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 61
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
man of energy and good judgment in business matters, he acquired the pos- session of a handsome competence, the result of a life of frugality and perse- verance. Until 1866, agricultural pur- suits and stock-growing engrossed most of his time and attention, and during that year he formed a partnership with George R. Swallow, and together they opened quite an extensive banking house in Jerseyville, in which business he was constantly engaged until his death, Nov. 21, 1883, being president of the First National Bank at that time, a position he had held since its organi- zation. He was among the earlier set- thers of the county, and was always one of its most liberal, public spirited and enterprising citizens, being prominently connected with, and rendering liberal support to, many of the most important improvements in the community. In politics Mr. Cross was always a strong adherent to the principles of the demo- cratic party, and religiously, he and his family were always prominent attend- ants, and liberal supporters of the Presbyterian church. His wife is still living and resides upon the old home- stead.
Andrew Wilson Cross, son of Hugh N. and Antoinette (Van Horne) Cross, was born May 25, 1845, five miles southeast of the then village of Jerseyville, Ill. At this place he resided with his par- ents until Feb. 21, 1855, when they re- moved to the old residence, three miles north of said village, or town. Until 20 years of age, his life was spent upon a farm, where he was variously employed in duties incident to agricultural pur- suits. He obtained his education in the schools of Jerseyville, two winters at
Jacksonville, and a five-months' com- mercial course at Eastman's college, in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In 1866 he entered Cross & Swallow's bank as a clerk, con- tinuing until 1870, when, in company with his father, and Major W. E. Car- lin, he established the first bank at Mt. Vernon, Ill. In 1872 he sold his interest in the bank at Mt. Vernon, and returned to Jerseyville, when the firm of Cross & Swallow was succeeded by Cross, Carlin & Co., of which firm he was a member, Col. Swallow, now treasurer of the state of Colorado, then emigrat- ing to that state. It is to be said of Cross & Swallow that they never had a written article of co-partnership, did not publish any notice of dissolution, and that there was never a dissenting word between them. In 1876 he was elected assistant cashier of the First National bank of this city, which insti- tution he assisted in organizing. In 1880 he was elected cashier, and when his father died, in 1883, he was unani- mously called by the board of directors to accept the presidency, which position he still retains. He was one of the principals in the building of the Jersey- ville elevator, and the St. Louis, Jer- seyville & Springfield railroad, and as its treasurer, furnished credit and money in large amounts until the road was completed, to be turned over to the lessees. His father's credit and excel- lent reputation put him in a position to make money, and he availed himself of the opportunity. He has made his own money, so that he is one of the solid men of the city, well worthy for the position of bank president. In 1872 he was married to Annie Barr, daughter of John C. and Mary W. Barr, residents
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
of Jerseyville since 1840. She is a grad- uate of the renowned Monticello Semi- mary, and holds elose allegiance to her many classmates. Mr. and Mrs. Cross have one child-Ida. They are mem- bers of the Presbyterian society. He is a member of the board of trustees, and was one of the building committee of the present commodious church of that organization, and attests, with that of others, his love of the cause, publie spirit and good judgment.
The banking house of Bowman & Ware, was established by William Shep- hard & Co., in Feb., 1866. In Dee., 1877, this firm was succeeded by that of William Shephard & Son, and in 1875, by the present firm. They do a general banking business, attend to collections, ete.
James R. Colean, teller in the bank of Bowman & Ware, in this eity, is a son of Nelson and Sarah J. (Waddle) Colean, natives of Illinois. He was born in Jersey county, March 13, 1857. He received a good education, attending the district schools of Jersey county, and in 1871 and 1872, Browder's Insti tute, at Olmstead, Ky., and two years at Blackburn University, at Carlinville. After completing his education he re- turned to Jerseyville, and, on June 1, 1875, entered the employ of Bowman & Ware, with whom he has since re- mained. In the spring of 1879 he was appointed by J. I. McGready, (who was then mayor of Jerseyville,) city elerk and treasurer, which office he held two years, being, at the time of his appoint- ment, only 22 years of age. Mr. Colean is a young man of good ability and is highly popular with the best eitizens of Jersey county. He was married Dee.
11, 1883, to Tilla, daughter of Samuel and Mary Bothwell, of Jerseyville.
The banking house of M. E. Bagley was organized Sept. 6, 1881, by W. E. Carlin and M. E. Bagley. The business was conducted under the firm name of Carlin & Bagley until March 1, 1885, when M. E. Bagley became sole pro- prietor and manager of the business.
