USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 50
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PETER FENITY, M. D.
One of the old and prominent physicians of Greene county was Dr. Peter Fenity, who was born in County Roscommon, Ireland, on the 15th of March, 1827, and was a son of John and Margaret ( McDonnell) Fenity, who were also natives of the Emerald isle. In early life the Doctor came to America and was graduated at the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, making careful prep- aration for his chosen profession in that in- stitution. His active business career was one of great usefulness to his fellow men.
In 1857 Dr. Fenity was united in mar- riage to Miss Helen Cory, a native of New England, and to them were born the follow- ing children, who are still living: Frank C., a resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma ; Edward W., of Kane, Illinois: Fred H., of Galveston, Texas: and Clara M .. who lives with her mother in Kane.
For many years the Doctor was a promi- nent resident of Kane. Aside from the practice of medicine and surgery he was recognized as a valued citizen, taking an active and helpful part in public life. He never sought or desired official preferment.
DR. PETER FINITY
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but he used his influence in support of every measure which he believed would contribute to the general good and was the champion of many progressive movements. He died on the 17th of January. 1890, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was an active Christian man.
E. B. BROWN.
One of the prosperous farmers of Greene county, widely and favorably known is E. B. Brown, who is living in Kane township. It was in this township that he was born on the 3d of . August. 1865, his parents being S. E. and Matilda ( Kirby ) Brown, also natives of this county, the father's birth having oc curred in Kane township and the mother's in Linder township. The paternal grandfather. Elijah Brown, was a native of North Caro- lina and, emigrating westward to Ilinois, he was favorably impressed with Greene county and its possibilities and prospects. and located within its borders, establishing his home in the northeastern section of Kane township, where he spent his remaining days. He was one of the representative men of his community at that time, interested in public affairs and aiding in the substantial develop- ment of his locality. He married Mary E. Scroggins, who was born in Olden county. Kentucky, on the 18th of January, 1818. their marriage being celebrated on the 30th of March, 1837. in Kane township. The Scroggins family had only been in this county a few months at that time and re mained for but a few years, after which the parents returned to the south and ched in Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Brown took his
Fride to the Of homestead can Schnelle had located some years before. He began Jarin- ing and continued the improvement of its property until 1842. when for death curred. Their children were Sallie, who died at the age of five years: Mary, who the at the age of fifteen years. Sunel E . father of our subject : Mrs. Nancy Serulie, who is living in Kansas City: George, who resides in Kiowa county, Kansas : Martha, who died at the age of two years; Adarene. now Mrs. Ashford, of Jefferson county, Ilinois; and John, who is now living in Redlands. Cal- fornia.
Mrs. Elijah Brown still surines and makes her home with her grandson. F. B. Brown. She is a hale and hearty old lady possessing great energy. Her mother was Nancy English, a sister of Elishy English. the Indianapolis multi millionaire. Revel Wharton, her great grandfather in the mi- ternal line, served in the Revolutionary war and was captured. Refusing to take the oath of allegiance to Great Britain he was then shot by some of the British trop After her husband's death Mrs. l.hjah Brown purchased the interests of her chill dren in the estate and continued to mal se her business affairs with great success and capability until about 1870. In the mem time she addel to her land by the purchase of eighty acres. In the yen mentioned she sold her property to her son Sammel F Brown, not wishing it to be divided after her death. She has a very wide acquambaice in the county and is held in the Ingist es teem by all She certainly did a mother- full part by her children, hiring for theni after the husband's death and Spabh cun trolling the business interests pas mo gile thein a good home
Sammel 1: Brown, reared bo the en
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pation of farming, continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1894. He always resided upon the old homestead and as before stated he purchased his property in 1870. He then continued its cultivation until 1894. when desiring to retire from active business life he removed to Carrollton. In his family were six children.
