O'GORMAN, TIMOTHY, of the firm of Teter, O'Gorman & co. mnfrs. and dealers in flower pots, vases, hanging baskets and all kinds of terra cotta ware. The subject of this biography was born at Springfield, Illinois, Sept. 2, 1854. Mr O'Gorman settled in White Hall in 1860, where he learned the trade of a potter, first working as a journeyman for John N. Ebey, one of the pioneers in the stoneware and pottery business. Mr. O'Gorman is a practical workman, understand every detail of his business, and lately entering into a co-partnership business with Mr. Teter, the above firm (Messrs. Teter & O'Gorman, successors to Wilcox, Teter & Co.), are now prepared to do as good work in their lines be obtained anywhere.
ORERBREY, JEFFERSON, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 30, P. O. White Hall. The above named gentleman was born in Greene County in 1833, the fifth of a family of ten children. His father, ARchibald Orerbrey, was a native of North Carolina, who moved to Tennessee and there married Miss Sarah Barnard. The date of the family settlement in Greene County was probably 1828, when the prairies for many miles remained unbroken and from the door step of his father's cabin young Orerbrey was wont to watch with childish glee the graceful flight of vast herds of deer as they disported themselves on the prairie, or became lost to view among the timber. Mr. Orerbrey relates that during his earliest years the county was but thinly populated. At intervals in the timber was seen the pioneer's cabin, as few settlers had then ventured on the prairie. Jefferson was married in 1836 to Miss Emma Clark, a daughter of Ira Clark. By this lady he had two children: James Ira and Ida May. September 1859, Mrs. Orerbrey departed this life. Mr. O. is a resident of township 12, range 11, and there owns farm property. Like nearly all who bear the name of his generosity and kindness of heart is unbounded.
ORR, WILLIAM L., abstract expert, residence North Main Street, east of Square. W. L. Orr is a native of Washington County, Pa., and was born in 1832. In an early day he moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, where our subject passed his early years, and received a liberal education, by diligent study in the public schools. On leaving the school room he looked about him for a profession or trade that would prove a source of income. Proceeding to Sligo, in his native State of Pennsylvainia, he became apprenticed to the trade of machinist and engineer. For this vocation he developed an aptitude that marked his entire subsequent career; as a mechanic earning the reputation of acquiring a better knowledge of mechanics than the general run of aspirants, and on serving his apprenticeship secured employment as engineer on the steamer Josephine, plying between Pittsburg and Cincinnati. For nine years his home was on the Mississippi River, where he served through all the grades of engineering, to a high position. On quitting the river packets he made his way to St. Louis, where he became employed in various establishments, subsequently proceeding to Beardstown and Alton. While quietly pursuing his vocation here the war of the Rebellion came on, when he took an active part in the transferring of arms to the State Arsenal at Springfield; afterwards tendering his services to the Navy Department, he was assigned to duty as a commissioned engineer on board the gunboats Tyler and Pittsburg. Remaining in the service of Uncle Sam until 1866, he returned to Alton, where he remained until his removal to Carrollton in 1867, where he engaged, first as clerk and subsequently embarked in the mercantile business. As a Mason Mr. Orr takes a leading position, ranking as an officer in the Grand Chapter. He is well known for his kindly disposition, liberality, and his temperate habits of life tend to a hearty vigor that has made him a great lover of field sports, in which he has developed a skill that has made his name a familiar one in Southern Illinois.
OSBORNE, M. L. MRS. Among the many enterprises that have sprung into existence in the city of Carrollton, is the New York Store, conducted by Mrs. M. L. Osborne; but a few months ago Mrs. Osborne became established in business here, but during this brief time has built a large and constantly increasing trade in millinery and fancy goods, ribbons, flowers, feathers, gloves, ladies' furnishing goods, etc. etc.; west of Square. A notable feature of this already well and favorably known establishment is the five cent department, where a variety of articles are retailed for the small sum of five cents that anywhere else would be retailed for from 25 cents to one dollar. A visit to Mrs. Osborne's will well repay the customer, who can not complain of either styles or prices. See business card elsewhere.
ORR, WM. D., farmer, Sec. 17, P. O. Breese and Bedford, Pike Co., Ill. He was born in Ohio, Oct. 17, 1835. He came to Pike County, Ill., with his parents in the Fall of 1839, and to this county in 1867. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1806 and is living in Pike Co., Ill. His mother was born in Ohio in 1821, and is also living. He was married Feb. 7, 1861, to Mary E. Hubbs, daughter of Simeon E. and Hannah Hubbs, of Pike Co., Ill. She was born in Pike Co., Ill., April 14, 1843. They have five children living and five deceased: Hannah A., born Oct. 2, 1861; James E., born Feb. 16, 1863, died September 1870; Florence J., born Feb. 11, 1866; William H., born Aug. 26, 1867; Leonard D., born July 19, 1873; Clifford J., born September 1875, died September 1876; Amos Sylvester, born Dec. 13, 1877. Mrs. Orr's father was born in New Jersey, May 17, 1793, died in Pike Co., Ill., September 1871. Her mother was also born in New Jersey, Nov. 1, 1799, and died in Pike Co., Ill. July 10, 1851. Mr. Orr owns 80 acres of land in Sec. 9 and rents 130 acres in Sec. 17.
