USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 59
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William A. Johnson pursued his educa von in the school of Jerseyville. Carrollton Jacksonville, Illinois, and was thus well
fitted for life's practical and responsible duties. He engaged in clerking in his fath- er's store for fourteen years and thus gained broad experience concerning business meth- ods. He also learned something of the mill- ing business while his father was conducting a mill in Jerseyville and later while carrying on the same line of business in Carrollton. In 1871, however, he joined his father as proprietor of a grocery store in Carrollton, which they conducted with success until 1886. In 1890 he became bookkeeper for the Advance Flouring Mill Company, of Car- rollton, with whom he continued for seven years, and in 1897 he became bookkeeper. for the firm of Frech & Wilton, of White Hall, filling that position until 1902, when he pur- chased Mr. Wilton's interest and became a partner, of Mr. Frech. The mill is a well equipped plant, having the latest improved machinery and excellent facilities for turning out a high grade of mill products. The business is conducted under the name of the Frech & Johnson Milling Company and Mr. Johnson has charge of the business manage- ment, while Mr. Frech superintends the active operation of the mill.
On the 15th of August, 1871, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Miss Mary E. Lowe, a daughter of R. E. Lowe, who is a fruit farmer of Greene county, now living at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. Johnson was reared in the faith of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and still attends its services. In politics he is a Republican, but is not active in the work of the party. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge. In the community he is re- garded as a safe, reliable business man, is a jovial, genial gentleman and his uniform courtesy and kindly consideration for others have won him the respect of all.
W. A. JOHNSON.
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GEORGE C. TUNISON.
George C. Tunison, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser living in Greene county, has traveled extensively abroad and in this country and although interested in foreign scenes and events he feels perfectly satisfied with Illinois as a place of residence, realiz- ing that it affords to its citizens excellent opportunities for business progress and for successful accomplishment. He was born in White Hall township. August 13. 1850. upon the farm on which he now resides and is a representative of one of the old families of this state.
His paternal grandfather, Henry Tuni- son, was a native of New Jersey and emi- grating westward to Illinois in July, 1838. he located on the Kendall farm two miles south of White Hall. He thus became a pioneer settler and interested in the early development of his adopted county he as- sisted materially in the work of improve- ment and progress. In the spring of 1840 he bought one hundred and eighty ricres of land in White Ilall township, where he re- sided until 1845. He then removed to a farm four miles northwest of his old home. continuing to make it his place of residence up to the time of his death, which occurredl October 12, 1804. He was then eighty-ne years of age and his life had been an honor able and upright one, crowned with the de sirable measure of success. His wife died July 28, 1844. In their family were si sons and two daughters.
Henry Tunison, son of Henry and Sarah Tomison and the father of George C. Tum- son, was born on the 2d of March. 1828. in New Jersey. Ile remained at home in til twenty years of age and then started out upon his business career. In connection
with his brother Jacob he purchased a sepa- rator and they engaged in thesong for five years, theirs being the third thresher m the county. Their business proved very re- munerative and at the end of that time Mr l'unison secured a tract of land and began farming on his own account. In 1846 the two brothers purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead, which they cultivated together for a year, and then Henry Tunison purchased the brother's in- terest and continued sole owner of the farm throughout hus remaining days. He placed it under a very high state of cultivation. added to it many modern improvements and transformed it into one of the attractive and valuable properties of White Hall township. While on a tour in the west m 1800 he pur- chased land in Kansas. At one time he bought a half interest in a flouring mill, known as Bell's mill, and operated it until 1870, when he traded it for land in Mis- souri. At the time of Ins demise he was the owner of fourteen or fifteen hundred acres of land in addition to town property Hle was very successful in his business affairs and m connection with general farming he engaged in dealing in graded stock, handling shorthorn cattle mostly. He displayed keen discrimination ni business affairs and he's 1111- Filtering enterprise was one of the sole fac- tors we hus splendid success
On the 14th of June. 1848. Henry Tulu- son was uluted in marriage to Konetta Uri- wold a lighter of Uvres and Abbie ( Post ) GHI wold, who are mentioned elsewhere in dos volume Mr and Mrs Henry Tunisem beenne the parents of six children, of whom three ate low decorse |- Addic I whichel a the age of eleven years, Lemuri \ . 1101 on thisnt son Laura \ lived to be twenty- nine years of age and become the wie i
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James H. Kirby, but at her death left no children. She was a student in the schools of Greenview, Illinois, while Abbie L. pur- sued her education in the Methodist Epis- copal College at Jacksonville, Illinois. The living children are George C., Harry O. and Abbie L. The last named is the wife of Charles B. Roodhouse, of White Hall. Harry O. Tunison is a prominent lawyer and business man of White Hall, actively connected with important enterprises which contribute in large measure to the prosperity of the city. He is first vice-president of the White Hall First National Bank and is interested in the White Hall Sewer Pipe Company. The father, Henry Tunison, de- parted this life February 17, 1897, and the mother is now living in White Hall with her daughter. In his death the community lost one of the most valued and representative citizens of Illinois, whom to know was to respect and honor, and whose success won him the admiration of his fellow citizens while his honorable business methods gained him an unassailable reputation.
