USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
The topography of this quaint little region, presents, more than any other place that I have seen, a union of all that is most striking and peculiar in western landscape. Almost overhanging the homes of the settlers are the bluffs, in many places a solid perpendicular wall of Bur- lington limestone, rising sometimes to the height of two hundred feet. Im- mediately back of this wall and not unfrequently at its very brink, rises a series of conical hills from one to two hundred feet higher. During the Summer season, these cones are crowned to their very summit with the very richest verdure, presenting a fine contrast with the brown, rugged cliffs below.
At Cavendish, in the County of Windsor, on the 31st day of July, 1793, was born John Russell, Jr., son of John and Lucretia (Preston) Russell. His father was an old-fashioned Baptist preacher ; severely Cal- vinistic in his belief and puritanical in practice. His mother was revered for her piety and good works. He had one brother older than himself and one younger, also three sisters, and was the survivor of them all ex- cept one. His parents were in moderate pecuniary circumstances and could give none of their children any educational advantages, except those that were afforded by the common schools. John, however, had a thirst for learning which could not be assuaged by any scanty draughts of the Pierian spring, and not only without the encouragement, but contrary to the advice and wishes of his father, he entered Middle- bury College, March 25, 1814. He had already commenced authorship as a means of procuring the needful funds. His first literary venture was " The Authentic History of the Vermont State Prison," a duodec- imo volume of ninety-one pages, now exceedingly rare. In the prelim- inary " Apology," he says: "It was not the unpardonable vanity of becoming an author, but necessity, the mother of invention, that produced the present work." The only motive for writing the " History of Vermont
425
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Prison " was the aid that the sale of the copyright would afford the author in obtaining a collegiate education. This little volume was pub- lished at Windsor, in 1812, by Preston Merrifield, with whom he had formerly served an apprenticeship to the business of book-binding. Dur- ing the interval between the junior and senior terms he taught school at Vergennes, Vt., and while there made a profession of religion by uniting with the Baptist Church. Upon his return to college he found himself the only Baptist student connected with the institution. He was gradu- ated in 1818, and soon after went to McIntosh County, Ga., where he taught school. On the 25th day of October, of that year, he married at Whitewater, Ind., Laura Ann Spencer, daughter of Capt. Gideon Spencer of Vergennes, Vt. In 1819 he removed to Missouri, then a territory, and taught a family school in " Bonhommie Bottom " five years. While living at that place, he wrote for the Missourian, a local paper at St. Charles, Mo., an anonymous article entitled " The Venomous Worm." It resembled Franklin's writings in pithiness, pungency and brevity, and immediately attracted almost universal attention. It went the rounds of the press, not only in America but also in Europe, where it was trans- lated and published in several languages. When Pierpont, the poet, compiled his " National Reader," this article was introduced as one of the lessons. It also found a place in McGuffey's series of readers. By all these means it obtained a very extensive circulation, and exerted a powerful influence upon public opinion.
After closing his engagement at Bonhommie Bottom, he taught a year in St. Louis, then a little French town. He taught a high school in Vandalia, Ills., and two years in Alton Seminary, now Shurtleff College. In 1828 he became the proprietor of a romantic situation in Greene Co .. Ills., including a perpendicular bluff of limestone several hundred feet high, commanding an extensive prospect up and down the Illinois river. To these premises he gave the name of Bluffdale, and here was his home for the rest of his life, though he was absent sometimes for long spaces of time, while employed in teaching. He received license as a preacher of the gospel from a Baptist Church at Bluffdale, Feb. 6, 1833, but great natural timidity and excessive sensitiveness prevented him from preach- ing, except occasionally, and he never received ordination. He was principal of Spring Hill Academy, in the parish of East Feliciana, La., eight years, during which time he was Superintendant of Public Schools in the parish. On his return home in the Summer of 1843, he found the little church to which he belonged sadly scattered by the introduction of Universalism. To remedy this state of things, he prepared and preached a sermon entitled "The Serpent Uncoiled," which was printed and achieved a large degree of popularity. He wrote for the press with un- wearied assiduity during the last twenty-five years of his life. For two years, 1838 and 1839, he was editor of the Backwoodsman, published at Grafton, Ills. (then in Greene Co.), and in 1841 and 1842 he edited the Advertiser at Louisville, Ky. After he ceased to be an editor he was an incessant contributor. As a writer his language was chaste and classical ; his style clear, concise and vigorous, and sometimes highly ornate. His mind was naturally inventive and fertile ; his taste pure and exact ; his thoughts always appropriate and frequently striking. There was almost no style of writing that he did not attempt, or attempting he did not
426
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
adorn. He was a profound mathematician, and an accomplished linguist, reading with fluency Latin, Greek, Spanish, German and Italian. In 1862 he received the degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Chicago.
