USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 63
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defense of American interests and was taken prisoner by the British. After he had been incarcerated for some time he made his es- cape by scaling the prison walls, but he was recaptured, given twenty lashes and again imprisoned for a term of three years. When the war closed, however, he was released. Becoming connected with agricultural pur- suits in Greene county he transformed a wild tract of land into a well improved farm and continued its cultivation up to the time of his death, which occurred on the old family homestead in Patterson township, September 1, 1841. In early manhood he wedded Mary Barton, and they became the parents of ten children, of whom Sylvester, was the young- est.
Sylvester Griswold was born in Ver- gennes, Vermont, May 8, 1808, and came to Illinois when twenty-one years of age. He secured a claim in Jersey county, and also one hundred and sixty acres of land in Greene county, these tracts being now in possession of O. F. and Emma A. Gris- wold. Throughout his entire business ca- reer he was interested in agricultural pur- suits and the loaning of money and he pros- pered. His last years were spent in hon- orable retirement from labor, his earnings in former years enabling him to enjoy in the evening of life all the comforts and luxuries which go to make life worth the living. He died in September, 1892, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. In early manhood he married Elizabeth Hodges, who died when her son O. F. Griswoldl was a young lad. She also left a daughter, Miss Emma A. Griswold, who is a resident of White Hall. The father afterward married again, his sec- ond union being with Mrs. Martha Post, a sister of his first wife, and she passed away in 1893.
SYLVESTER GRISWOLD.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
O. F. Griswold, whose name introduces this review, began his education in the com- mon schools of Greene county and was afterward a student in the State Normal school at Platteville, Wisconsin. He went t that state for the benefit of his health and when it had sufficiently improved he continued his studies as before stated. It was in 1867 that he went to Wisconsin and he remained a resident of that state for a number of years. In 1869 he embarked in the book and stationery business at Plitte- ville, but after two years soll out and re- turned to White Hall. where he remained one year. On the expiration of that period he again went to Wisconsin and entered the Platteville Bank as cashier. In 1880 he made arrangements to open a bank in Michi- gan, but his father became ill and he aban- coned that plan. He returned to White Hall in 1892 to manage his father's affairs. He has since been a resident of this city and is now a stockholder in the White Hall Elec- tric Light & Power Company. He assisted in organizing the White Hall Tile & Pottery Company, which established its plant in 1903, but he has since disposed of his in- terests. In 1904 he became connected with the White Ilall National Bank, of which he is still a director and stockholder. He owns valnable farm lands which he rents and is now living retired, save that he gives his personal supervision to his private invest- ments.
In June, 1872. Mr. Griswold was united in marriage to Miss Lemma Hodges, a dugh- ter of lsvic and Lucetti ( Crist ) Hodges, of Platteville, Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs. Gris- wold now have two children : Harry 11., the elder, born October 25. 1874. in ams- ant cashier in the White Hall National Bank. He attended the schools of Platteville. Wis
consin, and of Jacksonville, Ilmois, and was graduated from the University of Chicago in the class of 1897. receiving the degree of Bachelor of Science. Jessie E., the daughter, was educated at Monticello Semi- nary at Godfrey, Illinois, one of the oldest and best schools of the west, completing a four years' classical course there in 1897. She was also a student of art in that institu- tion.
In May. 1903, Mr. Griswold began the erection of one of the fine residences of White Hall on Main street and it was built with all modern equipments and conven- iences, is tastefully furnished, and the house is surrounded by a fine lawn, adorned with beautiful shade trees and flowering plants. Mr. Griswoldl is a Republican in politics, Int the honors or emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. His attention has been given to his business affairs in former years and although not yet in the prime of life he has acquired through inheritance and through capalle business management a property that enables him to live retired. Hle has ever maintained an honorable relation with his fellowmen, has been loyal in citizen- ship and has manifested a public-spirited and progressive interest in everything pertaining to the county's upbuikdling. He is popular with a large circle of friends and has the high regard of all with whom he has been associated.
CITARLES 11. CRIST.
