History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present, Part 65

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 65

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).

Powell is among our most substantial farmers, whose energetic nature has con- duced very materially toward his present prosperous condition

Powell J. II. clerk, Wilmington, P.O. Breese Pruitt William, renter, Wilmington, P.O. Breese

Pryor William, farm hand, P.O. Roodhouse

RALSTON J. F. farmer, P.O. Roodhouse

RALSTON WILLIAM A. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. I, P.O. Barrow. Was born in Greene County, Illinois, in 18.42, oldest son of James B. and Ramy Ralston, natives of Kentucky and Illinois. James Ralston settled in Greene County in 1830, remaining a resident over forty years. On his first arrival he was in very moderate circumstances. Having no team with which to properly cultivate the soil to pro- vide for his family he has often gone to a horse mill many miles distant with a sack of corn thrown over his shoulder, and here he would patiently await his turn, sometimes a day, or perhaps two. He acquired a large estate in this county, comprising 444 acres and was one of the best men here. For the past fourteen years he has been a resident of Christian County, where he owns a farm property of 160 acres, and is also the proprietor of a livery stable at Illiopolis. William was early j ut to work, almost from the time his head reached the plow handles. In November, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Martin, a daughter of Charles R. Martin, of Greene County. Ile first rented prop- erty until such time as he was enabled to purchase, and is now the owner of 120 ecres of well-improved land. Has four children : Rebecca, Edward P., Dora E. and Hayden F.

Reardon Thomas, farm hand, P.O. Barrow

Reeve Spencer, works C.&A.R.R. Hanks Station, P.O. Breese

Reno Leonard, laborer, Wilmington, P.O. Breese

Reno P. Wilmington, P.O. Breese

Richmond J. J harness and saddle maker, Wilmington, P.O. Breese

Ricks John, carpenter, Wilmington, P.O. Breese

RIGGS J. M. farmer and stock raiser,

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TOWN 12, NORTH RANGE 12, WEST.

Sec. 8, P.O. Breese. Among the early settlers and educated men of Greene County, we mention the name of James M. Riggs. He was born in Virginia in 1812, and was but a lad when his parents moved to Ohio. In his eighteenth year he at- tended the Ohio University, obtaining a a classical education and graduating with high honors in 1826. For one season the

also attended Kenyon College. The young student determined to adopt the profession of an attorney, and accordingly entered the law office of Judge Swan, of Columbus, Ohio, With him he remained for a considerable length of time, when he studied under the Hon. Samuel D. King, of Newark, and also attended a course of law lectures for the benefit of law students. Gaining admission to the bar in I837, he practiced a short time in Ohio, when he came west and located in Carrollton, where for a short time the young attorney taught school, and then entered actively upon the practice of his profession with Judge Cav- alry. For many years the struggle among the legal fraternity was an uphill one, as settlers were few, and most cases were for assault and battery. As emigration came westward, however, the county settled up rapidly and the prospects of the young attorney began to brighten. In 1842 he purchased 320 acres of land, on which he erected a saw-mill. This proved a failure. Mr. R. is an able lawyer, having for his- sociates at the bar Judge Hodges, Judge Woodson and others. Gained a fair start in life in 1858. He was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Carriger; of this mar- riage two children were born, Florence and infant child ; not living. Mr. R. is a fine linguist and a gentleman far above the average in ability, whose impulses are most generous

Riggs G. proprietor saw mill, Barrow Rimleigh W. T. works tile factory, Bar- row

ROBERTS ISHAM, farmer and stock raiser, P.O. White Hall. Mr. Rob- erts was born in Greene County in 1841. His parents were Lewis and Rebecca Rob- erts. Of Lewis Roberts it may be said that he was a native of North Carolina, born in 1797. In early youth he became a resident of Kentucky, where he was

