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 55

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 55

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KEMPER.

This is a sprightly village lying on the line of the St. Louis division of the C., B. & Q. railroad, on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Sec. 24, T. 9 north, R. 10 west. It was laid out upon the 5th of Nov., 1870, by W. W. H. Kemper. The survey of the town was made by George I. Foster, county surveyor, and the plat recorded upon the 9th of the same month. Ow- ing to its proximity to older and larger towns that can offer greater inducements as trade centers, it has not grown as much as was expected or deserved, but still it has a bright future before it, being surrounded by some of as fine land as any in this region of the state.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

Orin Palmer commeneed business in Kemper in 1871. He erected a building 30x60 feet in dimensions, and at first handled grain exclusively, buying and shipping. In the fall of the same year, there being no store there, Mr. Palmer put a stock of groceries in the same building, thus making him the first store-keeper in Kemper. In the sum- mer of 1872, he sold the stock of groceries to Ruyle & Elliott, who re- moved it to a building they had erected. In 1872, Mr. Palmer added the lumber and agricultural lines to their business.

He received grain from a radius of eight miles, shipping mostly to St. Louis and Alton, and mills in Northern

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Illinois. He also handles fat hogs, shipping them to the St. Louis market. He keeps on hand a stock of agricul- tural implements, and supplies all orders. His aggregate business in a year will run from 825,000 to $50,000, vary- ing according to the amount of crops and market price of grain in different years.

Orin Palmer is a native of Weybridge, Addison county, Vt., born on the 11th day of Oct., 1832, his parents being Elias and Thirza (Stowe) Palmer, na- tives of Vermont. When Orin was four years old the family came to this county, coming overland to Cincinnati; thence, down the Ohio and up the Mis- sissippi river, to Alton, then proceeded to what is now Jersey county and loca- ted on Palmer's Prairie, named after William Palmer, a brother of Elias, who had settled there three years pre- vious. William came to the state of Illinois in the fall of 1830, and lived at Apple Creek prairie, near White Hall, until the spring of 1833, when he moved to l'almer's prairie, in what is now known as Ruyle township. Here, Mrs. Elias Palmer died in June, 1859. She is buried in what is called Delaware cemetery. In 1860 Elias removed to Chesterfield, in Macoupin county, where he resided until the time of his death, in September, 1863. He had held the office of justice of the peace, and was connected with the schools as director. Orin did not go with his father to Ches- terfield, but remained in this county, where he was engaged in farming. IIe was reared in the township where he now resides; and has been identified with it for nearly half a century, or almost the entire period of his life. Hle

was educated in the schools of this county, and attended the school of Prof. Wilder, in Greenfield. He was married in Kemper on the 20th day of Jan., 1858, to Mary Kemper, a daughter of W. H. H. Kemper. By this union there were three children-Ida, Elmer E., and Nora M. Mr. Palmer was again married, May 7, 1884, to Hattie L. Sturtevant, a native of Vermont, and daughter of Leonard Sturtevant. Mr. Palmer is a member of the Good Temp- lars lodge at Kemper, and is clerk and trustee of the Congregational church, with which he has been closely identi- fied since its organization. He is the principal business man of Kemper.

George C. Robinson now conducts the general merchandise business. The store was started by G. B. Harlan, who erected the building. He sold the stock in Oct., 1883, to George C. Robinson, on a trade, the latter exchanging a pro- perty in Chesterfield for it. He has conducted the business since that time. IIe handles groceries, boots and shoes, nails, queensware, glassware, wooden- ware, tinware, notions, cigars, tobaccos, etc. He carries a stock of about $1,500 worth of goods.

