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 37

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 37

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chopping wood and various employ- ments until 1861, when he moved to Grafton, where he worked by the day about 15 years. He then moved to the farm of Henry Eastman, on which he still lives. He was married in 1858 to Eliza Jane Vanantrop, who was born in Tennessee. They have three children -Josephine, Catherine and Charles. Mr. DeFossa is at present serving as school director. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the I. O. O. F., and as a citizen is highly esteemed.

Charles M. Chase owns and resides upon a farm of 200 acres, located on section 12, Quarry township, where he settled in 1871. He was born in Meigs county, O., in 1828, and is a son of Charles C. and Mary P. (Holt) Chase; the former a native of Maine, and the latter of Canada. Charles M. lived upon a farm with his parents until 1851. In that year he went to Califor- nia and remained one year, engaged in a sawmill, then returned east to Ohio, where he lived one year. He next went to Iowa, and two years later to Kansas. He remained there one year, after which he went to Catlettsburg, Ky., there engaging in the drug busi- ness, continuing the same three years; then removed to Clark county, Ill., in the spring of 1862, and there followed farming until 1871. Mr. Chase was married in 1859, to Melinda McKee, a native of Lyons county, O. They have one child-Frank M., who now lives with his parents. Mr. Chase is a mem- ber of Masonic order. Charles C. Chase, father of the subject of this sketch, died in Rutland, O., in 1857. His widow, Mrs. Mary (Holt) Chase, survived until 1882, when she died at the same place.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Daniel Davis is a son of John and Elizabeth (Green) Davis, and was born Jan. 8, 1815, in Kentucky. His parents died in Ohio; his mother, in 1820, and his father in [835. Daniel was brought up on a farm, and, in his youth, went to Cincinnati, where he learned the ear. penter's trade, and resided 25 years. He then removed to Lewis county, Ky., and, a few years later, to Henderson county, of the same state. He remained 12 years in the latter county, after which he went to Quincy, Ill., and two years later, came to Jersey county, and settled at Grafton, where he now lives. He is engaged in skiff-building and fishing. He ships to St. Louis, annually, about $800 worth of fish. Mr. Davis was mar- ried in 1838, to Sarah Jane Garrett, a native of Ohio. They are the parents of four children-Franklin B., now liv- ing in Arkansas; Thomas J., in Little Rock, Ark .; Mary E., wife ot Benjamin Suttlis, of Grafton; and Missouri Anna, wife of Sidney Noble, of Quarry town- ship. Mrs. Davis is a member of the M. E. church.

John Hart, deceased, was a native of Pulaski county, Ky., and a son of Berry and Nancy (Blankinship) Hart, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. John was reared in that state, and in 1855 went to Iowa, where he remained a few months. In June of the same year he came to Jersey county and settled on Sec. 33, Otter Creek township. He re- moved to Quarry township, where he resided until his decease. He was mar- ried in 1852 to Lucinda Berry, who was born in Lincoln county, Ky. Nine chil- dren were born to them, seven of whom are still living-John M., of Jersey county; Lucy, wife of Frank Miller,

now living in Kansas; James H., Thomas A., Ernest B., George M., and Mollie L. Those deceased were Margaret C., wife of HIenry Noble, of this county, and Lillie, who died in 1867. On the 15th of March, 1883, Mr. Hart and one of his sons, while returning from Jerseyville to their home in this township, had their car- riage upset in driving around a corner. Mr. Hart was thrown out and received internal injuries, which proved to be the cause of his death on June 29 of the same year. He was a man universally beloved and was well deserving of the high esteem in which he was held throughout the entire community. His loss fell heavily, not only upon his family, but also upon all with whom he had business or social rela- tions. He was a loving and indulgent husband and father, a kind neighbor and a Christian gentleman. His remains were laid to rest in the family cemetery. He began life in humble circumstances, and died possessed of a comfortable for- tune, leaving his family provided for.

Oliver Dare is a native of Pennsyl- vania, where he was born in 1832, being a son of James and Rebecca (Richey) Dare, natives of Pennsylvania. He came to this state in 1867 and settled in Calhoun county, and five years later became a resident of this county, which has since been his home. When he was but two years old he was taken by his parents to the state of New Jersey, where they lived 22 years. He was married in 1850 to Rebecca Hartman, of New Jersey. His father died in Cal- houn county in 1871. His mother died in New Jersey in 1848.

