USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois > Part 60
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
Mr. Woodroof's life has been a busy one. He started in Illinois in the pioneer era of the state. He is a republican in politics. He cast his first vote for Harrison and Tyler, in 1840. After the old-line whig party dis- banded, he joined the republican party, in 1856, and has been a consistent member of that political organization ever since. He has been frequently solicited to run for office, but he prefers to attend to his business and keep on in the even tenor of his way, than to engage in the uncertainties and perplexities of politics. He is inclined to a liberal belief in religious mat- ters. He is a member of the ancient and honorable order of A. F. and A. M., and I. O. O. F.
Mr. Woodroof attributes his success in life to certain rules of conduct that he adopted in early life, and these were: to run his business, and never allow the business to run him; to never misrepresent anything, if he knew it, for the sake of gain, and to be kind and considerate to men in his employ. A strict adherence to these rules have brought their reward.
JOHN F. ROACH
WAS born in Carroll county, Tenn., Aug. 16th, 1829. The Roach family are of Scotch-Irish ancestry. William Roach, the father, was a native of North Carolina, and was a soldier of the war of 1812. He was at New Orleans in Gen. Carroll's command, and shared with the soldiers of Gen. Jackson the honor of meeting and signally defeating the British forces under Pack- enham. The whole of Jackson's army from Tennessee went down on flat- boats, and after the routing of the enemy returned home on foot. William Roach suffered greatly from fatigue and sickness, and would have died had it not been for the kindness and care shown him by the Choctaw Indians. He was a hatter by trade, and worked at the business for many years, but subsequently abandoned it and engaged in farming. He married Anna Smith, by whom he had twelve children ; all lived to maturity except one, who died in infancy. Eight of the children have survived the parents. William Roach left Tennessee June, 1844, and came to Illinois, and settled in Morgan county, eight miles east of Jacksonville. He remained there until the fall of 1848, when he came to Macoupin county, and settled near Scottville, where he remained for two years, and then removed to a farm four miles north-west of Carlinville. Here he remained until his death, which occurred July 4th, 1861. His wife and mother of the present sketch died in April, 1846. John F., spent his boyhood days in the common schools of his native state, and in the summer months helping to cultivate tobacco. In 1849, when he was twenty years of age, he started out in life for himself. He bought a team of oxen and commenced breaking prairie
Digitized by Google
+
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
194
during the summer months and teaming in the winter. On the 12th of November, 1852, he was united in marriage to Miss Martha H. Cherry. Four children have been born to them, two of whom are living. The eldest, Mary Etna, is the wife of Henry Lemons, and James McCoy Roach, the only son, is yet at home. After his marriage he raised one crop, and in March, 1854, he moved to Girard, where, as above stated, he followed breaking prairie for four or five years. In 1856 he purchased forty acres of land in section thirty-six, and commenced its improvement; built a house and moved into it; he remained there three years, when he rented the farm upon which he now lives. He remained there but one year, at the end of which time he bought a house and lot in the village of Girard and moved into it.
From this time dates his entrance into the stock business. About this time he received a contract from the government to supply the army with beef. He also purchased stock and shipped to the different markets. In 1863 he purchased eighty acres of the land on which he now resides, and added stock breeding and raising to his other business. As a stock breeder he has been very successful, and has received favorable and complimentary notices in this direction from both the Chicago and St. Louis papers. His breeds of short-horned Durhams are unexcelled in this section of the state. He has added to the original eighty acres of land until he has now three hundred and twenty, all of which is devoted to stock-raising and grazing. He is also in connection engaged with others in buying and shipping cattle from Kansas to eastern markets. In politics he is an ardent and staunch republican. He was one of those men who early learned to believe that slavery was wrong and antagonistic to free institutions. In 1856 he voted for John C. Fremont, going a distance of eight miles through a blinding snow-storm in order to secure this privilege. It is needless to say that he still adheres to the party of his first choice. Both he and his wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
DANIEL DELANEY
WAS born in county Kerry, Ireland, in 1836. He emigrated to America in 1852 and settled in New York state, where he worked on a farm and in the nursery business He continued there until October 28, 1858, when he came west and settled in Girard, where he engaged in selling nursery stock and working upon a farm. He afterwards engaged in different pursuits, until 1876, he was appointed deputy under sheriff Heaton, with whom he continued until the expiration of his term of office, after which he accepted of a similar position under sheriff Sunderland, with whom he is at present. In the office of deputy sheriff Mr. Delaney has been industrious and entirely trustworthy. He has made numerous acquaintances throughout the county, and wherever known he has received the approbation of the parties with whom he has done business.
