USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 44
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
vention. He was a member of the commit- tee on resolutions and a member of the sub- committee of five who drafted the state re- publican platform of 1904 and again he went out as a speaker under the direction of the state central committee. He seconded the nomination of Len Small for state treas- urer, and he. responded for the twentieth congressional district at the famous repub- lican lovefeast held in the armory at Spring- field early in 1904. On the 24th of May, 1904, he received the nomination at Jersey- ville for congressman from the twentieth district. Previous to this time Mr. Doyle had held office. In 1902 he was appointed parole commissioner of the southern Illinois penitentiary by Governor Yates, serving un- til January 3, 1905, when he was appointed secretary of the state board of arbitration. He was superintendent of the Illinois building at the Louisiana Purchase Exposi- tion from August until December, 1904, and with fidelity that is above question he has performed every public duty entrusted to him, making for himself a most creditable political record-such as any man might be proud to possess.
On the 15th of June, 1904, Mr. Doyle was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Wil- hite, of Greenfield, Illinois, a daughter of Samuel M. and Mary E. (Hembrough) Wilhite. Her father carried on farming for many years and afterward engaged in gen- eral merchandising for a quarter of a cen- tury. He was also the first city treasurer of Greenfield after its incorporation. Mrs. Doyle is a graduate of the Greenfield high sch of of the class of 1897, and afterward attended the Woman's College at Jackson- ville. She engaged in teaching in Greenfield for three terms prior to her marriage and she i now the first soprano singer in the First
Methodist Episcopal church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Doyle have a large circle of friends in Greenfield and enjoy the hospitality of its best homes. Mr. Doyle is a member of the Roman Catholic church and of Elks lodge, No. 654, of Litchfield ; Greenfield camp, No. 459, M. W. A., joining the former in 1901 and the latter in 1904. Mr. Doyle is very popular in his district, is a man of exemplary habits and is said to be one of the best ora- tors of the state. He has a wide acquaintance among the prominent men of Illinois and is not without considerable influence in public affairs. His pleasing personality, kindliness, deference for the opinions of others and his social nature have gained him a wide and favorable acquaintance and Greenfield classes him with its most prominent men.
EDMUND L. COOPER.
Judge Edmund L. Cooper, whose life was the exemplification of honorable man- hood and Christian citizenship, was at his death the oldest citizen of Greene county, having attained the very venerable age of one hundred years, five months and twenty-eight days. For sixty-four years he resided in this county, and was a co-operant factor in its pioneer development, and later-day prog- ress, its business life and its material and moral upbuilding. He was, moreover, a wit- ness of the great events which formed the nation's history, for entering the world a short time before the first chief executive had passed from this life. he lived through the administration of each succeeding presi- clent, and took great delight in all the move- ments which worked for good and progress to the country.
EDMUND L. COOPER.
MRS. MARY M. COOPER.
HE
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Mr. Cooper came to Greene county in 1836. Ile was born in Orange county, Vir- ginia, September 24, 1799, and was of Eng- lish lineage, descended from an ancestry noted for their industry and integrity. . \t the age of five years he was taken by his parents to Lincoln county, Kentucky, and when seventeen years of age, he accompanied them on their removal to Christian county, Kentucky, going to that district in 1816. There the parents spent their remaining days, the mother dying in 1823 and the father in 1826. Without any special educational or pecuniary advantages to assist him Edmund L. Cooper had been reared, receiving little training in books, but learning the les- sons of experience that came with labor in the fields, close observation and a ready mastery of the tasks assigned him. An observing eye and retentive memory, combined with nature's good gift of common sense, enabled him to gain practical knowl- edge that many do not get from the schools or colleges. He learned the real value of labor and of character, utilized the former through an active business career and builded of the latter a structure worthy of all admira- tion and respect.
Before his mother's death Mr. Cooper was married, Miss Mary M. Perry, of Chris- tian county, Kentucky, becoming his wife, November 28, 1822. She was born in Or- ange county, Virginia, August 28, 1793, and was a daughter of James and Nancy Perry. She obtained such common-school advan- tages as were afforded in the locality in which she lived. With her parents she re- moved to Kentucky and there gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Cooper.