George C. Tunison, reared under the parental roof, obtained his education in the common schools of White Hall township and also in the graded schools of White Hall, where he remained as a student for two terms. Later he entered the Illinois State University at Champaign and there com- pleted his education. He has carried on ag- ricultural pursuits throughout his entire life and yet resides upon the old homestead farm where he was born. He here has three hun- dren and twenty acres of rich and arable land. equipped with fine modern buildings and supplied with the latest improved ma- chinery necessary to facilitate the work of the farm. He has also made investments in bank stock and at the present writing is
vice-president of the First National Bank of White Hall.
Mr. Tunison has traveled quite exten- sively. In 1888 he visited Mexico and wit- nessed one of the famous bull fights of that country. In 1889 he visited England, Ire- land, Scotland and France, viewing many points of modern and of historic interest as well. He was upon the battle-field of Waterloo, saw Blarney castle in Ireland, visited points of interest in Belguim and spent some time at the world's fair in Paris. He wrote a series of letters concerning his travels which were published in the home papers. He has always kept a record con- cerning his travels not only on the continent and in Great Britain, but also in the United States and Mexico, this constituting an ex- cellent account of places he has visited and the points of interest found therein. He is an excelent writer, master of the art of oratory and his facile pen enables him to present with great vividness the sights and scenes he has witnessed in his travels. Most of his traveling was done prior to his mar- riage, but since that time he has visited Colorado, spending some months in that wondrous state in 1903. He has visited the various world's expositions held in Amer- ica, including the Centennial at Philadelphia, the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, and the Louisiana Purchase Exposition at St. Louis.
After all his travels Mr. Tunison returns to his home thoroughly content with Greene county as a place of residence and with deep interest in his business affairs here. He gives personal attention to all of the varied departments of farm labor, at- tending largely to his own work, feed- ing his cattle and performing much of the labor incident to the cultivation of the
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fields and the marketing of his crops. It is not necessity but choice that prompts him to follow this course, for in his business career he has acquired a competence that would enable him to put aside further business cares did he so desire. Ile is, however, deeply interested in his farming and stock- raising operations and he has upon his place one hundred and thirty-five head of fat cattle. lle largely raises shorthorn cattle and has a fine registered shorthorn bull at the head of his herd. He likewise has splendid horses upon his place and a large number of Po- land-China hogs.
On the joth of November, 1891, Mr. Tunison wedded Miss Mary .1. Whiteley, a daughter of Robert Whiteley, a prominent citizen of Macoupin county, Illinois. He was born near York in Yorkshire, England, in August, 1819. representing one of the old families of his native country. In 1844 he came to America, establishing his home in Macoupin county, Illinois, and in 1849 he visited his native land, but returned soon aft- erward to this country and has ever mani- fested the strongest attachment for its insti- tutions. Although now eighty-five years of age he visited the Louisiana Purchase Ex- position in St. Louis in the summer of 1904. spending a week there. Unto Mr. and Mrs Tunison has been born one son. George Fn- nis, whose birth occurred February 2. 1899. He is a fine healthy boy and is the constant companion of his father as Mr. Tunison goes about his work on the farm.
