USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 35
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relationship was established and at his death the business was closed out. Subsequently Judge Worcester formed a partnership with Simeon Brothers and with them engaged in general merchandising for ten years. He was afterward a druggist of White Hall for four years and for five years was engaged in the manufacture of farm implements. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the lumber trade, in which he contintted for three years. In all of his busi- ness transactions he manifested keen dis- cernment, marked enterprise and strong ex- ecutive ability and after carefully consider- ing his plans was resolute in their execution, carrying forward his work to successful completion.
Judge Worcester was influential in politi- cal circles and in early manhood espoused the cause of the democracy. A strong mentality and marked individuality combined with de- votion to the general good well fitted him for leadership in public affairs and made his opinions a force in molding public thought and action. In 1843 he was elected justice of the peace, which position he filled for five years and in November, 1843, he was com- missioned postmaster of White Hall and again in 1845 and by further appointments was continued in that office for twelve con- secutive years. On the 16th of November, 1853, he was elected county judge for a term of six years and in the meantime he had ta- ken an active and helpful part in forming the organic law of the state, having been a men- ber of the constitutional convention in 1847. While upon the bench he rendered opinions which were strictly fair and impartial and which won for him the confidence as well as respect of the entire community. From 1859 until 1867 he served as a state trustee . of the deaf and dumb asylum. In 1856 he
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
was elected a member of the state senate of Illinois, serving until 1860, and while a member of the upper house he was appointed notary public. Ever fearless in defense of his honest convictions and unfaltering in his support of what he believed to be right. he was one of the five democrats of the senate who dared to ratify Lincoln's emancipation proclamation. After his retirement from the legislature he was again elected county judge, being chosen to the position in 1863 and for a term of nine years continued upon the bench. In 1876 he was chosen a dele- gate to the democratic national convention in St. Louis, which nominated Samuel J. Til- den. Thus for many years he was a recog- nized leader in democratic circles in linois and his course was so honorable and straightforward that he commanded the re- spect of even his political opponents.
Judge Worcester was three times mir- ried. It was in February, 1856, that he wedded Luthera Ladd, a native of Vermont, who became the mother of R. S. Worcester of this review. Judge Worcester was a member of no church or secret organization and was known to be a free-thinker. To do good was his religion and many who knew him testify to his charitable spirit, his many kind deeds and his generous assistance to those in need. Honorable in conduct, fear less in action, stainless in reputation, his pub- lic career covered a long period and over the record of his oficial service there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
R. S. Worcester, whose name forms the caption of this review, having completed his education, entered upon his business career at the age of eighteen years in connection with the White Hall Bank Association. Ile was afterward for a time assistant cashier in the People's Bank and upon the organization
of the White Hall Warmnat Bank on the ist of Jannary. 1904. Je Imcum ne colder in which capacity hene pode ser m2 Mins institution has already made bo reell i reputation thru places al seth the among financial concerts of the daily Mailher- are G. S. Vasseller, presotem. 3 2. 45- wold, vice president : amd k. S Worcester. cashier, while its directors and stor shoulders are numbered among the must goon suit and substantial business men ai the county.
In 1800 was celebrated the wolfrige ut R. S. Worcester and Miss Me me Riskini and unto them has been bonne & durghts- Ilelen, now twelve years of age Like Ii- illustrious father, Mr. Worcester back mare bership with no church and he ist mendier of only one fraternal organization, the Knights of Pythias. In political thought and action he has always been independent. carrying out his honest views without fear or favor. In business he has achieved sie- cess through honorable effort. untiring in dustry and capable management, and in pri- vate life he has gaine 1 that warm persoord regard which arises from true nobility of character. deference for the opinion .i oth- ers, kindliness and geniality.