They remained residents of that state until immediately after the death of Mr. Cooper's father, when they removed with
their family to Greene county. Ilgos, cal- fishing their home a mile and a half west of Wrightsville, in April, 1836. With char acteristic energy Mr. Cooper began the de- velopment of a farm there, transforming the wild land into rich and fertile fieldls, whose productive condition enabled him in course of time to gather rich harvests, and the sales of his crops permitted of the purchase bi more land. He continued his farming opera- tions until 1856, when leaving his farm in charge of his son William, he removed to Greenfield, Illinois, and became identified with its business interests as a merchant, continuing in trade with gratifying success until 1880. In the meantime as his financial resources increased, he invested in land and his different purchases at length aggregated seven hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in Greene and Montgomery counties. Such a record should serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to others, for at the time of his marriage he had a cash capital of only ten dollars and this was bor- rowed. Industry, unremitting industry. formed the foundation of his success. Ilis business integrity was above question and his persistent labor and judicious investment. together with the utilization of the oppor- tunities that nature always gives the agri- culturist. made him, in the course of years, one of the exten sive landhelders and sub- stantial residents of Greene county. Follow- ing his retirement from mere intile hie Mr. Cooper and his wife went to live with their daughter, Mrs. Emdine Cunningham, Font three miles west of Greenfield, But there they spent seven happy years, enjoying the comforts ohd blessings that hvid acruel through former labor. For sixty five voll- they traveled hie's journey together, scene much of sunshine, something als pi Tie-
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shadow. They had borne together privations and hardships in the early days, but pros- perity later smiled upon them, and Mr. Cooper was enabled to surround his wife, in her declining years, with all the comforts that wealth could secure.
Their married life, too, was blessed with nine children, and although three were taken from them in infancy, six reached mature years, and three are yet living : Robert R., Mrs. E. E. Cunningham, both of Greenfield; and E. M. Cooper of Girard, Illinois. There are also many other grandchildren, great- grandchildren and great-great-grandchil- dren. One daughter, Mildred, became the wife of Clark Stevens and died at her home five miles northwest of Kane, Illinois, in January, 1877. William T. Cooper died on his father's farm, in August, 1875, and A. A. Cooper, of Kansas City, died November 7. 190I.
In 1887 Mr. Cooper was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was then ninety-four years of age. She had been a consistent and life-long member of the Bap- tist church, and her kindly spirit, helpful- ness and charitable thought which true reli- gion inculcates were daily manifest in her life. For six years after her death Mr. Cooper continued to reside with his daugh- ter on the farm and then removed to Green- field, where he remained until his name was placed on the roll of Greene county's hon- ored dead. March 22, 1900. He was a cen- tenarian, but it was not his long life or his business success that gained for him the 11- qualified regard in which he was uniformly held throughout the county, but his straight- forward life, his hatred of sham or liy- pocrisy, his helpful interest in mesures for the general good and his kindly companion- ship. There was not a person in the county
that did not know of Judge Cooper, and a: great number were acquaintances - and every acquaintance was his friend. He was always interested in the great questions. which concerned the political, material and moral upbuilding of the nation. He cast his first presidential vote for James Monroe in 1820 and voted at each succeeding presi- dential election except that of 1840, when he was too ill to go to the polls. First a Whig, afterward an Abolitionist and then a Repub- lican, he stood fearlessly in defense of his honest convictions and yet was not bitterly partisan. For seventy-six years he was a faithful member of the Baptist church, and Christianity was with him a practice, not a principle. He possessed a remarkable memory and his conversations relating to events long past were always matters of the deepest interest to his auditors. When death came he was laid by the side of his wife in Hickory Grove cemetery, but the time will not come for years when his name and deeds will be forgotten. He left the deep impress of his personality upon the county and while he never sought to figure in any light, he was the champion and advocate of all that tended to improve the county and his fellow man, so that his memory is revered by all who knew him.
