USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 68
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Society, and through the interchange of thought and experiences he has added to his knowledge and thereby increased his effi- ciency in practice.
On the 24th of May, 1903, Dr. Gooch was united in marriage to Miss Tempest Johnstone, a native of Kentucky. Dr. Gooch belongs to the Masonic fraternity and in his life has many times exemplified the beneficent, helpful spirit of the craft. He is a man of broad sympathy, which supple- menting his strong intellectual force and careful preparation for his profession, has made him a skilled physician, commanding a practice of large proportions in his adopted city.
JOHN L. KESINGER. .
John L. Kesinger, living on section 8, Rubicon township, is a practical, energetic farmer and stock-raiser. He was born in Wrights township, this county, January 4, 1858, and is a representative of an old Ken- tucky family. His paternal grandfather, Daniel Kesinger, was a native of Kentucky and in 1844 came with his family to Illinois, .ettling in Greene county among its pioneer residents. His son, William Kesinger, father of our subject, was born in Hart county. Kentucky, in 1830, and was there- fore a lad of fourteen years when the family removed to Illinois. He was reared in Greene county, assisting in the arduous task of de eloping a new farm and sharing with Te fanfly mn all the hardships and trials as well as the pleisure, of pioneer life. When .. Lol .ptconed hi- majority he began farm- og so tock rating on his own account and 161 many dear Weel in Wrights township. bogen. @fit re pecte l agriculturists. Ile
married Cassandra Davidson, a native of Greene county, and his death occurred July 8, 1904, while his wife passed away in July, 1903.
John L. Kesinger was reared upon the old home farm in Greene county and obtained his education in the schools of Wrightsville. He received practical training in agricultural work under the direction of his father and with him remained until he had attained his majority. After his marriage he located on the home place and continued to farm there for several years. About 1887 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, where he now resides, and taking up his abode thereon has since given his attention to its further improvement. He built a good neat residence, which is surrounded by a well kept lawn inclosed within a good fence. There are ample outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and good modern ma- chinery is used in cultivating the fields. Mr. Kesinger has likewise planted an orchard and, in fact, all the modern equipments of a model farm are found upon his place. He. bought seventy-seven and a half acres ad- joining his farm and also a tract of forty acres devoted to pasture lands and covered with timber in Wrights township. He an- nually harvests good crops and at the same time he raises, feeds and fattens stock, ship- ping about two carloads of steers each year, together with a number of hogs. His busi- ness affairs have been capably conducted and in no transaction has he been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow- men, but is always straightforward and hon- orable.
In 1878 Mr. Kesinger was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Bethard, a native of Greene county, born near Wrightsville and a daughter of J. C. Bethard, formerly of
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Marion county, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Konger have four children : Lula, James Wilham, Troy and Lyme.
Mr. Kesinger, whose worth and capa- Inlity have been recognized by his fellow- townsmen, has been called to several local positions. Ile was elected and served for three years as highway commissioner and for one year as township collector. He has always been a stanch Democrat since casting his first presidential ballot for Grover Cleve- land and he has been a delegate to the county and state conventions. Hle and his wife belong to Hickory Grove Baptist church and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp. Ilis life has been well spent in hon orable labor, and a genial manner and ster- ling worth have gained for him the good will and friendship of many with whom he has been associated.
JAMES M. SMITH.
Jones M. Smith, whose farm of two hundred acres is pleasantly situate 1 in Linder township, about three miles from Carrollton. has been a resident of Greene county since March, 1863. He was born in Knox county. Tennessee, August 31. 1847. His father. John Smith, was also a native of Tennessee. and the grandfather. William Smith, was horn in Belfast, Ireland. The former was reared in the state of his nativity and was married there to Nancy Golston, whose birth occurred in that state. They began their de mestic life upon a farm in Knox county. Tennessee, and eight children were born to them there. In 1803 they removed to 11h- nois, settling in Greene county, where the tather spent his remaining diys.
