History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present, Part 66

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 66

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).

ASHLOCK JAMES, blacksmith and wood-worker, Barrow Station

BURNS G. W. physician and surgeon, Wilmington

COATES W. B. dealer in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, caps, etc., Wilmington

COLLISTER G. W. machinist and blacksmith, Wilmington

HAYS J. B. physician and surgeon, Barrow

LINDER J. M. blacksmithing and wood work, Wilmington

PATTERSON L. J. station agent, Drake Station, Carrollton

SEELEY A. S. will attend to the threshing of grain throughout Greene Co. every Fall

WHITTAKER & RIGG, millers, Barrow. Custom work promptly attended to

ROODHOUSE DIRECTORY.

A KERS JOHN, plasterer, Roodhouse Allred Marion, plasterer, Roodhouse ARMSTRONG FRANK P., timber contractor C. & A. R.R., Roodhouse, was born in Maine, March, 1840. Becoming of age, he left the scenes of his youth for Illinois, and locating at Brown County, where he first worked by the month, after- wards he became very successful as a con- tractor on the C. & A. R.R., and one among the contractors for the woodwork entering into the construction of the Louisiana bridge; from Bloomington to Alton, con- tracted for and built the fencing for the C. & A. R.R. In 1873 he was united in mar- riage to Miss Annie Ross, of White Hall, a daughter of Simeon and Eveline Ross. We have thus given in brief a sketch of one whose life has been marked by decision of character and honesty of purpose and be- nevolence

ARMSTRONG GEO. W., dealer in groceries, queensware, hardware, wooden ware, willow ware, glassware, etc., etc. The above named gentleman was born in Maine in the year 1843. He is the young- est son of John and Isabella Armstrong, natives of Boyhill, Ireland. John A. mar- ried, in the beautiful isle of the sea, Miss Atwell. Crossing the broad waters of the Atlantic in 1820, after a long, tedious voy- age, the youthful couple set foot in Mass., where the husband procured employment in a tannery, at which vocation he served his time in Boston-the date is not known- from Boston to Maine, where following this some years he turned his attention to farming, an uphill business, although a large family contributed toward the family maintenance. In reference to the children it may be said that Humphrey W. is timber agent on the C. & A. R.R., and resides at Minneapolis, Minnesota; here also is the home of John A., who is an extensive wood and coal dealer ; Robert, who follows farm-

ing, resides in North Missouri ; Sarah E. is not living ; Frank A., R.R. contractor, re- sides in Roodhouse; George W., from whom this sketch is obtained, first settled on arriving in Illinois in Brown County, there and in Menard and Greene, in con- junction with his brothers, he became a R.R. contractor, and by skillful management laid the foundation for his successful career of to-day. Mr. Armstrong was united in mar- riage to Mary L. Sharp, a daughter of Peter L. Sharp, of Dubuque, Iowa. This mar- riage was blessed with three children : Katy, Georgia and Albert A. For the past seven years Mr. Armstrong has been a resi- dent of Roodhouse ; for the past four in the business mentioned ; in the venture he has been very successful, due to his efforts to please and unswerving honesty; the last mentioned article, if so it may be called, is the true secret of Mr. Armstrong's suc- cess, and the boy who entered Illinois years ago poor as the poorest of Illinois youthis, has won his way in the world through merit, hard work and integrity

ARMSTRONG JAMES M. lumber dealer. Oldest child of E. T. and Isabella Armstrong. E. T. Armstrong, the head of the family, was born in Madison County, Illinois, and in the year 1818, during his boyhood, he accompanied his parents to Sangamon County, Illinois, and afterwards to Pike. In 1852 E. T. Armstrong moved to Oregon, where he now resides, a well to do citizen of that State. J. M. Armstrong. from whom this sketch is obtained, did not accompany his parents to Oregon. From the age of sixteen to twenty-one he taught school, and then made his way to Chicago where he entered Eastman's College, se- curing a classical education ; he also be- came a telegraph operator, serving after- wards in this capacity on the Wabash R.R., also ticket agent and operator on the Jack- sonville Division of the C. & A. R.R. In

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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.

