place where he now resides, on section 34, Otter Creek township. He owns 71 aeres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming. In 1850 he was married to Jane Wilkinson, a native of Kentucky, and by this union, has seven children- Sylvester, living in this township; John, in Jerseyville; Alice, now married, and living in this township; Nancy, wife of John Lethler, also of this township; Rhoda, Freddie and Lula, living with their parents. Mr. Patton and wife are members of the Baptist church, in which he is a deacon. He has held the office of school director, and is a highly respected citizen.
Thomas W. Anderson, son of Thomas and Isabel (Barton) Anderson, was born in Warren county, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1830. His parents were natives of the state of Pennsylvania. Thomas W. Anderson came to this county in 1852, coming all the way from Ohio on horseback. He arrived in Jerseyville on the evening of the day that Franklin Pierce was elected president of the United States. He set- tled then in this township, where he has since resided. He owns 80 acres of well improved land, and in addition to farm- ing, buys produce which he ships to St. Louis. Mr. Anderson was married July 25, 1861, to Mary Ann Austin, a native of Wayne county, Ill. Seven children have been born to them, five of whom are living-Rebecca Isabel, born in 1866; William Watson, born in 1868; Jasper Newton, born in 1870; Lydia Ann, and John T. Two sons, Robert Benjamin,
died July 19, 1863, and Charles, died in 1865. Mr. Anderson is a member of the A. F. and A. M. His father, Thomas Anderson, died in 1866, and his mother, Mrs. Isabel Anderson, in 1864.
Henry L. Slaten is a son of George W. and Clementine Slaten, the former, a native of Georgia, and the latter, of North Carolina. Henry L. was born in Jersey county, in 1842, where he was reared upon a farm. In 1868 he was married to Jane Kulison, also a native Jersey county. They have three child- ren living-Elmira P., Rollie R. and Zettie May. Mr. Slaten owns a well cultivated farm comprising 120 acres. His improvements are of the best class. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M. April 20, 1861, Mr. Slaten enlisted in the 14th Ill. Inf., and served two months, then returned home and re- mained until the fall of the same year, when he again enlisted in the 61st Ill. Reg., and served until Dec. 25, 1865. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Little Rock and others.
John T. Waggoner was born in Greene county, Ill., in 1850, being a son of John D. and Phoebe Waggoner. His father was born in Kentucky, and his mother in this county. He received his educa- tion in the district schools of Jersey and Greene counties. He began farm- ing at an early age, and is still engaged in that business. He was married in the month of March, in the year 1878, to Susie R. White, daughter of John L. White. She was born in Greene county. They have but one child-Lacy Earl. At the last sehool election he was elected to fill the office of director, in that dis- triet.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
CEMETERY.
The Otterville cemetery is located on the northwest quarter of Sec. 14, on land lying within the corporation limits. It was formerly called the Noble cemetery, being on land belong- ing to William Noble. The first inter- ment made there was that of the mortal remains of Daniel White, oldest child of Josiah White, who died in the fall of 1829. This was also the first burial in the township. The plot of Otterville cemetery was filed for record May 28, 1877.
RELIGIOUS.
Antioch Baptist church is located on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of Sec. 36. It is the only church in the township outside of Otterville.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school taught within the lim- its of what now constitutes Otter Creek township, was presided over by Mrs. Caroline Ripson. It was opened in the summer of 1832, in the cabin built for Ezra Hurd, who had died the fall before. The district is now in good shape, most of the schoolhouses being commodious and neat structures, and well kept up. An excellent standard of tutors is held and the teachers are quite up to the mark, in all respects.
The first school house in the Pleasant Grove distriet was erected in 1870, and was 16x20 feet in size. The first teacher was Mary Jane Slaten. The present building was put up in 1875. It is 16x24 feet in size, and cost $300. The first teacher was Alice Hughes. Mrs. Kate B. Owens is the present teacher.
Grant school house in district No. 2. was erected in 1883. It cost $450. Kate
MeKinstry taught the first term of school in this building.
The school building in district No. 3, known as Buckeye school house, was erected in 1880, by John C. Lewis, con- tractor. The building is 20x36 feet in size, and cost $500. The enrollment in this school is 35. The teacher is Ned Yerkes.