VICTOR II. HAVEN
Victor Hugo Haven, eihtor and pojafre- tor of the Grande . Ils and trener Af the Illinois Press Association. w . Come on a farm in the western part of Waxpin county, Illinois, November 2. 1801. 01 of William W. and Georgia \ kamper) Haven, the former a native of \ crouse ond the latter of Kentucky. The Eller Begge in teaching singing and was ile a teacher
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in the public schools prior to the Civil war, when he espoused the Union cause and served for four years as quartermaster of Company H. Fortieth Illinois Infantry. Following the close of hostilities and his return to Greene county, he engaged in the milling and grain business but met reverses therein. In 1878 he founded the Greenfield Argus and con- tinued its publication until his death.
Victor H. Haver bes in his education in the district schools and afterward became a student in the Greenfield schools, becoming a resident of the town in 1870, but did not graduate as he was obliged to put aside his text-books a year previous to the completion of the course on account of his father's financial reverses, it being necessary that the son provide for his own and father's support. Accordingly he secured a position as clerk in the hardware store of N. C. Woolley, and for several years he filled sim- ilar positions in Greenfield. He filled the position of postmaster for two years under President Arthur and then retired when President Cleveland became the nation's chief executive. He had previously learned the printer's trade and at the death of his father in 1884 he took charge of the Green- field Argus, which has since claimed his en- tire attention. He has greatly improved the paper from a journalistic standpoint and has also made it a profitable business investment, as well as one of Greene county's most cred- itable publications.
Mr. Haven has ever been deeply inter- ested in affairs of local concern and progress and is the recognized champion of every movement for the general good. He is now the treasurer of the Illinois Press Associa- tion and has been the treasurer of the Green- field Band for the past twenty years. He has been city clerk for several terms and is influ-
ential in public affairs, his labors having ever proved of practical public benefit. His polit- ical support is given to the republican party, and he is identified with several fraternal or- ganizations. He is a member of the Ma- sonic, Elks and Knights of Pythias lodges, and of the last named is treasurer. He also belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, the Court of Honor and the Sons of Veterans.
On the 22d of October, 1890, Mr. Haven was married in Greenfield, Illinois, to Miss Lydia E. Wahl, a daughter of John and Margaret Wahl, natives of Germany. They have one son, Glenn, born August 30, 1891.
DAVID PIERSON.
There are men in all communities who are recognized leaders in public life and in business circles, men who wield a wide influ- ence and contribute in large measure to the substantial improvement, permanent devel- opment and rapid growth of their localities. Such a man was David Pierson, and Greene county benefited by his efforts in her, behalf. Even his business affairs were of a nature that promoted the general welfare and his name is inscribed on the roll of honored dead.
He was born in Cazenovia, Madison county, New York, on the 9th of July, 1806, and became a resident of Greene county in the year 1821, being at that time a youth of fifteen years. He found here a pioneer district in which were many evidences of frontier life and in his youth he assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, the family home being established upon a tract of land north of Carrollton. Mr. Pier- son conducted this farm until 1834. when
David Person
NE OR PUGL'- WIARY Astor, L. . >> 14 Tilden few 2 : 1903
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY
he retired from agricultural life to become a most important factor in udine mietower identified with commercial pursuits in Car rollton. He was for some time proprietor of a mercantile establishment there and he was the promoter of various other enterprises which contributed to the commercial and in dustrial prosperity of the city. He con- ducted a flour mill for some time, was also proprietor of a woolen mill and was largely instrumental in the building of the Litch- field, Carrollton & Western Railroad.
