USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 46
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
the West Point Military Academy, receiving the appointment through Hon. Scott Wike, member of congress. He remained at West Point for a year, after which he returned to Carrollton and associated himself with I . K. Withers in the abstract business.
Almost immediately afterward-in 1892 Mr. Jones received the nomination of the - Democratic party for the state legislature. Ile had previously taken an active part in politics, was a popular citizen and one whose deep interest in the public welfare was was widely recognized. The election showed that he was the choice of the ma jority of Greene county's citizens, and after serving for two years he was re-elected in 1894. He proved an able working member of the house, giving to each question which came up for settlement his careful consid- eration. He was probably the youngest man ever elected to the Illinois legislature, being but twenty-one years of age when first nom- inated for the office.
In the meantime Mr. Jones began read- ing law, having taken up the study after leaving West Point, and in May. 1896. he was admitted to the bar. He then entered upon the practice alone in Carrollton, and, like all others, his practice was slow at first, but gradually his legal business grew as he demonstrated his ability to successfully handle the intricate problems which contin- ually come before the courts. In 1800 he was elected city attorney and was so faith- ful as a custodian of the legal interests of the municipality that he was re-elected in 1901. During his term in that office there arose the question of the legality of the certificates issued by the city in payment of the exten- sion of the new waterworks. He won his sunt and thereby secured the waterworks system. of which the city has every reason to be
proud. The same question has since been decided adversely la the supreme court but too late to have any effect upon the water- works of Carrollton.
In 1902 Mr. Jones joined Congressman Henry Rainey in the formation of the pres ent law firm of Rainey & Jones, which stands prominently forward in the ranks of the legal fraternity in this city. Nature was generous in her gifts to Mr. Jones. En- dowed with strong intellectuality and with latent talent which his energy and ambition have developed, he is now accorded a place among the more capable and successful mem- bers of the Greene county bar, although he is one of its younger representatives. Hle be- longs to the Modern Woodmen camp and to the Ancient Order of United Workman and is popular in professional, social and politi- cal circles.
WILLIAM E. GREENE.
William E. Greene, living on section 31. Rockbridge township, is one of the substan- tial farmers and stock feeders of Greene county and, in fact, is one of the most exten sive landowners, having one thousand and twenty-five acres all in one body. Upon this place are two sets of farming buildings and the land is valuable and highly improved. Mr. Greene is a native of this county, his birth having occurred in Kane township. May 24, 1824. His father. Hon. John Greene, was a native of Kentucky and when a young man came to Illinois, settling first in Madison county. In 1818 he removed to this county, where he entered land from the government and opened up a farm lle became the owner of several hundred acres
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of land and was numbered among the lead- ing agriculturists at an early day. He was married here to Nancy Mains and his was one of the pleasant and hospitable pioneer homes of the county. Prominent in public affairs, Mr: Greene exercised considerable influence over public thought and action. He served for two terms as a member of the state legislature and died in Springfield dur- ing his second term, passing away in 1843. His wife survived him from several years.
William E. Greene was the fifth in order of birth in a family of fifteen children, of whom thirteen reached years of maturity, while two are yet living, namely : William E. and Elias. The first named was reared to manhood in this county and was largely self-educated. acquiring much of his knowl- edge after attaining man's estate. Follow- ing his father's death he remained at home with his mother until his marriage, which occurred in Greene county in 1850, the lady of his choice being Eliza Jane Enslow, a native of this county. They began their domestic life upon the old home farm, where they lived for several years, and later they removed to a farm belonging to Mrs. Greene while on the 11th of April, 1872, they took up their abode upon his first farm, where Mr. Greene continues to reside. He began here with eight hundred and eighty acres of land. but has since added to the property until he now has one thousand acres. Ile has made many substantial improvements upon the place and in connection with the cultivation of the soil he has long been en- gaged in the raising and feeding of stock. -hipping from his farm about three carloads ·i fat vattle and a large number of hogs annually.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Greene were born obe children, of whom four are living : John
J., who resides upon a farm in Greene county; George N., who is married and is with his father on the home place; Roy D., also upon the home farm; and Evans, a res- ident of Oklahoma. The others all died in early childhood, save one daughter, 'who married and afterward passed away. In 1899 Mr. Greene was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, whose death occurred in the month of May of that year.
