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 62

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 62

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The elevator now owned by Massey & Carlin, was built in 1865, by C. T. Edee, who ran it for some two or three years, when it was purchased by the present proprietors. It is 25x40 feet in ground area, and cost, when built, about $5,000.

William H. Coulthard was born in Ohio, in 1842. He is a son of John and Susan (Hardesty) Coulthard. The lat- ter died while he was an infant, and his father subsequently re-married. When William was two years old he moved with his parents to Kentucky, and there lived till the close of the war, in 1865.

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

During the war he served 14 months in the 14th Ky. Cav., and was several times taken prisoner by guerrilla bands. In 1865 he returned to Ohio. where for four years he followed the occupation of farming. He then removed to Illi- nois, and located in Greene county, where he resided till 1874. At that date he came to Jerseyville and took charge of an elevator, in which he has since continued in this city, with the excep- tion of one year, during which he was in the same business in East St. Louis. He was married in 1864 to Elizabeth M. Terry, a native of Kentucky. They have three children, Ida L., Eva A. and Halun P. Mrs. Coulthard is a member of the Baptist church. Mr. Coulthard is a member of the G. A. R. His father, John Coulthard, died in 1869.

The elevator firm of E. O. Stannard & Co., is composed of E. O. Stannard and E. P. Bronson, both residents of St. Louis. The elevator building is owned by Mr. Stannard, and he has the controlling interest in the business, Mr. Bronson having a one-fifth interest. J. H. Duffield has the management of their affairs here.

What is known as the Cockrell eleva- tor is now owned by J. M. Valentine, of Rockbridge, Greene county, and was purchased by him in May, 1884, of E. Cockrell, who had operated it since 1871. The building was erected by Geo. C. Cockrell, in 1867, at a cost of about $7,000. It was originally 25x40 feet on the ground, but an addition of the same size has since been added. George Cockrell ran it until 1869 alone, but in that year admitted E. Cockrell as part- ner, and they operated there until 1871,

when George disposed of his interest to his partner. Previous to the erection of this building another elevator had been built in 1865, by George C. Cock- rell and Charles Stiner, but which was subsequently destroyed by fire.

MILLS.

The first mill at Jerseyville was a wind-mill, constructed below town, but now within the city limits. It was built by James Garesche, about the year 1839. It was operated mostly by Henry Schaff.

The old Dodson mill, which has lately ceased operations, was built about 1851, by a man named Young. The next proprietor was named Roberts. He was succeeded by Turner & Whiteneck. This firm continued for awhile, and then changed to Turner & VanPelt. After their retirement from the busi- ness, they leased the property to Remer & Paris. They ran it until the owners sold to N. L. Adams. He operated the mill until 1873, when Theodore Dodson purchased it. W. D. Curtis was after- ward admitted to the firm, and still remains therein, in the new mill. The old building is 36x50 feet in dimensions, and two and one-half stories in height. When Dodson bought the property, he completely remodeled it. Its capacity was 125 barrels per day.

The inauguration of a new manufac- turing enterprise in a city, or the im- provement of an old one, is always a matter of interest and source of pride to the enterprising citizen. And especially is this true where the projectors of such improvement have spared no pains or expense in making their works first-class in every particular. In 1873, the Dod-

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

son brothers, Theodore and Frank M., came to Jerseyville to engage in the milling business. Theodore then pur- chased the N. L. Adams mill, and with himself as general manager, and Frank M. in charge of the business depart- ment, the mill and its products soon obtained a wide celebrity for the excellence of the manufacturered product, and the uniform standard main- tained. But, although the mill was generally considered a good one, and had received extensive additions and alterations in its equipment, it became unsatisfactory to the management, who took under consideration the project of erecting a new one in its stead, which should be a model in every respect. In the meantime, Theodore Dodson had associated with him in the business, Mr. W. D. Curtis, a well-known citizen of Jersey county. The firm selected for their new mill a location near the junction of the Wabash and Chicago & Alton railroads, and in close proximity to four streets. Excavations were made, and the construction of the building was commenced, early in 1884. There is a 10-foot basement, solidly constructed of heavy masonry, 2} feet thick at the bottom, and beveling to 2 feet, 2 inches at the top. On the splendid foundation thus secured are constructed the heavy brick walls. The brick portion adds two stories to the height. On top of this is the third principal, or mansard story. Each story is tall and roomy, as is also the basement, making the struc- ture, substantially, four stories in height. The main portion is 36x50 feet in ground area, while the engine-room annex is 36x20 feet. This annex is now but one story in height, but the founda-