Liberty school house, in district No. 4, was built in 1885, at a cost of $500. In size it is 20x36 feet. The enrollment is 20.
Shiloh school house was built in 1872. It is a frame building 22x32 feet in size, and cost $1,200. There is an enrollment of 75 in this school, with an average at- tendance of 40. S. T. Cannedy is the present teacher.
FIRST ITEMS.
The first death was Daniel, son of Josiah White, born in 1828.
The first marriage was that of Wil- liam McDow and Delilah Waggoner, in the spring of 1830. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Joseph Basey, a Methodist minister, on the farm now owned by Edward Howard.
Josiah White's oldest ehild, Daniel, died in the fall of 1829, and was buried in what was known as the Noble cemetery, now the Otter- ville cemetery. This was the first death in the township, and the body was the first interred in that cemetery.
The first grist mill in the county run by water power, was erected by Gregg McDanel in 1828, and was located in Otter Creek township, on seetion 7, on the south bank of Otter creek. It was built in 1830. A saw mill had been built by the same party, in 1828, on the
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
opposite side of the creek. The dam was afterwards washed away, and both mills went down.
The first justice of the peace was Gil- bert Douglas, Sr., elected in 1824. His son is a resident of Des Moines, Iowa.
The first constable was Jay Montgom- ery Hurd, elected in 1833.
The first resident physician was Dr. Silas Hamilton, who located here in 1830.
The first school was taught by Mrs. Caroline Ripson, in the summer of 1832.
The first store in the township was opened at the forks of Otter creek, in 1832, by Woodberry Massey, who met with such a tragie fate, three years after- wards, at the Dubuque lead mines.
VILLAGE OF OTTERVILLE.
This is one of the oldest towns in Jersey county. It is located on section 14, the principal part being on the west half of that section. It was surveyed and platted by Geo. I. Foster, county surveyor, Oct. 6, 1866, and the plat was filed for record August 14, 1867, although the place is, really, many years older than that would seem to indicate.
Its early possession of good educa- tional facilities was one of the principal causes of the building up of the town. Dr. Silas Hamilton, who died in Novem- ber, 1834, left, by his will, 84,000 for the purpose of education. Of this suni $2,000 was to be expended in the erection of a school building on a site which had previously been selected by the doctor himself. This building was to be large enough to be used for a place of worship. The remaining $2,000 was set apart as an endowment fund for carrying on a
primary school. Material was gotten on to the site selected, which was within the present limits of Otterville, and the executors commenced the erection of the present school building thereon in the summer of 1835. finishing the same season. The first term of school opened in June, 1836, and was sustained in part by subscriptions, and partly by interest on the endowment fund. The opening of the school occasioned the settlement of a number of families in the neighbor- hood to enjoy its educational advantages, and this was the nucleus of the growth of the town.
A log house which stood on what is now block three, was occupied by a man named Chandler previous to the erection of the school building.
There has been made to the town of Otterville one addition since the laying out of the place. This was made by Henry E. Dougherty, and was surveyed and platted Aug. 14, 1867, by George I. Foster, county surveyor. The plat was recorded in the office of the clerk of the cirenit court, Nov. 20, 1867.
The first store in Otterville was started by Joshua Thompson, in 1845. About a year afterward he disposed of it to Thornton Hughes. He conducted the business two years and then sold to B. B. Hamilton. In the fall of 1854 he sold out the stock to William Shephard, who afterward closed out the goods.
The first blacksmith was Thornton Hughes, who established his shop about the year 1846.
A wagon shop was instituted about the same time by John D. Waggoner, in connection with Hughes' blacksmith shop. This was also the first wagon shop in the place.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
PRESENT BUSINESS INTEREETS.
The Otterville Store Company com- meneed doing business in 1885. The business is managed by H. L. Giers. Ile handles a general stock of goods, comprising dry goods, groceries, hats and caps, boots and shoes, queensware, glassware, hardware, notions, cigars, tobacco, etc. The building is of frame construction, the main portion being 24x55 feet in ground area, with a ware- house attached, 16×20 feet. There is also an office room attached, which is 12x14 feet in size. The building is two stories in height, the upper floor being used as a hall by the Odd Fellows and Masons.