George C. Robinson was born in Peterborough, Northamptonshire, Eng., on the 12th day of June, 1858, his parents being James and Catherine (Crossland) Robinson. When George was 11 years old he came to this country with his elder brother, John William Robinson, and located with his uncle, William Crossland, in Macoupin county, near the town of Fayette. He remained in that county about eight years, at the expiration of which he came to Jersey county, where he has

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

since resided, with the exception of a short time. He worked three years, by the month, for Charles Sanders, and one ycar for V. L. Dodge and then came to Kemper, and engaged in the grocery business, which he conducted for about two years. He then sold out and went to Chesterfield, Macoupin county, where he was engaged in general merchandis- ing, which he continued for a time. After closing out his business there, he returned to England on a visit to friends and relatives. Oct. 19, 1881. he was married to Margaret C. Kirkland, a native of England, and

daughter of Thomas Kirkland.

Mr.

and Mrs. Robinson have two children- Florence Viola and John Walter. Mr. Robinson is the present postmaster of Kemper. He is a member of Kemper lodge, No. 596, of the I. O. O. F., in which he has acted as V. G., and is at present I. G. James Robinson, father of G. C. Robinson, was killed by the natives in the East Indies, where he was overseer of the first railroad constructed by the natives. His widow, Mrs. Catherine Robinson, is now living near Hagaman, Macoupin county, Ill., with her youngest son, James Robinson. She is the mother of five children now liv- ing. They are-John William. Eliza- beth Ann, George Crossland, Charles Crossland and James, all natives of England.

J. F. Still & Bro. also handle general merchandise. The business was con- menced by Ruyle & Elliott, who pur- chased a stock of groceries from Orin Palmer, in 1872. Ruyle & Elliott were succeeded by Ruyle Bros., and they by Harlan & Son, who sold to J. C. Robin- son. The present firm succeeded Rob-

inson. They handle such goods as are usually found in a general store.

James Albert Whitfield, the present telegraph operator and station agent for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road Company, at Kemper, is the son of W. T. and Jane Whitfield. He was born in Fidelity, Jersey county, March 7, 1866. He resided with his parents until his marriage, March 12, 1884, to Olive Eliza Jones, daughter of Madison and Eliza Jones. He assumed his present position in 1882, succeeding W. W. Myers, who was in charge of the office six months. Zachariah Kemper was the first agent at this point, and remained here about ten years. He was then succeeded by H. M. Elwell, who remained a few months, and was in turn succeeded by W. H. Curtis. The latter had charge of the office about a year. The next agent was M. E. Stone, the predecessor of W. W. Myers. Mr. Stone remained here one year. Mr. Whitfield is a worthy young man, well fitted for the duties of his position, which he has performed in such a man- ner as to merit, justly, the reputation which he has gained, of being a faithful and efficient agent and an accommodat- ing gentleman.

RELIGIOUS.

The Kemper Baptist church was or- ganized April 1, 1876. (See Ecclesias- tical chapter.)

The Delaware Congregational church, at Kemper, was organized in 1870. A complete history of this church may be found in the Ecclesiastical chapter.

POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice was established in

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Kemper, in 1871, with W. H. H. Kem- per, as postmaster. His son, Zacha- riah, was deputy. Mr. Kemper was succeeded by G. B. Harlan. He con- tinued until Oct., 1883, when he was succeeded by George C. Robinson, the present incumbent. The postoffice is kept in Mr. Robinson's store.

SOCIETY.

Kemper lodge, No. 596, I. O. O. F., was first organized in Fieldon, this county, but there not being a sufficient number of members there to support the lodge properly, it was removed to Kemper. It was organized in 1876, with the following eharter members: William Eads, Wiley H. Scribner. John L. Terry, Jr., Wesley Park and Ward Combs. The first officers were: Ward Combs, N. G .; William Eads, V. G .; J L. Terry, Jr., S .; Wesley Park, T. The removal took place in April, 1880. The officers of the lodge at present are: H. W. Young, N. G .; Thos. Kirkland, V. G .; W. T. Whitfield, Sec .; J. F. Still, Treas.

REPRESENTATIVE MEN.

Besides the early settlers, there are many residents of this township who have been largely identified with the growth and development of this part of the county, and are therefore worthy of notice in this connection.

