History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present, Part 59

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 59

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Stewart Peter, farm hand, Sec. 29, P.O. Car- rollton

Suda Lewis, renter, Sec. 35, P.O. Carrollton

THOMAS JOHN I. farmer and

stock raiser, Sec. 33, Tp. 10, R. 12. Mr. Thomas was born in Madison County, Ill., March 15, 1818. During the Autumn of this year, his father, the late Honorable Samuel Thomas, settled on the western prairies of Illinois, that portion now com- prised in Greene, locating three miles from the present city of Carrollton. John Thomas, who heads this sketch, relates that, at this early day, within 600 yards of his father's cabin, he at one time counted twenty-six deer. Bears were also frequently seen. Deer abounded, while wild cats and panthers were frequently seen. One incident here, as related by Mr. Thomas, is worthy of remark. Close to the Mississippi, on the margin of a small stream in Pike County, there stood an old mill, used by the early settlers for pound- ing grain; it was made in a similar manner to the mills in use, with the exception that a large wheel, revolving through the water, kept . the mortar in motion, rapidly or otherwise owing to the rising or lowering of the tide. One day, at low tide, an opossum, discovering no one near, made his way to mill, discovered the corn or other grain, and, heedless of danger, pro- ceeded to help himself. While doing so the mortar, slowly descending, snuffed out the life of the poor 'possum, the inan- imate remains being found by the pioneers shortly after. John I. Thomas received his education in a log cabin, where greased paper was in use for window glass, and a large fire-place occupied one end of the cabin. Mr. Thomas has followed farming from boyhood up to the present time, and

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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.

now takes rank among the leading farmers of the Northwest. But those early days of log cabins, of the many happy days of pioneer life, are vividly impressed upon his memory. His wonderful success in life is due to untiring efforts in the agricultural walks of life. In 1840 he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Corn, by whom he had five children, four living: Elmira, Alice, Samuel, and Lenora. Mr. Thomas owns over a thousand acres of as good land as lies in the State of Illinois. During the present year he was elected to fill the re- sponsible position of president of the Car- rollton Banking Institution, one of the soundest organizations in the West

THOMAS WILLIAM D. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 29, P.O. Carrollton. The subject of this sketch, it may be truly said, is one of the old settlers of Greene, the fourth son of Samuel Thomas, the first settler north of Macoupin Creek, and one of the most prominent farmers of Greene County, whose loss was deeply deplored by a host of friends who knew him as a generous, whole-souled citizen and a prosperous farmer. William grew to manhood in Greene County; received a liberal education in the district schools of his native place and the higher graded schools of Carrollton. In 1860 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Mary J. Rainey, a daughter of Major Rainey, by whom he has eight children : Frederick W., Leslie C., Charles R., Harry S., Jane E., Mary S., Lewis H., and John H. Mr. Thomas is the owner of 760 acres of land in one of the best townships in Greene County. It would perhaps be superfluous here to state that he ranks among the leading agriculturists of this prosperous county

Tunnell A. J. farmer, Sec. 27, P.O. Carroll- ton

TIGUS CHARLES, farm hand, P.O. Car- rollton

VIGUS JAMES W. in his time a somewhat prominent farmer and mer- chant of Greene County, was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. But little is known of his early history or to a date prior to his removal to Greene County. Becoming a resident of this county in

1840, he first entered into a general mer- chandise business in connection with his father, Pettis W. Successful in this call- ing, for his honesty was never brought into question. On abandoning the mercantile business he purchased valuable farm prop- erty, where he passed the remainder of life, finding a last resting place in the Steth Cemetery, a handsome and worthy monument marking the spot. Mrs. V. is still living, a resident of Carrollton, a native of Greene County. Of this mar- riage five children were born : George W., Paul W. (deceased), Josephine, who mar- ried Christopher Doyle, of St, Louis, and Hattie E. and Titus E.

