USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 23
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The Kane House was built in 1875 by. William Parker. The first to keep this house was Louis Turner, who ran it but a short time, when he was succeeded by Dr. Weir. This gentleman remained about a year, when T. J. Enslow took charge, and kept it about a year. It has never been long under one proprietor, changing every few years. The last to keep it was William Pen- nell, who took it in 1881 and ran it until 1884. The Parker heirs owned the building.
The Kane Nursery was established by S. G. Gardiner in the spring of 1875. It cov- ered eleven acres of ground.
A lime kiln was started in the fall of 1882 by J. G. Weller. It had a capacity of about fifty barrels per day.
The Jacksonville branch of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis railroad passes through the town of Kane and has a depot here. The road was built through here in 1864 and 1865, and opened for business with the be- ginning of the following year.
The present population of the town of Kane is 750. The village officials are : Will- iam Forsythe, president : Jesse Ashlock, clerk; Ora Wheeler, John Hodge, Cam. Woolridge, John Musgrove and George Housewell, councilmen ; Sidney Jenkins, po- liceman, and George W. Cory, police magis- trate.
Lodges .- Kane Camp No. 1120, Modern Woodmen of America, have a thriving camp conducted by the following officers : J. H. Adams, venerable consul; Worthy Berry,
worthy adviser; John Valentine, banker; Harvey Davis, clerk; Harry Hodge, watch- man; Ora Wheeler, sentry ; Kurl Hodge, es- cort ; S. W. Jenkins, Charles Felter and Dean Smith, managers.
King Solomon's Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M. was instituted at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1854 and commenced work under a dispensation, as usual. The officers appointed at that time were George W. Cory, WV. M .; Augustus T. Perry, S. W .; James WV. Allen, J. W .; Cyrus R. Lake, T .; A. H. Smith, Sec .; S. G. Gardener, S. D .; Thomas Dodson, J. D. and James Brooks, tyler. On the 7th of October, 1856, a charter was granted the lodge, and it was organized with the following charter members: George W. Cory, A. T. Perry, J. W. Allen, C. R. Lake, A. H. Smith, W. B. Conner, James Brooks, D. Barron, E. J. Lovell, S. B .. Hatfield, Lu- cien King, J. B. White, Lewis White, Joel Terry. P. B. Cook, G. S. Cook, P. Ozbun, S. A. Brewster and S. G. Gardener.
On the 12th of November, 1856, Dr. J. B. Samuel, of Carrollton, acting as grand- master, appointed and installed the following officers: George W. Cory, W. M .; A. T. Perry, S. W .; J. W. Allen, J. W .; C. R. Lake, T .; A. H. Smith, Sec. ; S. G. Gardiner, S. D .; J. D. White, J. D. ; and E. J. Lovell, tyler.
The first death to occur in the lodge was that of Cyrus R. Lake, who was murdered on the night of July 28, 1858. at Link's branch three miles south of Carrollton. His murderer was never apprehended.
The lodge was first instituted at Old Kane but was removed to Kane, February 6, 1870. when they took quarters in the hall over Felter's brick store, where they remained till January 1, 1876. Then they removed to the hall they now occupy. This room is 24x76
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feet in size and is well furnished. The build- ing was erected by John Greene, and the lodge, at a cost to the latter of sixteen hun- dred dollars, including furniture, which sum was raised by subscription of the mem- bers. This lodge is accounted among the best in the county.
The present officers are: Charles T. Keeley, W. M .; George R. Richards, S. W .: Clarence E. Greene, J. W .; H. A. W. Shirley, secretary; Samuel G. Gardiner, treasurer ; Frederick L. Dressel, S. D .; Ed- ward O. Varble, J. D .; Robert W. Greene, S. S .; Newton H. Close, J. S .; and Charles A. Davis, Tyler.
