UNDERWOOD, J. H., book-seller and dealer in stationery, picture frames and miscellaneous articles, west side square, Carrollton. Mr. Underwood was born in Harrison Co., Kentucky, July 31, 1825; he was but eight years of age when his parents immigrated to the West, settling in Sangamon Co., Ill., in 1833, where the subject of our sketch passed the days of his youth and grew to manhood. Receiving a liberal education in Schuyler Co., he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Smith a daughter of James Smith, by whom he has seven children. For one year Mr. Underwood became a resident of Mt. Sterling, Brown Co., where he taught the public school of this enterprising town; in 1862 he moved to Jacksonville, Morgan Co., where he became engaged in the drug business for a period of three years, when he moved to Carrollton, where he began, in a small way, the business mentioned above; slowly but surely, however, success attended his energetic efforts, and today he has the only regular establishment of its kind on a permanent basis in Greene Co., and look through his well-stocked store, by those intending to purchase, will well repay the visit.
UNDERWOOD, WILLIAM, manufacturer and dealer in the celebrated Underwood Spring Mattress, is a native of Harrison Co., Kentucky, born in 1826, where he remained a resident until he arrived at the age of thirteen years, when he accompanied his parents, Francis and Margaret Underwood, to Greene Co., date 1839, and locating near Woodville, where our subject was early instructed in the rudiments of hard work upon the farm homestead, receiving his education principally during the winter season. April 11th, 1850, when the California excitement ran high, he crossed the plains for Placerville, arriving Aug. 31, 1850, where he entered upon the rough life of a miner, but at this critical period he was taken ill, and his success as a miner was in consequence seriously impaired. Remaining four years on the Pacific coast, on the 16th of March, 1854, he again became a resident of Greene Co., going back to the old homestead farm. The following year, Oct 22d he united his fortunes to Miss Angeline Varble, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Varble. Of this lady, who subsequently became the inventor of the above mentioned mattress - a Spring Dress Pillow and Clod Pulverizer, of which a description is given elsewhere - it may be said that she is a native of Greene Co., born March 26, 1838; she early manifested a taste for mechanics, that marked a successful era of invention in after years. And now, as our narrative draws to a close, we may here state that Mr. Underwood became a farmer of prominence in Greene Co., who met with misfortune through the liberality that was an inherent part of his nature. Three years ago he moved to Carrollton, where for a period of time he entered into the grocery trade, embarking in above business but a short time ago. In this success is not far distant when the merits of important inventions are readily recognized. There were born of the marriage above referred to seven children: Edward B., deceased, Robert, Alice D., Eunice, Mary, Ida, Amy J. and William A., deceased.
VALLENTINE, J. H. dry goods and groceries, and general store, Rockbridge. John Henry first saw the light of day, in town 10, range 10, December 7, 1840; he is the first child in a family of five children born of James and Martha Ann Vallentine, her maiden name was Vanarsdale; both of the above named families are favorably known in the county. The subject of this sketch has excellent educational advantages which were improved. In 1862 he embarked in business for himself, first engaging in agricultural pursuits, at which he continued two years. During this time he was in command of the Yates Guard, a company of militia that was in organization since the outbreak of the war, a portion of which company went with him into the one hundred days service, joining the 133d Regiment, J. Henry receiving a commission as lst Lieutenant. Upon his return from service he embarked in the mercantile business with his brother, Edward S. Vallentine, October 24,, 1864, which partnership continued until the Spring of 1867. He then associated with Albert Bowman, his brother-in-law, they doing business together until 1869, when he bought his partner out, and his father, James Vallentine, became one of the firm, and remained with him until 1876, when Joseph Mead bought his father's interest, and the firm is now known as J. H. & J. M. Vallentine. They have one of the largest and best arranged business houses in the county, being 75x25 feet, main building two stories high, having a cellar under the entire portion, and attached to the main building in the rear, is an agricultural room, one story and a half high, 32x22 feet. They carry a large stock of goods, having every thing that is needed: dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes, stoves, hardware and fancy goods, and are doing a thriving business. On June the 20th he was united in marriage to Susan B. Ryan, daughter of W. E. Ryan; she was born NOvember 15, 1844, They have been blessed with five children, three of whom are now living: James W., Birdie M., Claudie M., Edward M., Lucy W. B. Mr. John H. is a member of the Masonic Order, Sheffield Lodge, No. 687, also of the Knights of Honor, Golden Rule Lodge No. 1017. From the present outlook we predict for him a bright and successful career, and he will no doubt become one of the most opulent commercial men in the county.
