Alton (Ill.)

Abstract Benjamin Godfrey served in the merchant marine during the War of 1812 and later became a commander of a merchant vessel until shipwrecked off the coast of Mexico. Later became head of a merchant house in Matamoras, Mexico, and entered into a mercantile partnership with Winthrop S. Gilman while in New Orleans. Opened a storage and commission business in Alton, Illinois in 1832. Obtained control of the State Bank of Illinois and operated it from 1835 until the panic of 1837. Founded Monticello...

Abstract Alton, Illinois hardware store incorporated in 1884 and owned by Hugh Kirkwood Johnston (1844), who had emigrated from Scotland in 1853 with his father and siblings. After he completed school, Johnston worked in gas and steam fittings for three years until he became a blacksmith. He worked at this until he enlisted in Company K, 97th Illinois Infantry on July 25, 1862. He served throughout the Civil War and was mustered out as a Sergeant-Major in July 1865. He returned to work as a blacksmith...