1868 Mr. Armstrong came to Roodhouse, and the statement is made on good authority that he was the first telegraph operator here. He afterwards entered into business with Geo. Armstrong and P. J. Sharp. This house transacted a dry goods, grocery and lumber trade. This firm dissolved partnership by mutual consent, Mr. J. M. Armstrong tak- ing the lumber department, made the first shipment of lumber for Roodhouse. At Winchester, in Scott County, he married, in May, 1862, Miss Anna M. Reed, a daughter of John M. Reed, of Morgan Co. One child, Mattie Belle. Mr. A. is a strict advocate of temperance

Armstrong Mrs. weaver, Roodhouse Auberer Carl, baker, Roodhouse

B AINE D. section foreman C. & A. R.R. Roodhouse

Bank of Roodhouse, E. M. Husted, pres .; T. L. Smith, cash.

Bames Robert, laborer, Roodhouse

BARRETT WILLIAM. The above named gentleman, who came to Roodhouse one year ago and opened a first class tailor- ing establishment, was born in Dublin City, Ireland, in 1823. In 1847 he emigrated to America, landing in New York City, he re- mained there many years of his life, and there learned the trade of tailoring, becom- ing a very superior workman. To the city of Richmond, Virginia, he directed his foot- steps, before the war, where he began busi- ness, and was very successful. Remaining during the stormy scenes of the Rebellion, in 1869 he made his way to Philadelphia, thence to New York City. thence to Illinois. Mr. Barrett married in Ohio. From past experience in the leading houses in Ohio and Illinois he is prepared to do first class work at as low prices as first class work can be done. Give him a call

Becratt E. fireman C. & A. R.R. Roodhouse Berkal Joseph, shoemaker, Roodhouse

Birge R. J. engineer switch engine, Rood- house

Bixby Richard, engineer, Roodhouse

Bolan Patrick, car repairer, Roodhouse Brace J. C. Roodhouse

Bridge James, laborer, Roodhouse

Briggs Ellis, of the firm of H. M. Hunt &

Co., grain and commission, Roodhouse Brooks W. H. barber

BROWN ANDREW, retired farmer, for the past four years a resident of Rood- house, was born in Frederick County, Vir- ginia, near Winchester, October 24, 1820. His father, Leroy Brown, was a native of Virginia, who there married Margaret Hut- ton ; there were three children born of this marriage, of whom Andrew was the oldest. When seventeen he left Virginia for Ohio · in company with his parents. They set- tled in Ross County, where the head of the family followed shoemaking. Leaving Ohio in 1849, the family came to Illinois, settling in Morgan County on a farm. In 1853 Andrew was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Burcher, a daughter of Clark Burcher. He now set himself reso- lutely to work, and soon became enabled to buy 160 acres of good land near White Hall, in Greene County, and followed agri- cultural pursuits successfully many years, and only abandoned it on account of ill health, produced by overwork. Selling his property, he moved to Roodhouse, where he now lives and where his wife has opened, to meet the wants of the enterprising peo- ple of Roodhouse, a first class millinery es- tablishment. Five children born of this marriage : Jackson, Phœbe and Margaret living ; John and Henry deceased

Brown A. Mrs. milliner and dressmaker Brown John, blacksmith, Roodhouse

BULLARD J. B. During the Summer of 1873 Mr. Bullard made his first entree into Roodhouse, and entered into partner- ship with Mr. A. E. Freeto, of Dupage County, Illinois, for the transaction of a general hardware business. They entered at once upon a successful career, as the town built up rapidly, with a good class of citizens. November 5, 1877, on the retire- ment of Mr. Freeto as a partner, Mr. Bul- lard took entire charge and now transacts a large and constantly increating business, both in hardware and tinware. Mr. B. was born in Sangamon County, January 20, 1854. His father, John Bullard, one of the first settlers of Sangamon County, came west in very moderate circumstances, mak- ing his trip over the western prairies on horseback. But little improvements were then manifest in Illinois, and money was generally an unknown quantity. In Illinois the wants of Mr. Bullard were few and

