USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 49
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Mr. Wilkinson, whose name introduces this record, remained at home until he at- tained his majority, when he became inter- ested in the nursery business, which he learned under the direction of Irvin 1. Jes- sup. the leading nurseryman and florist of Laporte, Indiana. In 1864 he came to Illi- nois on a visit and formed a favorable im pression of the state and its possibilities so
that a few years later he established his home within its borders.
Ere his removal, however, Mr. Wilkin- son was married on the 25th of April, 1865, to Miss Ella Owen. In 1867 they removed to Beardstown. Illinois, where he established a nursery for the growing of fruit and flow- ers. In 1870 he opened a branch house at White Hall and in 1873 he removed to White Hall, where he rented ten acres of land. He has achieved success under adverse circum- stances, and in the face of many difficulties. On the 2d of June, 1881, when all of his trees and nursery stock were being held in readiness to fill the orders for their delivery there occurred a terrible hail storm which totally destroyed his stock, causing a loss to him of several thousand dollars. He pos sessed undaunted courage, unfaltering per- severance and keen discernment. however. and he set to work to secure financial as- sistance. This he did and in due course of time he retrieved his lost possessions. In 1886, however, his home was destroyed by fire and in 1880 his greenhouse was con- sumed by flames. Notwithstanding these disadvantages he has persevered and he now has a comfortable home. He rebuilt his greenhouse and continued for fourteen years but the orchard business gradually forced the greenhouse out, but he has continued in the nursery business and is the owner of a fine farm and good orchard.
Mrs. Wilkinson was educated at Prince ton, Illinois. She is a niece ? f Robert D: le Owen, of Indiana, and a daughter of Alen and Margaret Owen of that state ller birth centred ner Richmond, Indian. April 2. 1844. and in 1853 she accomjeinied her parents on their removal to Buren county, Illinois. By her marriage she be came the mother wi eleven children= \ 11
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
born April 2, 1867: W. G., born August 14, 1869; Stella A., born February 10, 1871; B. O., born April 26, 1873: Lloyd H., born November 28. 1875: R. W., born December 3. 1877 ; Tillie M., born November 14. 1879: L. E., born January 26, 1882; Pansy May, born February 2, 1884: Neil, born February 6, 1888; and Zellet, born February 2, 1890. William and Pansy are now deceased. Some of the children have left home, but one son assists in the cultivation of the farm and the two youngest are still in school. Zellet, the youngest, is an artist of considerable natural ability and works indicative of his skill adorn the home.
In his political views Mr. Wilkinson is an earnest Democrat and is an ardent ad- mirer of Bryan. He has delivered many campaign addresses, his services being in de- mand on many occasions, and he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he is enabled to present strong arguments and impressive reasoning. He is a good speaker, eloquent at times and his utterances make a deep impression upon his hearers. He belongs to no fraternity or church but aids all. He is a man of broad public spirit, generous disposition and kindly nature, and there are in his life record many elements that are worthy of commendation and of emulation.
FELIX H. YOUNG.
Felix HI. Young, living on section 26, Rubicon township, where his farm of one hundred and sixty acres gives evidence of his careful supervision in its neat and thrifty appearance, was born upon this place, Au- gust 22, 1830. His father, Jacob Young.