tion is equally massive with that under the remainder of the building, so that it can, when desired, be carried up to the same height. Altogether, the building has a floor area of 7,920 feet. The supports for the interior of the build- ing are all laid on stone foundations, The main building of this fine mill has a slate roof on mansard story and top, while the engine-room has a metal roof. All in all, the edifice presents an exceedingly tasteful and handsome ap- pearance. All parts have had nearly a year to settle in, so that the machinery will set perfectly true. But the finish- ing of the mill, and its machinery equipment, are the leading features to the eye of the experienced miller. It is supplied, among the rest, with 12 sets of rolls, 17 bolting reels, four middlings purifiers, three dust collectors, one middlings detacher, one bran duster, three wheat cleaning machines, two flour packers, three centrifugal ma- chines, six scalping machines, 22 stands of elevators running from top to bottom of mill, with all necessary machinery to operate. These are the leading features in the machinery of the plant, though the belting and other fixtures are all first- class. All the machinery used is of the latest improved pattern, made by the best mill furnishers. The woodwork is all done with the utmost care, not a nail being used in it in the entire outfit, but everything in the wooden furnishing is clamped together with screws. The corners are all smoothly rounded and finished, and, covered with a neat coat of varnish, the wood work presents an appearance befitting the handsome machinery. The engine-room is equip- ped with a superior 75-horse power

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

engine, of St. Louis make. The engine took the first premium in its class at the great St. Louis fair. Steam is supplied from a five foot boiler, 16 feet in length. Hugh Montgomery has charge of the engine-room. A boiler 20 feet long and 40 inches in diameter, is used for a water-tank. About this mill there is a place for everything. and every- thing is in its place, every piece of machinery being so arranged as to get from it the largest and greatest amount of work in the shortest space of time. Although the mechanical con- trivances are on such a complete scale, yet 15 men at least are required to fully operate this mill. Its capacity is 200 barrels per day, but everything is so arranged that the output can be increased to 400 barrels of the finest flour per day. For putting the flour in barrels properly, there are two flour-paeking machines, each having a capacity for packing 20 barrels of flour per hour. The construc- tion and supply of the plant reflects the greatest credit on the Todds & Stan- ley Mill Furnishing Co., of St. Louis, who have taken especial pains with every department of this work. The total cost was not less than $35,000, on the plant alone. A side-track will be built, giving direct connection with the railroads near by. But a small propor- tion of the people of Jerseyville, even, have an adequate idea of the magnitude and importance of the Dodson mill.

Theodore Dodson was born in Jersey county, July 6, 1847, being a son of Aaron and Margaret (Biggers) Dodson. He resided with his parents upon a farm until 16 years of age. In 1864 he en- listed in Co. C., of the 61st III. Inf., and served till the end of the war. After

the war he worked at milling for Henry E. Dougherty, of Otterville, by whom he was employed about seven years. In 1873 he came to Jerseyville and pur- chased his present business. In 1884 he, in partnership with Mr. Curtis, erected the largest and best mill in Jersey county, mention of which is made elsewhere in this work. Mr. Dodson was married on the 7th of June, 1871, to Emma M. Noble, daughter of William and Thirza Noble. Mr. and Mrs. Dodson are the parents of four children, two of whom are living- Clarence and Theo. Mr. and Mrs. Dodson are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He is an ex- perienced miller, having been in the business for 19 years. He is the gen- eral manager of the firm, and as a busi- ness man is shrewd, energetic and enterprising.

Francis M. Dodson is a son of Aaron and Margaret (Biggers) Dodson, who came to Jersey county at an early date and settled in English township. Aaron Dodson is a native of Missouri, and, by profession, a minister of the gospel. He is now located at Otterville, in this county. His wife was born in Kentucky. The subject of this sketch was born in Jersey county, Nov. 14, 1842, and here reared upon a farm, remaining with his parents until he was 18 years old. In November, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C., of the 61st Ill. Inf., and served till the close of the war, participating in the battle of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, and other engagements. At the close of the war he returned to this county and located at Otterville, where he worked on a farm about two years. In 1869 he began learning the mason's

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

trade, and followed the same a few years. He came to Jerseyville in 1873, and was employed by his brother, Theodore Dodson, who purchased the flouring mill of N. L. Adams, and has since that date been engaged in the milling business. Mr. Dodson was married Nov. 30, 1873, to Hattie Hughes, daughter of Ephraim and Lucinda Hughes. They have two children-Nettie and Nellie (twins). Mr. and Mrs. Dodson are members of the Baptist church.

