History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present, Part 42

Author: Clapp, Clement L., 1852- [from old catalog] comp
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago, Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd
Number of Pages: 790

USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present > Part 42

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Free Methodists .- The Free Methodists built a small church in 1875, on Bridgeport Street, now valued at $1,000. Rev. Mr. Manley was the first preacher and Rev. J. G. Templeton is the present minister. The church has but a small membership but is wide awake and flourishing.

SCHOOLS.

The White Hall Public School building was erected in 1867, at a cost of $22,000. In point of architectural appearance it does not rank with some others, but as a solid, substantial structure, it has no superior. The building is heated and ventilated on scientific principles. The grades are primary, intermediate, grammar and high school.

School Trustees, T. 12, R. 12-G. S. Vosseller, L. J. Patterson, Thomas M. Johnson. Treasurer, L. E. Worcester. Directors White Hall, A. W. Foreman, I. D. Vedder, L. A. Brewster. Teachers White Hall Schools, J. L. Shearer, principal, Mary Smith, Mrs. T. F. Ladd, Dora B. Foreman, Ada Vedder, Sarah Craig, Fannie Adams and Minnie Vedder. Janitor, E. K. Shirley. In connection with the school there is a well organized lyceum which meets each alternate Thursday night. Total number of pupils enrolled, 390.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

As early as 1868 a fire department was organized and consisted of a hook and ladder company. In 1878 the company was reorganized, with twenty members, and is now managed by the following officers: L. H. Wagoner, Foreman ; D. Boone, Assistant Foreman ; Charles McRea, 2d Assistant Foreman ; D. Vorhees, Secretary ; T. O'Gorman, Financial Secretary ; Isaac Powell, Treasurer. The company has a hook and lad- der truck, buckets and Babcock hose engine.

THE LIBRARY.

The White Hall Library Association was organized in January, 1876, by public subscription, and the following officers chosen : Rev. Hugh Lamont, President ; Dr. A. W. Foreman and E. J. Pearce, Vice-Presidents;

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Dr. T. W. Prichett, Secretary ; Isaac Powell, Treasurer ; George R. Adams, Librarian and J. S. Judd, J. E. Welch, Geo. Hill and George B. Danforth, Directors. The library contains some 625 volumes of standard works. The present officers are B. B. Hamilton, President ; T. W. Prichett, Secretary, F. E. Huddle, Librarian ; A. J. Culver, J. S. Judd, J. E. Welch and F. F. Worcester, Directors.

THE PRESS.

The White Hall Register is published weekly, on Saturday. It was established in 1869 by S. W. Davis, who came from Chicago and conduct-

WHITEHALL REGISTER

ECISTER

JOB PRINTING

EDITORS OFFICE

OWNED BY HENRY JOHNSON, AND OCCUPIED BY THE " WHITE HALL REGISTER."

ed it for one year. The office was then leased by Charles H. Johnson, who came on as foreman with Davis, and afterward purchased and en- larged the paper. " It is a bold, independent, and trenchant sheet, eagerly sought after by friends and foes for what it is either hopedfor feared to contain." In 1878 the office was purchased by Henry Johnson of Carrollton, who had been for some time its editor. Several local edi- tions of the Register are published, called respectively, the Roodhouse Signal, Kane Express and Greenfield Locomotive.

The White Hall Republican was established in February, 1877, by Pearce & Clapp (E. J. Pearce and C. L. Clapp). It is Republican in politics, high in its moral tone, bristling with business, has a keen scent for news, and claims to represent the best people in the field which it oc- cupies. In circulation it has grown beyond the most sanguine expecta- tions of its founders, and is almost universally taken in White Hall, be- sides having a large subscription list throughout this and adjoining counties. This firm also began the publication of the Scott County Arrow in September, 1878. This sheet though young is rapidly growing and may already be pronounced a success.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