WALLACE THOMAS, farm hand, Sec. 19, P.O. Carrollton

WARD JONAS. Nearly sixty years ago, when not a railroad ran through the State and not a steamboat plowed the waters of the far west, Jonas Ward, who is well remembered by the older residents of Greene County, accompanied his par- ents, Richard and Elizabeth Ward, in the year 1821, to the then far western State of Illinois. This trip to the west was made principally down the Ohio, on a flat boat. The other emigrants forming the party were the Morfoot family. The Wards reaching the Mississippi, they crossed the river on the ice. The winter and spring proving unusually serene, making their way over the vast tract known as the American Bottom, the Ward family located on the farm now owned by Charles Ward. Here the family raised their first crop in Illinois. In Greene County were passed the last days of Richard and Elizabeth Ward. Of Jonas, whose fortunes we now follow, it may be said that he, from his earliest years, followed agricultural pursuits from a period of time when the reap hook was the instrument principally in use up to the time when reapers, mowers, and other modern instruments came into general use. There are many interesting passages in the life career of Jonas Ward, could they now be bronght to mind. Carrollton was not then laid out for even a hamlet, but one log cabin marking the spot. Flouring mills unknown, he frequently found occasion to go to St. Louis or Alton

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TOWN 10, NORTH RANGE 12, WEST.

to lay in his supply of family provisions. As the years rolled by, however, a different state of affairs became manifest, and Mr. Ward was soon on the high road to pros- perity. The date of his marriage probably occurred in 1828, to Miss Hester Fry, by whom he had four children : John, who married Miss Emma Davis; Julia, who married Captain William Fry ; Alice (de- ceased), and Richard E., from whom this sketch is obtained. After a long life of usefulness, distinguished by no ordinary energy, the head of the family, an affec- tionate husband and father, after a life of al- most nnexampled activity, passed to his re- ward on the 13th of November, 1877. Mrs. Ward is still living, a resident of Greene County, a most estimable lady, who con- tributed very materially toward her hus- band's prosperity. Richard, who owns the home place, consisting of 240 acres, in- cluding the substantial farm residence, married Miss Elizabeth G. Hobson, a daugh- ter of Thomas Hobson, one of the most prominent farmers of Greene County. One child born of this marriage, Alice

WARREN HARRY, broom maker and farmer, Sec. 30, P.O. Carrollton. The whole-souled gentlemen, whose name heads this sketch, is a native of Cazenovia, Madison County, New York; born in the year 1808. In his seventeenth year, he departed from the parental roof, wending his way to the sunny south. After a life of travel, he settled in Allegheny County, Maryland, where he united his fortunes to Miss Rebecca Moore, a daughter of James Moore, of Cumberland, Maryland. Mr. Warren was married in 1836. Of an ex- ceedingly adventurous disposition, he trav- eled extensively through Canada and other points. In 1830, when the mining excite- ment ran high, he crossed the plains for California, where he resided for a period of two years, following the occupation of miner, in which calling he became mod- erately successful. He now concluded to return to the scenes of his early youth, and accordingly embarked on board the steamer Golden Gate, a passenger on board while the furious storm raged on the gulf, an ac- count of which appeared in many of the

widely circulated newspapers of that date. Arriving in Maryland, he remained but a short time, when his restless disposition caused him to locate in Greene County, where he has since resided on a beautiful farm of 80 acres, and where he now de- votes the waning years of an eventful life to the making of brooms. No man to-day in the great west is better known for his kindness of heart and hospitality than the subject of this notice, whose habits of life are marked by simplicity and temperance. In 1860 he became identified with the Bap- tist Church, a member of which denomina- tion he has since been, and also occupies a position of importance in the fellowship of Odd Fellows. One circumstance in the life career of Mr. Warren is worthy of note. A parchment now in his possession, and signed and sealed by Samuel Hunt- ington, president of the Congress of 1779, appoints his father, Adrial Warren, as a lieutenant of a Massachusetts Company, in the Continental War. He subsequently attained the rank of captain

Worhley Samuel, farmer, Sec. 17, P.O. Car- rollton

West Wm. farm hand, Sec. 20, P.O. Carroll- ton

White Samuel, renter, P.O. Carrollton

Widowson J. M. farm hand, Sec. 27, P.O. Car- rollton

WRIGHT WARRICK T. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 24, P.O. Carrollton. The above named gentleman is a native of Greene County, born in 1846; oldest son of George Wright, the first merchant in the city of Carrollton , from boyhood to man- hood Mr. Wright has followed agricultural pursuits, owning 300 acres, formerly the property of Jerry Tripp

Wyrth Frederick, farm hand, Sec. 29, P.O. Carrollton

BUSINESS CARD.