Ziba Noble, a well known farmer of Quarry township, is a son of George A.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

and Sarah (Swan) Noble. George Noble was born in Mississippi in the year 1800. His wife was born at Fort Co- lumbus, Ill., in 1811. The subject of this sketch is a native of Quarry town- ship, born in November, 1838. His early life was spent upon a farm in his native township. In 1860 he went to California, and there remained, engaged in mining, seven and a half years. While there he was quite successful, and suc- ceeded in accumulating a competency. He returned to Quarry township in 1867, and settled upon the farm where he now lives, which contains 100 acres of well improved land, located on section 1. Mr. Noble was married in March, 1870, to Mary McDow, a native of Jersey county, and daughter of William Mc- Dow, of Otter Creek township. They have one child-Inez. Mr. Noble holds the office of commissioner of highways of Quarry township.

GRAFTON.

Grafton is located in the southern part of the county, in Quarry township, on the Mississippi river. The first set- tlement was made by James Mason, in 1832, who built four split-log cabins and afterward named the town in honor of his native place. Charles Chapman also erected a cabin during, that year. Shortly afterward Paris Mason put up a frame structure, which he occupied as a general store, the first in the settle- ment. This building has since been remodeled and forms a part of W. H. Allen's residence. Abijah Whiting, John Keys and Brook Stafford were also among the first settlers.

The town was surveyed April 15, 1836, and at that time displayed un-

usual signs of prosperity and it was fully believed that a large and prosperous city would be built. The town was laid out by Paris and Sarah Mason, admin- istrators of the estate of James Mason. The first sale of lots occurred in 1836, and were disposed of at from $50 to $100. The second sale took place in 1837. This was at a time when specu- lation was running wild throughout the state; new towns were being laid out by the score and every speculator saw a fortune within his grasp. Grafton shared in the excitement, and lots rose to fabulous figures-the auctioneer easily disposing of them at sums rang- ing in amount from $400 to $1,500. Lots back of the town on the bluffs, on land now of little value, changed hands at good, round figures; and below the town the Chicago addition was projected on the bluffs, covering a site which has since been almost as destitute of streets and buildings as it was the day Mar- quette sailed down the Mississippi on his first voyage of discovery. The . crash of 1837 came; banks broke, spec- ulators failed, and lots fell rapidly to prices inconsiderable in comparison with their former valuation. The first houses were built in what is still the business portion of the town, the 16th (the school) section at that period not being open for settlement. On the 16th section being thrown into the market, the town extended farther in that di- rection, and now its length along the river is more than two miles.

The second store in the place was erected soon after that of Paris Mason. John Keys was the proprietor, and he carried on the general merchandise trade, also dealing in grain and pork.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

John Armstrong also opened a gen- eral merchandise store in 1836.

In the same year two other similar establishments were started-those of W. B. Denby, and Lawson & Lucas.

All these, save Keys, felt the effects of the trade depression of 1837-38 to such an extent that they were com- pelled to close their doors.

Brook Stafford established a black- smith shop in Grafton in 1836. He was the first in that line in the place.

PRESENT BUSINESS.

Carl Albert engaged in the sale of general merchandise Sept. 1, 1884, in Upper Grafton. The building is con- structed of brick, 25x50 feet in dimen- sions, two stories high.

Carl Albert, merchant at Grafton, was born in Germany in 1848. He grew to manhood in his native country, where he received a liberal education, graduat- ing from Hamburg College in 1867. IIe then went into the army, from which he was discharged on account of disa- bility. In 1882 he came to America and settled, then, at Grafton, Jersey county, Ill. Here he was engaged as teacher of the German language two years; then, in 1884, opened a store of general merchandise, which he still carries on, and is doing a thriving busi- ness. Mr. Albert was married June 5, 1883, to Rosa Freiman, who was born in Grafton. They have one child- Barbara, born Dec. 12, 1883. Mr. Albert's father, Andreas Albert, was born in Germany, and now resides here, with him. His mother, Mrs. Laura Albert, also a native of Germany, died at Hamburg, in that country, in 1871.

The general merchandise business of

H. E. Brinton was established by M. Grady & Co. in 1869, who were sue- ceeded by W. S. Brinton & Co. in 1874. In the early part of 1885 it was trans- ferred to H. E. Brinton.

C. P. Stafford has been engaged in the sale of general merchandise since 1883. The store room in which he does busi- ness is 50x70 feet in size, constructed of brick, and two stories high.