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simple. An energetic man, he worked during the pioneer days of Sangamon Co. as a rail splitter at forty cents per hundred. He became a prominent farmer of this county, and died in 1860. His wife was Miss Sarah Follis. The marriage took place in Kentucky. Of eleven children born of this marriage, the subject of this sketch was the tenth. He received a liberal education, and at an early day became ap- prenticed to the trade of a tinner ; becom- ing a skillful workman. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Miss Josie Dugger, of Macoupin County, Illinois

Bundy E. S. lumber, Roodhouse Bush George, laborer, Roodhouse

C AREY LAWRENCE, Roodhouse Carmine Nelson, laborer, Roodhouse Casey James, engineer, Roodhouse Casey John, telegraph operator, Roodhouse Champion G. W. laborer. Roodhouse

CHAPMAN ADAM, retired farmer, Roodhouse, Illinois. The above named gentleman was the youngest son of Luke and Grace Chapman, natives of Yorkshire, England, who crossed the Atlantic about the year 1820. The family then consisted of Sarah, Benjamin and William. A set- tlement was made in Virginia, where Luke, Ilannah and Adam were born. Adam, born in 1833, was but six years of age when his mother moved to Illinois; his father having died during his third year. On ar- rival in Illinois the little party of emigrants first settled in Scott County, remaining one year, and then moving to Greene County. Adam lived with his mother during her life. lle became a resident of Pittsfield, Pike County, two years. A hard working farmer, owning a good property, he became truly successful. Moving to Roodhouse on ac. count of impaired health, he invested in valuable town property. Mr. Chapman was married to Laura B. Pea, a daughter of Ezekiel and E. M. Pea ; one child, Edward, born in Greene County.

Christian Whitman, butcher, Roodhouse Clark Nicholas HI. restaurant, Roodhouse Clarke H. A. physician, Roodhouse

Clary J. M. night police C. & A. R.R. Rood- house

COBB L. E. retired farmer. I. E. Cobb was born in Burke Co., N. C., Feb. 24,

1810. At the youthful age of nineteen, he set out for the State of Indiana, on foot, The distance, 500 miles was made on foot not over a broad level prairie, like many who settled in the West in an early day, but on his way, which comprised consider- able of the distance, he crossed the range of mountains known as the Blue Ridge, in North Carolina, and Clinch and Cumber- land. This long distance was traversed in twelve days, giving the reader some idea of the strength of character and in- domitable will of the hardy pioneers, who will soon be known only in history. Arriv- ing in Indiana, Mr. Cobb secured employ- ment in a tannery, also worked as farm hand; first entered Illinois in 1832; worked for a blacksmith two weeks, receiving five dollars therefor ; his bed at night, a punch- eon floor ; his covering, deer skins ; a life made up of variety surely. Becoming proprietor of a small tannery, he earned his first $100, and purchased eighty acres in Macoupin Co. In Morgan County, he married Miss Mary Crum, daughter of Mathais Crum, a native of Virginia. In IS52, he disposed of his property there and came to Greene Co., where he bought a valuable tract of land, part of which now lies in the corporation of Roodhouse. There are seven children : Joseph, William, John, James, Mary, Margaret and Fanny. On closing this sketch, it is due Mr. Cobb, to state that he has won his way to a leading position through merit

Cobbs Willis, laborer, Roodhouse

Cochran John, fireman C.& A.R.R. Rood- house

Coke S. R. carpenter, Roodhouse

Cole John, painter, Roodhouse

Coles John, flour and feed, Roodhouse

Cone G. W. eng. C.& A.R.R. Roodhouse

Cooksy James, teamster, Roodhouse

Corrington M. R. Roodhouse

Cradock T. employee C.& A.R.R. Roodhouse

Currier Edward, laborer, Roodhouse

Cutler William, founder, Roodhouse

D ARLING CHARLES, brickinaker, Roodhouse

Day Mrs. Roodhouse

Derrick John, teamster, Roodhouse

Dill Charles, fireman C.& A.R.R. Roodhouse Dolan Charles, saloon, Roodhouse

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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.

