USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 69
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live within a radius of five miles, in what is known as Steelman community.
Andrew J. Steelman was reared upon the old homestead farm and in his youth at- tended the public schools of the neighbor- hood. During the summer months and other vacation periods he assisted in the labor of the fields and learned the best methods of tilling the soil and raising stock. He con- tinued upon the old homestead up to the time of his marriage and then began farming on his own account. In 1880 he removed to the farm upon which he now resides, and has since devoted his time and energies to its further improvement. In 1902 his father divided his land among his children and our subject received as his share this eighty-acre farm which he is now successfully cultivat- ing. He has built a neat and attractive res- idence, also a good barn and has added other modern equipments, including the latest im- proved machinery for the cultivation of the fields and the care of the crops. He is a very energetic, industrious man, realizing that labor is the basis of all success. He is now carrying on general farming and stock- raising, and both branches of his business are proving profitable. He has also, during the past twelve years, made a specialty of raising fine poultry.
On the 10th of March, 1874. Mr. Steel- man was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Allen, who was born in Patterson township, Greene county, Illinois. Unto them have been born eight children, of whom five are yet living : Mittie .A., the wife of George . 1. Taylor, a resident of Jacksonville, Illinois, and the mother of two children: Thomas O .: Ida; and lona and Nona, twins, mine years of age. With the exception of the eldest daughter all are at home and
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constitute an interesting family of chil- dren.
Mr. Steelman gives his political support to the Democratic party and socially is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, while religiously he is a Baptist. He is a man of strong purpose, reliable and enter- prising in business, public-spirited in citi- zenship and trustworthy in all life's rela- tions.
JOHN HOOD RIVES.
Judge John Hood Rives, viewing the world with its opportunities and its duties, from a practical and also a humanitarian standpoint, so lived as not only to gain suc- cess in business but also win the regard and respect of his fellowmen. His enterprise and energy gained him a place with the more prosperous citizens of Greene county, while his charity and kindliness won the gratitude of many and caused his death to be deeply ‹leplored.
Mr. Rives was born in the eastern part of North Carolina, on the 4th of August, 1826, a son of Rev. James and Elizabeth ( blood) Rives. The father was one of the zcalous and influential local ministers of the Methodist Episcopal church and instilled into the minds of his children lessons which in due time bore rich fruit. He removed with his family to Christian county, Kentucky. when his son John was only three months old. making the journey through a thinly settled country in a cart drawn by one horse. Reaching his destination he secured a tract of wild land which he at once began to im- prove. continuing its cultivation until the fall of 1834. when he removed to Illinois, set- thing in Greene county on section 24. town
10, range 10. The family bore the diffi- culties and hardships incident to settlement in a frontier region, the sons assisting in the arduous labors of cultivating the first crops on a hitherto unplowed tract of land, while the daughters performed the many house- hold tasks which came to the early pioneers, when most of the spinning and weaving was done in the home, as well as fashioning the cloth into garments. The mother died in 1851 and the father, leaving the old home- stead in 1853, removed to Greenfield, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1866. His influence had been an active fac- tor in the moral development of the com- munity, his labors in the church greatly pro- moting the cause of Christianity, and at the same time he had assisted in the material development of this part of the state in pio- neer times, aiding in reclaiming the wild land for the uses of civilization.
John Hood Rives, but eight years of age at the time of the removal to Greene county, was reared on the old family homestead, sharing with the others in the privations as well as the pleasures of this frontier exist- ence, at a time when the homes were widely scattered and the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun. His educa- tional privileges were somewhat limited, but in the school of experience he learned many valuable lessons, and observation and read- ing broadened his knowledge, bringing him into touch not only with local affairs, but with the great questions of national progress and policy.