Charles 11. Crist. identified with the commercial interests of Roadhouse as the junior member of the firm of Ludlum & Crist, hardware merchants, was born in Greene county. September 15, 1870, upon a form not far from Roodhouse. He repre
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
sents one of the old families of the county. His grandfather. David Crist, who became one of the pioneer settlers of this county, was born near Cincinnati, in Hamilton county, Ohio, in 1809, and was of German descent. He was a son of Moses Crist, who had a family of eleven children, but nearly. all died in infancy. David Crist, in 1833. when about twenty-three years of age came to Illinois, and for a short time was engaged in merchandising in White Hall. He after- ward purchased a farm covering the present site of Roodhouse and continued its cultiva- toin until 1847, when he sold that property and became the owner of forty acres about two and a quarter miles southeast of Rood- house. He also entered three hundred and sixty acres of land from the government, and he built there a substantial house and barn, made other improvements and devoted his attention to general farming and stock- raising. He was deeply and actively inter- ested in the early development of the county and throughout his life was the champion of all progressive measures which promised practical benefit for the community. His death occurred in 1890. He was three times married. He first wedded Maria Jackson, whose father lived southwest of White Hall, on the old McCallister farm. They had three children : Louisa became the wife of B. D. Strong and died two years later, leav- ing a child that also died in infancy. Sarah married Amboy Campbell by whom she had eight children and they lived on the old homestead until 1902. They now reside in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The third member of the family was Jacob Crist, the father of our subject. For his second wife David C'rist chose Lucinda Blevins, a native of Greene county, Illinois, and they had four caldren but all ched young, the eldest be-
ing but six years of age. The third wife of David Crist was Sarah Campbell, a na- tive of Greene county, who died in 1880, ten years prior to her husband's death. David Crist, although not a member of any church, was a man of high principles and upright life, commanding the respect and confidence of all who knew him. His political alle- giance was given the Democracy.
Jacob Crist, father of our subject, was born in 1845, on the old home farm near Roodhouse and in the summer months as- sisted in its cultivation, while in the winter seasons he attended the public schools, being thus engaged until eighteen years of age, when in the winter of 1864-5 he was em- ployed in Platteville, Wisconsin. He then returned to the farm and in November, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Wales, who was born in 1847, and was descended from an old New England family. Her father, Harman Wales, was born in the state of New York and was mar- ried there to Lydia Anderson, who is now living in Atchison, Kansas. He brought his family to Illinois when his daughter. Mrs. Eliza Crist, was but eight years of age. His death occurred in 1892.
Mr. Crist had a house built and fur- nished before his marriage and he at once took his bride to the home that he had pre- pared. For thirty-three years they resided upon the old homestead farm in Greene county, and then removed to Jacksonville. Illinois, where they remained for a year, and then came to Roodhouse, where they made their home until 1903. since which time they have been residents of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Mr. Crist is a Democrat in his political affili- ation and while living in Roodhouse town- ship he served as assessor for many years and was also justice of the peace for a long
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period. He engaged in teaching school for fifteen years and was.always deeply and act ively interested in the work of public educa- tion. He has always kept well informed on the political questions and issues of the day and in matters of citizenship has ever been helpful and public-spirited. He has long held membership in the Christian church. U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Crist have been born six children : Mrs. Louisa Wyatt, a widow. who has one child, Harold, and resides with her parents : Charles H. : Carrie, the wife of J. H. Harp, who is engaged in clerking in Roodhouse: Mary, at home; Fannie, now Mrs. I. E. Rawlins, living near MeCloud. Oklahoma ; and Frank, who is living in Mc- Cloud. The father was the owner of an ex- cellent farm of two hundred acres in this county and now owns two hundred and forty acres in Oklahoma, but leaves the act ive work of the farm to his children there.
Charles H. Crist was reared on the old home farm, pursued his early education in the public schools and continued his studies in the high school of Roodhouse, but did not graduate. After completing his course of study, he engaged in farming. In 1899 he removed to the old homestead farm, which he operated for three years, when it was sokl. prior to the removal of his parents to Okla- homa. In 1903 he entered the hardware business, becoming a member of the firm of Ludlum & Crist. Although but four years have passed since the establishment of the business by Mr. Ludlum, the senior member of the firm, they enjoy a trade second to none in the town. Their location is espe- cially advantageous, for they are situated on the northeast corner of the square. Their business policy commends them to the pub- lic patronage and their trade is constantly increasing.
