USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
ALONZO ELLIS.
Alonzo Ellis, who in his business career manifests the activity, keen foresight and determination that have enabled him to push forward the wheels of progress in White Hall and contribute to the general business activity as well as to his individual success. was born in Scott county, Illinois. December 5. 1860. Ile is now cashier of the First National Bank of White Hall and by reason of his uniform courtesy as well as the capa- bility with which he discharges the duties of
his office he has become a pofodir ressent of Ins adopted town.
The Ellis family, of which lo 16 2 repre- sentative, resided ne Tennessee of the early period of the nineteenth century His grand- father, James Ellis, a native of that state. died in the year 1865. 1his son, James M. Ellis, was born in August, 1819, and died in 1892. In early manhood he weddel Miss Mary J. Lusby, who was born in 1822, was a representative of an old Kentucky family and died in the year 1895.
Entering the public schools of Scht county at the usual age. Vonz > Ellis after- ward continued his studies in Brown's Busi ness College, of Jacksonville, Illinois, of which he is a graduate with the class of 1879. In the same year he entered the em- ploy of the firm of Neat. Condit & Grout, of Winchester, Illinois, as bookkeeper, and sub- sequently he turned his attention to the ab- stract and insurance business. On the 16th of .April. 1904. he came to White Hall and entered the First National Bank, which had just been organized with .A. P. Grout, Il. C. Morrow, Charles H. Black, Allen C. Gin- wold. John W. Conlee, George C. Tunnison. Moses S. Kawin, Henry W. Hand. Thomas K. Condit. 11. O. Tunnison. Milan B. Ross, as stockholders. To those at all familiar with Greene county and its citizenship this list of stockholders is an indication of the reliability of the bank. The institution was capitalized for fifty thousand dollars and already it has gained many de- positors and his entered upon an era .i prosperity.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Vonz Ellis and Miss Cora Lilley, who was elu- cated in Seatt county, completing her course there in the high school. Three children
288
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
have been born unto them: Myron, born in 1890: Kate, in 1894: and Mary, in 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis attend the Christian church, of which they are members, and fra- ternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge. In his political views he is what might be termed a democratic prohibitionist. His influence is ever on the side of temper- ance, morality, justice and truth and his own career has been in harmony therewith. He is a genial, cordial gentleman, of pleasing manner, who has already won the confidence of the business community in White Hall and the friendship of many whom he has met socially.
SETH N. GRISWOLD.
Seth N. Griswold, who after many years' connection with agricultural interests has put aside the work of the farm and makes his home in White Hall, is at the present time associated with its financial affairs as vice president of the White Hall National Bank. In the paternal line he is of English lineage. His ancestors for many generations followed farming and stock-raising and representa- tives of the family are among the most re- spected and prosperous citizens of Greene county. His grandfather. David E. Gris- wold, came to Illinois in 1829 and spent that year in Greene county. He then returned to his old home in Vermont in the summer of 1830. remaining in New England until 1831. when with his family of five children-Me- lissa. Sophia, Edgar, Edwin and Damon- he c'une again to Illinois, traveling by wagon. They were seven months in making the trip. but at length reached their destination in safey. Mr. Griswold established his
home upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 9, town II, range 12, Greene county, Illinois, near White Hall. The land had been partially improved, for there was a small cabin, a smokehouse and a corn crib upon the place. With characteristic energy David E. Griswold began to further cultivate and develop this farm and other valuable lands which he purchased and after- ward gave to his children. He successfully carried on agricultural pursuits up to the time of his death, which occurred August 24. 1873.