OSBORN R. M. farmer and merchant. Robert Osborn, the only merchant in the township 9, range 11, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in 1831, where he grew to manhood, early becoming inured to farm work. In 1849 he was married in Tennessee to Miss Eliza Clemmons, who was born in Kentucky. When the war came on he entered the service of th U.S., enlisting in the 22d Kentucky Regt. for three years service. A captain of State militia during the war, he officiated in various capacities, as orderly sergeant and deputy U. S. marshal; was engaged in various battles; taken prisoner on several occasions; at one time captured by guerillas, he was sentenced to be shot, but escaped through the intervention of U.S. Officers. March, 1864, his family had become residents of Indiana, owing to the troublesome times, and there, after the war. Mr. O. himself resided for a period of eighteen months; from Indiana removed to Macoupin County, Ill. where he remained one year, when he moved to Greene County, locating in town 9, range 11, where he transacts a good business as a grocer, and engages somewhat in agricultural pursuits. Of the marriage above referred to, six children were born: Martha, Sarah, Wm. B., Mary Ann, U. S. Grant, and Radford N.
OSWALD & COMPANY, dealers in groceries, drugs, hardware, queensware, etc. Mr. Oswald is one of the shrewd honorable business men of White Hall, and in connection with his enterprising partner, Mr. Loehnstein, transacts a large businss. Mr. Oswald was born in Germany, in 1839; at sixteen years of age he emigrated to America; from the city of New York he made his way to Pennsylvania, and with light capital and an enterprise far beyond his years, he began the selling of goods from house to house. From Pennsylvania he made his way to Illinois, locating near Peoria, taking up his old occupation; making considerable money for a time, he became a farmer; in 1862 he enlisted in Co. I, 91st Ill. Infantry, and became a participant in many important engagements; honorably discharged on the close of the war, he returned to Greene County; in 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Moore, a daughter of Wm. Moore, by whom he had eight children, four of whom are living: William, Herman, Lena, and Ettie. Mrs. Oswald died during the present year; an estimable lady, her death was universally regretted by all who knew her. Ten years ago Mr. Oswald came to White Hall; he had but small capital, but he had pluck and energy, perseverance and honesty of purpose; these traits of character have carried him successfully through life.
OVERBY, WILLIAM A. - farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 21, P.O. Greenfield, was born in Tennessee, in 1844; came to Illinois in 1855; was married in 1870 to Miss Gilley C. Drum, who was born in Greene County, in 1853. They have four children, two living: Etsle, born Jan. 15, 1874, Leroy, born Feb. 23, 1878, and two dead: Pearly, born Feb. 8, 1872, and infant, born July 6, 1876. The father of the subject of this sketch, William Overby, was a native of Tennessee; was married to Maria Surles, also a native of Tennessee. The family came to Alton, Illinois, in 1855, and the father died a short time after landing, and the widowed mother was left with a family of five children, the oldest one being twelve years of age. She died in Dewitt County, Ill., in 1874.
OWENS, B. W., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 15, P. O. Carrollton; the above named gentleman was born in the State of Tennessee, January 21, 1844; left an orphan at the early age of six years, adopted by his grandfather, who came west in 1854, settling in Greene County, where the youth grew to mature years. In 1867 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Cavanaugh, a daughter of Dr. T. H. Cavanaugh, a prominent physician of this State, and father of T. H. Cavanugh, Secretary of the State of Kansas; by this lady he had six children, four of whom are living: Charles, Nettie, Benjamin, and William.
PARKER, THOMAS S. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 14, P. O. Kane. Thomas S. Parker one of those whole souled gentleman, with whom it is a pleasure to meet, was born in Hampshire County, West Virginia, on the 28th of February 1837; his father Jacob W. Parker was also a Virginian, a weaver by trade, he is described as a man extremely fond of traversing the forest in search of game; it is quite probably that he heard many glowing accounts of the West. Illinois was then settling up quite rapidly and thither the Virginian directed his footsteps during the Autumn of 1837; from Wheeling, Va., he embarked with his family on board a steamboat, and floated down the Ohio to its confluence with the Mississippi River, from the city of St. Louis his course lay up the Illinois River, and eventually he made his way to Greene County; he now found himself the possessor of some $5 in money, and realized that he had a large family of children that were to be clothed and provided for with the necessaries of life; he now set to work with a will and became moderately successful in life; living at a time when land rose rapidly in value he never attained that wealth that fell to the lot of many who studied the financial question more closely; he died at an advanced age, and his ashes repose in the cemetery situated in township 9, range 12. Mrs. Parker departed this life many years prior to her husband. Henry L. Parker, a prominent farmer of Greene County, and Thomas, from whom this sketch is obtained, are the only survivors of the family; as we have seen Thomas was quite young when his parents moved to Greene County, and here the youth grew to manhood, obtaining a liberal education in districts schools, he applied himself in subsequent years to the manifold duties appertaining to the farm; at the present writing he is the owner of 385 acres of valuable land in this township. March, 1878, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Gilliland, a daughter of Robert Filliland, one of the older residents of the county.
PARKER, W. B., dealer in groceries, queensware, glassware, woodenware, etc. William B. Parker, from whom this sketch is obtained, is the leading grocer of Kane. As related elsewhere, this place was platted and founded as a town in 1865. Mr. Parker has transacted business only for the short space of two years, but during this time has built up, through his business tact and honorable dealing, a successful trade. Mr. Parker is the only son of William P. Parker, deceased, a native of West Virginia, where he was born March 31, 1799. On his removal to Pennsylvania, having arrived at mature years, he was married to Miss Maria Backman; in 1848 he purchased property in Greene County, where some years later he settled upon a farm some four miles northwest of Kane, where he has since followed farming, and has also been extensively engaged as a stock raiser, ranking among the more prosperous farmers of Greene County. He is the owner of 473 acres of land that will compare favorably with any in the west. The subject of this sketch was born in Greene County in 1850, but passed his early years in Pennsylvania; in 1860, becoming a resident of Greene, where he received a liberal education; while the war was in progress he devoted his time to farming, his first business venture being made at Kane. Mr. Parker is married, having united his fortunes to Miss Fannie Tolman.
