USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 43
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On the 25th of December, 1856-Christ- mas day-Mr. Griswold was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy C. Swallow, who was born in Weathersfield, Vermont, November 27. 1836, her parents being Guy and Cath- erine (Banister) Swallow. Her father, a farmer by occupation, came to Illinois in November, 1837, and settled near the pres- ent site of Roodhouse. His father was one of the Revolutionary soldiers who fought for the independence of the nation. Mr. Swal- low carried on farming in this county, pros- pering in his business. He was also promi- nent in public affairs, held a number of offi- ces and ever used his influence for the public good. He continued to make his home near where Roodhouse now stands until his death, which occurred about 1850. His wife died in February, 1893. They were the par- ents of three children : Mrs. Griswold; Mrs. Mary Frances Clement, who was born in 1834 and is now living with her daughter in Charleston, Illinois; and Mrs. Harriet M. Husted, who was born in 1833 and is now deceased. Mrs. Griswold pursued her edu- cation in the country school near Roodhouse and continued her studies at Maple Grove. In 1846 she returned to Vermont in a wagon with her father and mother and they spent six months in visiting in her native state.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gris- wold lived for a year on the old homestead in Greene county and on the expiration of that period removed to a farm on Manches- ter Prairie, Scott county, Illinois, where they resided for six years. They then returned to
LOYAL P. GRISWOLD.
MRS. NANCY C. GRISWOLD.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Greene county, where Mr. Griswold resumed farming operations. He was a very busy and useful man, capably conducting his farming interests, and as his financial re- sources increased he made investments in property from time to time, thus becoming the owner of extensive realty holdings in this state. His business affairs were capably managed and he possessed the determination and perseverance which enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook.
Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Griswold: Lucius J., born November 2. 1857. died October 20, 1865: Allen C., born February 1. 1865, resides on a farmi near White Hall : Emma F., born November 4. 1862, died October 7. 1865 : Harriet MI .. born February 26, 1865, resides in Orlando, Florida : Harry L., born .August 20, 1868, resides in Jacksonville, Illinois : Lucien G., born March 26, 1871. resides on the old homestead: Frank C., born October 17. 1874. lives in White Hall ; and Effie C., born November 7, 1877, died July 14. 1878.
Mrs. Griswold was always a great help- mate to her husband, whose financial success was due in part to her economy, thrift and industry which were and still are her strong characteristics. During her husband's life- time she took great interest in poultry-raising and butter-making, pushing both industries to eminent success. Since her husband's death she has ceased to keep house, spending much of the year among her children, all of whom are married, her winter months being passed in Florida. It was while visiting his daughter, in Orlando, Florida, that Mr. Gris- wold passed away, his death occurring in the year 1903. Greene county thus lost one of its honored pioneers and prominent citizens. He was a man whom to know was to respect
and esteem and throughout be ombounty he was held in the highest retani Hey were both charter members of Social Grange. No. 1308, organized in the spring . i 1873 They were always interestel m its welf. re and were regular attendants at its mecthis. Mrs. Griswold, like her husband, has marte many friends in the county and as one of the worthy pioneer women of this part of the state well deserves mention in this volume.
URIAII CONVERSE.
Uriah Converse, who is now living a re- tired life in Greenfield but who for more than fifty years was one of the active and successful farmers of Greene county, les- been a resident of this portion of the state since 1844. A detailed account of his life would present a faithful picture of condi- tions here in pioneer times and through the era of later development and progress. Ile is a native of Vermont, his birth having ve- curred in Addison county on the 24th ni December, 1824. His father, Alfred Con- verse, was a native of New Hampshire, and a son of Bernard Converse, who was also a native of New England and was of English lineage. Alfred Converse was reared t, manhood in New Hampshire and when a young man went to the Green Mountam state, where he was married to Betsey Corey, a native of Vermont. He was a cat- penter by trade and in early hie followel that pursuit. He served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and a munber of years later he received a land warrant from the government in recognition of the and which he had rendered to his country in the
20
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
second war with England. He removed westward to Illinois in 1844, settling in Rubicon township, Greene county, where he spent his remaining days, devoting his at- tention to agricultural pursuits here until about 1860. His wife survived him for but a few years.
