1885 History of Greene & Jersey
County Societies
Greene county has two societies that are county institutions,
and of which they are justly proud. These are the Agricultural
Association and the Old Settlers' Society. No history would be
complete without an account of each of them and they are
herewith given.
Greene County Agricultural Society.
On the 15th of April, 1854, was instituted a society, known as
the Greene County Agricultural and Mechanical Association. The
first officers were as follows: Luman Curtius, president; Joshua
C. Winters, vice president; A. W. Bridges, treasurer; Francis P.
Vedder, secretary; and Samuel Thomas, Jacob Bowman, Linus E.
Worcester, B. Baldwin, L. J. Patterson, A. J. Whiteside, A.
Sweeten, Michael Kinser, William Halbert, J. W. Calvin, T. W.
Vigus, W. L. Greene, Samuel Longstreet, David Thompson, J. H.
VanArsdale, G. L. Burruss, W. H. Ellis, I. R. Istrom, John
Rives, Martin Thorpe, T. J. Short, Benjamin King, Perry
McConathy, J. D. Martin, Elon Eldred and William Black,
executive committee.
The first annual fair was held on the farm of J. E. Brace, a
short distance northwest of the city of Carrollton, on the 12th
of Oct., 1854. Judging from the newspapers of the day, this was
a brilliant success in every way, and the display of stock,
especially horses, was superior to most anything in any other
county or state fair. Among the leading competitors for
premiums, were most of the leading citizens of the period, among
whom were Anthony Potts, James J. Eldred, Eri Edwards, Silas
Eldred, James W. Gregory, Jeremiah Turpin, Elon Eldred, Elijah
Dee, R. N. Neece, William Crane, J. H. Waller, Michael Kinser,
J. P. Henderson, Daniel Morfoot, Benjamin Roodhouse, Anthony S.
Seeley, Peter Roodhouse, William Black, G. L. Burruss,L. H.
Thomas, J. E. Brace, Samuel Longstreet, and others. Neither were
the ladies behind-hand in their departments, premiums being
awarded to Mrs. J. J. Thomas, Mrs. William Potts, Mrs. Benjamin
Baldwin, Mrs. J. I. Thomas, Mrs. E. Morfoot, Mrs. John T.
Williams, Mrs. Dr. Hardtner, Mrs. Luman Curtius, Misses Pierson,
Mrs. J. B. Eldred, Mrs. David Dodgson, and others. At that time
the society numbered some 230 members, which kept rapidly in-
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creasing. Since the organization of the association the
following gentlemen have filled the position of president: D. M.
Woodson, George L. Burruss, Joseph Ballinger, Jacob Bowman, B.
F. Baldwin, E. M. Husted, L. S. Eldrde, Benjamin Roodhouse,
George W. Davis. Benjamin Roodhouse is the present president,
and N. J. Andrews, secretary.
The second annual exposition was held on grounds belonging to
the society, or to 160 stockholders, south of Carrollton, near
the present site of the public school building. They had fenced
this in and built stalls, and other conveniences, and it was
used by the society, until the fairs grew to such a magnitude
that the place was inconveniently small, so, in 1860, the
present large and beautiful grounds were purchased by the
association. The improvements from the old park were moved here,
and many new ones added. One beautiful and convenient feature of
these grounds, is the great abundance of trees, affording a
delightful shade from the midsummer sun, and adding to the
beauty and picturesqueness of the place.
The first financial statement of which there is any record, is
that of the year 1856. It is as follows: Receipts from annual
fair, $950.15; paid for premiums, $500; expenses, $45.95;
balance on hand, after paying all indebtedness, $404.20.
At the earlier exhibitions, the premiums were almost always of
silverware, and frequently, on running over the old treasurer's
reports, there is often found a list of silverware left on hand.
During successive years the receipts of the fairs were as
follows: 1857, $1,338.15; 1858, $1,615.37; 1859, $1,882.85;
1860, $2,025.82, and so on, the expenses, of course, increasing
in the same proportion.