Politically Mr. Crist was formerly identi- fied with the People's party, but is now in- dependent in politics. He was married Oc- tober 11, 1893, to Miss Loodie Nichols, who was born in Macoupin county, Ilinois, and was educated in White Hall and Roodhouse. completing the high school course in the Inatter place by graduation with the class of 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Crist are widely known and their pleasant home in Roodhouse is noted for its pleasing and generous hospi- tality. Mr. Crist, although one of the younger merchants here, is classed with the leading business men and in the conduct of his mercantile interests displays marked en- terprise and ability.
JAMES W. CASEY.
James W. Casey, now engaged in the gro- cery business in Roodhouse, where he has made his home for more than a third of a century, and who for a long period was actively connected with railroad service, is a native of Marion county, Ohio, born on the 30th of June, 1833. The Casey family is of Irish lineage. His grandfather, Daniel Casey, was a native of Ireland and after liv- ing for some time in Maryland and Virginia. removed to Ohio, his death occurring in Iberia, of the latter state. His wife was Nancy Francis.
William Casey, father of James W. Casey, was born in Maryland, in January, 1802. but was reared in Virginia. He mar- ried Sarah Campbell, who was of Scotch descent and was born in Tennessee in 1805. Her parents were James and Mary ( Jack- son ) Campbell, and the former died in Jef- ferson county, Ohio, in 1840. while the lat-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
ter died in 1856. William Casey passed away February 2, 1893. while his wife's death occurred December 28, 1846.
To the public school system of his native state James W. Casey is indebted for the edu- cational advantages he enjoyed in his youth. For thirty-five years he was connected with the operative department of the railroad serv- ice as locomotive engineer. He was first connected with the Rock Island Railroad Company for two years, then with the Wa- bash Company for a year, and later entered the employ of the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, with which he continued for thir- ty-two years, working over its entire system and retiring in 1897. He was one of its most trusted and reliable employes, with a just appreciation of the great responsibility that devolved upon him as the custodian of human life, and his fidelity to duty was the distinguishing feature in his business career. On leaving the employ of the railroad he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, establishing a grocery store in Roodhouse, where he has since conducted a profitable enterprise.
Mr. Casey has lived in Roodhouse for thirty-three years, coming here in 1872 when there were only ten houses in the town and there was only a sidetrack here, with room for seven cars. He is a prominent member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engin- cers and is now chief of local division, No. 220. He has been a member of the board of adjustment and representative to six of the national conventions. He has been sec- retary of the insurance department of the Meal division for nine years and is very pop- ular m radroad circles ever laboring for the welfare of those connected with the order. Hi- political views are in accord with the pri cople of Delnocracy.
On the 10th of November. 1861, Mr. Casey was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet George, who was born in Ohio. They have eight children : Mabel C., who in 1896 was married to Alonzo Griffin, of Granite City, Ilinois, and has one son, Walter C .; Walter S., a locomotive engineer of Spring- field, Missouri; Isolin, who married C. A. Timlin, of Chicago; William E., who is married and has two children ; Minnie L., the wife of W. A. Aldridge, of Rock Isl- and, Illinois, by whom she has one son. Wil- liam J .; Donizetta, who married C. A. Dra- per, of Roodhouse; Amazion B., living in Chicago; and Florence V., who married H. M. Israel and they reside in Granite City. They have one son, also named William J.
EDWARD CLIFTON PEGRAM, M. D.
Dr. Edward Clifton Pegram, deceased, was born in Woody, Greene county, Illinois, October 12, 1875, and was a son of E. B. and Rosalia (Watson) Pegram. After attending the Woody school for a number of years, he became a pupil in the Carrollton high school and later entered the North- western University at Evanston, Illinois, as a student in the preparatory department. Subsequently he pursued a thorough course at Rush Medical College, Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1896, and in August of the same year he located at Dun- can. Mississippi, where he succeeded in building up a remunerative prac.ice ere his death. He died in 1899 at the age of twenty- three years, eight months and two days.