united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Day. In 1820 he set out from Kentucky to Illi- nois in a covered wagon. Then, in his. twenty-second year, he was possessed of great powers of endurance. He first worked by day's labor, receiving therefor the sum of twenty-five cents per day. Saving what he could from his small earnings he entered land from the government, after- wards making a purchase of the farm property of Charles Kitchen. This old pioneer and Mr. Roberts made the first improvement, it is said, in township 12, range 12. He became a well to do farmer, acquiring a property of some 600 acres. Isham received his preliminary education in a log cabin, which afterwards gave place to a small frame dwelling. December II, 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Artimesia Baird, a daughter of Zebulon Baird, of Scott County. There were born of this marriage seven children, five now living : Lucy J., Marietta, Margaret E., Norman J., Louisa G. and infant child. Mr. Roberts is the owner of 138 acres of valuable land. In 1868 he was ordained a Baptist minister, and now takes charge of the following churches : Richmond, and Pleasant Dale in Greene, and Glasgow and Mauvaisterre in Scott County

ROPER WILLIAM, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 6, P.O. Breese. Mr. Roper, who for the past twenty years has been a resident of Greene County, was born at Manchester, England in 1822. His father, John Roper, was a machinist by trade, and to him young Roper was reg- ularly apprenticed. Completing his ap- prenticeship he worked some time as a journeyman, and on the decease of his father became proprietor of his shops. In 1844 he married Miss Mary Ann Sherwin, a daughter of William Sherwin, of Derby, England. In 1849 William de- termined to emigrate to America. On two occasions he was nearly shipwrecked. Landed in New York City, and from here he made his way to Scott County, thence to St. Louis, where he worked in the Western Foundry for seven years. He then went to Springfield, from Springfield to Jacksonville, and thence to Greene County, where he now owns a farm of forty acres. He has four children living :

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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.

John, William, George and Catherine, who married Charles Clough

Rudel John, renter, P.O. Breese

SCOTT GEORGE, renter, P.O. Breese Seeley Frank, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31, P.O. White Hall

SEELEY A. STEWART, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 30, P.O. White Hall, one of the most prominent farmers of Greene County, whose generous nature makes him universally respected, was born at St. Louis, Missouri, December 27, 1812. He was left an orphan at the early age of eleven years, and thus early thrown on his own resources, he made his way to Illinois, locating in Greene County in 1823, near his present magnificent property. For a boy he developed an energy of character that accounts for his success in life. He first hired out as a farm hand. In his twenty- first year he was married to Miss Laney Hodges, a daughter of Samuel Hodges. About this time Mr. Seeley had for capital a wife, energy and perseverance. But in a short time he was enabled to purchase eighty acres of land. To break the stub- born soil he first used a Bull plow, subse- quently a Carey, Borshire and Diamond. The young man worked hard, living in a simple way, his home being a rough cabin, where venison frequently graced the table. Often he would go miles to a horse mill to procure a little meal to supply the family larder. Mrs. Seeley relates that prairie chicken were so numerous that they were a burden. At this date, to use the language of Judge Seeley, Carrollton was but a hamlet, where some half dozen stores and dwellings went to make up the place, and here the early settler was wont to lay in his provisions. As years went by the orphan boy of former years began to ac- cumulate property, and soon took a leading position as a farmer. He to-day owns over 2,000 acres of land, in township 12, range 12, township 12, range 13, and township II, range 13. The success of the pioneer boy was something wonderful. For four- teen years Mr. Seeley was county com- missioner, and for a number of years justice of the peace. Of ten children born of this marriage, what is somewhat re- markable, all are living : Rufus G., Louisa,

John, William, Ann, George, Frank, Amer- icus, Anthony, Emma. and Ada

Seeley George F. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 32, P.O. White Hall

Seeley John H. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31, P.O. White Hall

SEELEY RUFUS G. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 21, P.O. White Hall. R. G. Seeley was born on the homestead of his parents, A. Stewart Seeley and Laney, in 1836. His preliminary education was received in the log cabin of by-gone days, where the seats were constructed of slabs, the writing desks of the same material. The first teacher of Mr. Seeley was Col. Richard Johnson, who was liberally edu- cated for the period of time in which he lived. On leaving the school room young Seeley's time was fully occupied on the farm. In his twenty-second year he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Bigham. His first purchase of land consisted of ninety-five acres. Adding to this yearly he now owns 240. Mr. Seeley has three children : Nora Jane, Maud and Eda B.