PARKS, JOHN CAPT. - farmer and school teacher, Sec. 10, P.O. Greenfield, is the son of J. C. C. Parks, who was born in Tennessee, in 1802; was married, Oct. 22, 1833, to Minerva Yarnell who was born in 1804. They came to Greene County, Ill., a few days after their marriage, and entered land from the government, and had accumulated, at his death, 646 acres; died March 4, 1874. His land was left to George and John Parks. The mother lives at the age of seventyfour, and is living with her sons. John was in the late rebellion; enlisted Aug. 7, 1862, as private, and was elected sergeant and filled all the promotions of that office, except the fifth, then was commissioned as first lieutenant, filling that office a short time, then was commissioned as captain, which he filled till his discharge, which was July 28, 1865; participated in several battles. George Parks was married, in 1871, to Sarah. J. Mason; have three children Elmer w., Lulia E., Victor A.
PATTERSON, J. L., attorney and counselor at law. The subject of this sketch is the second child of Lemuel J. and Anna E. Patterson, who deserve more than a passing notice. Settling in this county as early as 1844; the head of the family was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, he there married the lady referred to above. He became in after years a prominent man in this county. Of seven children born of this marriage all are residents of Greene County, of whom due notice will be given. J. L. was born August 29, 1846, in St. Louis County, Missouri. In early childhood his parents moved to Greene County, where he became liberally educated, applying himself vigorously to his studies and became a school teacher. In his eighteenth year he became a law student, studying under judges of Carrollton. Remaining five years, he became admitted to the bar in 1870. Previous to this he married Miss Mary Willmington, a daughter of Edwin Willmington, a native of England. Mr. Patterson became a successful lawyer, and an able one. A life-long resident of Greene County he has held many important positions; deputy assessor nine years. In 1876 was Chairman Democratic Congressional Convention. For the past year a resident of the live town of Roodhouse, where he receives, due his ability, a large share of public patronage there. Two children: Buell and Harry.
PATTERSON, L. J., was born in St. Louis Co., Mo., June 19, 1816; resided till the Fall of 1843; married Miss A. E. Hume; moved to Greene Co., Ill., 1844, and in company with A. S. Seeley and George Schutz leased of John Coates the David Hodges mill on Hurricane Creek and started a steam distillery, the first in the county and a great novelty at the time; bought thousands of bushels of corn at 10 cents per bu.; ran it till the Spring of 1849, and sold out his interest to Geo. Schutz; moved to Wilmington and engaged in the mercantile business; was elected justice of the peace that Fall, served six years, and in 1856 was elected sheriff; served two years, living in Carrollton; 1858 had to discharge one of the most disagreeable tasks, that of hanging Hall and Goffner, for the killing of Curren Hinton; he then moved to his farm near Wilmington; in 1862 was appointed government inspector, and in the Fall of 1864 was elected one of the county judges of Greene County for four years; in 1860 was appointed postmaster at Breese, in Greene County; held the office ever since. Has a family of four boys and three girls, all living in the county and doing well.
PATTERSON, T. S. - farmer, Sec. 26, P.O. Athensville; born Madison Co., Ky., March 25, 1812; removed to this State in 1832, and settled in this county in Spring of 1836, where he has resided ever since; married Oct. 19, 1837 to Mary Wood of Carrollton; this union was blessed by eight sons and seven daughters, eleven of whom are living. Mrs. Patterson died Sept. 9, 1868, aged forty-eight years. Mr. P. married again Aug. 20, 1872, to Sarah Jane Florence, born Jacksonville, Morgan Co., Sept. 23, 1838; two children have been born of this union, viz.: Perry Florence, July 9, 1874, and Laura Almeda, Oct. 7, 1876. Mr. Patterson has been a prominent business man in Athensville; he kept the leading grocery and general store for twenty years, was justice of the peace and postmaster for many years, and has always been a zealous Republican; he retired from active business about two years ago, and now devotes his attention to the direction of affairs on his farm, which consists of 283 acres.
PERLEY, HENRY P., engineer C.& A.R.R. for the past eleven years; was born at Waterville, Maine, in 1841; at fourteen he entered the employ of the Androscoggin and Kennebee R.W. Co., afterward known as the Maine Central, remaining there through the years '59, '60 and '61; during the Spring of 1861 he enlisted in Company G, 3d Maine Infantry, under the command of Col. O. O. Howard; a participant in the famous battle of Bull Run; he served three months and received an honorable discharge from the service; he returned to Maine, where he again entered the employ of the Maine Central as a locomotive fireman on the Kennebee Road and became a very skillful engineer. In 1867 Mr. Perley came west and entered the employ of the St. Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago Railraod, afterward leased to the C.&A.R. R. On this road Mr. Perley was freight engineer one year. In 1868 he took up his residence at Mason City, Mason Co., Ill.; in 1871 moved to Jacksonville, where he run passenger engine No. 42; in 1872 he was running a passenger between Alton and Jacksonville; moving to Roodhouse, then just beginning to come into prominence, Mr. Perley shortly after built a substantial dwelling. He is well known for his generosity and is a very superior mechanic. April 24, 1863, he was united in marriage to Ann E. Morrill, of Maine. There are five children: John M., George P., Henry W., Anna R. and Francis C. As a railroad engineer Mr. Perley has been the actor of many stirring scenes, although owing to his skill as an engineer by very slight accidents have occurred on his route. Mr. Perly owns 80 acres of land in Kansas.
