USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 53
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
Mr. Ilolmes is a stanch Democrat where national issues are involved, but at local elec- tions he casts his ballot without regard to party affiliations. Ile was elected and served for one term as township tax collector ard filled the position of highway commissioner for one term, discharging his duties with promptness and fidelity, and yet he has not been ambitious in the line of office seeking. preferring to give his undivided attention to business affairs. His wife is a member vi the Baptist church and he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile started out in life for himself empty-handed and by his own labor and enterprise, supple- mented by the assistance of his estimable wife, he has become one of the substantial
knowit was Givenfell off Throughvoit Ma- compra and Greene counties, living lived in honest. exemplary life that his commended him to the confidence and e teem of all with whom business or social relations have brought him i contijet
THOMAS L RAFFETY
The commercial activity and develop ment of Carrollton find a promoter m Thomas J. Raffety, who as a member of the firm of Raffety & Carmody is engaged in the hardware business. He was born in Rubicon township. Greene county, on the ist of July. 1855, and is descended from an old Ken- tucky family. His paternal grandparents. Richard and Martha ( Caudle ) Raffety, were both natives of Kentucky, in which state they made their home. In September. 1820. Thomas B. Raffety came to Illinois, settling in Greene county among its pioneer residents and secured a tract of land on sections 6 and 7. Rubicon township, five and a half miles northwest of Greenfield, and there he car- ried on farming until his death, taking an active interest in the early development and improvement of this part of the state. Ilis original farm is now in possession of his son. Thomas J. Raffety.
Thomas B. Raffety, the father of our subject, was born in Franklin. Simpson county. Kentucky, January 12, 1812. And after arriving at years of maturity was mir- ried September 3. 1833. to Miss Mary Wris ten. at native of Charlotte, North Carolina. boro January ; 1815. and a daugh- ter ci Basil Wristen, who was also born in that state The Wristen, like the
478
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Raffety family, was established in America in colonial days. Reared to the occupation of farming, Thomas B. Raffety followed that pursuit throughout his entire business career, remaining upon the old family homestead until 1883, when he retired from business cares and established his home in Roodhouse, where he spent his remaining days. He was a good citizen, a representative man and a devoted member of the Baptist church. His interest in the ma- terial, intellectual and moral progress of his community was deep and sincere and was manifest in tangible form in his active co- operation in every movement tending to ben- efit the county. His business career was characterized by unfaltering energy and re- liability.
In a family of ten children Thomas J. Raffety is the youngest and like the others of the family he obtained his early educa- tion by attending the district school near his father's farm, while later he became a stu- dent in the high school in Carrollton. He then returned to the old home farm and through the winter months he engaged in teaching school, while in the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the field, his time being passed in this manner for six years. He gave up the work of the schoolroom and of the farm in order to discharge the duties of office to which he had been elected. He has long exercised a strong influence in pub- lic affairs and his known loyalty to the pub- lic good and his capability have led to his selection for official service. When only twenty-one years of age he was chosen jus- tice of the peace and in 1888 he was elected clerk of the circuit court and recorder, filling that position for four years. His course gave such uniform satisfaction that he was again elected in 1896 and served until 1900.
and he retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all. In the meantime he had become a factor in commercial circles in Carrollton, having in 1895 engaged in the hardware business in the Kergher Block on the south side of the square, in partnership with M. J. Carmody, under the firm name of Raffety & Carmody. They remained at their first place of business until 1898, when they removed to their pres- ent commodious quarters in the Masonic Temple. Since 1900 Mr. Raffety has given his attention exclusively to the business and has succeeded in developing a profitable com- mercial enterprise. The firm carry a large line of shelf and heavy hardware and their energy and enterprise have resulted in bring- ing them gratifying success.
On the IIth of March, 1880, Mr. Raffety was married to Miss Jennie Cooper, a native of Greene county, Illinois, who died on the Ioth of March, 1885. She was a daughter of W. T. Cooper, now deceased and a granddaughter of E. L. Cooper, who lived to over one hundred years of age. The chil- dren born of this marriage were Erma and Pearl, the former now Mrs. McDavid, of Hillsboro, Illinois, while the latter died in February, 1902. On the Ist of March, 1887. Mr. Raffety was again married, his second union being with Miss Carrie Kleck- ner, of Highland county. Ohio, whose parents still reside in that state. They have one son, Clive.