GRAVES JAMES M. painter; all work warranted ; Sec. 4, P.O. Carrollton

KASER JOHN, dealer in clover seed, Sec. 19, P.O. Carrollton

WHITE HALL DIRECTORY.

TOWN 12, NORTH RANGE 12, WEST.

A BRAHAMS L. merchant Adams E. R. stone mason Adams G. R. Mrs. dressmaker Adams G. R. scrolls, brackets, etc. Adams John B. carpenter Adams R. J. carpenter Allen Jessie Mrs. Amos George H. live stock

AMOS JOHN, deceased, was born in the State of Maryland in 1816. While quite young he became apprenticed to the trade of a cabinet maker. At the age of eighteen he moved to the west, locating in the vicinity of White Hall, where he first worked at the cabinet business, and subse- quently became a stock buyer and shipper. In 1846 he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary T. Bishop. In 1838 he abandoned agricultural pursuits, and locating in White Hall, he purchased the property owned by a party by the name of Merritts. This comprises part of the hotel property now owned by Mrs. Mary Amos, an addition to the present hotel having been built in 1857. Mr. Amos died in 1862, leaving his family very comfortably situated in life. The members of the family, then as now, consisting of James, from whom this sketch is obtained, a stock dealer in Greene County, who married Miss Delilah Dallas, by whom he has four children, Maud, Lewis, Cora and infant child; and Mar- garet R. Amos, who married Aaron Vos- seler, a merchant of White Hall; Mary J., who married Herbert McFarland, a black- smith and wagonmaker, at Milton, Pike County, and Winfield T., a resident of White Hall. Mrs. Amos is a native of North Carolina, born in 1821, one of the earlier settlers of Greene, who crossed the prairie for southern Illinois as early as 1830, and for the past sixteen years has been identified with the hotel business of

White Hall. The house familiarly known as the Amos House is well and favorably known to the traveling public, who appre- ciate the comforts there obtainable. See business card elsewhere

Amos Mary Mrs. White Hall House

Andrews -- , laborer Andrews Cynthia, Mrs. Anderson John, laborer Arnold Mrs.

Arnold W. W. business manager White Hall fire clay works

Avers Henry Ayers Mary Mrs.

RANTY D. C. retired merchant Barnes -, farmer

Baker W. C. live stock dealer

Bates E. M. laborer

BATES PETER J. retired farmer. Peter J. Bates is a native of New York State, where he was born in 1813, and is the youngest son of Peter and Elizabeth Bates. On the old farm homestead our subject worked almost from the time his head reached the plow handles until attain- ing his twenty-fifth year, when he crossed the plains for southern Illinois, settling in Greene County some eight miles south- west of White Hall, where he secured em- ployment in the White Hall Steam Mill, used principally as a saw mill, although in connection crude machinery was in use for the grinding of grist. During this time Mr. Bates was the owner of farm property and afterwards turned his attention to agri- cultural pursuits, during the war becom- ing the proprietor of a hotel. May 7, 1839, he was married to Miss Rebecca Rumrill, a daughter of John Rumiill, a native of Germany, Of this marriage five children were born, Mary E. de- ceased, Wesley B., Cornelia C., Geo. B.

