My Genealogy Hound

ROODHOUSE, JOHN, farmer, stock raiser, and founder of the live, go-ahead town of Roodhouse, was born in Yorkshire, England, February 1825; he was the second child of a family of five children, born of a second marriage. It was during the earlier years of his childhood that his parents embarked on board a sailing vessel for the great Eldorada of the world— America. Landing in the city of New York the family made their way principally by way of the Erie Canal to St. Louis; from the latter city proceeding to Greene County shortly before the deep snow set in. During the early years of settlement, when the nearest neighbors were many miles away, horse mills the fashion and railroads unknown in the State, and but few in the East, the pioneers found the road to prosperity rather a rough one. However, there came an era of prosperity to all of the family when Illinois became one of the most prosperous States in this great congress of States, peopled by the sturdy yeomanry from the south, the east, and by a people across the waters who had looked upon America with open-eyed wonder at the rapid strides of the enterprising inhabitants. Owing to our limited space, and to the prominence of him whose name heads this sketch, we here append a short biography of his youth, spent among pioneer associates, many of whom are now prominent in the affairs of the State and County. Developing more than ordinary energy and business capacity, he made his way rapidly upward. At twenty-five he united his fortunes to Miss Sarah E. Baker, a daughter of Cuthbert Baker. With but small capital he became enabled to purchase 240 acres in Tazewell County, taking up his residence there for years. He then moved to Greene Co., where he has since resided. On this property is now laid out the flourishing town of Roodhouse, where years prior John Roodhouse had turned many a furrow. From him we glean the following in reference to the Louisiana Branch. We are all perfectly aware of the network of railroads that traverse the State of Illinois. Among the more important we find the C. & A. R. R. rapidly taking a leading place. For many years branches from the main line have been found necessary to be laid to accommodate the increased passenger traffic, and for the transportation of freight. In our municipal history will be found a fuller description of the branch road that, passing through Roodhouse and taking its way to St. Louis, is given here. To the citizens of White Hall it is generally known that a proposition for the right of way of the road and $5,000 in money was made and not being readily responded to was referred to the citizens of Roodhouse, among whom were John Roodhouse, E. M. Husted, George Thompson, S. L. Simmons, John F. Rawlings, William Cobb and others, and through their liberality and enterprise the road was secured. No sooner had the road got fairly under way than the little town began to thrive. Stores were erected and the place soon became peopled by live western men who have made it one of the busiest towns on the C, & A. R. R. It will compare favorably with any town of similar size in the State. Mr. Roodhouse is a large property owner and a whole-souled gentleman. Of his marriage seven children were born: John L., Edwin P., Laura L., Mary M., Eveline J., Franklin S. and William.