USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 64
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
In 1856 Mr. Wieser was married to Miss Margaret E. Van Winkle, a daughter of Voner Van Winkle, and a native of Montt- cello county, Kentucky. They were the parents of two children : Sylvester. who
59.4
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
was born in 1858, married Annie Ewen and is a resident farmer of Scott county, Illi- nois ; and Homer J., born in 1862, is now engaged in the jewelry and watch-making business in California. For his second wife Joseph C. Wieser chose Miss Mary Long- necker, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy Longnecker, natives of Pennsylvania, who now reside in Winchester, Illinois. They have seven children : Nannie, who was edu- cated in the Valparaiso Normal School of Indiana, was for fifteen years a successful and competent teacher, filling positions in the schools of Winchester and of Roodhouse, and is now the wife of Carl Savage, who is acting as a salesman in the store of Gilmore & Jordan at Roodhouse; F. J. resides in St. Louis: Nellie is at home; Lutie, who . was also a student in the Valparaiso Normal School, engaged in teaching for three years in Winchester and for three years has been a teacher in Roodhouse: Joseph C. is in St. Louis : and Charles E. and Ella, twins, were born in December, 1886. The son has been attending school in St. Louis since the Ist of October, 1904, and the daughter was graduated from the high school of Rood- house in 1904. Nearly all of the older mem- bers of the family have also been graduated from the high school of Roodhouse. Mr. Wieser has provided his children with ex- cellent school privileges, fully appreci- ating the value of education.
The family are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and Mr. Wieser is a Democrat in his political views. He is a men ber of the Grand Army of the Republic :001 1 1856 he was nride a member of the LidlesenTent Order of Odd Fellows at Win- de tel. With which he still affiliates. He bemof all the offices in the lodge there and wo olenif time been representative to the
grand lodge. In 1858 he was made a Mason at Winchester and in 1879 he demitted and became a charter member of E. M. Husted Lodge, A. F. & A. M., in Roodhouse. He also belongs to the chapter and commandery in Jacksonville. He is now senior warden in the local lodge and has been past master. He is in hearty sympathy with the teachings and tenets of the craft and is a man honored in business and in citizenship as well as in fraternal and social circles. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to seek a home in the new world for he has found business conditions that he could utilize and while acquiring a comfortable competence through his well directed com- mercial efforts he has enjoyed the benefits of a life in a free country. As a citizen he has always been loyal to his adopted land and her institutions and he rendered to the country signal service at the time of the Civil war.
ALONZO M. HANNAFORD.
Alonzo M. Hannaford, who is serving as police magistrate at Roodhouse, was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, July 1, 1842, his parents being James and Rebecca (Bennet) Hannaford. The father was born in Peter- boro, New Hampshire, in 1801, and died there at the venerable age of ninety-nine years. When a young man he went to Lowell, Massachusetts, where he entered the employ of the Merrimac Manufacturing Company, controlling a cotton manufactur- ing plant, and, working his way upward, he eventually became superintendent. Ile was afterward sent to Macon, Georgia, as the representative of the company, and after
595
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
two years he returned to Lowell, where he remained until 1857, when he again became a resident of Peterboro, New Hampshire. living at the old homestead, where he died in 1900.
Alonzo M. Hannaford was educated in the public schools and when a youth of fif- teen years enlisted in the United States Navy on the frigate Independence, as wardroom boy, thus serving until 1861. when he en- listed in the Second New Hampshire Volun teer Infantry. He joined this command on the 26th of April and was with the Army of the Potomac for three years. He was wounded at Williamsburg. on the 5th of May. 1862, and again at Gettysburg, on the 2d of July. 1863. He participated in twen- ty-seven battles and twelve skirmishes and was mustered out at Concord, New Hamp- shire, June 21. 1864. In the same year. as a civilian, he entered the quartermaster's department. where he remained until May 19. 1865.
In August. 1866. Mr. Hannaford be- came connected with railroad operation at Cleveland, Ohio, as a fireman. In May. 1867, he became an employe of the Chicago & Alton Railroad and the following year located in Jacksonville, Illinois. He has been a resident of Roodhouse since 1877. lle remained in the active service of the railroad company until he was obliged to retire on account of physical disability brought on by his service in the Civil war.