Uriah Converse spent the first twenty years of his life in Vermont and enjoyed the advantages afforded by the common schools of that state. He is, however, largely self- educated, experience, observation and read- ing adding largely to his knowledge since he has attained man's estate. In early life it became necessary for him to earn his own living. and whatever he has achieved has come as the direct reward of his earnest labor. He worked as a farm hand by the month for a number of years and then en- tered a tract of land of forty acres, which joined his father's farm and on which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made, and this he at once broke and im- proved. He then returned home and cared for his parents in their declining years and succeeded in the ownership of the old home- stead farm. He afterward purchased land from time to time until he owned over five hundred acres in two well improved farms. He continued to actively engage in the cul- tivation of this property until 1893, when he rented his home farm and removed to Greenfield, where he is now living retired. enjoying the rest that he has so well earned and truly deserves.
Mr. Converse was married in Greene county, December 24, 1848, to Miss Elmira Corey, also a native of Vermont, but her death occurred in 1851 after a short but happy married life of but three years. There were two children by this marriage, of whom one is now living. Flora Alice, the wife of
Horace Landon, a substantial farmer of Sangamon county.
Mr. Converse was again married in 1856, the lady of his choice being Miss Min- erva Standefer, who was born in Tennessee and in her early girlhood accompanied her parents on their removal to Missouri. Her father was Alfred Standefer, who died in Texas. There are five children by this union : Otis E., a substantial farmer of Greene county; Fannie Dora, the wife of Henry Cooper, also a farmer of Greene county; Harry, a practicing physician of Greenfield; Jennie, the wife of Charles Woodward, a leading hardware merchant of Carlinville, Illinois; and Truman Uriah, who is married and operates the old home farm.
Politically Mr. Converse is a stanch Re- publican and a believer in protection to American industries, in a sound currency and in other of the leading principles of the party. He has never sought or desired pub- lic office, preferring to give his attention to his farming and business interests. He did, however, serve as highway commissioner and was a member of the school board for several years, being a stanch champion of the cause of public education. He and his wife held membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church and the sterling traits of hon- esty, industry, kindliness and charity have many times been manifest in them in their relations with their fellowmen. Mr. Con- verse started out in life on his own account a poor boy and, dependent upon his own re- sources from youth to the present time, he has won creditable success. Through his labor, his enterprise and frugality he has accumulated two large and valuable farms and is also the owner of a good home in Greenfield. Mrs. Converse, who has ever
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY
been a faithful companion and helpmate to be found in filmen-ald there is the letter her husband, has been an invalid for about twenty years and for the past ten years has lost the entire use of her limbs but she is a patient sufferer and receives the kind and un- remitting care of her husband. Both are held in the highest esteem in Greene county. For sixty long years Mr. Converse has wit- nessed the growth and development of this part of the state, aiding in its material im- provement. He is well known among the old settlers and his life exemplifies many commendable traits of character such as have ever commanded respect and confidence in every land and clime.
LUCIEN GUY GRISWOLD.
Lucien Guy Griswold, well known as a representative of a pioneer family, who in his business career and connection with pop- ular interests has carried forward the work of upbuilding and progress which was in- augurated by his ancestors in Greene county. was born on the 26th of March, 1871. upon his father's farm in White Hall township. He is a son of Loyal P. and Nancy C. ( Swal- low ) Griswold, whose sketch appears on an- other page of this volume.
Lucien Guy Griswold pursued his edu- ention in the common schools at Maple Grove, Illinois, and later attended Jackson- ville College at Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1805. After pursuing a business course he left school in order to take up work upon the old home farm, where he has since re- mained. He has always been connected with the cultivation of the old home property and he now owns a very valuable tract of two hundred acres of as fine farming land as can
farming property acall the United States than is found mala- today. He has ila carried on the work on ge my castle 16 0 greater or less extent and lo kkende energol the dairy business Hogy focal inger in several important lasque - enterprises 01 White Hall, being a sto kboffer in the List National Bank, also in the What Hall Sewer Pipe & Stoneware Company and in the White Hall Electric Railway-enterprises which have contributed in substmotril mens ure to the improvement and commercial prosperity of this part of the state. llis political allegiance is given to the Republi- can party and he keeps well intermet on the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do, but has never sought or desired publie office, preferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business affairs.