Elizabeth Chapter No. 17, O. E. S. is flourishing, and has for its present officers : Mrs. Mand Irwin, W. M .; Newton H. Close. W. P .; Miss Jessie Drellel, A. M .; Mrs. Clara Shirley, secretary ; Mrs. Minerva Dressel, treasurer; Miss Myra Jones, con- ductor ; Miss Jessie Pope, A. C .; Miss Anna Williams, Adah; Miss Clara Fenity, Ruth; Mrs. Carrie Gardiner, Esther; Mrs. Hattie Cory, Martha ; Miss Alta Witt, Electa; Mrs. Noami Halbert, warden; Charles D. Davis, sentinel; Mrs. Mary Close, chaplain; Mrs. Hannah White, marshal, and Mrs. Fay Foreman, organist.
Mutual Lodge No. 30, I. O. O. F. was instituted on the 5th of July, 1870. George S. Miles, of Jerseyville, became past master by special authority, and subsequently, Col. Joseph HI. Carr was elected noble grand of the new lodge, with S. S. Torrey, vice- grand; M. M. Johnson, secretary, and R. N. McClure, treasurer. This lodge contin- ned with more or less interest and prosperity until about ten years ago, when, it having become reduced to eight or ten active men- bers, surrendered its charter and went out of organization.
KANE CANNING COMPANY.
This institution is a prominent feature in the business interests of Kane, and for a number of years has done a good business, more or less extensive according to the greater or less supply of tomatoes which is their principal vegetable for canning pur- poses. The officers of the company are : Michael Henkle, president; R. W. Greene, secretary; S. G. Gardiner, treasurer; Jos. Dressel, J. N. Hodges, and C. J. Gardiner's estate, directors.
BUSINESS HOUSES.
Bank .- S. E. Greene & Co .; R. W. Greene, cashier.
R. Linder & Bro., hardware, furniture and undertaking; C. C. Hall, groceries; W. C. Reinecke, drugs, paints. oils, etc .; WV. B. Woolsey. groceries: W. II. Varble & Son, groceries; Smith, Irwin & Co .. dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes; Mark P. Diamond, dry goods, clothing. boots and shoes; W. F. Gardiner, restaurant and con- fectionery : T. F. Williams, implements, hardware, buggies, etc .; Kelley Atchinson, butcher; William Dean, agent C. & A. Rail- road; John White, blacksmith; A. H. Kight, blacksmith; J. A. Mallory, editor and pro- prietor of the Kanc Telegram; H. L. Man- ning, real estate, insurance, etc .: Theodore Williams, proprietor Kane Livery Stable : J. N. Hodges, lumber, coal and building ma- terial.
Physicians :- Drs. E. W. Fenity, C. B. Foreman and E. G. Proctor.
The population of the little village is 750.
Village Officers : William Forsythe, president : Sydney Jenkins, police : Jesse
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Ashlock, clerk. Councilmen : Ora Wheeler, Jolın Hodge, Cam. Woolridge, John Mus- grove, George Housewell.
LODGES.
M. W. A. Kane Camp No. 1120 .- J. H. Adams, venerable consul; Worthy Berry, worthy adviser; John Valentine, banker; Harvey Davis, clerk; Harry Hodge, watch- man; Ora Wheeler, sentry; Hurl Hogde, escort; S. W. Jenkins, Charles Felter, Dean Smith, managers.
CHURCHES.
Baptist-W. H. Dickman, pastor; Meth- odist-J. B. Ravenscraft, pastor; Christian -T. J. Rowley.
School-C. W. Springgate, principal.
WALKERVILLE.
In 1835, John Walker, one of the early settlers, conceived the idea of laying out a town on his farm on section 24, T. II, R. 13. This he proceeded to do, and on the 18th of July. 1836, he filed for record with the clerk of the circuit court, a plat of the town. Mr. Walker was the first resident of the town site.
The pioneer store building was put up by Jason C. Lewis, in 1836, and dealt in all the miscellaneous goods usually dispensed in stores in early times, and sometimes now, in small places. The postoffice was established about this time, and Mr. Lewis was ap- pointed postmaster, and served several years.