Mr. Hannaford is quite prominent in fraternal circles. He is a member of E. M. Husted Lodge. A. F. & A. M., of which he has served as secretary since 1900. Since 1802 he has been first assistant engineer of Division 220. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and is commander of Jacob Fry Post. No. 193. G. A. R. His political alle-
grince is unfalteringly given ile Repuldo an party and in 1897 he was elected pence of the peace, in which position he servel for one term. He was then chosen police mag- istrate and re elected in 1904 for a term of four years, in a Democratic precinct. llis personal worth and popularity are widely acknowledged and as an officer he is as true to his duties as he was to his country when he followed her banners upon the battlefields of the south.
On the 5th of February. 1868. Mr. Han- naford was married to Miss Mary .A. Swan, a daughter of Charles A. Swan, formerly foreman of the roundhouse at Roodhouse. At the time of her marriage Mrs. Hannaford was a resident of Cleveland, Ohio. Unto them have been born thirteen children : Frank G. is now living on a ranch twenty miles from Texarkana. Texas: Charles 1., who is now following railroading, lives in Rood- house and is married and has six children : Arthur B. is at San Bernardino, California ; Henry B. is at Springfield in the employ of the Chicago. Peoria & St. Louis Railroad Company : Maud B. is at home; Gertie M. and Adelaide M. are also with their parents ; James R. died in 1898: George W., Oscar M .. Clara and Jessie are all at home : and one child died in infancy. Gertie and George are graduates of the high school of Rood- house.
Mr. Hannaford had meager educational privileges but his travels and experiences have made him a man of intelligence and wide observation has added largely to his knowledge. He is very popular in railroad circles in Roodhouse and Ins many sterling traits of manhood have gained for him the regard and friendship of a large majority of those with whom business, political and social relations have brought him in contact
596
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
WILLIAM A. WINN.
The business interests of White Hall find a worthy representative in William A. Winn, who is superintendent of the electric light and power plant. He was born No- vember 9. 1856, at or near Carrollton, in this county. . His ancestors are of Welsh lineage in the paternal line and at an early period in the development of the new world the Winn family was established in what is now West Virginia. The great-grandpar- ents of our subject were William and Eliza- beth ( Ford) Winn, the former born in Wales, while the Fords were of Scotch origin and representatives of the name emi- grated to America. Mr. and Mrs. Winn, crossing the Atlantic to the new world, es- tablished their home near Richmond, Vir- ginia, where they spent their remaining days. Their son, William Winn, Jr., the grand- father of our subject, was born in Richmond, Virginia, May 17, 1803, and emigrated to Lexington, Kentucky, where he resided for a short time. He afterward took up his abode in the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio, where on the 3d of March, 1825, he was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Osborne, a daughter of .Aaron and Eleanor ( Frazier) Osborne. Her father died in Grandview, Indiana, at the advanced age of one hundred and four years and his wife passed away in Ohio. After their marriage William and Phoebe Winn became residents of Indiana. -ettling near Rising Sun, where they re- mained until 1829, when they came to Greene county, Illinois, casting in their lot with its curly residents. Her father secured a tract of land which William Winn developed into a productive farm, making his home thereon until Ins death, which occurred November 27. 1867, while his wife passed away .April
22, 1858. Their remains were interred in Ridgewood cemetery and in their demise the county lost two of its representative pioneer residents.
George W. Winn, father of our subject, was born near Rising Sun, Indiana, May 3, 1827, and was therefore but two years of age when his parents removed to Illinois. His educational privileges were limited. He attended school in a building erected of round logs and his principal text-book was the Webster speller. In early life he learned the blacksmith's trade, serving a regular ap- prenticeship and becoming a superior work- man. He followed that pursuit until after the outbreak of the Civil war. He was mar- ried three times. On the 30th of April, 1849, he had wedded Mary A. Tucker, whose death occurred August 3, 1852. She left one child, John A., born March 29, 1850. On the 3d of November, 1852, Mr. Winn married Sarah Tucker, a sister, of his first wife, and their only son is William A. of this review. The mother died February 7, 1859. The patriotic spirit of George Winn was aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union and he enlisted as a member of Company I, Ninety- first Illinois Infantry. He was detailed to do general ward service in the hos- pital at St. Louis. While he was there his two little children died and his wife then became connected with the army as a nurse. thus aiding in the relief of the wounded boys in blue. It was on the 20th of October. 1859, that George W. Winn had married Miss Mary C. Boggess, who was a daughter of Madison and Elizabeth ( Reddin) Boggess. Iler people had come to Carrollton in the summer of 1818 and her father there fol- lowed the trade of wagon-making. He was a native of Kentucky and belonged to a sur-
597
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
veying party at the time he established his home in Hlinois. Here he took an active part in the pioneer development of the state and served his country as a soldier in the Black Ilawk war. His death occurred June 7. 1877, and his wife passed away in January. 1854. Their daughter, Mary C., became the third wife of George Winn, and they had the following children : James M., Charles D., Mary E., Julia E., Craig Walter and one that died in infancy.