E. J. Pearce, the editor of the Republican, was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1839. He worked on a farm until he was nineteen years of age, going to school occasionally in the winter, paying for his board by "doing chores." Much, however, of his educa- tion was obtained without instruction. He commenced teaching school in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, in 1858; went to West Virginia in 1859, taught seven months and came to White Hall in 1860. Here he taught until August, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. G, 91st Illinois, as a private. He was appointed 1st sergeant and afterwards was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant and Captain. He served eight months as Assistant Provost Marshal at Vicksburg, as acting Assistant Adjutant General of Brigade during the Mobile campaign, 1865, was mustered out July, 1865, returned home and resumed teaching. In 1868 he was ap- pointed Assistant Assessor of the Internal Revenue, and held other rev- enue offices until he resigned at Peoria, 1876. He again taught until, in July, 1877, he joined with C. L. Clapp in the publication of the White Hall Republican. In September, 1878, the same firm began to issue the Scott County Arrow, of both which papers Capt. Pearce acts as editor. He is a member of the Republican State Central Committee, and of its executive committee. Capt. Pearce married Maggie A. Carr at White Hall in 1869.

THE CEMETERY.

On the 16th of February, 1865, Simeon Ross, I. D. Vedder, J. B. Gregory, B. G. Culver and L. E. Worcester were constituted a body cor- porate and politic by the name and style of the White Hall Cemetery Association. They selected the present appropriate location for the Cemetery, laid out the grounds and have ornamented them very consider- ably. The Cemetery contains a number of very handsome monuments and is a credit to the placc. The present officers of the Association are Simeon Ross, President; G. S. Vosseller, Secretary ; Joseph Rickart, A. B. Gregory, L. E. Worcester, Directors.

SOCIETIES.

The town contains the following voluntary organizations for mutual benefit, other than religious bodies.

White Hall Lodge, No. 80, A. F. § A. Masons, was organized in 1852. The Lodge meets monthly on Saturday on or before the full moon in each month. The organization now contains 140 members with the following officers : T. A. Smith, W. M .; I. W. Bernthesel, S. W .; J. H. Winters, J. W .; T. W. Prichett, Secretary; I. Powell, Treasurer.

Benevolent Lodge, No. 227, 1. O. O. F., was organized in October, 1859, with the following charter members, John W. Adgate, Peter Parker, Daniel C. Banta, Thomas Lakin and Joseph C. Coch. The officers were Peter Parker, N. G .; Thomas Lakin, Treasurer ; John W. Adgate, R. S .; Daniel C. Banta V. G. Joseph C. Coch, P. G. The lodge meets every Monday evening. It contains 72 members with the following officers : Geo. Dawson, N. G .; William Harper, V. G .; M. M. Pittinger, R. S .; T. A. Smith, P. S .; J. D Adams, Treasurer.

Orpheus Lodge, No. 1431, Knights of Honor, was instituted March 5, 1879, with twenty-seven charter members. The officers are F. E. Huddle, P. D. and Representative; Dr. A. W. Foreman, D .; John Cul-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

bertson, V.D .; E. L. Brown, A. D .; Geo. W. Trask, C .; J. E. Welch, R .; A. F. Vedder, F. R .: W. C. Baker, T .; C. W. Henry, G .; R. B. Winn, Gn .; E. L. Simons, S. ; F. E. Huddle, G. W. Trask and Samuel Culbertson, Trustees.

Royal Purple Temperance Society, organized December 24, 1877, by E. H. Campbell. Enrolled, 1,200. President, L. A. Brewster ; Secre- tary, M. H. Cronk. Meets at Baptist Church, each Tuesday evening. Temperance supper held February 12, 13 and 14, netted $350.00.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

By far the most important business interest of White Hall is her manufacture of and trade in the drain tile. fire brick, sewer pipe, terra cotta ware and other forms of clay. For much of the following ex- hibit of this and other interests of the place I am indebted to the very correct and full description of the town contained in the White Hall Republican of January 4, 1879, and prepared by its able editor, Capt. E. J. Pearce :