VALLENTINE, J. M. grain and lumber, Sec. 34, P. O. Rockbridge. Joseph Mead, is a son of James Vallentine, a well known self-made man of this county. Joseph first beheld the light of day in T 10, R 10. His educational advantages were good; aside from the common schools he attended the high school at Carrollton, and the Iowa State University. Having an inclination to study 'material medica', entered Rush Medical College, with the intention of taking a thorough course, but only attended on year, when in consequence of ill health was compelled to relinquish his studies for a time, to return home and recuperate; but was restrained from following out the bent of his inclination, as his father's health not being good, and having at the time a large amount of business on hand, he importuned Joseph to engage with him in business and on July 25, 1870, began business with Jas. Vallentine & Co., dealers in general merchandise, grain and lumber; firm composed of James, John H., George R. and J. M. Vallentine, he continuing with them until November 1, 1871, at which time he withdrew from the partnership, and taking the grain and lumber business as his, then associated himself with another brother, R. S. Vallentine adding the stock trade also. This partnership was of short duration, terminating in April, 1872, by the withdrawal of E. S. Vallentine. The grain business, also the lumber, has since been controlled by him alone. July 1, 1876, he bought his father's interest in firm of James Vallentine & Co., and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of J. M. & J. H. Vallentine, each being equal partner. March 2, 1871 he formed a matrimonial alliance with Anna Rhodes, born March 26, 1852. She was a daughter of John Rhodes, an old resident of the county. Their association together was short, though very happy, as they had congenial temperaments and were "mated" as well as married; but Joseph was caused to "pass under the rod". Death, the grim monster, Aug. 14, 1873, invaded his happy home and bore off, on his icy bosom, his first born, names Rhodes, and, not being content with this invasion, Aug. 11, 1874, returned and bore away to the Spirit land his wife, Anna, thus leaving his home desolate indeed. After her death he continued keeping house until 1877, and since been boarding with Wm. Rhodes. Mr. J. M. is now doing business in the first house building that was erected in the town. He is doing a good business, and well deserved of the high regard and esteem with which he is viewed in the community in which he now resides.
VALLENTINE, JAMES, farmer, Sec. 31, P. O. Rockbridge. Were it possible for the reader to take a retrospective view of the locality and its surroundings, of the place now occupied by its present owners, during the first few years of its occupancy, could have seen a little, low log cabin with "cat-and-clay chimney", and split boards for a roof, which was held to its place by being weighted down with poles. Parlow, sitting, dining, and bed-room up stairs, and cellar, hall, pantry and wardrobe, being embraced in one room. Its owner having just returned from a trip to St. Louis, took a load of wheat and pork thither, for the wheat he got 33 cents per bushel, and $1.25 per one hundred lbs. for the pork, taking script in payment; and, as we take a peep inside this structure through a crevice in the logs, we see the fair matron plying industriously at her wheel, while just across on the other side of the fire-place, sits her husband on his bench, making a pair of shoes for a neighbor; and, as he is stitching and pegging away, he is sending up a harmonious bass to "home, sweet home," which his wife has "stuck up," while John and Edward S. are stretched out on the puncheon floor regaling themselves with a chunk of corn bread, this being the regular article of diet, wheat bread the exception. This is not a overdrawn picture, it was but the true state of things as they existed, when Mr. and Mrs. Vallentine began life, yet from these unpropitious and unfavorable surrounding have, by economy and industry, attained their present condition, as we find them today. Mr. Vallentine was born in Dover, New Hampshire, Sept. 11, 1812, was a son of John Vallentine and Anna Plant. At an early age James moved with his parents to Taunton, Mass., where they continued up to the year 1837, when they moved to Greene County this State, first settling in Carrollton. On September 11, 1838, was united in marriage to Martha A. Vanarsdale, born June 24, 1818, in Mercer Co., Kentucky. Left Carrollton in 1840 and moved on the place he now lives, having loaned a party $500, which he could not pay, he took the forty acres in lieu of the money, and began farming. He being raised up a mechanic, this new vocation was very distasteful to him, yet he plodded on and having in the person of his wife a very efficient helpmeet, he was double-handed. They remained at this place about eight years, when at this time there was a piece of land the he desired, but not having the money, he, to pay for it, traded his horses and implements for the land, and returned to Carrollton and resumed his trade, where he continued two years, then returned to his farm and began again, and has since continued farming, yet during the time of driving stock to St. Louis, has traded quite extensively in that line. Subsequent to this he engaged in commercial business at Rockbridge, where he built the storehouse now occupied by J. M. & J. H. Vallentine. He continued in business there for about eight years, when he sold out his interest to its present occupants, and he is still carrying on his farm, but considers himself partially retired. Having divided up his property among his children, is not attempting to do much business, being more interested in their success than of his own at the present. Mr. and Mrs. Valletine and daughter are members of the Presbyterian church. He is also a member of Sheffield Lodge, A.F. & A. M., No. 687. Mr. and Mrs. Vallentine have had eight children, but five are now living: John H., born December 7, 1840; Edward S., born January 29, 1843; Ellen J., born November 25, 1844; J. Meade, born August 7, 1849; Cora B., born April 3, 1857. Edward S. is now settled in Christian County in this State, Ellen J. is now the wife of A. Bowman, Cora B. is at home.