After the Civil war George W. Winn re- turned to Greene county and in connection with his brother. Richard B. Winn. estab- lished the Carrollton Machine shop, which they successfully conducted until- 1877. when they removed to White Hall. Here they started the foundry and machine shop and in conducting this business met with very gratifying success, George W. Winn re- maining at the head of the enterprise until his death, which occurred in the year 1896. lle was a very temperate man, never using liquor or tobacco in any form, nor was he ever heard to use profane language. Ile was a devoted and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, was a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Grand Army of the Republic and enjoyed in high measure the regard of his brethren of this organization. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and he was one who at all times was true to his honest con- victions and loyal in advocacy of what he lelieved to be right. His name was a syn- onym for integrity and straightforward dlealing and he commanded the unqualified confidence of friends, neighbors and busi ness associates.
William A. Winn spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Carrollton, acquiring his education in its public schools and in
1877 when in his Twenty-first year he Gime to WInte Hall. He had previously learnel the machinist's trade and here he entered the employ of his father and uncle, with whom he continued from 1877 until 1895. His uncle died in May, 1903, and William .A. Winn and his brother. G. E. Winn, then took charge of the partnership property. which they conducted for fourteen months. On the expiration of that period it was pur chased by Mrs. R. B. Winn, who still owns it. Mr. Winn of this review accepted the superintendency of the White Hall electric light and power plant and has since remained in that position, giving excellent satisfaction to the stockholders of the company by his capable service and progressive manage- mient.
In 1879 Mr. Winn was united in mar- riage to Miss Chira B. Wright, a native of Greene county, e lucated in White Hall and a daughter of Lyman C. and Caroline ( Pierce ) Wright. They have four children : George L., born in March, 1881: Clarence C. in July. 1883: Vera, September 16, 1885; and Bennett. August 14. 1895. The eldest son married Etta Hamilton, who was born in Bryansboro, Kentucky, and is a daugh- ter of W. B. Hamilton. This marriage was celebrated in 1904. George L. is now in business with his father as assistant superin- tendent of the electric light and power plant of White Hall. The elder children of the family are graduates of the White Hall high school, George having completed the course in 1800, Clarence in 1903, and Vera in 1904. Mr. Winn exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Re- publican party, but is not an active partisan, although his fitness for office is recognized as is his loyalty in matters of citizenship. He was "i member of the city council from 1895 until
598
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
1897 and he has served for three terms as a member of the White Hall school board. Fraternally he is a Mason. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is now serving as a trustee. Moral development, educa- tional progress and the material upbuilding of his town are all causes dear to his heart and his co-operation may be counted upon when he can aid in advancing measures for the benefit of his community.
WILLLIAM WITHERS.
William Withers, who at one time was engaged in general farming in Greene county and now resides at Mineral Wells, Texas, was born in Garrard county, Ken- tucky. October 27, 1819. His paternal grandfather was William Withers, of Vir- ginia. The father, Abijah Withers, was born November 27, 1783, and died in 1823. He was a farmer by occupation but was skilled in many trades. He married Clara Bruce, who was born April 1, 1786, and died in 1823. She was a daughter of John Bruce, a native of Virginia and a soldier of the Rev- olutionary war. When an infant she was carried from Virginia to Kentucky, in 1787, by her mother, who rode horseback, follow- ing the Indian trails over the mountains. .