1. O. TOLMIN.
Few residents of Greene county have so long resided within the borders as has Mr. Tolman, whose birth occurred in White Hall township, on the 6th of June. 1829. Ilis father. Cyrus Tolman, was a native of Massachusetts and married Polly Eldred. whose birth occurred in Greene county. Illi-
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nois. The year 1818 witnessed the arrival of Cyrus Tolman in this state. Hle settled at Edwardsville, where he remained for two years, and in 1820 he came to Greene county, locating a mile and a half south of White Hall upon a tract of land now owned by the Orton family. Subsequently he entered from the government what is known as the Ilicks place, adjoining the above tract on the south. . At the present time this is the prop- erty of Ed Kendall. Later Mr. Tolman re- moved to the Simeon Ross farm, a mile from his former residence, and upon the old home- stead there W. O. Tolman was born. The parents continued to reside upon that place until 1839. when they removed to Carroll- ton. but a year later became residents of Jer sey county just across the boundary line from Greene county. Upon the farm there Mr. Tolman spent the remainder of his active business career and when he put aside busi- ness pursuits he returned to Greene county. joining his son in whose home his last days were spent, his death here occurring in 1876. Ile served for a number of years as county judge and also as county commissioner and took an active interest in political affairs as a supporter of the Whig party and was a representative and influential citizen who commanded the respect and confidence of all who knew him.
W. O. Tolman was the second in order of birth in a family of three sons and one daughter. He continued upon the okl home- stead plice until 1851, when he purchased eighty acres of land adjoining his father's farm in Jersey county. There he resided for two years, after which he sold to his brother who owned the old homestead. Mr. Pol- man of this review then removed to the old town of Kane and rentel what was known as the Pope farm, upon which he resided for
two years. He next purchased the Flas Grizzle farm a half mile south of Kane Sud comprising one hundred and sixty seres wo Find all practically under cultivation. He has further continued the work of improve- ment and now has a splendid farm property on which he raises the various cereal- best adapted to the soft and chmate, having ex- cellent wheat and corn crops. He aley raise- hogs and cattle out in huis agricultural pursuits is meeting with very goodliving
In March, 1851, Mr. Tohm'in was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Pope, a native of New Jersey, born neur Plainfiel 1, Somerset county, February 13. 1830, and the daugh- ter di Samuel Pope, one of the early settlers of Greene county. Their children are Fan nie, now the wife of William Parker, & rest- dent of East St. Louis : Cyrus, who is hving in Kansas: Mrs. Annie Massey, a resident of Granite City, In is: Emily, the wife of Charles Warren, of Louisiana; Polhe. at home : William, who is engaged in mining mn Mexico: Curtis who is residing in Cahier- nia : Elin, deceased; and Cloje.
The family home is a modern residence. situated in the midst of a fine farm. There are good outbuilding- upon the place and all modern accessories found upon a model farm of the twentieth century so that the farm in its attractive appearance is ample evidence of a progressive spirit and enter prising owner. Mr. Tolmin lois never been knowif to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen n any traude trissetoo anil his Business career is attende l with at measure voi stiecess that comes into per SUstent. hombrall efert guided In sem judgment. In polit es he Is a Democra les Its always rented public office, gling In- time and attention to his business af -
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
MANFORD E. EDMONDSON.
Manford E. Edmondson, who occupies an enviable position in the public regard and who is one of the enterprising farmers of the county, resides on section 15, Rockbridge township. It was in this township that he was born April 8, 1851, his parents being W. F. and Harriet ( Hand) Edmondson, the former born in Garrett county, Kentucky, in 1806, and the latter in Illinois. The father was reared in his native state and when a young man came to Illinois, settling in Greene county, where he was married. He owned and operated a farm of nearly six hun- dred acres in Rockbridge township and there- on he reared his family. In 1868 he re- moved to Missouri, settling in Cass county, where his death occurred several years later. His wife died in Illinois several years before.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Manford E. Edmondson in his youth. He attended the common schools but is largely self-educated, learning many valuable lessons in the school of experience. He remained with his father until twenty-three years of age, and assisted in the operation of the home farm, gaining the valuable experience which has enabled him to successfully carry on agricultural pur- suits on his own account. For a year after his marriage he engaged in farming in Greene county and then removed to Cass county, Missouri, where he devoted his en- ergies to the tilling of the soil for five years. He then returned to the old home farm in Greene county upon which he had been reared. and about 1886 he erected his pres- ent home and took up his abode therein. Hle has also built good outbuildings, has planted an orchard and has carried on the farm work along lines that are in keeping with modern
ideas of agriculture. He raises good graded stock and is an energetic, industrious man, whose business success results from careful management and unfaltering perseverance.
