History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 120

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

USA > Illinois > Madison County > History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches > Part 120

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LAND ENTRIES.

The earliest entries of land were made by Jacob Lurton one hundred and six acres, in section six, October 13, 1820, Josiah Cummings, Oct 13, 1820; N. E. quarter section six ; Isaac Scarritt, one hundred and seven and sixty-two-one hundredths acres, section four, January 17, 1821 ; Joel Finch, D Manrop, and M. Malary, eighty acres in section 26, Jan- uary 28 1822; Joseph S. Reynolds, eighty acres in section twenty-three, March 2, 1822; and John Murray, east half of northeast quarter of section twenty-six, eighty acres, May 24, 1822.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

Though the whole or part of thirty six sections are com- prised in this township the area is but little in excess of thirty square miles. The northern tier of sections is cut by the line dividing Madison from Jersey and Macoupin counties, and the southwestern sections are materially encroached upon by the Mississippi river. A small portion of the township in

FARM RESIDENCE OF LOUIS WALTER SEC.16 T. 6 R. 10 (GODFREY TP.) MADISON, CO. ILL.

RES. OF J. W. BROWN.

FORMER RES. OF Z. BROWN

FARM RESIDENCE OF Z. BROWN SEC. 9 T. 6 R.10 (GODFREY TP. MADISON, CO. ILL.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

the northeast is prairie; the remainder was originally cov- ered with heavy timber. The surface in the prairie portion of the township is level ; the rest is mostly rolling, but well adapted to agriculture. There is scarcely an acre that is not susceptible of cultivation in some form. A range of Rocky blutt lines the Mississippi. There are a number of small streams, but only two of sufficient importance to have received a name. The Piasa creek, running through the western part of the township into the Mississippi, and Coal Branch in the southeast, emptying into Wood river.

Beside the usual agricultural products of corn, wheat and hay, much attention s devoted to the raising of fruit. Large quantities of apples, peaches, pears and smaller fruit are shipped annually to the St. Louis and Chicago markets. The bluff lands along the Mississippi have been found to be peculiarly adapted to fruit culture, aud numerous orchards and vineyards have here been planted.

A fruit distillery was established by John Castagnetta, about a mile north of the village of Godfrey, in 1872. He manufactured large quantities of apple, peach, and grape brandy and champagne cider. Of cider he makes six or eight hundred barrels each year, and in 1880 he made one thousand barrels.

EARLY SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

Mentiou has already been made that the first school in the township was taught in the barn of Nathan Scarritt, whose daughter Laura was the teacher. Sixteen children attended this school. A school was also taught in the years 1829, 1830, and 1831, at the residence of George Debaun. Abigail Scarritt and Elizabeth Peter were the teachers. About the year 1832 or 1833, a > chool was established at the Bethany church, and for some years afterward this was the only school in the township. A West Point cadet, named Johnson, taught this school in 1839. Elijah Frost, now living in the township, took charge of the school in 1840, and taught it three years. This was still at that time the only school in the township, and pupils came to at- tend it from Clifton and Jersey county, boarding in the neighborhood. Subsequent teachers were Mrs. Russell Scar- ritt, Mary Jane Scarritt, the youngest daughter of Nathan Scarritt, and William Cunningham. The township was or- ganized for school purposes in the year 1842. The first Sunday-school was taught in the barn of Nathan Scarritt in the summer of the year 1829.

Early religious services were held at the house of Nathan Scarritt, and here the first sermon was preached in the sum- mer of the year 1828, by the Rev. John Hogan, a Metho- dist minister, now a resident of St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Hogan was then carrying on the mercantile business at Edwards- ville, subsequently became a resident of Alton, and afterward of St. Louis.

A Methodist class was organized at the time of the first settlement of the township, but no regular church organiza- tion existed till 1842. On the 26th of December of that year Bethany church was organized Among the original members were Hail Mason, Nathan Scarritt, Josiah Randle, Simon Peter, James Meldrum, John Mason, Jr., Aaron P. 70

Mason, Richard Blackburn, Elijah Frost, David Rood and William Squire. The name of Bethany was suggested by Henry P. Rundle. Simou Peter gave to the society the ground on which the church was built. The Randles, Scarritts and others were warm supporters of the Methodist church, and it was usual for them on Wednesday nights to get a big wagon and drive around the neighborhood, col- lecting a goodly number to go to Upper Alton and attend the weekly class. The Sunday-school, formed in 1829, had an irregular existence till 1841, when on the 6th of May a Sunday school was organized at the Bethany church, which has since permanently continued. The Rev. N. H. Lee is the present pastor of Bethany church

