___ copied from Trampe’s Pope County Historical Review, ( a collection of newspaper articles.) This article was originally published in the Herald-Enterprise, Golconda, Il.

"Rosebud post office was established about the year 1867, about two miles of the present location. A. G. Cheney, farmer and blacksmith, was appointed first postmaster, receiving mail once a month. At that time postage stamps had not been invented. The recipient of a letter had to pay five cents to receive his letter. There were no newspapers received at the office for quite awhile following the opening of the post office here. In fact, there were few newspapers published then. At present the office has five outgoing and incoming mails daily except Sunday, and practically every family receives newspapers and magazines regularly.

In 1854 there were but few families living in this territory. The pioneer settlers were H. S. Glass, F. E. and A. G. Cheney, Eld. G. S. Lewis, Thos. King, Sr., A. J. and Simpson Alliston, Geo. W. Williamson, James E. Hodge, W. B. McReynolds, T. C. Lewis, Addison Askins and David and W. C. Searles. All were farmers.

At the close of the war, 1864, Wm. King began business by peddling in a one-horse wagon. Later he built a large brick store _ the first store in the place __ and for a number of years did a large business in merchandise, and about 1870 was appointed postmaster of this office, which office was moved into his store holding the position until Cleve;and’s administration, when he was released and H. L. Bird was appointed postmaster, holding the office about three years, when J. L. King was appointed. He later resigned and Thos. A. King, the present postmaster was appointed.

Other business enterprises during this period were a large flour and meal mill, built and run by Newton Crow, and a large blacksmith and carpenter shop worked by John Porter, blacksmith, and I. F. Baker, carpenter. Both firms are no more. Others in business were Weldon and Lewis, George King, D. A. King, successor to Wm. King, and Mrs. G. E. Duncan, successor to D. A. King. H. L. Bird did a large business selling buggies, wagons and farm implements, together with a general merchandise business. On May 1, 1910 Thos. A. King went in the mercantile business and is the only survivor.

The following physicians practiced medicine during these years, some of whom were among the early settlers; Drs. John Whitelock, Wm. Pitt, Thos. M. Dunning, Wm. Semple, Ransom Dodd, W. S. Dixon and W. A. Sim. The two last mentioned only survive.

During the history of this office a number of soldiers of the Civil War lived in and near, who assisted in clearing up the farms of this community. These should have a space in this article, viz: Geo. W. Williamson (a Mexican soldier), H. S. Glass, John F. Mann,
I. F. Baker, W. H. and S. C. Murphy, Wm. King, W. J. and J. H. Kirkpatrick, Eld. J. D. Noel, John F. Homberg, Simp. and Cye Alliston, Allen Springer, Wellington Gelatt, Jas. H. Smith, Calvin Cheney, W. C. Searles, E. H. Wachter, W. W. and Abraham James, John Glass, Alf Smith, John and W. E. Swinford, Thos. Kirkpatrick, W. C. Wallace, Griffith Joyner and James Smith. The only soldier of this number now living is Mr. Smith.

Among the later and present enterprises are the putting out of a number of apple and peach orchards of C. K. Stroube and others, Among them being Fred Bender, W. H. Willis and Joe Williamson, large peach orchards, and Dr. J. B. Crist, a large apple and peach orchard. The last named orchard is now owned by Fred Heaton, of New Burnside, Ill.

The pioneer school teachers deserve space, and we mention as many as can be recalled. George W. Farmer, Bob Sunday, Mr. Ransom, W. B. McReynolds, Lucy Miller, Frank Modglin, Mollie Bell, Mark Welton, Sr., and Harry McClanahan.

Mr. McClanahan taught six consecutive terms at this place and was the teacher who first introduced Normal teaching in our schools, and at the expiration of his last term he was elected circuit clerk of Pope County, serving sixteen years, and was elected for the fifth term but resigned and was appointed assistant secretary of state by James A. Rose.

Other young men of his day making good and gaining prominence are James Hodge, Jr. Teacher in public schools for a number of years, leaving his home for California for his wife’s health, where he spent the remainder of his days teaching, etc.