PERRINE, ISAAC N., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 9, P. O. Roodhouse. Mr. Perrine is a native of New Jersey, born in 1844. In his ninth year, his parents, Joseph and Margaret Perrine, emigrated to the west, locating in Greene County, remained one year; moved to Sangamon County; resided in Springfield two years when they returned to Greene County, where Joseph Perrine passed the remainder of his life. He merited the respect of his many friends in this community, was a native of New Jersey, born in 1815. In 1851 he married Miss Margaret Myers, who with her children resides in township 12, range 11, where the subject of this sketch owns 100 acres.
PERRY, AUGUSTIN T., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 36, P. O. Kane. Augustin Perry takes a leading position among the wealthy men of Greene County; he was born in Christian County, Kentucky on the 23d of December 1829. His father, familiarly known as Col. N. M. Perry, to the residents of Greene County, where he removed in 1836, was a native of Orange County, Virginia, born November 30, 1806, and is the sixth of eight children of James and Ann Perry, who were of English descent. Passing briefly by the early years of James Perry, spent amid pioneer associations, we arrive at the year of 1776, when it became necessary for America to throw off the yoke of British tyranny. In that struggle for liberty, James Perry took an active part, and became a participant in many of the more noted battles of the Continental war. Honorably discharged at its close, he returned to the pursuits of husbandry. He was among the leading planters in the county in which he resided; he died in Virginia, in 1815, and three years later, in 1818, Mrs. Perry removed with her children to Christian County, Kentucky; her death occurred at the residence of her son Colonel Perry, Greene County, Illinois, on the 7th of October 1853. Colonel Perry's father having died during his early years, he was measurably thrown upon his own resources. His early culture was pursued in the schools of Kentucky, and by assiduous industry, he was enabled to attain to a through knowledge of the solid branches of an English education. Urbane in his manners, he evinced a determined spirit of perseverance, which enabled him to successfully grapple with the practical concerns of life. Completing his education, he was employed to teach a select school, at Nashville, Tennessee. During the Winter of 1828, he was married to Miss Frances A. Tandy, a daughter of Henry Tandy, of Virginia. Shortly after his marriage, he turned his attention to farming, in Kentucky. Four children were born of this marriage. After a sojourn of a few years in Kentucky, he sought broader fields, eventually landing in Greene County. In 1836, he located in the village of Kane, where he destined to play so prominent a part in the development of the county; in 1837, he engaged in merchandising and farming until 1872. In 1855, he became a partner in a firm to build a steam grist mill, subsequently becoming its sole owner. In 1837 occurred the death of the partner of his youth, a sad stroke to the enterprising pioneer. In 1840, he was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Hill, daughter of the Rev. William Hill, of Virginia. They had five children, all of whom are living, and all comfortably situated in life. For many years he was a member of the Baptist Church, and an exemplary and honorable member. He was a fair type of the polished Kentuckian, and in the acquisition of his property the most honorable integrity marked his course among the more opulent farmers. His was a generous and liberal nature. In July, 1861, death again invaded his home and Colonel Perry was called upon to perform the last sad rites for his second wife. In the Fall of 1864, he was nominated and elected, as the candidate of the Democratic party, to a seat in the Illinois Legislature. On the 2d day of October, 1872, he was married to his present wife, Mary, daughter of Martin Bowman, Esq., of Carrollton. October 5, 1875, witnessed the death of Col. Nathaniel Perry, of paralysis, after a life of almost unexampled activity and very unusual success in accomplishing the worldly objects of which he aimed. Through his well directed energy all of his children are well provided for, our subject ranking among the wealthier agriculturists of Greene County, owning the homestead property; he is also the possessor of some 800 acres of valuable land. At one time in his career, his name was put forward for county commissioner; having no ambition, however, in that direction, he declined the office, subsequently filled by John H. Greene.
PETER, JOHN S. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 34, P. O. White Hall. Mr. Peter has been a resident of Greene County forty-one years; he was the youngest son of John and Sarah Peter, and accompanied them to Madison Co. Ill., near Monticello, in 1829, where the family remained two years, and then moved to Greene County, locating on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch, who received a good common school education, partly under the instructions of L. E. Worcester; in his twenty-fifth year he was married to Miss Susan Culver, a daughter of S. H. Culver; by his father he was deeded an 80 acre tract of prairie and 30 timber; this he disposed of to Anthony Potts; several years after purchasing the valuable tract he now owns. Mr. Peter once owned a thousand acres in Montgomery County. Feb. 1, 1863, Mrs. Peter departed this life; to the care of the husband nine children were left, six now living; in 1866 Mr. Peter was married to Mrs. Mary Smith, a daughter of Andrew Finley and relict of Jesse Smith, of Upper Alton; Mrs. Peter is the mother of two children by first marriage; the farm property now comprises 140 acres, considerable having been sold; in 1840 Mr. Peter made the brick and helped to build his present residence.