The grist mill south of the C. & A. R. R. depot, was built in 1866, by David R. Ross, at a cost of about $16,000. He operated it for about a year, when he sold it to L. D. Cory, who with various partners carried on the business until 1873, when the present proprietor, Charles Jacobs, purchased it.

BRICK YARD.

The brick yard east of the fair grounds was established, and commenced oper- ations in 1881. The business was com- menced by Henry Bayer, Charles Rutter and William Gambel. The establish- ment gives employment to about eight workmen, the brick being all hand- pressed.

NURSERIES.

The Vandenburg nursery is located in the northwestern part of Jerseyville, on the Fieldon road. The business was established in 1881, by Peter E. Vanden- burg, the present proprietor. His es- tablishment comprises 40 acres of land, and within its borders may be found every variety of fruit, shade or orna- inental tree, of use in this latitude, as well as all varieties of shrubs, flowers and all plants of all descriptions, usually

found in an establishment of this kind. He puts out each year about 5,000 trees, and finds profitable employment for four traveling salesmen, who represent the nursery in Jersey, Greene, Macou- pin, Madison and other counties. Mr. Vandenburg makes a specialty of small fruits, and his business in this line is represented by good figures.

Peter E. Vandenburg, the nursery man, was born in Green county, N. Y., in 1843. He is a son of Henry L. and Helen A. (Van Schaaek) Vanderburg, both natives of the state of New York. Henry L. Vandenburg now lives in Jer- seyville, but his wife died in 1873. Peter, during the war, enlisted in the 189th N. Y. Inf., and served nine months as a member of Co. F. He participated in the Petersburg campaign, and was in 14 battles and skirmishes. March 17, 1868, he was married to Josephine Lyon, a native of New York, who died in 1873, leaving three children-Ralph L. and Grace J. living at home, and Minnie C., in New York. Mr. Vandenburg was again married Feb, 17, 1876, to Ella J. Williams, a native of Connecticut. They have one child-Anna W. Mr. and Mrs. Vandenburg are members of the Presby- terian church. He belongs to the Knights of Honor.

The nursery business of Fenity & Merida was established in 1878, by F. C. Fenity. No change has occurred in the proprietorship since then, save the addition of S.J. Merida to the firm. Mr. Fenity manages the Jerseyville busi- ness.

YOUNG LADIES' SEMINARY.

We are indebted to L. M. Cutting for the following authentic and reliable ac- count of the institution:

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

In Jerseyville, the Young Ladies' Seminary occupied an important place in the educational history of the county for over half a decade. As early as 1849, Miss Mary Farley, sister of Dr. R. D. Farley, erected a large frame building on the northwest corner of Pleasant and Exchange streets, with the benevolent design of furnishing a con- venient suite of rooms for the higher education of girls. Miss Farley, once a pupil of Mary Lyons, founder of Mt .- Holyoke Seminary, and imbibing some- thing of the spirit of her late instructor, did what she could to encourage a pri- vate school for young ladies in the new building. She finally induced Miss Vir- ginia A. Corbett to undertake a select school, which was well sustained for about six years. Miss Corbett soon after married Isaac Harbett, and now resides in Chesterfield, Ill. She was succeeded in the school by two young ladies-Miss Seraph A. Hall and Miss Ruth Hoppin, both graduates of Mt. Holyoke Semi- nary, Massachusetts. They were excel- lent teachers, and did much good work in their school, which closed in 1858. Miss Hall married a Mr. Atkinson, and resides in Florida; Miss Hoppin is still teaching in the east.