James M. Smith went to Greene county when a youth of sixteen years and he re- maired under the parental roof until he had attained adult age. He had a fair common- school education and was thus well equipped for life's practical duties. When he had reached manhood he rented a tract of land and began farming on his own account. In 1884 he made his first purchase of land. be- coming owner of two hundred acres where he now resides. This he began to cultivate and improve and has since carried on the work of the farm with excellent results, be- ing now one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community. Ile has improved his residence, has built substantial outbuildings. and has equipped his farm with modern ac- cessories and the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields. He raises wheat, corn and other cereals, and he also raises and feeds stock, annually fattening and shipping about two carloads of cattle and two carloads of hogs. He makes a specialty of pure blo ded Poland-China hogs.
In 1874 in this county Mr. Smith was married to Miss Fannie Landis, who was born in Greene county and is a daughter of William Landis, one of the early settlers of this part of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Smith now have six children: Arthur, who is liv- ing at Carrollton : Harry, at home : Nina, the wife of llerlert David, editor of a paper at Winchester. Illinois: Grace, Laura and Philip S., all at home.
The parents are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church and Mr. Smith 15 a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Car- rolt m. He votes with the Repuldiem party md iris rever faltered in his allegiance there to since casting his first presidential hallot for U. S. Granton 1808. He has ne er " ugly or desired office for himself, but
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
served on the school board for six years. His residence in Greene county covers more than four decades, during which time he has done his full duty as a citizen, being a pub- lic-spirited man, interested in whatever tends to promote the general welfare. His business career has also been crowned with 'success and proves that prosperity may be attained through well directed and persistent effort.
WILLIAM H. STRANG.
William H. Strang, a retired farmer living in White Hall, is one of the native sons of Greene county, his birth having there occurred on the 23d of October, 1839. He is thus a representative of one of the old pioneer families and his life record has been in harmony with that of his father, who for many years aided in the substantial improve- ment of this section of the state. The Strang family had its origin in England. The grandfather, Daniel Strang, came to America from England at an early day, landing at New York, whence he afterward went to Baltimore, where he engaged in merchan- «lising for many years. It was there he was joined by his wife Sarah, who, also a native of England, had become a resident of Baltimore on crossing the At- lantic. He lived to the advanced age of eighty-nine years, while his wife was ninety years of age at the time of her death.
Solomon Strang. their son and the father of our subject, was born in Woolworth, England, in 1802, and when only three years old was brought to America. He was rered in Baltimore, Maryland, and after ar- riving at years of maturity he married Eliza Robinson, who was born in Rockkind county,
New York, a daughter of Alexander Robin- son, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Ann McNeil, was also a native of Glas- gow. At an early day Solomon Strang came to Greene county, Illinois, and here followed the occupation of farming, transforming a tract of wild land into a richly cultivated farm. He died, however, in 1847, when his son William was but eight years of age. His wife, surviving him for some time, passed away at the age of sixty-five years.
As has been indicated, William H. Strang is of English and Scotch lineage, and in his career has manifested many of the sterling traits inherited from his ancestors of the Anglo-Saxon race. He was but eight years of age at the time of his father's death. He remained, however, upon the old home- stead farm, upon which he had been born and which is still in his possession, acquiring his education in the public schools, and early becoming familiar with the labor inci- dent to field and meadow. As his age and strength increased he more and more largely assumed the management of the property until he was in full charge and for many years he successfully carried on agricultural pursuits there, placing his fields under a high state of cultivation and annually adding to his income through the sale of excellent crops. He continued the operation of his farm until 1899 and in 1903 he became a resident of White Hall, where he is now liv- ing a retired life and richly merits the rest from further business cares which he is now enjoying.
In 1866 Mr. Strang was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah Morrow, a native of this county, and they have four children : Frank who is living in Greenfield, Illinois, and is married and has five children ; Mary E., the
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
wife of M. Baldwin ; Ella, the wife of T. . 1. Giller, a resident farmer of this county, by whom she has two children; and Howard, who is living on the homestead farm.