Seeley William, farmer, Wilmington, P.O. Breese

Short Patrick, farm hand, P.O. Roodhouse Sievers Frank, R.R. hand, Barrow

SMITH DAVID, deceased, once a prosperous farmer of Greene County, was born in North Carolina, where he grew to manhood. Received a common school ed- ucation. He early learned to rely upon himself, and on coming westward he first settled at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The journey west was made in a covered wagon, which slowly wound its way over the tall prairie grass; on crossing small streams, it became necessary to transfer the household goods to boats, which on crossing were again placed in the wagon and travel re- sumed. For a period of fifteen years or more Mr. Smith remained a resident of Missouri, locating in Greene County in 1838. Purchasing 160 acres near White Hall and Wilmington, he settled down to farm life in Greene County. While here his wife died. His second wife was Mrs. New- ton, by whom he had four children. This lady departed this life in 1866. In 1871 he married Mrs. Serena Manuel, a daugh- ter of Cumberland James and relict of Thompson Manuel, who died many years

563

TOWN 12, NORTH RANGE 12, WEST.

ago. Mr. Smith died in 1875. He was a man of extraordinary energy, and this, added to great steadiness of purpose, made his life a success

Smith John, farmer, P.O. Roodhouse Smith John E. renter, P.O. Breese

SMITH JOHN R. farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Roodhouse. Mr. Smith was born in Scott County, Ill., Jan. 8, 1843, oldest son of J. R. Smith, a native of Tennessee, who accompanied his parents to Illinois, when eight years of age; employed first as a farm hand, he afterward became apprenticed to the trade of a blacksmith. He was married to Miss Jane Six, by whom he had five children. Mrs. Smith died many years ago. His second wife was Miss Patsey Ann Overton. Mr. S. is still living, a resident of Scott County. John R., in 1873, was married to Miss Alice Cline, daughter of John and Julia Cline; one child, Birdie

SMITH ROBERT, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 29, P.O. White Hall. The above named gentleman was born in Greene County, March 24, 1839. Receiv- ing a common school education, for a num- ber of years he worked on the old home- stead. In his twenty-third year he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Ballard, a daughter of Avery Ballard, a native of Tennessee and an early resident of Greene County, of whom an account is given elsewhere. Of this marriage four children were born, three living: Eva A., Ida M., Minnie O., and Charles O. (de- ceased). Mr. Smith is the owner of 128 acres prairie and timber, situated in Tp. 12, R. 12, and is one of the most industrious farmers in the county

Smith Thomas, renter, Sec. 34, P.O. White Hall

Smith Thomas B. farm hand, P.O. White Hall

Smith W. J. renter, Sec. 6, P.O. Breese Smith W. S. laborer, Barrow

Smith -, foreman C.B.& Q R.R. Barrow Smock J. B. farmer, P.O. Roodhouse

Spalding William A. farm hand, P.O. White Hall

SPERRY CHARLES W. farmer, Sec. 33, P.O. White Hall. Mr. Sperry was born in Greene County, June, 1841. He was the fourth child of M. C. P. and

Hannah Hodges. Of the head of this family it may be said that he became one of the first settlers of Greene County, and put in many a hard day's work within its borders. Locating near Kane, his land was entered from the Government, on which he built a log cabin. When Black Hawk made war on the few daring settlers of Illinois he volunteered as a soldier. After the war he returned to his pioneer home. He passed away during the Autumn of 1865. Mrs. Sperry died dur- ing the early infancy of him whose fortunes we now follow. In 1862 he enlisted in Company G, 122d Ill. Inf., organized in Macoupin County. He became engaged in the following battles : Parker's Cross Roads, Tupello, Town Creek, Nashville, Fort Blakely, etc., etc. When the war closed he returned to Jersey County, Ill., where he married Miss Rachel E. Marshall. Remaining in Jersey County two years he then moved to Sangamon County, remain- ing one year, and also was a resident of Montgomery County. There are three children : Walter O., Emma J., and Lucy A.