H. L. Giers is a son of Louis and Louisa (Rupp) Giers, natives of Ger- many, and was born in St. Louis, Mo., Oet. 28, 1851. He resided with his parents in St. Louis, where he attended school until he was 11 years of age. At that time he came to Otterville, which has been his residence the greater portion of the time since. Ile was for three years engaged in mercantile busi- ness in company with his unele, Fred- erick Giers. The firm then became Giers & Barnes. April 4, 1876, H. C. Giers bought the business of that firm and continued it until March, 1880, when he sold out to L. T. Wagoner. In January, 1883, Mr. Giers rebuilt the Otterville mill, which he operated six months, then traded the same to C. C. McMurphy for Kansas lands, which he traded for a water-power flouring mill at East Dubuque. He removed thither and engaged in running the mill, 10 months, when it was burned. He then purchased a two-thirds interest in a mill at Alta, Iowa., where he lived 11
months, then sold out and returned to Otterville and engaged in merchandising for the Otterville Store Company. Hle was united in marriage June 9, 1883, with Isabella Montgomery, of Otter- ville. They have one child, Henry Webster, aged 14 months. Mr. Giers held the office of postmaster one year (then resigned) and assistant postmaster for eight years. He was township treasurer one year, and is a member of the A. F. and A. M.
The drug store of Dr. Williams was established by him Nov. 1, 1879. He keeps a full line of drugs of all kinds, handles patent medicines, druggists' sundries, cigars, fancy goods, paints, oils, toilet articles, ete. Prescriptions are compounded here with precision and accuracy, the doctor himself being a fine physician, and his assistant, Mr. Case, being a registered pharmacist. A sketch of Dr. Williams will be found in the Medical chapter.
The wagon-making and general repair shop of Lewis White was established in April, 1882. The shop is well equipped for doing repairing of all kinds and gen- eral blacksmithing.
L. T. Waggoner, postmaster, is also a dealer in general merchandise. His building is a one-story frame, 24x70 feet in size. The business was established by him in 1882. The postoffice is in the same building.
W. H. Lehmkuhl, blacksmith, com- meneed business in 1878. He does all kinds of general blacksmithing, repair and wagon work, and sinee May, 1885, has been manufacturing a patent fence, construeted of wire and slats, which is acquiring considerable popularity.
W. H. Lehmkuhl is of German extrac-
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
tion, his father, W. H. Lehmkuhl, being a native of Germany. His mother, Elizabeth (Grether) Lehmkuhl, was born in Missouri. The subject of this sketch was born in St. Louis county, Mo., in 1848. When he was eight years of age his father died, after which he went with his mother to St. Charles, Mo., where they remained a short time, then went to Cattleville, Mo., thence, soon after, to Grafton, Jersey county. ,One year later they removed to Otterville, where he still resides. Here he received a fair education, and at the age of 16 years began learning the blacksmith trade, which he has followed the greater portion of the time since. In 1864 he eulisted in the 144th Ill., and served until the elose of the war. In 1870 he was married to Elmira Montgomery, a native of Otterville. They have three ehildren- William Francis, aged 14; John Leo, aged S, and Preston Mont- gomery, aged 5 years. Mr. Lehmkuhl was elected justice of the peace, but resigned after serving one year. He has been a member of the town board two terms. He is the owner of real estate, including residence property and a shop in Otterville.
MILLS.
The first mill in Otterville was built in 1859, by H. E. Dougherty, William McDow, Ephraim Hughes, and John A. Campbell. It was not a very extensive establishment, and the business out- grew the facilities. A ehange was made in the proprietorship, H. E. Dougherty and William McDow assuming sole control. Some additions were made to the property, at the conclusion of which Mr. McDow went out of the firm. Mr.