E. B. Brown, the eldest of the number, acquired his education in the district schools and has always remained on the old Brown homestead. For fifteen years he has been manager of the property, comprising two hundred and forty acres of land, practically all under cultivation. This is particularly fine land, rich and arable, and owing to the care and labor he bestows upon it the fields are very productive and annually return to him golden harvests. He carries on diver- sified farming, raising annually large quan- tities of corn, and he also feeds and fattens stock for the market. Upon the place he has a fine residence, good and substantial barns, sheds and other outbuildings which are required in sheltering grain and stock, and much of the farm is surrounded by a hedge fence which is kept in good condition and adds to the attractive appearance of the place.
In September, 1894. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Tina Mains, a native of Jersey county, Illinois, and a daughter of F. J. Mains, one of the old and respected citizens of that county. Their children are Helen and George. Mr. Brown is interested in matters of citizenship and as- sists in advancing progressive ideas con- cerning the county and its development. Hc has served in township offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and in his life he exempli-
fies the beneficent spirit of the craft. His has been an honorable and useful career and in the county, where his entire life has been passed, he has gained many warm friends.
FRANK CURTIS GRISWOLD.
Frank Curtis Griswold, who is financially interested in several important business en- terprises in White Hall, was born on Apple Creek Prairie, in Greene county, October 17, 1874. He is a son of Loyal P. and Nancy C. (Swallow) Griswold, whose sketch ap- pears on another page of this volume.
Frank C. Griswold was reared to farm life and in his youth when not busy with the duties of the schoolroom assisted in the la- bors of the home farm. He attended Maple Grove school until 1890 and afterward be- came a student in Hoopeston College at Hoopeston, Illinois, leaving that institution in 1893. He was subsequently a student in Sullivan & Crichton Business School at At- lanta, Georgia, until 1895. For eight years he remained a resident of the south and gave his attention to the furniture and undertak- ing business until the expiration of that period, when he returned to Greene county, where he is now temporarily living retired. IIe has, however, various business enter- prises and is the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of very valuable and productive land, on which everything is kept in good repair, while the fields are under a high state of cultivation and he contemplates soon the erection of some good buildings. He owns a substantial, modern residence in White Ilall and is connected with business affairs of the city as a stockholder in the First Na- tional Bank, the White Hall Sewer Pipe &
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Stoneware Company and the White Hall Electric Railway.
On the 29th of April. 1903, Mr. Gris wold was united in marriage to Miss Edith P. Seely, the only daughter of Americus and Mary M. (Schackelford ) Seely. Hler father was a resident of Illinois for fifty-four years, having been born in Greene county, in 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Griswold have one son, Loyal Seely Griswold, born September 29. 1904. Mr. Griswold gives his political alle- giance to the Republican party but has never been an aspirant for political preferment. In matters of citizenship, however, he favors every movement that promises practical ben- efit and progress. He has a wide acquain- tance in the county where the greater part of his life has been passed and the circle of his friends is extensive, his social qualities win- ning him the favorable regard of those with whom he is brought in contact.
GEORGE W. MELVIN.
George W. Melvin, living on section 14. Rubicon township. devotes his time and en- ergies to agricultural pursuits, having a farm of three hundred and forty acres, which he placed under a high state of cultivation. Ile is one of the native sons of the township, born January 13. 1856, his father being T. E. Melvin and his brother, Sylvester Melvin. who is represented elsewhere in this work.
George W. Melvin was reared in the usual manner of farm lads of the period. working in the fields when not occupied with the duties of the schoolroom. He began his education in the district schools and con- tinued his studies in the Greenfield high school. Throughout the period of his youth
he remained with lus father and largely aide | him in the lahors of field arul miculau
On the 27th of September. 1877. Mr Melvin wedded Miss Adla E. Twitchell. a native of this county, reared and educated here. Her father. Julius Twitchell, was one of the early settlers who came from Vermont to Illinois. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm whereon they now reside. At that time the place com prised only one hundred and ten acres and was a part of the old family homestead. With characteristic energy Mr. Melvin be- gan the further development and cultivation of land and, prospering in his undertaking. he has been enabled to extend the boundaries of his farm from time to time until it now comprises three hundred and forty acres. Upon this place he has a large neat two story residence, in the rear of which are good barns and other substantial outbuild- ings. He has also planted an orchard and has made permanent improvements so that his farm is now splendidly equipped in keep- ing with modern agricultural ideas. He has also raised and fed stock for many years, fat- tening from forty to fifty head of steers, an- nually, together with a large number of hogs. He is an excellent judge of stock and in this branch of his business as well as in the cultivation of the fields he has met with good success.