John S. Lewis, another teacher for several years, turned to the study of medicine and was a practicing physician at Carrier Mills, Ill., for a short time. Giving up this profession he went into the farming and real estate business, accumulating considerable wealth with other vocations of life, dying in his beautiful home in Carbondale, Ill.

Tony R. Kerr for a number of years made this place his home. He was elected circuit clerk, succeeding Harry Clanahan, serving the people of Pope county efficently for sixteen years.

Miss Malinda Davis (Welton), M. C. Clanahan and T. A. King must not be omitted from this article as among the efficient teachers of the county more than fifty years ago.

The first school house in Rosebud district was built of logs with stone chimney, one door and one log full length of the building, sawed out for light. Under it inside was a wide board for a writing desk and seats without backs. This was the school where the first named teachers in this article taught. Later, about the year 1870, a new frame school house was built and stood for many years. It was replaced by a more modern school building. A few persons are now living in this territory who began their education in the old log school house, namely, H. S. Glass, Mrs. A. J. Belcher, Harry Williamson, Mesadames Maggie Stucker and Ella Meneese, T. A. King, John A. Murphy and W. H. Glass, the last named being of Golconda.

Normal school house, in an adjacent district, was built about the same time as that of Independence old house, and was of like type. No persons are now living in this territory who began their education in that old building.

F. M. Clanahan ( Uncle Fox) was among the most successful men of his years, beginning his career as a poor farmer, laboring on his farm during the day and working late many nights cobbling and making shoes for his neighbors. He remained on his farm all his life where he accumulated a great amount of wealth.

The following Germans, coming from their homeland, who settled near this office, were splendid citizens and good farmers. They accumulated a great amount wealth during their days: E. H. Wachter, Wm. Sleeter, Frederick Rixie, F. C. Bender, Fritz Wieldemann, Wm. Brugger, Wm. Steinkamp, cord Sundmacker,and John F. Homberg. All these have passed away, leaving large families, a part of these descendants still survive.

James McCormick, father of the late W. T. McCormick, surveyor and justice of the peace of Pope county for a number of years, and grandfather of W. Y. McCormick, the efficent rural carrier of Golconda R. F. D. 3, resided here for several years, are deserving of special mention. Both Messrs. McCormicks and their companions have left the walk of life, leaving the grandson the only survivor of the old McCormick family. Mr. McCormick accumulated a large amount of wealth in the mercantile business at old Bayfield, on the Ohio River, north of Bay City, and during the Civil War was visited by the gorilla band under General Forrest, and was robbed of a large portion of his wealth.

Antioch Baptist Church, the first church of this place, was organized May 29, 1864, in the old Normal school house, with the following members: Eld. Wm. Reams and wife, G. S. Lewis and wife, Thomas King and wife, Alcy Smith, David Bazor, J. G. Alliston and wife. Its Pastors: Elders Wm. Reams, G. S. Lewis, E. Parmley, Peter Melvin, J. M. Walker, E. C. Baker, W. E. Baker, Thos. Pullen, J. K. Trovillion, J. D. Noel, Green W. Smith, M. S. Dollar, Geo. W. Parmley, I. M. Blanchard, W. C. Cox, E. S. Dunn, Henry S. Barger, Jas. A. Baker, Elisha Williams and Harmon Etter, present pastor.

On January 16, 1872, the Methodist church was organized in the Independence school house and was named the Independence M. E. Church. Shortly afterwards a new church house was built on the present site of the new one that replaced it several years later, with the following members known: F. M. Clanahan and wife, A. G. Cheney and wife, Thos. Barton and wife, L. H. Compton and wife and Johnathon Robnett and wife.
In 1908 a star route was established from this office to McNoel, Ill., with Perry M. Buchanan first carrier. He was followed by R. L. Weeks and J. C. Keef. The last named is the present carrier. Later a rural route was established with Walter Kirpatrick first carrier. He was followed by J. L. Boyd and W. R. Cromeenes is at present carrier on that route."