On the 28th of December, 1898, Mr. Griswold was married to Miss Martha E. Tankersley, a daughter of William 1. and Margaret E. (Coultas) Tankersley of Greene county, who removed from Scott county in 1864. Her father was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of bond. which he placed under a high state bi cultivation. Hle and his wife becune the parents of four sons and eight daughters and one of the sons died in infancy. Ile lois led a useful. up- right. honorable life, never engaging in a hiwsuit, treating his fellowmen with iar- ness and justice and being regarde l by miny as a warm and valued friend. His children are as follows : Mrs. Ellen \. Ross, who was born January 6, 1863: Mrs. Nora I Davis, born December 7. 1804: Mrs. Hittie B. Ilill, born August 2, 1867: Mrs. Addle ML Lorton, born October 9. 1800: William (). born November 18, 1871 : Mrs. Martha F.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Griswold, born November 15, 1873; Nor- man A., who was born April 2, 1876, and died in infancy; Kirby E., born April 30, 1877: Flora V., who was born August 27, 1880: Albertus C., born December 6, 1882; Mabel G., born June 12, 1885; and Grace E., born September 19, 1887.
HON. GEORGE B. METCALF.
The consensus of public opinion accords to Hon. George B. Metcalf a notable po- sition among the business men and represent- ative citizens of Greene county. He has been actively identified with mercantile interests in Greenfield for. thirty-five years and has developed a business of large and profitable proportions, yet his efforts have not been confined to lines that have as their objective point only his individual good. He has labored for the general welfare and his ef- forts have been far-reaching and beneficial. As mayor of the city he made a most credit- able record and his name has for many years been inseparably interwoven with the record of the city's progress and substantial im- provement. Moreover, he is entitled to dis- tinctive mention in this volume as one of the native sons of the county, his birth having occurred in Greenfield, October 7, 1848.
His father was Richard Metcalf, a na- tive of Kentucky, born in Hopkins county on the ist of Angust, 1817. The paternal grandfather, William Metcalf, Sr., was born in North Carolina, December 24, 1774, and was a son of another William Metcalf, who was a native of England and became one of the carly settlers of Kentucky, locating in that state in 1786, only three years after the close of the Revolutionary war. William
Metcalf, Jr., removed with his family to Illinois in 1835 and located in Macoupin county, where he purchased a tract of wild land and began the development of a farm, spending the last years of his life there. He died November 28, 1858, and the community mourned the loss of one of its leading men, for his success in business, his activity in matters of citizenship and his interest in all that concerns the public and the general good made him a respected resident of Ma- coupin county. He was very successful in his business pursuits, becoming the owner of twelve hundred acres of land which he divided among his children.
Richard J. Metcalf, father of our sub- ject, was the eighth in order of birth in a family of nine children. He was a young man of seventeen years when he accompan- ied his parents on their removal from Ken- tucky to Macoupin county, Illinois, and to his father he gave the benefit of his services. until he had attained his majority. Follow- ing his marriage he located upon a farm in Barr township, Macoupin county, where he owned a large tract of land which he oper- ated for a number of years, being for a con- siderable period classed with the leading agriculturists of this part of the state. About 1880 he removed to Greenfield, where he engaged in the banking business, be- ing associated with his son Ralph and Jas- per Johnson in this enterprise. After the death of his wife, however, he gave up all active pursuits and lived retired. He had built a neat residence in Greenfield, adjoining the home of his son George B. and there he continued to reside until his death. Po- litically he was originally a Whig and cast his first presidential ballot for William Henry Harrison in 1840. Later, he became identified with the Republican party and con-
GEORGE B. METCALF.