The Doctor was a young man of great energy and seemed to display special adapta- tion for the practice of medicine and was
DR. E. C. PEGRAM.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
winning marked success and an enviable rep utation in the place he had chosen as his field of labor. Ilis death came as a great blow to his parents and family and was also deeply regretted by many friends both in Greene county and in the south where he had located.
JOHN A. BOEHM.
John A. Boehm is one of the leading citizens of foreign birth who have found in America the opportunities they sought for advancement along business lines. Mr. Boehm was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1825. his parents being John and Margaret ( Kinter ) Boelmm, who were married in Ba varia in 1815. The father was a shoemaker and also served as land agent for the German government for ten years. He came to the United States in 1838, locating in Belleville, Illinois, where two years later he was joined by his family. Because he came on a "visit" and did not return the German government confiscated his estate in that country. . Ilis fannly afterward soll all of their household effects, including a number of fine musical instruments ( violins of great value ) and thus secured the money necessary to pay the passage of the mother and children to the new world, save that John Boehm sent one hundred dollars for this purpose. They ar- rived in St. Louis in January, 1841. On the long voyage a brother of our subject. also named John, was ill, but he recovered his health and served in the Mexican war. The father continued to reside at Belleville. Illinois, until his death, which occurred in 1843, when the subject of this review was eighteen years of age. In the family were nine brothers and sisters, all born in Ger-
many. Three ched m mianes, but the offers came to America, namely : Margaret, Con- nigunto, Christopher, Christina, John and Frank. Of this number Margaret died in 1849, at the age of thirty-four years, leav- ing a daughter. Connigunto died in Peoria in 1884, at the age of sixty-nine years. Christina, now Mrs. Lanman, lives in Se dlalia, Missouri, and has eight children. Christopher made his home in Missouri un- til his death, which occurred in 1874. when he was sixty years of age. John died in Missouri at the age of sixty-two years, leaving a family. Frank died in 1876. Hle had been appointed master of the Seventh corps of the state militia.
John A. Boehm was granted good educa- tional privileges in his native country and when a boy he was noted for his skill as a neat, legible penman and bookkeeper, his father requiring him to do the clerical work in making out the reports for the govern- ment during the ten years that he served as land agent for Germany. He was also at- tendant under the various priests under whose jurisdiction he served and his pro- ficiency in his duties was warmly com- mended. Ile accompanied his parents 10 the new world and later he removed to Fay- ette, Missouri. Subsequently, however, he returned from Missouri to Morgan county. Ilinois, where he lived for a few years and afterward settled in Madison county, this state. His next home was in Pike county, followel by a residence in Woodford county and in 1858 he came to Greene county. where he opened hus shoe store and shep which he still emducts. This life has been one of untiring activity and m all of his busi- ness career his labors have been characterized by unfaltering diligence and perseverince.
In January, 1840. Mr. Boehm was united
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
in marriage to Miss Frances Elizabeth Rourk, a daughter of Timothy and Nancy ( Wriston) Rourk. Her parents were na- tives of Tennessee and came to Illinois in 1823. her father dying of consumption while in Springfield. Mrs. Boehm was born in Morgan county, Illinois, in 1827, and by this marriage there are ten children : Frank, born in St. Louis, in 1848; Robert C., who was born in Woodford county, Illinois, in 1850, and is now postmaster of White Hall; John, who was born in 1852, in Pekin, Illi- nois : Jennie, who was born in Bloomington, Illinois, and became the wife of a Mr. Rich, her death occurring in 1901 in Chicago, she leaving two children; Thomas, who died at the age of six years; Mary, who died at the age of two years; Theodore, who died at the age of six months; Charles E., who was born in March, 1857; William A., who was born in 1860 and is now chief clerk in a large jewelry establishment in St. Louis, Mis- souri : and Lena, who was born in 1868 and is at home. The second son, Robert C., married Matilda Mann, and they have three children : Clyde, Harry and Lillian. Their mother was a niece of E. V. Baldwin, who die I in 1904, and made Clyde executor of the estate, although he is but a young man.
