USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present > Part 41
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Lawyers .- Whether the brotherhood of this profession have had fears that the " woe " pronounced against them with so much emphasis, would be experienced in the event of any attempt to locate in our midst, we will not attempt to say ; but certain it is, that the whole fraternity have been wont " to shy around " us and fix their location elsewhere. The only exception to this is in the case of Messrs. Ward and Johnson, who have been rather timidly approaching us in that direction for some time ; and from the extreme modesty of their advent here, it is at least among the possibilities of the future that they may yet succeed in effecting a permanent lodgment, and thus become the first of the sons of Solon and Lycurgus to instruct the present generation in the intricacies of our State and national jurisprudence. Success to them.
Teachers .- For some years the vocation of the public instructor of the young, has been justly regarded as constituting the fourth of the learned professions though not recognized here to any considerable extent, owing probably, among other causes, to the fact, that most of those who have acted in that capacity here, have been rather a nomadic brotherhood, making their calling rather a kind of stepping stone to something else, than a profession to be followed through life ; and to the
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additional fact that not sufficient inducement, in the way of compensa- tion, has been offered to justify permanent engagement in this direction. When these obstacles shall be removed, it is to be hoped that our schools of all grades will become more efficient; and certain it is, that the pro- fession of the devoted teachers will thereby be greatly ennobled.
NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper ever started in Greenfield was the Greenfield Independent, by Morton & Pickett, in the Spring of 1869. These gentle- men had apparently sufficient encouragement, and the business ran along smoothly when Morton collected the greater part of the outstanding debts, borrowed considerable sums on the good name of the Independent, and left for parts unknown. He has not been heard from since. W. T. Pickett, his partner, he left with the press and office and the company's indebtedness to settle. At this the Independent ceased. Mr. Pickett still continued in the office and published semi-spasmodically a very spicy sheet called the Comet ; this only lasted a few months. In the Spring of 1870 the outfit was sold to one A. G. Meacham, a gentleman of literary tastes and some knowledge of journalism, who almost immedi- ately took into partnership with himself a most excellent practical printer, named Milton, and the Locomotive was started under the firm name of Meacham & Milton. The paper was conducted very acceptable by these gentlemen until they dissolved, and Meacham left. Milton started a Afterward W. T. branch paper at Brighton and another at Winchester.
Pickett became a partner of Mr. Milton in the Locomotive, and the paper was for a time issued twice a week. Later the subscription list and good will was sold to Mr. C. H. Johnson, at that time the publisher of the White Hall Register. This transfer occurred in the year 1874. At the time of the starting of the Brighton and Winchester papers the press was moved to Brighton, and no newspaper was printed in Greenfield until Walker brought a press and general outfit from Carlinville, in the Spring of 1875, and began the publication of the Greenfield News. This was decidedly a spicy, independent sheet, but like the others was of short life. The office was left in the hands of his sureties, and remained idle some months, when Byron Orr and another, John Walker, leased the office and began the publication of the Greenfield Dispatch. Walker was only identified with the Dispatch a few days, when he turned over his interest to Orr. The latter continued its publication a few months and sold out to W. T. Pickett, one of the original owners of the Independent. Mr. Pickett continued the publication of the Dispatch until May 12, 1877, with not very encouraging prospects ahead, and finally sold his interest to Mr. Farris, who at that time was publishing the Greene County Democrat, at White Hall, Ills. After this the office remained idle until July 7, 1877, when Mr. R. D. Suddeth leased it and started the paper known as the Greene County Republican, and continued its publication until March 23, 1878, when the Greenfield Printing Company purchased and took possession of the entire outfit and began the publication of the Greenfield Weekly Argus, with W. W. Haven as editor and manager, which, consid- ering the numerous changes and failures in Greenfield journalism during the past ten years, is an eminent success. On the 1st of January, 1879, the Argus claimed over 500 bona fide subscribers.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
PATRIOTIC RECORD.
That our citizens have always been wont to listen to and obey the call of their country in the hour of her peril will clearly appear from the fact, that we have been represented in all the wars in which she has en- gaged since she commenced her existence as an independent nation.
Beginning with the war of 1812, the names of the late Capt. Josiah Caswell, Sr. and Jr., and Isaac Barton, Sr., appear as prominent among those who participated in that struggle.
In the war with Mexico in 1848 ; Harvey Middleton, Richard D. Gill and Milton G. Smith took part under Gen. Scott in his heroic march from Vera Cruz to the City of the Montezumas.