VANARSDALE, J. H., farmer, Sec. 31, P. O. Rockbridge, was a native born Kentuckian, having first beheld the light of day in Mercer County, June 18, 1816. His father, Peter, married Miss Charity Demerce, both of them being of Dutch descent. The father of J. H. being a man who believed that slavery was morally wrong, and advocating this idea, with a fervency characteristic of the man, his ideas were not entertained by those people as being orthodox, and Peter, like the Pilgrim Fathers, emigrated to a clime more congenial to his conceptions of right, where he could exercise his opinions and principles untrammeled by that sectional or partisan feeling so rife in that locality, and in the year 1836 moved to Carrollton, where he remained about two years, when he removed to the country, as he had become unpopular on account of his (what was then styled) "Abolition" principles. He never lived to see the triumph of the principles which he advocated so zealously, but his children have witnessed with pride the final victory of the tenets to which he adhered, and which have now become governmentally the chief corner stone. After J. H. had arrived at his twenty-first year, he engaged for himself at farming pursuits, at which he continued up to the date of his marriage, which occurred Dec. 9, 1839, to Susan Demere, by whom he had two children: Alfred H., who is now in Colorado, and James, who died in the service. Mr. V. lost his wife in 1854; was married second time to Mrs. Sarah S. Batchelder, by whom he has five children: Sue F., born April 28, 1856; Hattie E., born March 29, 1858; Harry P., born March 29, 1858, twins; Allie J., born July 11, 1859; Ernest S., born Sept. 29, 1862, all of whom are now at home. Miss Sue is music teacher and Hattie teacher in the public school. Mr. Van. was elected justice of the peace, in 1849, which office he continued to hold by re-election until the year 1862, when he was appointed U. S. district assessor internal revenue department for the county, and in 1867 received an appointment as a member of the board of equalization for this Congressional district. Mr. Vanarsdale has always been an uncompromising temperance man, and politically is of his fathers' belief, and says he voted the anti-slavery ticket when there was not another voter to bear him company; voted for Martin Van Buren in 1836. He and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Still engaged in agricultural pursuits; has been school director twenty-five years.
VANGIESEN, JAMES, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 8, P. O. Roodhouse. For a period of thirty years the above named gentleman has been a resident of Greene County, where he is well known for his kindly disposition and success as a farmer; he was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, in 1822; the youngest of a family of ten children. In his fifteenth year he accompanied his parents to Greene County. The year 1838, although not an early one in the history of the county, it had yet to witness many changes; as deer still roamed at will and wild fowl were abundant, being frequently found on the table of the backwoodsman; the family first settled on the Sand Ridge, being the third in that neighborhood; here were passed the last days of the head of the family, Cornelius Vangiesen, who died at the advanced age of seventy-seven years. James, then in his twenty-second year, was in limited circumstances; his first purchase on the Sand Ridge consisted of 160 acres; here he resided fourteen years, and during this time, united his fortunes to Miss Elizabeth Hudson, a daughter of the late William Hudson, by whom he had five children: William, Mary Jane, Minnie Belle, an infant child, and Dora, the only surviving child. In 1852 Mr. V. moved to his present farm, consisting of 220 acres.