Edgar Griswold, father of Seth N Gris- wold, was born in Addison county, Vermont, January 2, 1820, and was therefore a lad of but ten or eleven years when he accompanied his father on his emigration from New Eng- land to the middle west. Here he was reared upon the old family homestead near White Hall and assisted in the arduous task of de- veloping and improving his land. He con- tinued to aid his father in the cultivation of the home place until twenty years of age. when he was married and began farming on his own account, locating near Greenfield. There he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, which he tilled for five years and on the expiration of that period he traded his farm for that owned by his brother Edwin and and returned to the old homestead. upon which he lived for several years. Later he took up his abode in Macoupin county, Illi- nois, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, living thereon for two years, after which he again sold his property and returned to the old homestead, whereon he remained until October. 1890. In 1868 he took a trip to the far west, accompanied by his brother-in-law. John North. They went first to New York, whence they sailed for the
280)
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Panama and after crossing the isthmus they again took passage on a vessel, which landed them at San Francisco. They visited Sacra- mento and places of interest in the Golden state and made the return trip overland. trav- eling eight hundred miles by stage. Mr. Griswold then resumed his farming opera- tions, which he conducted with considerable profit, accumulating a handsome property. At the time of his death he owned seven hun- dred and thirty-five acres of valuable farm- ing land in central Illinois, four hundred and eighty acres of this being in Christian county. On the 12th of March, 1840. he married Miss Lucy North, who was born near White Hall, March 12, 1820, and was a daughter of Asa and Prudence North. They became the parents of eleven children, seven of whom lived until 1890. These were Perry, Seth. Mrs. Ellen Bolton, Sulvan, Damon, Carrie and Edward. The father was a Mason of White Hall and was well known in Greene county as a pioneer settler. He took an ac- tive interest in agricultural affairs, endorsing every measure which he believed would promote the best interests of the agricultural class and being especially active as a member of the Grange. In all his business transic- tions he was found thoroughly reliable as well as enterprising and he was respected and honored by all who knew him. He contin- ueil to reside upon the old homestead until 1800. when he remove I to White Hall, where he resided until his death, which occurred July 18. 1892, and thus the community lost one of its worthy settlers who had borne a helpful part in the work of general progress and improvement in Greene county.
Seth N. Griswold, born in Greene county. January 16, 1843, was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads and in the publ'c
schule acquired I clienti. Wale age of twenty-one years he responded to dla call of his country for a. enlisting af & imember of Company D. One Hundred sol lloris- seventh Volunteer Infantry for one familie ] (liys' service. Ile was mustered mt at Springfield. Ilinois, in 1864. Entering upon the active duties of life he followed the occupation to which he was reared and for a long period was known as a prosperous farmer, stockdealer and breeder. He oper- ated in Missouri and Kansas for two ver- each, but the greater part of his time h's been passed in his native county, where he owns a valuable tract of land. This he place 1 under a high state of cultivation and in addi tion to the production of the crops he en- gaged in raising, selling and trading in stock. Being an excellent judge of live stock he was enabled to make judicious purchases and profitable sales and as the years passed by reason of his careful management and im- faltering diligence in business affairs he xc quired a handsene competence. This nom enables him to practic ily live : retired lite. lle remove 1 to White Hallin 1871.
In 1871 Mr. Griswold was married t Miss Etta Whiteside. a daughter of Levi T. Whiteside, wley for many years weso prominent merchant of White Hall. Hemds born .August 4, 1811, and died in 1896. while his wife, who was born in Kentucky m 1814. died in 1003. Mrs. Griswold was educated in White Hall. where she spent the days of her girlhood and youth. Both Mr. and Mr- Griswold have a wide acquaintance m Greene county and the friendship of the miny whom they have met is cordially extendedl then Ilis political views are in harmony with the principles of the republican party, but he his never been an office seeker, nor has he joined
290
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
any church or fraternal organization. He has been pre-eminently a business man, progres- sive and enterprising in his work and through his concentration of effort upon one line of activity he has won the success which now classes him with the substantial citizens of White Hall.
SINGLETON F. GREENE.
Singleton F. Greene, who departed this life January 10, 1905, at the venerable age of eighty-four years, was the first white child born south of Macoupin creek in Greene county, and throughout his entire life he remained in that locality, contributing his full share to the material, intellectual and moral progress, and so living as to com- mand the respect and confidence of all. The friends of his boyhood had largely passed away and even many of the acquaintances of early manhood and middle life had gone to their reward, yet he lived on, a blessing to his community, his example an inspiration to young and old, rich and poor. He was a sincere Christian gentleman with whom re- ligion was a matter of daily living rather than of principle and he left to his family an untarnished name, as well as the extensive and valuable estate which represented the years of his labor and excellent business ability.