In 1859 he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Carey. She is also a native of Ireland, but was a resident of Macoupin county at the time of her marriage. Five children, three girls and two boys, have been born to them. In politics he is an uncompromising democrat, and cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas, in 1860.
F. W. RING
WAS born on the Rhine, in the province of Darmstadt, Germany. His youth was spent in receiving a thorough musical education, for which he was specially fitted by nature; music was his delight as a boy, and his taste and love for it grew with his years. When his musical education was com- pleted in his native land, he emigrated to America, arriving here in 1855. Soon after his arrival in this country he engaged as a musician, and travelled over a great portion of the United States in that capacity ; he was also for a considerable time engaged in the orchestra in St. Louis. At the breaking out of the war he entered the service as sergeant of Co. "C," 14th* Regt. Ills. Vols., Col. John M. Palmer commanding. He was soon afterwards de- tached, and joined the Band Corps, where he remained until mustered out. He then came to St. Louis and served the balance of his time in the City Post Band, after which he came to Virden and engaged in produce trading. In 1867 he removed to Girard, and started in the restaurant business; he soon after engaged in the saloon business, in which he continued for ten years, when he went back to restaurant, baking and dealing in family groce- ries and supplies, in which he still continues. In 1863 he was united in
marriage to Miss Charlotte Iech, who was a resident of St. Louis. Nine children have been born to them, seven of whom are living-four boys and three girls.
In politics Mr. Ring is a democrat, but was formerly a republican. Mr. Ring as a musician has been quite successful ; he has organized and been leader of different bands in this section of the country. He has made a great many friends by means of his music, and at the same time it has been a source of considerable revenue to him. He is an agreeable gentleman in his manners, and is liked by the entire community.
WESLEY D. PEEK
Is a native of Macoupin county. Joshua Peek, his father, was a native of Virginia. He removed to Kentucky, where he married Eliza Scott, who was born in Ireland, but came to this country in company with her parents, when she was in her infancy. Joshua Peek left Kentucky and came to Illinois in 1833, and settled in Palmyra township, where he entered one hur- dred and sixty acres of land. He there remained until his death in 1851. His wife died in 1847. Joshua Peek was a man who in his life, was one of the most extensive dealers in live stock, in the county. He, before the era of railroads, in connection with Jacob Strawn, the "Cattle King," did principally all the cattle buying done in the northern part of the county. He was one of those kind-hearted men who are often imposed upon by his friends. His heart and hand were always open. He was often induced to go security for others, and not unfrequently was left to meet the obligations of those he had befriended ; yet, with all, at his death was possessed of a good farm, and what was better he left a name that was unstained with per- sonal dishonor. There were nine children born to Joshua and Eliza Peek, four of whom are yet living. The subject of our sketch, was born May 6th, 1838. He remained at home until October 23d, 1860, when he was married to Angelina Graves, a native of Shelby county, Kentucky. She was a resi- dent of Macoupin county at the time of her marriage. Seven children have been the fruits of this marriage, five of whom are living. Their names are Mary Louisa, Richard Joshua, Martha Jennie, Ida May and Edward Peek. All are yet at home. Mr. Peek has been engaged in farming for the greater portion of his life. In politics he was formerly a republican, but at present votes the democratic ticket. Both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
HENRY C. HAMILTON
