John Roodhouse
Founder of the City of Roodhouse
John Roodhouse, farmer, stock raiser, businessman, and founder of what was called the “live go-ahead town,” of Roodhouse, not only paved off the town, but saw to her success in becoming a prominent community.
John Roodhouse was born in Yorkshire England, February 8, 1824 to Ben and Jane Moses-Wood-Roodhouse. He was a twin born to second marriage of five children. In 1830 after receiving word from family already in the new world as to the opportunities and wealth to be had the family boarded a boat bound for America. Arriving in New York, they made their way west to St. Louis crossed the river to Alton where Jane and the children remained for nearly a month while Ben and oldest son William traveled north to purchase land in Greene County from Thomas Rattan.
Mr. Roodhouse was born to a day before man of the modern conveniences we take for granted today. He grew up on a farm during the days of ox teams and horse mills, when cattle were driven by foot to market in Alton. His father died at a tender age leaving the children to tend to the duties of the farm. During this time, Mr. Roodhouse developed more than an ordinary energy and business capacity. Hs youthful days were spent with pioneer associated, nearly all of whom became leading in the affairs of county and state.
On February 10, 1850 he married Sarah Eveline Baker, and moved to Tazewell County, Illinois, onto a 240 acre farm. In 1854 they returned to Greene County, where they had come into possession of nearly 500 acres of land upon which most of the city of Roodhouse now stands. The original 1854 house still stands on east Clay Street.
Determined to make a city of the village, Mr. Roodhouse had homes built and sold at low prices, many of them on long term loans. He was important on establishing the Farmers and Drovers Bank.
John Roodhouse was thought of in the highest regard by the Roodhouse Community as is proven by the following article from the Daily Eye, a local newspaper, on the occasion of his fiftieth wedding anniversary.
“When it is remembered the strenuous efforts put forth by him to build up and push the town bearing his name to an incorporated village, and from that to a city; when it is remembered the many sacrifices he has made in helping to make Roodhouse what it is; when his great liberality and open handed generosity is considered; that he has been prominently connected with every public enterprise that was ever put forth for the up building and advancement of the town and the welfare of its citizens; when all these things are considered, it is not strange that the people of the city with one accord entertain the feelings of highest regard for him and that they should that pleasure in honoring him and his name.”
To John and Sarah 12 children were born: William Cuthbert, Laura Roodhouse-Bradway, Eveline Roodhouse-Wallice, Edward, Meda, George, Ben, Mary Roodhouse Bates, Cecile, Julia, Alonzo, and Cornelia.
John died August 21, 1908. Funeral services were held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Laura Bradway. Rev. Anderson Orr delivered a touching eulogy. A choir of Mrs. Husted, Miss Weiser, Mr. CC VanDoren, and CA Savage furnished music. He was buried beside Sarah at Fernwood Cemetery.
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