Rockbridge Township

Rockbridge Township

The town of Rockbridge is situated in the southeast part of the county, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, in what has long been known as Taylor's Prairie, having derived the name from John and Ambrose Taylor, who with Benjamin Allen settled here in the year 1819. They were the first white men who settled north of the Macoupin Creek in this part of the county.

The first building that was put up was the mill on the creek, now known as the Rockbridge Mills. This was built about the year 1826 by John Hardcastle and Moses Stephens, and was run by water power. These parties sold out to a Mr. Tegard, he to Mr. Andrews, and in the year 1836 it came into the possession of John Barnett. In the year 1840, Mr. Barnett sold to George D. Randle, who improved it considerably. It was also under his influence in the year 1849, that a post-office was established here and called Rockbridge. Mr. Randle, who was postmaster, kept the office in his residence, a hewed log house, which still stands on the hill near the mill, a relic of the town in its infancy.

The following persons have been postmaster since that time : William Gage, W. H. Summers, J. H. Vallentine, and M. R. Blodgett, who is the present incumbent.

The mill was bought by William Gage, G. T. W. Sheffield and I. R. Ostrom, about the year 1853. It was this party who put in steam power and otherwise improved the mill. Mr. Gage also built a store house about this time, into which the post-office was removed. _ With these changes a lively business commenced at the town of Rockbridge.

The mill was in various hands for the next twenty years, with G. T. W. Sheffield principal owner. When Isaac Bruner came into possession he also made large improvements, and is now doing a lively business with both grist and saw mill.

W. H. Summers was successor to Gage & Sheffield in the mercantile business. Afterward came Vallentine Bros., Vallentine & Bowman, and Vallentine & Son. During the years from 1855 to 1865, there were a few houses built a half mile west on the prairie, and some business transacted. This neighborhood was familiarly known as Dublin.

In the year 1870, the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad was constructed, and in the Spring of 1871 a town was laid out on the railroad a half mile northwest from the old site, by Sheffield and Hudson. This town the railroad company named Sheffield in honor of G. T. W. Sheffield, which name it retained until the railroad came into the hands of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Company, who changed the name again to Rockbridge, the name of the post-office never having been altered.

Three additions have been made to the town since its first laying out, by L. F. Williams, James Vallentine, and Isaac Bruner, respectively. At this date, 1879, there are nine business houses in the town, as follows: J. H, & J. M. Vallentine, M. R. Blodgett and Kinder & Rives, general merchandise; J. Keeley & Co., drugs; William M. Rhoads, groceries; John Barnett, harness ; C. H, Weaver, furniture ; Miss Nannie Clark, milliner; Philip Jacobi, blacksmith and agricultural implements; A. Tendic, boots and shoes ; also Wiley More, l)lacksmith shop ; Nathan Dawson, blacksmith shop; Peter Achenbach, butcher shop; D. R. Colman, "City Mills;" J. M. Vallentine, dealer in grain and lumber. Tiiere is one school building, forty feet square, two stories high ; two churches. Baptist and Catholic ; two halls, the Masonic and tlie Town Hall. There are four religious organizations - Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Catholic. The Baptist Church was organized about 1837, and was composed of members from the Providence Church. Elder Jacob Rhodes, Haycraft, Sturdivalt, took part in the organization exercises. The church was then called the Taylor's Creek United Baptist Church. About 1842 there occurred a division in the cliurch. Some of the members objected to receiving Mrs. Hubbard, a preacher of some notoriety, into membership, as she had been baptized in the Mission Baptist Church. In consequence of this a respectable number of members organized a new body, known as the Apple Creek Association of the United Baptist Church, in connection with which in 1856, the New Salem Church of Rockbridge was organized. With few exceptions, the church has remained the same, though now known as the Baptist Church of Sheffield, Rev. John Bush, pastor. The Presbyterian Church was organized by members of the Walnut Grove Church. Rev. J. R. Armstrong is pastor. The elders of the Presbyterian Church are J. H. Van Arsdale, R. T. Dawson, and G. M. Kinder. The Methodist Church was organized, by removal from Webster School-house, in 1872. The present preacher is Rev. J. W. Helmick ; class leader, B. F. Wiley ; steward, C. S. Scandrett, Jr. The Catholic Church was organized in 1865. Tlie rector in charfje is Rev. Father J. D. Metzler. There are three societies. Masonic,