Their proximity to two great railroad lines crossing each other at White Hall, and their superiority to all others known in this country or in Europe, as shown by the analysis further on, render the fire clay de- posits of this neighborhood a source of wealth, the extent of which is limited only by manufacturing facilities. The deposit nearest to town is owned by Chapin Bros., and is located three-fourths of a mile east of the corporation line. Other deposits belong to A. D. Ruckel, Culbertson & Smith, Felix Brown, and to the White Hall Fire Clay Works, who own an extensive and exceedingly valuable tract of clay and coal land. M. C. Purdy owns the first clay bank ever opened here. White Hall is rap- idly taking the lead in the manufacture of stoneware, drain tile, sewer pipe, fire brick and terra cotta ware, and these industries must continue to grow and prosper. No other place in the Union can compete with the quality of clay found here. It is nature's product, and nature has bounteously endowed this neighborhood both in the quantity and quality

of the product. Starting in 1863 with one small hand-power factory, there are now in town two steam-power and one hand-power potteries, one hand-power terra cotta factory, one steam-power tile factory, one hand-power tile factory, one steam-power tile and brick factory, and one steam-power tile, brick, sewer pipe and roofing tile factory. This latter, in the perfection of its machinery, is said to be the model of its kind in the United States. The tile, sewer pipe and stoneware made at White Hall are so greatly superior to those manufactured of other clay that dealers who know anything about the White Hall wares will purchase no other, hence our manufacturers ship to all points in the West, from Texas to Minnesota.

The following analysis of the White Hall fire clay, made by Dr. Weis, of St. Louis, compared with those of the best known fire clays of Europe and this country, show the White Hall clays first in point of freedom from all deleterious ingredients :

Stourbridge, Eng .- Silica, 67.34; alumina, 21.01; protoxide of iron, 2.03 ; alkalies, 1.38 ; water 8.24; 100; percentage of impurities in clay, 3.41.

Garnkirk, Scotland-Silica, 53.3 ; alumina, 43.6 ; lime, .6; protoxide

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

of iron, 1.8 ; protoxide of manganese, .6; 100 ; percentage of impurities in clay, 3.00.

Woodbridge, New Jersey-Silica, 44.125 ; alumina, 54.375 ; protoxide of iron, 1.500 ; 100; percentage of impurities in clay, 1.50.

French-Silica, 67.000 ; alumina, 29.700; lime .900; protoxide of iron, 1.400 ; protoxide of manganese, 1.000; 100 ; percentage impurities in clay, 3.30.

White Hall-Silica, 57.90 ; alumina, 31.25 ; protoxide of iron, .25; protoxide of manganese, .60; water, 10.00; 100; percentage of impuri- ties in clay, .85, showing that this clay is the purest known.

Cheltenham, Mo .- Silica, 63.75; alumina, 25.00; lime, .25 ; protox- ide of iron, 1.25 ; protoxide of manganese, 1.25 ; water, 8.50; 100 ; per- centage of impurities, 2.75.

The White Hall Fire Clay Works manufacture sewer pipe, drain tile, fire brick, roofing tile, etc. They employ about eighty men in their different departments. They made and sold during the year 1878, about 5000 tons of finished wares. Their clay and coal banks, taken together, are probably the best in the United States. The clays are of two dis- tinct kinds, the fire clay which underlies the coal, and is a very superior material for fire brick, but is not suitable, and is not used for pipe or tile, and potter's clay or pipe clay which is adapted, not only to the making of drain pipes of all kinds, but for pottery-ware and every variety of terra cotta work. The products of the White Hall Fire Clay Works are recognized as the standard of quality wherever known, and it is the pur- pose of the company to maintain and increase their good reputation. They employ twenty-five teams, use 3,000 tons of coal annually, valued at $6,000, and ship 400 car loads of clay products. Estimated value, $60,000.

