USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 58
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FRANK IR CH
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY
two children by that union. There were one of the bear equipped imlung plant- ge Un eight children by the first marriage and with county at that time It had acapacity of one exception all are living, namely : Mr -. Rose Allen, who resides southeast of Carroll- ton and has three children : Blanche Darr. deceased : Mary : Lucy Hy who is mar ried and resides southeast of Carrollton, and has three children ; William, a retired farmer of Carrollton, who is married and has two children : Jacob, head miller of the Advance four mill. who is married and lives in Car rollton with his wife and three children ; and Frank.
Frank Frech acquired his education in the common schools of Illinois and in the German schools of St. Louis, Missouri. Hle spent seven years in the latter city during his parents' residence there and then accompanied them on their re moval to this state. He continued under the parental roof until twenty two years of age. Ile then went to Belleville, Illinois, to learn the miller's trade and when he had completed his term of apprenticeship he en tered the employ of II. C. Yeager, a mill owner of Kane, with whom he continued for a year. On the expiration of that period he located on Macoupin creek, where he pur chased a water mill known as the old Empire mill, this being one of the oldest plants of the kind in the county. It was built in 1845 by Massey Van Meter, who had operated it for ten years. During the next few years it passed through various hands and m March, 1885. it became the property of Mr Frech and John T. Briggs. It had been known at one time as the United States, but Mr. French changed the name to the Empire mill. There were great alterations made m the plant, which hitherto had been operate I by water power, but it now became i neu process mill with a roller system. miking it
Thurty barrels per day and was beitel u Comwaysville on Macoupin creek, five nale south of Carrollton Viter operating the Empire mill for a year Mr Frech went to Carrollton, where he organized i new mithing company and purchased the Advance four mull lle became president of the corpus and also acted as head miller, continums m thuis business until 1897, when he sold his interest in Carrollton and 10 May of that year purchased the White Hill mill, which had been operated under the name of the M. E. Blatchley Mill Company He then changed the name to the Superior Jour mill and under this name the business has since been conducted with constantly increasing success. He was for some time in partner ship with Mr. Wilton, why in 1802 sold hus interest in the nutt to Wilham \. Johnson, who had been with Mr. Frech as bookkeeper since 1800. The capacity of the mill is one hundred and twenty barrels a day and large local and shipping trade is conducted This is the only mill in White Hall Mr. Frech is a practical miller and oversees the actual work of the mill and the output of the pro- ucts, while Mr. Johnson is bookkeeper and ittends to the management of the business affairs of the firm.
On the 15th of March, 1883. Mr Frech was united in marriage 0 Miss Margaret Stevens, a daughter of Clark Stevens, 1 farmer living near Kane, Hhusus They How have one son. Lee O_ who was born in September, 1886 and is now iteng school nº White Hall The family are pronghent socedby on White Hall ist thell wil lo me is poted to1 its attractive und ou Mr Frech. wale · mili re hist òn of the fact that in America inder
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
is king, has put forth strenuous effort to reach the goal of success and as the years have passed he has gradually advanced until his labors have been rewarded with a fair. measure of prosperity. Moreover, his busi- ness record is such as any man might be proud to possess, for he has ever been care- ful to fill every engagement and meet his obligations.
ALLEN C. GRISWOLD.
Allen C. Griswold, one of Greene coun- ty's substantial farmers, was born in Scott county, Illinois, near Manchester on the Ist of February, 1860. His father, Loyal P. Griswold, was born in a log cabin in Greene county, Illinois, on the 14th of August, 1833, and was a son of Harry and Maria ( Post) Griswold. He is represented on another page of this volume.
Allen C. Griswold spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads. He worked in the fields through the summer months and in the winter seasons attended the public schools. He has resided upon his present farm since 1897 and here owns two hundred acres of rich land, adjoining the city limits, known as Middlebrook stock farm, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. He is now regarded as one of the well-to-do farmers of his community and in cultivating his fields he follows mod- ern methods of farming, using the latest im- proved machinery and doing everything that would facilitate his work and render his fields more productive. He has likewise extended his business efforts to other lines of activity and is a stockholder in the First National Bank at White Hall and also in a Sewer Pipe & Stoneware Company there.