Politically Mr. Greene has been a life- long Democrat but has never sought or de- sider office. He is a stockholder in the Greene County Fair Association and is a public-spirited citizen, interested in all that pertains to the general progress and im- provement of his part of the state. He dis- plays excellent business qualifications and his energy and labors have been the source of his very gratifying and desirable success.
WILLIAM ELDRED.
William Eldred, deceased, was for many years prominently identified with the agri- cultural interests of Greene county. He was a native of Connecticut and of English lin- eage. The progenitors of the Eldred family in America were three brothers of the name, who, leaving England, braved the dangers incident to an ocean voyage at that early period and established their homes in New England about three hundred years ago.
Ilis father, Joshephat Eldred, was also a native of Connecticut and was a soldier of the war of 1812. The family was estab- lished in Herkimer county, New York, at an early period in its development and was there represented until 1820, when the father removed with his family to Illinois, arriving
WILLIAM ELDRED.
MRS. WILLIAM ELDRED.
THE
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
in that year at Ridge Prairie, below St. Louis. The following season, however, he came to Carrollton, locating west of the town. He secured a tract of land about two and a half miles from the city and this is now a part of the celebrated Eldred farm, being still in possession of his descendants.
William Eldred came with the family to Greene county and cast in his lot with the early pioneer settlers, sharing in the hard- ships and trials incident to life on the fron- tier. Ile also assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm, turning the first furrow upon many a field. Ile continued to reside upon the old family homestead up to the time of his death, successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits.
In early manhood Mr. Eldred married Miss Ruth Brace, a native of Herkimer county, New York. Her father came to Illi- nois about 1827 and established his home in Greene county. He was then quite well ad- vanced in years and after his removal to the west he practically lived retired from busi- ness. Mr. and Mrs. Eldred were the parents of twelve children. He died on the 24th of July. 1854. when sixty four years of age. and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in September, 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. Both were re- spected and worthy people, enjoying the warm friendship of many and the high re- gard of all with whom they were associated. Mrs. Eldred was a lady of many excellent traits of character which gained for her the love and admiration of all. Mr. Eldred was regarded as one of the representative men of his day, progressive in citizenship, active and enterprising in business and influential in public affairs. He was always found on the side of right, improvement and justice, and he left to his family an honored name.
GEORGE T. W. SHEFFIELD.
George T. W. Shefield, for years all honored and prosperous business man oi Greene county, passed away May 28, 1880, after more than a half century's residence in this state. Ilis activity in business, throughout the long years which he spent in this state, made him well known in Greene county, and his name was ever as sociated with all that is honorable in busmess and in public life. His genuine worth was acknowledged by all who knew him and as one of the pioneers of the county he aide 1 in laying the foundation for its present pro- gress and prosperity and ever fostered those movements which have contributed to its substantial upbuilding.
Mr. Sheffield was born in Nodaway county, Virginia, July 24, 1815, and in his very early chillhol le was taken by his parents to Kentucky, where his father die 1 when the son was only five years of age. The mother married again and her second hus band squandered her property, so that it was necessary for Mr. Sheffield, when only ten years of age. to start out in life on his own account. His educational privileges were therefore very limited, his other advantages few, but in the face of discouraging circum- stances, with many obstacles in his path, he steadily worked his way upward, each dif- faculty seeming to serve as a new impetus for further effort and great accomplishment. He came to Illinois in 1827 and located first in Adams county. On leaving Kentucky he went first to New Orleans and thence made his way up the river on a steamer to St. Lonis, whence he came to this state. He was employed for a time as a farm hand for Mr. Black, west of Carrollton, at four dollars per month, and he was noted among the la-
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borers in the field for his liberal spirit and largeness of heart, being always ready and willing to bear the heaviest part of the bur- den. He came to Greenfield very early and as one of its pioneer merchants opened a small store in which he gradually built up a good business and conducted an extensive trade. He erected a large building in which to conduct his mercantile enterprise and when he had successfully conducted his com- mercial interests for a number of years he withdrew from that field of business activity and turned his attention to the banking bus- iness. In 1870 he became connected with the banking firm of Skillings, Sheffield & Company, as one of its organizers, and after a period of four or five years he and his son purchased the interests of the other partners and the bank of Sheffield & Company was organized, with the father, son and son-in- law, J. W. Hutchinson, as partners in the enterprise. Mr. Sheffield became president of the institution and continued at its head until his death, conducting a general bank- ing business, whereby they won very grati- fying success. Theirs became known as one of the most reliable moneyed concerns of the county, maintaining a business policy that neither sought nor required disguise. Through the years of an active business ca- reer George T. W. Sheffield accumulated a large fortune, becoming one of the sub- stantial men of the county. He did much for the improvement and progress of this sec- tion of the state and was largely instrumen- tal in securing the building of the railroad line which is now a part of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad system.