Officers of Sheffield Lodge, No. 678, A. F. & A. M., at Rockbridge: A. E. Miller, W. M. ; Colin Keating, S. W. ; G. D. Hudson, J. W. ; Hirum Dixon, Treas. ; Albert Bowman, Sec. ; James Dowdall, S. Deacon ; Jacob Kelley, J. D. ; J. M. Clarke, Ty. ; William Turner, Chap. ; C. H. Weaver, and Wesly McPherson. The Masonic Lodge was constituted 187L Charter members: W. M. Rhoades, W. M. ; Albert Bowman, S. W. ; G. D. Hudson, J. W. ; A. E. Miller, James Vallentine, Thomas Lawrance, Daniel Bowman, Jessee Robards, John Donnell, J. H. Rives, Hirum Dixon, Isaac Vanraeter, Colin Keating, Vilas Dodge, John Taylor, B. F. Edwards.

The Masonic Lodge was instituted in 1871, and has for its officers: A. E. Miller, W. M. ; Colin Keating, S. W. ; Geo. D. Hudson, J. W. ; Hiram Dixon, T. ; Albert Bowman, Sec'y. ; J. M. Clark, Tyler.

The Rockbridge Band is a musical organization which owns a fine set of instruments and a handsome band wagon. Its members are : Geo. D. Hudson, J. H. Vallentine, John Russell, Franklin Taylor, John Williams, J. M. Vallentine, Philip Jacobi, J. M. Clark, John Milnes, Kennett Williams.

Dr. A. E. Miller and Dr. E. Wilson are the physicians. William M. Rhoads, Baptist minister; W. L. Spear, notary public; Edward Wooldridge, constable ; G. B. Craine, R. T. Dawson, and C. H. Weaver, carpenters and builders ; Robt. Leton, plasterer and mason.

This town is not incorporated. Its population at this time is 200. It is well known for the energy of its business men, who claim that there is a greater amount of business done at this place in proportion to its size, than at any other town in the county.

Wilmington is situated in Township 12, Range 12, in Northwestern Precinct, in the northwestern portion of the county, and was laid out in 1836, on the 18th day of May, by Lucius S. Norton, Thomas Groce, Thomas Hanks, Young, Henderson, Lane, and Higbee. It is six miles from the Illinois River and one and a half miles north of Drake Station, on the Louisiana branch of the C.& A.R.R. John Coates (the father of eight sons and two daughters, all of whom still live in the county, except Chester, who resides in Scott County), was among the early settlers in this section, and was one of the largest money lenders in the country. He was killed in 1874, by being knocked from the railroad track by an

Avas erected by Leonard Carriger and Thomas Groce. Mr. Morris, above mentioned, did no business, but sold property to L. J. Patterson. In 1849 Dr. Gosnold lived and practiced here. At this time Delaha sold goods for a short season, then removed. Charles Wiggins ran a cooper shop from about 1847 to 1849, since which time nothing in that line has been done here. Wra. Flemmings preceded Wiggins in the cooper business. We must not forget to mention "The Rising Sun," which was the name of the first tavern, and the inscription, we are informed, was printed with pokeberry juice. A good -sized and noisy bell swung above the building, and many were the pleasant evenings spent by the sturdy pioneers, listening to the funny tales told by the jolly landlord,

Rev. Slocum H. Culver worked at the cooper's trade, three miles southwest, and frequently filled the rude pulpit, in this village, on Sundays. Thomas Groce, who owned a large tract of land, including that on which the village stands, sold the tract to George W. Collister and L. T. Whitesides. Mr. Collister still owns the land he then bought. Whitesides sold to John Hicks, who still owns it. The town lots owned by G]-oce were bought by Dr. Charles Hardt, who practiced medicine here for several years with good success. Dr. Hardt sold to Dr. Burns and others, and removed to southwestern Missouri, where he now resides. G. W. Collister is one of our oldest citizens, and in consequence of his skill in veterinary surgery, is frequently dubbed doctor. This gentleman was also a blacksmith, and plied his vocation from 1840 to 1852, since which time his first son, Alfred B. Collister, has done tlie principal part of the work turned off at his shop. In 1847 A. J. Whitesides put up a wagon shop, and did a paying business for some time, then took C. C. Eaton in as a partner, and continued in the same business till 1859, when Whitesides & Eaton put up a steam saw mill, with stationary boiler. This greatly facilitated the erection of buildings, and gave home improvements a new send off. This mill was finally sold to a party who took it to Glasgow, where it now is. The next saw mill was put up by George W. Crayne, who, after a number of years, sold to John Taggart, who subsequently removed the mill to Pike County. About the year 1853 Dr. Lucian Higljee located here; had an extensive practice for several years, and was finally drowned in attempting to cross Hurricane Creek, during a freshet, near Schutz' Mills. In addition to the blacksmiths already mentioned, may be added the names of James Buck, Hiram Williams, A. L. Steelman, James Ashlock, Jack Adkins, Loot Wells, Geo. Amos, Hank Saunders, A. B. Collister, William and Thomas Taylor, and J. Madison Linder. Taylor Bros, began in 1878, and are still at work here. Mr. Linder began in 1867, more than twelve years ago; has done an immense business, has a new and roomy shop at the present writing (1879), and is known as an excellent smith. Milton Watt, a most excellent wagon and buggy maker, located here in 1877, remained one season, did considerable work, and then removed to Carrollton. In remote ages, saloon keepers flourished here, but lately, finding that their customers had forsaken them, they departed, and to-day we have a quiet, sober, orderly village, with a large per cent, of the inhabitants sporting the "blue" and "purple." The doctors who have resided and practiced here at different periods are: Messrs. Cruse, Knott, Bowles, Torn,