Christopher P. Stafford, a leading merchant of Grafton and a prominent citizen of Jersey county, is a son of Brook and Mary A. (Hilliard) Stafford. He was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1831, and removed with his parents to this county in 1836. Here he received his education, and in his youth learned the harness-maker's trade, which he followed 12 years. He then engaged in merchandising, and has continued in that business since. He was married in 1850 to Charlotte Roe, a native of Ire- land. Three children were born to them-Alice, deceased wife of Lewis Slaten, of Grafton; George, who died in infancy; and Bell, who is now a teacher in the graded school at Grafton. Mrs. Stafford died in April, 1858. Feb. 29, 1860, Mr. Stafford was married to Ange- line Amburg, a native of this county. By this marriage there were seven chil- dren-Delia, now assistant postmistress at Grafton; Christopher P., who is now in Texas, engaged in the office of the Texas Stock Journal; John M., in the store with his father; James II., Fred Smith and Harry E. Sadie died in infancy. Mr. Stafford served as justice of the peace 24 years, beginning in 1853. In 1881 he was elected a member of the county board, which office he has held continuously since that time. He is at

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

present serving his fourth term in that capacity. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and of the I. O. O. F.

Dr. J. Tidball is engaged in the sale of drugs, paints, oils, etc., which he es- tablished in 1881. He has also been practicing medicine since 1876.

The drug and book store, managed by W. R. Hewitt, on lower Main street, was established by Dr. Harriott in 1870. He was succeeded by C. W. Lund in 1875, who ran it until his death in the fall of 1878, since which time it has been owned and operated by Mrs. M. E. Lund. The building is 25x40 feet in size, and is constructed of stone.

Charles Walker Lund, (deceased,) wos born in Barry, Pike county, Ill., Oct. 22, 1841. His parents were Wil- liam and Elizabeth Lund. Charles W. Lund came to Jersey county in April, 1873, and settled in Grafton, where he engaged in the drug business, continuing the same until his death, which occur- red Nov. 6, 1878. He was married Oct. 27, 1863, to Mary Ellen Hewitt, a native of England. They had five children, three of whom are living-Mary Eliza- beth, wife of H. E. Budicell, of Rush Centre, Kan., Anna Viola and George Curtis. Those deceased are-Joseph H., who died June 15, 1874, and Alma May, who died Aug. 13, 1877. Mr. Lund was a member of the I. O. O. F .. and is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery at Grafton.

William R. Hewitt was born in the city of Alton in 1857. His parents, Jo- seph and Hannah (Read) Hewitt, were natives of England, who came to Amer- iea in 1849 and settled at Alton. Wil- liam R. received a good education, at- tending the graded schools of Alton,

and later Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton, taking a commercial course. In 1877 he came to Grafton and entered the drug store of his brother-in-law, C. W. Lund, who died in 1878. Since that time Mr. Hewitt has carried on the busi- ness, and is now enjoying a thriving trade. As a business man he is popu- lar and successful. He has been a mem- ber of the town board one year, and served as township clerk two years. He belongs to the I. O. O. F.

Among the leading firms of Grafton is that of Allen & Rippley, dealers in hardware, stoves and furniture. The members of the firm are W. H. Allen, Jr .. and Frank Rippley. They are doing a fine business in these lines, and carry a stock of tinware, cutlery, guns, pistols, ammunition, fishing tackle, pic- tures, frames in addition, and do the principal business in tin roofing. The business was established Aug. 1, 1881. Their building is 23x70 feet, two stories high, and is constructed of stone.

Frank Rippley, of the firm of Allen & Rippley, is the son of George and Helen (Sume) Rippley, natives of Baden, Ger- many. Frank Rippley was born in Booneville, Mo., Dec. 15, 1857. IIe went to .St. Louis Sept. 15, 1873, and learned the tinner's trade. He came to Grafton, Ill., Oct. 3, 1876, and worked for Brook Stafford at the tinner's trade until Feb. 4, 1878, when he bought the stove and tin business of B. Stafford, and continued the business for himself. Aug. 1, 1881, William H. Allen, Jr., bought an interest in the business, and became a partner. They then moved in a large building, and opened a general store, consisting of hardware, stoves, tinware, furniture and house furnishing

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

goods of all kinds, and have continued the business up to the present time. They keep a full stock of goods on hand always, and bear the reputation of being one of the best and most accom- modating firms in Jersey county.

The carriage and wagon making in- dustry is represented by F. Stinman, who established the same in the fall of 1868.

BANK OF GRAFTON.

This monetary institution was estab- lished in October, 1869, by W. H. Allen and E. A. Pinero, and was operated by them as a private concern until 1873, when W. II. Allen succeeded the above named firm. On the 5th of July, 1883, the present management assumed con- trol. The directors are W. II. Allen, C. P. Stafford and E. Meysenburg.

