USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 36
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On the 18th of October, 1891. Mr. Man- ning was united in marriage to Miss Leha M. Varble, who was born in Kane and died in 1805. They had one child. Wilm F Mr. Manning was elected and served as as- sessor of Kane township for ten years. He
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is an advocate of democratic principles and has always been most loyal to his party. Socially he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. The greater part of his life has been passed in Kane or its imme- diate vicinity and those who have known him have words of high commendation for him because of his straightforward honorable record. Without ostentation or self-lauda- tion he has gained the uniform respect of his fellowmen and deserves mention among the representative citizens of his native county.
J. A. METCALF.
It is always of interest to examine into the history of a self-made man and note the plans he has followed and the policy he has pursued in winning prosperity, and credit and honor are due when his success has been worthily gained, his course being such as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. Such is true of Mr. Metcalf, who as a farmer, stock-raiser and feeder of Rubi- con township has gained for himself a place among the men of affluence in Greene county. He owns a well improved farm of two hundred and eighty acres in the home- stead and also owns two other tracts, one of forty and one of forty-two acres.
Mr. Metcalf is a native son of Illinois, born in Jacksonville, February 9. 1861. Ilis father, W. J. Metcalf, was a native of Kentucky, and a brother-in-law and nephew of Richard J. Metcalf, for years a prominent business man of Greenfield. The father carried on farming in Greene county for a number of years and subsequently sold his property and removed to Jacksonville, where he was engaged in the stock business. There
he reared his family and spent his remaining days, passing away there in 1881. He was twice married, his last wife bearing the maiden name of Martha Williams. She still survives her husband, residing in Jackson- ville and is a well preserved lady of eighty- three years.
J. A. Metcalf is one of the three children born of the father's second marriage, having a brother and a sister both living. He was reared in Jacksonville, acquiring a good edu- cation in the city schools, and he also learned telegraphy, studying during the periods of vacation. He then entered the office of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company as an operator and ticket agent at Jacksonville, continuing in that position for a year. He afterward went to DeSoto, Missouri, on the Iron Mountain Railroad, and was in the pas- senger ticket office for over a year. Later in Jacksonville, Illinois, he served as assist- ant train dispatcher and as bookkeeper, con- tinuing to act in that capacity for a year. He then abandoned the business on account of ill health and went to California, where he remained for a year, at the end of which time he returned to Jacksonville greatly benefited by the change. He was bookkeeper in the latter place for one season in the em- ploy of the Reid & Capps Brick Manufactur- ing Company. He then gave up business of that character and located on a farm in Barr township, Macoupin county. This land be- longed to his mother and he was there en- gaged in general agricultural pursuits for six years.
Mr. Metcalf was married in Greene county, in September, 1891. the lady of his choice being Miss Minnie Melvin, who was born in that county and was reared here. Her father, T. E. Melvin, now a resident of Greenfield, is numbered among the early set-
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tlers and formerly was a prominent farmer of Greene county. She has three brothers, Sylvester. George W. and S. E. Melvin, who are numbered among the leading agricultur- ists of Rubicon township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf have been born three children : William M., Lee .A. and Louis E.
After his marriage Mr. Metcalf engaged in farming for a year upon his mother's place and then purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on which he now re- sides. Ile located thereon in 1892 and began to improve his farm. Ile has just completed an attractive frame residence and upon his place are also good barns and other substan- tial buildings, in fact, every modern facility to promote the farm work and make it more profitable is now used by him. In addition to this place Mr. Metcalf owns an eighty- acre farm, including two forty-acre tracts, in Macoupin county. He cultivates his fields and they annually yield to him goklen har- vests and in addition to this work he raises and owns stock, shipping about three car- loads of fat cattle and two car-loads of hogs annually. He is justly accounted one of the enterprising, practical and progressive agri- culturists of his community. He is also engaged in the breeding of German coach horses, being one of a company formed for that purpose and they now own several pure- blooded horses.