Augustus Pierce & Co. (Aug. Pierce, F. I. Vedder), also own steam power tile works. The business was carried on in 1878 by senior partner alone. Mr. Pierce built in 1863 the first potter shop ever erected in White Hall-and the entire clay business here has grown out of that small beginning. Mr. Pierce had been working at Winchester, in Scott County, as a journeyman. During the war, prices for pottery-ware ranged exceedingly high, and accordingly Mr. Pierce determined to establish himself in the business in some other locality. He had been told that farmers living east of White Hall chinked their cabins with clay. He made a prospecting trip into Greene County, and, at various points, un- earthed small quantities of clay. This was taken to Winchester and tested and proved to be a very superior potter's clay. During this year Mr. Pierce, with the aid of B. G. Culver, erected suitable works near the railroad, and for some four years the firm manufactured stoneware exclusively. About twelve years ago D. Culbertson became a partner in the concern, and they purchased a hand machine with which they made about 50,000 feet the first year. How rapidly the business has grown since then ! This firm made in 1878, 450,000 feet of tile, valued at about $7,000 ; used 500 cords of wood, valued at $1,500, and 2,000 bushels of coal. They employ seven workmen and five teams.

Culbertson & Smith's (D. Culbertson, T. A. Smith), steam power factory is located between the C. & A. and C. B. & Q. railroads north of Lincoln Street. The partnership was formed 1875. Feet of tile sold

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

1878, 560,000 ; brick sold 1878, 200,000; tons of clay used, 2,400 ; tons of clay shipped, 1,360; value of clay shipped, $1,000 ; value of all clay products, $16,000 ; wood used, 1000 cords, value $3,000 ; coal used, value $500; average number of men employed, 35; average number of teams employed, 10. They ship to various points in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas. The factory was run to its full capacity during the year, and all products sold. The senior partner was connected with the first intro- duction of the tile business here. This firm expect to largely increase their manufacturing facilities this year.

The value of tile made, in 1878, by John King was $6,500. He used $1,000 worth of wood, and employed four hands and four teams.

Potteries .- Since Augustus Pierce established the first stoneware fac- tory in White Hall in 1863, many others have come into existence. In 1865, John Ebey built a small frame building for the manufacture of stoneware on the present site of the establishment owned by George Hill. After four or five years, Mr. Ebey was succeeded by Hubbs & Moon. Subsequently Mr. Moon retired, and later Mr. Hubbs formed a partnership with N. H. Huggins. In October, 1874, George Hill bought the property and built the building he now occupies on Bridgeport and Worcester streets.

In 1865, F. C. Garbitt built a pottery north of the C. & A. Railroad depot. He was followed by Messrs. Brown, Cogdell & Sax, until finally the factory fell into the hands of M. C. Purdy and A. D. Ruckle, who were possessed of considerable means, and soon began to manufac- ture stoneware on a large scale. They used horse-power at first, but afterward put in a steam engine.

The following is a summary of the potteries now in operation in White Hall :

George Hill, steam power, and new machinery added in 1878. Suc- ceeded W. W. Hubbs 1874. Product, 1878, 250,000 gallons ; value, $20,000. Wood used, 800 cords valued at $2,400. Hands employed, twenty-three ; teams, four. Intends to enlarge and build another kiln, 1879.

M. C. Purdy, steam power pottery. Gallons of ware made, 1878, 250,000. Wood used, 500 cords; value, $1,500. Clay used, 1,000 tons; clay shipped (potter's clay), 350 tons ; value, $1,000. Men employed, twenty-five ; teams, three. Ships potter's clay to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sells ware in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, and Texas. Sent 75,000 gallons to Iowa, 1878. Estimated value of clay and clay products, $21,000. Owns sixty acres of the best clay land.

D. C. Banta, commenced October 1, 1878; succeeded L. C. Murphy. Product during year : Stoneware, 50,000 gallons, valued at $2,500. Wood used, 200 cords; value, $600. Hands, three ; teams, one.

Teter, O'Gorman & Co. own a manufactory of terra cotta ware. They commenced business in 1878, and employ five hands and six teams. They made in 1878, 40,000 pieces, valued at $1,000.