In 1866, the present neat, tasty and convenient amphitheater was
built. In 1872, the name of the association was changed to that
of Greene County Agricultural Board. During the dark days of the
war, when people's minds were filled with other things besides
fairs, these exhibitions did not pay, and when brighter days
dawned, which was not until 1874, the board found itself
hampered with a debt something like $6,000. In order that this
might be paid off, and that the future prosperity of the
association insured, in the fall of the year, a resolution was
passed to form a new corporation, and D. M. Woodson, J. W.
Gregory, G. L. Burruss, J. H. Rives, S. F. Greene, L. F. Wheeler
and John Kaser were appointed incorporators. License was issued
Feb. 27, 1875, which authorized G. W. Davis, J. F. Ballinger, L.
S. Eldred, G. L. Burruss, N. J. Andrews, J. H. Rives and George
W. Witt, as commissioners, to open the books of subscription, to
the capital stock of the Greene County Agricultural and
Mechanical Association. Eighty-three persons subscribed for
stock, at $50 per share. With this, the $6,000 of indebtedness
was paid off, and the charter of the association was granted, by
the secretary of the state, bearing date March 26, 1875. The
capital stock was afterward increased to $8,000. The new society
took possession of the property of its predecessor, and a more
prosperous era dawned. The more recent fairs have been highly
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successful, until to-day, the county fairs of Greene county
have been raised to such a degree that they are now ranked among
the first in the state.
Old Settlers' Association.
The society grew out of a meeting held in Oct., 1871, in
response to the following invitation which appeared in the
Carrollton Gazette, in the issue of Sept. 30, of that year:
"As the matter has been so often spoken of in the papers, and by
a large number of the old settlers of Greene county and it would
seem appropriate that such a meeting should be held on my farm,
a cordial invitation is hereby extended to all citizens who were
residents of the county before the deep snow, to assemble in the
grove one-quarter of a mile south of my residence, it being on
the south end of the first 80 acres of land settled in this
county, on Saturday, Oct. 21, 1871, at 10 o'clock a. m. The
object of the meeting will be to organize an Old Settlers'
Association for Greene county, and to listen to addresses
appropriate for the occasion. Should the weather prove
unfavorable for an outdoor meeting at the time, I am requested
to say that the meeting will be held at the court house, in
Carrollton, instead of the grove on my premises. As this matter
has now been so generally agreed upon by our old citizens, it is
expected that a large and interesting meeting will be held, and
that all will give special heed to this first meeting of the old
settlers. Respectfully, Samuel Thomas."
The 21st of Oct. was a bright, pleasant day, and about 150 old
settlers, together with a large concourse of younger persons,
assembled in the beautiful Thomas grove, southwest of
Carrollton. This wood is located on the south end of the first
80 acres of land entered by Mr. Thomas, in 1818, and selected as
a squatter's claim some time previous. At about 11 o'clock the
Carrollton cornet band played an old time selection, and the
company was called to order by David Pierson. Col. Jacob Bowman
was chosen chairman, and on taking the chair, invited Rev. C. J.
Gardiner, to offer prayer. This venerable and reverend gentleman
kneeled upon the grass and leaves in front of the speaker's
stand, and, while the many aged heads were bowed, a solemnity
was manifested befitting the occasion, and words appropriately
impressive were uttered, invoking the blessing of God upon those
whose lives had been so long spared in his mercy, and beseeching
a continuance of divine favor. The chair then suggested that the
appointment of a committee on permanent organization would be in
order. Whereupon, Hon. David Pierson, Thomas Black, C. J.
Gardiner, Jordan Howard, and T. J. Short were chosen. On motion,
Hon. D. M. Woodson, Judge A. Hinton, Peter Hobson, Isham Linder,
and Martin Bowman were selected as a committee on resolutions.
At this point, the chairman, than whom there is none more
skilled in the management of a dinner party, remarked that the
committees would need some little time in which to prepare their
reports — that the good wives and daughters were present with
bountifully ladened baskets — that the hour had arrived and the
tables would be spread upon the green, and, while the band
struck up another good old tune,
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the meeting adjourned for dinner. The dinner was bountiful in
quantity, dainty in preparation, and the best in quality, and
was thoroughly enjoyed by all. After an intermission of an hour,
the band rendered another selection, and that being finished,
Col. Bowman called the meeting to order, and asked for the
report of the committee on permanent organization. David
Pierson, the chairman of the same, presented the following:
Your committee would respectfully recommend:
1. That a society be formed to be denominated the Old Settlers'
Society of Greene county.
