GILES, ANDREW, proprietor Astor House and constable of the town of Kane, is a native of Ireland, born in Dublin County in 1836. At the age of twelve his parents concluded to better their fortunes in the new world, and accordingly the year 1849 found them passengers on board a sailing vessel. They landed in due time in New York City, eventually settling upon a farm in the State of New York, and there passed the remainder of their life. Our subject wended his way west in 1848, locating in Jersey County, where he secured employment upon a farm. Here he married Miss Mary Sweeney, a daughter of Michael Sweeney, one of the first native Irishmen in the county. Four children were born of this marriage: William, John, James and Peter. In 1863 Mr. Giles enlisted in Co. G, 14th Ill., a non-commissioned color sergeant. He served honorably through the war and became a participant in numerous battles, as Belmnt, Shilor, Vicksburg, and others, noted in history. When the war closed he returned to Jersey County, where he remained until 1867, when he moved to New Kane, where he became the proprietor of a hotel, transacting a successful business. Mr. Giles is the owner of town property here, and a worthy citizen of the town.
GILLESPIE, DANIEL H., proprietor Carrollton Saw Mills; for a period of seventeen years, the above named gentleman has transacted a successful saw-milling business at various points in Greene County. For the past three years has been the successful proprietor of the above named works, within the corporation of Carrollton, where having all modern facilities he is fully prepared to meet all demands that may be made upon him. This mill, in all probability, is better adapted and has better facilities for sawing than any mill of a similar character in Greene County, and the large and constantly increasing trade has been brought about through the energy and reliability of its successful proprietor, who was born in Brown County, Ohio, July 26, 1826, where he grew to manhood, and in the adjoining county of Adams was united in marriage in1849 to Miss Ann Hoop. In 1856 Mr. G. became a resident of Greene County, where he has since turned his attention to the above business.
GILSON, EDWARD P., attorney and counsellor at law, is a native of Macoupin County, Ill., born in 1853, the oldest son of James W. and Marion Gilson. James Gilson was a grain merchant at Brighton, where the subject of our notice passed his early years. Receiving his preliminary education in the district schools of his native place, at an early age he entered upon a course of classical studies, graduating from this well known institution of learning in 1875; he now proceeded to Chicago, Ill., where he entered the law office of the Honorable Judge Lyman Trumbull, with all the energies of his nature bent upon acquiring a full knowledge of the law. At the expiration of two years he was admitted to practice in all the United States Supreme Courts at Mount Vernon, Ill. For the past year Mr. Gilson has been a resident of Carrollton, where among his many skillful competitors he makes a very fair showing indeed, and we heartily wish him success in the profession for which he seems peculiarly fitted.
GILSON, HENRY D. farmer, Sec. 23, P. O. Breese, was born in Grafton, Windham Co., Vermont, Sept. 23, 1825. He came to Bridgeport Nov. 11, 1848. He was married twice; first in Vermont, July 5, 1845, to Calista M. McCollister, daughter of Reuben and Lucy McCollister, West Windsor, Ver.; she was born Sept. 16, 1825. The had eight children: Daniel H., born in Vermnt, May 1, 1847; Arthur E., born in Vermont in 1849; Charles A., born in Breese, Aug. 13, 1850; Mason E., born June 15, 1855, in Scott Co.; Donna M., born in Scott Co. in 1857, died in the Fall of 1861; Isaac H., born in Scott Co., deceased; Luman R., deceased. Married second time Nov. 3, 1871, to Elizabeth A. Davis, of this county. By this marriage he had three children, but one is living, A. Burr, born Dec. 21, 1875. He has forty acres of land, on which he has lived since 1861; he is also occupied in moving buildings, and has moved over three hundred buildings and can furnish numerous references. He has an old shotgun, made by Robins, Kendell & Lawrence, Windsor, Vermont, in 1847, which is six and a half feet long and is quite a curiosity.