was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1790. The grandfather, Squire Young, was also a native of the Keystone state and was of German parentage. On leaving the east he removed to Kentucky in 1793 and there re- sided for several years, after which he came to Illinois, at that time under territorial gov- ernment. He settled in what was then Mon- roe county and upon the farm which he cul- tivated and improved there Jacob Young was reared to manhood. It was also in that county that Jacob Young was married and in 1826 he removed to what is now Greene county, settling on a farm which to-day is owned and occupied by his son, Felix H. Young. He entered the land from the gov- ernment, securing one hundred and sixty acres, and with characteristic energy he be- gan the development of his farm, trans- forming the fields into a richly cultivated tract which returned to him good harvests. He lost his first wife here and later he was married in this county to Clarissa O'Fling, a native of New York and a daughter of Patrick O'Fling, whose birth occurred in England and who came to the new world prior to the Revolution. When the colon- ists attempted to throw off the yoke of Brit- ish oppression he joined the army and fought for the independence of the nation. Later he and three of his sons served in the war of 1812. One of his sons. Temple O'Fling. who was a lieutenant, was killed at the battle of Buffalo, New York. Mrs. Young was a native of the Empire state and was there reared, removing to the west in early wo- manhood. Mr. Young continued to follow farming in Greene county and was one of the substantial agriculturists of the com- munity, conducting his business affairs along practical and progressive lines. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years
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and was always reliable and trustworthy in citizenship, faithful in performing every duty that devolved upon him. His death occurred about 1868, when he was seventy- eight years of age. His second wife had died some years before.
Felix H. Young, the only surviving child of his father's second marriage, was reared on the homestead farm and acquired his ed ucation in an old log schoolhouse, such as was common in that day in pioneer districts of the west. He remained with his father until the latter's death and then succeeded to the ownership of a part of the old home- stead, he and his sister each receiving eighty acres. Throughout his entire life he has carried on farming and he is to-day the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of rich land, pleasantly located within two miles of Greenfield. The farm is very valuable be- cause of the high state of cultivation under which it has been placed and the many sub- stantial and modern improvements made thereon. To its development he has devoted his energies throughout his entire life and well might he be classed with the represen- tative agriculturists of his native county. Mr. Young has built a good substantial home, also commodious barns and outbuild- ings for the shelter of grain and stock and has added more land until he now owns alto- gether two hundred and twenty acres, hav- ing sixty acres in addition to the quarter section in the home tract. Ile has been rais- ing, buying and feeding stock for a number of years and fattens a carload of steers and a large number of hogs annually.
Mr. Young was married in Rubicon township in 1852 to Miss Mary Barton, a native of Tennessee, who was born in the city of Knoxville, but was reared in Illi- nois. Her father. Isaac Barton, was one of
the early settlers of this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Young have been born four chil- dren : William II. is a young man engaged in mining in Alma, Colorado; Richard O. is upon the home farm with his father ; Mary is a young lady at home: and Effie is the wife of .A. E. Henderson, of Greenfield.
Mr. and Mrs. Young hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a trustee and steward and is also a class-leader. Ilis life has been that of an earnest Christian gentleman and his re- ligious faith is exemplified in his honorable dealings with his fellowmen and in his faith- ful performance of any duty that devolves upon him. In early life he gave his politi- cal support to the Whig party, casting kis first presidential ballot for General Winfield Scott and since the organization of the Re- publican party he has followed its banners. lle has never sought office, but has always (lesired to have good men in positions of public trust. Ile is a believer in our educa- tional system and for eight or nine years he served as president of the school board and for a longer period was a member thereof.
In 1902 Mr. and Mrs. Young celebrated their golden wedding and with one exception all of their children and grandchildren were at home. The members of his Sunday- school class also attended and a large num- ber of friends and relatives were present. It was a sight that gladdened the hearts of all who were there to participate in the joyous occasion. The Sunday school class pre- sented to Mr. Young a goldheaded cane on which was engraved his name ond the dite of the wedding. Many other tokens of the esteem of friends were left and all joined in wishing for Mr. and Mrs. Young "many happy returns of the day." Both Mr. and Mrs. Young are held in high esteem, their
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
circle of friends being almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintance. He has been a resident of Greene county throughout his entire life, covering more than seventy- four years, and has always lived upon the farm which is now his home. He has wit- nessed the great changes that have occurred as the county has developed and cities and towns have been builded. He has witnessed the introduction of the railroad and the new inventions that have come through the con- struction of the telegraphic and telephone lines. All of the important events bearing upon Greene county's history have left their impress upon his memory and he can relate many interesting incidents concerning pio- neer life as well as of the history of later progress and improvement here. His ca- reer has been that of a sincere, consistent, Christian gentleman, for he has long been a devoted member of the Methodist church.