In 1895 Mr. Griswold was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Lorton, only child of Harvey and Rebecca ( Dinwiddie) Lor- ton. Her father is one of the very early set- tlers of Greene county. He was a son of Thomas and Frances Lorton. Her grand- father was of Welsh and Irish lineage and served his country as a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, valiantly aiding the colonists in their struggle for independence. He lived to enjoy the fruits of his labor for many years, passing away in 1833, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. His wife was a rel- ative of William Ganaway, who figured prominently in the annals of Tennessee. Har- vey N. Lorton had but little opportunity for acquiring an education, save that he learned valuable lessons in the school of experience. In his younger days it was his intention to make his home in Texas, but he came to Illi- nois on a visit and secured employment in this state. After eight years he purchased fifty acres of land and began the operation of his own farm and from that time forward gave up all idea of becoming a resident of the south. At the time of the Civil war he responded to his country's call for aid, en- listing on the 18th of August, 1862, as a member of Company I. Ninety-first Illinois Infantry, with which he served for three years. His regiment was assigned to the Gulf department and with others of his com- mand he was captured in Kentucky by Mor- gan's troops. He remained in the south until after the close of hostilities and was mustered out July 12, 1865. having made an excellent record as a soldier and a fearless defender of the Union cause. His daugh- ter, Mrs. Griswold, 'was born at what is known as Lorton's Prairie in Greene county, March 4. 1867. and unto our subject and his wife have been born two children : Lee Post,
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born April 22. 1896; and Curtis Harvey. born May 14. 1899.
Mr. Griswold gives his political allegi- ance to the Republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. thus being able to support his position by intelligent argument. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known in Greene county and the circle of their friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintances. As a citizen he is public- spirited and progressive, deeply interested in the welfare of his home town and of the county and giving his co-operation in un stinted measure to promoting their upbuild- ing and progress. His efforts in this di- rection have been of such a practical char- acter that the results have proved far-reach- ing and beneficial.
W. A. BROWN.
WV. A. Brown, whose energetic nature. laudable ambition and unfaltering diligence have been prominent factors in his success- ful career, is now dealing in lumber in Car- rollton and is accounted one of the represen- tative business men of the city. He was born in Rubicon township. Greene county. Illinois, on the 11th of November. 1868, and is a son of Peter .A. and Lenora ( Robinson ) Brown, both of whom were born in Linder township. His paternal grandfather. Peter MI. Brown, was a native of Virginia and be- came one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county, establishing his residence here when the work of progress and improvergent seemed scarcely begun. He at once begalt the task of developing a good home for li- family and he added in laying broad and deep
the windation is the present prosperity and progress of the locality Butthe antjes wife are still bying, their home being tam miles east of Carrollton.
During his youth W. \ Brivo cconu panied his parents on their rental to Im der township and began his educato mijn the public schools. continuing his studies in the Carrollton high school, where he complete ! the course by graduation in the class of 1889. Ile afterward took a course in the Jac!s n ville Business College and then entered 1 dry goods store in Jacksonville, where he re mained for a year. He afterward engaged in farming in Linder township for three years and was quite successful in his unfler- takings there. bnt preferring commercial to agricultural pursuits he came to Carroton and purchased the lumber business prev- iously conducted by L. S. Bushnell near the Chicago & Alton depot. He became pro- prietor of the yard in 1894 and since theit time has conducted the business, also extend- ing the scope of his labors by dealing m eval. hardware and building supplies of all kinds lle has an extensive lumberyard and build ings, and his business is steadily increasing. having already reached a large and profitable proportions. He is found straightforward in all transactions and whatever he under takes he carries forward to successful com pletion.