Mr. Raffety was made a Mason at Greenfield in 1885 and was knighted at Car- rollton in the fall of the same year. He is now a member of Carrollton lodge, No. 50. A. F. & A. M. : Carrollton chapter, No. 77. R. A. M. : and Hugh De Payens comman- dery. No. 20. of Carrollton, and the Knights of Pythias lodge. of Greenfield. He belongs
479
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
to the Methodist church and his influence is ever given on the side of justice, truth, right and progress. In all life's relations, whether in office or as a private citizen, in business or social circles, he is an honorable and hon ored gentleman.
BENJAMIN F. EDWARDS.
Benjamin F. Edwards, an honored vet- eran of the Civil war, is now engaged in general farming on section 1. Rockbridge township. He was born in Greene county, October 12, 1835, and is a grandson of Rev. Isham Edwards, who removed with his fam- ily from Virginia to Kentucky and thence came to Ilinois in 1827. He was one of the first settlers of Greene county, establishing his home within its borders when its popu- lation was very small and when the work of reclaiming the wild land had scarcely been begun. He bore his full share in the task of early development and his name should be enduringly inscribed on the pages of pioneer history. He was one of the first preachers of the Christian church in this state.
Lewis B. Edwards, son of Rev. Isham Edwards, was born February 4. 1804. in Virginia and accompanied his parents on their removal to kentucky, where he was married to An Stringer, a native of Ken tucky. Ile engaged in farming in that state for a time and in 1827 came to Illinois, find ing in Greene county an almost unbroken district, where every evidence of pioneer life was to be seen. He served as a soldier in the Black Hawk war and took an active part in reclaiming this part of the state from the domain of the savages and in converting it to the uses of the white race who planted
the seeds of civilization here. Ile entered a tract of one hundred and twenty acres m Rockbridge township. developed a good farm there and reared his family. Later he removed to Henry county, Missouri, where he purchased land and upon that farm he spent his remaining days, his death oc curring in 1872. His wife survived him for a number of years. In their family were six sons and two daughters, and the daughters and three of the sons are still living.
Benjamin F. Edwards was reared to manhood in Henry county, Missouri, and in 1858 he returned to Greene county, and has since been identified with agricultural pur- suits in this part of the state, with the ex- ception of the period of his service in the Civil war. He enlisted in 1862 as a mem- ber of Company B. Eighth Missouri State Militia, under Captain Cosgrove and Col- onel MeClurg, and in 1863 was commis- sioned second lieutenant of Company .1. Second Missouri Light Artillery, with which he served until 1864. when he re- signed and returned home.
In 1865 Mr. Edwards was umted in marriage to Miss Sarepta J. Washburn, who was born upon the farm where she now re sides, a daughter of John Washburn, one of the early settlers from Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. Edwards took charge of the old Washburn farm of two hundred aeres and began to further improve the property. placing the fields under a high state of culti- vation and also raising stock of excellent grades. He now raises, feels and futtens stock, shipping about two carloads of cattle annually and a large number of logs.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards has been blessed with two children vet living. and they als lost a son. John Lewis wie grew to mature years was married and set-
480
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
tled at Great Falls, Montana, where his death occurred. The daughters are Anna, wife of H. Clay Ashlock, who holds a lucrative po- sition in St. Louis ; and Nellie G., the wife of Dudley Green, of Kane township, Greene county.
Mr. Edwards cast his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860, but since that time has supported each presiden- tial nominee of the Republican party. He has served for six years as highway commis- sioner and also as a member of the school board for fifteen years and acted as its pres- ident for a number of years, during which time he put forth earnest and effective effort in behalf of the system of public instruction. He is a Master Mason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, belonging to the post at Greenfield. He has a wide ac- quaintance throughout Greene and Jersey counties, where he is known as an honest farmer, the qualities of his manhood being such as have gained for him the trust and good will of his fellow men.
EDWARD SMITH.