Ernst Meysenburg, cashier of the Grafton bank, was born in Rhine prov- ince, Prussia, and is a son of F. W. and Johannah (Schmitz) Meysenburg; the latter died in Germany, in 1853, and the former came to America in 1857, and settled in St. Louis, where he died 10 years later. The subject of this sketch came to America in 1855, accompanying his uncle, Theodore Kimm, who had been a dry goods merchant in St. Louis, until 1849; the latter had come to Amer- ica in 1835. In 1855 he returned to Europe for a visit, and on coming back to St. Louis, brought with him, Ernst, who was then a lad of 13 years. His unele had settled on a farm, afterwards laid out by him and called Kimmswick, a station 20 miles below St. Louis, on the Iron Mountain railroad. There Ernst remained two years on a farm. He then went to St. Louis, and engaged as clerk in a wholesale house. The firm

by whom he was employed failed in 1858, and he returned to Kimmiswiek, and went to work for his unele, opening a store of general merchandise. In the fall of 1859, he went to St. Louis, and entered the employ of Joseph Gray, a retail hatter, with whom he continued until the fall of 1860. At that date he went to Sulphur Springs, as agent for the Iron Mountain railroad company, and the Pilot Knob iron company. A

few months later he enlisted as private in Co. E, 2d Mo. Cav., and served until 1865, the latter two years as 1st sergeant. He then went to work in a wholesale hat establishment in St. Louis, continu- ing there two years, after which he formed a partnership with Henry East- man, and engaged in general merchan- dising at Grafton, Jersey county, 111. This partnership continued four years, when B. J. Smith took the place of Mr. Eastman, the firm becoming Meysen- burg & Smith. In 1876, C. P. Stafford became a partner in the firm, which re- mained unchanged until 1879, then Mr. Smith retired, the firm becoming Mey- senburg & Stafford. In August, 1883, Mr. Meysenburg disposed of his mer- cantile interests, to assume the position which he now occupies, as cashier of the bank. He was married in Grafton, Oct. 7, 1869, to Mary H. Fichner, daughter of of James Fichner, of Graf- ton. She was born at Wheeling, Va. They are the parents of four children- Fannie, Nannie, Edith and Clara. Mr. Meysenburg has served two years upon the board of supervisors, and has been school trustee, and president of the town board, two terms. He is the owner of a comfortable residence in Grafton, and is interested in the Grafton bank and

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

quarries. He is a member of the I. O. O. F.

HOTELS.

The Valley House was established in 1871 by W. S. Dempsey. At that time the building was a two-story frame structure, 30x40 feet in size. In 1873 the building was torn down and rebuilt. It is now a two-story frame, 50x75 feet in dimensions, and contains about 20 sleeping rooms. It is a well kept house and is situated on Main street, in the business part of the town.

William S. Dempsey, of Grafton, was born in the northern part of Ireland, in 1844, and is a son of Hugh and Sarah (Agnew) Dempsey, natives of Ireland. In 1846 William immigrated with his parents to America, and settled in East- ern Pennsylvania, and in 1852 removed to the city of Philadelphia. There they remained two years, then came to Jer- sey county and located at Grafton, where William S. has resided the greater part of the time since. In 1868 he opened a saloon, and in 1871 built the Valley House and began keeping hotel, which he still continues. In 1864 he drove an ox team across the plains to Virginia City, Nevada. In the fall of the same year he drove the first team ever driven down Prickly Pear Valley, and camped in "Last Chance" gulch, where Helena is now located. His brother, James A. Dempsey, was at that time employed by the government as inter- preter on the Snake River Indian reser- vation. James A. Dempsey was massa- cred by the Indians in Idaho, in June, 1874. William remained in Montana three years, then returned home, via the Missouri river, with a party of 52 men, on board the Mackinaw, arriving at

Grafton in the fall of 1867. Mr. Dempsey was married in 1871, to Jane Brower, daughter of William and Luey Brower, of Ulster county, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey have three children-W. H., Gideon, and Christina. His father, Hugh Dempsey, died in 1855, and was buried in St. Patrick's cemetery in Phil- adelphia. His remains were in 1874, removed to the Catholic cemetery at Jerseyville. Mrs. Sarah Dempsey died in 1872, and was buried in Jerseyville.

The Ruebel Hotel is a fine three-story briek structure, with stone foundation, 76x71 feet in ground area, and is oper- ated by its founder, Michael Ruebel. It contains 32 rooms, in addition to the parlor, office, billiard, store and dining rooms, the latter being 28x38 feet in dimensions. There is also a kitchen 20x20 feet in size. The structure was commenced during the winter of 1884, and when completed will eost about $7,000, being the finest and largest hotel in Jersey county. A fine view of the Mississippi river is had from two veran- das, parlor and several sleeping apart- ments. The hotel is convenient to bus- iness, newly furnished, and is also to be supplied with fire escapes upon com- pletion. It is well kept by Mr. Ruebel, who provides abundantly for the eom- fort and convenience of his guests.