On the title of January. 1898. \\ \ Brown was united in marriage to Miss Martha Lanning, a motive of Greene county, Illinois, And a daughter of T P Laming. now a resident of Morgan county They Have one seg. George Davis Mr Brown is Mason in Ius fraternal relato us h voog tiken the degrees of the lodge. chapter. ce it- and commanders He is the roughis in ierined concerning the tenets and te clings
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
of the craft and his interest in the society is deep and sincere, while in his life he exempli- fies many of the splendid principles which the fraternity inculcates. He stands to-day as a strong man, strong in his honor and his good name, in the success which has at- tended him and in his fidelity to duty in all life's relations.
GENERAL JACOB FRY.
General Jacob Fry, who built the first house in Carrollton and was one of Greene county's most honored citizens, was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, September 20, 1799, spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native state and in early man- hood went to Edwardsville. About 1819 lie first visited Greene county and at that time it is said that he made from boards split from a walnut tree the first coffin con- structed in the county. Following his re- turn to Alton, Illinois, he hewed the timber for the first mill erected at that place. He had, however, been favorably impressed with Greene county and its possibilities and re- turned to this locality about the beginning of 1821. An account of the founding of Carrollton is given in a souvenir edition of the Patriot, in which it was said:
"On the 20th day of February. 1821, five sturdy pioneers met at a cabin on the Illi- nois prairie and proceeded in solemn and «lignified horseback procession. They had an important duty to perform. They had been appointed by the law-making body of a new state to locate the capital of a newer county.
"On January, 1821, a bill had been intro- Iced in the Illinois legislature, then in ses-
sion at Vandalia, to organize the county of Greene, fixing the boundaries and providing for the location of the county seat. The bill was passed on January 18, and was signed by Shadrack Bond, first governor of Illinois, on January 20. The county as then organ- ized included the territory now comprising both Greene and Jersey counties, and to it was temporarily attached by this act the pres- ent counties of Scott, Morgan and Macoupin. Prior to this time the territory, and in fact all the northern portion of the state, formed part of Madison county. The new county was named for General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame. The commissioners appointed to give the same some appropriate name; provided the owner or owners of the land whereon said seat of justice is about to be fixed give to the county commissioners a good deed of conveyance, in fee simple, for not less than twenty acres of land, for the use of the county. After some consultation, it became evident that the commissioners were unanimous in their opinion that the court house should be built on the land of Mr. Carlin. The town was immediately laid out and named in honor of Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Maryland."
Mr. Carlin offered to Jacob Fry the land if he would build thereon a house and the offer was accepted. He was a prominent man in the new county of Greene, pro- moting many of the movements which re- sulted in substantial growth and improve- ment and taking a very active part in its public life. He was a member of the first grand jury, was deputy sheriff in 1822 and was elected sheriff in 1828, filling the office for ten years. He was married to Miss Emily Turney, daughter of AAttorney-Gen- eral James Turney, in May. 1826. It was not many years after this that the Indians
GENERAL JACOB FRY.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
went upon the warpath and General Fry served as colonel in the Black Hawk war, while after its close he was elected a major general of the militia. Further official hon- ors awaited him, for in 1837 he was ap- pointed commissioner of the Illinois & Mich- igan canal and in 1856 was collector of cus- toms at Chicago. During the Rebellion he commanded a regiment which did valiant service at Shiloh.
In 1850 he crossed the plains to Cali- fornia and assisted J. D. Fry in the conduct of a store in the mining districts for a time. Subsequently they sold out and removed to Sacramento, where they opened a general mercantile establishment, which they con- ducted for some time. In 1856 he and his son Captain Fry returned to Illinois and for two years the General resided in Ottawa, La Salle county, but in 1858 he again located on the old homestead, six miles south of Carrollton, where he died in 1882.
The important part which he bore in the early development and later growth and progress of his county entitled him to dis tinctive mention as one of its most honored pioneers and one to whom the county owes a debt of gratitude.