But it was in the war of the Rebellion that our patriotism appears to the best advantage. When a call was made for volunteers in the very beginning of the war, our citizens responded with an alacrity truly com- mendable. All classes vied with each other in making up a full com- pany, and the priest at the altar, the Rev. T. J. Bryant, laying aside his sacred calling, went forth as its commanding officer, early to return, how- ever, with honorable scars in the service of his country.
This was followed, at different intervals by the other companies made up of volunteers in and around this point commanded by Capt. Jackson Drennan, Capt. Geo. H. English and Rev. Benj. Newman respec- tively. These did valiant service on the field of battle, as the number that fell and the scars received eloquently testify. The case of Wm. H. Davidson the younger son of " Aunt Margaret," may be mentioned as of peculiar interest :- Enlisting in May 1861, he returned home sick in October of the same year, to be nursed by mother and sister through the following Winter. No sooner had he fully recovered, than he returned to the army and was in the battle of Shiloh ; he performed his duty in that terrible engagement in helping to drive the enemy from the field, when a fatal ball sped its way to his heart, causing him to expire in a few moments.
Many others sacrificed their lives upon the altar of their country's good, among whom may be mentioned, J. L. Abbot, Lieut. J. M. Mat- lock, N. B. and Thos. Kemper, brothers of Mrs. Wm. Haven, etc., etc. Of the many who lived to return home, may be noticed W. G. Secor, Abram Belknap, John Roach and his two sons Wm. and David, Alex- ander Hall, Josiah Caswell, Jr., John D. Caswell, A. G. Kinkead, Jas. Boring and Isaac Barton, Jr., the two last of whom learned something of the terrible horrors of Andersonville, that plague-spot upon modern civilization, which should and doubtless will consign its originators to im- perishable infamy.
Although it can not be said that all of the four companions belonged to this point, yet the patriotism that inspired the movement of send- ing them to the field of operations, had its home here ; and therefore we are justly entitled to a very large share of the credit of so doing. Such being the case, it may well be questioned whether another place in the Union, of the same magnitude, can be found so fully represented as Green- field, Ill., or whose patriotism was more conspicuously displayed in the dark hours of its country's extremity. Thus may it ever be; and if, in coming years, Rebellion shall show its hideous head again, may it be
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found that others, in still greater numbers, prompted by the example thus furnished, will go forth to the field of conflict and drive the fiendish monster " to his own place."
SOCIETIES.
The following are the present officers of the various secret societies of the place :
Knights of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine .- J. W. Hutchin- son, Sovereign ; E. A. Belknap, Viceroy ; W. H. Ellis, Sen. General ; W. C. Day, Jun. General; W. P. Burroughs, Treasurer; W. P. Ennis, Recorder; W. A. Saylor, Prefect ; Saml. Dixon, Herald; J. H. Gray, High Prelate ; F. M. Hatler, Standard Bearer; W. L. Kincaid, Sentinel. A. F. & A. M .- J. W. Hutchinson, W. M .; E. A. Belknap, S. W .; E. B. Short, J. W .; W. P. Burroughs, Treas .; E. Woolley, Sec .; W. A. Saylor, Sen. Deacon ; J. T. Hallaway, Jun. Deacon ; H. H. Montgomery, Sen. Steward ; F. M. Hatler, Jun. Steward ; H. C. Myers, Tyler; D. H. Weisner, Chaplain.
I. O. O. F .- Henry Cress, N. G .; W. L. Finley, V. G .; J. A. Drake, R. S. ; John Wahl, Sr., Treasurer.
Knights of Honor .- W. M. Ward, Dictator; J. M. Cooper, Past Dictator; J. W. Piper, Vice Dictator ; Milus Drum, Assistant Dictator ; H. F. Martin, Reporter ; P. G. Mook, Financial Reporter; O. R. South- worth, Treasurer; Thos. Doyle, Guide; John Heiner, Guardian ; S. M. Wilhite, Sentinel ; B. F. Piper, Chaplain.
THE GREENFIELD CORNET BAND
Was organized February 9, 1875. Its members are: E. M. Middleton; Eb Cornet ; Ed. N. McPherson, Eb Cornet; David Clark, Eb Cornet ; Elmer Middleton, Bb Cornet ; Charles King, Bb Cornet; E. P. Metcalf, Eb Alto ; M. D. Powell, Eb Alto; Ebert Metcalf, Bb Tenor ; Elmer Rives, Bb Tenor ; William Kincaid, Baritone ; A. J. Dixon, Eb Bass; Robert Storer, Drum and Cymbals. From the time of organization the band has been under instruction of E. M. Middleton, rendering classical music of difficult grade.