Mr. Greene was born December 13, 1820, and was of Scotch lineage, the first represent- atives of the name in America crossing the Atlantic from Scotland during the colonial epoch in our country's history and settling in South Carolina. The grandfather, George Greene, was born in that state when
it was still an English colony and at the time of the Revolutionary war he espoused the American cause and fought for the in- dependence of the nation. Attracted by the possibilities of the recently developed west he came to Illinois about 1812, settling in Sangamon county, where he spent his re- maining days. The tract of land on which he located was found to lie in both Sanga- mon and Menard counties after their divi- sion.
His son, John W. Greene, father of our subject, was born in Kentucky and served his country in the war of 1812. During that time he was a resident of Madison county, Illinois, where he continued to make his home until 1819, when he located with- in the district now comprised in Greene county, although the county was not then organized. He was one of the commission- ers appointed by the state government to establish the county seat of Greene county. Subsequently he located about two and three- fourths miles northeast of the present vil- lage of Kane, where he made his home throughout his remaining days. He was a very prominent and influential man, leaving the impress of his individuality for good upon the public life of his county and state. Well fitted for leadership he aided in shap- ing public thought and action and he served for three terms in the state legislature, be- ing a member of the house at the time of his death, which occurred in 1843. He was a man of marked ability and prominence in his day and his name is indelibly inscribed on the early annals of the commonwealth. His business affairs, too, were capably con- (lucted and he acquired considerable prop- erty. He married Miss Nancy Mains, a na- tive of South Carolina, and they became the
As or
THE
PURCELL ARY
Astor LAY . "i den
295
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
parents of fourteen children, of whom two are living : Elias and William E. Greene, who are still residents of this county.
Singleton Foster Greene, the third in order of birth in that family, was reared on the old homestead, early becoming familiar with the experiences of pioneer life. Ile had only such advantages as the time and local- ity afforded. Ile was trained to the work of the farm and throughout his entire life was actively associated with agricultural pursuits. He noted the opportunities for profitable investments and as his financial resources increased he added to his farm property until at his death he left an estate of more than one thousand acres of the rich and very valuable land of Greene county. The greater part of this was under cultiva- tion and he also engaged in the raising of fine stock, owning some very superior horses of fine breeds. He was the organizer and for a number of years was at the head of the banking firm of S. F. Greene & Company at Kane and made this one of the most reliable financial concerns of the county. He de- lighted in the progress of the county and did much to stimulate ambition and pro- gressiveness among the agricultural class in connection with the Greene County Fair As- sociation, of which he was a stockholder for a half century, serving for a time as its president and for several terms as director.
Mr. Greene was quite prominent in local political circles in carlier years and gave his support to the Democratic party. Ile was elected county sheriff in 1866 and in 1877 was chosen county commissioner, the busi- ness of the county being then transicted by three commissioners. In these public offices he served the people faithfully and honor- ably and at all times he advanced every
movement which he believed would con- tribute to the general good. He supported the churches and schools, being a warm friend of the cause of public education and a devoted member of the Kane Baptist church, his life being an exemplification of many Christian virtues.
Mr. Greene was married twice. In 1846 he wedded Miss Polly Witt, daughter of Franklin Witt. She died November 11. 1850, leaving a son, John Hardin Greene. who resides east of Kane. On the 20 of September, 1852, Mr. Greene married Miss Eliza Jane Witt, a daughter of William P'. Witt and a cousin of his first wife. She still survives him. The children of this mar- riage are as follows: William R., now de ceased: Ilattie, the wife of C. G. Richards. who is engaged in farming in Kane town- ship: Robert W., a banker of Kane: Mary E., the wife of William Scanlon, of Rocky- ford. Colorado: Justina, the wife of E. A. Culver, of Kane : and Walter B., also a resi- cent of Kane.