In his political views Mr. Boehm is a stalwart Republican. In the early days he was acquainted with both Douglas and Lin- coln and at different times voted for each, but he became a stanch Republican and has adways adhered to the party. He was offered the postoffice at Edwardsville, but has never sought or desired political prefer- ment, content to do his duty as a private citi- zen. He was long a member of the Catho- In church and for twenty years was a meni. ber of the Odd Fellows Society. Now in Uns eightieth vear he has discontinued active
connection therewith. His life has been well. spent, characterized by activity and industry in business, and throughout the long years of his residence in Greene county he has en- joyed the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated. He pos- sesses many of the sterling characteristics of his German ancestry and is numbered. among the valued adopted sons of Illinois.
ANDREW J. LAWSON.
Andrew J. Lawson, who is connected: with industrial interests in White Hall, where he is following the carpenter's trade. was born September 12, 1844, in Tennessee. His paternal grandfather, Jesse Lawson, father, Jesse Lawson, was of Scotch lineage was of Scotch lineage. The father, John Lawson, after arriving at years of maturity married a daughter of William Miller, who was of Holland-Dutch lineage. Andrew J. Lawson pursued his education in the pub- lic schools of his native county and there re- mained until the beginning of the Civil war. He came to White Hall in 1863, but previous to this time he had enlisted as a soldier in Company E, Twenty-eighth Tennessee In- fantry. He was captured in Kentucky, was. brought to Louisville and there released on parole, after which he made his way north- ward, establishing his home in Greene. county. He became a resident of White- Hall in 1871 and has lived here continuously since, following the occupation of carpenter- ing, to which he was reared.
On the 16th of June, 1872, Mr. Lawson was united in marriage to Miss Amanda J. Aldridge, a daughter of William . Aldridge, a native of Tennessee. They have six chil-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
dren : Mary J., Clarissa, Mbert. Eva, Lydia and William. The eldest daughter is the wife of James England and they have one child. Clarissa is the wife of John \xley and they have two chikIren.
Mr. Lawson exercised his right of fran chise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy, but has never been an aspir- ant for public office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business affairs. He is a man of more than ordinary intelli- gence, honesty and industry and has made for himself an excellent reputation during the third of a century in which he has been a resident of White Ilall.
JOSEPH C. WIESER.
Joseph C. Wieser, a jeweler and watch- maker at Roodhouse, was born in Bavaria, Germany, January 26, 1830. He attended the public schools of his native land and afterward received private instruction in Latin. Later he attended a polytechnic school at Amberg, where he was graduated with the class of 1843. Ile afterward spent three years in learning the jeweler's and watchmaker's trade completing his appren- ticeship in 1847. The following year he en- listed in the German uprising or rebellion against Brigadier-General Franz Seigel, of the regular army, but the movement did not prove successful and the sokliers who fought against the government were obliged to flee. Mr. Wieser made his way to France but afterward returned to Germany for his dis- charge from the army and soon afterward followed his former commander. General Seigel, to America and like him fought in the Civil war.
It was in 1850 that Mr. Wieser sailed from the fatherland and after thirty-six days spent upon the water landed at New York, whence he afterward made his way westward to St. Louis m 1853. A year later he went to Jerseyville, Illinois, where he also spent a year and then removed to Win- chester, Illinois, where he resided until 1879. since which time he has made his home in Roodhouse. While living in Winchester. Mr. Wieser enlisted, in 1862, in defense of the Union cause, becoming a member of Company Il. One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Illinois Infantry. He served as a pri- vate for a year and was then detailed to act as bugler at headquarters. He also worked at his trade to some extent while in the army. Ile was in the Army of the Cumberland un- der General Joseph Hooker, with the Twen- tieth Corps, participated in a number of en- gagements, went with Sherman on the cele- I rated march to the sea, was in the grand review in Washington, and received his final lischarge at Camp Fry, in Chicago, march- ing all the way there from the capital city in the fall of 1865. After the war was over Mr. Wieser returned to Winchester. Illi- nois, where he remained until 1879, when he came to Roodhouse, where he is now en- gaged in business as a jeweler and watch- maker. He has superior skill in the latter line and is doing an excellent repair business. Ile also carries a well selected stock of jew- elry and is enjoying a gratifying patronage. while his business methods and principles commend him to the generous support and trust of the public.
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