Other business interests claimed the at- tention and benefitted by the efforts of Mr. Sheffield. He was at one time proprietor of a flouring mill at Rockbridge, and thus he
was closely associated with various indus- trial and commercial interests which led to the substantial upbuilding of the county. He dealt considerably in real estate, making ju- dicious investments, and the rise in property, consequent upon the settlement of the county, made his realty of much value.
On the 3d of November, 1842, Mr. Sheffield was married to Miss Harriet Car- ter, a native of Virginia, who spent her girl- hood days in the neighborhood in which her husband was reared. She survived him for a number of years, passing away in June, 1890. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, of whom four are yet living : John R., the only son, a banker of Greenfield, repre- sented elsewhere in this work: Mrs. J. B. Boyd, of Seattle, Washington; Mrs. H. H. Montgomery, of Carrollton ; and Mrs. F. P. Metcalf, of Springfield, Illinois.
Mr. Sheffield was a member of the Odd Fellows society and although he never united with any church, he had a firm faith in the Christian religion and lived a most moral and exemplary life. He was a particularly strong advocate of the cause of temperance and always furthered every movement that had for its object the uplifting of men. At one time he was a trustee for the Central Hospital for the Insane at Jacksonville. His political support was unfalteringly given to the Republican party and he enjoyed the ac- quaintance and respect of many of the lead- ers of the party in this state. As an active, useful member of society he had scarcely an equal. Ile engaged in public measures with an untiring zeal and with his abundant means it was his pleasure to promote the public good. In his home, gentle and ten- der. he was to his children a friend as well as father and the companionship there was ideal in character. Coming to this part of
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the state when advancing civilization had but just made her entrance here, he put forth every effort in his power to promote public progress and improvement, and all through his life he commanded the respect and good will of his fellow citizens. Said one who knew him: "He was an honest man."- honest not only in his business relations, but in every word and deed, with the honesty that despises shams and hypocrisy and stands for upright manhood.
CAPTAIN HORACE W. STARKEY.
Ilonored and respected by all. there is no man in Greene county, who has occupied a more enviable position in business or financial circles than has Captain Horace W. Starkey. not alone on account of the success he has achieved, but also by reason of the honor- able, straightforward methods he has ever followed. He for many years ranked high as a banker, one of irreproachable business integrity and progressive spirit, and now he is living retired, having accumulated a hand- some competence.
He was born September 20. 1835. in Essex, Connecticut, and is a representative of one of the old families of New England. Ilis paternal great-grandfather, Charles Starkey, was also a native of Essex, born June 20. 1782. and his death occurred Oc- tober 21. 1818. The grandfather. Charles Starkey, was a ship carpenter and was killed from falling on a stage plank on the side of a ship. He married Sybil Chapman. who was born March 26. 1781. and died January 9. 1849. The father. Charles F. Starkey, was born in Connecticut, November 21, 1810, and also became a ship carpenter.
infoning that business while inkes hus imme at Esses. Middlesex county, Connect- tent He, too, met his death by accident. being mjured by falling from a building and dying from the effects He passed away February 3. 1875. His wife, who bote the maiden name of France- M. Congdon, was born April 5. 1811, and died August 15. 1862. She was a daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Congdon, the former born in 1776. and the latter in August. 1777. Mr. Cong- lon departed this life in 1842 and his wife lied April 30, 1837.