"The Church of Christ," in the village of Godfrey, was organized on the 2d of November, 1839, with twenty-six members. At the first meeting, of which the Rev. Theoron Baldwin was moderator, a constitution, confession of faith and covenant were adopted, and Timothy Turner and Benj. I. Gilman appointed elders. Soon after James Howell was added to the session, but on account of infirm health, resigned in October 1840. Rev. Theoron Baldwin was installed pastor of the church ou the 22d of November, 1840. Abijah W. Corey was appointed elder in October, 1841. Capt. Benja- min Godfrey, who had united with the Alton Presbyterian church in 1833, became a member of the church at Godfrey in 1844, and on the 5th of October of that ycar was ap- pointed an elder. In the fall of 1842 a large addition was made to the church. The Rev. Elisha Jenny was at that time supplying the place of the pastor, who was absent in the East. In the spring of 1844 the Rev. Mr. Baldwin re- signed the pastoral care of the church, and the Rev. George l'yle was the pastor from that time till 1846. The Rev. C. W. Clapp is the present pastor. The house of worship was built at the joint expense of the congregation and Monti- cello Seminary, on land belonging to the seminary. The church was organized on an independent basis, and not connected with any denomination. Twelve of the original members were from Presbyterian churches, four from Re- formed Dutch, and only two from Congregational churches. The Rev. Theoron Baldwin, the first principal of the Mon- ticel.o Female Seminary, and the Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, of Illinois College, were the leaders in its organization. In 1854 the church became strictly Presbyterian, and united with the Presbytery of Alton. In 1867 the church withdrew from the Presbyterian connection and returned to its origi- nal independent basis.

The Bap ist church, on the south line of the township, ad- joining North Alton, was built in 1858. Rev. Mr. Bevins now has the pastoral charge. With the church a large and pros- perous Sunday-school is connected. There is a Congregational church at Melville, of which the Rev. II. D. Platt, of Brighton, is pastor. A church building stands three miles west of the village of Godfrey, and is known as the White Oak church. It was built under Congregational auspices, and services are held in it occasionally.

THE VILLAGE OF GODFREY

Is situate four miles from Alton, in the midst of a beautiful

514

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and highly improved agricultural region. It is at the junc- tion of the Jacksonville branch, with the main line of the Chicago and Alton railroad, and the numerous trains to St. Louis make it an admirable point for suburban residence. The name of the town, which was laid off by Capt. Benja- min Godfrey and Enoch Long, is placed on the records as Monticello, but it is now universally called Godfrey, that being the appellation of the post office and railway station. The town plat was recorded, May 30th, 1840. A town of Godfrey, ac joining the original Monticello, was laid out in town lots, by James Squire, in 1882, and is northeast of the old town. The Monticello Female Seminary is the most prominent object of interest in Godfrey. Its proximity to Aiton has prevented any great business development. The first store was opened by Timothy Turner, in a small building, which still stands on the lot on which is his former residence. Mr. Turner was also the first postmaster. and was appointed to that position on the establishment of the office in 1840. Previous to that time the citizens got their mail at Alton. Turner resigned the office in 1860, on account of old age and debility, and Thomas P. Walworth, who had formerly been his clerk, received the commission. He held the office only a short time, and was succeeded by Benjamin Webster, who was postmaster from 1861 to 1881, when he was succeeded by the present incumbent, Edward A. Mason. Few post offices in the state show such a record of infrequent changes, two of the post masters, each having held the office for twenty years,

There are now two grocery stores kept by Edward A. Mason and John F. Boyd, and one in which dry goods and groceries are sold, of which George Churchill is proprietor. John Roberts has a restaurant. The business of blacksmith- ing and wagon making was carried on extensively by Aaron C. Mason and T. Baldwin, but is now conducted by Mark Robidou and the firm of Wirth & Weber, X. Maier and Carl Wenzel, have shoe shops. A flouring mill was built here in the year 1857, by Henry and Uriah Howell, who disposed of it to Richard Blackburn, who after running it about three years, died. Sears & Dodgson were the next proprietors. The mill was finally moved to Clifton, where for a tinie it was operated as a cement mill. The school- house is a neat structure, containing three rooms. The prin- cipal of the school is James Squire, with Fannie A. Burgess as assistant. The colored school is in charge of J. M. An- derson.

CLIFTON.