Mr. Strang's father was a Whig in his political views and served as a delegate to the state convention of his party held at Peoria in 1844. The son has become a stanch Republican and has served as school director and supervisor of his township. but while keeping well informed on the issues of the day, he has never been an aspirant for political honors, preferring to devote his en- ergies to his business affairs, whereby he has won signal success. He is a Presbyterian in his religious faith, and his belief has prompted considerate treatment of his fel- lowmen, straightforward dealing and hon- orable conduct in all life's relations and thus gained him an unassailable reputation.
E. L. HANKS.
E. L. Hanks, who is successfully en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising in Roodhouse township, was born February 19. 1865, upon his father's farm in that township. He is a son of John and Eliza .Ann ( Roberts) Hanks. His paternal grandfather, Joshua Hanks, was a native of North Carolina and became a resident of this state when the work of setttlement had been underway for but a brief period, and as one of the pioneer residents of the state he contributed to the improvement and de- velopment of the locality in which he made his home. He was of English lineage, while the Roberts family was of Irish extraction and was founded in North Carolina at a very early day.
John Hanks was born in Madison county, Illinois, November 23, 1819, and is one of the oldest native sons of the state still living within its borders, his home being now in Roodhouse. He was reared to the occu- pation of farming, which he always followed throughout his active business career, and at an early day he purchased the land on which his son E. L. Hanks now resides. With char- acteristic energy he began its development and improvement and continued its cultiva- tion until he retired from active farm life. He has since lived in the quiet enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He married Eliza Ann Roberts, who was also born in Kentucky, in 1819, and was a daughter of Lewis Roberts, a native of Kentucky. They are the oldest married couple now living in Greene county. In their family were seven children : Lawson R., who lives in Colorado and has nine children ; Homer L., who makes his home in Scott county, Illinois, and has- four children : Henry L., who lives in Beards- town, Illinois, and has two children ; Eliza- beth, the wife of Richard Hillman, of Kan- sas, and the mother of five children; Julia Ann. the wife of Joseph McDonald, of Washington, by whom she has three chil- dren ; and Effie Loretta, the widow of Will- iam Cameron.
The other member of the family is E. L. Hanks of this review, who has spent his en- tire life in Greene county. He pursued his education in the public schools and was reared to the occupation of farming, which he has made his life work. Upon his father's retirement. he assumed the management of the old homestead property of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Roodhouse town- ship, and is carrying on general farming and stock-raising with good success.
On the 3d of January, 1892, Mr. Hanks
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
was united in marriage to Miss Eugenia Raines, a daughter of Captain Raines, and after a happy married life of nine years she died on the 23d of April, 1901, leaving two children : Helen, who was born in April, 1898, and Eugenia Kenneth, born February IO. 1901. These children are now in the family of John B. Baird, of White Hall. Mr. Hanks still remains upon his farm, hav- ing a man and woman to help him. His business interests are well conducted and his farm bears every evidence of the supervision of a thrifty and painstaking owner who is practical, yet progressive, in his business.
WALTER A. CAMPBELL.
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Walter A. Campbell, who is engaged in the grocery business in Roodhouse, was born in Greene county, southwest of White Hall, on the 18th of December. 1877, a son of G. F. and Harriet (Lewis) Campbell, who were natives of Missouri. His maternal grandfather, Jason Lewis, is a merchant of Walkerville, this county. G. F. Campbell is at present in the employ of the United States post office department, acting as mail carrier on rural route, No. I.
In the schools of Roodhouse Walter A. Campbell acquired his education and in 1899 he entered the employ of the Chicago & Uton Railroad Company, as brakesman, acting in that capacity until September 28, 1903. when he retired from that position. lle wa- for a time in the employ of the Standard Oil Company, running an oil vagon at Roodhouse, and at one time he was alo proprietor of a soda fountain and con- fectionery store. In this and other ways he preparel himself for the mercantile life in
which he is now engaged. On the Ioth of October, 1903, he opened a fine stock of new groceries at Roodhouse, at a very favor- able location and by his accommodating and courteous manner of dealing with the public he has already secured a good trade and is fast building up a large and profitable busi- ness.