GIMMY, ADAM. Deceased, who during his life was a prominent farmer within the borders of Greene County, was born in the kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, Aug. 25, 1822. But little of his early life can now be learned, and accordingly we enter into a short description relative to his career in America; during the winter of 1848 he worked at his trade, that of a shoemaker, at Cleveland, Ohio. Remaining one year at this city we next find him a resident of St. Louis, where he worked at his trade until his location in Carrollton, where he entered into partnership business with a brother, Frederick Gimmy. For that period of time the firm transacted a successful business. Dissolving partnership in 1853, Mr. Gimmy next turned his attention to farming, continuing in this vocation until resuming business in 1859 at Carrollton, where he conducted a successful merchandise until his decease, which occurred during the Spring of 1877, when all that was mortal of Adam Gimmy was laid at rest in the beautiful cemetery of Carrollton, a handsome monument marking the spot. The survivors of the family are Mrs. Gimmy, Adam, Mary B., Lelwis F. and George. Adams, from whom this narration is obtained, embarked in his present business of grocer four years prior to the death of his father, and a more live, energetic business man it would be a hard matter to find; his stock of goods, always of the best, are bought low for cash, which customers will do well to note. See business card elsewhere.
GIMMY, JOHN, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 10, P. O. Kane. John Gimmy is a native of Germany, born in 1836, oldest son of Frederick and Margaret. In 1850 this family crossed the ocean for America, landing in the city of New Orleans; from the Crescent City making their way to the city of St. Louis, where they remained one month when they removed to Greene County on the second of January, 1851, where the members of the family still reside. John, from whom this sketch is obtained, has through unremitting industry, acquired a large estate, comprising 289 acres. In January, 1869, Mr. Gimmy was married to Catherine Weaver, of Germany, by whom he has three children: Frederick, Henry and John.
GOODING, CHARLES, farmer, Sec. 15, P. O. Athensville. Son of M. S. Gooding, who was born in North Carolina, July 22, 1791; married in Kentucky to Eva Dunlap and settled in this county about 1825, and died in 1834, leaving five young children to be provided for by their mother, who, by great perseverance succeeded in her labor of love, and died in July, 1854. Charles Gooding was born Feb. 10, 1834; married April 13, 1853, to Maria, daughter of Theo. and Ellen Stafford, of Morgan Co., born Nov. 14, 1825; this union has been blessed by four children, viz: Ellen M., born July 1, 1854; Milton S., born Dec. 9, 1856; Henry E., born Feb. 9, 1858; and Charles A., born Aug. 9, 1861. Mr. Gooding has devoted his industries solely to agricultural pursuits; homestead consists of 180 acres.
GRAVES, JAMES M. painter, Sec. 4, P. O. Carrollton. Mr. Graves was born in Missouri, on the 24th of February 1844. Here many years of his life were spent, where he was apprenticed to the trade of a painter at the early age of fourteen. When the war came on he enlisted in Company B, Provisional Regiment, remaining three years in the service of Uncle Sam. He followed his vocation of painter in Missouri until 1868, when he moved to Illinois, locating at Carrollton, Greene County. Here he formed the acquaintance of and married Miss Mary E. Thorp, a daughter of William Thorp, of Ohio. Of this marriage two children were born: William P. and Rufus M. Since his residence here Mr. Graves has followed the occupation of painting, and is well and favorably known. See business card elsewhere.
GRAY, J. HOWARD, druggist, Greenfield. The subject of this sketch first beheld the light of day in Halifax County, N. C., on Christmas day, 1828. Is the son of J. J. Gray; his mother's maiden name was Lizzie Hubbard. They are of Scotch and Dutch descent. At an early day the family emigrated to this State, and bought a farm near Greenfield, in Macoupin County, where the father of J. Howard still resides; he is now seventy-five years of age; has in his time officiated in different pastorates, being a regularly ordained minister of the Presbyterina faith. In 1837, he went to Monmouth, where he accepted a call, and supplied that pulpit until his failing health compelled him to return home. In the early part of J. Howard's life, he received his education at a private school, in which he had all the advantages in the way of the courses, that is now taught in our colleges, he having taken a classical course. In Oct 9., 1855, he was united in marriage to Sarah Allen, daughter of George W. Allen, who is an old and well known resident in this county, and is the original proprietor of the town. Mrs. Gray was born in the County, Aug. 14, 1831. No issue. While they have never had any children of their own, yet they have always had in their family more or less children who have been unfortunate in losing their parents, and were left without a home, yet Mr. Gray and wife have taken care of them as if they were their own offspring, and have lavished the same kindness and good counsel upon them as if they were really their own. Mr. Gray, like all men who appreciate their wives, is justly proud of his, and twenty-three years of married life has not been sufficient to make him regret the choice he made, and thinks if he had it to do over, he would choose as before. Many people are "married", yet not mated. In the year 1857 Mr. Gray embarked in the business in which he is now engaged, and it is said "if any man in the town has a gilt-edge credit, J. Howard Gray has", and his is of the few, who began business at the time he did, that have sustained themselves and made their business a steady growth and the enterprise a financial success. Mr. Gray has been a member of the M. E. Church for the last thirty years, and is also a Royal Arch Mason, is a man that has preserved unsullied the family prestige, and is well deserving of the high character that he sustains in the circle of his acquaintances, and in the community in which he resides.