WAS born in Mercer county, Missouri, November 13th, 1851. John Ham- ilton, his father, was a native of Knoxville, Tennessee. The Hamiltons were originally from Scotland, and emigrated to America before the Revolu- tionary struggle. In 1835 Mr. Hamilton left his native state and came to Illinois. Here he remained for three years, when he returned to Tennessee, and in 1849 removed back to this state and settled in Morgan county, remaining until 1851, when he removed to Mercer county, Missouri, where the subject of our sketch was born. In 1855 he moved back to Illinois, and in 1856 came to Girard, where he engaged in farming. He remained here until 1875, when he returned to Mercer county, Missouri, his present residence. IIe married Miss Rhoda George, a native of Tennessee. This union was blessed with eight children, six of whom are living. Henry C., is the eldest of the family. He attended the schools until his twelfth year, when he was compelled to abandon school and help support himself and the family of his father, the latter being poor and har- ing a large family on his hands. Henry was thus deprived of the advan- tages of receiving such an education as falls to the lot of most youths in this privileged and favored country. He was compelled to become a producer as well as a consumer. By his assistance his father was enabled to secure for himself a comfortable home. At the age of thirteen years he went out from home and did all manner of work that presented itself. He continued this until 1867, when he went into the banking house of William Hindle of Girard, as book-keeper, and remained in that capacity until 1871, when he accepted a similar situation in the banking house of B. P. Andrews, and remained with the latter until 1874. Mr. Andrews sold out, and in connec- tion with other capitalists organized the bank of Girard. Mr. Hamilton was then appointed assistant cashier. In 1875 Mr. Andrews, who was cashier, retired from the business, and Mr. Hamilton was promoted to the office of cashier, a position he still holds and fills to the entire satisfaction of his em- ployers and numerous friends. On the 7th of May, 1873, he was married to
Digitized by Google
1
195
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Miss Permelia E., daughter of Samuel England. She was born in Macoupin county, May 7th, 1853. Three children have been born to them, all girls. In politics Mr. Hamilton is a democrat, and cast his first vote for the liberal candidate, Horace Greeley, for President, in 1872, and since that time has acted and voted with the democratic party. Both he and his estimable wife
are members of the Christian church. In habits Mr. Hamilton is exceed- ingly temperate, and in his manners is a quiet and affable gentleman. In his business he is quick and correct, and in the community where he resides has numerous friends, who all accord to him the reputation of a quiet, gentlemanly and honest man.
GILLESPIE TOWNSHIP.
HE township of Gillespie, as known on the government survey, is township 8, range 7. It is bounded on the north by Brushy Mound, on the east by Cahokia, on the south by Dorchester and on the west by Hilyard. It derives its name from the town of Gillespie, and the town was named in honor of Judge Joseph Gillespie, by the managers of the I. & St. L. R. R. The northern and western part is par- tially timbered. The Dry Fork and its branches have their banks covered with a growth of timber, mostly oak ; the land along these streams is quite uneven and in some places quite broken ; the soil is of yellow clay mixed with sand near the streams, but as we go from the streams we find a black deep soil and very productive. The southern and eastern portion is mostly prairie, and is under a high state of cultivation. Pure water is procured by digging, not usually to exceed thirty feet, and is generally found at a depth of about twenty feet.
The land slopes toward the centre from north to south and is drained by the Dry Fork and its branches, which run in a west and north-westerly direc- tion, and leaves the township in section 6. The south-east corner of the township is drained by the Little Cahokia.
The first land entered in the township was on October 28, 1825, by Michael Dodd; eighty acres on section 15. Three years afterward Dennis Davis en- tered eighty acres on north-west quarter of section 2, September 15, 1828, and about one year later, September 29, 1829, B. Nowlin and J. G. White entered eighty acres on section 14.
The first house was built by John Wright, on section 2, in the year 1828, where he lived for a short time when a difficulty arose between him and Mr. Davis. Davis entered the land that Mr. Wright occupied; they however settled the difficulty by Mr. Davis paying Mr. Wright a small consideration.