Mrs. Mary Ruyle, widow of Thomas B. Ruyle, is a daughter of Amos and Eliza Pruitt, and was born three miles north of Carrollton, in Greene county, Ill. She was married, February 2, 1843. Her husband, Thomas B. Ruyle, was born near Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 18, 1820. When he was seven years

old, his parents removed to Morgan county, Ill., and in 1833 to Jersey county. Mr. and Mrs. Ruyle settled, after their marriage, on section 28, in Ruyle township, and continued to re- side there until 1858, when they moved to section 15. Mr .. Ruyle died Aug. 28, 1880, and was laid to rest in Delaware cemetery, near Kemper, Jersey county. Mrs. Ruyle now resides on section 15. She is the owner of a large farm, com- prising 240 acres, on that section; also 40 acres on section 10, and 180 acres in Greene county. Mr. and Mrs. Ruyle had twelve children born to them; Amos L., who lives upon section 15; Charles, living in Beatrice, Nebraska; Lucinda Jane, wife of Hi- ram Wright, living near Rockbridge, in Greene county ; Eliza E., wife of Charles Ketcham, of Lincoln county, Kansas; Mary, wife of B. C. Elliott, of Kemper, Jersey county ; Celia, who is now living at home with her mother ; Thomas B., George W. and Annie, also living at home. Henry is deceased; also two children unnamed, who died in their infaney. Mrs. Ruyle is a mem- ber of the Baptist church at Kemper. Her deceased husband also belonged to that church. He held the offices of road supervisor and school director in this township, and was a useful and highly esteemed citizen. His death was deeply felt, not only by his friends, but by the entire community. Mrs. Ruyle's sons, Thomas B. and George W., reside with their mother and man- age the farm successfully. They carry on general farming.

William L. Ruyle, an early settler and influential citizen of Ruyle town- ship, was born in Knox county, Tenn.,

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

and came to Illinois with his parents, when about two years of age. They set- tled in Macoupin county, near Waverly, where they resided five years, then re- moved to Scottville, two and a half miles south, where his father died. Mr. Ruyle was married about Oet. 1, 1854, to Jane Elliott, daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth Elliott. Mr. and Mrs. Ruyle are the parents of nine children-Celia, deceased, born Aug. 17, 1855, and died June 9, 1856; William H., Elizabeth, Amos, Laurie, Louis L., Lucinda, Edgar, and Oliver T. Mr. Ruyle owns an ex- tensive farm, comprising 880 acres of land, 480 acres of which are located on sections 28, 33 and 34, 80 acres on sec- tion 30, 160 acres on section 20, and 160 acres on section 24. He is engaged in raising grain and stock on an extensive scale. He makes a specialty of thor- oughbred cattle. Mr. Ruyle began life in very limited circumstances, and his present prosperity is due entirely to his own energy and judicious management. He is a man of sterling character, and justly deserving of the reputation which he enjoys, of being one of Jersey county's most prominent citizens.

Lewis Elliott, Sr., (deceased) was a son of Curtis and Elizabeth Elliott. He was born in what is now the state of West Virginia, on the 9th day of Sept., 1805. When about 20 years of age, he went to Grayson county, Ken., where, on the 29th of Oct., 1826, he was mar- ried to Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Mary Reddish, a native of that county. Thirteen children were born to them-Lucinda, wife of Samuel Rhodes, of Ruyle township ; she was born in Kentucky, Feb. 10, 1827; Nancy, deceased wife of John V. Rhodes, was