Mr. Metcalf cast his first presidential ballot for Benjamin Harrison and has sup- ported each nominee at the head of the re- publican ticket since that time. Political office has had no attraction for him. as he has preferred to give his time and energies to his business interests. Ilis wife is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Woodmen's order. He is widely known as a man of upright character
and worth, moving and meriting the good will and trust of those with whom buone -- of social relations have brought Will mi em- tact.
E. K. METCALF
E. K. Metcalf, one of the promment business men and financiers of Greenfield. where he is now engaged in real estate deal- ing. has contributed in large measure to the substantial improvement of the city, having in former years been identified with its com mercial interests, while later he has been handling property, negotiating many impor- tant realty transfers which have contributed to the business activity of this locality. The interests of the church and the school also received his endorsement and co-operation. and his aid can be counted upon for the fur- therance of any movement calculated to ad- vance the general good.
Mr. Metcalf is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Macoupin county on the 6th of March. 1857. His father, Richard J. Metcalf, was one of the early set- tlers and prominent business men of Macou- pin county and the son was there reared to manhood. He had good common-school advantages and afterward pursued a course of study in the Greenfield high school. Lo- cating in Greenfield in 1879. he turned his attention to the grocery business, forming a partnership with his brother G. B. Metcalf. in which they continued for about a year. E. K. Metcalf then sold out and forming a partnership with two other parties became connected with the hardware trade, in which he continued for thirteen years. He was associated with that line of business unt 1 1893. when he sold out and turned his atten-
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tion to the real estate business. He began the improvement of farms and town property and has been very active as a representative of real estate investments since that time.
Through his efforts many realty trans- fers have been made, and he also rents farms. In Greenfield he has improved considerable property and he has completed his second fine residence here, it being one of the best homes of the city.
In the fall of 1880 Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage to Miss Otis Thorpe, a native of Illinois, born in Greene county and with a daughter of Martin Thorpe, a native of England. They have no children of their own but have reared and educated a niece who is now the wife of George P. Bauer, a prominent business man of Greenfield. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf made a trip to California in the fall of 1903, spending the winter on the Pacific coast and visiting many of the leading cities of the west.
In the spring of 1894 Mr. Metcalf re- turned to active business interests in Green- field and has since figured prominently in its commercial and financial circles. Politically he is a stanch republican, wielding a wide influence in the local councils of his party, and at all times he is actuated by a worthy interest in the general good rather than a desire for self-aggrandizement. He was elected and served for two years as mayor and gave to the city a progressive and busi- ness-like administration. He has been presi- dent of the board of education for two years and the public school system always finds in him a stanch friend ready to aid at all times 'in promoting the efficiency of the schools at Greenfield. He and his wife are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episco- pril church, assisting materially in its work, anl he is now serving as a member of the
official board, while for a number of years he has been superintendent of the Sunday- school, in which Mrs. Metcalf is also an earnest and valued worker. He served on the building committee when the new Metho- dist Episcopal church edifice was erected, giving much time to the work and also con- tributing most generously to the building fund. The church is the best in the city, having been erected at a cost of sixteen thou- sand dollars. Mr. Metcalf is prominent in Masonry, belonging to Greenfield lodge, A. F. & A. M .; Greenfield chapter, R. A. M .; and Carrollton commandery, K. T. He has served as high priest of the chapter and in other positions in the craft. He is well known in Greene and adjacent counties as a man of exemplary character, of superior business ability and marked executive force and of keen discernment and, moreover, as one who deserves and receives the confidence and esteem of all who know him.
ORNAN PIERSON.