Mr. Tunison is an advocate of Demo- cratic principles, giving stalwart support to the party. yet never seeking office. For twenty years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity and his life has been in harmony with the beneficent spirit of the craft. His native tilents and endowments
have been supplemented by the culture and knowledge which only travel can bring, and he is a most entertaining companion, Is mind enriched with many reminiscences of Ins sojourn abroad and his visits to various parts of interest in his native land. He is. moreover, recognized as one of the prom- inent representatives of agricultural life in Greene county, a man whose business record is in harmony with Ins private history, be ing characterized by all that is honorable and straightforward in his dealings with his fel lowmen.
W. T. SCOTT.
W. T. Scott, a public-spirited citizen al- ways willing and ready to co-operate in any measure for the public good, is well known in Greene county, and his genial nature and cordial disposition have gained him many friends, by whom he is always called "Tom." He is now one of the pros- perous farmers and stock-raisers of the county, and he was born upon the farm where he now resides, his birth occurring September 27, 1852. Ilis father, Benjamin Scott, was a native of Kentucky, born in Casey county. April 29, 1813. The paternal grandparents. Welcome and Elizabeth ( . 11-, len) Scott, were also natives of Kentucky, in which state they were reared and married. The family is of Scotch lineage and was founded in America at an early day.
Benjamin Scott was the only son in a family of four children. His mother re- moved to Ilinois in 1830, locating in Scott county, and in 1832 came to Greene county. Here Benjamin Scott entered eighty acres of lind from the government with money earned from selling liis deceased father's
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house and also from the sale of his discharge papers, which had been given him at the close of his service in the Black Hawk war. Locating on that tract of land Benjamin Scott opened a farm and developed a good property. His mother resided with him for many years but spent her last days with a daughter, Mrs. Jonathan Lewis. She was a noble pioneer woman and endured many hardships and trials in connection with the establishment of a home in this state. She and her children, with the exception of the youngest, walked all the way from Ken- tucky to Scott county, and all the ready money she had was twelve dolars, while her son Benjamin had seven dollars, and on reaching their destination their united capi- tal was but seven dollars. Benjamin Scott was an energetic and thrifty farmer, and though he started out in life empty-handed he continually worked his way upward, his economy and industry contributing to his success. He made judicious investments in land and at one time was the owner of twenty-seven hundred acres, but he sold much of this, also gave some to his children and retained five hundred and thirty-six acres for himself. He was married October 17. 1834. to Miss Lucinda Ruyle, a native of Montgomery county, Illinois, and a daugh- ter of Henry and Betsy ( Smith ) Ruyle, who were pioneer settlers of this state, removing from Virginia to the west in 1813. They settled in Macoupin county. Mr. and Mrs. Scott became the parents of nine children, namely : James: Elizabeth M., Edward, Sally J., Louisa F., Maggie, Mary I., Wil- liam T. and Anna. The father died at the (Ad home. January 15, 1895. Ile was well known in Greene and adjoining counties as one of the most successful farmers and stock- raisers of the locality. In his political views
he was a Republican and he took quite an active interest in local politics, filling a num- ber of official positions of honor and trust, the duties of which he discharged with promptness and fidelity. He not only won prosperity but also made for himself an hon- ored name as a man and citizen. His wife still survives him and is a well preserved lady of eighty-seven years.
WV. T. Scott was reared upon the old homestead farm and assisted his father in the cultivation of the fields and the care of the stock. His preliminary education was acquired in the public schools and afterward he spent two years as a student in Blackburn University. When he had completed his studies he returned to the home farm and remained with his father until the latter's death. He then took charge of the home place and, in fact, has virtually been the manager of the business for several years. He is an active, enterprising agriculturist and is now the owner of three hundred and seventy-six acres of the old home farm, which is a valuable tract of land, well im- proved. He is engaged in breeding and sell- ing pure blooded shorthorn cattle. He feeds and fattens stock for the market, ship- ping between five and six carloads of cattle annually. He buys mostly in Missouri and Illinois, and his business has reached exten- sive proportions. In fact he is now one of the best known and most successful stock- raisers, feeders and dealers of Greene county.