born Oct. 26, 1829, and died March 20, 1863; David, born Nov. 20, 1831, mar- ried Nancy Reddish, now dead, and lives in Pratt county, Kan; Mary Jane, born Oct. 4, 1833, now the wife of William L. Ruyle, of this township ; Caroline, born May 4, 1835, now the wife of William Barnes, of this township ; John William, born Dec. 22, 1836, and died Nov. 23, 1851; Stephen, born Feb. 17, 1839, and died Sept. 4, 1839; Elizabeth, born Aug. 4, 1840, and died Sept. 3, 1840; Lewis, born Feb. 12, 1842, now living in this township; Thomas B., born Dec. 16, 1844, now living in Macoupin county; Elizabeth, born Dec. 16, 1847, and died Oct. 19, 1848; Benjamin C., born Dec. 16, 1847, now living in Ruyle township, and Julia Ann, born May 23, 1851, and died June 20, of the same year. Eliza- beth and Benjamin C. were twins. In the summer of 1827, Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, with their child Lucinda, came to Illinois, and located in what is now English township, built a cabin and began making a home for their family in the (then) wilderness of what is now Jersey county. They remained here about a year. At the end of that time, John Rhodes, who had married in Ken- tueky a sister of Mr. Elliott, came out to Illinois, and located on the site of the present town of Medora, in Ma- coupin county. Being pleased with the locality, he persuaded his brother-in- law, Mr. Elliott, to remove thither. The latter entered land just north of Mr. Rhodes', or what is now the "Simp- son" place. There the family re- sided until 1833, when they moved to Choteau Island, Madison county, Ill., where his brother Thomas had previously settled. They resided there

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

15 years, during which Mr. Elliott car- ried on farming, also, dealing in wood, having it chopped and sent to St. Louis on a wood-boat, and kept a wood-yard to furnish wood to boats. He was very prosperous here until the overflow of the river, in 1844, which swept away the results of his years of hard labor. At that time the water was so high that the children could be saved only by be- ing taken out of the second-story win- dows into a boat. In 1848 they removed from Choteau Island, to a farm on Sec. 26, T. 9, R. 10, now Ruyle township. Here Mr. and Mrs. Elliott remained until the time of their death, rearing their family and improving a good farm. Mr. Elliott's death occurred Sept. 29, 1865, and that of his wife Ang. 26, 1862. They are buried in the Elliott cemetery, upon the homestead farm. Both were among the original members of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist church, and lived con- sistent Christians to the end of their lives.

Lewis Elliott the ninth of the 13 children of Lewis and Elizabeth (Red- dish) Elliott, and was born Feb. 12, 1842. He remained with his parents until his marriage, on the 22d of Oct., 1862, to Eliza Jane Fink, who died March 11, 1863. He was married again March 23, 1864, to Serena Brownfield, a native of Randolph county, and daugh- of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Gilworth) Brownfield. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are the parents of nine children, eight of whom are living-Dora Jane, Mary Lorena, Lewis Walter, Rosa Elizabeth, Lucinda Caroline, Wealthy Brownfield, Milton Cleaver and Rena May. Peachy Bell was born Oct. 29, 1867, and died Nov. 7, 1875. Mr. Elliott has lived on

his present farm on section 26 since the fall of 1864, since which all of the im- provements have been made. He has 550 acres of land, and pays considera- ble attention to stock-raising, also raises quite an amount of grain. He keeps short horn cattle and makes a specialty of fine horses. Ile was the first super- visor of Ruyle township after its organ- ization. Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are mem- bers of the Baptist church.

Thomas B. Elliott, the 10th in order of age of the children of Lewis Elliott, Sr., was born Dec. 16, 1844. He lived with his parents until his marriage, to Elizabeth Fink, Dec. 22, 1864. She died in the fall of 1872, leaving four children, two of whom are living- Thomas Lindley and Otis Fredland. Those deceased are-John Monroe and Lewis Elmer. In Oct., 1874, Mr. Elli- ott was married to Franees Amelia Wal- ter, a native of Ohio, and daughter of George and Rachel Walter. By this marriage there are two children-How- ard B. and Florence Myrtle. Mr. Elli- ott resided within a half mile of the old homestead of his parents until the spring of 1885, when he rented his farm and moved to Medora. He has 330

acres of land, in three farms.

Mrs.

Elliott is a member of the Baptist church. He is, politically, a democrat.