Squire Vinyard built one of the first resi- dences in the town, and he put up a building
and was the second to open a store here. After a time he sold out to Kinser and Brant- lett.
The latter firm was not very long in business, when they became bankrupt, were closed out and moved from the village.
They were succeeded by Ezra Swank, who kept the postoffice in his store. In the postmastership he was succeeded by Jesse Ballard, and he in 1884, by E. J. Greene, and he in turn by Kane Fields. Kane Fields started in business here in May, 1884.
The Christian church of Walkerville, was organized April 1, 1861, at the school house in Walkerville, Revs. J. W. Miller and Hiram Hess officiating.
Andrew Kelley, early in the history of the little village, built a blacksmith shop and therein set up the first forge. He continued for many years and was succeeded by his son, D. Kelley, and he by Washington Bru- baker.
The business of Walkerville is represent- ed by the following: James Howard, Jr., has a store in which he carries a general stock of merchandise, and does a good busi- ness. He began trade in 1890, and contin- ued intil 1892, when his store house and stock were consumed by fire. He then re- moved to a farm on Apple Creek and en- gaged in farming one season, returned to Walkerville, purchased the Peter Simons store building and resumed merchandising. After one other move he settled down to business again in the Simons building where he is at present.
Walter Jones, the caslı grocer, began business in Walkerville in January, 1900, which he continued until 1903, when he re- tired for a time, but in February, 1905, he resumed in his present quarters where he sells groceries, notions, and lunches.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Walkerville Camp was organized in April 5, 1900, with the following charter members: J. W. Adams, M. D. R. Adams, F. W. Cox, Major Cox, M. . \. Cox.
WRIGHTSVILLE.
A small village located upon section 23 of Wrights township. on the line of the C., B. & Q. R. R., bears the name of Wrightsville. This was laid out by .A. J. Wright, on June 18, 1872. The first busi- ness transacted here was by the town pro- prietor, A. J. Wright, who erected a plat- form shortly after the railroad was built, in 1870, and shipped grain. The first carload was sent from here in May, 1870. and was wheat raised by William T. Cooper, and pur- chased by Mr. Wright. No other business was done here, except the grain buying, until 1871, when .\. J. Wright built the first store. This was a small frame building 20 by 24. with shelves and counter on one side only. The first stock of goods was put in at a cost of $292.92. The store was opened Feb. I, 1871. The first article sold was a dollar's worth of sugar to John Doyle.
The second store was opened by William and Daniel Merrick, in June, 1873. Several other small stores were started, but none of them continued long.
William Ickes was the first blacksmith. He constructed a shop in the fall of 1871, and continued in business two or three years. and afterward moved to a farm.
A. J. Wright built the first house for residence purposes, in the fall of 1872.
The present business interests of this village are as follows :
.\ general merchandise establishment
conducted by (. D. Wright, successor to his father, who established the business several years since and who is now retired.
WV. D. Waltrip also manages and owns a large stock of general merchandise, includ- ing agricultural implements, and is doing a good business.
John L. Goode deals in notions.
Henry Barnard sells groceries, notions and fancy goods.
Jerry Bethard is the postmaster; also keeps a stock of merchandise.
L. C. Cunningham runs a well ordered barber shop, as also does Everett Maberry.
Waltrip & Brannon conduct wagonmak- ing and blacksmith shops and do repair work of all kinds.
Smith & Frazer and Cunningham & Waltrip are contractors and builders.
J. C. Kessinger & Son handle grain of all kinds at their extensive warehouse.
Kessinger & Doyle deal extensively in live stock, making a ready market for the growers of such products in that locality.
The Methodist congregation of Wrights- ville hold their services in Temperance Hall, having as yet erected no church building.
A Baptist church house is located about a mile from the village, where regular serv- ices are held and where a Sunday-school is maintained. Rev. Ford is the pastor. Sun- day-school is also held in the village.