Dougherty then took J. M. Terry into partnership, and a new mill was erected. The old mill building was then used as a grain warehouse. The cost of the new plant was $28,000. Additions were subsequently made to the value of $4,000. The new mill commenced run- ning in Aug. 1869. Dougherty after- wards assumed exclusive control of the mill, which he ran until he died. It then lay idle about a year, and was finally sold to a firm composed of H. N. Belt, W. E. Carlin and W. H. H. West. The business was conducted under this proprietorship for a time, and was then sold to B. F. Waggoner. He ran it until it burned down, in 1879. The property was insured for about all that it was then worth. A temporary structure in which to continne opera- tions was soon erected, by Humiston & Co., who afterwards sold it to a firm from Kansas, named Lee & Schofield, under whose management it again fur- nished food for the flames. The boilers still remain on the site of the ruined mill, they now belonging to Mr. Hu- miston.
Otterville has a feed mill run by steam. It was put up in 1882, by A. H. Humiston, and does all kinds of custom grinding. Mr. Humiston also keeps in stock feed and meal of all kinds, which he handles in large and small quantities.
Arthur II. Humiston, son of Warren and Elizabeth (Starlin) Humiston, was born in Washington county, O., in 1856. When he was six months old his parents removed to Jersey county, Ill., and settled in Otter Creek township, where he has resided most of the time since. During his early life he worked
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
this county, he lived on his father's farm, near Otterville, four years, then came to the village, where he has ever since resided. In 1849 he became a christian, making a public profession of religion. In 1852, after fully preparing himself, he commenced preaching the gospel. In 1854 he was ordained a minister of the Baptist church, known as the Missionary Baptist, and has con- tinued to preach since that time. In 1842 he was married to Margaret M. Biggers, a native of Kentucky. By this union there have been six children- Francis M., now living in Jerseyville; Melvina, wife of Uriah Oberlin, of this township; Theodore, living in Jersey- ville; Junius A .. of East St. Louis; Mary Belle, wife of George Hocking, of Jacksonville, Ill .; Sarah M., wife of William D. Curtis, of Abilene, Kan .; Mrs. Dodson died Feb. 20, 1857. The same year, Mr. Dodson was again mar- ried to Mrs. Nancy Montgomery, widow of William D. Montgomery, of Otter- ville. By this marriage there are four children-James F., living in Abilene, Kan .; Aaron, Jr., at Mendota, Ill .; Irena, wife of Edgar Nutt, of Abilene, Kan .; and Kersey, living with his par- ents. The second Mrs. Dodson died in 1878. Four years later he was married to Amy Irene Greer, by whom he has one child- Jennie M. Mr. Dodson served in the army three years during the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in 1862, in the 14th Ill. Cav., in which he acted as chaplain during the last six months of his service. He saw much active service, and participated in many engagements. In the fall of 1865 he was elected justice of the peace of this township, in which capacity he has
upon his father's farm and attended the district school. In 1873, he attended the graded school at Jerseyville for a term of five months. He then returned to Otter Creek and engaged in running a derrick used in erecting stone build- ings. Ile assisted in building the school houses at Otterville and Grafton. After a time he located on a farm near Otter- ville, where he remained till the spring of 1882, at which time he returned to the village, and built the mill of the Jersey Milling Company. After carry- ing on that business a few months he sold his interest in the business, and the following spring moved to Kansas, and engaged in the drug business at Abilene, having as a partner, Dr. Curtis. Nine months later he sold out and came back to Otterville. In Dec., 1883, he built and fitted up a steam feed mill, which he operates at the present time. He was married June 2, 1885, to Sarah Gulick, a native of Macoupin county, Ill. He is the owner of real estate, in- cluding four lots and mill property in Otterville. Mr. Humiston is a member of the Methodist church, and his wife, of the Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Aaron Dodson has been a resi- dent of Jersey county since 1840, having removed here from Greene county with his parents, in that year. He was born in St. Louis county, Mo., Sept. 29, 1822, and is a son of Fletcher A. and Margaret (Toney) Dodson, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Virginia. In 1824, they settled on a farm in Greene county, Ill., near where the town of Kane now stands. Aaron grew to manhood on the farm, and attended the district school, thus obtain- ing a fair education. After coming to
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
served until the present time, except one year, and that year he served as assessor. He owns 40 acres of land, also town property. As a preacher Mr. Dodson is possessed of much zeal and ability, and has been successful in bring- ing many to a knowledge of salvation. His father was also a Baptist minister and school teacher over 40 years, 30 of which was spent in Missouri, and died in 1873.