In the common schools of his native town Captain Starkey acquired his education and in early life he learned the machinist's trade. which he followed for three years at New Haven, Connecticut, and for one year at U'rban. Ohio. He remained under instruc- tion until the age of twenty-one years. On one occasion he made a three months voyage. which was under a captain who was a friend of his father. In the year 1857 he arrived in Illinois, settling at Alton, and the follow- ing year he came to White Hall, where he lecame boss of a gang of men working on the Alton Railroad. He began life as a poor hoy, working for three dollars per week. He paid out this sum twe dollars and seventy- five cents for board and washing for a year and he did his own mending. Gradually, however, he worked upward. improving every opportunity that promised advance- ment and winning his promotions through capable service and unfaltering integrity. After severing his connection with the rail- road in Greene county he purchased an in terest in a sawmill where Roodhouse non stands.
At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside business and personal consider- attens, enlisting on the 3d of August. 1861.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
as a member of Company G. Ninth Missouri Infantry. This was a regiment organized at Carrollton, Greene county, but as the quota was full the soldiers offered their services under Captain Winters of White Hall to the governor. of Missouri and were accepted. The regiment was composed, however. of Illinois men. In 1862 they were trans- ferred to a division of Illinois troops, being mustered in as Company G of Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry. Mr. Starkey had entered the service as a private. but was made first sergeant on the organization of the company at Carrollton in 1861. He was then successively promoted with considerable rapidity until he had served as second lieutenant, acting adjutant. first lieutenant, captain and brigade provost marshal. He served under Fremont in Mis- souri in 1861. was with Pope and Curtis, afterward took part in the battle of Pearidge. Arkansas, on the Ist of March. 1862, and was with the troops that re-enforced Halleck at Corinth. On the 15th of September, 1863, he received an honorable discharge at Valley Head, Alabama, on account of dis- ability.
Captain Starkey then returned to his home in White Hall, and on the 7th of March, 1864. he was married. He soon afterward went to his native town of Essex, Connecticut, where he was engaged in mer- chandising for sixteen years and was also prominent in public affairs, there serving for one term in the Connecticut legislature as the representative from Essex, being elected to that office in 1883. In the same year he retired from active business there and at the end of his term in the general assembly he again came to White Hall, Illinois, and pur- chased with others the business of the White Hall Bankers Association in 1885. Hle be-
came its cashier and acted in that capacity for twelve years. On account of illness in the family, however, he retired from the active management of the bank in 1897. spending his time with his wife, daughter and son-in-law in Florida, Arizona and Cal- ifornia. When he resigned the position of cashier he was made president in 1897 and acted in that capacity for four years or until 1901. On the organization of the bank into a national bank on the Ist of January, 1904. he was made a director, but has largely re- tired from business cares, although he is still financially interested in other enterprises. He spends his winters with his wife and grandchild in the milder climate of Florida and California.
On the 7th of March. 1864. Captain Starkey was united in marriage to Miss Ann Reamer, and they had one child, Frances Ann, who became the wife of Charles H. Pierce at Pheonix, Arizona, and died at Fitzgerald, Georgia, on the 3d of March, 1900, at the age of thirty-two years, leaving one child, Anne Starkey Pierce, born Oc- tober 3. 1898. Charles H. Pierce died April 27, 1900, at the age of twenty-nine years. After losing his first wife Captain Starkey was married on the 31st of October. 1901. in Indianapolis, Indiana, to AAntoinette R. Wells. His first wife had seemingly been of very strong constitution and in excellent health, but she contracted a cold on a trip to Arizona, which developed into consumption.
Captain Starkey has been a life-long Republican, unfaltering in his allegiance to the party. He is a member of the Presby- terian church at White Hall. Hle belongs to the Bankers' Life Association and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and is interested in the various fraternities which inculcate honorable principles among men.
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lle is himself a man of fine personal ap- pearance with keen black eyes full of intellec- quality, vigor and honesty. He feels to some extent the weight of years, but he has amassed a fortune which enables him to spend his declining years in the enjoyment of all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. Ile is affable, upright and always courteous and in the community where he has so long made his home he is spoken of as a model husband and father, as a high type of good citizenship and of Christian spirit. The friends who have known him longest entertain for him the highest regard, a fact that indicates that his has been an up- right and honorable career. Young and old, rich and poor respect him and he enjoys the distinction of being one of the leading and influential men of Greene county.