In his family were five children, but Captain William Fry is the only surviving son. James B., who was a graduate of the West Point Military Academy and continued in the regular army, took an active part in the war of the Rebellion, during which time he was provost marshal general with head quarters at Washington, D. C. He was also actively engaged in the war. Sarah was the second of the family and William M. the third. Edward became a resident of Chi- cago and afterward of San Francisco, Cal fornia, where he died. Julia, the youngest is now living in Jerseyville.
SAMUEL. F.LMER SHANNON
One of the tine farms of Linder togo ship is the property of Sammel Filmer Share non, who resides on section 16 Hle is se counted one of the thrifty and successful agriculturists and stockraisers, owning one hundred and forty-six acres of land. He was born near Carrollton, May 21. 1862 His father, Thomas Shammon, was a native of Lancastershire, England, born July 24.
1825, and his father was William Shannon. who came to the new world 1 1836, set tling first in Canada, whence he afterward removed to New York. He lived near Lake Champlain for a few years and subsequently removed to Illinois, settling there about 1844. He took up his abode in Greene county near Carrollton, where Thomas Shannon was reared to manhood. The fa ther was a man of good education and he came one of the pioneer teachers of Greene county, also following that profession in Jersey and Montgomery counties. He was married here to Rebecca King, a native of Alabama, who spent her girlhood days in Greene county. Mr. Shannon purchased land and engaged in farming for many years, following that pursuit through the summer months, while in the winter seas an- he followed teaching. He Dyed nf different towns in Greene. Jersey and Montgomery counties, and then bought land in Greene county He located in Greenfield, where he spent is remaining days, enjoying a well earned rest from further labor He del there September 17. 1803 The first wife had passed away some years price to that time and he witerward contracted a second marriage
San mel Elmer Shannon is one of a tano ils of four som- and two daughters, of whom
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
three sons reached mature years. His est in the various departments of church brother William is engaged in farming in work. He is recognized as one of the prom- inent young farmers of Linder township and is an active, progressive, public-spirited man, whose efforts in behalf of his commun- ity along line of material, intellectual, social and moral progress have been of direct bene- fit to his fellowmen. Colorado, and Edgar is a farmer of Linder township. Mr. Shannon of this review was largely reared in Jersey county and pur- sued his studies in the public schools of that county and of Montgomery county. He worked at farm labor in his youth, early be- coming familiar with the best methods of caring for the fields and cultivating the crops. After arriving at years of maturity he started out in life on his own account, GREENE DRIVER. locating on a farm in Linder township, and as a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney he chose Miss Edna J. Johnson, a na- tive of Greene county and a daughter of An- drew Johnson, one of the early settlers and prominent farmers of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Shannon were married Octo- ber 20, 1897, and afterward located on the farm where they now reside. He built a nice farm house, also two good barns and other outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. He likewise planted an orchard and has made splendid improvements on his place so that it is a well developed farm property. He not only cultivates the fields but also raises and feeds good grades of stock.
Politically Mr. Shannon is a Republi- can. deeply interested in the welfare of his party, yet he has never sought or desired office for himself. He was elected and served, however, as school trustee in his township for nine or ten years and for one term was township collector. He has fre- quently been a delegate to the county con- ventions of his party and has served as cen- tral committeeman of this township. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, in which he is serving as a deacon. and he takes a most active and helpful inter-
Greene Driver, who is now living a re- tired life in Greenfield, was for a consider- able period actively connected with agricul- tural interests in Greene county, owning and operating a farm of three hundred acres in Rubicon township. He is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred near Carrollton, February 3, 1847. His father, Greene Driver, Sr., was born in Smith county, Tennessee, in 1808 and his father, William Driver, removed from Tennessee to Illinois, settling in Greene county in 1828. He made his home near White Hall, becom- ing closely identified with the early pioneer development of the locality. The family shared in all of the hardships and trials in- cident to frontier life and upon the old fam- ily homestead Greene Driver, Sr., was reared, acquiring his education in the primi- tive schools of the time. He was married near White Hall to Miss Margaret Grace Hazelwood, a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Squire Hazelwood, one of the early settlers that Kentucky furnished to Illi- nois. In 1838 Greene Driver, Sr., located upon a farm near Carrollton, where he owned a good tract of land, and thereon reared his family. He continued to make his home there until his death, which occurred
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
on the 13th of September, 1902, when he was ninety-three years and ten months of age. He had lost his first wife many years before, her death occurring in 1849, when their son Greene was only two years okl. In 1851 he had married again. Ile was a respected farmer, living a busy, useful and honorable life, and was long classed with the leading agriculturists of his community.