VAN TUYLE, ROBERT, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 32, P. O. Manchester, Scott Co., Ill. Robert Van Tuyle was born in Somerset Co., New Jersey, on the 26th of November 1832; he was in his fourth year when his parents, Otto and Charlotte Van Tuyle, immigrated to Illinois, settling in Greene County. Remaining during the winter northeast of White Hall, thence to Manchester prairie; remaining until 1851, when a location was made on the property now owned by Robert; on the property were passed the last days of Otto Van Tuyle, who became an exceedingly prosperous farmer through industry, whose worth was appreciated by the early residents of Scott and Greene Counties; he passed away to that world of spirits to which we all are hastening, on the 3d of June, 1852. Mrs. Van Tuyle who is still living, a most estimable lady, is a resident of Jacksonville, Morgan County. Robert, from whom this sketch is obtained, has followed farming from boyhood; on the 3d of May, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Clark, a daughter of E. J. Clark, a successful farmer of Scott County, an earnest minister of the gospel and president of the Manchester Bank of Scott County; three children born of this marriage, Frederick, a student of the Commercial College of Jacksonville, and Edward and Lottie. Mr. Van Tuyle, from a small beginning, has become a successful farmer, owning 460 acres; in addition to farming, Mr. V. is also extensively engaged as a stock buyer and shipper; one of the most popular men of Scott County, he there holds the position of bank director, and was lately nominated for probate judge.
VAUGHN, JOHN, farmer, Sec. 24, P. O. Fayette, was born in Sangamon County, Ill., Feb. 2, 1834. His father, Harberd, is a native of Virginia; his mother's maiden name was Jane Young, and claims a birthplace in the same State as her husband. They lived but a few years after their arrival in Sangamon County, and at the age of seven years he was left an orphan, and had to battle alone in life, without a father's aid or a mother's counsel. At an early age he went to live with a man in Mason County, by the name of Harder, who agreed to give him good advantages in school and clothe him, and at his majority to present him with a good horse and equipments in consideration for the services he would render. The result was he got about six months' schooling in all, and on his departure received $1 95, and the horse and bridle and saddle he never got. He then came to this county, worked a while for his brother gratis, then hired by the month at low wages, working for Mr. Eldred, then David Wright and C. N. Brace. In the Fall of 1856, Oct. 16, was married to Catherine E. Hill, born in Tennessee, Jan. 1, 1835. They have had eight children, but four now living: Maggie, born Sept. 12, 1864; Edie, May 7, 1869; Ella, Sept. 15, 1871; and Ota, July 3, 1878. After his marriage, rented land of Mr. Brace, for three years, then moved to Fayette, and rented land of Mr. Bostick two years, and subsequently bought the land he now occupies, and improved it, and though a small farm, yet it is sufficient for him. He owes no man a dollar, and will hand down to his children a name and character for honesty and integrity that none can gainsay or disapprove.
VEDDER, A. F. dealer in drugs, hardware, farming implements, paints, oil stuffs and dyes, Main st., White Hall, Ills., for the past eighteen years a merchant of White Hall, and during this time has carried on a very successful business. He first became a partner of judge Worcester ; the firm became widely known. On the retirement of Mr. W., he entered into partnership with a younger brother, Mr. F. I. Vedder, continuing together three years. His next partner was Mr. A. D. Rucker. Mr. Vedder was born in New York, in 1835, receiving a liberal education. In his 19th year he came West, locating at White Hall, where he first became a clerk with Davis & Vedder; since this time his movements and enterprise are so well known as to need no further mention. In 1861, he was married to Miss Virginia Drish, a daughter of Dr. Drish, of White Hall; two children were born of this marriage: Alice, not living, and Linnie. In 1865, Mrs. Vedder died, and was laid at rest in the beautiful cemetery at White Hall. In 1867, Mr. Vedder married Miss Nellie Bullock, by whom he has one child, Florence. Mr. V. is a member of the town board of White Hall.