WHITE HALL.
White Hall, one of the most flourishing towns in Southern Illinois, whose tile, sewer pipe and pottery finds its way all over the Union, was founded by David Barrow, on the 12th day of January, 1832. The town plat, which was recorded March 9, 1832, in the presence of J. J. Cavell, a justice of the peace, reveals the fact that White Hall was laid out on the southeast corner of section 35, in township 12, north of range 12 west. The plat was surveyed by Jeremiah Smith, Deputy Surveyor of Greene County, and contained forty-eight lots and four streets, known as West street, East street, Main street, and Church street.
There have since been the following additions to the town, viz: L. E. Worcester's first and second additions in 1860 and 1863 respectively; I. D. Vedder's addition in 1864; Bates' in 1873; A. F. Vedder's in 1873; Ayers' first, second and third additions, Culver's, Israel's, Milne's, Davis and Carr's first and second, and Drummond's.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
The first settlements in township 12, r. 12, in which White Hall is sit- uated, were probably made about the year 1820. About that time came Charles Kitchen, afterward a Baptist minister, Lewis Roberts, John Thompson, and others. The next year we hear of the arrival of Absa- lom Frames and William Hudson.
In 1830, David Barrow, who laid out the town of White Hall two years later, built a brick residence, which stood but a short distance from the present location of the house of W. B. Thaxton, Esq. The widow Holliday, who came from Virginia, was one of the first pioneers, and oc- cupied a log cabin on the site of Hon. L. T. Whiteside's residence.
As early as 1831, James Allen and Beverly Holliday were living on the present site of White Hall, the former of whom was the proprietor of a tavern, which was the only public house between Carrollton and Jack- sonville, except one near Manchester, or Burnt Hay Stack Spring, as it was called in those days. Mr. Holliday lived south of James Allen, in a small log cabin. He was the first post master and first merchant, and his dwelling was his place of business. It is related of him that he carried the mail in his hat, and when asked for letters would quietly doff his chapeau, and from its cavernous depths draw forth the musty looking missive desired. The mail route ran from Jacksonville to Alton, and thence to Springfield, and was known as the Springfield and St. Louis stage route. Mr. Holli- day was also a mill owner, having erected, in 1833, a carding mill, which was first run by foot power, steam being subsequently introduced. Near the same time Elijah Lot, the first magistrate, occupied the building now inhabited by Dr. Steere. He was the second post master of the neigh- borhood, and was an important man in the settlement.
A short time later David Hodge, who had for some time kept a small store, the first between Carrollton and Jacksonville, on Apple Creek prairie, some two miles west, moved his building into the new settlement. He took into partnership with him his sons, and so Hodge & Sons became the second merchants in White Hall. Mr. Hodge is described as a pro- gressive business man, who took a deep interest in everything affecting the public. His store was a small frame structure. He was the first man married in the county, so far as can be learned from the records. The next accession to the business firms of the place was Joshua Simonds, and after him came the firm of Jarboe & Hodge, who failed in business after three or four years. This firm rented the first roomy store room ever built in the town. The first commodious residence in said to have been erected by Nathan Kendall. Mr. Kendall owned a grist and saw mill some miles east of town.
As early as 1834, William Holliday, a native of Kentucky, was prac- ticing medicine in the new town. He was the first physician who resided within its limits. A few years later Dr. S. H. Culver, who still resides in White Hall, began to minister to the diseased.
In 1835, Samuel Higbee came to White Hall and opened a wagon shop. The next year he entered into partnership with William Carr, who did the iron work, while Mr. Higbee continued to shape the wooden portion of the wagons manufactured by the firm. Vincent Higbee, also a wagon maker, came from Kentucky not far from this time, but did not work at his trade. He opened a hotel, and prospered.
Calvin Hagar, a native of Vermont, settled about the year 1835, and
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
built a small business house, where he dealt in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes. His store was just north of the old Baptist Church, on the lot now occupied by Mytinger & Husted's building. Asbury Davis, who has since been prominently identified with the town as a merchant, was then a clerk for Mr. Hagar. When the latter died his industrious and aspiring clerk succeeded to the business. He soon built up a good trade, displaying rare tact and ability as a merchant.
From the statement of Wm. Cotter who settled in White Hall in 1832, and who is now living in the house built by him in 1835, I learn that as early as 1835, Michael Baker built a kiln and burnt stoneware in this vicinity. He was in business several years, and moved to Scott County, where he died.
Among other old merchants of the town were Hogan & Goodcup, in business in 1836. Ayers & Hogan in 1837. Josephus Akins, and Black- well & Halliday, at an earlier date.