PEUTER, PETER, farmer, Sec. 17, P. O. Greenfield, is a native of County Clare, Ireland, was born 1813, of a family of nine children, born of John and Ana P. Peter, remained with his parents until he was thirty years of age, the custom in that country being quite different than here, they generally remain at home until they marry, then they are free. He marries Susan Cherry, born March 4, 1820; they have had eleven children, eight of them now living: Pat, born Jan. 29, 1848; John, born Aug. 10, 1849; Ann, born Nov. 2, 1852; Michael, born Dec. 10, 1854; Kate, born Aug. 10, 1856; James, born Aug. 1, 1862; Thoams, born Sept. 10, 1864; Mary, born June 11, 1867. In 1857, he emigrated to this country, landed at Quebec, came to Buffalo by the lake route; began working on the railroad with his shovel, and with it he has dug out for himself a good farm. He has worked on several of the largest roads in the Unites States, and has been very successful in retaining what he has earned; thought it came slowly, yet he plodded on, and with the assistance of his frugal wife, they have now 160 acres of good land, and are comfortably situated in life. Was formerly Democratic, but has recently espoused the Republican principles, yet he is very liberal, takes but little interest in any election, save that of Presidential.
PIERCE, AUGUSTUS, manufacturer and dealer in tile and stoneware, pottery east of C. B. & Q. R.R. tracks. Mr. Pierce is the pioneer in the pottery trade of Greene County, having established the first pottery works in the present live town of White Hall; his experience here as a business man, his reliability in all business transactions, is too well known to need mention, and it is only sufficient to relate that his present success as a manufacturer of pottery ware is due to splendid workmanship and unflagging zeal. Augustus Pierce is a native of Wayne County, Ohio, born in 1828, where he grew to manhood and learned the trade of a potter; commencing at the early age of 16, he soon became an adept at his trade. While residing in this county he was married to Miss Margaret T. Routson, by whom he has two children, J. M. and Ada; in 1854, Mr. Pierce moved to Michigan, where he became employed as foreman in pottery and also shared in the proceeds of the establishment. During the Spring of 1858, he moved to Greene County, first settling on the farm property owned by Stewart Seeley, afterward removing to White Hall where he has since been identified in the growth and prosperity of the town.
PIERSON, DAVID, the pioneer banker, was born in Cazenovia, Madison Co. N. Y, July 9, 1806 and when young received the rudiments of a common school education, but at the age of thirteen removed with his parents, Josiah and Naomi Pierson, to the then "far West", arriving at St. Louis on the 3d of June, 1820, and after a short sojourn there moved across into Illinois, near Collinsville, in Madison County. In 1821 his father, Josiah Pierson, died of bilious fever, after an illness of only five days, leaving his widow and a family of five children, three sons and two daughters, in a strange land and among strangers, in rather destitute circumstances; but that God who cares for the widow and fatherless watched over them, and they found kind, sympathizing friends among those with whom their lot had been cast. After the death of Mr. Pierson the family removed into Greene County, locating two and one half miles south of Carrollton, about the close of the year 1821. In the Spring of 1822 the subject of this sketch was taken sick with chills and fever, which finally terminated in a rheumatic affection and lasted, with more or less severity, for over three years; yet he continued to do such labor as he was able, in clearing up and improving the farm on which they resided, until his health became firm and he was able to do a large amount of labor. In the Spring of 1827, after having got a portion of the farm into a good state of cultivation, he rented it out and went with others to the lead mines near Galena, and engaged in mining, but returned to the farm in the Fall of 1828, living with his mother on the farm until her death, which occurred in September, 1829, and on the 25th day of August, 1830, was married to Miss Eliza Jane Norton (daughter of David Norton, an early settler of Illinois, from Herkimer Co., N. Y.), who has continued the faithful, trusting partner of his joys and sorrows for almost fifty years. Mr. Pierson continued to reside on his farm until the beginning of 1834, when he sold his farm and moved into the village (now city of Carrollton) and commenced merchandising, with a capital of less than $2,000, coming into competition with several experienced merchants, some of whom were worth more than ten times as much as he was, and all of them failed during the hard times from 1838 to 1843, which were the times that tried men's souls as well as their purses. One other firm that commenced business some two years later than Mr. Pierson (also without a large capital) and himself being the only merchants in the place that went through the great revulsion, that broke ninety per cent of the merchants and early all of the State banks in the United States, unscathed - thus illustrating the value of "integrity of character". Mr. Pierson has always held that death was preferable to dishonor; has always had decided opinions on all questions where morals was concerned, and been outspoken in their defense. In politics he was from early youth a Clay Whig, advocating protection to the laborer, mechanic and manufacturer; after the disruption of the Whig party he became a Republican, and acted with the Union party during the war of the Rebellion. After the return of prosperity to the county, dating with the high tariff of 1843, Mr. Pierson extended his business operations largely, purchasing hogs, cattle, and grain, sometimes on a large scale; was from 1848 to 1854 the owner of the capital and the leading member in the firm of Mark Pierson & Co. of Alton, who, in addition to a large dry goods trade, did a large business in the purchase and shipment of grain. About the commencement of the year 1854, Mr. Pierson, having an eye on the banking business, closed his connection with the firm of Mark Pierson & Co. and commenced doing a banking business in connection with the dry goods trade. In 1855, the banking business had increased so much that he had procured a new safe, happily just before the night of the third of April, 1855, when a gang of robbers from Calhoun Co. broke into the store, probably hoping to obtain a large amount of gold belonging to the sheriff of the county; but fortunately they were not able to force the safe, and escaped with only about $280, which they found in the desk. Mr. Pierson, after a careful examination of all the facts and circumstances, raised a company of