THE
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tinued to follow its banners until he was called to his final rest. It was on the 6th of September, 1838, that he was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary J. Buchanan, who was born near Paris in Bourbon county, Ken- tucky, in 1819, and was a daughter of Squire Buchanan, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania, whence he removed to Kentucky and eventually he came to Ilinois. Mrs. Metcalf died in Greenfield, October 27, 1886, and Mr. Metcalf departed this life in 1890. They were laid to rest in the North cemetery. where a substantial monument marks their place of burial.
Hon. George B. Metcalf is the eldest son in a family of seven children who grew to mature years. No event of special import- ance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his youth. Ile acquired his primary education in the common schools, supplemented by several terms attendance in the Greenfield seminary, while for two years he was a student in Blackburn College at Carlinville. Later he engaged in teach- ing in Macoupin county for six months and thus he became an active factor in business life. In 1870 he embarked in the grocery trade in Greenfield and erected a business house in the city. He sold his first building and in 1880 he built his present brick busi- ness house. He now carries a complete line of groceries and queensware and has secured a liberal patronage, his trade increasing as the years have gone by. He is one of the oldest merchants in years of continuous con- nection with the business life of Greenfield and he stands to-day as a worthy represent- ative of mercantile affairs in this city, having the confidence of the business community and the trust of his many patrons. Ilis son, Carson T., is now a partner in the store which is conducted in harmony with mod-
ern business methods. Their stock of goods is carefully selected and their reasonable prices and honorable trade relations have been important elements in winning them the gratifying success which they now enjoy. Mr. Metcalf is also the owner of a valuable and well improved farm in Barr township, Macoupin county, covering three hundred acres and also a desirable tract of land of two hundred and forty acres in Cass county, Missouri.
On the ist of January. 1873. in this county Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Thorpe, a native of Greene county. She was reared here and completed her education in the Jacksonville Female College. Her parents, Martin and Louisa Thorpe, were early settlers of Greene county, the former a native of England. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf have two children : Carson T., who is married and is a partner in the store, and Edwina B. the wife of Stanley D. Mc- Pherron, a merchant and jeweler of Green- field.
Politically Mr. Metcalf has been a life- long Republican, his first presidential ballot being cast for General Grant in 1868 and for every nominee of the Republican party since that time, never missing a presidential elec- tion. He was chosen by popular suffrage as president of the village board and after the organization of the city he was elected to serve for two terms, covering four years, as mayor. lle has been a member of the village and city board for sixteen years and in 1806 he was electe I to the state legisla- ture, where he served for two sessions in the lower house. He was on a number of im- portant committees and actively interested in constructive legislation through the work which he did in the commmillee rooms. He belongs to the Code of llener and has served
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
as one of its board of supreme directors since 1898. He is also a member of the Mutual Protective League, which he joined on its organization in 1898, with headquarters in Litchfield. He is now serving on the board of supreme directors. He and his wife be- long to the Methodist Episcopal church and he contributed generously toward the erec- tion of the new church edifice. In early life he studied law, but although never admitted to the bar he practiced here before the jus- tice courts. He has thus been closely iden- tified with the interests of the county along many lines, being active in business and in promoting the social, intellectual, moral and political progress of his community. His career has indeed been a long, busy and use- ful one, marked by the utmost fidelity to the duties of public and private life and crowned with honors conferred upon him in recog- nition of superior merit. His name is insep- arably interwoven with the annals of Greene county, with its best development and its stable progress and he may well be num- bered among those who have made the world better.
HARRY CONVERSE, M. D.
Harry Converse, successfully engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Greenfield, where for sixteen years he has devoted his time and energies to the alle- viation of human suffering, is a native son of Greene county, his birth having occurred here on the 25th of October, 1864. llis father. Uriah Converse, is one of the hon- ored pioneer settlers of the county, repre- sented on another page of this work. The sh began his education in the public schools, : Mancing through consecutive grades until
he had completed the work of the high school in Greenfield. Desiring to enter profes- sional life he took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Stifflefeld, one of the leading practitioners of Greene county. Subsequently he pursued a course of lectures in the Missouri Medical College, which he entered in 1885. He remained a student in that institution for three years and was graduated with the class of 1888. He then located for practice in Greenfield and has since maintained an office in this place, hav- ing a good patronage from among the best families of the city and surrounding dis- tricts. His ability has long since been dem- onstrated in his careful handling of im- portant cases and in the excellent results which have attended his administrations to the sick and suffering.