Darley, Morrison, Carter, Linfoot, Burns, and Arnold. G. W. Burns came from Pennsylvania, and located here about 1868, and still resides and practices here. Dr. J. Arnold, a native Illinoisan, and a young man of considerable abilitj'- as a physician, came to this place in the Fall of 1876, and still remains. It has frequently been said of him, by the older physicians, that he is unusually bright and well posted, for one of his age.

Ministers of the gospel have been Rev. Messrs. A. J. Whitesides, Gulp, Henry L. Johnson, who, by the way, lives in Morgan County, but has preached at this point quite regularly for the past twenty-five years, Goldsby, Waddle, Curry, Haley, Isham Roberts, and Alexander. Justices of the Peace : Cranfil, Carriger, Little, A. J. Whitesides, L. J. Patterson, who has also been associate justice, and high sheriff, still lives here, and is justice of the peace at present writing, George Cranfil, L. T. Whitesides, Josiah Jones, John Jones (present sheriff), C. C. Eaton, and W, C. Dandy ; the latter gentleman is also justice of the peace at this writing. Lawyers : The first one was James M. Riggs, who now resides three miles east, and is an excellent scholar, speaking several languages fluently, and is an able man in every way; John B. Henderson, present judge of Scott County; J. L. Patterson, now located in Roodhouse, and doing a flourishing business, and Thomas Henshaw, who studied and graduated under the tutorage of Knapp & Riggs, of Winchester, practiced here a few months, and located in Carrollton ; he is now a member of the firm of Meyerstein & Henshaw, White Hall, and bids fair to rise to a station among the first of his profession. In addition to the school teachers mentioned above, we can name Esq. Heaton, Colby Young, J. M. Riggs, Price Lovelace, Irvin Wells, Capt. W. H. Ellis, Bristow, Henderson, Lemons, Jones, A. Thomas, J. L. Patterson, Thomas Henshaw, Miss Lucy M. Burr (daughter of Judge A. G. Burr), Miss Lelia J. Halbirt. Park W. Jackson, and T. J. Albert. The latter began here in October, 1870, and has taught, every Winter, in the village since, besides teaching four Spring and Summer terms, making nine years in all, at one place, and is still teaching the town school, at present writing, 1879.

The Methodists have an organization numbering some fifteen or twenty members, and the Baptists, who hold meetings regularly, have a membership of near three hundred. The church house is very large, capable of accommodating four or five hundred persons, and frequently a greater number crowds in during a revival. The school building was erected in 1873, is furnished with forty patent seats, capable of seating eighty pupils ; has abundance of blackboard room, well lighted, vestibule in front end, furnished with hat hooks, shelves, etc. The y-ard is beautifully adorned, and shaded with a grove of thrifty maples, planted by W. B. Coates, who, at the time was, and still is, director of the school. Our people are, and have ever been, remarkable for the interest manifested in the educational welfare of the youths of the district. As a rule, they have aimed to supply the best talent, regardless of expense. The schedules for the past several years have contained from seventy to eighty-five names, and at present writing the school is in a flourishing condition. As stated above, we find it impossible to name, consecutively, the links which formed the business of this village, hence we shall content ourselves with giving it as we get it. In 1855, J. R. Pruitt and L. T. Whitesides were the business men of the place. In 1856, Lee Coates and his father, John Coates, engaged in the mercantile bnsiness, and for four or five years had a good trade. In 1857, W. B. Coates succeeded his father, John Coates, became a partner with his brother Lee, thus forming a strong and prosperous firm, which continued till 1861, when they dissolved, and Lee continued some time alone, deaUng heavily in grain, barge building with L. E. Carter, at Grand Pass, etc. About this time, W. B. Coates did considerable business as a stock and grain dealer, till in the Spring of 1864, W. B. Coates went to Montana gold mines, where he remained four years, bringing back a handsome sum of money.