GREAVES, WILLIAM O. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 27, P. O. Carrollton. Although not among the older residents of Greene County, Mr. Greaves is worthy of more than a passing notice. He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1808. Growing to manhood in England, he became a butcher, followed this occupation many years, opening a shop and becoming quite successful. On the 9th day of January 1832, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Emmerson, by whom he had four children: Eliza, born June 6, 1843, died August 24, 1851; Emma, born October 18, 1835; Mary J., born January 5, 1847 and William H., born February 9, 1853 and died November 21, 1867. In 1841, Mr. Greaves landed in America, and settled in Greene, a man of no ordinary industry. In Carrollton and vicinity he followed the calling of butcher for a number of years. Mr. Greaves is now the owner of 160 acres of valuable land near Carrollton. Further notice will be given in another department of this work.
GREENE, W. E., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31, P. O. Rockbridge, is a native of this county, born May 25, 1824. His father's name was John and his mother's Mary, of the Mairs family , who were the parents of five children, of whom W. E. was the fifth in order. They came to this State as early as 1818, located near Kane, entered land, and lived on the same until their death. The subject of this sketch had very limited advantage, so far as education was concerned, but learned to read and write, and got some little idea of figures, but his education has been more of a practical nature. He remained at home until he attained his twenty-sixth year; a this time he was united in marriage to Eliza J. Enslow, born June 29, 1833. She was a daughter of Worthington Enslow, of this county. After his marriage, he rented land of his father, up to the year 1854, when they moved to some land that Mrs. Greene had inherited from the estate, where they continued about two years, then returned to the land they had formerly occupied, of the Greene Estate, remaining there until the year 1860. Then gone back again to the Enslow land, where they built them a hewed log house; continued here twelve years, and in the Spring of 1872, they moved to the place they now reside; this farm is known as the Witt estate. They are now located for life, and have after their many changes and good management, accumulated until they now own 880 acres of land, which is well improved. Mr. Greene has always been an adherent to the principles of Demorcracy. They have had nine children, seven of whom are now living: Trinity Ann, born Oct. 23, 1852; Evans N., born March 7, 1854; John G., Oct. 9, 1855; Julia E., born Oct. 16, 1856; George N., born Jan. 13, 1859; James F., born April 30, 1860; David R., born Nov. 9, 1868.
GREGORY, A. B., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 11, P. O. White Hall, was born in Greene County, Illinois, 1839, is the son of Chas. Gregory, who was born May 28, 1797 in Conneticut, and died May 6, 1845 in Greene County; emigrated to Ohio with his father when small, living there till 1818, then started for the far West to seek his fortune with the old pioneers of Illinois; came down the Ohio in a canoe with a young man by the name of Elom Brown, landing at Shawneetown, Illinois, and walked there to Wood River, near Alton; when he landed there had the small sum of fifty cents; staid in Illinois one year, made enough money to buy a horse and pay his expenses back to Ohio, where he staid a short time and returned to Madison County, Illinois, living there and in Missouri till 1821, then entered land in Greene County, improved it, and married in 1825, to Elizabeth Woodman, who was born March 20, 1804, in Vermont; have six children, one living. Mr. Gregory was in the Black Hawk War of 1831-32; acted as State Treasurer in an early day; was a member of the Legislature, and Colonel of State Militia in 1844. Three of his children grew to manhood: Byron L. born Aug. 2, 1827, educated himself for a lawyer and practiced in Winchester, Ill., died Aug. 8, 155; James N. born July 29, 1829 was married Feb. 14, 1856, to Sarah E. Pierson, who was born in Greene County; have three children: Mary E., Lenora I., Eugenia L. J. N. Gregory was a farmer and stock dealer; was a prominent man and had the respect of all who knew him. The wife died Feb. 1, 1878, and Mr. Gregory survived by one day, dying with the heart disease Feb. 3d.