On the 13th of May, 1875, Mr. Edmond- son was united in marriage to Miss Alice Grove, a native of Virginia, but reared and educated in Morgan county, Illinois. Mr. Edmondson is a leader in local Republican circles and is deeply interested in the growth and success of his party. He cast his first presidential ballot for General U. S. Grant in 1872 and has since voted for each of the standard bearers of the party. He is now serving his second term as highway com- missioner. He belongs to the Fraternal League, and in relation to public affairs he is always progressive-interested in what- ever tends to prove of general good. His best friends are those who have known him longest-a fact which indicates that his has been an honorable, straightforward career.
SENECA D. CHAPIN.
Seneca D. Chapin, whose history is in- separably interwoven with the development and progress of White Hall along lines of substantial improvement and commercial ac- tivity, and whose progress in every field to which he directed his energies was one of his marked characteristics, was born in Conesus, Livingston county, New York, on the 18th of July, 1836, the second in a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, whose parents were Abel J. and Rhoda (Hart) Chapin. The surviving members of the fam- ily are Mrs. Lucy Trescott, of Livonia, New York, W. C. Chapin, who is living in White Itall : Elmer J. Chapin, of Fort Scott, Kan-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
sas: and Mrs. Elizabeth Parker, of West- field, Massachusetts.
Seneca D. Chapin began his education in the public schools and continued his studies in Kenyon University, at Alfred. New York. .At the age of nineteen he began teaching in his native state, but on account of failing health put aside the duties of the profession after a few years. . After a time, however. he removed to Clay county, Illinois, where he again engaged in teaching. In the sum- mer of 1860 he came to Greene county, where he was also identified with the educational development of the community, teaching for some time in White Hall and vicinity. Later. however, he engaged in merchandising in company with the late H. J. Moreland and afterward with his brother W. C. Chapin. Ilis business affairs were always carefully conducted, indicating keen foresight, sound judgment and unfaltering enterprise, and as the years passed he contributed to public progress as well as to individual success through his investment in and improvement of property.
On the 8th of April, 1865, Mr. Chapin was married to Miss Caddie Carr, of White Hall, who survives him. Their children are Ella Leonia, wife of J. II. Fox. of White Hall; Belle, wife of Dr. W. T. Knox, of Manchester, Illinois: Troy .A., of Jackson- ville, Illinois; Dr. Henry .A. Chapin, who is represented elsewhere in this work: and Metta and Edith, at home.
Mr. Chapin was particularly prominent and influential in community affairs, so that his worth was widely acknowledged by his city. Ile served as a member of the school board of White Hall, and after the death of Marcus Worcester, he was appointed his successor in the office of postmaster. Ile filled the position for fourteen consecutive
yenes and was a courteous and . Aligsite of- fical, rendering satisfactory service to the public, not allowing political prejudice t . m terfere in the slightest degree. He was elected the first mayor of the city of White Hall and on the expiration of his first term was re-elected, and it is umformly conceded that the city never had a mayor who excelled him in faithful and efficient service, for he managed the business of the city with the same spirit of enterprise, economy and progress that he manifested in his private affairs. At the close of his second term he retired from office in order to give his un vided attention to his business interests and refused steadily thereafter to become a can- didate for office or accept the political hon- ors which his fellow townsmen would have bestowed upon him. However, he contin- ned to take an active interest in public af- fairs as a private citizen, and the welfare and upbuilding of White Hall were causes dear to his heart. The fine large brick school building. the Baptist church, the Chapin block and his own private residence and other buildings evidence his enterprise and his efforts in this direction.
In early life Mr. Chapin was in delicate health and hardly any one thought that he would live to manhood or achieve the splen did results which crowned his efforts for the city and for the advancement of his personal interest. He possessedl a resolute and un- daunte 1 spirit, husbanded h's strength and resources, and his mental powers were such as to enable him to grasp and readily under- stand a business situation and use its passt bilities to the best advantage. This success in life attests his financial ability, his hair- momons dealings with his fellowmen. hils liberality in support of every good mesure. his pitient endurance in bearing the affliction
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of years, his Christian fortitude and his un- blemished character. He was well educated, industrious, and a man of strict integrity. He was temperate in all things, sincere and honorable, and while he prospered he also left to his family the price- less heritage of an untarnished name. He died February 24, 1903, and the funeral services were conducted under the auspices of White Hall lodge, No. So, A. F. & A. M., of which he had long been a member. The interment was made in White Hall ceme- tery, but the fruition of his works is not ended, for his memory is cherished by the many who knew and honored him and re- mains as a source of inspiration to them.