October 1, 1869, W. B. Coates embarked in mercantile enterprise, which he has constantly and vigorously pursued till the present writing, when, as an evidence of his success, we find him carrying a stock of goods estimated at $5,000. As a malter of business and accommodation, it has been his practice to buy everything that farmers and others had to sell, from a pound of butter to 20,000 bushels of wheat. Of all men who ever gave customers time and credit for goods, it is but just to say that W. B. Coates is the most lenient. About 1857, Morris & Simons sold goods here for a short period, and were succeeded by Beal Cotter, in 1859. In 1860, Aaron Reno & Brother succeeded J. R. Pruitt. In 1865, Elihu Yates and James Wilkinson embarked in the dry goods and grocery business, but not succeeding well, soon retired. About 1866, J. R. Pruitt and Philemon Reno formed a dry goods firm, and after a short time retired. Edward S. Houghton, also, dealt in boots, shoes, etc., for a short time. About the same time Jones, Patterson & Howard formed a copartnership, and sold an immense amount of goods, continuing some three or four years. In 1869, Philemon Reno dealt in groceries alone. About 1873, Isaac Lowenstein went into the grocery and notion business, and, succeeding in that, bought a corner lot and put up a spacious and modern building, over which Eagle Hall is situated. In this building he sold various lines of goods. He was succeeded by B. F. & G. W. Carriger. They were succeeded by Gurley & Doyle, who still occupy and do business in the same house. Jacob Anthony sold goods here for a season, and was succeeded by Napoleon Gormley. John House, plasterer, stone and brick mason, has lived here some twenty-eight years. Adam House, carpenter, has been residing here near twenty-three years. John Ricks, carpenter, has been here several 3'ears. These three mechanics do all the work in their line in the neighborhood.

One of the most interesting and important features in the way of public entertainment, instruction, etc., is the Wilmington Literary and Polemic Society, organized some fifteen years ago, and is still in active operation, holding public debates once a week, when essays, select reading, dialogues, vocal music, general debate and impromptus, and the reading of Polemic Journal, edited by T. J. Albert, are the order of each meeting. Speakers at present are : Dr. J. Arnold, J. W. Beal, L. J. Patterson, James Code, C. C. Eaton, A. Thomas, and T. J. Albert. Ofcers : President, Esqr. Wm. C. Dandy; Vice President, T. J. Albert ; Secretary, J. Harvey Powell ; Assistant Secretary, Creighton A. Henshaw ; Treasurer, J. AV. Beal ; Sergeant-at-Arms, L. J. Patterson ; Editor, T. J. Albert. The meetings are held in Eagle Hall, and much benefit has been derived by each active member. The " temperance wave" struck this place in the Spring of 1878, and an organization of more than two himdred was formed. The town was incorporated in 1869, under the State law, and was organized under the village act in 1875. Town Council are : President, George W. Collister ; Clerk, Dr. J. Arnold ; Treasurer, W. B. Coates ; J. Madison Linder, John House, C. C. Eaton, L. J. Patterson, Thomas Marsh, and A. Thomas being members. Our village is surrounded by a beautiful scope of country, wiih an exceedingly fertile soil, enterprising farmers, stock raisers, etc.; and being situated within easy reach of the railroad, and not far from the river, and considering the facts that we have a daily mail, that old buildings are being replaced by new and better ones, we see nothing to prevent it from, some day, becoming a town of commercial and manufacturing importance.

Source changes here: from Past and Present of Greene County, Illinois, by Miner, Ed. (Edward), published 1905; 1,001 words in this source stream.

Rockbridge Township

The town of Rockbridge is situated upon the northwest cjuarter of section 34, in township 10, range 10, in this civil sub-division of Greene county, on the line of the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy railroad, on what has long been known as Taylor's Prairie.

A small settlement sprang up here shortly after this, and a post office was established in 1849, through the influence of George D. Randle, the owner of the mill.