On the 17th of October, 1892, Mr. Campbell was united in marriage to Miss Sue V. Goodyear, a daughter of John Good- year, of Bloomington, Illinois, and they now have one child, John Eugene, who was born March 10, 1904. Fraternally Mr. Campbell is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Tribe of Ben Hur. He af- filiates with the Methodist Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the Re- publican party, but does not desire nor seek office. He is a wide-awake young business man, possessing commendable ambition and unfaltering energy-an excellent foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of success.
WALTER A. SCOTT.
Walter A. Scott, freight brakeman at Roodhouse for the Chicago & Alton Rail- road Company, was born in this town, No- vember 27, 1877, and is a grandson of Will- jam Scott, a native of Ohio and of Scotch- Irish ancestry. Lorenzo Scott. father of our subject, was connected with the educational interest of Greene county for some years prior to his death, successfully teaching in Roodhouse. He married Alice J. Hutcher, a representative of an old Kentucky family. her grandfather having been a native of that
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
state. Mr. and Mrs. Scott became residents of Roodhouse in 1870, and soon won many friends, who held them in high esteem. In his political views Mr. Scott was a stanch Republican and was elected a justice of the peace of Roodhouse, filling that position up to the time of his death, which occurred No- vember 28, 1890, at the age of forty-four years. Ilis widow. still surviving him, yet resides in Roodhouse and is a member of the Congregational church here.
Walter A. Scott pursued his preliminary education in the schools of his native town and afterward attended the State Normal School, at Normal, Illinois, near Blooming- ton. He has been connected with the rail- road service for some time and is now freight brakeman at Roodhouse. Interested in all that pertains to the city's welfare and progress he has been the champion of many measures for the general good. He has been a member of the Baptist church here since 1899, taking an active part in its work. So- cially he is connected with the Tribe of Ben Hur and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while his political views are in ac- cord with the principles of the Republican party
On the 24th of May, 1901, Mr. Scott was nrirried to> Miss Myrtle Teeple, a daugh- ter of James and Dora ( Whiteside ) Teeple. Mr. Teeple's father was a cousin of Levi H. Whitesde. Mrs. Scott is a sister of Will- i'm 1. Teeple. of Roodhouse, and was born Apr 1 14, 1878, near White Hall. She came with her parents to Roodhouse and obtained her education in the public schools of this place. Like her husband she is a member of the Baptist church, and their work and support hive added the church materially. They have one child. Theodore B., who was born .April 20. 1902.
CONNOR CARMODY.
Connor Carmody, who is now living a retired life, gained through his own labor the competence which enables him to put aside further business cares. His life has been characterized by marked energy. diligence and strong determination and he eventually became the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred acres, which he still owns. He also has town property, including business blocks and residences.
Mr. Carmody was born in County Clare. Ireland, in 1830, his parents being Peter and Mary ( Layden ) Carmody, the former a son of Thomas Carmody and the latter a daugh- ter of Cornelius Layden. Both the maternal and paternal grandparents remained in Ire- land. Mike Carmody, a brother of our sub- ject, come to the United States in 1849 and made his way to Greene county, Illinois, where he has since resided. his home being in the western part of Carrollton.