The banking house of J. A. Shephard & Co. was established the 1st of Nov., 1883, by the present proprietors. The firm consists of John A., A. M., and H. A. Shephard. This is a private bank, and one of the best of its kind in this locality, if not in this part of the state. A general banking business is transacted, collections made, loans ne- gotiated, etc. The bank is also the office of the county treasurer, the senior Mr. Shephard being the present treasurer of the county.
Hon. William Shephard is a native of Yorkshire, England, and was born in the town of Markington, near Ripon, August 10, 1816 At the age of 16, he immigrated to this country with his father, William Shephard, landing at New York in June, 1832, and settling at Trenton. N. J. He was a shoemaker by trade, at which occupation he engaged for a short time, but soon turned his at- tention to canal and railroad enterprises. He began this branch of industry by working as a day laborer on the Raritan canal, in New Jersey. He subsequently became a contractor on a limited scale, and removed to Lancaster county, Penn., where he remained about three years, and built the tunnel on the Harrisburg and Laneaster road. In the spring of 1838, he moved west, and for a short time was located in St. Louis, where he
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
clerked in a livery stable. In autumn 1866 he was elected state senator from the district composed of the counties of Jersey, Greene, Calhoun, Scott and Pike, by the democratic party, and was re-elected in 1870, but resigned in 1871. In 1866 he established a private bank- ing house in Jerseyville, which he con- ducted nine years with great success, and which he sold out in June, 1875. In 1871 he was engaged largely in build- ing railroads in Texas, in company with Col. J. A. Henry, of Joliet, and J. J. Mitchell, of St. Louis, where they built 300 miles of the Houston & Great Northern railroad. He was a gentle- man of rare mental endowments, and of mature judgment, entirely self-made and eminently successful as a business man. He had, moreover, the respect, esteem and confidence of all who knew him, and especially of the citizens of Jerseyville, where he resided for 36 years. He died at his home in the midst of his family, Aug. 12, 1875. He was a devout member of the Roman Catholic faith, and has ever been a lib- eral supporter of the institutions of that church. He amassed a great fortune of over $300,000. Few men have had a more respectable and honorable career. His surviving sons are-John A., a banker; and Harry A., also banker. The daughters are all living, and Mrs. Shephard still survives. Mr. Shephard was a man of finer financial capacity than was ever known in this part of the state. of the same year, he moved to Coles county, Ill., where, soon after, he be- came a contractor under the state internal improvement system, on the Central Branch R. R., now a part of the Indianapolis R. R. His partners in this enterprise were Richard Johnson and David Dunsdon, both Englishmen, and old settlers of Jersey county. After the completion of his contract, Mr. Shephard became a citizen of Jersey county. Ilis next contraet was the ex- cavation of the bluff at Grafton, pre- paratory to the making of a county road. He subsequently carried on bus- iness as a shoemaker, at Jerseyville. In March 1840, he was married to Ann Maria Gross, of Dauphin county, Penn. She was the daughter of Adam and Elizabeth Gross. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living -- two boys and five girls. The oldest son, Wm. V., died Feb. 15, 1875, in the 31st year of his age. The third son, Francis B., died in St. Louis while at- tending law school, April 28, 1876, in the 24th year of his age. He was a graduate of the Notre Dame University, Ind., and also of the Polytechnie Insti- tute, Troy, N. Y., and was a young man of great promise. In 1847 Mr. Shep- hard engaged in merchandising in Graf- ton, in which business he continued until 1852, when he obtained a contraet in connection with the building of the Missouri Pacific railroad. He was an original incorporator, and for many John Adam Shephard, treasurer of the county of Jersey, is a son of William and Ann Maria, (Gross) Shephard, and was born in Jerseyville, March 21, 1847. He was educated in a Catholic school years president of the Jacksonville, St. Louis & Chicago railroad, and built the Louisiana branch of that road a few years since, and also an extension of that road from Dwight to Streator. In |in St. Louis, including the classics, and
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
in his younger years was engaged in a store in Jerseyville. From 1860 to 1867, he was a book-keeper for his father. From 1872 to 1875, he was in the bank- ing business with his father, and was in the law and real estate business with A. A. Goodrich for three or four years. In the autumn of 1879, he was elected county treasurer to fill the unexpired term of Thomas O'Donnell. Mr. Shep- hard was re-elected in 1882, and is mak- ing a very acceptable and popular county official. He is a democrat in politics, as was his father before him, and it is but justice to say that all parties in Jersey county have un- bounded confidence in his integrity. The funds of the county could not be in safer hands. Mr. Shephard is quite publie spirited, and has been for a num- ber of years the treasurer of the Jersey county fair, a truly prosperous organi- zation. He is present alderman of the fourth ward, and has held that office a number of years. Jan. 16, 1878, he married llattie Ely, daughter of George I. Ely, of Jerseyville, and this union has been blessed with two ehildren, both daughters.