Farm labor early became familiar to him through the active assistance which he ren- dered in the work of the fields, doing more and more each year to improve the home place as his age and strength increased. He sought a companion and helpmate for life's
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journey in 1848, and was married, on the 23d of August, of that year, to Miss Eliza- beth Anh Randle, a daughter of Rev. George and Lucy Randle, the wedding ceremony being performed in the little log cabin which1 stand on the hill a mile south of Rockbridge. near where the wagon road crosses Macou- juin creek. The young couple with little of tins world's goods but with stout hearts, began their domestic life on section 30. Barr township. Maiconpin county, purchasing the jari of Dr. Milton Metcalf, and there they livel until 1853. when they became occu- pants of the old Rives homestead, at the father's removal to Greenfield. There where his boyhood days were passed John 11. Rives continued farm work until his life's labors were en led in death. They lived in the old house until February. 1808, when they took up their abode in a new brick res- Mente which he had erected. a short dis- Lince east of the old homestead. Here they rearof their family and Mr. Rives carried om agr cultural pursuits with continually in- crening success, adding again and again to his Moled possessions until he had fourteen Mindre Heures in Greene county and four Whatbed and eighty acres in Cumberland -010 ty His business career proves the force of influastry and honesty in winning success. He ver- never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen, was always it-1 700 straightforward, and through the legt mette process of trade and the tilling of the Jd be accumulate la competence that erMel Innl to became one of the most ex- terry Endowners of the county. Gener- Đã tế everyone of his salient traits and be Wal Marttible . Intet tra fault Such a parsonscondy a critical commen- Được all vệ why claim that success can not Je tomels won and who selfishly guard
their own interests, caring pot if they in- trench on the rights of others.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rives were born ten children, of whom two died in infancy. while Ella died in 1870, at the age of fifteen years, and Edward N., the second son, died m Morrisonville, Illinois, February 28. 1004. Those surviving are: Andrew J., of Greenfield : Charles W., of Greenfield : John, oi Palmyra, Illinois: Elizabeth, wife of Ralph Metcalf, of Greenfield: George, of Fayette : and Robert of Muldon, Mississippi. The wife and mother died January 31. 1894. after forty-five years of happy married life. Mr. Rives continued upon the home farm and actively assisted in the operation of the farm until about a year prior to his death. During that time, while his health compelled him to remain indoors, he supervised the farm work. He passed away June 24. 1904. When almost seventy-eight years of age. while his residence in Greene county o wered the Psalmist's allotted span of three score years and ten. His life formed a connecting link in this county between the primitive past and the progressive present, joming pi meer experiences with modern advantages. Ile was always public-spirited and supported any worthy cause which he deemed woukl prove beneficial to the county. Ile was a strong believer in civic virtue and put forth every effort possible to secure honorable men in office. Ile himself served for a time on the board of county commissioners, dis- charging his duties with promptness and fi- delity, and he was the first supervisor from Rockbridge township when township organ- ization was established in Greene county. While attending MeRendree College, in the winter of 1857-8. he joined the Methodist Episcopal church. vi which he was ever after a faithful adherent, and the church fond
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
him a supporter of its various activities, his aid proving a helpful factor in its advance- ment. No trust reposed in him was ever betrayed in the slightest degrees; it is doubt- ful if ever he weighed a single act in the scale of policy and throughout his long life he wrought along the lines of great good, his career distinguished by diligence, by charity and by honor.
J. W. CARTER.
J. W. Carter, whose farm is pleasantly located about two and a half miles south of Carrollton, where he has well cultivated fields and rich pastures, together with good build- ings and modern improvements, all combin- ing to make one of the attractive farms of the county, was born in Garrett county, Kentucky, on the 25th of April, 1853. His paternal grandfather, who followed farming and stock-raising, died about 1830. The father, John C. Carter, was born in Ken- tucky, in 1826, and spent the days of his boyhod and early manhood there. He was married in that state to Miss Jane T. Stan- ton, also a native of Kentucky, and in 1856 they removed to Greene county, Illinois, set- tling on the Keech farm, where they resided for two or three years. Mr. Carter then bought the Steven Taylor property, two miles south of Carrollton, and spent his re- maining days in that locality, save for a veir passed in Springfieldl, Missouri. He afterward bought the Joseph Stove property, adjoining the firm near Carrollton on which he Had previously resided, and there he con- med to engage in agricultural pursuits in- til MA death, which occurred in 1884. while In wife passed away in 1905. They were
the parents of nine children, of whom J. W. Carter was the second in order of birth.
Upon the old homestead farm Mr. Car- ter of this review was reared, early becom- ing familiar with the work of field and meadow, and his education was acquired in Carrollton. He was married on the 16th of November, 1876, to Miss Mattie King, a native of Greene county, Illinois, and a daughter of John and Charlotte King and a cousin of Judge King, of Carrollton. Their union has been blessed with the following named: William Thomas, deceased; Mrs. Mary E. Kleinau, a resident of Blooming- ton, Illinois; John S., deceased; James Ed- ward ; Robert Lee; Eber Clinton and Harold Cleburn.
After his marriage Mr. Carter purchased his present home, two and a half miles south of Carrollton, the land lying partly in Car- rollton and partly in Kane townships. He has since added largely to the original tract, buying sixty acres adjoining, sixty-three acres in Carrollton township, fifty-three acres on the main road to Kane and other prop- erty, having in all about four hundred acres of valuable farming land. His fields bring forth rich crops, owing to his careful culti- vation. He feeds all that he raises, for he is extensively engaged in the live stock busi- ness, and he also has to buy feed for the cattle and hogs, which he sells in large num- bers. He also has a fine apiary of one hun- dred hives and practically supplies the Car- rollton market with its honey. He raises his own nursery stock and has an orchard of forty acres and in 1898 he engaged in thresh- ing. having a fine and complete outfit and doing an extensive business along that line. lle is one of the most progressive agricul- turists of the county, using the latest im- proved machinery and keeping everything
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
about !ff- place in harmony with the most ad- vanced ideas of farming. Moreover, he is inten-ely practical and by the careful hus- banding of his resources and judicious in- vestment in stock and lands he has pros- pered in his business career. There is a good barn and substantial outbuildings upon his place and his home is one of the fine resi- dences of the county.
While leading a busy life as a farmer.
Mr. Carter also finds time to devote to pub- lic affairs and has ever given hearty endorse- ment to and co-operation to the measures which he believes will contribute to the pub- lic good. He has been officially connected with the schools for fifteen years and his enterprising spirit has been a potent fac- tor in securing public progress along many lines that have proved beneficial to the county.
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NOV 2 3 1931
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