Edward Smith, a native son of Greene county, was born in Kane, February 3, 1855. and has spent his entire life in this part of the state, maintaining his residence in Car- rollton since the age of twelve years. In the paternal line he is a representative of an old family of New Jersey. In that state his grandfather. Dr. E. F. Smith, practiced his profession for many years, his skill and ability winning him more than local prom- inence. He was also a leader in political circles and served as a member of the state legislature. His son Dr. A. II. Smith also
devoted his energies to the practice of medi- cine and surgery for a number of years and eventually became a druggist in Carrollton. His maternal grandfather was Dr. Moses Scott, also a practicing physician, who was a member of General Washington's staff in the Revolutionary war.
Dr. A. H. Smith was born in New Brunswick. New Jersey, and spent his early life in the east. He married Miss Amanda Robinson, a native of Virginia. About 1837 or 1838 he came to Illinois, settling in that part of Greene county which is now a part of Jersey county. Subsequently he removed to Kane, where he resided from 1850 until 1867. when he came to Carrollton, where he established a drug store, which he conducted with success until 1893. He built up an ex- cellent business and made for himself an enviable reputation in trade circles, never be- ing known to take advantage of the neces- sities of his fellowmen in any commercial transaction. His wife died in 1882. They were the parents of four sons and one daughter.
Edward Smith, the third son, spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of lads of the period. attending school in Kane be- tween the ages of six and twelve years, when he came with the family to Carrollton and here resumed his- studies. He put aside his text-books in 1871, and then entered his father's drug store, where he learned the business, gaining accurate knowledge of the medicinal qualities of the various goods car- ried, so that he was registered as a phar- macist when the first law passed. He con- tinued with his father until the latter's death and has since carried on the business, having a large and well selected stock. which, carefully arranged, makes his a neat and attractive store. \ straightforward
481
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
business pohey has ever been maintained and he receives a liberal share of the public pat- ronage which he well merits.
On November 17, 1898, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Eva Ilewes, a daughter of a Methodist clergyman. MIr. Smith, however, belongs to the Baptist church. He has a wide acquaintance be- cause of his business connection with the city and also by reason of his long residence in the county, and the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from boyhood, is an indication of an honorable and well spent life.
DAVID CULBERTSON.
David Culbertson is a leading represen- tative of the industrial interests of Greene county and for fifty years has been an active factor in business life. Ile is one of the pioneers in pottery manufacture in White Ilall and for many years has contributed to the progress and upbuilding of the town through his conduct of an enterprise that has not only brought to him gratifying pros- perity, but has also furnished employment to many workmen. With his son Leander E. Culbertson, he is engaged in the manu- facture of pottery, and the annual output of the factory is extensive.
Mr. Culbertson is of English and Hol- land Dutch descent and the family was planted on American soil in colonial days. llis grandfather, John Culbertson servell as a member of the patriot army in the Revolu- tionary war, and died in the year 1837. His son, John Culbertson, Jr., father of David Culbertson, was born in 1798 and through- out his entire life followed the miller's
trade. He Burned Mes Antes Alle. and m 1834 they removed with their ruly from Lancaster ofunits, Pennsylvania. to Ohne. The father died in 1848 at the age of fifty years, while his wife, long surviving hin, passed away in White Hall, at the age of eighty seven years. In the family were seven sons : Henry and John, both deceased ; David : Aaron : Samuel, who wis reared by his brother David and has worked for mm in the pottery for thirty years, William; and Levi. There were also four daughters : Eliza, Sarah, Maria and Annie.
David Culbertson was only sixteen months old when his parents removal to Ohio from Lancaster county. Pennsyl on. where his birth had occurred on the 4th of February, 1833. He acquired a common- school education and then learned the trade of a machinist and general blacksmith. In 1857 he became a resident of White Hall and for almost half a century has been identified with its business interests. In 1865 he be- gan the manufacture of drain tile, beng the first to introduce this industry in the town- an industry which has become of the utmost importance to White Hall, contributing in a large measure to its progress and upbuilding. August Pierce was at one time his partner and later T. A. Smith, a brother-in law. uss associated with our subject in business In 1802 he admitted his son Leander to a part nership and he has since been active in the management of the enterprise In 1885 Mr. Culbertson enlarged the scope of his enter- prise by beginning the nemufacture di pot- tery ware. The output is now one million gallons of crockery. jars, etc . and thirty- live Band- are employed throughout the year. The trade has constantly increased owing to the excellence of the product and the de- mand equds the supply Me Culbertson
482
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
has ever conducted his affairs in a most ener- getic manner, in keeping with the modern progressive spirit, and his business has long since reached extensive and profitable pro- portions. He manufactures glazed pottery- ware, which is sold only to jobbers.