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WHITE HALL.

deceased, and Lewis O. Two years ago Mr. Bates erected his present residence and established what is now the well-known Bates' Nursery. Mrs. Bates died on the 24th of March, 1875 ; for many years Mrs. Bates was prominently identified with the M. E. church, and her untimely death was deeply deplored by a large circle of ac- quaintances

BERNTHISTLE I. W. retired farmer, residence East Bridgeport street, White Hall. The subject of our notice was born in Pennsylvania, Perry County, Nov. 9, 1827. He was but four years of age when his parents, Jacob and Jane Bernthistle, moved to Wood County, Ohio, where farm property was purchased, and here were spent upon the farm homestead the earlier years of I. W. Bernthistle. In 1849 he crossed the plains for the golden shores of the Pacific coast, where, on his arrival, he turned his attention to mining, and unlike many he succeeded in securing a goodly share of the shining metal. After two years of hardships among the mines of California, Mr. B. concluded to again return to his old home in Ohio, where he was shortly after united in marriage to Ann E. Burkhardt, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Burkhardt. Four years later he crossed the Ohio for southern Illi- nois, settling near the Illinois River, on the property now owned by him, and consisting of 532 acres. Here, however, he first worked as a farm hand, and subsequently achieved the success met with in after life through no ordinary energy. In 1868 he moved to White Hall, where he purchased the buildings and ground owned by David Potter, and for some years conducted a successful business as a contractor in meats, supplying the south branch of the C. & A. R. R. Although now retired from life, energy is still a distinguishing trait in the character of our subject

BERTHLETT WILLIAM, cabinet maker, White Hall, Ill. Mr. B. has been a resident of Greene County nearly half a century. He was born in Ohio in 1813, where he became apprenticed to his trade, eventually becoming a skillful journeyman workman. In 1833 he moved to Green- field Greene County, Ill. It then contain- ed six houses. He now set resolutely to

work in this primitive wilderness, where in after years he erected some of the finest dwellings. He was married to Miss Eliz- abeth Rugle, of Tennessee. During the war he bought eighty acres of valuable land at Berdan. He transacted a very suc- cessful hotel business. During the present year he came to White Hall, where he opened the popular hotel known as the Denver House, where prices are in keep- ing with the times. Mr. Berthlett was a participant in the Black Hawk war.

Berthlett Mrs. Denver House

Black -- , nursery

Boggers John, laborer

Boone David J. tile maker

Booehm John, shoemaker

BOWMAN DR. A. a leading physi- cian of White Hall, was born in Pennsyl- vania, in 1817, youngest son of John and Sarah, who crossed the ocean from Europe in an early day, locating in Pennsylvania, where young Bowman received a liberal education. Shortly after the death of his father, which occurred in 1839, Dr. Bow- man moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began the study of medicine and grad- uated from the State Eclectic Institute. From Cincinnati, Dr. B. came to Bond County, Ill., where he practiced as a phy- sician four years. He then made his way to Greene County, practiced as a physician eleven years in Carrollton, and for a num- ber of years has had a large practice at White Hall. A professional gentleman of twenty-five years standing, he has gained an enviable reputation as a skillful physician and honorable man. In 1850 he was married to Miss Elizabeth D. Johnson, in Bond County, Ill. There were six children born of this marriage : Mary C., Sarah A., John C., George, Ilettie and Alexander. March 3, 1865, Mrs. Bowman died and was laid to rest in the beautiful resting place of the dead near White Hall. In IS71 Dr. Bow- man united his fortunes to Mrs. Dallas, a daughter of Jacob Rickart, and sister of the lIon. Joseph Rickart, who owns one of the best farms in Greene County

Brantzel Michael, hardware and tinware Brantzel Bros. hardware and tinware

Brantzel P. hardware and tinware

Brewster L. A. physician Brooks James, drayman

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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.

Brown Leroy, laborer Burbridge John, laborer

BURKHARDT CHRISTO-

PHER J., meat market, south Main street, White Hall. The above named gentle- man is a native of the State of Ohio, born in 1828, where he passed his early years and learned the occupation of a butcher, in due time branching out in business by the opening of a market in Tontogana, Wood County, Ohio, where he conducted a successful trade until his location in Greene County in 1870, where he purchased the farm formerly owned by S. E. Carter of, Sand Ridge. Prior to this, in 1868, Mr. B. was married to Miss Sarah Cunning, who died in 1864. By this lady he has two children : J. L. and Ernest C. In 1868 Mr. Burkhardt was married to Miss Mary Shan- non, in Greene County. Mr. B. followed ag- ricultural pursuits until embarking in his present calling during the present year

C ARR SUSAN Mrs.