VEDDER, ISAAC D. retired merchant and acting notary public of White Hall. Mr. Vedder was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y. State, June 5, 1820. At nineteen he set out for Illinois, locating at White Hall, Greene Co., Ill. He first worked in a small grocery store kept by a man by the name of Lawson. Richard W. Young was then U. S. Land Commissioner; by him Mr. Vedder was tendered a clerkship. Proceeding to Washington, he entered upon the duties of his office. While there he formed the acquaintance of and married Miss Sarah E. Prettyman, Feb. 15, 1849. Shortly after this important event Mr. Vedder returned to White Hall. He now opened a dry goods store, admitting as partner Asbury Davis. Both were young men of sagacity and business tact, and immediately entered upon a successful business career. In 1857, the firm dissolved partnership, the store being continued by Mr. Davis for a short time, when Mr. V. again became a partner, and continued so until 1864; when he again retired in 1869, he bought out the wagon shop of L. E. Worcester; this proved an unfortunate speculation. Mr. Vedder is a gentleman of education and culture, whose impulses are generous to a fault.
VIGUS, JAMES W., in his time a somewhat prominent farmer and merchant of Greene County, was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia. But little is known of his early history or to a date prior to his removal to Greene County. Becoming a resident of this county in 1840, he first entered into a general merchandise business in connection with his father, Pettis W. Successful in the calling, for his honesty was never brought into question. On abandoning the mercantile business he purchased valuable farm property, where he passed the remainder of life, finding a last resting place in the Steth Cemetery, a handsome and worthy monument marking the spot. Mrs. V. is still living, a resident of Carrollton, a native of Greene County. Of this marriage five children were born: George W., Paul W. (deceased), Josephine, who married Christopher Doyle, of St. Louis, and Hattie E. and Titus E.
VIVELL, FRANK, baker, confectioner, and dealer in fancy groceries and notions, Carrollton, Ill. Among the live business men who have contributed very much toward the present prosperous condition of Greene Co., the above enterprising gentleman is worthy of more than a passing notice. Frank Vivell is a native of Baden, Germany, born in 1830; passing his earlier years in his native land, where he early learned the trade of a baker; attaining his majority he concluded to better his fortunes in the New World, and accordingly he embarked on board a sailing vessel in 1852; after a tedious voyage of some weeks duration he landed in the great metropolitan city of New York. Remaining but a short time, viewing the sights and scenes of the city, he made his way to Philadelphia, and taking passage on the Erie Canal in a crowded canal boat to Pittsburg, for he was then in very straitened circumstances. During the passage by canal boat the cholera became a sweeping epidemic; of twenty-eight passengers twenty-five died from cholera. At Canalton, Indiana, he was detained a short time and now determined to make his way to St. Louis. A little incident here is worthy of note: taking passage on a mail boat down the "Father of Waters" for St. Louis, it touched at various points; at one of them our subject jumped off and laid in a small supply of provisions; hastening to the wharf, he was just in time to see the vessel gliding away for St. Louis. Discouraged he sat down and awaited the arrival of another boat. A stern-wheeler hove in sight; having no money, he however stepped on board and was soon on his way down the river; but here commenced an act of cruelty unparalleled; he was given instructions to attend to the pump until relieved; taking his station here, morning fled away and no breakfast, noon and no dinner, night and no supper; he began to feel rather lonesome. A clerk on board being a German, he now made a bolt for the cabin to procure something to eat, but was dragged back by the mate, suffering untold misfortunes. He determined when the vessel touched at St. Louis to make his escape, and accordingly jumped from the vessel when it landed and made his way into the city, in a ridiculous fashion. In St. Louis he became fourth cook and bootblack at the American hotel. Here a laughable episode occurred: a drunken man sauntered in for the purpose of handing Mr. Vivell his whip; he made several staggering attempts to do so. It occurred to our subject, who understood little English, that to suffer innumerable misfortunes on his passage down the river and now to be horse whipped, to use his own language, was "too thin". His whole nature rose up in rebellion against this outrage, and making one desperate spring for his victim, subjected him to a pommeling that he remembered for many a day. Owing to limited space we cannot follow step by step, as we would wish to, many interesting passages in the life of Mr. Vivell. At Jacksonville and other points he worked as pastry cook. In May, 1856, he made his way to Carrollton, where he entered into business as baker and confectioner, and dealer in fancy groceries. Through indomitable energy he soon entered upon a prosperous career, and now today, after many years of hardship and self-denial, he has built up a trade unequaled in the West; the owner of magnificent property in Carrollton, and the finest residence in Greene Co. And in conclusion we may safely state that more live, energetic man than Mr. V it would be a hard matter to find.