In 1855 Mr. Culbertson was first mar- ried, wedding Mary A. Sechrist. In 1866 he married Margaret Cobb Dinwidee, and in 1875 Fannie Whitmer became his wife. She is a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Culbert- son has three children living. Mrs. Will- iam T. Heater, the eldest, is a resident of Litchfield, Illinois, and has two sons, Arthur and Carl, and one daughter, Ruth. Her elder son, Arthur, is married and has one daughter-a great-grandchild of Mr. Cul- bertson. Mrs. N. T. Mason, the second daughter in the Culbertson household, is the wife of the deputy postmaster of White Hall and has two daughters, Amy and Mardie. Having little opportunity to secure an education, yet realizing its value, Mr. Culbertson provided his children with ex- cellent advantages. Mrs. Mason is a grad- nate of the State Normal School at Bloom- ington and the other completed the high school course of White Hall. The son Leander also attended the University of Champaign and is a graduate of the Gem City Business College, of Quincy, Illinois, of the class of 1888.
In his political views Mr. Culbertson is a stalwart Republican, and fraternally is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a splendid specimen of the American business man-a man of char- acter, brains, industry and purpose, forming his plans readily and executing them with dispatch, yet never displaying anything of the oppressive taskmaster. He is thoroughly honorable in his dealings, just and consid-
erate to his employes, and through the most straightforward methods and unremitting diligence has achieved prosperity. Move- ments for public progress receive his en- dorsement and co-operation and he is a rec- ognized leader in the ranks of the Republi- can party in White Hall.
HARRY E. BELL.
Harry E. Bell, editor and proprietor of the White Hall Weekly Register, was born on the 12th of February, 1873. in Belltown, Greene county, and is descended from Scotch-Irish ancestry, although the family was established in America at an early epoch in the colonization of the new world. The Bells resided in Virginia and the Carolinas, belonging to the Jamestown colony in the former state. Later representatives of the name removed to Tennessee. The great- grandfather of Harry E. Bell was Francis J. Bell. The grandfather, John J. Bell, was born February 17, 1823, and married Eme- line Morrow, who was born December 9, 1818. His death occurred January 1, 1875, and his wife passed away on the 23d of September, 1860. It was their son, Finis E. Bell, who became the father of Harry E. Bell. He was united in marriage to Miss Mary McFarland, who was a granddaughter of Reuben and Margaret ( Moore-Robinson) McFarland. The McFarlands were also of Scotch-Irish lineage and resided in the south when this country was still a part of the colonial possessions of Great Britain. Houston C. McFarland, the father of Mrs. Mary Bell, was born October 15, 1818, and died in 1866. llis wife, who bore the
JOHN J. BELL.
FINIS E. BELL.
H. E. BELL.
487
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
maiden name of Elizabeth Robinson, was born December 10, 1822.
larry E. Bell, well known as a factor in public interests in White Hall, extering strong influence in behalf of general prog ress and improvement there through the col- umns of his paper, spent his early youth in Belltown, where he attended the village school until fifteen years of age. He after- ward entered the high school at White Hall, where he pursued a three years' course from 1888 until 1861 and was then graduated. At one time he attended Dixon Business College. Soon afterward he began teaching. which profession he followed for six years at Batty, Barrow, Berden and White Ilall. In the last named place he was principal under Superintendent C. H. Andrews, who had been principal at the time of Mr. Bell's graduation. It was while serving as princi- pal that Mr. Bell was elected, in 1898. county superintendent of schools, which position he filled until 1902. In June of the latter year he purchased the White Hall Register, an old county newspaper, from the firm of Mc Farland & Presgrove, and has since con- ducted this journal successfully. While serving as county superintendent he was rec- ognized as one of the best officials that had ever acted in that capacity in Greene county. He was defeated for re-election because of his inexperience in political management. but he felt that it was more creditable to attend to the duties of his office rather than to neg- lect them in seeking for a second term. His course proved uniformly satisfactory and under his guidance the schools of the county made satisfactory progress. In the conduct of the Register he is displaying good journal istic talent, editing a paper which has secured a large circulation and which is alsom goud advertising medium.