2. That the officers consist of a president, 10 vice-presidents,
a secretary, and a treasurer.
3. That the following persons be chosen as such officers: Capt.
Jacob Robley, of Bluffdale, president; Samuel Thomas, Judge
Alfred Hinton, General Jacob Fry, Major J. C. C. Parks, Anthony
Potts, Peter Hobson, Martin Bowman, Rev. C. J. Gardner, Judge
Thomas J. Short and David Pierson, vice-presidents; H. S. Clay,
secretary; Col. Jacob Bowman, treasurer.
Remarks and addresses, chiefly reminiscences and anecdotes of
early times, were then made by Samuel Thomas, the pioneer of the
pioneers of Greene county, Alfred Hinton, J. C. C. Parks, Jacob
Fry, David M. Woodson, and several others. These occupied the
time until quite late, and the interest was fully kept up. In
the course of these various remarks, it became known that Marvel
Morris and Isham Linder had been residents of what now
constitutes the state of Illinois longer than anyone present,
the former for 62, the latter for 61 years. Richard Robley was
the oldest person present, having been born in 1790.
On Nov. 11th, at meeting held in Carrollton, held according to a
resolution passed at the first meeting, D. W. Woodson, Isham
Linder, Dr. J. B. Samuel, Alfred Hinton, and T. W. Vigus were
appointed a committee to draft a constitution and set of by-laws
for the government of the organization. The meeting then
adjourned.
At an adjourned meeting held at Carrollton on the 8th Jan.,
1872, the above committee presented the following constitution,
which was adopted:
Constitution.
Article I. — This society shall be called the "Greene County Old
Settlers' Association," and shall consist, 1st. Of all persons,
who, at any time prior to the year 1830, were residents of
Illinois, and such persons upon signing the constitution, shall
be designated as senior members. 2d. All persons residents of
Illinois, who shall have resided in the county of Greene since
1845. Such persons upon signing the constitution, shall be
designated as junior members. The rights privileges and
immunities of the senior and junior classes shall be held in
common, without distinction or preference. 3d. Honorary members,
who may he received by vote at any regular meeting of the
association.
Art. II. — The officers of the association shall be a president,
vice-president, secretary, assistant secretary, and treasurer,
to be chosen annually, and whose duties are indicated in their
titles. Also one vice-president in each precinct in
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the county, whose duty it shall be to aid the other officers
of the association in obtaining historical incidents,
biographical sketches, and statistical information of our
pioneer history, and also to ascertain and report to the
secretary from time to time, all the deaths or removals from the
county of members of the association, that may occur in their
several precincts during the year.
Art. III. — This association shall hold its annual meeting at
some convenient place in the county, to be selected by the
president of the association, on the last Wednesday of August in
each year. The president and secretary shall have power to call
special meetings of the association.
Art. IV. Every member of the association on signing the
constitution, shall furnish the secretary, either orally or in
writing, a statement, giving the time and place of his birth,
the year in which he became a resident of Illinois, and of
Greene county, and shall pay to the treasurer the sum of 50
cents, and annually thereafter the sum of 50 cents, which shall
constitute membership tor himself and wife. The money thus paid
shall be used to defray the contingent expenses of the
association, and for no other purpose.
Art. V. — The treasurer shall report at each annual meeting, a
statement of all receipts and expenditures, and no moneys shall
be paid out by him, except by vote of the association, or by the
unanimous consent of the president, vice-president and
secretary, who are hereby constituted the executive committee of
the association.
Art. VI. — The association by a vote of a majority present at a
regular meeting, may expel any member for habitual intoxication
or grossly immoral conduct.
Art. VII.— It shall be the duty of each member of the
association, as far as may be,, to furnish in a form suitable
for preservation, such facts and incidents of his early life,
and in relation to the first settlement of the county, as be may
deem of sufficient interest to be preserved; and the secretary
shall preserve them in such form as he may deem proper.
Art. VIII. — The secretary shall keep a book, to be called "The
Old Settler's Record," in which he shall enter this
constitution, and keep the proceedings of each meeting of the
association ; he shall also keep a register of the names of the
different members, the place of their birth, the year they
became residents of Illinois, so far as be can ascertain the
same, and at each annual meeting he shall read the names of
those who have died, or who have removed from the county during
the year.