Ornan Pierson, whose life has been one of continuous activity in which has been ac- corded due recognition of labor, is to-day numbered among the substantial citizens of Greene county, where he is occupying the po- sition of cashier in the Greene County Na- tional Bank. He was born in Carrollton on the 17th of July, 1839, a son of David Pier- son. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools and entering business life he learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. In 1858 he engaged in clerking for J. K. & J. J. Sharon, well known merchants of Carrollton, with whom
Orman Dieren
THE 198Y LISPARY
A: -. .. ... Tiden
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
he remained for a year. lle afterward spent one year in the employ of the firm of Wright, Rickert & Company and on the ex- piration of that period entered into partner- ship with George Wright, one of the old and well known business men of Carrollton, under the firm style of Wright & Pierson. This connection was pleasantly and success- fully maintained until February, 1865. when Mr. Pierson purchased his partner's interest and continued the business under his own name until 1871. He then sold out and went upon the road as traveling salesman for the firm of L. M. Bates & Company, of 352 Broadway, New York. He represented that house in Illinois, Missouri and Kansas for a year and then returned to Carrollton to become an employe in his father's bank. lle has since been connected with this finan- cial enterprise with the exception of one year. which he spent in Denver as adjuster of a large estate. In 1875 he became financially interested in the bank, which on the Ist of July. 1878, was merged into the Greene County National Bank. On the re-organ- ization Mr. Pierson was made assistant cashier and continued to act in that capacity until 1881. when he became cashier upon the retirement of his brother Robert, who re- moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he engaged in the real estate business and died in the year 1887. Ornan Pierson is a popu- lar official of the bank, always courteous and prompt in the discharge of his duties and his efforts have been an active factor in promoting the growth of this institution, which is recognized as one of the strong financial concerns of Greene county .
Mr. Pierson was married January 31. 1861, to Miss Maria Stryker, of Orange. New Jersey, a daughter of Henry Stryker. who removed from the east to Jacksonville.
Illinois, in 1849. and was there engaged in the dry goods business. Mr and Mrs. Pier son became the parents of the followmy named : Louise, now the wife of James Mc Nabb, proprietor of The Gazette and a rest- dent of Carrollton : J. 11. Pierson, who postmaster at Carrollton ; Albert 1 ... who is filling the position of city clerk: Flore ,ce C. : and David Ornan, who died in Novem- ber. 1899.
A stanch advocate of Repubhem prio ciples, Mr. Pierson is recognized as one w le has wielded a wide influence in political cir cles and in 1881 was elected to the state leg- islature, where he served for a term of tu , years. When he became a candidate for re- election the boundaries of the district had been changed. This was due to the fact that the leaders of the opposition wished to make the district theirs. There was a strong con test. however, and it was not until the four hundred and seventy-first ballot that Mr. Pierson was defeated. lle had been offered a chance to draw straws with the successful candidate, but refused to do this. While a member of the house he was chairman on the committee of banks and banking and a mein- ber of the committee on finance, corporations and insurance. He had been president of the board of education of Carrollton for six years and has served as mayor for two terms. In political thought and action he has al ways been independent, carrying out his hon- est views without fear or favor, his intense and well directed activity in politics and fi- nancial circles having made him a leading factor in community affairs. In business he has achieved success through honorable effort, untiring industry and capable man agement, while his record of citizenship is irreproachable. His interests are thoroughly identified with those of Greene county and
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at all times he is ready to lend his aid and co-operation to any movement calculated to benefit this section of the country or advance its permanent development.
DIETER DAMM.
Dieter Damm, living on section II, Lin- dler township, has throughout his entire life carried on general farming and stock-raising and is today the owner of a valuable farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He is one of the native sons of Greene county, his birth having occurred upon the farm upon which he now resides on the 8th of November. 1851. His father, Dieter Damm, Sr., was a native of Germany, born in Hesse-Darm- stadt in 1814. and there he was married in 1839. He came to the new world the same year, going first to Ohio, and in 1840 he located in Greene county, Illinois, where he purchased the land and opened up a farm, becoming the owner of eighty acres, to which he afterward added by additional pur- chase until he owned three hundred and sixty acres of rich land. Upon that farm he reared his family and spent his remaining days, his death occurring there in 1879.