A.'D. Ruckel own twelve and three eighths acres of excellent clay land, and shipped 3,000 tons of tile clay in 1878, worth $2,500.

Banks .- The town contains two banks, which furnish all the con- veniences in that direction required.

People's Bank .- Peter Roodhouse, president; Ed. North, cashier ; H. W. Roodhouse, assistant cashier ; Jno. North, C. E. Wales, Edward Gris-

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

wold, Peter Roodhouse, Ed. North, directors. Established January, 1877. Does a general banking business. Represents $300,000. Capital paid up, $50,000.

White Hall Banking Association .- Commenced business January 1, 1877. Hon. L. E. Worcester, president ; Isaac Powell, cashier ; Richard Worcester, assistant cashier ; James Dowdall, A. S. Seeley, L. E. Carter, directors. Capital represented, $300,000. Transacts a general banking business.

The facilities for handling and grading grain in White Hall are very good. H. M. Hunt & Co. (H. M. Hunt, Ellis Briggs) formed a partner- ship in 1876. They own steam power elevators at White Hall and Winchester, and warehouses at Roodhouse, Wrights, Alsey, and Drake. Amount of grain handled by this firm in 1878 is half a million bushels. They shipped from White Hall 100,000 bushels.

Welch & Ruckel are proprietors of the White Hall Mills, partnership formed 1878. Flour made during the year, 12,000 barrels ; bushels of corn ground, 3,000. They have a very large local trade. Well supplied with middlings purifier and other modern machinery. They are also les- sees of the Israel Elevator, from which they have shipped some 10,000 bushels of wheat.

The town contains, besides these, an iron foundry and machine shop, three wagon factories, one marble-yard, one cigar factory, one mattress factory, one washing machine factory, one bakery; thirteen dry goods, grocery, drug, or hardware stores ; two jewelry stores, two lumber yards, two dealers in implements, two tailors, three boot and shoe makers, two harness makers, one flour and feed store, two blacksmiths, three live stock dealers, two milliners, one dressmaker, two barbers, two butchers, one furniture dealer, one photographer, two hotels, two nurs- eries, two insurance agents, etc., etc.

ROODHOUSE.

The history of Roodhouse is brief but brilliant. In 1819 or 1820, J. Henderson, who was the pioneer in the northern part of the county, is supposed to have been one of the first to explore the vicinity of Rood- house. The first settlements in the township were made some years previous to 1830. In 1832 White Hall was laid out, and this town was for many years the trading point for the dwellers in the region where Roodhouse is now situated. The vicinity was one of the most fertile in the county, the surface of the prairie was rolling and healthful, and the inhabitants were intelligent, industrious, and energetic, and contributed very largely to the growth of the town of White Hall. When the Jack- sonville branch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad was extended as far as White Hall, in 1862, a small depot was built, around which Roodhouse afterward grew up. John T. Rawlings, who took a prominent part in building up the town, thought there should be a depot near its present location, and, after some trouble, succeeded in obtaining the permission of the railroad company to erect a building on its land. George Wilde- bon was the carpenter. In this, the first depot, James Armstrong served as agent and telegraph operator, furnishing his own instruments. The trains stopped only when flagged. Mr. Armstrong also conducted a

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

small trade in lumber, tinware, and family supplies. Subsequently, citi- zens of the place being in danger of losing the telegraph office, built a depot, which was afterward used as a school house, and now serves as a dwelling house. One of the first residences erected in the town was put up by Adam Shearer, who was also the first blacksmith of the town. He sold liquors at his residence for some time. Soon after James Thomp- son obtained a barrel or two of sugar and some coffee, with which he opened a grocery store, in an old log hut. He afterward sold out and butchered a few beeves. The laying out of a town was already talked of, and some surveys made, but nothing definite was as yet done. A meeting was held about this time, in Rawlings' warehouse, to consider the propriety of building a church or lecture room. A small school house, or public building, was erected in consequence. A Sunday school was at once organized, the teachers and superintendent coming from White Hall.