STEELMAN A. L. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P.O. Barrow. Mr. Steel- man is one of the leading farmers of Greene County, and was born in Surrey County, North Carolina, April 19, 1824, He was the second child of James and Catherine Steelman, who emigrated to Illinois from Tennessee in 1851. It should be stated, however, that Ashley Steelman became a resident of Greene County prior to this settling, in 1843. He was then married, his family consisting of a wife and one child, his capital thirty-five cents. Renting a house in Wilmington. he now looked about him for work. Becoming employed as a farm hand, working at the rate of $10 per month, for the late Judge Woodson, he worked one year; when war was declared between Mexico and the United States he enlisted in Company D, 2d Ill. Reg. as 3d sergeant, and was after- ward elected by the company orderly sergeant, serving under General Scott ; mustered out of Uncle Sam's service at Alton, Illinois. He was married, on his return home, to Martha J. Ford, a daughter of James Ford. In 1851 or 1852 Mr.

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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.

Steelman entered 80 acres of land, which is comprised in the property he now owns, and 40 acres north of this. From this small acreage came an estate of over 500 acres. In conclusion, it may be stated, Mr. Steelman's success in life is due to no lucky chance, but to solid hard work, uniting energy and honesty. His marriage took place in 1849

Steelman Alfred, renter, P.O. Barrow

Steelman Andrew J. renter, P.O. Barrow

Stevenson -- , laborer Wilmington, P.O. Breese

Straight Perry, renter, P.O. White Hall

Strait Thomas, farm hand, P.O. Roodhouse

TANNER JAMES, renter, P.O. White Hall

TAYLOR BURGESS, deceased, was a successful farmer in Greene County. He was married, in 1844, to Miss Martha Record. Of this marriage three children were born, two are living: Lucy J. and William P. Mrs. Taylor owns 120 acres of valuable land. As a matter of history, Mrs. Taylor's father was a soldier in the Black Hawk War. Samuel Baird, a patron of this work, was born in Scott County, in 1829, third child of Zebulon and Belinda Baird. He was but seven when his par- ents moved to Greene County, near Bar- row. Receiving a district school educa- tion, at twenty-one he was married to Miss Lucy J. Taylor, a daughter of Burgess Taylor. Five children blessed this mar- riage: Martha S., John B., James Z., Alonzo C., and William O.

Taylor Thomas, blacksmith, Wilmington, P. O. Breese

Taylor William, blacksmith, Wilmington, P. O. Breese

Teeples James, renter, P.O. White Hall Thaxton W. B. farmer. P.O. White Hall THOMAS A. PROF. insurance agent,

liberal lecturer and public reader, was born in Mead Co., Kentucky, on the 6th of April, 1826 ; the second child of Benja- min and Hepsibah Thomas. At the age of two years his parents emigrated from Kentucky and settled at the Saline Salt Works, Gallatin Co., Illinois ; it was here our subject passed his boyhood upon a farm, where it was frequently his lot to plow all day with a yoke of unruly steers.

During the winter season he acquired a liberal education in the common rough, round log cabin school house. When war was declared between the U. S. Govern- ment and Mexico, Mr. Thomas, then in the flush of early manhood, enlisted in the 14th U. S. Infantry Regt. at Shawneetown, Gallatin Co., Ill., under the command of Col. Truesdell. On reaching the scene of carnage he afterwards became a partici- pant in those battles so famous in history as Cherubusco, Molino del Rey, and Chep- ultepec. When the war closed he returned to Illinois and settled in Brown County, afterwards proceeding to Pike County, he became a teacher of district schools ; locat- ing in Scott County during the Spring of 1849. On the fifth of October, 1851, he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Anderson, a daughter of Andrew Ander- son, of Delaware. March, 1856, Mr. Thomas became a resident of Greene County, locating at the village of Wil- mington, where he was destined to play a prominent part in its growth and develop- ment, and for the long period of time in which he has lived here he has proved him- self a wide-awake business man, and has gained considerable local celebrity as a public reader and lecturer. The marriage of Mr. Thomas to Miss Anderson was blessed with five children, two of whom are living, whose names in order of birth are : George and Charles ; children not living : Eugene, Josephine, and Julia