In the extreme southwest corner of the township, was laid ont by D. Tolman and Hail Mason, and the plat recorded October 10th, 1840. A cement mill was established at this point and quite extensive arrangements made for the manu- facture of cement, but it was never operated with success. A saw mill was built by Daniel Tollman and Samuel Thurs- ton, about 1835, and was in operation fora few years. Louis Steritz, who has the largest vineyard in the township, keeps a place at which he dispenses the product of his vineyard, and which is often visited by parties from Alton.

MELVILLE

Is the name given to a small settlement and post office,

within less than a mile of Clifton. There are about half a dozen houses in the place. Mrs. Louis Schmidt has a small store, and has charge of the post office. There is a Con- gregational church and a public school, of which George F. Long is teacher. A distillery was formerly carried on at this point.

COAL BRANCH

In the southern part of the township, not far from North Alton, is a settlement comprising about twenty families. The inhabitants are mostly engaged in mining coal. There is one store, of which John and Hugh Pierce are proprie- tors. The Coal Branch is the name of a small stream, along which out-croppings of coal are visible. Coal was mined by Joseph and Richard Whyers, at an early date. They supplied the first coal used in the penitentiary at Alton. The coal was procured by a drift, extending into the bank. The first pit was opened by James Mitchell, in the summer of 1848. A few months later a pit was sunk by Thomas Dunford. After the opening of the Chicago & Alton rail- road considerable quantities of coal were shipped to Spring- field, Bloomington, Chicago and other points in the northern and central parts of the state. Not only has this traffic ceased, but Alton itself is now largely supplied from more distant points. The coal is of superior quality, equal to the best mined in the state, but the vein only has a thickness of thirty inches, and the coal can not be mined as cheaply as in a larger vein. The shafts range from fifty to one hundred and twenty feet in depth. The vein is now nearly exhausted and it is only a question of a few years when the working of the pits will be abandoned. The owners of the pits are Dennis Noonan, James Mitchell, Peter Robinson, Charles Crowson and William Watts, Henry Camp, Peter Taylor & Co., Nathan Sydel, Henry Conlon and John Rutledge.

On the Coal Branch, in early days, stood a flouring mill, known as the Whyer's mill.

BUCK INN

Was the name of a former post office which has now changed to that of North Alton. James Strong, a native of Cum- berland, England, in the fall of 1837, built a large frame building, over the doorway of which the antlers of a buck were suspended, aud opened it as the Buck Inu. This building stood on the south line of the township, where the Grafton road leaves the road to Godfrey. The building was burned down in 1855, and the present brick structure was then erected. James Strong died in 1869, and his son, Jacob Strong, has since carried on a store at this point. The post office of Buck Inn was established in 1868, and Capt. P. J. Melling was the first post master. The office was kept at his house in the present Godfrey township. After two years, Captain Melling was succeeded by William Hall, who removed the office to the present town of North Alton. The office was called Buck Inn, up to the time of the incor- poration of the town of North Altou. In this part of God- frey township, Adolphus Denz built a steam mill in 1860. The machinery was transferred in 1882 to a new mill erect- ed just north of North Alton, on section thirty-five. There

515

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

is also a blacksmith shop, wagon shop and marble-cutting shop, in this part of the township,

Supervisors. John M. Pearson, elected in 1876-77; was succeeded by James Squire, in 1877-78, and by re-elec- tion, Mr. Squire has represented the township to the present.

Present Township Officers. - Supervisor, James Squire ;

Clerk, James W. Martin ; Assessor, Peter Hughes; Collector, William Frauk Squire; Commissioners on Highways, Jona- than L. Pierce, Peter Myer, George Lindley ; Justices of the Peace, J. F. Boyd, P. J. Welling ; Constables, Frank Boyd, John Meysenheimer; Trustees, L. Bushnell, N. Challa- combe, Johu Y. Sawyer ; School Treasurer, Elijah Frost.

BIOGRAPHIES.

ROLAND J. INGHAM.