John Ryan, deceased, one of the earli- est pioneers of what is now Jersey county, was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1796, his parents being John and Re- becca Ryan, the former was of Irish, and the latter of English descent. When quite young he went to Chester county, Penn., and learned the trade of mill- wright, serving an apprenticeship of seven years, becoming a thorough mas-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

ter of the trade. Atter working a short time in Chester county, he started west- ward to seek his fortune in a newer country. Coming to Illinois, he located at Frenchtown, now East St. Louis, in the fall of 1819, where he remained until the fall of 1824, then went to Alton, and after stopping a short time, came to what is now Jersey county, and located about five miles southwest of the site of the present eity of Jerseyville, in Hick- ory Grove. In the fall of 1828 he re- moved with his family, to a point four miles south west of Carrollton, in Grecre county. There he resided until 1840, then returned to Jersey county, settling this time, on section 27, of what is now Ruyle township. He lived upon that same tract of land, which he had pre- viously entered, until the time of his death, which occurred Jan. 26, 1863. He was married in Zanesville, Ohio, to Jane Wileox, a native of Canada. They were the parents of eight children -- Richardson, a sketch of whom ap- pears herewith; Sarah, who died when quite young, in Alton; Mary, widow of John Christopher, now living one mile south of Fidelity; Charles, deceased, who was, at the time of his death, the most prominent physician of Spring- field, Ill .; he was one of the early phy- sicians of this county; Jane, married to W. C. Farrow, and living in this town- ship; John, who died in Virden town- ship, Macoupin county; Henry, the subjeet of the following sketch; and Catherine, who was married to William M. Stevenson, and died on part of the home place. Mrs. John Ryan died July 11, 1852. Mr. Ryan was one of the con- structors of the first mill in Greene county-Coonsville mill.

Henry Ryan, the next to the youngest of the children, was born near Carroll- ton, March 28, 1831, following the win- ter of the "deep snow." When he was nine years of age, the family removed to the farm where he now resides, on section 27, Ruyle township. Here he grew to manhood, receiving his school- ing in Greene and Jersey counties. He was married, on the 26th of Sept., 1861, to Almira E. Thomas, daughter of John I. and Ann (Chorn) Thomas. Samuel Thomas, her grandfather, was the first white man who located in Greene county, north of the Macoupin creek, he having penetrated the wilderness and made a settlement there in 1818, the year Illi- nois was admitted to the Union as a state. A sketch of Samuel Thomas ap- pears in the Early Settlement chapter of the history of Greene county, in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan are the parents of eight children, six of whom are living-John T., Mary A., James H., George E., Ethel W., and Marcus Jeuduthun; Ada Jane died in Aug., 1881, in the 13th year of her age; Hugh Lewis died in April, 1878, aged one year. For nearly half a century Mr. Ryan has been identified with the in- terests of Ruyle township. He has served as road commissioner, and was for 11 years an officer of the cele- brated Jersey county fair, having acted as director, president and vice-president of the association. He owns a fine stock farm, comprising 660 acres, in Ruyle township, and is engaged in raising short horn cattle, Poland China hogs, and mutton sheep. He raises steers to export to the English market.