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin are the parents of three children : Luella E., whe reached wo manhood and died March 20. 1904: Fthel. the wife of G. S. Hedgecock, a farmer liv ing on the Melvin place, by whom she has one child. Frederick Melvin Helgecock : and Grant E., at home. Mr. and Mrs Mehm are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Modern Wow! men camp. Since age gave to him the right
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of franchise he has endorsed the principles of the Republican party, casting his first presidential ballot for James A. Garfield. He has had no political aspirations, yet served for a time as a member of the schoolboard. Throughout his entire life he has lived in Greene county and is known as a man of integrity in business and social life, having the confidence and respect of all and the friendship of many.
JOSEPH DRESSEL.
Among the citizens of foreign birth who have been factors in America's industrial and commercial development there has been no element of more value to the country than that furnished by Germany. A native of the fatherland. Joseph Dressel was born in Baden on the 19th of March, 1843, and is a son of Fiadel and Sophia ( Meyer) Dressel. About 1853 he came with his parents to America, sailing from Havre, France, to New Orleans and thence coming up the river to St. Louis, where they remained for a time, the father working at his trade of a stone- mason. In that city his wife and two of their daughters died. Accompanied by his only surviving child-our subject-the fath- er removed to Greene county, Illinois, about 1857, locating at Links Branch, but he sub- sequently returned to St. Louis, where his death occurred in less than a year.
Joseph Dressel was a young lad of about ten years when with the family he crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He spent several years in St. Louis, but in 1861 be- embe a resident of Greene county, establish- neg lis home at the old town of Kane, where he was employed for two years in a flouring
mill. On the expiration of that period he purchased a steam thresher, which was the first brought to Kane township, and he has since continued in that line of business. He is still the owner of the original Dressel property, comprising one hundred and ninety-seven acres of land on sections 28 and 36, Kane township, and has given some land to his children. His is one of the valuable and highly improved farms of the county. Upon it is a good residence, which he built in 1877, substantial barns and outbuildings and all modern accessories and equipments.
In December, 1865, Mr. Dressel married Miss Minerva Hudson, a native of Michigan and a daughter of John H. and Samantha (Hodge) Hudson, who resided in Greene county for a number of years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dressel were born the following children : Mattie is the wife of George M. Richards, a farmer of Jersey county, and they have two children, Helen and Truman. George H. died in 1873, at the age of six years. Jessie M. is at home. Frederick L., who resides on the homestead farm, married Adel Jones and has one son, Frederick L., Jr., and one daughter, Martha Eleanor. John H., an electrical engineer, is a graduate of the State University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and is now in Cincinnati, Ohio. . \de- laide E. is teaching school in Lewiston, Illi- nois. Walter and Warren are twins and both are Osteopathic physicians, the former practicing in Toulon. Illinois, and the latter in Carrollton. Ilarold J. is at home.
Mr. Dressel was made a Mason at okd Kane in 1864 and now holds membership in King Solomon lodge, No. 197. A. F. & .1. M .; Carrollton chapter. No. 77. R. . A. M. : and Hugh De Payens commandery. No. 29. K. T. He has been a school director for the past twenty-five years and the cause of edu-
JOSEPH DRESSEL.
MRS. JOSEPH DRESSEL
HI
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cation finds in him a warm friend. By in dustry, energy and ability he has prospered in his business career. Ile is a man of high standing in the community, esteemed for his good qualities and strict integrity and ad mired for the success that he has attained entirely through his own well directed efforts. Starting out in life empty-handed, he has steadily worked his way upward and he is today one of the most prosperous rep- resentatives of the agricultural interests of Greene county.