About 1829 the following men settled in the township: Alexander Mil- ler, on section 3; soon after came Abraham Huddleston, Jr., and located on the same section; a widow, Mrs. McCafee, and family settled on south-west quarter of section 2; and Dennis Davis also made a farm in the same section. In 1830 came Aaron Maxwell, who settled on section 22; Gabriel Maxwell, on section 21 ; and in 1831 James Robinson on section 29; Arter Taylor, section 5; Giles Adam, section 17 ; Daniel Huddleston joined the settlers in 1832, locating on section 5. In 1833 A. Jackson Rose settled on section 21; An- drew Clark also located on the same section ; George Harlam on section 2.
The first mill was built by George Harlam on section 2. He built it im- mediately after settling in the township, in 1833. It was a horse mill.
The first child born was either to John Wright or Gabirel McKinzie, as both were born in the fall of 1830.
The first death was Louisa Huddleston, aged eighteen months, the daughter of Abraham and Judah Huddleston, and was the first person buried in the first burial-ground which is on section 3. From the recollection of a surviv- ing sister it took place in the year 1831 or 1832.
The first school-house was built of logs, which were contributed by the neighbors, and they jointly assisted to build it; it was located on section 3, and erected in the fall of 1835. The first teacher was either Alexander Walls or a Mr. Moore, as they both taught there at an early time.
The first sermon was preached in Daniel Huddleston's house, on section 5, in 1832, by Pleasant LaMay, a Baptist. He afterward preached at different houses and at school-houses, until a church was erected.
The first church edifice was erected by the Baptists, about 1834, built of logs which were given by the neighbors; it was located on section 5. Pleasant LaMay preached the first sermon in it, and continued to preach with few exceptions up to the time of his death.
About 1854 it was decided to build a larger and more modern building. Alvie Huddleston and Nicholas Grimes were the carpenters.
Rev. William Fitzgerald preached the first sermon in the new house. The first Sunday School was organized about the year 1848. The super- intendent was Henry Fishback.
The first Post-office was at Giles Adams' house on section 17. Mr. Adams was the first Post-master.
The mail was carried on a stage line running between Carlinville and Bunker Hill. It was removed to Gillespie in 1854. The first election was held at Giles Adams' house about 1835 and was considered to be very con- venient as they had formerly gone to Carlinville to vote.
First Blacksmith shop was put up on Giles Adams' place by his father, Daniel Adams, in 1834.
First Store was kept by John Foster, on section 3, in the summer of 1834. First Tavern was kept by a man named Abrahams, at Dry Point, on sec- tion 15, about the year 1833.
Since the I. & St. L. R. R. has been in operation the towns of Gillespie and Dorchester contain all the business houses of the township, and the places which once marked the store, stand, shop, or hotel, have long since been abandoned. The improvement of the township has kept pace with the surrounding country, as the statistics from the assessor's book of 1879 will show. Acres improved lands, 18,2764, value $128,208; acres unimproved lands, 4,7304, value $11,622; total value of lands $139,830; value of lots $15,062. There are 556 horses, worth $11,572; 785 cattle, valued at $7,083; 140 mules, value 83,182; 222 sheep, value 8222; 1,344 hogs, value $1,162; 7 steam engines, value 1,266; 241 carriages and wagons, value $3,495; 210 watches and clocks, 107 sewing machines, 7 pianos, and 20 organs. The total cash value of all personal property is 843,425.
The following is a list of the officers since the county went under township organization.
Supervisors .- Randal Clark, elected in 1871; Francis M. Adams, elected in 1872; Alexander Sinclair, in 1873; and Capt. P. H. Pentzer, elected in 1874, and by re-election has served up to the present time.
Town Clerks .- J. C. Gill, elected in 1871; W. Read Blair, elected in 1872; T. Rose, elected in 1873; J. F. Merick, elected in 1874; A. McDonald, elected in 1875; C. Breman, elected in 1876, and re-elected in 1877 ; J. T. DeBain, elected in 1878; J. M. Aikman, elected in 1879.