Mr. Greene remained an active factor in business life and in community affairs un- til his last illness, which was of only two weeks' duration. He displayed the vigor of a man of much younger years. Few men of this part of the state were more widely known and none commanded in higher meas- ure the trust and confidence of those with whom he came in contact. Ilis community benefitted by his life and labors, and sincere and widespread regret was felt when he was called from this life. Ile passed away Jin- uary 10, 1905, and his pall bearers were his four grandsons and two sons-in-law. Thus was terminated an earthly career but his in fluence will long he felt as his activity touched all the various lines that contribute
296
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
to the upbuilding and permanent develop- ment of the community in which he lived from birth to death-a long period of eighty- four years.
ROBERT W. GREENE.
Robert W. Greene, at the head of the banking house of S. F. Greene & Company, at Kane, and a man whose enterprise and business discernment have gained him a large measure of success, has always been a resident of Greene county save for a brief period of one year. He was born on the old family homestead, near Kane, June 9, 1858. and is a son of S. F. Greene, repre- sented elsewhere in this volume. In his youth he was a district-school student, near Kane, at the White school house and later he attended Shurtleff College, at Upper Al- ton, Illinois, while subsequently he completed a course by graduation in the Jacksonville (Illinois) Business College with the class of 1879. He entered upon his business career as a clerk in the dry-goods store of John Greene & Company, at Kane, and after a year. in the fall of 188t, he assisted his father in organizing the S. F. Greene & Com- pathy Bank in Kane, becoming cashier and general manager, in which capacities he has since served with the exception of the year 1903. when he assisted in organizing the Jersey State Bank of Jerseyville, Illinois, and was chosen cashier and director. He remained in the former position for a year and is still a director but is not active in the management of the institution. His atten- tion has largely been given to the conduct of the Kane bank, which under his capable direction has become a most reliable financial « ofrern, doing a large business. Mr. Greene
is also a stockholder in the White Hall Sewer Pipe & Stoneware Company. He has also been identified with the Kane Canning Com- pany and is a very progressive business man, whose labors have resulted beneficially to the. county in promoting commercial activity, while at the same time he has furthered his. individual success. The banking company built and owns its own building.
Mr. Greene is also a lover of fine horses. and has been the owner of a number. He now owns a half interest with N. T. Kirby of Springfield, in the great trotting horse,. Bermuda Boy, with a record as a three-year -. old of 2:2034. This horse Mr. Greene and Mr. Kirby have raised and trained. He is by the great trotting sire, Bermuda, record 2 :201/2. Mr. Greene also owned Baby Mine, record 2:271/2, the dam of Bermuda Boy; also Bob-o-link, record 2 :42, a son of Baby Mine; Gold Mine, record 2:17; and many others. He is a good judge of what con- stitutes speed and endurance in a road horse.
On the 3d of October, 1882. in Jersey county, about six miles below Jerseyville, Mr. Greene was united in marriage to Miss Nolia Darlington, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Cox) Darlington, the former a na- tive of Ohio and the latter of Illinois. By this union there are two children : Tina Fay, now the wife of Dr. C. B. Foreman, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; end Vesta Randolph, who is attending Lin- den Wood College at St. Charles, Missouri.
Mr. Greene was made a Mason in 1883 and is a member of King Solomon Lodge, No. 197. . A. F. & .A. M., of Kane, of which he is senior steward. He has also been . master and held other offices in the lodge. and he is a member of Elizabeth Chapter, No. 17. O. E. S. In politics he is a Demo- crat and has served several times as township.
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
collector but has never sought or desired office. He belongs to the Methodist Episco- pal church at Kane, of which he is one of the trustees. Representing a pioneer fam- ily of the county he has carried forward the work of his forefathers in behalf of good citizenship, material upbuilding and intel- lectual and moral progress and has continued the worthy record of those who have worn the name of Greene in this part of the state.
WALTER B. GREENE.