Greene Driver of this review was one of a family of six children, five of whom reached years of maturity, while four are now living. He spent his youth upon the homestead farm and was educated in the dis triet schools. He early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist and he continued to assist his father until his marriage, which occurred in January, 1884, the lady of his choice being Miss Mattie Bowman, a native of Cass county, Missouri, and a daughter of .\. L. Bowman, who resided in Greene county for a number of years and afterward removed to Missouri, whence he returned to this county at the time of the Civil war. In fact the Bowmans were pioneer residents of this part of the state, coming to Illinois from Ohio.
After his marriage Mr. Driver located upon what became his home farm on section 21, Rubicon township. He began there with one hundred and forty acres of land, the improvements were very few and the farm was in a run town condition, but he at once began to develop this and continued the work of cultivation until he had one of the best im- proved farms of the township. As his finan- cial resources increased he added to the place until he now has three hundred acres, all in one body and the entire farm is under a high state of cultivation with the exception of a tract of about forty acres, much of which is
covered with timber and is used for pastir- age purposes. Mr. Driver erected a good residence, planted an orchard and added other modern equipments, using the latest improved machinery to facilitate his farm work. In addition to the raising of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he also engaged in the raising and feeding of stock and in both branches of his business met with gratifying success. He continued in the active operation of his farm until 1902, when he rented the place and removed to Greenfield, where he purchased residence property. This he remodeled and has made a comfortable home. His time is now de- voted to the supervision of his farming in- terests and he is enjoying a well merited rest from the active and arduous duties of an agricultural life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Driver have been born four children: Judson E., Clyde C .. Walter G. and Gladys G. In his political views Mr. Driver is a stanch Republican and cast his first presidential ballot for Gen- eral U. S. Grant in 1868, supporting each presidential nominee of the party since that time. Ile has served for fifteen years as a member of the school board and the cause of education found in him a stalwart friend and he champions every progressive measure for raising the standard of education in his county. Ilis wife is a member of the Bap- tist church and both are highly esteemed people, enjoying the warm friendship and favorable regard of many friends. Mr. Driver has spent his entire life in Greene county and has therefore been a witness of its development and progress through fifty- seven years. He has watched with pride the work of improvement and has witnessed a wonderful transformation as the years have gone by, for the beautiful homes have long
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since replaced the pioneer cabins, the crude farming implements have given way before the improved machinery of the present day and all of the evidences of an advanced civ- ilization are here found.
WILLIAM A. JOHNSON.
William A. Johnson is the junior mem- ber of the Frech & Johnson Milling Com- pany at White Hall. He was born in Hardin, Calhoun county, Illinois, on the 13th of August, 1849. His paternal grandfather. was Richard Johnson, of English lineage and a native of England. Henry L. Johnson, the father of our subject, was also born in Eng- land and followed various pursuits, including milling, farming and the grocery business. He likewise conducted a livery stable at one time. He married Miss Martha Hutchinson, a native of Ohio and a daughter of W. T. Hutchinson, who died in the year 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson removed from their home in Calhoun county, Illinois, to Jerseyville, this state, where Mr. Johnson owned and operated a flouring mill. Subsequently they became residents of Carrollton, where he conducted a similar enterprise for a time. Eventually he became interested in the groc- ery trade with his son William .A., this rela- tion being maintained until 1886. The father died in 1892 at Carrollton, aged sixty- seven years, and the mother died in 1800, at the age of sixty-five years. Both were member- of the Methodist Episcopal church and were deeply interested in its work and the moral lerelopment of their community.
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