On the 23d of October, 1805. Harry F Bell was married to Miss Stella Chapin, die only daughter of Wesley C. Chapin, the venerable police magistrate of White Hall. The Chapis are of Puritan ancestry, being able to trace their lineage back to the May- flower. The grandparents of Mrs Bell were Abel J. and Rhoda ( Hart ) Chapin. The former, born July 26, 1807. died De- cember 21, 1804. The latter, born April 13. 1810, died April 21. 1885. Wesley (. Chapin was born in Conesus, New York, December 15. 1837, and is one of the old and honored citizens of Greene county Hle is an uncle of Dr. Chapin, who was born in a farm at Conesus, New York, and is now a resident of Greene county. Wesley (. Chapin came to White Hall in 1864. He has followed merchandising and forming and he has wielded a wide influence in public affairs. Ile served as justice of the peace for sixteen years, proving a most capable officer. He was also assessor of his town- ship for nine years and was supervisor for twelve years. No public trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, his entire official service being char- acterized by the utmost fidelity to duty Ile married Miss Lucy Adams, who was born in Lawrenceville. Pennsylvania, February 11. 1842, a daughter of Joel and Fidelia ( Cra- noll) Adams, the former born April 25. 1801. while the latter was born October 20. 1807, and ched April 20, 1854. Me and Mrs. Wesley ( Chapin had three daughters. but Florence ched at the age of five years_ and Lavoma died m mfancy
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs Bell was celebrated in White Hall, where they Have always resided and where they have many warm friends Mr. Bell acquired her ch Cation if the public school of this place
25
+88
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
They hold membership in the Presbyterian church. Mr. Bell has ever been an unfalter- ing advocate of Democratic principles and is a warm admirer of William Jennings Bryan. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity at White Hall and also of the Modern Woodmen camp. His inter- est in his town and county is deep and sin- cere and is manifested through his cham- pionship of many measures for the general good and his advocacy of many movements which have already proven of practical benefit to White Hall.
J. T. CALLAWAY.
J. T. Callaway, whose activity in busi- ness affairs has made him one of the repre- sentative men of Greenfield, was born near this city, May 1, 1855. His father, E. H. Callaway, was a native of Kentucky, was reared to manhood there and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Matilda Mat- lock, a native of Ohio. Removing to Greene county, Illinois, he cast in his lot with its early settlers, his father, John Callaway, having entered land from the government and sharing in the arduous task of develop- ing a new farm, the family home being near Greenfield. There he reared his children, providing for their support through his care- ful conduct of general farming interests. His dleath occurred there about 1864. while his wife, who long survived him, departed this life about 1886. In their family were four children, the eldest being J. T., of this re- view, while the others are Minnie. the wife of F. G. McChesney. of Greenfield: Ella, the wife of A. N. Williams, of Mobile, Ala- bama : and lola, who died in infancy.
J. T. Callaway, reared under the paren-
tal roof, has been dependent upon his own resources from an early age, not only for what he has acquired financially, but for his education, supplementing his early school privileges by many valuable lessons learned in the school of experience or by facts gleamed from reading and observation. When a youth of about thirteen years he be- gan clerking in the employ of N. C. Wool- ley, and thus he had a thorough business training, being employed as a salesman for a number of years. He then purchased a third interest in the business, his partner being E. K. Metcalf, and the relation between them was maintained for about twenty years. On selling out the business at Greenfield, Mr. . Callaway, E. K. Metcalf and A. O. Auten engaged in business at Jerseyville, conduct- ing a store under the name of the Callaway & Metcalf Company, and there our subject re- mained for three years. On the expiration of that period he sold his interest in that mercantile enterprise and formed the Bel- knap & Callaway Company. In a short time Mr. Belknap sold out and soon afterward the R. L. Metcalf Dry Goods Incorporated Company was formed and has since had a prosperous existence. The business organi- zation was effected in 1895 and Mr. Calla- way has since been active in control of the mercantile interests of the company at Greenfield, where they have a large double store building, carrying an extensive stock of dry goods, clothing and carpets. An ex- cellent trade has been built up and the house sustains a very enviable reputation for the line of goods which it carries and its fair dealing. Mr. Callaway has been president of the company since its incorporation and the success of the house is largely due to his enterprise. discernment and unflagging per- severance. The company is now building a
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.