Walter B. Greene, of Kane, needs no in- troduction to the readers of this volume for the family name has figured in the annals of the county since before its organization. W. B. Greene was born in Kane township. on the 12th of March, 1866, and his ancestral history is elsewhere in this volume in con- nection with the sketch of his father, Single- ton F. Greene. The district schools afforded him his early educational privileges and he afterward continued his studies in the Jack- sonville Business College, of which he is a graduate of the class of 1884. He then re- turned to the old homestead and was more or less closely associated with his father in ex tensive farming and stock-raising interests until the latter's death. In his boyhood he was trained to the work of the old homestead and has practically been in charge of the farm for a number of years, thus having one thousand acres of land under his super- vision, the greater part of which is culti- vated, so that he annually harvests extensive crops. Ile is likewise widely known as a raiser of high grade stock. He has been the owner of many fine horses, including Dick
Roche, with a record of 2:24. He esned this horse fifteen years ago, the dam benig Nellie Gray, a noted brood mare. He also owns Razzle Dazzle, of Hambletonian and Wilkes strains, also ont of Nellie Gras, with a record of 2:28: Wigaletta, with a record of 2:101 2. sired by Dumas : Dam Punch ont of Nellie Gray, sired by Port Leonard : Myr- tle Il .. with a record of 2:1914. sired by Bermuda Boy, dam Nellie Gray. Nellie Gray was owned by E. J. Greene, a cousin of W. B. Greene. The latter has also owned many other fine horses that have made goo 1 records. Ile is to-day classed with the most prominent, prosperous and extensive farmers and stock-raisers of central Illinois. During the year 1903 he had charge of the banking interests in Kane conductel under the firm style of S. F. Greene & Company, but in March. 1904. he retired. This institution is one of the reliable moneyed concerns of the county, doing business along legiticate and progressive lines and at the same tore following methods that are sufficiently con- servative to make it one of the most trust- worthy financial institutions in this part of the state. He had the management durne the absence of his brother. R. W. Greene, who in 1904 resumed charge.
Although W. B. Greene entere 1 1 : 5 ; business already established bath in agrient tural and banking lines many a man of le- resolute spirit would have failed in enfarging and developing such enterprises. Ile his. however, been eminently successful an l has demonstrated by his career that successos nut a matter of genius but is the outcome of clear judgment and experience.
At St. Louis, December 8, 1004. Mr Greene married Miss Lettie 1. l' pe. daughter of William and Katherme ( Sneth Pope. In politics he is a Democrat lom ju
298
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
has never cared for official honors, preferring to give his time and attention to his business interests. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias before the lodge was abandoned at Kane.
CHRISTOPHER GUY RICHARDS.
Christopher Guy Richards, who through- out his entire life has followed agricultural pursuits, and is now successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising in Greene county, owning three hundred and forty acres of land in his present home farm, was born in Jersey county, Illinois, March 24. 1856. His father, Guy C. Richards, was born in Broome county, New York, November 2, 1819, and was a son of Daniel and Ruth (Tickner) Richards. He was married in 1843 to Miss Hannah Pope, the wedding being celebrated in Greene county, Illinois. His occupation was that of farming and at his marriage he began his domestic life upon a farm in this county but subsequently re- moved to Jersey county, where he lived on a farm two miles south of Kane, making his home there until his death, which occurred on the 29th of April, 1894.
Christopher Guy Richards gained his education in what was known as the old Kane school near his father's home in Jer- sey county, and there he continued his studies until he had mastered the elementary branches of learning. He afterward bene- fited by a year's study in Shurtleff College. at Upper Alton, Illinois. Ile was reared to the occupation of farming, carly becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and throughout his entire life he has carried on work along this line. Ile is an industrious, energetic
man, never faltering in the performance of any duty, and that he has prospered in his undertakings is indicated by the fact that he is today the owner of a valuable tract of land of three hundred and forty acres, to which he removed when he left Jersey county and took up his abode in Greene county. Here he is engaged in the raising of various kinds of stock and this is an important branch of his business, bringing him an excellent in- come. He also has his fields well tilled and annually harvests good crops.
On the 20th of December, 1881. Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Hattie L. Greene, a daughter of Singleton F. and Eliza J. Greene, who are represented on another page of this work. This mar- riage has been blessed with two sons: Guy Singleton and Walter Louis. In his politi- cal views Mr. Richards has always been a Republican, but never an office seeker, pre- ferring to devote his time to his family and to his farming pursuits, and in the manage- ment of his business affairs he has met with well merited success.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.