ten men of his true and tried friends, crossed over into Calhoun, and captured the whole gang, five in number, all of which were finally convicted and landed in the penitentiary. It was said by the Sate's Attorney that he manifested a large amount of skill, not only in capturing the robbers, but in getting them convicted. Mr.Pierson continued his dry goods business, and his miscellaneous trading until the first of January, 1858, when he disposed of the dry goods, and turned his attention exclusively to banking, and in 1859 erected the large and commodious house, which has been occupied by the bank up to the present time; in 1860, having got established in his new and commodious quarters, he advertised his business more largely, and in 1861, notwithstanding nearly every bank in the State failed, he daily received the deposits of merchants and others, carrying his customers safely through the critical period without the loss to them of a single dollar, although at the end of the year the hundreds of thousands of dollars received on deposit, would not have been worth fifty cents to the dollar to the depositors had they kept their own money; and while all, or nearly all, the individual bankers in the country paid off their depositors at a discount, he continued to pay dollar for dollar and as the broken bank money disappeared and national bank and treasury note came into use, confidence succeeded the gloom and depression that had overspread the land, his business increased largely, having the confidence of not only the community in which he had so long resided, but that of the merchants and bankers in the neighboring cities, as well as that of the Treasurer of the United States; was appointed special agent for the sale of United States bonds during the time the Government was borrowing money to crush out the rebellion; and while many, who sympathized with the South, opposed and ridiculed the idea of loaning money, to the Government to "coerce our Souther brethren", Mr. Pierson succeeded in selling about "six hundred thousand dollars" in bonds of the different issues, to the citizens of the county, which speaks volumes in his favor when the large opposition element in the county is taken into view. He was collector of internal revenue for several years, and paid more taxes for the poor than his profits from the office. Remembering the time, when a penniless boy, he worked for one and a half bushels of corn per day, when 20 cents per bushel was the highest price that could be got in trade or store goods for it, and common calico was 37 1/2 cents, and thin domestic 25 cents per yard, salt $2.50 per bushel, sugar 20 cents, and coffee 50 cents per pound, and remembering how long and patiently he had to work before getting a start, he has ever been the friend and helper of the industrious poor. In 1862, Mr. Pierson purchased the Carrollton flouring mill, when he ran with great success for some years, clearing over $22,000 in less than four years; but others (hearing probably of his success) built mills in the city and county, until the competition became so great that nearly every miller in the county, except him, failed, some of them for a large amount. He still owns the mill, which has been quite successful for the last few years. His flour ranks first in market. In 1862-3 he aided in building a woolen factory, which was destroyed by fire (the work of incentiaries), in the Fall of 1872, causing a lost to Mr. Pierson of over $25,000. In May, 1830 Mr. Pierson organized the first total abstinence society (so far as known) in the State of Illinois, with only thirteen members, which prospered amidst the most bitter opposition for over ten years, having over six hundred members, when the "Washingtonians" came into the field and took the place of the first organization. In 1832, Mr. Pierson and wife became members of the Baptist church, and he has rarely been absent from his seat at any of its regular meetings, either on the Sabbath or week days, for nearly forty-seven years, and has always been foremost in his contributions for the support of the minister and other church expenses; and for many years was superintendent of the Sab-bath school, and always a constant laborer, and has had the pleasure of seeing near one hundred of the scholars connected with the school make a profession of religion, and some of them have become eminent divines. During his superintendence of the school he made it a point to be punctual in his attendance, and more than five years have elapsed without his missing a single Sunday. When the church was weak, he bore the largest share of the expenses of keeping it up himself; has been noted for his generous and liberal impulses; has contributed liberally for benevolent enterprises or those of a moral or religious character. He aided liberally in the establishment of the Longston school at Holly Springs, Mississippi, for educating the freed men who were slaves until freed by the Emancipation Proclmation of the President, and when freed did not know a letter in the alphabet, but after had acquired a good, solid, practical education; and on of them, James Hill has since been Secretary of State in Mississippi, being elected by both parties and by both whites and blacks. Over 2,000 scholars have been educated at that school, which is still prosperous. In early life Mr. Pierson resolved so to live that no man could truthfully complain of any act of his; and that he would never stoop to contradict a slanders, to which resolves he has adhered through life. In a long life of extensive business transaction, and as president of a bank, doing the largest business of any in the county, it would be indeed a miracle if some offences were not given; and yet he is assured of the respect and confidence of the good men that know him best. And now, taking into view the poor pioneer boy, shivering with chills and fever, in the rough, log cabin, partaking of the humble fare of the backwoodsman more than fifty-five years ago, and what he accomplished in life, it can but raise in the estimation of all good men the straightforward principle that has actuated his career as a business man through life. Mr. Pierson's strong traits of character are steady perseverance in business, honesty of purpose, will and energy in carrying out his aims, generous and liberal in his impulses, always sympathizing with those in trouble, and often making large sacrifices to aid others, in trouble. Such brief is the narrative of the life and career of one of the oldest citizens of Greene County. By his genial and kind manner he has won the respect and esteem of those who have acted with him in the growth and development of the county for over fifty years. He is ostensibly a self-made man, and needs no eulogy at our hands, as the work of his life speaks more eloquently for itself.