J. F. GREER.
J. F. Geer, an attorney of White Hall. was born on a farm in Monroe county, Mis souri, January 7. 1860. his parents being Joseph Hampton and Agnes ( Read ) Greer. The ancestry of the family can be traced back through many generations and is of English lineage. Moses Greer, the founder Moses Greer, Sr .. the great great-grand- father of J. F. Greer, was born in 1746 and ched in Franklin county. Virginia, in 1836. Hle married Nancy Buley, and they had tive sons and six daughter- born to them, damely William. Moses, Walter. John, Thomas B. Betsy. Nancy, Molly, Sally, Nelly and Kitty One of thèse sons, Mies fireer, Jr. Vi the great grandfather of J F Greer, and Some of the daughters. Molly, married Chatich 1). Pollard and was the material great of the family in America, came from Eng- land and settled in Maryland during the colonial epoch in our country's history, his death occurring in that state. He married Nancy Finch and they became the parents of nine children, eight of whom were was. William. John. James, Shadrack. Moses, quilla. Walter and probably Stephen were the sens and Rebecca, who married a Mr. Divers was the daughter. One of these sons. Shadrack Greer, was a Tory and lived in grandmother of our subject Moses Greer.
Virginia. The father and three other sons, who had taken the path of allegiance to the king before coming to America remamed nentral during the Revolutionary war and bore no arms in defense of the lenglish cause. I bitter feeling existed in the family because of the support which Shadrack Greer gave to the Tories, This feeling being particularly manifest among the brothers, one of whom was Moses Greer, Sr., the great-great-grind- father of our subject, who served as a col mel m the Colomal army and a member of the Virginia legislature. John Greer, another brother of this family, was the first settler of Tennessee, and one of his sons was An drew Greer, whose descendant "F. B. P." lives in Memphis, Tennessee, and writes of John Greer : "Ile was a trapper, hunter and soldier who crossed the Smoky range and built a cabin on Long Island in the Wantaga river. In 1761 it was a traeling and hunt- ing station. Some years later surveyors from North Carolina were sent to mark the line between Virginia and North Carolina, when they found old John Green's cabin. They told him he was several miles south i the Virginia Ine and west of the Carolina line and he was, therefore, living in Ten- nessee and was its first settler." Tios John Greer married t Miss Fowler.
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Jr., was a Baptist preacher and a surveyor and died in Franklin county, Virginia, at an advanced age. He also practiced law and was prominent in public affairs.
Many representatives of the Greer family have been identified with legal pursuits and have always been noted for their studious habits. Moses Greer, Jr., wedded Susanna Wood, and to them were born five sons and four daughters. Samuel Wood, Wetherston S., Moses Casper. Thomas Stephen, William Walter John, Charlotte, Nancy, Sally and Kitty. Their oldest son Samuel W. Greer was the grandfather of J. F. Greer of this review. He was born in 1797 and died on the 4th of December, 1851. He married Frances D. Pollard, who was born in 1798 and died in 1840. To them were born two sons and four daughters : Joseph Hampton, Susan Catharine, Mary Elizabeth, Serafina Eleanor, Moses Chatlin and Frances S.
Joseph H. Greer, the oldest of this fam- ily and the father of our subject, was born in Franklin county, Virginia, April 5, 1824, and now makes his home in Audrain county, Missouri, where he owns a farm. In con- nection with farming he has also engaged in preaching and was educated for surveying. being especially proficient in mathematics and the languages. He has been a great reader and is justly proud of his linguistic ability. He has also been a great Bible stu- dent and has kept well informed on local topics. He is one of the trustworthy and re- spected citizens of his locality. His first wife was Nancy Kelley and to them was born one son, William T .. born November 20, 1848, who resides at Paris, Missouri. She died and he married his second wife. the mother of J. F. Greer, who bore the maiden naine of Agnes Read. She was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, November 28,
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