Carr William, blacksmith

Carter J. B. Mrs. dressmaker

Carter Wesley, laborer Chalk Mrs.

Chapin Seneca D. postmaster

Chapin Wesley C. grocer

Chapman H. W. physician

Clark Peyton, laborer

Clark Samuel

Clark Terence, laborer

Clement E. G. butcher

Clement & Worcester, butchers

Cochran James, dry goods

COTTER. WILLIAM, marble agent. r cor. Bridgeport and South Main St., White Hall. Wm. Cotter, the oldest set- tler now living in White Hall, was born in the State of Tennessee, in 1812, where he passed his earlier years upon the old farm homestead of his parents, William and Anna Cotter, who concluded to emigrate to the West in 1827, locating east of White Hall, in Greene County, near Apple Creek, in 1827, where our subject received a good common school education in the primitive log cabin of the period. July, 1837, Mr. Cotter was united in marriage to Miss Mary Dennis, a daughter of Mathew Q. Dennis, by whom he has eight children, whose names are here appended: Mary F., Charles

S., Laura, Warren A., Martha A., Lettie L., Dennis B., and Lulu. For a number of years Mr. Cotter followed the calling of a butcher, and in 1836 entered into the mercantile business, and on retirement from this was elected constable of the town, holding this position for a period of twelve years. In 1850 he crossed the plains for California, where he roughed it among the mines for two years, when he again sought his old home in White Hall, where he has since been identified with the business interests of the place, and for the past seven years in the employ of H. Watson, the only marble manufacturer in the city Cotts Richard, laborer

Couchman William, marble cutter

Craig C. A. Rev.

Cramer Christopher, tailor

Crawford B. F. carpenter

Crawford Henry, laborer

Cropsey J. F., C.B.& Q. agent

Cronk M. H. potter

Crumm L. Miss, dressmaker

Culbertson David, tile manufacturer

Culbertson John, carpenter

Culbertson Samuel, works tile factory

Culbertson & Smith, tile mnfrs.

Culver A. J. undertaker

CULVER DR. S. H. for many years a resident of Greene County, was born in Rhode Island, September 26, 1803. His father was David Culver, who was born in the State of Rhode Island in 1758. He was the commander of a vessel during the Revolutionary War; a noted man in his day, who was as well known for his bravery as for his true nobil- ity of character. He held many offices of inportance. In his day an extensive busi- ness was done in clam fishery. His son, while engaged in this peculiar calling, had waded far beyond his depth; discovering his peril, his father immediately went to the rescue. He was a very powerful man and an excellent swimmer, but both father and son sank never to rise again, and two more victims were added to the long list of those who had perished beneath the broad waters of the Atlantic. The second wife of David Culver was Miss Mary Hill, of Rhode Island. Of nine children born of this marriage, S. HI. Culver was the young- est. When but 18 years old, September,

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WHITE HALL.

1821, he was married to Miss Polly Madi- son. Shortly after this important event he moved to Rochester, New York, where he began the study of medicine, under Dr. Smith. In 1823 he joined the M. E. Church, and was licensed to preach the Gospel. In 1831 Dr. Culver came to Greene County, locating west of White Hall, where, with but little exception, Dr. C. has been a resident ever since. For 55 years he has been a minister of the Gospel, and and an experienced physician. Dr. Culver is a prominent man in our county, who has gained prominence and wealth through industry, economy, and judgment. Of eleven children born of this marriage, but two are living, Alonzo J. and Buell G. Culver S. H. furniture

Curran Michael, laborer

D AGLEY WILLIAM, blacksmith Danforth J. B. traveling agent

Davis A. retired merchant

Davis Mrs.