WILLIAM T. TEEPLE.
Among the representative and reliable business men of Roodhouse William T. Teeple is numbered. He is now filling the position of foreman of the freight house of the Chicago & Aton Railroad at this point. and, well qualified for the duties that devolve upon him, he is not only faithful in his service but is also accommodating and cour- teous to the patrons of the road.
Mr. Teeple is one of Greene county's na- tive sons, his birth having occurred at White Hall, October 22, 1875. His paternal grandfather, Bryant Teeple, was a native of New Jersey, and was of German descent. His son, James Teeple, was born near White Hall, Ilinois, and during the greater part of his life has followed farming, but in 1890 put aside agricultural pursuits and removed to Roodhouse, where he still makes his home at the age of fifty-two years. He married „Miss Dora Whiteside, a member of the Whiteside family who were the first settlers of Greene county.
William T. Teeple began his education in the schools of White Hall, where he con-
tinned his studies until his parents removal to Roodhouse, when he became a pupil in the schools here. He is foreman of the freight house in Roodhouse and his business integrity stands as an unquestioned fact m his career.
On the 24th of June, 1901. Mr. Teeple was united m marriage to Miss Lena Van- sickle, a daughter of Guilford S. and Emma ( Williams ) Vansickle, who live in Harvey. Illinois, Mr. and Mrs. Teeple have one child. Kenneth, born January 29. 1902. The parents are members of the Baptist church and are active in all good work, advocating all measures that tend to promote the moral and intellectual welfare of the community. Mr. Teeple is also a member of the Tribe of Ben Ilur, and in his political views is a Re- publican, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so as to cast an intelligent ballot, he never seeks office, preferring to do his pubhe service as a private citizen and to promote the general welfare along other than political Imes.
FULTON F. WORCESTER.
One of the leading enterprises of White Hall is that conducted under the name of the Worcester Lumber Company, of which the subject of this review is the head. He is indeed a worthy representative of emmer cial interests, being a typical American bosi ness min. Mert and enterprismg He was born in West Windsor, Vermont. Vigust 22. 184- The ancestry of the family can be traced back to a very early epoch in American history, for William Worcester. the American progenitor arrived in this country in 1039. He was a clergy man of the
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Episcopal church, and he was accompanied to the new world by his son Sammel Wor- cester, who was born in England and who became a devout churchman. Francis Wor- cester, son of Samuel Worcester, was born in Raleigh, Massachusetts, and was the father of Benjamin Worcester, whose birth occurred in Bradford, Massachusetts, in 1709. He was the father of Asa Worces- ter. born in 1738, and the next in line of direct descent was Asa Worcester, Jr., whose birth occurred in Massachusetts in 1771.
Elijah Worcester, son of Asa Worcester. Jr .. was the grandfather of our subject. He became a carpenter and farmer and was twice married. Linus E. Worcester, his son, was senator from Greene county in the general assembly of Illinois which met on the 5th of January. 1857. He became a man noted in public life in this part of the state and few citizens have held more public commissions than he. He had little advantage or oppor- tunity in youth, his educational privileges being meager, yet he worked his way stead- ily upward, commanding the high regard of his fellowmen and occupying the positions of county judge and senator. He was a very active and influential supporter of the Demo- cratic party and he left the impress of his intellectuality for good upon public life in this part of the state.
Alfred Worcester, the father of Fulton F. Worcester, was born in Windsor, Ver- mont, in October, 1804, and he, too, learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in the cast and for seven years after his arrival in White Hall. He removed from Vermont to Illinois in 1865, establishing his home in White Hall, where both he and his wife pent their remaining days. He had mar- ried Mary Farwell, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Farwell. Alfred Worcester died July
4, 1885, and his wife passed away in 1880.