In 1864 he founded the Patriot, but per- haps became best known through his bank- ing interests and the Greene County Na- tional Bank is a monument to his enterprise and business sagacity. The beginning of banking business in this county dates to the founding of a private bank by David Pierson, who became the promoter of finan- cial interests in Carrollton in this way in 1854. Hle was at that time also engaged in merchandising, but four years later he dis- posed of his store in order to concentrate his energies upon the development of the bank- ing business. In 1859 he began the erection of the large three-story brick building at the northwest corner of the square, which has been continuously occupied by the bank for over forty years. In 1874 his sons Robert and David D). were admitted to a partnership under the firm style of David Pierson & Sons, the business being conducted under the name of Pierson Exchange Bank. This institution has ever been a representative of the strongest financial integrity and its re- liability has stood as an unquestioned fact throughout the entire period of its existence. When other banks went into liquidation dur- ing the great financial panics of 1857 and 1872, Pierson Exchange Bank met ever .: reasonable demand made upon it and proved
this critical period in the bussie -- Die uf Greene county. Desiring at length to retire from active connection with banking and other business interests because of ht- : d- vanced years the Pierson Exchange Bank was reorganized under the name of the Greene County National Bank, the new m- stitution opening its doors for business on the ist of July, 1878, with a paid qu capital of one hundred thousand dollars. The first officers were John 1. Thomas, president : D. D. Pierson, vice-president : Robert Pierson. eshier: and Ornan Pierson, assistant cashier. But one change has been made in this list since its organization, Ornan Pier son becoming cashier upon the removal of his brother to Minneapolis in 1882. The bank has largely followed the policy inaugu- rated by its founder and has never swerved in the least from the honorable methods which he instituted.
Straightforward dealing was ever char acteristic of Mr. Pierson and his name was a synonym for financial integrity. He died May 8, 1891. His life record had become an integral part of the history of Carrollton and of Greene county, which in his leath lost one of their most valued and loyal citizens. As the day with its morning of hope and promise, its noontide of activity, its even- ing of completed successful efforts, ending in the grateful rest and quiet of the night, so was the life of this honored man. His ca- reer was a long, busy and useful one, marked by the utmost fidelity to the duties of public and private life. His name is inseparably interwoven with the annals of Greene county with its development and its stable progress, and his memory is cherished by those who knew him.
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CHARLES T. BATES.
Charles T. Bates, well known and hon- ored in financial circles in Greene county, is filling the position of cashier and general manager of the People's Bank of Roodhouse. He was born in Pierpont, Ohio, January IO, 1864, and is of English lineage, although several generations of the family have been represented in the new world. His grand- father was Melzo Bates, who died in 1875. at the age of fifty-six years. His wife bore the maiden name of Laura Gould. Their son. T. MI. Bates, father of Charles T. Bates, was born in Pierpont. Ohio, in 1841, and after residing in that state for a number of years came to Illinois. He was for twelve years general superintendent for the Chi- cago & Alton Railroad Company, being sta- tioned at Roodhouse, Bloomington and Jack- sonville. He is now living a retired life and makes his home in Chicago. He mar- ried Miss Frances Dutcher, daughter of David and Fidelia (Wright) Dutcher. Her father died in 1890, at the age of sixty years. Their son Frank is at home with them in Chicago, and their daughter Flora is also under the parental roof, while another (laughter. Mrs. Blanche Begole, is living in East St. Louis. She was married in 1898 and her husband is a merchant tailor of that city.
Charles T. Bates became a resident of Illinois in his youth and after acquiring his preliminary education in the public schools he continued his studies in Jacksonville. He entered the banking business in 1881, when he accepted a position in the Roodhouse Bank, where he remained from 1881 until 1889. when he assisted in organizing the People's Bank of Roodhouse, in connection with his father-in-law. John Roodhouse.
William M. Morrow, ex-county treasurer, and the latter's son, H. C. Morrow, of White Hall. Mr. Bates was elected cashier of the new institution with W. A. Thompson as assistant cashier and Lee Freers as book- keeper. The leading stockholders are well known and reliable business men and from the beginning. under capable management, the business has grown and prospered, the bank becoming one of the strong financial institutions of the county. Mr. Bates' pre- vious experience in the banking business had well qualified him for the onerous and re- sponsible . duties which now devolve upon him, and his efforts have been one of the potent elements in the success of the bank.
Mr. Bates has been married twice, his first wife being Anna Morrow, a daughter of William M. Morrow. For his second wife he choose Mary Roodhouse, a daughter of John Roodhouse. There were three chil- dren by the first marriage: Margaret, born in 1892: T. Merrill, born in 1893; and C. William, born in 1896. There is a little daughter by the second marriage, Helen, born in 1903.