Mr. Scott was married in Greene county, in January, 1884, to Miss Alice Kemper, a native of Jersey county, Illinois, born in the town of Kemper, which was named in honor of her father, Squire Kemper, one of the early settlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Scott have an attractive home, and the hos- pitality which there prevails is greatly en-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
joyed by their many friends. They have one of the two automobiles now in use in Rubi con township, and Mr. Scott is a most pro gressive man, keeping up with modern ideas. This is particularly manifest in his farm with its splendid improvements and fine facilities for carrying on his farming and stock-raising interests.
Politically he has been a Republican since he voted for Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876. Ile has never cared for or held office, con- tent to do his duty as a private citizen. Ile gives liberally to the support of the church and worthy enterprises and endorses every movement or measure for the general good. Hle is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias lodge and in all life's relations has been found true to manly principles. He is a typical American of the age, alert, en terprising and progressive, and his farm with its equipments indicates that he stands fore- most among the agriculturists of Greene county.
F. M. MARSIL.
F. M. Marsh, who owns and operates a farm in Roodhouse township, was born in Greene county Illinois, one mile east of Pat- terson, on the 5th of August. 1852. He rep resents one of the old and honored pioneer families of his county. His paternal grand- parents were Joseph C. and Clarissa Marsh. and their son John B. Marsh became the father of our subject. He was a farmer. devoting his entire life to agricultural pi suits, and he died in 1808. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary M Gourley und was a daughter of Joseph Gourles, 15 still living and makes her home with her soll 1. 11. Marsh.
Feared to the occupation of farling, I M. Marsh acquired his education in the pub- he schools, and when not busy with the du- ties of the schoolroom he assisted hus father in the labors of the home farm, so that he brought to his work, when he entered agri cultural life on his own account, marked en- terprise and practical knowledge. He has always carried on general farming and he now has a well developed tract of land, the well tilled fields yielding to him good har- vests, for which he finds a ready sale on the market.
In 1873 F. M. Marsh was united in mar riage to Miss Francis L. Ballard, a daugh ter of .A. J. Ballard, a native of Tennessee. lle married Martha Smith, who is still liv ing. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have been born three children, but they lost two: Buel Christina, who died in Patterson township. at the age of two years ; and Marie Luella. who died at the age of eleven years. The living child, Harold. is now seventeen years of age and assists his father in his farming operations. The parents are members of the Baptist church and are highly esteemed in the community. Mr. Marsh votes with the Democratic party but has never sought or desired office.
W. H MARSH
1. 11. Marsh, whose valable farm of one hundred and ninety acres gives every evidence, in its neat and thrifty appearance. of the supervision of a careful and pains tok og Owner, was born February 28, 1851. In Patterson township, upon the tarm which was h's parents iome Hle 4 a son of Je Im B and Mary M (Gourley) Marsh, und he 1. - reared to farm hte, early becoming fa-
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miliar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He has never sought to change his occupation, being pleased with the opportunities offered on the farm, and his labors have brought to him a gratifying financial return. His landed possessions now embrace one hundred and ninety acres, of which eighty acres is de- voted to general farming and produces good crops, for he is familiar with and follows the best methods of tilling the soil. Upon his place are substantial buildings and he has good grade of stock. In fact none of the modern equipments of a model farm of the twentieth century are there lacking.