Henry A. Shephard, youngest son of William and Ann M. (Gross) Shephard, was born in Jerseyville, May 17, 1858. He was educated at Notre Dame, Ind., and the high school of Jerseyville, sub- sequently taking a commercial course at St. Louis. In 1881 he entered the em- ploy of Bowman & Ware, bankers, as clerk, serving them nine months. He then assisted his brother, John A. Shep- hard,in the office of county treasurer. In Nov., 1883, he engaged with his brother in banking, the firm being J. A. Shep- hard & Co., which hestill continues.
June 10, 1885, Mr. Shephard was mar- ried to Tillie Rivier (Allen). He is a democrat politieally, as was his father before him. His religious connection is with the Roman Catholic church.
A. W. Cadman was the first photog- rapher in Jerseyville. He located here about the year 1855, and remained some two years.
May & Wood came after Cadman. They remained in the photograph busi- ness here about two years.
Since then, there have been, in this line, the following: James Halsted, Mrs. Rinaker, De Lee, who was the first to make card photos, J. C. Strong, and R. C. Gledhill.
The only photograph gallery in the city, is conducted by R. C. Gledhill. He established the business in 1866, and has continued it ever since. His gallery is located over the store of Trepp & Schmieder.
Robert C. Gledhill was born in the city of Philadelphia, April 1, 1839. At the age of four months, his parents, Joseph and Emeline (Christy) Gledhill, took up the march to the setting sun, and settled in Jacksonville, Ill. His father here embarked in merchandising, but afterwards relinquished it for agri- culture. In 1849,Jos. Gledhill died, leav- ing seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the third. After re- ceiving as good an education as was obtainable in the common schools of those early days, he chose the profession of photography as his avocation in life. The first call for troops in 1861, by the lamented Lincoln, met with a ready response from him, and at the age of 21 years, he enlisted in Co. A, 10th Ill. Inf., under Col. Jas. D. Morgan, of
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
Quincy. He served three years and re- ceived merited promotions in the ser- vice. At the close of the war, he re- sumed his profession, removing to Jer- seyville, in 1866. de was married Feb. 18, 1868, to Mrs. Cora Strong, nee Dutcher, who was the mother of one son-Charles H. Strong, who is now 20 years of age, a graduate of the Jersey- ville High School, and the Jones' Com- mercial College, St. Louis. By their union there were two sons-Harry R. and Herbert, the former of whom is living, and who is 16 years of age. Her- bert died at the age of three and a half years. Mr. Gledhill has been eminently successful in his business aspirations, has acquired the confidence of the com- munity, and is a prominent member of the republican party in his county, He is a member of the First Baptist church, at Jerseyville, and also a member of the I. O. O. F.
HOTELS.
The building which yet retains the name of National Hotel, though it has ceased to be one except that rooms are let therein, is the oldest hotel building, now standing, in Jerseyville. Many happenings of interest in the early days of the city, had their scene within its walls, and more than one political measure had its origin in schemes con- cocted in its chambers. Leading politi- cians, lawyers, churchmen, aud other notables, made this house their stopping place when business called them hither, for the National was known as one of the most pleasant of hostelries in the days agone.
Before its erection, the need of ade- quate accommodations for the traveling public had long been felt. The matter
was thoroughly discussed, and finally a stock company was organized with shares of $100 each, for the erection of a hotel building. E. M. Daley was the leader in the movement of forming the company. Work was commenced in the spring of 1838, and the building proceeded until the frame work was done, and the house enclosed. At this point there came a lull. Doubts had all along existed in the minds of some of the investors as to the probability of the house becoming a paying institution when finished. When the construction of the edifice had reached the point mentioned, negotiations were had with John Frost, which culminated in the purchase of the property, as it then stood, by that gentleman. He finished the building, furnished it throughout, and opened it to the public with some display. He presided over it in the ca- pacity of host until 1846, when he sold out. E. M. Daley, who then became proprietor, leased the house to a man named Blackburn, who was its landlord for about two years. C. B. Fisher was the next to preside over the destinies of the National. It is impossible to give the succession of landlords of this his- toric structure, and the time each had possession, as it has passed from the memory of the old settlers, but from inquiry it is learned that Wm. Hawley, John Goff and James M. Young were also keepers of the inn. At present the National is owned by Bowman and Chapman, and is leased by A. C. Peck- ham, Jr.