THE Emerald Isle has contributed many of her sons to America who have taken high rank in literature, in art and in science. Among such may be properly classed the Ing- ham family, who lived in Dublin, and who in their native home were liberal patrons of art. Thomas and Jennie Ing- ham came to this country in 1816. landing first in New York city, thence to Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. Thomas was the son of a gentleman, a lauded proprietor of Dublin. He had a family of five sons and four daughters. A son Charles, was an artist, in which pursuit he excelled. Of his paintings at least two, " The Lovers " and " Death of Cleo- patra," have received recognition of critics as masterpieces. Thomas, a retired merchant in New York city, and now the sole survivor of the family ; Roland J., the subject of this sketch ; Sydney, who was lost at sea in 1841 ; Oscar, who lived with Roland and died here in 1870 ; Florence, Paulina, Augusta and Jane Rowena. Roland J. Ingham was born in Dublin, Ireland, March 6th, 1807. In 1835, with his father's family he came west, locating about a mile from the present home of Lucretia Ingham. His father returned to Utica, New York, a few years after, where he died Jannary 9th, 1847. Mr. Ingham's first wife was Rebecca Pentzer, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living. Two of his sons, Charles and Theron B., were soldiers iu the United States service during the rebellion. On the 22d of April, 1853, he was united in marriage by Rev. Wash- ington Wagoner, a Methodist Episcopal minister, to Lucretia M Ragsdale, formerly of East Tennessee, although a Virginian. By this marriage there were born eight chil- dren, seven of whom are living. Names as follows ; Emma Augusta, Thomas Cassius, Julia Paulina, James Arthur, Sydney Roland, Jane Rowena and William Elward.

Mr. Ingham was educated in Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, and brought to his farming operations fair culture and a

great love of art. His beautiful home bespeaks his taste. He was an earuest Republican in politics, and a devoted mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church in religious faith. Pro- gressive in his views, his days were all days of activity. Eminently social in his home, its attractions were shared by neighbors and friends. Loved and respected and full of years, he died February 2d, 1881.

JOHN CASTAGNETTA.

IT is a peculiarity of the institutions of the United States in contradistinction to the institutions of every other country, that they assimilate different and discordant nation- alities. Every year hundreds of thousands of emigrants arrive from different countries, accustomed to other forms of government speaking other languages, observing differ- ent customs ; yet are absorbed and assimilated into a nation- ality. In fact we are a nation of foreign elements. Italy has contributed many of her sons since Columbus discovered the islands along our eastern shores. John Castagnetta was born in Genoa, Italy, April 18, 1829. In 1853, he reached New York to try his fortune in the new world. His first employment was as a railroad hand on the Charleston and Memphis railroad, then as a baker and confectioner, which he learned in Charleston In 1835, he made his way to St. Louis, thence in November to Alton. In 1856, he located where he now resides, in Godfrey township, where he engaged in the manufacture of wines, brandies, etc., a business he has since prosecuted with great success. He married Julia Grosjean, July 4th, 1858. She was a native of Paris, France, from whence she came to Highland when a child. They have three children living, Lonis, James and Louisa. Mr. Castagnetta is prompt, energetic and awake to business.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Mas. Egratin I dolar fun

ONE of the representative men of his township, was born in New Hampshire, August 5th, 1806. His father and grandfather were also natives of the old granite state. When quite young his parents moved to New York, and during the war of 1812, moved to Vermont. Here he ac- quired a fair common school education. In October, 1837, they came to Illinois and settled where his widow now lives. He was married to Perlina Pond in Vermont, in 1833; by her he had three children, Ann Louisa Havens, now living in Chicago, Illinois ; Charles Henry, killed by the falling of a tree, and Helen Perlina, wife of William B. Hancock.

His second wife was the widow of a printer, Henry K. Stock- ton, who died in Upper Alton in 1838. Mrs. Stockton's maiden name was Cynthia Northway. She was born in New Hartford, New York, August 8th, 1798. From 1840 to 1844, she was matron in Monticello Seminary. She was married to John Mason, May 1st, 1846. Few men in the community where he lived were more thought of than John Mason ; the counsel of few was more songht. Earnest in all his undertakings ; faithful in the discharge of all his duties, he was respected of all. His death was mourned by many friends.

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

517

ALITTLE

Charles Merriman

SON of Asaph and Eunice Andrews Merriman, was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, on the 14th of August 1811. His parents were both direct descendants of Lieutenant Nathan- iel Merriman and Nathan Andrews, original settlers of the town of Wallingford iu 1669. He was the fifth born of six children, and lived at home on the farm until his seven- teenth year, when his father died. He went to New Haven to learn the carpenter's trade : thence to Boston, Mass., where he was united in marriage with Miss Edith Bishop on March 29th, 1834. This marked an epoch in his history, since by virtue of it he became, as was his wife, an earnest and zealous member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, in which relation he remained until his death. Mr. Merriman was not free from the ambitions of this life. In the summer of 1835, leaving his wife and infant son Charles in Midd'e- town, he started west, going first via the lakes and canal to his brother's in Granville, Ohio. Tarrying but a short time he proceeded by horse and buggy westward, reaching Peoria, Illinois, in the early autumn time of 1835. There he pre- sented his church letters to Bishop Chase, who said to him : " You are the very man I want, come along with me." Ar- rangements were made for him to accompany the Bishop to the site of his new college. There he and the Bishop worked together in the construction of the famons " Robin's Nest," so called because composed chiefly of mud and sticks.