On the 30th of September, 1891, Dr. Converse wedded Miss Florence Smith, a native of this county, reared and educated in Greenfield, and a daughter of James H. Smith, well known as Judge Smith, one of the prominent business men of Greenfield. Dr. and Mrs. Converse have one daughter, Madaline, now a student in the Greenfield schools.
Politically Dr. Converse is a stanch Re- publican, always giving earnest support to the principles of the party, yet never desiring or seeking office. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and he is a Royal Arch Mason. His interests have always been identified with the county and his efforts in its behalf have been of far- reaching and beneficial effect, although his professional duties leave him little time to engage actively in public affairs. In a call- ing wherein advancement depends upon in- dividual merit he has made for himself an honorable name and won gratifying success.
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
CORNELIU'S JAMES DOYLE.
Cornelius James Doyle, a leading Repub- lican of Illinois and a prominent citizen of Greenfield, where he is engaged in the prac- tice of law, was born in Carlinville, Illinois, December 6, 1871, a son of Thomas and Mary E. (Findley ) Doyle, natives of Ire- land. The father was born in Tulow, County Carlow, Ireland, in 1838 and in 1856 he left that country for New York with his wife. Not long afterward he en- listed in the United States regular army. with which he served until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when he obtained his dis- charge in order that he might accept pro- motion to the rank of first lieutenant batt'il- ien adjutant in the volunteer service. Ile continued at the front until after the close of hostilities when he resigned his commis- sion as captain of Company K. Thirteenth Missouri Regiment. He was taken prisoner at Wilson's Creek, after having five times previously crossed the Confederate lines, but after ten days he was paroled and rejoined his command. His was in many respects an eventful and highly interesting career, for in addition to his service in the regular army and with the Union forces in the Civil war. he twice crossed the plains, once at the time of the Mormon outbreak and again on the occasion of an Indian outbreak. Ile was a brave and intrepid soldier, always fond at his post of duty, and he rendered valuable service to his adopted country. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, of whom five are now deceased, while those liv - ing are: M. Alice, who is a trained nurse. having graduated from the Post Graduate School of Chicago: J. 11., who is in the str- tion service of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad Company. now located at Silver-
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Cornelius J. Doyle, because of re- lent of Greenfield at a very only dee pursued his studies in the public schoolsare du- city until fourteen years of age. wTien le entered upon a regular apprentice-bip tothe sailor's trade under the direction of his father, ihm serving for four years, after wisch be eff- gaged in clerking in a clothing store in Car- linville, Illinois, for seven years, Returning to Greenfield he studied Low and following his admission to the bar he served for four years as city attorney. His practice for been large, for he soon demonstrated his alyhity to successfully cope with the intricate ambi- volved problems of jurisprudence. That the members of the bar have figured more piom ibently in political life them ang . ther chass of citizens is a well known fact and the real- son is obvious, for the traming which fit - Wenn to handle the difficult questions of the law also qualified him for the analysis of the many-sided political questions, while his training in presenting clearly and cogently the points in his cases, also prepare him to present concisely and forcibly the ishes tout divide the two great parties. Mr. Doyle has figured prominently as a political leider in Greene county since 1900, as an advocate and supporter of Republic'in principles. Ile began his active politic I work as a speaker under the direction of the state central com mittee, delivering about fifty addresses dur ing that campaign. In 1902 he esp use the curse of Congressman Hopkins at the in- stance of farvernor Yates, abyin the sime year he was chairman of the Greate colity delegation to the state convention In Oc toler, 1903. he became mettrey eg gel of for renomm tion and consumelos War- m that direction until after The side com-
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