The Jersey House was built about 1835, by Stephen Herron, a blacksmith. It was at that time much smaller, and was used as a private residence, although
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
they kept some boarders. After a time he opened it for the accomodation of the travelling public. After operating it for four years, he gave it up, and it became the property of the owners of the town site, Lott & Daley. Since that time it has been considerably en- larged, until now is a good sized house. Numerous have been the changes in the landlords who have presided over it, among whom were Harris Blanden, Dr. Dyke,-Parker and Henry C. Massey, the present owner. It has been used as a hotel or boarding house, until the summer of 1885, but is now used as a private residence.
The Commercial Hotel was erected during the summer of 1874, by Wallace Leigh and Alfred Brinton, at a cost of $15,000. The building is still owned by its original proprietors, but the hotel business is conducted by Wallace Leigh & Son.
W. H. Powell, the present landlord of the Erie House, took charge of it on the 1st day of Sept., 1882.
CARRIAGE FACTORY.
The carriage factory of George Egel- hoff, was established by that gentleman in 1860, in a building one block south of its present location. At that time the building was a small frame 30x40 feet in size, and is now used as a lum- ber ware room. Mr. Eglehoff carried on business here about eight years, when he purchased the present site of his manufactory, and erected the brick building on the corner, now used as office and store room. This structure is 40x50 feet in size, two stories high. In 1870, business had increased to such an extent that he was compelled to have
more room, and an addition 40x75 feet in size was therefore built. In 1874, another addition 40x75 feet in dimen- sion was added. Both of these were of brick, and two stories high. He also, the same year, bought additional prop= erty in the same block, and thereon erected frame sheds for coal, lumber, etc. He had, in 1868, erected the pres- ent frame warehouse 25x40 feet in size, and two stories high, immediately south of the present brick structure, and used it for the storage of agricultural imple- ments, the business of selling which he established at that time, and which is now operated by Egelhoff Bros. In 1881, a frame addition 25x75 feet in size, two stories high, with a sheet-iron roof, was erected, which is used for the stor- age of finished work. A 10-horse power engine furnishes the motive power for the machinery. Besides the buildings mentioned, there is a carriage repository across the street, which is 40x85 feet in size, frame. The entire business calls into requisition a capital of $35,000. Buggies, carriages, spring and farm wagons are all manufactured.
Oliver A. Tiff, general blacksmith, established business at his present stand on Main street, in Jerseyville, in 1856. He manufactures wagons, and does gen- eral repairing and horse-shoeing. Mr. Tiff was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., in 1832, and is a son of William and Anna (Gabrel) Tiff, both natives of New York. He spent his early life in his native state, where he learned his trade. In 1854 he came to Illinois, set- tling in Jersey county, which has since been his home. He was married in 1856 to Ann S. Ilorten, a native of Greene county, and by this union has
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
one child, Olive G., now the wife of John II. Richards, of Jerseyville. Mr. Tiff is a member of the I. O. O. F. and a useful and much respected citizen.
Peter Dolan, blacksmith, of Jersey- ville, is a son of Michael and Ann (McCormick) Dolan, natives of Ireland. Peter was born in New York City in 1832. His father having died in that city, he, when quite young, returned with his mother and brother to Ireland, where he remained until 1851, when he came back to the land of his birth, landing at New Orleans. Mr. Dolan was married in that city in 1855, to Maria Gorman, a native of Ireland, and came north in 1863, locating at Jersey- ville, Jersey county, Ill., where he now resides. His family consists of three children-Kate, wife of Richard Kiely, of Jerseyville; James and Mary, living with their parents. Mr. Dolan owns a shop, a residence, and three lots in this city. He has served several times as a member of the town board, and is a respectable citizen. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic church. His mother, Mrs. Ann Dolan, died in 1878.
JERSEYVILLE AGRICULTURAL WORKS.