Dolan William, eng. C.& A.R.R. Roodhouse DRENNAN J. P. ex-merchant, and prominent among the citizens of Rood- house; was born at Kenton, Ohio, on the 15th of Sept., 1815. Mr. D. grew to man- hood in Ohio, and there received a liberal education. When the war broke out, he was living at Mansfield, Ohio, and enlisted in Co. F., 82d Ohio. Was Captain, As- sistant Quartermaster in field until 1864, and took charge of clothing, camp and gen- eral equipage until 1865. Since his loca- tion at Roodhouse, Mr. Drennan has proved himself not only a capable busi- ness man but one whose integrity is un- questioned. He has always taken a deep interest in church matters and the advance- ment of education

Dugger Mrs. Roodhouse

Dunbar Peter, grocer, Roodhouse

E BBERT WILLIAM, blacksmith and machinist. The above named gen- tleman was born in Madison County, Ill., in 1852 ; his father, John Ebbert, was a native of Germany, who married in Madi- son Co., Ill., Martha Springman, a native of Germany. William is the oldest child of this family. Growing to manhood in Madison County, he became apprenticed to the trade of a blacksmith and machin- ist, and became a skilled workman in both branches. From Madison County Mr. Ebbert came to Greene, where he first worked for Robert Stewart. He then en- gaged in the machinery business, for him- self ; for a short time he worked at Alton, and then returned to Roodhouse, where he erected the building he now occupies, and where he is prepared at all times to do first- class work at low prices. Mr. E. is a mar- ried man ; there are two children : Nettie and Mattie

F ISK GEO. W. dealer in hides, pelts, etc. etc. Roodhouse

Flatan Lewis, merchant, Roodhouse

FOSTER D. T. CAPTAIN, who

has been proprietor of the popular resort, known as the Railroad Eating House, for the past three years in Roodhouse, was born in Washington Co., Vt., July 22, 1840; parents were, Elisha and Louisa Foster, natives of Vermont and New

Hampshire. The father passed the re- mainder of his life in Indiana; his wife died in Vermont, during the Summer of same year. Captain Foster remained in Vermont until his majority. As this date was the breaking out of the rebellion he enlisted in Co. D, Vermont Vol., as private› and arose to the rank of captain, being at first color-bearer, sergeant and first lieuten- ant ; a participant in many battles, where he gained an enviable reputation for bra- very on the field; honorably dischared June 29, 1865. He married in Blooming- ton, where he moved after the close of the war, Miss Lavilla Waltham, a native of Vermont ; one child blessed this union, named Myra. Was a member of the po- lice force at Bloomington ; afterward Cap- tain Foster came to Roodhouse, where he has gained a host of friends, who know him for a gentleman of culture and honor Frazier D. W. boots and shoes

FREETO A. E. watch-maker and U.S. express agt., Roodhouse, Il1. Mr. Freeto was born in Dupage Co., Ill., in 1852. His father, William Freeto, was a native of New Hampshire, who moved to Illinois in an early day ; a tinner by occupation ; he settled at Danby, now known as Prospect Park, where he died in 1860. The wife, a true type of those noble western women who shared the hardships of pioneer life in the West, with her husband, is now a resi- dent of Sangamon County. A. E. Freeto, whose name heads this sketch, learned the trade of tinner, at Lemont, Ill., where he also clerked for J. A. Fisk & Co., hardware dealers, remaining eight years. He moved to Mechanicsburg, Sangamon Co., where he entered into a co-partnership with his brothers, J. H. and Geo. W. Freeto, firm name, J. H. Freeto & Bros. Here he re- mained for a period of two years, when he came to Roodhouse, where he became for some time, a partner of J. B. Bullard, in the hardware trade. At the present writ- ing holds the position above stated Frost Charles, Roodhouse

G ILLEM WILLIAM, livery, Rood- house

Good M. S. clothing, hats, caps, etc. etc., Roodhouse

Gordy James, carpenter, Roodhouse

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ROODHOUSE.