John V. Rhoads came to Jersey county with his parents, Josiah and

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

Susannah Rhoads, who settled on section 25, Ruyle township, in the year 1835. The subject of this sketch was born in Grayson county, Ky., Jan. 17, 1830. His childhood and youth were spent in this county, and Sept. 30, 1854, he was united in marriage with Nancy Elliott, daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth Elliott. They were the parents of five children -James Lewis, Silas, Hezekiah, Steph- en and Elijah B. Mrs. Rhoads died March 28, 1863, and is buried in the family cemetery. In Sept., 1864, Mr. Rhoads was married to Jeanetta Brown, daughter of James and Mary Brown. By this union there were eleven chil- dren-Mary Elizabeth, Susannah, Em- ma Matilda, Katie Ann (deceased), Jeanetta, John William, Charles B., Lawson, Josiah (deceased), Earnest E. (deceased), and Grace Ann. Mr. Rhoads owns a large and valuable farm, comprising 320 aeres, on section 25, and is engaged in general farming. He has served as school trustee for some time, and as school director for a num- ber of years. He has been a member of the United Baptist church for 37 years, and is trustee and deacon of the church at Kemper, and belongs to the Fidelity lodge of the Masonic frater- nity. Mr. Rhoads has been identified with Ruyle township and Jersey coun- ty for over half a century, and is now a prominent and honored citizen. His father, Josiah Rhoads, was born in Hardin county, Ky., in the year 1790, and died in Jersey county, in 1859. ITis mother. Susannah Rhoads, was born in Maryland in 1788, and died here in 1872. Both were for many years con- sistent members of the Baptist church. They are buried in the family

cemetery, which is located on Mr. Rhoads' farm.

John Twitchel (deceased) was born in Weybridge, Addison county, Ver- mont, on the 30th day of May, 1798. He lived with his mother until the time of his marriage, March 16, 1818, to Anna Sanford. He then moved to New Haven. In 1831 he came to Illinois and settled on Apple Creek prairie, removing from thence to what is now Jersey county, in 1833. He entered land on Secs. 13 and 14, T. 9, R. 10. On Aug. 10, 1833, Mr. Twitchel died. His widow is still living, and now resides with her son, Gaston D. Twitchel. They were the parents of eight children-Gaston D., Mary Ann, Lydia, Sydney, Loraine, Ann Jeannette, who died June 25, 1827; Loretta, who was married to Nathan Chamberlain, and died October 18, 1880· and Silva Jane, who was the wife of John Ryan, and died June 24, 1881.

Gaston D. Twitchel was born in Wey- bridge, Addison county, Vt., Jan. 1, 1819. He came to Illinois with his parents when in his 12th year, and grew to manhood on the farm where he now re- sides, having been identified with this township for over half a century. He has devoted his attention to farming and is the owner of 240 acres of land. Mrs. Twitchel is a member of the Congrega- tional church. Mr. Twitchel carried the first mail through from Alton to Jacksonville on the Jacksonville and Alton road, shortly after that road was laid out. He acted as mail carrier one winter, making one round trip a week, occupying two days in going each way. He traveled on horseback, and was em- ployed by the contractor, whose name was Strong.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

John C. Dannels was born near Kane, Greene county, Ill., on Nov. 4, 1826. Hle is a son of Walker and Martha Dan- nels. When John was very young his father, Walker Dannels, died, and he went to live with his sister, Mrs. Tomp- kins, with whom he remained until the date of his marriage, March 28, 1847, to Mary Palmer, daughter of William and Mary Palmer. Mr. and Mrs. Dannels were the parents of seven children- Laura R., born Aug. 8, 1848, now the wife of V. L. Dodge, of this township; William W., born Aug. 5, 1850, and died Aug. 6, 1851; John F., born Sept. 26, 1852; Charles F., born July 5, 1855; George P., born Feb. 28, 1858; Jessie F., born March 7, 1860; and Anna, born Feb. 24, 1867, living at home with her parents. Mr. Dannels owns a large farmi comprising 480 acres of land, with 240 acres on section 11, where he re- sides, and the same amount on section 10. He was one of the charter members of the Masonic lodge of Fidelity, and has acted as school director of the Del- aware school for a number of years. Ile is one of the substantial citizens of the township.

John Franklin Dannels, eldest son of John C. and Mary Dannels, was born Sept. 26, 1852, in Ruyle township. He was reared upon a farm, and received his education in the district school. He remained with his parents until his marriage, which took place Sept. 26, 1876, when he was united with Eliza- beth Frost. They have one child- Florence, born Aug. 9, 1877. Mr. Dan- nels owns 90 acres, 50 of which are located on section 11. where he resides, and 40 acres on section 10. He carries on general farming. He holds the office

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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 55

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