Wrightsville has three lodges with in- surance features, viz. : Modern Woodmen, Mutual Protective League and Royal Neigh- bors.
ELDRED.
The comparatively new and lively little village of Eklred is located about nine miles
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west of Carrollton, and is at present the western terminus of a branch of the C. & A. Railway, formerly the L., C. & W. It is situated at the foot of the towering bluffs that skirt the bottom lands, north and south, visible either way from the little town for many miles. It is about three and one-half miles from the Illinois river. The bluffs formed by a solid and almost perpendicular wall of Burlington lime stone, which rises sometimes to the height of two hundred feet, and immediately back of which, and not in- frequently at its very brink, rises a series of conical hills from one to two hundred feet higher, and which, during the summer months, are covered to the summit with the richest verdure, present the most picturesque and fascinating scenery in the state. Eldred has at present about 300 population and is growing rapidly. It has two grain elevators which handle the immense grain yield of the rich bottom lands contiguous. Hussey & Co. own and operate one and John Langer the other. Each have a capacity of 5,000 bushels.
Three general stores furnish supplies for the community, one owned and operated by Fickle & Borman, one by John E. Hetzel, and the other by Lewis & Beebe. Eldred has two blacksmith shops. C. P. Gibson owns and operates one and Gregan & Borman the other. Will- iam Buchanan and Will Camerer own and run a barber shop each. R. C. Bradly and William Camerer each operate a pool room. Alvin Merriwether conducts a large first-class livery stable, and John Langer has a large stock of lumber for all purposes. Two excellent boarding houses furnish provisions for the "inner man." 1 good graded school is conducted by Mable
Ellis and Amy Pinkerton as teachers. The postoffice, with C. H. Borman as postmaster, has one star and two rural routes. The star route is carried by Samuel F. Smith, of Eldred, route No. 1, rural, south by Elmer Sanderson: route No. 2, north, by A. J. Borman. The site of the town was laid out in lots in 1897.
BERDAN.
The village of Berdan, lying on the north line of Carrollton township, was laid out and platted on the 20th day of September, 1865, by W. R. Kelley, Louis Oswald and L. E. Worcester, and was named for Jame- Berdan, who, at that time was prominently connected with the C. & A. R. R., on which line the town is built.
The pioneer business house was a grocery and notion store operated by Richard Vedder. George Slight conducted a grocery store, in connection with a saloon, until 1881. when he sold to Patrick Leyden.
M. L. Milledge located in Berdan in 1882 and started in business as a dealer in groceries, medicines and notions, in addition to which he carried on the business of general blacksmithing. He was postmaster eight years ; also a justice of the peace and notary for a number of years. He erected the build- ing in which he now does business in 1883.
Isaac M. Mace located in Berdan in 1891 and engaged in the business of blacksmith- ing, erecting the next year the shop in which he is now located. He also sells gasoline engines and fixtures, and is quite an electri- cian.
Clarence Brodmarkle occupies the old
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Slight and Leyden property and sells gen- eral groceries in the store room.
R. C. Reynolds began the grocery busi- ness in 1807, in which he continued for two years, when he sold to L. O. Campbell, who, purchasing the grocery stock of P. Leyden, continued the business until September, 1900, when he sold to F. C. Lakin, who still continues it.
Berdan has a Union church building occupied jointly by the Baptist and Metho- clist denominations. The Methodists have a parsonage. Rev. Mr. Rains is the Baptist pastor. \ large union Sunday-school is maintained with M. L. Milledge superin- tendent.
A Home Forum Lodge was organized in the village in 1895. afterward changed to the American Guild: also in 1898 a Court of Honor was organized.
The Modern Woodman lodge was or- ganized in 1808, and erected a large hall which they occupied until 1901, when it was totally destroyed by fire. It was, however, soon afterward replaced.
The village boasts of an excellent school, conducted in a building recently enlarged. with James Pinkerton principal and Miss Mary Statts assistant.