Dieter Damm, Jr., was one of a family of five children who reached mature years and four are yet living. He attended the common schools in his boyhood days and worked in the fields when not engaged with his text-books. Thus he learned the busi- ness methods of plowing, planting and har- vesting, and when he began farming on his own account he had good practical experi- ence to aid him. He inherited a part of the old homestead and purchased the interests of the other heirs, so that he row owns the
entire farm. He has kept the place in good shape, everything being in the state of ex- cellent repair, and to the property he has added many modern equipments and acces- sories, using the latest improved machinery in the development of the fields and in har- vesting the crops. He has also raised high grades of cattle and annually feeds and ships a large number of cattle and hogs.
On the 24th of November, 1870, Mr. Damm was married to Miss Elizabeth Meis- ter, who was born in Linder township. Greene county. They became the parents of seven children : Elizabeth, the wife of Oscar Burger, of Alton, Illinois ; Dieter H., who is married and follows farming in Wrights township: Bena, at home: Katy, also at home: Elias, who is married and follows farming in Rockbridge township ; Mary, and George, both at home.
In his political views Mr. Damm is a stanch republican, having supported the party since he cast his first ballot for General U. S. Grant in 1872. He has since voted for each presidential nominee of the party and is in hearty sympathy with its principles. He was elected and served for three years as highway commissioner, was supervisor for two consecutive terms, and has been a mem- ber of the honorary county board. The cause of education has found in him a stal- wart support, for he believes in good schools and the employment of competent teachers, and for sixteen consecutive years he served as school director and has been clerk of the school board. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian church and contrib- ute to its support. Mr. Damm has been a resident of Greene county throughout his entire life, always remaining on the old homestead farm. He has a wide acquaint- ance in Carrollton and in this part of the
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY-
State, and the sterling qualities of his man- Bist fatte haveton vere pashel on ST food have rendered him a citizen worthy the esteem and regard which are uniformly ex- tended to him.
JOHN B. BRODMARKLE.
John B. Brodmarkle, one of the active business men of Greenfield, whose life record forms an integral chapter in the commercial history of the city, has been a representative wi hardware trade here since 1870. He is numbered among the early settlers of Illi- nois, his residence in the state dating from 1839, at which time he loentied in Greene county. He is a native of Maryland, his birth having occurred in Cumberland, on the 2d of April. 1836. His father, John Brodmarkle, was born near Cumberland, Maryland, and was a son of John Brod- markle. Sr., a native of Germany, who, com- mg to America in colonial days, espoused the cause of liberty at the time the attempt was made to throw off the yoke of British oppres- sion. Ile became a drummer-boy in the service and he afterward lived to enjoy the independence of the nation for a number of veirs. He died in Maryland in the prime of life, while his wife, long surviving him, passed away at the advanced age of ninety- four years.
Their son, John Brodmarkle, Jr .. learned the blacksmith's trade in early life and in 1839 removed to the west, establishing his home in Greene county upon a farm. He purchased part of the land and entered some from the government. thus becoming the owner of three hundre l and twenty acres. He later located in Greenfield and here en- gaged in conducting a blacksmith shop. His
on again gong to St Joseph he imchilenth by drowning at St. Louis, Missour. Decom- ber 25. 1850. This first wife pro-el www. Jannary 18, 1842. She bore the malden name of Ellen Bell. was a native of Man- land and a daughter of Theopenhis Beil. obo lived to a ripe old age. Viter Josing los first wife Mr. Brodmarkle married again
John B. Brodmarkle was reirei 00 Greene county, being but three year- ci age when brought to Ilinois by his parents. He attended the common schools to a limited extent but is largely self-e mented. Ile learned the trade of blacksmithing here an 1 in his early manhood he clerked for three years for George Sheffield. This was prior to the time that he served his apprenticeship to the business of blacksmithing. He after- ward conducted a shop of his own for sex eral years and in connection with blacksmith- ing he also engaged in repairing and making wagons. As his financial resources increase ! he extended the field of his activity. In 1870 he began handling farm implements and the following year he erected a business house which he stocked with hardware. Ile now carries a well selected line of shelf and heavy hardware, stoves, buggies, wagons, car- riages, mowers, plows, planters and other farm implements. He has built up a desir- ble trade because he handles an excellent I'ne of goods and is always rehable in his bus- ness transactions. Since he erected his first building he has purchased another godt hun- ness house and he has likewise improve l the city by the erection of a substantial and pest residence. In trade circles he sustams an un assailable reputation and has long been 10-
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counted one of the leading merchants of his city.