Art. IX. — This constitution may be amended at any regular
meeting of the association. A vote of two-thirds of the members
present at such meeting shall be required in favor of such
amendment.
An election was then held, which resulted in the choice of the
following officers: Samuel Thomas, pres.; Alfred Hinton,
vice-pres.; H. L. Clay, sec.; Dr. Clinton Armstrong, ass't sec;
Jordan Howard, treas.; and John W. Huitt, of Carrollton; James
W. Gregory, of White Hall; Isham Linder, of Greenfield; N. M.
Perry, Kane; John Roodhouse, Roodhouse; Martin Thorpe, Fay-
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ette; Richard Robley, Bluffdale; G. L. Burruss, Eastern;
Jesse C. Parks, Mount Airy; L. J. Patterson, Northwestern; Perry
McConathy, Mineral Springs; Perry Clendennen, Woodville; Michael
Kinser, Walkerville; and Michael Waltrip, New Providence,
precinct vice-presidents.
The second regular meeting of the association was held at the
fairgrounds, at Carrollton, and the pioneers listened to
addresses by Dennis Davis, of Missouri, Judge D. M. Woodson,
Cyrus Tolman and others. In 1873, a third meeting was held, and
was very interesting. Remarks were made by Col. Joshua C.
Winters, Everett Griswold, Rev. H. A. Guild and others.
In 1874, one of the most interesting meetings of the society was
held, on the authority of the county newspapers, and was one of
the largest ever held, of the kind. Dr. S. H. Culver, Dr. B. C.
Wood, D. M. Woodson, and Newton Cloud, of Morgan county,
enlivened the proceedings with addresses. Appropriate
resolutions were passed, on receipt of the announcement of the
death of Samuel Thomas, Heman Goodrich, Titus Vigus, J. C. C.
Parks, and Everett Griswold.
In 1875, the annual meeting was held at the fairground, when
about 3,500 persons were present. The speakers were Rev. B. B.
Hamilton, of White Hall; Hon. W. C. Flagg, of Madison county;
and Hon. Joseph Morton, of Morgan county. The death of Dr. J. B.
Samuel was duly reported. A special committee made a report of
those present who were over 70 years of age; there were 3 over
90,; 7 over 80, and 46 between 70 and 80.
Every year these pleasant reunions have been kept up, the last
occurring on the 26th of Aug., 1885, when a large number were
present.
The call to order was made by the president, Edwin Woolley, at
noon.
Mr. McPherron, of Carrollton, led in singing.
Rev. Davidson made a short prayer, and the president, after a
few remarks, appointed the following committees:
On resolutions and obituaries, Rev. D. H. Stubblefield, Ed.
Miner, E. J. Pearce and T. J. Price.
On nominations, N. J. Andrews, Alex. King, W. H. Cannedy, Edgar
Griswold and S. F. Greene.
On finance, to assist the vice-presidents, F. M. Fishback and
Edgar Griswold.
The president then announced that no further business would be
transacted until after dinner.
The speakers were James Slaten, B. B. Hamilton, Nelson English,
J. C. Winters, R. H. Davis and Nathan Miner.
The addresses were all short, but were in the main quite
interesting.
The following are the present officers, chosen at this meeting:
President — Edwin Woolley, Greenfield.
Secretary — Ed. Miner, Carrollton.
Treasurer — John Howard, Carrollton.
And the following vice-presidents:
Athensville — F. M. Grider.
Rubicon — M. S. Melvin.
Rockbridge — L. F. Williams.
Kane — S. G. Gardiner.
Linder — G. L. Burruss.
Wrights— A. J. Wright.
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Roodhouse— E. M. Husted.
White Hall— J. C. Winters.
Carrollton — C. Armstrong.
Woodville — W. Maberry.
Bluffdale— F. M. Fishback.
Walkerville— R. Gillingham.
Patterson — A. S. Seely.
Executive committee — N. J. Andrews, T. J. Carlin, John
Hardcastle, Ornan Pierson, A. M. Cunningham.
Extractions from History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois, published in 1885, pages 605-611.