William Withers attended the subscrip- tion schools of Kentucky, studying the usual branches of English learning and also sur- veying. He was seventeen years of age when he began farming in Garrard county, Kentucky, owning some land and some ne- groes there. Ile was married April 10. 1837. to Elizabeth Bruce, a daughter of the
Hon. Horatio Bruce, a prominent lawyer of Kentucky, and in 1846 they removed to Greene county, Ilinois, Mr. Withers pur- chasing a farm on Apple Creek prairie, near White Hall, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. There he resided for about nine years, when he sold that property and removed to a farm near Carrollton, Illi- nois, which he purchased in 1855. In 1859 he sold that farm and began conducting a general store in Carrollton, but his liberal spirit led him to give credit to so many people that he soon found that his capital was scattered all over the county and he was unable to recover much of it. Accordingly he sold his store in 1866 and bought a small farm and vineyard in Champaign county, Illinois, where he resided until 1879, when he removed to Mineral Wells, Texas, where he now resides.
Mr. Withers has never held nor sought office. He was a Whig and afterward a Democrat in politics. He has always lived a peaceable and orderly life, his word being as good as his bond, while all who know him respect him. He was made a Master Mason in 1855 and he has been a member of the Christian church or Church of the Disciples for fifty-five years.
Mr. Withers was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife March 13, 1903, her death occurring at their home in Mineral Wells, Texas. They reared six children to be grown, namely: H. C. Withers, Dr. H. B. Withers, Z. T. Withers, Mrs. Eliza B. Baker, George M. Withers and Mrs. Clara Parker. Mrs. Baker died in 1890, leaving four sons, but all of the others are now liv- ing. They have thirty-four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren now living. Mr. Withers is yet remembered by many of the early settlers of Greene county, whose
WELLAM WITHERS
65t
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
acquaintance he formel during the years in which he was e nnected with its agricultural and commercial interests.
WILLIAM J. KREIDER.
William J. Kreider, whose business qual- ification and accommodating manner have already made him one of the representative citizens of Roodhouse, although he has made his home here only since 1903. is proprietor of the electric light and power plant, and his education well fitted him for the conduct of an enterprise of this character. He was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, June 2. 1877 .. His paternal grandfather was Michael Zimmer- man Kreider, who became a resident of Illi- nois. His wife, who was born in 1800, died in Jacksonville, in 1886. Their son, Ed- mund C. Kreider, father of our subject. is a very prominent citizen of Jacksonville, where he is now serving as postmaster. He married a Miss McDowell, a daughter of John T. MeDowell, who was a native of Ohio and lived and died in Portsmouth, that state.
Following the mastery of the elementary branches of learning in the public schools of his native city. William Kreider entered Illinois College, at Jacksonville, from which he was graduated with the class of 1800. Subsequently he matriculated in Illinois University, completing his studies there by graduation in 1807. He was thus well pre- pared for the responsible duties of life, hay - ing completed a full scientific course and a course in civil engineering, and he then re- turned to Jacksonville. In September. 1903. he came to Roodhouse and purchase 1 the electric light plant from W. P. Gilmore
putting it in excellent repair, adding new machinery and otherwise improving it, but already it has become too small for the de- mrunds of a constantly increasing patronage, and a new plint will soon be added. Mr. Kreider employs several men and also gives his personal supervision and assistance to the business, for which he is thoroughly qualified, understanding the practical work ings as well as the great scientific principles which underlie the business.
On the 30th of June. 1903. Mr. Kreider was married to Miss Nellie C. Hall, a daugh- ter of John II. and Elizabeth ( Holmes) Hall. She was born at Barry, Pike county, Illinois, and they now have one son, Howard Clinton Kreider, born September 13. 1904. They are members of the Methodist Episc - pal church of Roodhouse and Mr. Kreider belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, while in his political views he is a Republi- can. Concentrating his energies upon his business, he is meeting with the success which is the goal of all business endeaver.
H. L. MCFARLAND.
H. L. MeFarland, one of the well-known representatives of industrial interests in White Ilall, where he is engaged in wagen- making and I lacksmithing, was born in Cape Girardem county. Missouri, on the 24th di May. 1843, and, as the name indicates, is ni Scotch lineage. His grandfather was Reuben MeFarland, and his parents were H. C. and Elizabeth R. (Robinson ) Me Farland, the latter a daughter of Philip R and Mary ( Moore) Robinson. Her father was born February 20, 1797. and removel frem Kentucky to Indiana. Ile diel Sep-
30
602
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
tember 16, 1875, and his wife, who was born March 4, 1801, died September 24, 1859. The parents of Mr. McFarland removed from Cape Girardeau to St. Francis county, Missouri. The father died in 1886, but the mother is still living and makes her home with her son, H. L. McFarland.