White Hall was incorporated by act of legislature as a town in 1836. Among the officers then elected, Archibald Clark and Chester Swallow are remembered. The town then contained less than fifty voters. In 1838, a new charter was obtained with larger grants, and in 1869 the legislature adopted the charter under which the town government now exists. At that time Samuel Higbee was elected President, and P. Brantzel, W. B. Harper, S. Villinger, J. Smith, and G. S. Vosseller were chosen Trustees. For many years there has been a constant warfare in the town between the friends of license and those opposed to the legalized sale of intoxicating drinks. At present the latter are in the ascendency, and the present town board is strongly temperance, and consists of Presi- dent J. S. Judd, Trustees, Gilbert S. Vosseller, Milton C. Purdy, Joseph Rickart, Daniel Culbertson, and John T. McGuire.
In 1836, L. E. Worcester, afterward county judge and member of the State Senate, arrived from Vermont. He taught school for a while at Grafton, on the Mississippi River, and afterward near White Hall. He also acted as clerk and salesman for Chester Swallow, at that time a prominent citizen of the place, who also emigrated from Vermont.
Aaron Reno also kept a dry goods store on Main Street, which was destroyed by fire in after years. He was a man of excellent judgment, and was one of the leading merchants of the town for many years. 'Squire Archie, who never occupied an official position, but acquired that title in some unknown way, was another prominent figure of the past. He was a farmer, and lived in what is now Potts' addition to White Hall. He is supposed to have been the only owner of a cotton gin in this section of the State.
Among the clergymen of those days was the Rev. George Henderson, who was from Pennsylvania. His wife was a daughter of Gov. Hazlitt of that State. Mr. Henderson was a thorough going, wide-awake man, and held many religious meetings among the early settlers; Dr. Culver also frequently preached during those early days when the churches were built of logs and the pews of puncheons. Aaron Smith was another very noted pioneer preacher-one of the first to break the Bread of Life in the county. Fuller notice of him will be found in the chapter on the Baptists of the county.
It is related that about 1840, when the Mormons had gained consid-
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erable strength in Illinois and Missouri, and before they had been driven from the State, a disciple of that faith held forth in the first school house erected, in the western portion of the town. Quite a large congregation had gathered to listen to his platitudes, but he failed to interest his audi- tors. Young Jackson, afterward Dr. Jackson, a well known physician, and Samuel Higbee undertook to arouse some enthusiasm. They accord- ingly set up the cry of fire and started for the door with the congrega- tion at their heels, followed by the minister, who, discovering the alarm to be false, resumed his discourse. Soon the alarm of fire was again heard, bnt the preacher now comprehending the joke refused to be alarmed, whereat the young disturbers of the peace sang out, "Here he is !" " Catch him !" "Don't let him go!" "Let me at him !" etc., until, thoroughly frightened, the apostle of the new religion fled precipitously. He was last seen making his way across the prairie to a more hospitable community.
The first school house was erected on what is now Carrollton street, . and the first teacher, in the recollection of Mr. Asbury Davis, was a Mr. Barton. About this time also the Methodists partially erected a frame building for religious purposes. This was never finished and afterward served as a dwelling. It was at one time used as a school house.
The first lawyer in the town was D. Lambert, who came from Jack- sonville.
Henry Fitch, a native of New York, now residing in California, and one of the projectors of the Union Pacific Railroad, kept a small store in the new town. He subsequently sold out to Dr. Drish, who was for a long time identified with the interests of White Hall. Goodcup & Mallard were also engaged in business here before 1840. A man named Hale opened the first harness shop, near where now stands the Masonic Hall. He transacted a moderate business for several years.
Before 1840 the town contained from 30 to 45 buildings, mostly frame, and some 300 inhabitants. Its growth was very rapid, and the place had acquired considerable commercial importance as a village as early as 1837. The wagon manufactories of which, as we have seen, Messrs. Carr & Higbee were the pioneers, considerably contributed to this end.
Ross B. Hughes formerly kept the hotel now owned and occupied by Mrs. Mary Amos, and known as the White Hall House. John Munger was proprietor of a livery stable in the building erected by Judd Perry and now occupied by Grimes & Powell.
Near where Wm. McAvoy now lives stood a two story frame build- ing, built by members of the Methodist Church, and originally intended for a seminary, but afterward consecrated to religious worship.