Among those who settled in the village during its infancy, the following may be mentioned: Charles Adler, now deceased, built a small edifice in which he kept a boot and shoe shop. Simmons & Thompson erected a storehouse and transacted a general merchandising business. Each member of this firm built a comfortable residence. Adam Shearer built an addition to his house, in which he sold groceries. Mr. Shearer was also the postmaster for some time. John and William Sitton also arrived and built residences. They were both contractors and carpenters and put up a number of buildings. John B. McIntosh was the first tailor in the town. He purchased the school house and moved his family into it. When the Peter Thompson property was burned down, Norman Lange bought the site and built upon it. John T. Rawlings was the second postmaster, and was at the same time proprietor of a prosperous general business.

In April, 1866, John Roodhouse, the original owner of the land upon which the greater part of the little settlement was built, laid out the town named for him. The original plat contained forty lots 66x130 feet, and 75x150 feet. Additions have since been made to the town as follows: John Roodhouse, three ; William Cobb, three ; Cobb & Mitchell, one ; J. C. Cobb, two ; P. J. Sharp, one ; L. E. Worcester, two. Its growth for a number of years was very slow. White Hall was but four miles dis- tant on the south, and Manchester equally near on the north, and being much older towns had every advantage. Still, new comers continued to be attracted to the young village. Dr. D. B. Moore opened the first drug store. Harmon Wales kept the first hotel, in a building which now con- stitutes a part of the Metropolitan Hotel, Wm. Smith, proprietor. The Kirkland House was put up soon after, just opposite the depot, by Da- vid Kirkland. This building was burned in 1877, whereupon Mr. Kirk- land at once erected the commodious and substantial brick structure which now occupies the site.

Beside those mentioned Humphrey Armstrong, Frank Armstrong, Charles Savage, William Lorton, John Cole, Mrs. Martha Wallace, L. E. Cobb, William H. Barrow, Adam Chapman, Thomas McMahon, James Long, Hoff Bridges, and Dr. Beach were early settlers.

In 1871, the Louisiana branch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, which was built to connect the Jacksonville branch with Louisiana, and

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

so furnish an outlet to the far west, was approaching completion, and the question where a connection should be made with the Jacksonville branch must be settled. A strong influence with the officers of the road was brought to bear in favor of Jacksonville as the place for the junction. White Hall, however, was nearer the natural point, and since she had secured the crossing of the Chicago & Alton with the Rock Island road, now began to consider herself foreordained for a railroad center. Mean- while some of the more enterprising spirits at Roodhouse conceived the idea that it would be a very nice thing if the junction could be secured for that town. The leading men of White Hall laughed at their pre- sumption, and ridiculed the idea of an effort to build up a town out on the prairie. They considered it a foregone conclusion that White Hall was to swallow up all the surrounding villages, and laughed at the idea of little Roodhouse overcoming the wealth and influence of White Hall. But at a point then known as Dutch Mills, a few miles west of White Hall, the work came to a stand still until the location of the junction should be decided. The matter was earnestly discussed by leading men of the new town, and finally a letter was sent to T. B. Blackstone, pres- ident of the road, asking what would be required to secure the junction at Roodhouse, and signed by John Roodhouse, John T. Rawlings, J. M. Armstrong, and Simmons & Thompson. The following reply in sub- stance was received :

"JOHN ROODHOUSE AND OTHERS-Gentlemen : I have received your letter of the --- , and carefully considered its contents, and ordered a survey to be made of the route which you have mentioned, and if found as favorable as you seem to think. I will then give what information you desire. Respectfully yours, T. B. BLACKSTONE."

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History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present, Part 42

Author: Clapp, Clement L., 1852- [from old catalog] comp Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago, Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd Number of Pages: 790

Author: Clapp, Clement L., 1852- [from old catalog] comp
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago, Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd
Number of Pages: 790