The manufacture of agricultural im- plements was commenced in Jersey- ville in 1863, by Robert Newton and H. O. Goodrich, in partnership, under the firm title of Goodrich & Newton. They had in view the idea of supplying, with Jerseyville productions, the wants of a large scope of country surrounding the city, in the way of farming machinery. They purchased a frame building 24x36 feet in ground area, and two stories in height, located on the north side of
Prairie street, which they converted in- to a shop. In 1865 Mr. Newton became sole proprietor of the works. and on as- suming exclusive control, he erected, on the opposite side of the street, a three- story frame building, 40 feet wide by 60 in depth. This edifice was used as a warehouse, paint shop, etc., and for the setting up of machinery. Another building, 36x40 feet, was put up, to be used for the display and sale of ma- chines. In 1866, by the advent of Levi D. Cory into the business, the firm be- came Newton & Cory. The trade in- creased, and soon 20 men were employed in the establishment. In 1869, Mr. Newton became sole proprietor, and so continued until Nov., 1882, at which time a stock company was organized and incorporated for the purpose of carrying on the business. This association took the name of the Jerseyville Manufactur- ing Co. and started with a capital stock of 850,000. There were 17 stock- holders, as follows: Robert Newton, H. C. Massey, Col. W. H. Fulkerson, Ormond Hamilton, Bowman & Ware, Morris R. Locke, Joseph M. Page, John A. Shephard, Wallace Leigh, Levi D. Holliday, O. A. Snedeker, C. W. Enos, Elias Cockrell, A. K. Van Horne, J. S. Daniels and F. S. Vandervort. Col. W. H. Fulkerson was chosen pres .; H. . C Massey, V. P .; J. M. Page, sec .; Stephen H. Bowman, tres .; and Robert Newton, general manager. In April, 1885, Mr. Newton leased the works from the company, and he is now carrying on the business. He manu- factures the Davenport " New Model " sulky plow, and deals, also, in all kinds of agricultural machinery. The plow mentioned, has no superior,
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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.
and is the leading implement of the kind, manufactured by the J. I. Case works, at Racine, Wis. Mr. Davenport, the inventor, is a resident of Jersey- ville, and this fine machine is but one of his many valuable inventions. The business transacted by this institution ranges between $30,000 and $45,000 annually.
Robert Newton is a native of Man- chester, Eng., being born May 25, 1836. In 1840 his parents, Thomas and Anna Newton, emigrated to the United States, and soon after their arrival, settled in New Hampshire. They afterward re- moved to Providence, R. 1., where Rob- ert served an apprenticeship to learn the trade of machinist and engineer. He remained in Providence until 1857, then came west, and stopped first in St. Louis, but soon after came to Jersey- ville. Here he entered the employ of George Horton, who was engaged in the manufacture of farm machinery. Mr. Newton had charge of this business until 1863, at which time he, in partner- ship with H. O. Goodrich, established his present business. He was married, in Dee., 1865, to Sarah Cory, daughter of Joel Cory. They are the parents of four children-Albert, Mamie, Florence and Cornelia. Mr. Newton takes an active interest in polities, casting his vote with the democratic party. He is a public spirited citizen, and has lent a helping hand to many enterprises, both public and private, for the benefit of the church, society and the public generally. He is a member of the Baptist church, and a Royal Arch Mason. Ile was one of the original stockholders of the Jer- sey County Agricultural and Mechanical Association. Mr. Newton is a man gov-
erned in all of his actions by a high moral principle, and always endeavors to do what he considers to be right under all circumstances, and as a citizen is much respected and esteemed.
ELEVATORS.
The Jerseyville Elevator Co. began business in Dec., 1876. It was regu- larly incorporated, with a capital stock of $25,000. Officers were elected for the first term as follows: Hugh N. Cross, pres .; James A. Locke, vice-pres .; Walter E. Carlin, sec .; A. W. Cross, treas .; L. P. Squier, supt. The main building of this elevator is 66 feet in height, and it has a ground area of 30x60 feet. It is equipped with 31 bins, and has a storage capacity of 40,000 bushels. The first year it did business, 200,000 bushels of grain were handled by this company. In 1878 W. E. Carlin purchased the interest of Mr. Locke, and the following year that of A. W. Cross, thus owning three-fourths of it. In the spring of 1881, they sold it to E. O. Stannard, of St. Louis, who still operates it.
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