POINTER, MARTHA MRS., farming, Sec. 16, P. O. Greenfield, was born in Garrett County, Kentucky, May 13, 1834, maiden name was Simms, daughter of Jas. and Mary Simms. At the time and place of Mrs. Pointer's early girlhood she had no advantages that enabled her to secure any thing of an education. In the Winter of 1853, she was united in marriage to James Pointer, a native of Kentucky. The have had seven children, six of them now living, viz: Robert J., born March 24, 1854; James W., born March 24, 1856; Mary S., born Oct. 30, 1860; Mason, born Feb. 13, 1864; Carrie, born Nov. 13, 1869; Arthur born Aug. 31, 1871. Oct. 24, 1866 the family came to this county and engaged in farming. Sept. 4, 1874, she lost her husband and has since remained a widow, and with the assistance of her boys she is engaged in farming and endeavoring to keep her family together, which she has succeeded in doing up to the present. Mr. Pointer, before his death, was a member of the Baptist Church, also a member of the Masoic order, Greenfield Lodge, No. 129.
POPE, SAMUEL, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 26, P. O. Kane. Samuel Pope is a native of Somerset County, New Jersey, where he was born on the 16th of July, 1832. Three years later his parents, Samuel and Mary Pope, emigrated to the west, and located at the town of old Kane. His family were the only residents of the place save a man of the name of Adams, who kept a small store and postoffice. The head of the family was born in New Jersey, and early in life became apprenticed to the trade of a blacksmith. He married in New Jersey, Mary Geddes; in the town of old Kane found employment as a blacksmith; made money rapidly and subsequently became a prosperous farmer, owning some hundreds of acres. In those days considerable emigration poured into the State, Samuel Pope was possessed of a good deal of enterprise and accordingly built the hotel that swings the huge sign, S. Pope, tavern, the scene of many gatherings of pioneers, trappers, or adventurers. Mr. Pope on the 20th of April, 1846, was laid at rest not far distant from the scenes of his eventful life. Mrs. Pope survived her husband many years, departing this life in 1872. Samuel J. R. Pope, from whom this narrative is obtained, passed his boyhood in Greene County; followed agriculture from his earliest years. When the war broke out he enlisted in Co. 3, 122d Ill. Vols., for three years' service, and became a participant in the battles of Tupolo and Paducah, and others of note. Honorably discharged after the close of the rebellion he returned to Greene County, where he has since been identified with the farming interest, and where he married Miss Elizabeth English, a daughter of Thomas English, a native of Kentucky, by whom he has four children: Geddes, Revel, William J. and Mary. The estate comprises 200 acres of valuable land.
Page 559PORTER, WILLIAM A. farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 26, P. O. White Hall. Mr. Porter was born in New Jersey, Feb. 14, 1822; he was the oldest of a family of seven children; at the early age of fourteen he became apprenticed to the trade of a stone mason and plasterer; on completing his trade, for awhile he worked at White Hall, and then proceeding to Jacksonville, Morgan County; he there became employed on the State insane asylum, female seminary and many other buildings of note; removing to Greene County, he was married to Miss Rachel Ann Auten in 1850; in 1846, when war was declared between Mexico and the Untied States, he enlisted as a soldier in Capt. Fry's company at Carrollton, a participant in the famous battle of Buena Vista; honorably discharged the following year, he returned to Greene County, working at his trade at White Hall, until his location above; on returning from the war, he made his way to Tazewell County, where he entered 160 acres by means of a land warrant for services rendered during the war; he also bought an 80 acre tract, remaining a resident of Tazewell County seventeen years, following the occupation of farming successfully; in 1867, removing to Greene County, he purchased a tract of valuable land near White Hall; at the present writing owns 240 acres, 160 lying within the corporation of White Hall.
POTTS, ELAM A., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 29, P. O. White Hall. Among the farmers of Greene County Mr. Potts takes a leading position; he is the oldest son of William and Margaret Potts. William Potts was a native of England, who crossed the Atlantic in an early day; he became a resident of Ohio, where he married in 1820; when Illinois was so keep in the wilderness that Chicago was unheard of, and the moccasined foot of the North American Indian trod with independent step the broad unbroken prairie, this family of pioneers made their way to Greene County mostly by river, on a keel boat, settling near what is now Carrollton; land was entered from the government, and soon there nestled amid the tall prairie grass the pioneer's log cabin, where many happy years were spent; Wm. Potts became a successful farmer, who passed away in 1862; Mrs. Potts died in 1871. Elam received a liberal education, and in 1846 was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Culver, a daughter of Dr. S. H. Culver; for several years he rented property until able to purchase; he now owns 330 acres, unparalleled in the West, on which he has erected a handsome farm residence; in 1867 Mrs. Potts died, leaving to the care of her husband two children, William H., and Julius E.; the same year Mr. Potts was married to Miss Naomi Zillinger, by whom he has two children: Clarence E. and Maud E.
POWELL, CHARLES M., farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 31, P. O. White Hall. Mr. Powell was born in Madison County, Illinois, December 29, 1835. His father was James Powell, a native of Kentucky, who emigrated to Greene County in an early day, where he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Silkwood. He passed away when Charles was but twelve years of age, and but little can now be gleaned relative to his life career in Illinois. Mrs. Powell survived her husband many years. Charles, from whom this sketch was obtained, grew to manhood in Greene Co., plenty of hard work falling to his lot, as his parents' circumstances were limited, and this deprived him of educational advantages. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Pear, who was born in Greene County. One child, Lorenzo, born of this marriage. Mr. Powell procured his first start in life in the following in manner: In an early day, overflowed land on the bottoms was owned by speculators, who were often absent for years. On this land, Mr. Powell raised some abundant crops, and made considerable improvements by means of fencing. In a short time so great was his industry that he was enabled to purchase an eighty acres tract of land. He now owns 247 acres, which is nearly all under cultivation. Although quite a young man Mr. Powell is among our most substantial farmers, whose energetic nature has conduced very materially toward his present prosperous condition.