In the autumn of 1856, Mrs. L. M. Cutting accompanied her husband from their New England home to Jerseyville, for the benefit of his health. Before their marriage, Mrs. Cutting had been a successful teacher in New England and New York for several years, and seemed to have a remarkable control over the mind and will of the young, which gave her success in large schools, where male teachers had repeatedly failed. At the early age of 13, she secured a certificate

of high grade for teaching, from the school authorities in New York, after a rigid examination. Soon after her arrival in Jerseyville, a few influential friends who knew her history, directed Mrs. Cutting's attention to the school above mentioned, and persuaded her to utilize it as the nucleus of a young ladies' seminary, where, under her management, girls might obtain more advanced and thorough education in the higher English, French and Latin languages, vocal and instrumental mu- sic, painting and drawing. Mrs. Cut- ting readily undertook the task, and established the school, so widely known as the Jerseyville Young Ladies' Sem- inary, a purely private enterprise, and conducted it with such energy and perse- verence as was necessary to make it a success. It is not too much to say, that, hundreds of ladies-wives and mothers, in Jersey county and other places-received culture in this school, which contributed, in a large degree, to make their homes refined and happy. The success of the school was due, not only to the abilities of Mrs. Cutting, but to her skill in selecting a corps of assistants, who did not disappoint the high expectations of the public. A brief reference to such, and what has become of them, will be of interest to very many of the readers of this his- tory. In the autumn of 1857, she started a primary department, teaching, her- self, in the lower rooms of the seminary building. In the autumn of 1858, Kate Foote, a sister of Rev. Dr. C. II. Foote, and graduate of the Allen Seminary, Rochester, N. Y., assisted her in the advance department, remaining two years; she afterward taught at Bath, on

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

the Hudson, and now resides in Pough- keepsie, N. Y.

In the fall of 1860, Miss Hannah M. Henderson, a successful teacher in Massachusetts, a sister of Mrs. Cutting, came to Jerseyville, and took charge of the primary department of this semin- ary, and remained in this connection until 1870, when she married Hon. David E. Beaty, of this county, and now resides on a farm near Jerseyville.

In 1860, Mrs. Cutting secured, also, the services of Miss Jennie V. A. Vos- burgh, of Hudson, N. Y., a graduate of Peaks' Seminary, in that city. Miss Vosburgh taught the French and Latin classes and assisted in the English studies. She retired after the second year; taught afterwards in New York, and died of consumption, Feb. 6, 1877.

From 1860 to 1862, Miss Ella V. Mc- Gannon taught vocal and instrumental music. She afterwards married Will HI. Callender, and now resides in St. Louis, where she holds a high rank as soprano singer in church choirs.

In 1861 and 1862, Miss Maria Black- burn, daughter of the late A. M. Black- burn, and grand-daughter of Rev. Dr. Gideon Blackburn, founder of Blackburn University, taught instrumental music in the school. She afterwards taught music in the Monticello Seminary. In 1868, she married M. G. Noyes, and died in Carlinville, in 1872.

In the fall of 1862, Miss Mary E. Ely, an accomplished and successful teacher, from Pittsfield, Mass., joined Mrs. Cuttings' corps of teachers, and held the position of instructor of languages and higher English branches, until the summer of 1864. She afterwards married Charles Rollins, a lawyer of Tipton, Ia.,

where she taught several years. She died in 1879, leaving two sons.

Miss Hattie Gunnison, of Rochester, N. Y., gave instruction in the seminary from 1863 to 1867, upon the piano. She now resides in Cleveland, O

For two years, commencing in the fall of 1864, Selina Pierce, of Marietta, O., assisted in the advanced department of the seminary, and after a vacation of two years, returned and taught one year in the primary department, after which she held the position of lady principal of Almira College, at Green- ville, Ill., for seven years. She is now principal of high school at Marietta, O.

Ada C. Joy, a graduate of the Young Ladies' Seminary, at Granville, O., took charge of the advanced department in the fall of 1866, remaining one year, and after a vacation of one year, re- turned and continued her connection with the seminary until the summer of 1871. Miss Joy now holds the respon- sible position of associate principal of the Mount Carroll Seminary, this state, which she has held for over 12 years.

Miss A. Brumbach was associated with Mrs. Cutting's corps of teachers from the fall of 1866, until the summer of 1868, giving instruction in painting, drawing and languages. She was, after- ward, connected with this course of in- struction at Almira College, Greenville, Ill. She married a Mr. Winter, on the day the class of '79 graduated, and has sinee studied medicine with her hus- band, both of whom are now practicing their profession in Cincinnati, O.

In the autumn of 1867, Mrs. Cutting secured the assistance of Miss Julia T. MeKnight, in the musical department. The benefit of her instruction as a

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

pianist and cultured vocalist was en- joyed but one year, when she was mar- ried to Rev. Norman Fox, of St. Louis. She died in that city, Oct. 8, 1869, leav- ing one child.