SYLVESTER MELVIN.
Sylvester Melvin, a substantial farmer and breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle, Suf- folk sheep and Poland-China hogs, living on section 25. Rubicon township, owns a val- uable farm of four hundred acres equipped with modern improvements and accessories. It was in this township that his birth oc- curred on the 29th of November, 1851. His father. T. E. Melvin, was one of the early and honored pioneer settlers of Greene county and is now living a retired life in the city of Greenfieldl. Besides our subject there are three other children in the family : George W. Stephen Edgar and Mrs. J. . 1. Metcalf, who are also residents of Rubicon tiwnship.
Sylvester Melvin was reared in Greene county upon the old homestead farm and acquired his preliminary education in the common schools, while later he completed a course in the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, being graduated with the class of 1878. Prior to this he had engaged in teaching school for a number of years and after completing his college course he again turned his attention to the profession of teaching, which he followed for several years at this time, giving excellent satisfaction by his capable service, for he was able to impart clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Melvin and Miss Addie I. Strickland, the wedding taking place in Greene county. The young couple began their domestic life in Rubicon township, near the farm on which they now reside. Here Mr. Melvin had a tract of one hundred acres and to its cultiva- tion and improvement he directed his ener- gies, aspiring to win thereby a comfortable living for himself and family, but at the end of two years he sold that place and pur- chased his present farm of J. N. Strickland, his father-in-law. To our subject and his wife have been born four children, namely : Leon R., Maurice L., Mildred H. and Mar- guerite.
.As. the years passed Mr. Melvin contin- ted his farming operations and his efforts were crowned with success. He worked on perseveringly year after year and as his financial resources increased he bought more land from time to time until he is now the owner of four hundred acres in one hody. lle has a neat frame residence, good barns and substantial outbuiklings and in fact all modern improvements. Everything about his place is neat and thrifty in appearance,
SYLVESTER MELVIN.
MRS. SYLVESTER MELVIN
PULL L
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indicating lus careful supervision. Besides his home farm he also owns another in the adjoining county of Macoupin.
Mr. Melvin has been engaged in the rais- ing of fine stock for a number of years, he- coming well known in this particular because of the high grade of cattle, sheep and hogs that have been raised upon his farm. In 1889 he began the breeding of Aberdeen .Angus cattle, having at first one pure blooded cow and a valuable male. He now has a herd of seventy-five head, containing some very superior animals. For a mimber of years he had Mellenry Blackbird. VI, at the head of his herd. He has made numerous exhibits of his cattle at the county and state fairs and in the year 1904 he was one of the exhibitors at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis, where he won second premiumm on a steer in the class between eighteen and twenty-four months, and also took second place with his flock of sheep. In 1903 he won fourth premium at the International Exhibition in Chicago on a steer and was given third place on the same steer at that exhibition in 1904. In addition to other fine stock he raises pure blooded Suffolk sheep and Poland-China hogs. He is a prosperous breeder and dealer in pure blooded stock and is well known throughout Illinois because of the fine animals sent from his farm.
Politically Mr. Melvin is a Republican. having always endorsed the measures of the party since casting his first presidential vote. He was elected a member of the county board and is now serving as supervisor of Rubicon township, acting on the judiciary committee. Ile was for a number of years a member of the school board and has always been a champion in the cause si edu- cation, believing in the employment of good teachers and in the practical education of the
Mang He takes a great merest of the
ance Company, of which he was one 11 the principal organizers, and has served as seere- tary of the company since its incorporati 1 1900 He is also one of the directirs di the Pana District Mutual Cycline Insurance Company Mr. and Mrs Melym are inein- bers of the Court of Honor and also the boy- al Americans=fraternal insurance orders While his life has been quietly passed it los always been marked by devoting to public duty, by reliability in business affairs and by loyalty in citizenship and in his business career he has won the success which is ille only direct result of honorable endeavor
HON. GEORGE W. ROSS. M D.