Smith & Kendall built a grist-mill, about 1856. It is still standing and is occupied by Welch & Ruckel. This firm have thoroughly re- paired and refitted it, introduced new machinery of their own invention, and manufacture a grade of flour which is equal to the best. They are doing a large business. Bates & Halliday afterward constructed a grist- mill, which was destroyed by fire about 1861, and never rebuilt. Colonel Charles Gregory built the first saw-mill and Bates & Daggett operated it.
Late in 1871 the town was visited by a very severe conflagration, which swept away the greater part of the most valuable buildings in the
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place. The following are among the merchants who were in business then and suffered loss : Asbury Davis, S. D. Chapin, D. Hackney, James Israel, George B. Danforth, and others. Since the fire substantial struc- tures have been erected by Brantzell Bros., E. C. Clement, A. D. Chapin, Aaron F. Vedder, D. Hackney, Bridges & Worcester, James Israel, John Spangenberg, George B. Danforth, Lewis Oswald.
After the fire, David Pierson, Esq., of Carrollton, erected the building now occupied by North, Wales & Co., and known as the People's Bank. A stock company, consisting of L. E. Worcester, Simeon Ross, and others, erected the handsome structure known as Union Hall. This is one of the finest buildings in the county, and is admirably fitted up with seats, commodious stage, etc., for the purposes of an opera house.
White Hall now contains about 1,800 inhabitants, and is one of the most active and prosperous towns in the State. There are eight physi- cians, Doctors L. A. Brewster, S. H. Culver, A. W. Foreman, H. W. Chapman, H. B. Shirley, A. Bowman, E. Thomas Moore, and James F. Potts ; one dentist, T. W. Prichett; two attorneys, Mark Meyerstein and Freeman E. Huddle.
CHURCHES.
The Baptist Church .- As early as 1823, religious services were held in private houses near the present site of White Hall, Aaron Smith, Charles Kitchen, Gorham Holmes, and John Davidson, and other Baptist ministers officiating. In October, 1826, David R. Chance was a preacher in this region, and his successors were Alvin Bailey, Calvin Greenleaf, Joel Sweet, W. H. Briggs, H. T. Chilton, and B. B. Hamilton, who has. been pastor of the White Hall church for the past twenty years. In 1827, the Carrollton Baptist Association was organized near the present town of White Hall. The old records of the White Hall Baptist Church show that it was organized on the 7th of October, 1826, by Rev. David Chance, with the following as its first members: Samuel Rogers, Eliza- beth Lee, Sally Hicks, Abigail Daggett, Abraham James, Polly Rogers, and Abigail Lee. At this time the following persons were baptised and united with the church : Chauncey Lee, Aaron Hicks, and Christian Harper. The present church was built in 1838, at at a cost of $1,500. The organization now contains fifty members.
Presbyterian. - The Presbyterians for many years held religious services in the old Baptist Church, and were organized as a religious body as early as 1829. They united with the Baptists in the erection of an edifice, and held joint services in it for a number of years. In 1870 the church was reorganized, and during the year ground was broken for the building of the present commodious house of worship. The early ministers of this body can not all be remembered, but the statement is made by James Cochran that Rev. George C. Woods and Rev. H. Barr frequently preached to the church. The Rev. P. S. Van Nest has been the pastor for a number of years, but he resigned the position in March, 1879, and the church is at present without a head. The present member- ship of the church numbers forty. The Sunday School contains 120 pupils, James Cochran, Superintendent. The church property is valued at $10,000, the seating capacity of the building, 300. W. W. Arnold, James Cochran, and S. S. Arnold, were the prime movers in the church organization.
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Methodists .- The Methodists were a powerful denomination in this region, as early in 1831, although their services were held almost exclu- sively in private houses or in the open air. In 1832, a meeting house was erected on Apple Creek Prairie. It was a small frame building and one of the first erected by this denomination in the county. In 1835, this religious body constructed a frame church on what is now Carrollton Street and for a time the Rev. Van Cleve acted as preacher. The mem- bers were some twenty-five in number. In after years Dr. S. H. Culver officiated as a local preacher. This building was sold for school purposes in 1840, and some thirty years ago a large frame edifice was erected. Here the congregation worshiped until the completion of the magnificent brick structure on Main Street in 1872. This church has a seating capa- city of 400 and cost originally $25,000. Its present estimated value is about $15,000. M. W. Everhart was stationed here in 1877 and still re- mains. The present membership of the church is 100 and the Sunday School contains 150 pupils. The stewards are : Peter Roodhouse, P. J. Bates, J. H. Stubblefield, J. N. King, A. M. Henderson, Geo. P. Whar- ton and H. Black. Frank Peter is assistant superintendent of the Sun- day School.
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