Fulton F. Worcester pursued his educa- tion in the public schools and has been ac- tively identified with business interests in White Hall since 1872. In 1873 he became a partner of L. E. Worcester, his uncle and the first lumber dealer of the town, and this relation was maintained until January I, 1885, when Fulton F. Worcester purchased his uncle's interest. He has continued in the business since that time and although he has had various partners he has ever remained at the head of the firm. His two partners at the present writing are John A. Dillman and his brother, William F. Dillman. The business was incorporated in 1898 and is one of the leading commercial enterprises of the city. It is conducted under the name of the Worcester Lumber Company, of which our subject is the president, and an extensive and constantly expanding business is carried on. In the large lumberyard is found every material needed in erecting and completing a house and the yard is conveniently located near the Chicago & Alton depot, thus giving excellent shipping facilities.
Mr. Worcester was united in marriage to Amanda White, on the 22d of February, 1872. She is a daughter of Alfred and Elizabeth White and was born in Greene county. They have two children : A. W .. who is now engaged in business on his own account in Arkansas ; and Mary E., at home.
Mr. Worcester votes with the Republi- can party, but is not active as an aspirant for office. He belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity and is known as a reliable business man, enjoying to the full extent the con- fidence and good will of those with whom he has been associated. He has many ad- mirable social and business qualities and his efforts have been a potent factor in promot-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
ing the commercial interests of the city, upon for several years and then located where he which the prosperity of every community depends. now resides in 1864. After renting this plice for a year, he purchased the property and began to cultivate and improve it.
WILLIAM COX.
William Cox, who owns and operates a farm of one hundred and fifty-three acres on section 8. Rockbridge township, is one of the native sons of Illinois, his birth having oc- curred in Greene county, upon what is known as the Robert Hardcastle farm, on March 14, 1840. The family is of German lineage, and the grandfather was Isaiah Cox. David Cox, his father, was born in Fayette county. Pennsylvania, in the town of Brownsville, about 1810, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that state. He was married there to .Anna Dawson, who was also born in Fayette county. He followed farming in Pennsylvania, and two children were born to them during their res- idence in the east. Removing to Illinois. Mr. Cox located in Greene county in June. 1840, establishing his home in Linder town- ship where he rented a tract of land for a number of years. He had been a resident of this county for only a brief period when his wife died, passing away in 1842. Ile after- wards married again, and he spent the last years of his life in Rockbridge township.
William Cox was reared in Greene county, living upon the home farm and as- sisting in the cultivation and development of the fields. He had little opportunity to at tend school and is largely a self-educated man. In his youth he had to earn his own livelihood, and he worked by the month as a farm-hand for several years. Throughout his entire life he has carried on agricultural pursuits. After his marriage he rented land
On the 23d of June, 1862. Mr. Cox was married in Greene county to Miss Nancy Ann Stringer and they lived happily to- gether for about twenty years, when, on the rith of May. 1872, Mrs. Cox died. Of their two children, one died in infancy, while the other. Lucy R. was reared to won't- h od, married, and hada family of her own. She died in Greene county, August 7, 1890. Mr. Cox was again married May 3. 1874. his second union being with Mary (. Tucker. a widow. Her death occurred January 17. 1881. There were three children by that union, of whom one son died at the age of six months. The others are John 11 .. a res- ident farmer of Rockbridge township; and David P., who is also living in Rockbridge township. On the ist of March, 1883, Will iam Cox wedded Mrs. Margaret Saunders, a widow, who was born in Jersey county. 111- inois. There are two children by this mar- riage : Mabel, the wife of William Dough erty, who is engaged in railroading and re- sides in St. Louis: and William, a young man at home.
In his political views Mr. Cox is a stanch Prohibitionist, having supported the men and measures of that party for a number of years. He was formerly identified with the Republican party, and cast his first ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. He has never sought or desired office, preferring to do his public duty as a private citizen. Ile and his wife are members of the Baptist church and take a very active interest in its work, doing all in their power for its upbuilding and the advancement of the cause of Christianity. For i number of years Mr Cox has served
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as a deacon in the church. Throughout his entire life he has lived in Illinois and is well known in Greene county and this section of the state as an honorable and upright man who merits and receives the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
ALFRED WHITE.
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