Michael Ruebel, son of Peter and Barbara (Hoffman) Ruebel, is a native of Bavaria, Germany, born in the year 1834. When 16 years old he came to America and settled at Green point, Long Island, where he remained 18 months; then went to Zanesville, O., and, eight months later, to St. Louis, Mo. He resided in St. Louis till the spring of 1863, at which time he came

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

to Grafton. Here he worked three years at the cooper's trade, then engag- ed in keeping saloon. In 1879 he began keeping a hotel, which he still con- tinues. In 1855 he was united in mar- riage with Margaret Maurer, daughter of Leonard Maurer, of St. Louis. Eight children have been born to them, five of whom are living-Michael, George, Charles, Louisa, and Sherman. Christian died at the age of six years, and two died in infancy. Mr. Ruebel served four months in the army, during the war of the Rebellion. He is a re- publican in politics, and has been school trustee three terms. He owns 20 acres of land, and hotel property, a saloon, residence and two lots in Grafton. Mr. Ruebel's parents are deceased, his mother having died in Germany, in 1856, and his father, in Ohio, in 1867.

The Grafton House is operated by Martin Flanigan, who commenced business in 1869. The house at that time was a two-story frame, 12x24 feet in size. In 1872 he remodeled the building and enlarged it to 24x38 feet, and as his business demanded larger accommodations still, he accordingly built an addition in 1883, 26x38 feet in dimensions. At present the house con- tains 22 sleeping apartments. Mr. Flanigan also operates a livery and feed stable in connection with the hotel.

Martin Flanigan, proprietor of a hotel and saloon at Grafton, was born in county Limerick, Ireland, in 1841, and is a son of James and Jane (Kane) Flanigan, both natives of Ireland. At or about the age of 20 years, Mar- tin came to America and settled in Washington, D. C., where he remained

till the spring of 1866. He then re- moved to St. Louis and remained in that city until 1869, at which time he came to Grafton, and engaged in his present business. Mr. Flanigan was married in 1862 to Mary C. Eight children have been born to them, five of whom are living-Jane, wife of Mr. Fitzgibbons, of Grafton; John. Mary A., Margaret T., and Martin J. Those deceased were-Catherine, Catherine Helen, and Johanna. They are buried in the Catholic cemetery. Mr. Flani- gan owns his business property and a residence in the town of Grafton, and is in prosperous circumstances. He and his wife are members of the Catho- lic church. His mother, Mrs. Jane Flanigan, died in Ireland in 1863. His father, James Flanigan, died in the city of Philadelphia in 1883.

John A. MeClintock, jeweler at Graf- ton, came to this town and established his present business in 1874. He was born in St Clair county, Ill., in 1845, and is a son of James McClintock, a native of Bourbon county, Ky. His mother was formerly a Miss Glass, of St. Clair county, III. John resided in his native county until 1851, then with his parents removed to Hancock county, of the same state. In 1863 he went to Quincy, Ill., and there learned the jeweler's trade with E. B. Tobin. Mr. McClintock thoroughly understands his business, and has a thriving trade. In April, 1882, he established the News and still owns the office, although it is under the editorial control of C. P. Edsall.

Among the mechanics of Grafton, is R. R. Nugent, the cooper, who is an excellent workman in his line, and has a good patronage.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

R. R. Nugent came to Grafton from Williamstown, West Virginia, in the spring of 1865, since which time he has been a resident here. Ile was born in Ohio, in 1833, and is a son of David and Margaret J. (Eccles) Nugent, both natives of Pennsylvania. He resided in Ohio until he was 28 years of age, there learning the cooper's trade. He then went to Williamstown, Va., where he remained until the date at which he came to Grafton, and engaged there at his trade. Since coming here he has followed the same occupation princi- pally. He was married Dec. 6, 1863, in Williamstown, to Mary C. West, a native of West Virginia. She died Dec. 6, 1864, just one year from the date of her marriage. Nov. 27, 1881, Mr. Nugent was married to Mrs. Elizabeth J. Grubb, widow of George Grubb, of Otterville, Ill. There is one child by this marriage-Leslie Milton. Mr. Nugent is a member of the Christian church, and his wife of the M. E. church. His mother, Mrs. Margaret J. Nugent, died in Grafton, Oct 6, 1865, and was buried in the old cemetery. His father, David Nugent, is living, and resides with him at Grafton.

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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 37

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