In the public schools of St. Francis county, Missouri, H. L. McFarland acquired his education and while there he also served a six months' apprenticeship to the trades of wagon-making and blacksmithing. In 1864, while his parents were residing in Washing- ton county, Missouri, and he was working at the blacksmith's trade, it was learned that General Price was at Pilot Knob. Fearing for him, his mother told him she wanted him to get away at once. A neighbor desiring to ship sixty mules to St. Louis, Mr. McFar- land agreed to take the mules if his expenses were paid. While in St. Louis he heard of a position which he could secure in White Hall, Illinois, and made his way by train to Godfrey and thence by stage to Carrollton, where he worked for a short time. He then came to White Hall and entered the employ of John Higbee. in his wagon and blacksmith shop. For thirteen and a half years he remained in that position and then began business on his own account. In 1870 he bought his house for seven hundred dollars, making only a partial payment, but one by one he has paid off the notes and he now has a comfortable home.
On the ist of March, 1871, Mr. McFar- land married Miss Mary J. Amos, a native of White Hall. They have had four children : 1. A., Nellie -1 .. 11. . A., and C. A. Two of the sons have gained fame in the baseball world. C. A. is the noted pitcher of the Cardinals, the St. Louis professional baseball players of the national league. He began
to play on the commons at White Hall, and became a professional in 1896, first with the Des Moines club, afterward with the New York club, and is now with the St. Louis team. He has gained renown as a pitcher and has gained a wide reputation throughout the country. He married Nettie Hocking, of Jacksonville, Illinois, where her father has conducted a hotel for many years. They now reside in St. Louis and they have one child, Mary Eugenia. L. A. McFarland is also a professional base ball player. He entered the national league and was with Anson of Chicago in 1896. He has played at different times with the teams of Fort Worth, Louisville, Cedar Rapids. Youngs- town and Toronto. In 1903 he became man- ager of the Decatur club, one of the best of the "3-I" league, starting in as pitcher but playing at any position. He is a favorite with the friends of base ball. H. A. Mc- Farland, residing in St. Louis, has been in the employ of Swift & Company, but at the time of the recent strike, in 1904, he entered the employ of the Stickney Cigar Company. He was married in ICOI to Edna, daughter of H. S. Avery, a popular merchant of White Hall. They reside in East St. Louis.
Mr. McFarland was reared in the Pres- byterian church and has been a member of its choir, but does not belong to the church. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. In his political affili- ations he is a Democrat. He is a man of strong will and good common sense. At one time, acceding to his wife's request, he gave up drinking, although he had been used to the habit for years, and his strong purpose has enabled him to persevere in this course. He is equally loyal to everything that he be- lieves to be right and he is one of the much respected citizens of White Hall, where he has
603
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
carried on business for about forty years. Ilis word is as "good as gold," and all who know him have implicit confidence in him. and respect him for what he has accom- plished in the way of character-building and the acquirement of a competence.
JOHN A. BALDWIN.
John A. Baldwin, one of the prosperous and prominent farmers and stockraisers of Greene county, after almost fifty years' resi- dence in this county, feels perfectly satisfied with Illinois as a place of residence, appreciating its advantages and business opportunities, and through the careful direction of his individual interests, adding to the general prosperity and upbuilding of the community, especially along agricultural lines. He was born in White Hall township. June 26, 1855. a son of Benjamin F. and Hannah (Severs) Baldwin. llis paternal grandfather, Benjamin Baldwin, Sr., was the founder of the family in this state, com- ing to Illinois from Marion county, Ohio. He was a splendid type of the self-made man, for though he started out in life empty- handed he accumulated several thousand acres of land in Illinois and also left to his son Benjamin a tract of eighty acres in Ohio. He possessed splendid business ability and keen discernment, which enabled him to make judicious investments, and as the years passed he became one of the most ex- tensive landowners in this part of the state.
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.