Davis Thomas, laborer

Dawson George, painter

Dawson James, painter

Decker Susan Mrs. weaver

Desilva Manuel, engineer

Devitt David, laborer

Dillon Margaret Mrs. laundress

Dodgson James, boarding house

Dossel George, carpenter

DOSSEL GEORGE. Among our German citizens few won their way into popular favor more than George Dossel ; he was a native of Germany, born June 2, 1821 ; in 1848 he stepped on board a sail- ing vessel bound for America, landing in New Orleans. In 1852 he made his way to Greene County. He was a plasterer and stone mason by trade ; working at this vocation until 1861. In 1862 he entered into the business of a confectioner which he continued up to the time of his decease, which occurred April 13, 1869. The busi- ness successfully begun by the father has now fallen to the oldest son George, a pa- tron of this work, who inherits from his father a business tact and decision of char- acter that makes him a successful business man. Of this family there are four chil- dren : George, Louisa, John, and Charles. Mr. Dossel was twice married ; his first

wife was Miss Margaret Betts, the mar- riage ceremony taking place in the city of New Orleans, La. ; their union was blessed with one child, George, previously men- tioned. In 1856 he was married to Miss Catharine Shraum, by whom he had three children : Louisa, John, and Charles

Doty John, farmer

Drummond Benjamin

Dubbins George, laborer

Dugan Catherine Mrs.

Dulanty William, mason Dunn James, sec. foremau

Dunwoody Mrs.

Dwyer Daniel, laborer

Dwyer Frank, night watch

E AGLE -, cigar maker Ebberhard M. W. Rev. Methodist

Ebey John, potter

England Robert, laborer

Ested William, butcher

Evans George, plasterer

F FANNING RICHARD, works tile fac- tory

Fay Michael, laborer

Finley -, laborer

Flynn Michael, laborer

Foreman A. W. physician

Frame Robert, laborer

Frost S. M. plasterer

Fuller William, blacksmith

GAINES MRS. Gaines Riley, laborer

GARDINER & SHEPPARD, contractors and builders, have been estab- lished in business but one year, and have gained an enviable reputation for work- manship and honesty and reliability. John Sheppard, of this enterprising firm, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1833. Received a liberal educa- tion; at nine he became employed in a pottery, working nine years; he became a skillful workman. Leaving England, he emigrated to America, locating at Jersey- ville, Jersey County, he worked as a car- penter, having a natural inclination for this calling; starting in 1856 he won his way rapidly into public favor. He it was who drew the plans and built some of the best stores and dwellings at Jerseyville, White Hall, and Roodhouse. His partner,

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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.

George Gardiner, was born at Somerset- shire, England, in 1848; came to America in 1870; served apprenticeship in England Gardner George, carpenter

Garren John, laborer Garthwart L. L. gardener

Geehan Thomas, laborer Geery A. Mrs. milliner

Goheen Joseph, printer Gonell Frank, potter Goodall Jasper, laborer

Gorman Bridget Mrs. Gorman Timothy, laborer

Gosnell Mrs.

Grant Elijah W. bricklayer

Grant Thomas J. bricklayer

Greaves James, laborer

GRIMES W. B. proprietor White Hall livery, cor. Main and Bridgeport Sts., was born in Pike County, Ill., in 1836. He was the third child of John and Mary Ann Grimes, natives of Illinois. John Grimes was a well known, wealthy farmer. He died in 1872; his wife was laid at rest some years before. There were born of this marriage seven children. At the age of twenty W. B. Grimes entered the service of the United States, enlisting in Company I, 9Ist Ill. Inf .; engaged in many important battles. He was honorably discharged. In 1865 he returned to Greene County, and became a farmer until 1870, when he be- came engaged in his present calling. A short time ago he purchased the livery of Samuel Potts; these in connection with his old establishment are unequaled in Greene County. His present partner, Ike Powell, is a well known business man of this place. In 1866 Mr. Grimes was married to Miss Elizabeth Baston, a daughter of Charles and Nancy Baston, of Tazewell County, Illinois

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History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present, Part 59

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