Assessors .- W. Dickie, elected in 1871 ; B. P. McDaniel, elected in 1872; P. H. Pentzer, elected in 1873; P. B. McDaniel, elected in 1874; J. F. Merick, elected in 1875, and re-elected in 1876, and 1877; C. Breman, elected in 1878, and re-elected in 1879.
Collectors .- J. P. McDonald, elected in 1871 ; A. J. Rose, elected in 1872, and re-elected in 1873; J. M. Wagner, elected in 1874; J. C. Pentzer, J. Perotette, elected in 1876, and re-elected in 1877, and 1878; H. Meenan, elected in 1879.
The following are the Justices of the Peace since Township organization :- J. W. Owings and R. Brown, elected in 1871; R. Brown and M. H.
Digitized by
196
HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Dilliard, elected in 1873; M. H. Whitfield and R. Brown, elected in 1877 : R. Brown, elected in 1878.
Constables since Township organization :- Frank Messic and W. R. Red- man, elected in 1871; J. T. Debam, elected in 1872; F. Messic and A. Heatherly, elected in 1873, and re-elected in 1877.
Commissioners of Highways .- 1871, Wm. H. Whitfield, John Wheeler, A. Sinclair ; 1872, D. N. Cavender, John Wheeler ; 1873, N. A. Carrington, F. M. Adams; 1874, F. M. Adams; 1875, William Fuess; 1876, B. H. Dorsey ; 1877, J. Querbach; 1878, W. Fuess ; 1879, N. A. Carrington.
THE VILLAGE OF GILLESPIE.
THE village of Gillespie is located on section 24. The original proprietor was Philander C. Huggins. It was surveyed by J. B. Meads in the spring of 1853.
In the year 1855 the village received what is known as Huggins' first addition, which was on the North side. 'S. H. Burton made the second addition on the South side in the year 1856.
All the business houses and most of the dwellings are built on the south- east side of the railroad.
The first house was erected in the summer of 1853 by B. F. Clark ; the first floor was used as a store-room, and the upstairs as a dwelling.
First Post-office was kept in Mr. Clark's store in the year 1854, it having been moved from Mr. Adams' on section 17. The first Post-master was Thomas Chandler.
The first hotel was the " National Hotel," built by S. D. Martin in the spring of 1856. It is a substantial frame building.
The first mill was built by Settlemire, Rankin & Holmes, in the year 1859. A fatal accident occurred, by the explosion of the engine, on Janu- ary 14th, 1864, killing the engineer, William Robinson, and the miller, Lewis Zinzer. A little girl happened to be in the mill at the time, and was thrown some distance and received a broken leg ; she subsequently re- covered.
The first blacksmith-shop was built and managed by MeGoern & Berning. Dr. Isaac Osborn was the first physician ; he came in 1855.
The same year Jacob Querbach built a wagon-shop.
The school building was erected in 1855. The first teacher was a Mr. Williams.
First church edifice was the Episcopal, built in the year 1863. The first preacher was Mr. Dresser, of Carlinville; afterward Rev. Mitchell took charge of the flock.
The Methodist Church was built the same year, and was finished a few weeks later. The pastor was Rev. -. Morrison. Service was held in the school-house before the churches were built.
First Sunday-school was organized in the school-house in the summer of 1856. The German Lutheran Church was built in the fall of 1869, and is now under the care of Rev. Carl Baker. A Catholic Church is now being built.