John B. Carroll, son of Andrew and Jane (Patton) Carroll, was born in Bond county, Ill., in the year 1844, An- drew Carroll died in 1846. His widow is now living in Otterville. John B. was brought to this county when quite young, and here reared, receiving his education in the district schools. Feb. 4, 1864, he enlisted in the 149th Ill. Inf., Co. G, and served one year. He was united in marriage Dec. 7, 1875, with Anna M. Porter, a native of Jer- sey county. She was brought up by Rev. James Slaten, of Mississippi township. Mr. and Mrs. Carroll are the parents of two children-Achsah and Beulah. Mr. Carroll has been con- stable four years, and still holds that office. He is a member of the G. A. R. He carries on, in the capacity of con- stable, quite an extensive collection business, also engages in loan and real estate business, having a large amount of land upon his list. Mrs. Carroll is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Allen M. Vanausdall, a carpenter and & resident of Otter Creek township, is among the old settlers, having lived here most of his life. He was born in Monroe county, this state, Aug. 4, 1839, and is a son of John and Mary (Pegan)
Vanausdall, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Vir- ginia. These people were pioneers and came down the Ohio river on a flat boat in 1812, settling near Vincennes, Ind. They were also early settlers in this state, locating near Waterloo, Monroe county, as early as 1824. Thus they were among the early settlers in two states, and contributed their full share toward "opening up" a new country, and setting in motion a series of events, which subsequently made this a desir- able home for many people. They continued to live near Waterloo until 1846, when they removed to Rosedale township, Jersey county, and remained four years, then came to this township where they both died. His father was born March 29, 1785, and died Nov. 6, 1865, in the 80th year of his age. His mother died April 7, 1872, at the age of 76. The subject of this sketch here spent his youth engaging in the mul- tifarious duties incident to farm life, and attending school until 19 years old. Subsequently he owned a farm of 80 acres and engaged in farming until 25 years of age, then came to Otterville and worked at the carpenter's trade with Michael Murray, and has since been engaged in that business. He was married May 6, 1860, to Agnes Ann Hillman, a native of Iowa. They have five children living-Rose, at home; Mattie, Lillie, Millie and Ebert Syl- vester. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.
Charles F. Bull has been a resident of Jersey county since 1862, having come here in May of that year and settled near Grafton, on the Illinois river bot- tom. He remained there until 1868,
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when he moved to Otterville. He was born in Worcester, Mass .. in 1845. HIe is a son of Horace C. and Sarah R. (Baker) Bull, the former born at West- field, Vt., and the latter at Brattleboro, in the same state. Charles lived with his parents in the states of Connecticut and Massachusetts until he was seven years old. They then moved to Cleve- land, Ohio, and two years later to Belle- ville, III., where they remained a few months, then moved to St. Louis. They resided in that city two years, removing in 1857 to St. Charles county, Mo. In the fall of 1861 they moved to Calhoun county. Ill., and the following spring to Jersey county, as before stated. In 1864 Charles enlisted in the 144th 111. Inf., and served one year. Ilis father was also in the army, serving three years as a member of Co. K, of the 97th Ill. Inf. Charles was married April 10, 1883, in Fairfield, Ohio, to Mary C. Martin. They are the parents of one child, Sarah Roxana. In 1874 Mr. Bull went to Clay county, Neb., and took a home- stead of 160 acres, and remained there, teaching most of the time till 1879. He then went to Lebanon, Ohio, and at- tended the National Normal University until the fall of 1882. The following winter he spent in the southern states, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, re- turning to Ohio in the spring. After marriage he went south to Tennessee and remained until Angust, 1883, when he returned to Jersey county. During the winter of 1883-4 he taught school at Elsah, and the next winter at Black- jack school house, south of Jerseyville. In April, 1885, he came to Otterville, where he at present resides. He owns a house and two lots in Otterville. He
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