They roomed together, sleeping on a rude sapling bed under which the chickens roosted. As soon as the Bishop and family were comfortably housed, Mr. Merriman left for St. Lonis. For nine years he remained here plying his trade, as carpenter and builder. In 1844 he commenced farming operations in St. Louis Co., Missouri. Here he carried with him his devotion and influence as a Christian man, and was the means of establishing a mission at Bridgeton, a town near his home. In 1845 his wife Edith died, leaving to his care one son and one adopted daughter. In 1850 he, ac- companied by his son Charles, then fifteen years of age, went to California, crossing the plains en route, here he remained two years, returning via the Isthmus and New Orleans, set- tling finally on the farm in Godfrey township, now occupied by his son Charles. In 1873 he moved to property pur- chased by him in North Alton, near the chapel, and devoted much of his time to church labor. He was married to Lu- cinda Wells on the 15th of December, 1845. He died Au- gust 13, 1881. At the time he was Senior Warden in the church in whose success he took so great an interest. For nearly a half century, amid the ups and downs of a more or less wandering life beset by its strong temptations, he was found always faithful and true to his trust. His memory is held in dear esteem by hosts of his friends who knew him, as an honest, upright, Christian man.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

James Mitchell

JAMES MITCHELL was born in Scotland, December 21st, 1811. His parents were Robert and Mary Mitchell. His father was well liked by his fellows, among whom he was somewhat a leader. When he determined on bettering his condition by seeking an American home, he brought with him some three hundred colonists. His objective point was Nova Scotia. On the 4th of July, 1829, they landed at Pictou, a seaport in that province, brought over safely by the brig " Hero of Gannock." In all, Robert had a family of eleven children, six daughters and five sons, of whom James was the eldest. Not altogether satisfied with Nova Scotia, they determined on emigrating to the "States," as then called, and made their way to Pottsville, Pennsyl- vania, in 1834. The subject of this sketch obtained a fair education in the common-schools of Scotland in his youth ; he was a clerk in a general store. When he reached his majority he worked in coal-mines, first in Nova Scotia, then in Pennsylvania. In 1835 he made his way to the salt works on the Kanawha river, in West Virginia ; thence to Kentucky, stopped at a village on the Ohio river, about 130 miles below Louisville, thence to New Orleans. After a few years spent thus in looking about, he visited his

old Nova Scotia home. While on this visit, he met and was united in marriage with Mary Smith, a native of the Island of Cape Breton. The marriage rites were celebrated in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, on the 7th of October, 1839. Soon thereafter he returned to the States, this time to Missouri, and in 1848 to Madison county. To him be- longs the honor of having opened the first coal mine in Coal Branch, above Alton. By his first wife he had eight children, four of whom are living. She died October 4th, 1857. He was married to his present wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Bird, November 3d, 1857.

Politically Mr. Mitchell is an earnest, unswerving Repub- lican. His first ballot was cast for William H. Harrison. He has never failed attending a local Republican conven- tion since the organization of the party, when physically able to do so. Although thoroughly awake to party spirit, he never would accept office, save the supervisorship, which was forced upon him one term. He has been often a member of the central committee, and has ever proved him- self a most loyal citizen. Farming and operating in coal hive engaged most of his attention since locating in this county.

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

519

fammisi. Squire

THE present popular supervisor representing Godfrey town- ship in the county board, is a young man possessed of many commendable traits of character. He was born December 11, 1843. His parents were William and Lydia Squire (Widaman). His father, William, was a native of Devon- shire, England, where he was born August 9th, 1814. He came to America in 1835, locating first in Coshocton county, Ohio, from whence he came to Madison county, Ill., in 1839. Arriving in Alton he commenced work as a laborer, but, upon his refusing to work on Sunday, he quit his employ- ment, and moved to Godfrey, where he became foreman on Godfrey's farm, a place he held for years. His wife, Lydia Widaman, was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where she was born March 8, 1818. Her father was a teacher-a vocation he pursued first in Germany, then in this country. On the first of March, 1843, she and Wil- liam Squire were united in marriage by Rev. I. B. Randle, of Edwardsville.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 120

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698