In the year 1850 the subject of this re- view arrived in the new world. He had crossed the Atlantic in a sailing vessel, which after six weeks and two days spent on the broad Atlantic, dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans. He continued his way up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, thence to Alton, and from the latter place walked to Carrollton. In the vicinity of this city he began work as a farm hand and was thus employed for some time, after which he en- tered the service of General Carlin, with whom he continued for a year. He was afterward employed by Looman Curtis, east of Carrollton, for six months and on the expiration of that period he removed to Alton, where he was employed by the Chi- cigo & Alton Railroad Company, and while in that service he was promoted in recogi-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
tion of his capability. Returning to Carroll- ton he again began farm labor and later he rented land and engaged in farming on his own account. Subsequently, in connec- tion with' his brother Tom, he purchased four hundred acres of land from William Dotson. He lost his health from excessive work and because of this he removed to Car- rollton, where he purchased two lots and built a house. He was confined to his home for a few months and then opened a grocery store. Afterward he purchased eighty acres from William Davis, the town limits begin- ning at the depot and extending south a half mile and east of the railroad. He afterward bought forty acres adjoining his other tract and later he purchased a property on the east side of the square for forty-five hundred dollars. He also bought another business block in the east side now occupied by a grocery store. The farm land had cost him from one hundred to two hundred dollars per acre. He also owned several residences in the city and has thus made judicious in- vestment in property, which has returned to him a good annual income. In business affairs he is sagacious and his keen discrimi- nation and enterprise have been the salient features in his prosperous career.
Mr. Carmody was united in marriage to Miss Bridget Hynes, who was born in Alton, Illinois, and died April 23. 1861. They had two children : Kate and Elizabeth, who are deceased. For his second wife he chose Anna Cannole, and was married at Jersey- ville, Illinois, May 24, 1862. Their children are as follows: Peter. Mary, Thomas and John, all deceased: Mary Agnes, at home: Margaret : Anna Honora: Cornelius and Mary, twins; and Emma. Margaret and Emma are graduates of the high school at Carrollton and are now public school teach-
ers. Anna Honora has been the organist at St. John's church for some years and is a teacher of violin and piano music and is an especially fine performer on the violin.
In his political affiliations Mr. Carmody is a stanch Democrat and his fitness for office has been recognized by his fellow townsmen in election to the positions of alderman and justice of the peace. He has been interested in the public welfare to the extent that he has co-operated in many measures for the general good. He is generous in his support to the church and he possesses many sterling traits of character which command for him the good will and respect of those with whom he has been associated.
ANDREW J. STEELMAN.
Andrew J. Steelman, a resident farmer of Roodhouse, whose well improved farm of eighty acres indicates his careful super- vision and practical methods, was born in September, 1852, upon the old homestead farm which is yet the place of residence of his father, Ashley L. Steelman. The Steel- man family is of Dutch lineage and at an early day representatives of the name settled in North Carolina, Tennessee and Ken- tucky. Ashley Steelman married Martha J. Ford and they had twelve children, all yet living, and the first death in the family was that of the mother, which occurred on the 16th of August. 1904. when she was sey- enty-nine years of age. The father. now eighty-one years of age, was born in North Carolina, April 19. 1824, and when seven years of age removed with his parents to Tennessee, where he lived until twenty years of age. In 1843 he came to Illinois, reaching
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY. 641
Bridgeport. Scott county, with thirty five cents in his pocket. He went to work upon a farm at ten dollars per month. Later he came to Greene county and after a year he enlisted in the Mexican war, in which he served for thirteen months, being dis- charged at Alton, Illinois. He was in the battle of San Juan and he now receives a pension of twelve dollars per month. On the 8th of July, 1849 he was married to Martha J. Ford and they came to Greene county, living for a time in Patterson, but they soon removed to his present farm, com- prising eighty acres. He also followed the blacksmith's trade, which he had previously learned, and thus he worked year after year. taking his pay in trade, in such products as the farmers of the locality raised. Some patrons paid him in fresh pork, which sold for a dollar and a quarter per hundred weight. As he prospered he added to his land until he had seven hundred and sixty acres of land, much of which he bought at a low price but it is now very valuable. He has given much of this to his children, re- taining possession of only eighty acres, on which stand the house, barns and other farm buildings. lle engaged in buying and sell- ing stock and found that a very profitable source of meome, for he is an excellent judge of stock and was therefore enabled to make judicious purchases and to sell to good ad- vantage. At the age of eighty-one years he is still a jovial, whole-souled man, with open, frank expression and genial manner. He has never used tobacco, has never taken in- toxicants to excess, in fact, has not been inside a saloon in thirty years, and because he has not abused nature's laws he has been grantel a long lease of life. He lives with an unmarried son, and the other children all
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