Mr. Bates endorses republican principles and earnestly desires the success of the party although he personally has no political aspi- rations. Fraternally he is a Mason. belong- ing to E. M. Husted lodge. He is also a member of the Congregational church. His life has, in a manner, been quietly passed, as lie has not sought to figure prominently in public affairs, but he is a representative of that class of business men who advance the general prosperity and development of their respective localities, commanding the confi- dence and respect of those who know them and receiving the warmest regard from those with whom they are most intimately ac- quainted.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
LORENZO WATSON.
Lorenzo Watson, successfully conduct- ing general agricultural pursuits near Woody, was born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, on the 16th of March, 1850. and is a son of George and Melvina ( Ham- mond) Watson, the latter a daughter of "Major" Hammond, who died in Pennsyl- vania in 1894 at the very venerable age of ninety-five years, being at that time one of the oldest settlers of Susquehanna county. George Watson was born in New York and his wife was a native of New Hampshire. They settled in Pennsylvania about 1848 and remained residents of that state until the spring of 1858, when they came to Illi- nois, settling in Sangamon county, where they resided for six months. On the expira- tion of that period they removed to Greene county. In early life Mr. Watson had been identified with commercial pursuits, conduct- ing a drug store in the east, but in his later years he followel farming and stock-raising in McPherson county, Kansas, to which place he removed in 1873. His remaining days were spent there, his death occurring in the Sunflower state on the 24th of Decem- ber. 1887. when he was sixty-three years of age, his birth having occurred on the 6th of March, 1825. His wife, who was born on the 8th of January, 1819. died in 1873. This worthy couple were the parents of the following named: Rosalia, who died at the age of a year and a half, and was born at Cold Springs, New York: Walter O., who is living in Lawrence, Kansas; Asa James. also a resident of Kansas: Lorenzo, of this review : Rosalia, the wife of E. B. Pegram, a resident of Greene county, who is men- tioned elsewhere in this volume ; and Phoebe. who died at the age of five years, her re-
mains being interred ny Ridgeway eme- tery.
Lorenzo Watson spent the first secchi years of his hie m Pennsylvanie and bes mi his education in its public schools Later he continued Ins studies in the selfents of Greene county, where he mastered the common branches of English learning and after putting aside his text link he continued to work upon his ise ther's farm. In the meantime the family had removed to Kansis and it was upon the chiim in MePherson county tlen Lorenzo Watson performed the labors of the fiells. That was then a wild and largely mium- proved district and upon the prairie- le killed many buffalos. At the time of the removal of the family to Kansas the county seat was at Lindsburg. but was afterward changed to MePherson. The Santa Fe Rail- road had not been built at that time and only here and there were seen homes of pi meer settlers, who had gone to the far west in order to secure cheap land, from which they might develop good farming property. Mr. Watson continued a resident of Kansas for eighteen years and on the expiration of that period he returned to Illinois and settled at his present home in Greene county near Woody. Here he has since engaged in general farming and has also raised Con- siderable stock. He is to-day the owner of valuable tract of land of three hundre land forty acres and he likewise has frun land- in Florida. This home farm is splendidky improved. being supplied with all modern equipments and accessories. He uses the latest improved machinery in the plisting of his crops and the gathering of the Harvests and he has upon his place substantial barns and outbuildings for the shelter of gron and stock as well as a comfortable residente m
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which his family are pleasantly located.
On the 13th of March, 1876, Mr. Wat- son was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Johnson, a daughter of John and Ann John- son, who were natives of Sweden, while Mrs. Watson was born in Indiana. There were four children of this marriage. Charles Lorenzo, who is living upon a farm west of his father's home, married Gertrude Wood a granddaughter of William Maberry, of Bluffdale township. Alice C. is the wife of Curtiss Frost, a resident Jerseyville, Illinois. Harold Lawrence and Olive Mildred are both attending school.
Mr. Watson voted the prohibition ticket when prohibition was the leading issue in Kansas politics and still gives to the party his unfaltering support. He has served as a school director for a number of years and manifests a public-spirited interest in every- thing pertaining to general progress and im- provement, giving to many measures for the public good his hearty co-operation. His life has been actuated by worthy motives and honorable principles and he receives from his fellow townsmen uniform regard.