Creamery .- Berdan, not to be outdone by its sister towns, has projected a creamery which is to be completed ready for business in a short time. F. C. Lakin and others have organized a dairy company and the building is now in course of construction, just south of the crossing of the railroad. The building is to be 20 by 30 feet in dimen- sions, with boiler room and ice house at- tached. Berdan is a pleasant little burg. and surrounded with a productive country. F. C. Lakin is postmaster.
ATHENSVILLE.
The beautiful village that bears the above name was laid out by Greene Weaver, in the summer of 1834. and the plat of the same was filed for record on the 2d of October, 1834. It is located on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 26, and is beautifully situated as to surroundings. Some of the finest farms in eastern Greene county are in the immediate vicinity of this "loveliest village of the plain."
The first building erected on the site of the town was put up about the year 1832. It was a store room. Greene Weaver had been sent from Carrollton with a stock of goods by John Evans, with which he was to stock a store at MIt. Viry, but he came to this place, built the building and put in the stock of goods, and was thus the pioneer merchant of the village. About the year 1840 he sold out to John Armstrong, an Englishman, who had come to the county, early in its history. He had originally a store near the town, and in the year above named, had moved to the "burg" and bought out Mr. Weaver. He was made postmaster and served for years. He was in partnership with Alexander King and with T. S. Patterson, and about 1845. sold out to the latter. He died in this town about 1854 or 1855. Mr. Patterson ran the store until 1876, when it was sold to John Morrow, and two years later to Z. D. Morrow.
The business of the village, in 1885, was represented by five general stores, one drug store, three blacksmiths, two woodworking shops, and a grist mill.
McCauley & Spencer were the leading dealers in general merchandise. This estab- lishment originated with John English, in
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
1880. He erected a building 30 by 60 feet in size, at a cost of about $700, the second story of which was, and is occupied by the I. O. O. F. lodge. Mr. English put in a stock valued at about $1,500 and ran it suc- cessfully for about two years, when he sold to George Wood. In about a year he dis- posed of it to Rigg & Spencer.
Zachariah D. Morrow was engaged in the sale of hardware, groceries, etc., in this village. This business was established by J. B. Morrow in April. 1880, who built the edifice and put in a stock of boots, shoes and groceries, valued at $2,000. He operated this business until July 14, 1881, when he sold to O. A. Morrow.
Syrrel Whitaker was engaged in the general merchandising business here. John L. Stoddard established this business for his daughter Lillie May, Oct. 15, 1882, putting in a stock of about $700. April, 1885, the lady proprietress getting married, the stock was thrown on Mr. Stoddard's hands, and he ran it for some months, when he sold out to Mr. Whitaker.
The pioneer drug store of Athensville was opened by Messrs. John Jones and James Butler, in 1861. They ran it but a short time, when they were succeeded by Dr. J. E. Waters, who continued the busi- ness for several years. Augustus Lewis & Bro. were the next to manipulate drugs in this store, and after about three years, gave way for Barnard & Waters. In a very short time, they were succeeded by Downs Hard- castle, who was burnt out in about a year thereafter. In 1879 Dr. J. E. Waters started another drug store.
The postoffice of Athensville was estab- lished in 1835, at the store of John Arm- strong, located about a quarter of a mile east of the present site of the village. Mr.
Armstrong was the first postmaster. When the village was laid out he moved store and office to this place. In 1845, T. S. Patterson succeeded to the office, which he retained until 1876, when John Morrow became the postmaster. Two years later it was trans- ferred to his brother, Zachariah, who acted in that capacity until 1879. when he was succeeded by Isaac Massey. W. P. Rigg is the present postmaster and has held the position for ten years.
The business of the little village at pres- ent is represented by the following: Geo. IV. Morrow & Sons operate a large general merchandise establishment, dealing in agri- cultural implements and other farm supplies. Mrs. John Ruyle continues to carry on the general store operated by her husband, Esquire John Ruyle, lately deceased, and keeps a large stock.