Present business of the village-
Dry Goods and Groceries-Henry Behrens, John T. Hutton, Peter J. Ahrens. Groceries and Lumber-W. M. McDaniel. Hardware-Llewellyn Miller, W. M. McDaniel. Boot and Shoe-Charles Lister, Frank Messik. Clothing-Solomon Lessem. Drug Stores-J. B. Crawford, James M. Aik- man. Hotels-Henry Meneicke, Herman Behrens. Blacksmith-Dickie & Bro., F. G. Kimble. Wagon Makerx-Wilber Young, E. Crittenden, G. M. Jones. Carpenter Shops-W. H. Willard, A. Woodroof. Physicians-J. B. Crawford, Wm. M. Gross, W. K. Pembroke. Barber-Frank Denham. Milla-Jacob Querbach, J. H. Cockrell. Railroad Agent-Llewellyn Miller. Harness Shop-Abraham Fry. Cooper Shop-David Jones, Wm. Jones. Post-mistress-Mrs. A. E. Floyd. Population about 500. Odd Fellows' Lodge over Dickie's blacksmith-shop. Masonic Lodge over Beh- ren's store.
Odd Fellows' Lodge-Traveler's Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 220. Insti- tuted October 13th, 1857. Charter members-John Rawlls, Jr., T. T. Miles, Robert Burton, Charles S. Davis, Lewis Whitaker. First Oficer- John Rawlls, N. G. ; T. T. Miles, V. G. ; Robert Burton, Secretary ; Chas. S. Davis, Treasurer. Present Officers-Charles Hoffman, N. G .; Charles Theuer, V. G. ;. Solomon Lessem, Secretary ; Charles Lister, Treasurer. Number of members (18) eighteen.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
ANDREW JACKSON ROSE
WAS one of the early settlers of Gillespie township. He came to Macoupin county in 1835. His father was Enos Rose, and his mother's name before marriage was Rachel Stout. He was born within a mile of Frenchtown, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, October 11th, 1817. He lived in that part of New Jersey till in his eighteenth year. In May, 1835, the family started for Illinois. From Philadelphia they proceeded partly by railroad and canal to Pittsburgh, and from that place took a boat down the Ohio river. At Louisville his father was taken sick with the cholera, died within a few hours, and was buried the next day on the banks of the Ohio river in Indiana. The remainder of the family came on to St. Louis, and from there to Macoupin county. They reached Dry Point June 6th, 1835, and settled on the forty acres, in section twenty-one, where Mr. Rose still lives. His mother died in 1862, seventy-five years of age.
At that time there was not a house from Dry Point till within a mile south of Bunker Hill; where Bunker Hill has since been built was then a wild prairie, known as Wolf Ridge. May 6th, 1847, he married Sarah Ann Robertson, daughter of James Robertson, who was an early settler of Gillespie township, and came to this county from Sangamon. His first wife having died on the 24th of March, 1852, he was married again, to Rachel C. Buck, daughter of John Buck, Her parents emigrated from Cumber-
land county, New Jersey, to Madison county, in this state, in 1831, and Mrs. Rose was born in Madison county in 1833. He has had four children, two by his first, and two by his second marriage. The oldest daughter, Susan, is the wife of James Pearson, of Brushy Mound township; Ellie married Elijah Clark, of Gillespie township; Sarah Elizabeth died when a year and ten months old, and the youngest daughter, Ina, is still living at home. Mr. Rose has been a democrat; he was once elected Justice of the Peace, and served till he resigned the office. He voted first for President for Van Buren, in 1840. He was in the county at an early day, when the conveniences of the present time were not in existence. He once made a bargain with his brother-in-law, Andrew S. Opdycke, who came to the county at the same time with him, and followed tailoring, to go to mill for him with a grist of buckwheat, provided Opdycke made him a jeans coat, the kind then usually worn. Mr. Rose first took the buckwheat to Montgomery county, five miles north of Hillboro, and not being able to get it ground at once, went back home, with the promise that it would be attended to after the next general rain. After waiting till it rained, he went after the buck- wheat, but it was not ready yet ; so he carried it back to Macoupin county, and, after a couple of additional trips, succeeded in getting it ground at & mill in Macoupin county, east of Carlinville. When he wore his new jeans coat, he had the satisfaction of knowing that he had paid enough for the making of it.
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.