Among the most popular of his many writings are " The Piasa," " The Specter Hunter," " Little Granite," "Cahokia," " Claudine Lavalle," " The Mormoness," " Alice Wade," "Lame Isaac," and "The Drama of Human Life." His intercourse with the world was marked by the most childlike gentleness. His simple reliance upon Providence, his unshaken faith in the power and efficacy of prayer, marked with a ray of divine light his pathway down the rugged ways of life. The poor and unfortunate, whatever might be their character, he never turned empty from his door away. He was generous almost to a fault, impov- erishing himself that he might cast plenty into the laps of those he loved. Putting implicit confidence in the integrity of mankind, he was over- reached in almost every pecuniary transaction, as careless of worldly wealth as he was grasping after the wealth of science. Few men have been more ardently devoted to the good of the whole human family, more earnestly striving for the liberty and education of all that bear the image of God. He died Jan. 21, 1865, aged nearly seventy years, and lies buried at the foot of the tall bluffs, in full view of his old home,
FAYETTE.
The proprietors of Fayette were Manoah Bostick, James Metcalf and William Blair. Mr. Metcalf's land lay along the county line, as did Mr. Bostick's, just south of the former, and Mr. Blair's lay west of Mr. Metcalf's and north of Mr. Bostick's, so that the two tracts of Messrs. Blair and Metcalf joined along the north side of Mr. Bostick's. The town was located at this point, Mr. Bostick furnishing the ground for one-half and each of the others one-fourth of the town; several build- ings were soon erected in the town of Fayette, among which were three brick buildings, of which Mr. Bostick and Mr. Metcalf each built one for a store, and Mr. Hall one for a dwelling. Two stores were soon put in operation in the place under the style of "Metcalf & Woodson," and " Blair & Brother." One of the principal streets of the town passed along the dividing line between the land of Mr. Blair and Mr. Metcalf ; it was soon lined on both sides with small frame houses, and the place be- gan to look quite town-like. On the very day that the proprietor of Rivesville applied to a machinist for a carding machine to be erected at Rivesville, the machinist also received an order from one of the propri- etors of Fayette for a carding machine to be put up in that place, in which the applicant stated that he wanted the first one that went from the shop. These men were all very highly esteemed by those who knew them, and were among the first men in point of reputation in our county. Mr. Metcalf eventually left the county and resided at or near Alton. Mr. Rives removed to Greenfield, where he was well and favorably known by nearly every person in the eastern part of Greene County. Mr. Bostick has been dead many years. During his residence in Fayette he displayed a great amount of business talent, gained the esteem of a large portion of the community, served the people of our county in the State Senate, much to their satisfaction, and died much lamented.
427
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Fayette now contains three stores. Archibald Lee deals in drugs and a general variety of goods. He formerly lived in Greenfield. John Teaney is postmaster, preacher and dealer in general merchandise. R. W. Carr also sells drugs. There are also two blacksmith shops. The church building is occupied by both the Baptist and the Christian de- nominations.
WRIGHTSVILLE.