JOHN L. ELDRED.
John L. Eldred, whose business record has made him honored and respected by all with whom he has been associated, is occu- pying a position of cashier in the Carrollton Bank, in which he is also financially inter- ested. He was born near Carrollton, Octo- ber 5. 1855. a son of J. B. and Eliza J. ( Thomas) Eldred, who are represented on another page of this volume.
John 1 .. Eldred acquired his preliminary
education in the district schools and after- ward entered Blackburn University of Car- linville, Illinois, while later he pursued a course in Jones Commercial College at St. Louis, Missouri. His active connection with the business interests of Carrollton began in 1879, when he entered the Carrollton Bank as bookkeeper. After a year he was pro- moted to the position of assistant cashier and when two or three years had passed he be- came cashier, in which capacity he has since served. He has gained a thorough knowl- edge of the banking business and his fore- sight, energy and enterprise have contributed in substantial measure to the upbuilding of the institution, making this one of the re- liable financial concerns of the county.
In June, 1880, occurred the marriage of John L. Eldred and Miss Fannie Eldred, a native of Greene county and a daughter of L. S. Eldred. They have two children, Allen and Ada. The former after attending the public schools of Carrollton became a student in the Northwestern University at Chicago and subsequently attended Colorado College at Colorado Springs. He is now connected with the fruit-raising industry in southern Florida, his father having had in- terests in the fruit business in that section for a number of years. The postoffice at that point was named in honor of the Eldred family.
In his fraternal relations John L. Eldred is a Mason and belongs to the Presbyterian church. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Carrollton than John L. Eldred. He has been an important factor in business circles and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an un- bending integrity, nabating energy and in- dustry that never fligs. He is public-spirited
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and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and ma- terial welfare of Greene county.
HARRY L. MANNING.
Harry L. Manning, who is engaged in the insurance and real-estate business in Kane and is one of its native sons, was born on the 13th of May, 1860, his parents being Henry W. and Elizabeth J. ( Williams ) Manning, the former a native of London, England, and the latter of Kane township. Greene county, Illinois. The paternal grandfather, Peter Manning, was a native of Ireland, whence he removed to London and it was during his residence there that the birth of Henry W. Manning occurred. Subsequently he crossed the Atlantic, estab- lishing his home in New Brunswick, and later he removed to the state of New York, where his death eventually occurred.
Henry W. Manning accompanied his parents on their various removals. He was for many years engaged in surveying and he visited a number of states in connection with the government survey, including Florida and Texas. He came to Carrollton. Greene county, Illinois, about 1855. and here he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, while later he was identified with the educa- tional interests as a teacher in the county. Prior to the period of the Civil war he be- came a minister of the Baptist church. He had been educated for the Episcopal minis- try, but change in his religious views led to his identification with the other denomina- tion. Aroused by a spirit of patriotism when the south made an attempt to over- throw the Union, he enlisted in 1862, re-
spending to his country's call by putting Company F. of the Sixty-first Illinois Volare teer Infantry under Colonel Jacob Fry ile served throughout the war as a vahant de fender of the cause which he espoused. Be ing captured in front of Richmond he was held as a prisoner for some time, but liter was exchanged. He then started to return to his home in Illinois but died at Alton. His life was one of usefulness, devoted to the material, educational and moral development of the various localities in which he resided and ultimately was given as a sacrifice to his country.
Ilarry L. Manning, the second in his father's family of three children, acquired his early education in the public schools of Kane and was afterward a student in Shurt- leff College in Upper Alton, Illinois. Later he engaged in teaching school for two terms and subsequently spent four years in the south, devoting his energies to similar pro- fessional duties. He next taught school in the vicinity of Kane for six years and has since remained a resident of his native county. In 1901 he was elected justice of the peace and about the same time he established an office for the conduct of a real estate. in- surance and collection business. In this he has been very successful, has written much insurance and has made many collections for business firms of this part of the state. lle now owns a fine farm of over two hundred acres lying west of Kane. his property being the visible evidence of his life of enterprise and energy.
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