Miss C. Belle Tuthill, a graduate of Mrs. Willard's school, Troy, N. Y., taught in the advanced department during the school year of 1868-1869. She has since married H. Barr, and they now reside on a farm near Quincy, Il.

It would occupy too much space, therefore no reference has been made to the individual merits of the somewhat remarkable corps of teachers selected by Mrs. Cutting, as her assistants. No teacher was accepted as an experi- ment, each assistant being selected on the merit of high attainments and an established record of success. In 1871 the enterprise was abandoned, while yet it enjoyed the full measure of popu- lar favor, for two causes-first, the pub- lic mind had ripened in regard to its duty to itself, and a scheme had ma- tured to erect a large public school building, with a high school, where young men could obtain an advanced education as well as young ladies; sec- ondly, Mrs. Cutting's health began to fail under the great stress put upon it, compelling her to give up all charge of the seminary. For 12 years the enter- prise had taxed her vitality, and mental and physical endurance to the utmost limit, and it is a subject of universal regret that her reward is a wrecked constitution. Gradually she became helpless from rheumatie gout, complete loss of nerve force, and for 12 years has been perfectly helpless, the care of loving friends. But she is com-

forted in her affliction, in the strength of an unsevered tie of affection, akin to that of a mother's, that still binds her to hundreds of pupils who have been under her charge, some now blooming matrons, some still in the heydey of youth and beauty.

RELIGIOUS.

Jerseyville has some nine religious organizations, nearly all of which are in a most excellent condition. Some of the church edifices are remarkably fine, both in architecture and internal fit- tings. For a full history of these re- ligious societies, the reader is referred to the chapter on Ecclesiastical history, in the first part of this volume.

POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice of Jerseyville was es- tablished about the year 1834, with Ed- ward M. Daley as first postmaster. He was succeeded in 1840 by David T. Bunnell, who held the position until 1844, when he gave way to l'erley Sillo- way. Charles HI. Roberts was the next incumbent, and was followed by Alex. B. Morean. In 1853 Charles H. Jack- son was appointed and served until 1858, when he was succeeded by Jacob E. Whiteneck. The latter gentleman held the office until the appointment of Thomas L. MeGill, in 1861. Mr. Me- Gill held the office but a short time, when his death occurred, and his wife succeeded him. John I. White was the next to occupy the position, but soon afterward resigned in favor of William Pitt, who held the office about two years. He was followed by Joseph H. Buffington, who held it two or three years. George II. Jackson then acted

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

as special agent for a while, and was afterward appointed, serving until 1869, when Jacob E. Whiteneck was again appointed. He continued in office until 1877, when he was succeeded by J. L. C. Richards, who held the office until Feb., 1882, since which time the office has been conducted by the present in- cumbent, William H Edgar.

Col. W. H. Edgar, one of the leading representatives of that well known family, was born on the 10th of Sept., 1840. He followed the fortunes of the family, as hereafter told, in his earlier years, and received excellent educational advantages. In his 21st year, he grad- uated from that well known institution of learning, the Illinois College, at Jacksonville, Ill., in June, 1861. During the latter part of his school years, the embers of discord, which had so long been glowing in the south, broke forth in the flame of civil war. Then came the trial of patriotism. Our subject, though just out of school, was soon in the ranks, as a private soldier in the 33d Ill. Inf. Later on, we find him a second lieutenant in the 32d Ill. Inf. Both as private and officer, he did his duty as a soldier. After leaving the service, he read law in Judge Park's office, at Aurora, Ill., and was admitted to the bar in 1863. He became connected with the Jerseyville Republican in 1869, His connection with this paper, and later, with the Republican-Examiner, is noted in connection with their history, in the Press chapter. In 1876 he was commis- sioned as colonel and aid-de-camp to Gov. Cullom. He has been for a num- ber of years prominent in political mat- ters, occupying a leading place in the councils of the republican party. In

1880 he contested the seat in congress from the 11th Ill. district, with Gen. Singleton, and although opposed by such a popular man, he not only received the entire support of his party, but made large gains in the city of Quincy, the home of his opponent. He has been a member of the republican central com- mittee, of Jersey county, since coming to reside here, and has been its chair- man for the past four years. He has also been connected with the schools of the city as a member of the board of education. Col. Edgar received his ap- pointment as postmaster of Jerseyville from President Arthur, in 1882, and con- tinued to hold that position, in a satis- factory manner, to the end of his term.

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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 62

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