Wrightsville, a small town on the C. B. & Q. R. R., was laid out June 18, 1872, by A. J. Wright. Mr. Wright for some years almost con- stituted the town. He built the first residence and first warehouse, started the first lumber yard, was the first postmaster, first justice of the peace and notary public. The first lot was sold in March, 1873, for $60. Mr. Wright has donated building sites to several parties. He was ap- pointed the first railroad agent, in 1872. The first blacksmith shop was built by William Ickes, which he occupied for a year and a half; H. C. Stout was the first carpenter, A. L. Brannan the first wagon maker, Dr. John Harris was the first physician, and he was also a clergyman of the Christian denomination. Kissinger Bros. first shipped hogs and grain. The first marriage was that of George W. Rhodes to Jane Davidson, and the first birth was a son to Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield. The vicinity is particularly noted for the extra quality of its wheat, of which 40,000 bushels are annually shipped from Wrightsville depot.
ATHENSVILLE.
Sometime previous to 1830, a man named Scroggs from Morgan County came into this county and settled very near where Athensville was afterward located. Others made improvements east of Athensville about 1831 or 1832, among whom was Mr. Rigsby. He took possession of a place which had previously been occupied by Sandy Wiggins. It was about a mile east of the present town. John Ruyle settled two miles east of this place about 1831, and near him was a man named Jackson. Orphy Shepherd made his home a mile northeast, and Mr. Morton settled about the same distance west of Athensville. Not far from his cabin were the improvements of Mr. Musgrove and Alexander Robinson. Just north was Benoni Banning, who had made an earlier settlement near Hickory Grove.
The first building in Athensville was probably erected in 1832 or 1833, by Greene Weaver. Mr. Weaver had been sent from Carrollton by John Evans with a stock of goods, which he first undertook to sell at Mt. Airy. This stock he brought to Athensville with him, at the date above mentioned. After a time Mr. John Armstrong, from near Carroll- ton became the proprietor, in part at least, and continued the business for several years. Hon. Alexander King was for several years a partner of Mr. Armstrong and continued with him until the death of the latter some fifteen years since. Mr. Armstrong was an Englishman by birth, but emigrated to this county during the early history of Greene County. He was well acquainted with the early settlers and few men have been more generally esteemed by those around them than John Armstrong.
The town of Athensville was laid out by Greene Weaver in October, 1834.
ยท
428
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
The Christian denomination erected a church at an early day, in which Mr. Weaver, who was a minister of that denomination, took an active part. It was used for many years, bnt when the school house was erected the old church was abandoned. The Baptists now hold meetings in the hall over.
The people of that part of Greene County are more inclined to agri- cultural pursuits than to town building, and for that reason Athensville has not grown to the dimensions of some other towns in the county. Nevertheless it is a place of same business. There are three stores in the town. John English sells dry goods, etc., and Chas. Mason and W. D. Hardcastle keep a general stock. There are besides three blacksmiths and one shoemaker. Tilmon S. Patterson is the postmaster and has acted in that capacity for some years. Rev. John Johnson is the Baptist minister.
BARROW.
Barrow is a small village of about one hundred inhabitants, situ- ated on the St. Louis branch of the C. B. & Q. railroad in the northern part of Greene County. The place was originally laid out by Robert Thompson in 1869, as a result of a contract, whereby, the railroad com- pany built a side track at this point and agreed to maintain it in return for the right of way freely granted through Mr. Thompson's land. The next year the first dwelling and first blacksmith shop were built by James Ashlock. John Williams erected the first store building and the resi- dents in the vicinity, put up a depot costing about $500.
In 1871, Mr. Thompson sold out his farm and his entire interest in the town to Mr. Alfred Barrow, by whom it was again laid out, platted, and for whom it was named. Mr. Barrow donated one acre of land for stock- pens and two acres for other depot grounds. Very soon Mr. Barrow erected a fine residence in the town for himself and several smaller buildings for rent. The people united in the erection of a neat and com- modious church which is used by the Methodists and by two Baptist Churches. There is also a good church building about half a mile south of the village. It was during 1871, that the first warehouse was erected by Smith, Edwards & Barrow.