Hon. George W. Ress, whose marked capability in the line of his chosen profes- sion has won recognition in a large practice and whose prommence and loyalty in citi- zenship have received the endorsement of his fellow townsmen through a second elec tion to the office of mayor, was born in Pitts- field. Massachusetts, on the 7th of October. 18.56. The Ross family Is of Scotch Incage and was established in America when this country was still mmmbere bantong the pooh- ial possession of Great Britain The grand father. Seth Ross, a native of Filgeral served as a soldier of the continental arm during the Revolutionary war He markled Miss Algait Forbanks, also a pitpre fy New England, and a daughter of ane mi the heroes of the Revolutionary way Ffer . al. Merrick was born in Massacrele mot Efter atriang at years of mithrifs Mesol
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Throughout the greater part of his business career he carried on merchandising and be- cause of his keen foresight and capability won a very desirable measure of success. He died in the year 1862 and his widow afterward removed to Boston. He had been twice married, there being four children by the first union, while Dr. Ross is the only child of the second marriage.
In the public schools of his native state Dr. Ross acquired his elementary education. He was graduated from the Boston Latin school and afterward matriculated in Am- herst College, completing a full course there by graduation in 1877. With broad literary knowledge to serve as an excellent founda- tion upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning he then entered the medical department of Columbia University in New York city, where he won the degree of Master of Arts and also the degree of Doctor of Medicine, the latter being con- ferred upon him in 1880. He then spent one term in a hospital of the metropolis, adding practical experience to his theoretical knowl- edge, and thus well equipped for his life work he came to Greene county, Illinois, opening an office near Bluffdale, where he remained for three years. He then located in Carrollton, where he has since engaged in practice, his business steadily increasing both in volume and importance. He has a large private practice, which makes heavy de- mands upon his time and attention and he keeps in touch with the progress that is be- ing continually made upon the medical fra- ternity through his membership in the Na- tional. State, County and District Medical Societies. IIe served as medical examiner for pensions under President Harrison, be- ing appointed first in 1889 and was again appointed by Presidents Mckinley and
Roosevelt, so that he is now serving. He is also examiner for nearly all of the old line insurance companies and is local surgeon for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company.
In 1886 was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Ross and Miss Daisy J. Gillingham, who was born in Greene county, and is a daughter of Bainbridge Gillingham, a native of New Hampshire, who became one of the pioneer residents of Greene county, Illinois. Her mother was a daughter of Professor John Russell, a man of distinction in his day. Dr. and Mrs. Ross are the parents of four chil- dren : George, Mary, Anna and Helen, all now attending school.
In his fraternal relations Dr. Ross is a Mason, belonging to the lodge, chapter, council, commandery and the Mystic Shrine and he is thoroughly in sympathy with the tenets and teachings of the craft. exemplify- ing in his life its beneficence and helpful spirit. He has filled all of the chairs in the chapter three times, in the commandery twice and he belongs to Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine in St. Louis. His political al- legiance is given to the Republican party and he is now a member of the board of trus- tees of the Central Hospital for Insane at Jacksonville, having resigned from the pres- idency of the board of trustees of the West- ern Illinois State Normal School in October, 1904. In 1901 he was elected mayor of Carrollton and so capably served that he was re-elected in 1903 and is the present incum- bent. He has conducted his municipal af- fairs upon business lines, giving a practical, economical and at the same time progres- sive administration. He is distinctively a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence and as the champion of many measures has contributed in large degree to the substantial improvement of the city. His
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personal worth equals his professional and political prominence and in Carrollton his circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
JOSEPHI HOWARD GRAY.
Joseph Howard Gray, deceased, was for a period of nearly half a century numbered among the well known and prosperous busi- ness men of Greenfield, where he conducted a drug store. Possessing many of the sterling traits of character which endear man to his fellowmen his loss was the oc- casion of deep and wide-spread regret, but he left behind a memory which should be an inspiration in matters of citizenship, in the field of business and in home life. He was born in Halifax. North Carolina, December 25, 1828, and came to Illinois when a lad of nine years with his father, Rev. Joseph J. Gray, a pioneer minister of the Presbyterian church, who located in Macoupin county in 1837. He established his home in that county not far from Greenfield and there he spent the last years of his life.