E. Z. CURNUTT.
On the roster of public officials in Greene county appears the name of E. Z. Curnutt, who is now serving as circuit clerk. He was born in the town of Wrightsville, on the 17th of February, 1874, and is a son of James H. and Angelina (Waltrip) Curnutt, both of whom were also natives of Wrights- ville. In the district schools the son began his education at the usual age and was ad- vanced through successsive grades until he became a high school student in Greenfield. Later he attended the high school in Car- rollton, and was here graduated with the class of 1893. On putting aside his text- books he entered his father's store in Car- rollton, where he remained until 1900. He had, however, been engaged in teaching from 1893 until 1896, having charge of the Rub- icon school in the eastern part of Greene county. In 1900 he received the nomina- tion of the Democratic party for the office
of circuit clerk and that he was the choice of the public is shown by the fact that he received a good majority at the fall election. His capable service received public endorse- ment by a second nomination for the office and election in 1904, when he received the largest majority of any candidate on the ticket.
On the 15th of January, 1903, Mr. Cur- nutt was married to Miss Jessie Achenbach, a native of Greene county and a daughter of Fred Achenbach. She is a graduate of the Illinois Woman's College at Jacksonville. Mr. and Mrs. Curnutt are prominent socially, occupying an enviable position in the regard of many friends in Carrollton. Fraternally Mr. Curnutt is a Master Mason, becoming a member of Carrollton lodge, No. 50, A. F. & A. M., in 1898, and he also holds member- ship relations with Carrollton camp, No. 476, Modern Woodmen of America, Wor- cester lodge, Knights of Pythias of Rood- house, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks at Alton, and Conlee lodge, Ancient Order of United Workmen of Carrollton. He is a young man whose business and polit- ical record is creditable and he has the trust and confidence of his fellow men, because of the fidelity which he has ever manifested in his official life.
GEORGE W. CUNNINGHAM.
George W. Cunningham, having for many years been a representative of the bus- iness interests of Greene county, is now en- joying the rest which should ever crown a long life of business activity and enterprise. He was born three miles west of Greenfield. October 10, 1859, his parents being Samuel
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M. and Emelie E. (Cooper) Cunningham, L. E. a traveling man residing in Camel- natives of kentucky. His father when a ton. Si of the children have departed this young man came to Illinois, settling in life : Henry C., who was connected with be brother, George, m Maisiness in Greene county and died in Greenfield : and M. B .. Alonzo, Belle, Mory and Jenme, all of whom died in childhood. Greene county, where he secured a tract of wild land and began the development of a farm. Part of the land he entered from the government and he also added to the tract by purchase. He came to Illinois with his father, Robert Cunningham, who had prev- iously visited the state and entered a claim from the government, after which he re- turned to Kentucky. Samuel M. Cunning. ham was married in Greene county to Miss Emeline E. Cooper, a daughter of Judge E. L. Cooper, one of the first settlers of this part of the state and a prominent and inth- ential citizen, taking a helpful part in mold- ing the early policy of the county. Mrs. Cunningham was born in Kentucky and they began their domestic life upon a farm where they resided for many years. Mr. Cunning- ham was a successful agriculturist and owned and operated a large tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres near Green- field. He was well known among the early settlers of this and adjoining counties and belonged to that class of brave pioneer people who faced the dangers and difficulties of es- tablishing homes in a frontier district and laid the foundation for the present prosper- ity and development of the county. He died March 5. 1880, while his wife, still surviv- ing him, resides in Greenfield. She has long been a resident of Greene county and is numbered among its esteemed pioneer people, having the friendship and regard of young and okl, rich and poor. In the fam- ily of this worthy couple were nine children and three of the sons are yet living, namely : Robert L., who is now retired in White Hall, Illinois: George W. of this review; and
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