The growth of the town has been very slow, although the richness of the soil about it is a guarantee of steady increase ; seventy thousand bushels of wheat have been shipped from Barrow during one season. The village now contains about twenty-five dwellings, one church, one town hall a first class building, one saw and grist mill, one elevator, one blacksmith and wagon shop, two stores, one boot and shoe shop, one tile factory, one boarding house, etc. Only one or two deaths have occurred in the town during its existence.
NEW PROVIDENCE,
New Providence, a small place located near the center of Greene County, was laid off May 5, 1867, by F. M. Bell, John Bell and Jesse S. Allen. The place is often spoken of as Belltown, from the name of one of its most enterprising citizens, through whose influence a new name was given it, and is an old landmark. It was a center of trade
429
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
forty years ago, and was at one time a very ambitious village. Messrs. F. M. and John Bell were originally farmers, but subsequently became owners of the grist and saw mill built by Thos. Allen very early in the history of the county. F. M. Bell was afterward sheriff of the county, and Bell Brothers built the new mill. They were succeeded by Jesse Allen, and later F. M. Bell and H. Tunison owned the establish- ment. The present proprietor is Mr. Thomas Johnson. Mr. Finis Bell owns the only saw mill in the place.
The first store in the place was probably built by the late B. F. Baldwin, who sold goods here until he removed to White Hall. The postoffice was also in the building and Mr. Baldwin was the first post- master. When the C. & A. road was opened the postoffice was removed to Berdan. The first church of which we have mention was a frame structure, erected for the Presbyterians. The first pastor of this organi- zation was Rev. H. Knowles. Rev. R. M. Smith is the present incumbent. P. R. McFarland is the blacksmith of the village. New Providence con- tains probably nearly one hundred inhabitants, who are distinguished for their sobriety, industry and respect for religion.
WALKERVILLE.
Walkerville is a small village, of about one hundred inhabitants, situ- ated in Township 11, Range 13. It was laid out by John Walker, who was one of the early settlers of the county, and who conceived the idea and founded the town in 1835. He was the first to settle in the new village. 'Squire Vinyard erected one of the first residences in the place, Jason C. Lewis built the first store, where he subsequently dealt in dry goods and groceries. He was appointed the first postmaster. 'Squire Vinyard also sold goods, and afterward was placed in charge of the postoffice. He sold out his goods to Kinser & Brantlett, who became bankrupt and do not now live in the place. Their successor was Ezra Swank, who now keeps a small store and is the postmaster. 'Squire Vinyard also presides over a stock of goods ; and John Painter is the justice of the peace. No church building has been erected, but religious services are often held in the school house. The school building was erected in 1858 or 1859 by Newton Cox. Andrew Kelly built the first blacksmith shop and worked in the village for a number of years. He was succeeded by his son, Doctor Kelly, and the present proprietor is William Brubaker. Walkerville was once a flourishing village, and built up rapidly, but like many towns not on a railroad was forced into a decline.
WOODVILLE.
Woodville a small village, situated in the southwestern part of the county, was platted as a village on the 10th of October, 1835, by Amon Wood, Seanright Wood and others. Mr. Poindexter built the first frame building and opened a small store for the sale of whiskey, which flowed perhaps more abundantly than at the present day. Not long thereafter George Rice opened a general merchandise store and con- ducted a prosperous business; his successors were Allen Wood and John Bronough. Shortly after the town was laid off, Esquire Wood
430
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
erected a two-story frame building for use as a store, but it was never used as such and it is now the property of Dr. M. F. Kelley. About 1837, Russell Rice erected a small building which was used as a grocery. Benjamin Powell built the fourth primitive establishment- a log cabin. Henry C. Sieverling was the first blacksmith of the town, and afterwards came Andrew Kelley and Thomas Lyle, who built the second shop of the kind, and is still a resident of the place. Although the town never boasted a drug store, Allen Wood was to some extent a dispenser of drugs in this locality. Edward Pegram in 1877, built a substantial brick build- ing, where he transacts a successful business in groceries. In 1870, Dr. Bruner became a resident of the main village. In 1875, he built a hand- some residence east of E. Pegram's store.