Thomas Henry, laborer, Wilmington, P.O. Breese

Thompson I. C. farmer, Sec. II, P.O. Barrow Thompson Thomas, farmer, Sec. 12, P.O. Barrow

Thompson W. A. merchant and grain dealer, Barrow

Thompson & Doyle, merchants, Barrow

[ INDERWOOD MR. tailor, Wilmington, P.O. Breese

TTAN METER JAMES, farm hand, P.O. White Hall

WADE WILLIAM A. farmer and stock raiser in the pioneer days of Greene County, who has long since been gathered to his fathers, was born at Lan- cashire, England, in 1820. At the early

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TOWN 12, NORTH RANGE 12, WEST.

age of eleven, he departed from England for America. He first stopped at Phila- delphia, and afterward became a resident of New Jersey, where he learned the trade ot a shoemaker. About this time glowing accounts reached him of the fertile prairies of Illinois, and accordingly the youth di- rected his footsteps westward, and first set- tled, on arrival in Illinois, in Sinclair County, near Belleville, where he worked at his trade some two years, when he accom- panied his parents to Pike County, settling near Griggsville, where he married Miss Mary Ann King. After his marriage he lived one year near Florence, where he owned a farm. In 1850 he moved to Greene County, where his health became so poor that he gradually sank and passed peacefully away, in 1858. To the care of his wife he left one child, Samuel W., who resides on the old homestead, who during the present year united his fortunes to Miss Hattie Smith, a daughter of Mrs. Peters. Mrs. Wade, who is an excellent Christian lady, resides in Tp. 12, R. 12, where she owns a valuable farm property, in the neighborhood of 300 acres. She was born July 24, 1824, in Greene County

Wadkins A. farmer, P.O. Barrow Station Wales Charles, renter, P.O. Roodhouse Walk John, farmer, P.O. Breese Wallace John, renter, Sec. 6, P.O. Breese WELLS ROBERT, deceased, a farmer during his life, and who settled within the borders of Greene County in 1830, and who was well and favorably known to the early settlers of this county, was born in Tennessee, January 16, 1803, and there married Miss Emma Jones, Dec. 24, 1826. Mrs. Wells was born January 14, 18II, and died in 1875. Mr. Wells died many years prior, Oct. 3, 1853. There are three children : William G., Robert C., and Mary A.

Warner Charles, renter, P.O. Roodhouse Watkins Aaron, farmer, Sec. 4, P.O. Breese Welch Thomas, farm hand, P.O. White Hall Welch William, farmer, P.O. Roodhouse Wells John, farmer, Sec. 6, P.O. Breese Wells William, farm hand, P.O. Breese WHITTAKER & RIGG, proprie- tors Barrow flouring mills, Barrow Station. Messrs Whittaker & Rigg became estab- lished in the above business during the

present year, purchasing the property formerly owned by Chas. F. Bruce. The new firm, composed of young men of enter- prise and energy, are determined to manu- facture only a superior grade of flour, and thereby hope to gain a liberal patronage. In conclusion we heartily recommend them to the citizens of Greene County, who are not slow to bestow patronage where worthy Whittaker Cyrille, flouring mill, Barrow Whittaker Samuel, proprietor flouring mill, Barrow