Dr. Gray started out in life on his own account when a young man. His educa- tional privileges were of the very best. hay- ing the advantages of a private tutor. Later he taught school in Monmouth, Illinois, but in 1847 he came to Greene county, where he engaged in teaching for a short time. It was after this that he entered a store and engaged in the dry-goods business, while still later he turned his attention to the drug trade, being a druggist of Greenfield for forty seven years or up to the time of his death. He was very attentive to his business and was always found at his store during the
period of its existence. He was a successful financier, possessing keen discernment and marked enterprise and through judicious in- vestment he rapidly accumulated valuable property. Ile built a substantial business house which he occupied and he also erected a neat brick residence, constituting one of the best homes in Greenfield.
On the 9th of October. 1855. Dr. Gry was united in marriage to Miss Sarah . 1. Allen. the wedding being celebrated in Greenfield. Her father, George W. Allen, was a native of Tennessee and about 1818 came to Illinois with his father, Zachariah Allen, who settled near White Hall. This was about the time of the admission of the state into the Union and Mr. Allen became one of the honored pioneer residents, taking his part in the early development of the lo- cality in which he established his home. George W. Allen was married near White Hall in 1828. the lady of his choice being Miss Caroline Henderson, who was born at Chillicothe. Ohio, and in 1818 came to Ill nois with her parents, the family locating near White Hall. George W. Allen en- tered from the government the land upon which the city of Greenfield now stands. Ile laid out the town, became one of its first business men and for a long period was one of its prominent citizens, contributing in substantial measure to its progress and de- velopment. Ile was also the first postmas- ter, acting in that capacity for several years. In addition to merchandising he owned and operated a fouring mill and carding ma- chine and in fact his efforts proved a strong impetus in the business development of the new city. He was well termed one of its promoters and founders and his name should be enduringly inscribed upon the pioneer records of the county. Ile acquired a liberal
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education through close application to the interests of the day. Esteemed by all, he passed away in 1865 and is now numbered among Greene county's honored dead. Mrs. Gray was reared here and completed her ed- nication by a course of study in the Jackson- ville Female College. Later she engaged in teaching school for four years prior to her marriage. She was one of nine children, but only three are now living. Her sister is Mrs. Caroline Noftsker. of Rock Island, Illinois. Her brother, Luther P. Allen, is engaged in the grain business in Green- field.
While Dr. and Mrs. Gray had no chil- dren of their own, they reared four children of her sister and brother-in-law. William A. and Mary J. Tunnell, two of whom are still living, namely : Miss Effie Tunnell, who con- tinues to reside with her aunt : and Mrs. E. D. Sweeney, of Rock Island, Illinois. The mother of these children died in Greenfield in 1864 and the father died at the same place in 1865. Two of their sons, Newton and Allen Morse Tunnell, died in Fairbury, Nebraska.
Dr. Gray was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs, and his contribution to the church building fund at the time of the erection of the new house of worship was a most liberal one. From his youth upward he was a conscientious Christian gentleman, his life being in strict conformity with his professions, and all who knew him esteemed him for his high principles and his fidelity thereto. lle was an advocate of the Repub- Mean party and served for several years as postmaster of Greenfield under Lincoln. Ile was appointed for a second term but re- Haghed. Ile was the last surviving charter Member of the Masonic lodge of Greenfield.
He also belonged to the Royal Arch chapter at that place and he was laid to rest with Ma- sonic honors when called to his final home. His connection with the interests of Green- field covered a long period, his life being varied in service, constant in honor, fearless in conduct and stainless in reputation. In every sphere of life in which he was called to move he made an indelible impression and by his devotion to the general good he hon- ored the city which honored him.
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