Several attempts have been made to establish a post office at Wood- ville. Some twenty years ago, while William L. Greene officiated as justice of the peace, William Scott, through the united efforts of Messrs. Greene, Harvey Trimble and others, was employed for a short time to carry the mail, making one trip per week to Carrollton ; but this was dis- continued. Woodville has grown slowly and contains about thirty in- habitants.
BERDAN.
Berdan, a small town on the Chicago and Alton Railroad, was laid out by Kellogg, Olmstead, and Worcester, in September, 1865. It was named for Judge James Berdan, of Jacksonville, who occupied a promi- nent position in connection with the railroad. The place now contains about fifteen houses, and within its limits and in the immediate vicinity are the homes of an upright and enterprising class of people. George Sleight is postmaster and railroad agent; Joseph Blackshaw is deputy postmaster and merchant; Miss Mattie Lynn is the teacher ; Rev. R. M. Smith is pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
COLUMBIANA.
Columbiana, a landing place on the Illinois River, was laid out as a town in September, 1835, by Solomon Bushnell. A. J. Stone owns a warehouse and small store. There are a few houses in the immediate vicinity, but no post-office. The place was once quite important, when a large portion of all the goods brought into the county came by the river. Little business is now done here, save the shipping of grain and cattle from the western part of the county.
JALAPPA.
The village of Jalappa is situated in Township 9, Range 11, and contains about thirty inhabitants. It was originally laid out in August, 1867, by Fred Sunkel & Bro. This village contains a very fine grist mill owned by Enoch Littlefield and under the superintendence of J. T. Briggs. The only blacksmith shop is owned and occupied by Matthew McGlasson the pioneer smith. J. G. Gardiner sells groceries in the only store in the place. There was formerly a post office at this place but it has been removed.
GREENE COUNTY WAR RECORD.
ABBREVIATIONS.
Adj.
.Adjutant
Lieut.
Lieutenant
Art ..
Artillery
m.o ..
.. mustered out
Col.
.Colonel
mustered.
..... .. date of mus er
Capt .. ..
. Captain
pris
.. prisoner
Corp
Corporal
pro ..
promoted
Cav ..
.. Cavalry
des.
.. deserted
disch
discharged
Regt.
. Regiment
e ...
.enlisted .
rank.
.date of rank
ex.
.expired
re-enl.
re-enlisted
hon.
.honorably
Sergt.
.. Sergeant
Inf
Infantry
transf.
transferred
Inv.
Invalid
vet
. veteran
kld.
killed
SEVENTH INFANTRY.
COMPANY F.
PRIVATE,
White John, e. July 25, '61
NINTH (Consolidat.d.) INFANTRY. COMPANY G.
PRIVATE.
O'Rieley Thos. e. Feb. 9, '64, m. o. July 9,'65
TWELFTH INFANTRY.
COMPANY A.
PRIVATE. Jackson Henry, e. Aug. 1,'61, died July 30,'62
FOURTEENTH INFANTRY.
Adj. Robert P. McKnight, rank Jan, 20, '62, pro. by the Prest.
COMPANY B.
RECRUIT.
Whittemore A. T. e. Sep. 17, '62, died Oct. 10,' 63
COMPANY D.