Wilkinson Ira, farm hand, P.O. Barrow WILKINSON GEORGE, the late, who deserves more than a passing notice due his kindly nature and generous disposi- tion, was born in Kentucky; emigration was moving rapidly westward, and he de- termined to carve out a fortune upon the prairies of Illinois, and accordingly, after many weeks of travel, settled in what is known as the Sand Ridge, Greene County, where he followed farming up to the time of his decease, which occurred in 1852. To the care of his wife, whose maiden name was Lusetta Martin, he left a family of three children : James, Midas E. and George, Mrs. W. is a native of Tennessee ; born August 5, 1829, and was married to George Wilkinson in 1846. Mrs. Wilkinson relates that when she began housekeeping her hus- band was very poor, and for several years it was an up hill struggle for an existence. Mr. W. survived his trip but five years ; his wife, thus left in moderate circumstances, was materially aided by her children who, though young, were industrious. James, the elder, developed an energy of charac- ter that has made him a successul farmer, and he has helped very materially to bring the home farm to its present state of culti- vation ; it comprises 360 acres, and is owned jointly by Mrs. Wilkinson and old- est son; the substantial farm residence was erected in 1865. The statement should have been made that Mr. Wilkinson died near North Platte River, on his way to Oregon

WILKINSON JAMES, farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Breese. Mr. Wilkinson was born in Kentucky, June 11, 1831 ; in early infancy his parents, William F. and Jane Wilkinson, settled in Greene County, Ill. Mr. Wilkinson was a carpenter by

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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.

trade, who worked at this calling and that of farming many years. In 1858 he moved to Piatt County, Ill., where he now re- sides, retired from active life ; Mrs. Wilk- inson passed away during the Spring of 1877. James, whose name heads this sketch, grew to manhood in Greene County, where the greater portion of his life has been spent, as a farmer. For two years he made his home in California. November 23, 1853, he was married to Miss Mary.Allen, a daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Allen. This marriage was blessed with seven chil- dren : Elaine W., William Ira, America T., George A., Lewis C., Effie L., and Louisa J., deceased

WILKINSON WM. J. farmer and stock raiser, P.O. Breese. Mr. Wilkinson is among our most substantial farmers ; he was born in Casey County, Ky., February 25, 1828 ; he was but three years old when his parents moved to Scott County, Ill., and shortly afterward to Greene, where a cabin was first rented. Mr. W. says that at this time wild game was very plenty and fre- quently graced the table of the pioneer, for, like nearly all Kentuckians, the head of the family was an excellent shot, and became a frequent participant in that inter- esting sport called a deer drive. Passing his boyhood among the sturdy veterans of the prairie, many of whom are gathered to their fathers, young Wilkinson attained a vigorous energy that few possess. From 1849 until 1860 he rented property. At twenty-two he married Miss Elizabeth Jane Lovelace. When the war came on he en- listed in the gIst Regiment Ill. Vol .; he served one year in the service of Uncle Sam; after his return from the army he went to California, where he remained nearly four years. Mr. W. owns, to-day, 301 acres of choice land, on which he has lately erected a handsome farm residence ; he has only one child, Laurett, who resides at home

Williams Benjamin, farmer, Sec. 10, P.O. Barrow

Williams Geo P. renter, Sec. 3, P.O. Barrow Williams James, renter, Sec. 3, P.O. Barrow Williams William, brakeman C.B.& Q.R.R. Barrow

Winters Joshua, jr. school teacher, boards A. J. Ballard, Sec. 21, P.O. White Hall

BUSINESS CARDS.

ALBERT T. J. school teacher, Wil- mington

AMOS GEORGE H. stock buyer and trader, Tp. 12, R. 12

ASHLEY & BRUCE, tile mnfrs. Bar- row. We would respectfully call your at- tention to our superior drain tile. Our clay is procured at the same bank from which the White Hall tile is made, and is in every respect, equal to the best manu- factured there. Our machinery is new and of the improved pattern: By using steam power, we are enabled to work clay much stiffer and therefore make much better tile than can be made by horse-power. Our tile are also burned in a regular potters kiln, and, like stoneware, burned to a stone body impervious to water, therefore can not be affected by frost. In selecting tile. see that they are smooth inside. Tile that are rough inside will gather dirt, roots and other particles that will finally stop your drain. Buy none but those manufac- tured from fire clay. By using these pre- cautions and having your ditching done by an experienced workman, your ditch will not tronble you nor your successors

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History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present, Part 65

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