POWELL, ROBERT, farmer, Sec. 35, P. O. White Hall. Was born in this county Oct. 22, 1854. He was married August 8, 1871, to Miss Jennie Overturf, daughter of Andrew Overturf. She was born in the State of Pennsylvania, June 8, 1854. His father, William Powell, was born in this county, and died in January 1865, at the age of about thirty years. Mr. Powell owns 36 acres of valuable and well improved land. They have three children: Lily G., born July 6, 1872; Mattie L., born August 10, 1875; Robert, born Oct. 21, 1877.
PRANT, H. A., grocer and tobacconist, north side of square, Carrollton, Illinois. H. A. Prant is a native of Germany, and was born in 1837; at an early age he developed marked energy of character and accordingly at the age of twelve years, he embarked on board a sailing vessel bound for New Orleans. On arriving here, the yellow fever then prevailing, made it incumbent upon the authorities of the city to prevent the departure of any and all passengers, and accordingly the subject of our notice remained there until the quarantine was removed, when he made his way to Memphis, Tenn. Having learned the trade of tobacconist in Germany he now worked at his trade for a number of years. On leaving Memphis he proceeded to St. Louis where he worked as a journeyman and subsequently as foreman for a manufacturing firm. While a resident here he was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Groffe, a daughter of John Groffe, of Prussia. On leaving St. Louis he went to work at Jacksonville, Morgan County, where he was foreman for a tobacco firm four years, when he took his line of departure for Jerseyville, Jersey County, Ill., where he embarked in business for himself; for a period of three years here he prospered, until his property was destroyed by fire in 1863; about 1865 he located at Carrollton, where he at first ventured in the tobacco trade, subsequently adding a stock of groceries. By strict attention to business and honorable dealing he now has large and increasing trade. See business card elsewhere.
PRICE, HENRY, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 14, P. O. White Hall. Henry Price is a native of Germany, where he was born on the 4th of July, 1821. In early life he became employed as a farm hand, and spent the usual six years in the German army. Emigrating to America in 1848, after the usual voyage, he land at New Orleans, thence to St. Louis, where he resided four years, and where he was married to Miss Mary Suitts. In 1852 he emigrated to Iowa. Remaining but a short time he returned to St. Louis, where he found employment in a large manufacturing establishment. Duriing the years mentioned above Mr. Price located in Greene County, where he met with many discouragements but ultimately triumphed, through the well-known industry peculiar to all of his race, and at the present writing is the owner of 240 acres situated within the borders of Greene County, were he now lives in the enjoyment of honestly acquired wealth. Nine children blessed this union, eight of whom are living and whose names are, in order of birth: John H., H. C., Conrad, Dora, Frank, Willie, Mary, George and Albert.
PRINDEBLE, PATRICK, farmer and stock raiser, r. Maple Av. Patrick Prindeble is a native of Ireland and was born in 1818. Growing to manhood in Ireland he followed farming for many years, and at the age of 35, having met with many reverses of fortune, he concluded to better his condition in America. Landing in New York he remained there a short time, when he made his way to Albany, thence to Troy. It should be stated that Mr. Prindeble was twice married in Ireland; his first wife was Miss Bridget Kelly, by whom he had two children; this lady died in Ireland. His second wife was Miss Mary Caton, by whom he had ten children. Twenty-five years ago Mr Prindeble located in Greene County where he purchased farm property, and here his second wife died, in 1877. During the present year our subject was untied in marriage to Mrs. Ellen Devier, whose maiden name was Danworth. Mr. Prindeble has been a very successful farmer and is the owner of 300 acres of valuable land.
PRYOR, FRANCIS M., farmer, Sec. 12, P. O. Breese. Was born in Scott Co., Ill., March 24, 1844. He came to this county with his parents, William and Riacehl Pryor, while quite young. His father died in this county about twenty years ago, at the age of about 55 years. His mother also died in the county about thirteen years ago, aged about 63 years. He was married June 8, 1865, to Elizabeth J. Farmer, daughter of William and Anna J. Farmer. She was born in Gibson Co., Ind., Dec. 13, 1850. They have three children living and one deceased: Mary, born Oct. 1, 1866; Charels Francis, born Sept. 27, 1868; Nettie Caroline, born March 12, 1870, died May 15, 1870; John Philip, born Sept. 8, 1874. He is living on his mother-in-law's farm, one and one-half miles north of the town of Breese.
PURDY, M. C. - The pottery known as the Purdy, situated near the C.&A.R.R., White Hall, Ill., was built about the years 1868, by a man named Gorbet, or Garbet. For some reason he failed, and the property was purchased by James Gregory. This he disposed of to M. C. Purdy, who entered into a co-partnership business with Abner D. Ruckle; with Mr. Ruckle he continued in business some years, when he purchased his interest, and is now sole proprietor; employs twenty men manufacturing stone ware exclusively; here maybe found innumerable pots and jugs, manufactured from a good grade of clay, and made in a workmanlike manner. Mr. Purday was born at Summit County, Ohio, in 1833; he received a liberal education, and there married Miss Sarah Jane Hall, of Ohio, by whom he had two children, Addie J., and Dwight. For a period of thirty-seven years Mr. Purdy was a resident of Ohio; apprenticed to the trade of a potter, he became a skilled workman; on coming West, he settled at White Hall. Mr. Purday is one of our most public-spirited men.