Graham James, car repairer, Roodhouse Grant T. J. bricklayer, Roodhouse Gray William, dealer in flour and provisions, Roodhouse Green Barney, yard master, C. & A.R.R. Roodhouse

H AMMOND WILLIAM H, stock buy- er, Roodhouse

Hardcastle Mrs. Roodhouse Harney John, car repairer, Roodhouse Hatfield A. painter, Roodhouse Hatfield J. J. carpenter, Roodhouse Hinkel J. oculist, Roodhouse Holmes J. J. laborer, Roodhouse Hosman J, W. druggist, Roodhouse Hudson Berry, bricklayer, Roodhouse Hudson Fredrick, bricklayer, Roodhouse Hudson Sarah Mrs. Roodhouse Hueberger Joseph, barber, Roodhouse

HUNT H. M. & CO. grain and com- mission. Firm composed of H. M. Hunt and Ellis Briggs ; copartnership formed in 1875. Handle grain at the following points in Greene County : White Hall, Roodhouse, Drake Station, Schultz Mills, and Wrightsville, also at Winchester and Alsey, Scott County, and Murrayville, Morgan County. During the year 1878 this firm bought and shipped over seven hundred cars of wheat. They have the confidence of the entire community, and have unlimited facilities for buying and shipping grain. Their two main elevators are located at White Hall and Winchester. A large portion of their trade consists in supplying mills, but in the heaviest part of the season they are heavy shippers to all the large markets in the country. This is one of the most reliable grain firms in the State, and two more reliable and energetic men can not be found in Greene County

HUSTED E. M. farmer and banker. Was born in Addison County, Vermont, near the city of Vergennes, September 9, 1830. His father, Lyman Husted, was born in Vermont where he married Miss Maria Dennison ; there were four children born of this marriage of whom E. M. Husted was the third. In 1836 the family arrived in Illinois, where, six weeks later, the head of the family died.' The subject of this sketch early turned his attention to farming, and his systematic method of con-

ducting business has made him a leading farmer of Greene County. In 1850 he purchased the property where he now re- sides. Mr. Husted, we believe, was the first to introduce drain tile in this section of country, and now has his entire farm, where necessary, drain-tiled. Mr. Husted is one of the most public-spirited men of Roodhouse and has held many important positions, as president Roodhouse Bank, justice of the peace, president Agricultural Society, etc. December 1850, he was married to Miss Harriet Swallow, by whom he had two children, Effie C. and Edgar. Mrs. Husted died March 23, 1864, and the following year witnessed the nuptials of E. M. Husted to Miss A. C. Bannister, of Vermont

T SOM WILLIAM, laborer, Roodhouse

ORAEH J. W. merchant, Roodhouse J

JACKSON WM. B. grocer and res- taurant, w R.R. Roodhouse, Ill. Mr. Jackson was born in the State of Tenessee, July 18, 1842. His father was a very pros- perous planter in the South until the war came on, when he met with many misfor- tunes incident to a time of war. Enlisting in Co. G, Ioth Tenn. Cavalry, he was killed in battle near Knoxville. Wm. B. enlisted in the 26th Tenn. Inft. for twelve months, or during the war, and served in the capacity of third lieutenant, engaged in many important battles, as Murphysboro, Chickamauga, etc., etc .; honorably dis- charged when the war closed, he returned to East Tennessee, thence to Middle Ten- nessee, and then to Illinois, locating near Roodhouse, in 1873, where he became em- ployed on a farm. In 1875, he came to Roodhouse, entering into the above busi- ness, and meeting with good success, Mr. Jackson is a genial, kind-hearted man, who merits and receives a fair share of public patronage, In 1876, he was mar- ried to Miss Emma Sawyer, a daughter of Nathan Sawyer, a native of New York

Jackson William, justice of peace

Johnson A. asst. yard master, C.& A.R.R. Roodhouse

Jones W. W. baggage master C. & A. R.R. Roodhouse

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GREENE COUNTY DIRECTORY.