On the 27th of September, 1887, Mr. Marsh married Mrs. Mary Owdom, a daughter of Adam and Katherine ( Eppert) House, who still reside in Patterson town- ship, her father having come to Illinois at an early day and assisted in the pioneer de- velopment of the state. Mrs. Marsh was first married in 1877 to Leonard Owdom, who died in 1884, leaving one daughter, Nellie, who was born in 1882 and was mar- ried March 10, 1901, to Stanley Roberts. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marsh have been born four children: Hubert, born January 8, 1889; Alma, born March 23, 1892; Ethel, born May 5, 1894; and Floyd, born in An- gust. 1897-
W. H. Marsh exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of Democracy and attends and supports the Baptist church, of which he is a mem- ber. Hle has always lived in this county and is therefore well known to many of its citi- zens, drawing his circle of friends from among the acquaintances of his youth as well as of later years-a fact which is an indication that he has always been worthy the public regard and confidence.
MICHAEL L. CARMODY.
Michael L. Carmody, one of the early residents of Greene county, was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1820, a son of Peter Carmody, also a native of that land. Reared and educated in his native country he came to America in 1849, leaving home on the 8th of October, of that year. The vessel on which he took passage sailed to New Orleans and he thence came up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, by packet to Alton and by wagon to Carrollton, where lived his uncle Patrick, who with his son had come to America the year previous.
Mr. Carmody turned his attention to farm labor and was employed in this way until 1852, when he began working on the Cairo & New Orleans Railroad. He had worked six days when he was driven out by the mosquitoes, so thick were these pests in that locality. He spent the winter in work on the Mississippi and in the spring he returned to Carrollton, where he was en- gaged in farm labor, being thus employed until 1854. when he began renting farm land. He thus carried on agricultural pur- suits on his own account for two or three years, after which he purchased a tract of land, buying eighty acres and entering forty from the government. The latter adjoined the first tract. He entered into partnership with his brother Connor in the ownership and cultivation of the farm, but after two years he purchased his brother's interest and later bought two forty acre tracts so that his home place comprised two hundred and eighty acres, which is pleasantly located about three and a half miles west of Carroll- ton. There he continued to engage in ag- ricultural labor and late . he purchased one hundred and twenty ad's near the home
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farm. He afterward invested in one hun- dred and eighty-seven acres of land, so that his farm comprises nearly seven hundred acres. He has carried on general agricul- tural pursuits and has been very successful, owing to his unfaltering diligence and per- severance. In 1900, however, he put aside the arduous duties incident to the develop- ment and cultivation of a farm and has since made his home in Carrollton. Ile has, how- ever, purchased eighty acres adjoining the town and to the operation of this tract he gives his supervision. Indolence and idle- ness have ever been utterly foreign to his nature and his strong purpose and capable management have made him a prosperous citizen.
In 1855 occurred the marriage of Mich ael L. Carmody and Miss Anora Neagle, who was born in Clare County, Ireland, and died in the year 1896. She was a daughter of John Neagle, who remained in Ireland, but she had several brothers and sisters who came to Carrollton, but all are now deceased.
The children of this marriage are Mary; Margaret : one that died in infancy : Mich- ael; Ellen, who is living with her father ; and Timothy, who is residing on the old homestead farm.
Mr. Carmody has served as a member of the board of supervisors and is interested in the county and its welfare, although he has never been active as a politician or seeker for office. Ile takes a helpful interest in the church and he has reared a family of which he has every reason to be proud. His busi- ness career demonstrates the opportunities that are open to young men in America and through capable and well directed labor Mr. Carmody has gradually advanced from an humble financial pos tion to one of affluence.
CHARLES B. ROODHOUSE.
Charles Benjamin Roodhouse, interested throughout his entire life in agricultural pur- suits and still superintending his farming in- terests from his home in White Hall, was born upon his father's farm near this city, May 16, 1860, his parents being Benjamin and Abigail (Wales) Roodhouse. The father came from Yorkshire, England, in December, 1830, and settled on a farm, a part of which is now in possession of Charles B. Roodhouse and on which the latter was born. Throughout his entire life he carried on farming and stock-raising and was re- garded as one of the most progressive, prac- tical and prosperous agriculturists of his community. Ile was one of the organizers and also became the president of the Carroll- ton Bank, in which capacity he served for a number of years, and for a considerable period he was the president of the Greene County Fair .Association and did much to foster a spirit of enterprise and advance- ment in the farming community in this way. Ile was also supervisor for Carrollton town-
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