Capt. Thomas J. Bryant, rank May 3, '61, resigned Oct. 5, '62
Capt. James E. Williams, rank Oct. 5, '62, pro. Ist Tenn. Artillery May 29, '63
Capt. Carlos C. Cox, rank May 29, '63. See Co. D. Vet. Battalion
First Lieut. Robt. P. McKnight, rank May 3. '61, pro. Adjutant
First Lieut. James E. Williams, rank Jan. 20, '62, pro,
First Lieut. Carlos C. Cox, rank Oct. 5, '62, pro.
First Lieut. Thos. A. Weisner, rank Feb. 26, '64. See Co. F, Vet. Battalion
Second Lieut, James E. Williams, rank May 3, '61, pro.
Second Lieut. Carlos C. Cox, rank Jan. 20, '62, pro.
First Sergt. Carlos C. Cox, e. May 25, '61, pro. Second Lieut.
Sergt. William R. Love, e. May 25,'61, disch. Jan. 29, '62, disability
Sergt. Richard D. Bibb, e. May 25, '61
Corp. Thomas A. Weisner, e. May 25, '61, re-enl. as vet.
Corp. Reuben E. Weisner, e. May 25, '61, died Apr. 21, '62, wounds
Corp. John H. Hogan, e. May 25, '61
Corp. Robert Jarvis, e. May 25, 'bI
Corp. Joseph C. Carroll, e. May 25, '61, re- enl. as vet.
Corp. Thomas A. Millhouse, e. May 25, '61, disch. June 20, '62, disab.
Corp. William H. Wilson, e. May 25, '61, disch. June 28, '62, wounds
PRIVATES.
Altune James W. e. May 25, '61, re-enl. as vet.
Bowman Jacob, e. May 25, '61, died Jan, 4, '63
Clark William L. e. May 25, '61
Cash Cornelius B. e. May 25, '61, des. July 20, '62
Cunningham John, e. May 25, '61, disch. July 19, '62, wounds
432
GREENE COUNTY WAR RECORD.
Culbertson Samuel, e. May 25, '61, disch. May 13, '62, disab.
Dunn John, e. May 25, '61, corp. kld. at Shiloh April 6, '62
Davidson George H. e. May 25, '61, died April 17, '62, wounds
Dennis Jasper, e. May 25, '61, disch. Nov. 29, '62, disab.
Davidson William H. e. May 25, '61, kld. at Shiloh April 6, '62
Farmer Almarine, e. May 25, '61, re-enl. as vet.
Kelly James, e. May 25, '61, died May 14,'62, wounds
Lakin William A. e. May 25, '61, re-enl. as vet.
Lynch Michael, e. May 25, '61
Montgomery Joseph N. e. May 25, '61
Mytinger Benj. F. e. May 25, '61, kld. Shiloh April 6, '62
Mytinger Francis M. e. May 25, '61, disch. April 21, '62, disab.
McDonald George, e. May 25, '61, re-enl. as vet.
Melton Isaac N. e. May 25, '61, re-enl, as vet.
Monder Samuel, e. May 25, '61
Neice James, e. May 25, '61, re-enl, as vet.
Neice Ellis, e. May 25, '61, re-enl. as vet.
Patterson Thomas, e. May 25, '61
Reynolds Elijah S. e. May 25, '61, disch. Jan. I, '62, disab.
Rouen Michael, e. May 25, '61, disch.Oct. 20, '63, for promotion
Short Thomas J. e. May 25, '61, re-enl. as vet.
Scott Cornelius, e. May 25, '61
Wilder George B. e. May 25, '61, disch.March 28, '63, disab.
Wylder Bluford, e. May 25, '61, re-enl. as vet. Wylder Robert, e. May 25, '61
Walker Robert, e. May 25, '61, pro. Sergt. disch. June 20, '62
Yeoman Charles, e. May 22, '61, disch. Aug. 29, '62, disab.
VETERANS.
Altune James, e. Jan. 5, '64. See Co. D.Vet. Battalion
Baker David, e. Jan. 5, '64. See Co. D. Vet. Battalion
Baring James M. e. Jan. 5, '64. See Co. D. Vet. Battalion
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.