Jones W. T. watchmaker, Roodhouse Jones Wilson, switch engineer, Roodhouse

K IMBROUGH -, laborer, Roodhouse

KIRKLAND D. proprietor of the popular hotel known as the Kirkland, was born in Scotland, Feb. 2, IS26. For eigh- teen years a resident of Scotland. At an early age he became apprenticed to the trade of a cabinet maker. In 1844 he crosse 1 the ocean, landing at Quebec. From the Dominion of Canada he made his way to New York ; thence to Mcllenry County, Illinois, and began life as a railroad employe on the old Galena Division, afterwards con- solidated and known as the North Western ; remaining some five years, and during this time was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Dacy. For thirty years Mr. K. has of- ficiated in railroad matters as contractor, conductor and foreman. Shortly after the commencement of Roodhouse Mr. Kirk- land began the erection of a large hotel. This on completion was known as the Kirk- land House. The little town grew rapidly and he accordingly built several ( ther sub- stantial buildings to be used as stores. These were swept away by fire Sept. 4. 1876, a hard blow to the enterprising proprietor, who using his means in a liberal manner, contributed toward the prosperity of the town. The following month, nothing daunted by this calamity, Mr. Kirkland re- built on the ashes of his former building a handsome building on East Railroad Street, now known as the Kirkland Hotel, said to be the best in Greene County. See busi- ness card elsewhere. Of seven children born of his marriage, three are living: Robert M., Isabel and John. Mr. K. was the successor of John Roodhouse as presi- dent of the town board

KIRKLAND HOTEL, D. Kirkland, prop., Roodhouse

KNIGHT F. L., city butcher. Mr. Knight was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1846. Ilis parents were A. S. and Luvia C., natives of Massachusetts and Vermont. In an early day the family moved to New Hampshire, where the hus- band secured work on the city police force ; from here the family went to Vermont, where young Knight received his education.

In his nineteenth year he removed to New Hampshire, where three years of his life were passed in a butchering establishment as an apprentice. Moving to Illinois nine years ago ; he first located at Manchester, Greene County ; in White Hall, where he afterwards moved, he entered into partner- ship with E C. Clement as butchers ; this was a decided success ; two years later he moved to Greenfield, following the same occupation with flattering success. Now a resident of Roodhouse, engaged in the same calling, he transacts a large and con- stantly growing business. In White Hall Mr. Knight married Miss Anna Langdon of Manchester, who departed this life the following year and was laid to rest in Man- chester

Knight Frederick, butcher, Roodhouse

L AKIN TIIOMAS, agent C. B. & Q. R.R. Roodhouse

Lawless Thomas, carpenter, Roodhouse Lawson William, laborer, Roodhouse Leighton Frederick, clerk, Roodhouse Lennon Patrick, saloon, Roodhouse Lessem L. clothier, Roodhouse

LORTON WM. M., Roodhouse. Mr. Lorton is one of those rare people who elicit our warmest sympathies ; penetrating into what was a vast wilderness of prairie, so to speak, he became one among the first resi- dents of Greene County. He was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky, April, IS17. Two years later the Lorton family traversed the prairies for the West, arriving in due course of time. When scarcely a cabin re- lieved the monotony of a broad expanse of prairie the family first settled in Bond Co., Illinois. Years have flown by since then, and Illinois is celebrated for its fertility of soil, and its grain trade, for its beautiful dwellings, churches and schools; in it we see the guiding hand of the pioneer. Many Iudians then crowded the frontier, and there were but few neighbors. Building a cabin, Robert Lorton set to work in a resolute manner to gain a livelihood. Remaining until 1824; that year found the party en route for Greene County, where the noble and aged pioneer died in his S7th year; he merited the respect of all having the pleasure of his acquaintance. The spot known as Lorton's l'airie was named after

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ROODHOUSE.

an uncle of Wm. M. who is now in his 6Ist year. Amid pioneer associations in this county he grew up, and received a liberal education. In his 25th year he married Miss Agnes Brauym, by whom he had eight children. Mrs. L. died in 1872. The fol- fowing year he married Mrs. Lincoln, relict of Jarvis Lincoln, a relative of Abraham Lincoln. Mr. L. is an extensive farmer, a resident of Roodhouse

Lovell Joseph, farmer, Roodhouse

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History of Greene county, Illinois: its past and present, Part 66

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