About the year 1854 William Gage put up a store building and put in a stock of general merchandise, in connection with G. T. W. Sheffield, under the firm name of Gage & Sheffield. Later \V. H. Summers succeeded this firm, in the same line of business. He was succeeded in turn by the various firms of Valentine Brothers, Valentine & Bowman and \'alentine & Son.

A lively Inisiness was done here in those days, both at the store and at the saw and grist mill, and the little hamlet, \\-hich was about a half mile southeast of the present town, gained a few inhabitants. .\ small settlement also sprang up about a half mile west of the village, which was familiarly known as Dublin, but it contained but few houses at the most.

The real growth of the town of Rockbridge, however, dates from the completion of the railroad in 1870. In that year what was then known as the R. R., I. & St. L. railroad, now the Chicago, Burlington & Ouincy railroad, was constructed to this point, and in the spring of 1871 a town was laid out by Sheffield & Hudson, about a half mile from the old settlement, which was called Sheffield, after G. T. W. Sheffield, one of the proprietors. This name it retained until the railroad came under the control of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, when the}- changed the name to Rockbridge, the name of the post office, which had remained unaltered.

Three additions have been made to the town since the first survey, one each by L. F. \Villiams, James Valentine, and Isaac Bruner, the latter being platted in 1877. The first house in the new town was erected by James Valentine. This was a store building, in which he opened a stock of miscellaneous goods, thereby being the pioneer merchant of the incipient town. He also erected a grain warehouse, which he operated, as well as laid in a stock of lumber, being the pioneer in both these branches of trade. Others now began to come in, and the little burg began to wear a business look, and grew to be quite a lively place.

The first school house in the town was erected in 1874, the first teacher being John Howell, of Brighton, Macoupin county. The building is 32x42 feet in size, and was put up and finished at a cost of about $2,500, by R. T. Dawson, contractor.

There are two church buildings in the hamlet. Baptist and Catholic; but four denominations are represented - Presbyterian and Methodist, in addition to those above named.

The lumber yard of Kinder & Saunders was established by James Valentine in 1870. He carried a stock of about $2,000, and ran it in connection with his store and grain business. For twelve years he operated this business, but in 1882 he disposed of it to C. G. Edwards. In about two years the latter sold out to Kinder & Saunders.

The drug firm of Jacob Keeley & Co. was established January i, 1874, by J. H. Gray & Co., Mr. Keeley being the junior partner. In July, 1875. ^^- E. }klillcr purchased the interest of Mr. Gray, and this firm carried on the business. Jacob Keeley was murdered in the summer of 1885.

In the year 1849, through the inlluence of George D. Randle, the owner of the mill at the old town, a postoflice was established at that point called Rockbridge, and Mr. Randle commissioned as postmaster. He kept the office at his dwelling house, a large log cabin, near the mill. In 1853 or 1854, William Gage became postmaster, and removed the office to his store. He was succeeded by William H. Summers, and he by J. H. X'alentinc. and in 1873 Miln R. Blodgeli. When the new town was laid out the; office was moved here, but the name continued the same, and has finally given its name to the town.

The village officers of the thrixing little place at present are: President, W. E. Bruner; hoard of trustees, E. B. Jackson, Allen I'ry, J. II. Holmes. A. Roady, H. Howard and Eugene Williams ; constable and street commissioner, John Wooldridge; police magistrate, E. S. Barnard.

E. O. Standard & Co. have a large grain elevator near the railroad station which is superintended by J. F. Bertman, who deals in grain, hay, flour, seeds, etc.

I'^red. Achenbach & Son, also C. W. llolnbach, deal extensively in live stock, hogs, cattle, horses and sheep. Their shipments are large and frequent.

Thomas A. Weisner is engaged in the drug, hardware and agricultural implement trade and is meeting with good success. He also writes insurance.

Dr. A. E. Miller is the only resident physician. He has an extensive and successful practice, and for thirty-two years he has administered to the sick in that vicinity.

The Baptists and ^vlethodists each have churches in the village. The Sunday school in connection with the Baptist denomination have a flourishing Sunday-school, officered by W. J. Cannedy, superintendent; W. L. Witt, assistant superintendent; Mrs. W. E. Bruner, secretary and treasurer.

The Methodists also have a large Sunday school under the leadership of Charles W. Hollenbach. with Rev. T. M. Duff, assistant, and Miss Lucy Scandrett. secretary and treasurer.

Rockbridge's public schools are an acknowledged factor in helping to sustain the reputation of Greene count)- for the excellency of her schools. The Rockbridge schools are doing good work under the supervision of Prof. C. E. Bell, principal, and Miss M. B. Short, assistant.