On the 25th of March, 1858, Mr. Brod- markle was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Lee, a native of Monroe county, Illinois, who was reared in Greene county and is a daugh- ter of Archibald Lee. Her father was one of the early settlers of Illinois, to which state he came from Tennessee, although he was a native of Virginia. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Brodmarkle: J. Edwin, a merchant of Lebanon, Kansas, is married and has two children, J. Edwin and Clara May. Lizzie Lee is the wife of W. T. Parish, a partner in the store, and they have one child, William Love. Ellen Love Brodmarkle, the youngest child, is at home.
Politically Mr. Brodmarkle is a stanch republican, having given his support to the party since casting his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. He was elected and served on the town board and has been a member of the school board for twenty-one consecutive years, acting as clerk for some time. He was president of the town board for two or three years and after- ward served as alderman, discharging each official duty in a prompt and capable man- ner, so that his course has ever been above suspicion or reproach. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episco- pal church and he has served on its official board and for some years was superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a member of Greenfield lodge, No. 127, A. F. & A. M., and Greenfield Chapter, No. 186, R. A. M., and has served as both secretary and treas- utrer in the blue lodge. He likewise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. has passed all of its chairs and is a past noble grand. He became a member of this organi-
zation May 1, 1857, and for eight consecu- tive years he served as delegate to the grand lodge, being first sent to Cairo, while for seven consecutive years he attended its ses- sions in Springfield. He is in hearty sym- pathy with its principles, purposes and teach- ings and in his life exemplifies the brotherly spirit of the order. He is recognized as one of the active and substantial business men of the eastern part of the county and as a public-spirited citizen is worthy of the con- fidence and good will of all who know him. Almost his entire life has been passed in Greene county and therefore his history from boyhood down to the present is largely familiar to its citizens. His life has been as an open book which all may read, and the sterling traits of his character have endeared him to a large circle of friends.
EDWARD MINER.
Edward Miner. public administrator of Greene county and police magistrate at Car- rollton, was born in Jersey county. Illinois, September 29, 1835, and was there reared to manhood on a farm, acquiring his education in the public schools. After attaining his majority he removed to Carlinville, Illinois, where he engaged in merchandising for two years. In 1863 he became a resident of Darlington, Wisconsin, where he spent three years and then returned to Jerseyville, this state, and entered the field of journalism as editor of the Jerseyville Republican. He continued in that work until the spring of 1874, when he came to Carrollton and pur- chased the Carrollton Patriot, which he con- ducted until the fall of 1875, when he sold the paper to C. L. Clapp, now of Chicago.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Mr. Miner then accepted the appointment to the office of deputy county clerk of Greene county, in which position he served for fif- teen years. During this time he also filled the office of city clerk, was a member and clerk of the board of education and secre- tary of the Old Settlers Society. . After leav- ing the clerk's office he served for one term as mayor and those at all familiar with the history of Carrollton and Greene county know that his administration as mayor was business like and progressive and that in all the offices he has filled he has been found as a faithful, painstaking and reliable official. He was commissioned public administrator three years ago and has served for six years as police magistrate, filling both positions at the present time. Ile is systematic and methodical in all his clerical work and is dominated by a public-spirited interest in the general welfare.
While living in Carlinville, Illinois, Mr. Miner was united in marriage to Miss Ella V'an.Arsdale, and they have two sons and two daughters, all yet living.
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