D. B. Slyter runs a general blacksmith shop and does manufacturing and repairs. C. E. McCracken has a neat shop where he attends to the tonsorial needs of the com- munity. The building and contracting is done by WV. M. Caffery, Geo. W. Rogers and James Griffith.
LODGES.
Athensville Lodge, No. 368, I. O. O. F .. was instituted March 16, 1868, and has thirty-five members. The present officers are: J. S. Billings N. G., John Schafer V. G., W. P. Rigg secretary, W. J. Barnard treasurer.
Rebekah Lodge, No. 613, I. O. F., was instituted Feb. 20, 1904. with thirty-four members. The present officers are: Myrtle Mullins N. G., Sophia McCracken V. G .. Jennie McCracken secretary, Anna Billings treasurer, and Fanny Wood deputy.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Peach Tree Camp, No. 1621. Modern Woodmen of America, has about fifty mem- bers. The present officers are: D. B. Slyter consul, and C. E. MeCracken clerk.
Ivanhoe District Court of Honor has about thirty members. W. J. Barnard is clerk.
Athensville Council, No. 80, Local Pro- tective League, has a membership of twenty, with Leslie Jackson secretary.
CHURCHES.
The Baptist church has a membership of about one hundred and seventy-three and maintains a flourishing Sunday-school twelve months in the year. The pastor is Rev. O. A. Carmean. Cecil Standefer is church clerk. B. P. Johnson is the super- intendent and Cecil Standefer clerk of the Sunday-school.
The Christian church is the only other denomination in the village, but they have no pastor at present, no Sunday-school, and hold no meetings.
Dr. J. S. Billings is now the only physi- cian located in Athensville. He has a neat office and a good practice.
PATTERSON.
Is a neat little village of about 200 in- habitants. It is located on the scouthwest quarter of section 18. and was laid out on May 18, 1836, by Lucius Norton, Thomas Grace, Thomas Hanks, Young. Ilenderson, Lane, and Higbee, and the plat filed for rec- ord as Wilmington, in the office of the cir- cuit clerk, May 21, 1836. This name it bore
for many years, but it was changed to Breese and then to Patterson. In 1836. John Ches- ter opened a store for the sale of groceries, dry goods, etc., which he ran for a short time when he sold out to Isham Cranfil. The lat- ter gentleman did an extensive business, buying beef and pork, at from $1.25 to $1.75 per hundred, and packing it, and also buy- ing grain and teaming it to Alton. He after- ward sold out the place to L. D. Morris, and emigrated to Oregon. Mr. Morris did no business but disposed of the property to L .. J. Patterson.
In 1836, Peter Gibbon established a tan- nery here which gave employment to several hands and made business lively. Ile com- manded a good trade here for many years.
Wickliff Post opened a blacksmith shop about the year 1835 or 36, and kept it for several years. He came here from .Apple Creek prairie.
The second to open up a store was lra Clark. He had a grocery store in a build- ing built by Thomas Groce.
Shortly after the commencement of the town a hotel was put up, which was run by Thomas Groce. The sign was the "Rising Sun."
William Flemming engaged in the cooper trade in 1844 or 45, and was succeeded by Charles Wiggins, who was the last to fol- low the business here. He closed up his shop in 1849.
Drs. Gosnold. Charles Hardt, Burns, Garrison, Higbee, and others, practiced medicine in those early days. The first school was taught by Dr. Joe Garrison, he teaching and practicing medicine at the same time.
Quite a little settlement now sprang up, to trace which in all its detail would require too much space. Let us therefore clip the
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following excellent article in regard to the little hamlet :
Whiteside & Eaton put up a saw mill in 1859, that ran by steam, which greatly facilitated the erection of buildings, and aid- ed materially in the prosperity of the town. This mill was afterward sold to a party who moved it to Glascow.
G. W. Burns came from Pennsylvania, and located here about 1868, and now resides in White Hall.
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