GRIMES, JOHN, deceased, for many years a farmer in Greene County; was born in Kentucky, July 21, 1815. In a very early day he wended his way to the West, first settling in Jersey County where he remained a short time, when he moved to Greene County, locating on what is now known as Lorton's prairie, where he erected a small rough log cabin; living in this rude affair until he located near White Hall on the farm property now owned by Mrs. Grimes; this land was bought at a low price, as the means of the pioneer were limited. Here he worked and prospered for many years, acquiring a property of some 200 acres. Mr. Grimes departed this life January 28, 1872. Mr. Grimes was first married to Miss Mary Ann Potts in 1836, by whom he had seven children, Ellen J., Margaret J., William B., Julius F., Sarah Ann, Anna A., Elam A. and Mary E. His second wife Sarah Webb, is a daughter of James Rawlins and relict of John Webb; children by second marriage are Charles, Julia F., Dora B., Jennie S. and John R. Mrs. Grimes is the owner of a large estate in Greene County.
GRIMES W. B. proprietor White Hall livery, cor. Main and Bridgeport Sts., was born in Pike County, Ill., in 1836. He was the third child of John and Mary Ann Grimes, natives of Illinois. John Grimes was a well known, wealthy farmer. He died in 1872; his wife was laid at rest some years before. There were born of this marriage seven children. At the age of twenty W. B. Grimes entered the service of the United States, enlisting in Company I, 91st Ill.Inf.; engaged in many important battles. He was honorably discharged. In 1865 he returned to Greene County, and became a farmer until 1870, when he became engaged in his present calling. A short time ago be purchased the livery of Samuel Potts; these in connection with his old establishment are unequaled in Greene County. His present partner, Ike Powell, is a well known business man of this place. In 1866 Mr. Grimes was married to Miss Elizabeth Baston, a daughter of Charles and Nancy Baston, of Tazewell County, Illinois.
GRISWOLD, EDGAR, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P. O. White Hall, was born in Vermont, 1820, came to Greene County, Illinois with his father, David E. Griswold in 1831, when the country was but thinly settled; followed the occupation of a farmer; has dealt in stock to a large extent, and now owns a fine farm which is well improved, which contains 264 acres, and one farm in Christian County, of 560 acres; was married March 12, 1840, to Lucia North, a native of Greene County, born 1822, have eleven children: Perry D. born April 14, 1841; Seth, born Jan. 16, 1843; Chester S. born Dec. 22, 1844, deceased; Mary E. born Aug. 17, 1847; Silvy J. born Jan. 19, 1850; Martha H. born Sept. 10, 1852, deceased; Damon A. born Oct. 31, 1855; Lydia born May 7, 1858, deceased; Caroline born Oct. 16, 1859; George A. born Aug. 15, 1863, deceased; Edward A. born June 26, 1866.
GRISWOLD, U. A., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 5, P. O. White Hall, born Dec. 29, 1828; was married Jan. 14, 1863, to Sallie E. Baker, who was born in 1836, in Kentucky, the daughter of C. B. Baker; have five children: George C. born Nov. 6, 1863; Mary E. born July 20, 1865; Elmer E. born Feb. 4, 1867; Louis M. born Sept. 6, 1868; Albert H. born July 25, 1874. The father of Mr. Griswold, Harry Griswold, was born Jan. 9, 1790 in Vermont; came to Illinois in 1820 with but one hundred dollars, with which he bought land from the government, and as he accumulated money bought more land , and at the time of his death he owned a large tract of land. Was married Oct. 5, 1826, to Maria Post, who was born Jan. 1, 1804; have eight children, five of whom are living. The subject of this sketch lives on the homestead of his father and owns 335 acres of land, all of which his father entered from the government.