EDWARD I. ROODHOUSE is one of the native sons of Greene county and a representative of a prominent pioneer family. The student of history can not carry his investigations far into the annals of this county without learning of the close connection which the Roodhouses have had with the substantial development of this part of the state. He, whose name introduces this record, was born in Carrollton township, May 1, 1871, and is a son of Benjamin Roodhouse, a native of Yorkshire, England, born on the 8th of February, 1824. The mother bore the maiden name of Abigail Wales, and was born in Vincennes, Vermont. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Benjamin and Jane (Moses) Roodhouse, both natives of Yorkshire, England. They became residents of Greene county, Illinois, in February, 1831, settling south of White Hall, where Mr. Roodhouse engaged in farming, but was not permitted to enjoy his new home for any great length of time, his death occurring in July, 1832. Benjamin Roodhouse, father of our subject, was a twin brother of John Roodhouse, after whom the city of Roodhouse was named.

Benjamin Roodhouse, Jr., resided upon the old family homestead until 1866, when he purchased the Christopher Dodgson place, two miles north of Carrollton, and was there engaged in farming, raising large quantities of corn and fattening cattle for the market. He owned tow hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land and was regarded as one of the most progressive and successful agriculturists of his community. He also took a deep interest in the welfare of the county and was president of the Greene County Fair Association for a number of years and proprietor and president of the Carrollton Bank for several years. In all matters of citizenship he was public-spirited and his co-operation could be counted upon to support any measure which he deemed would promote general benefit. He died September 8, 1893, respected by all who knew him. In his family were nine children: Ella May; John, deceased; Jennie, who is residing in Carrollton; Charles B., who resides in White Hall and manages the old homestead farm near that place; William, who died in infancy; Mary e., now the wife of E. S. Van Arsdale, a resident of Carrollton; Ada, at Carrollton; and J. P., who is cashier of the bank at Medora, Macoupin county.

Edward I. Roodhouse, the other member of the family is indebted to the public schools of Carrollton for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He attended the Carrollton high school for a time and then returned to the old homestead farm, assisting his mother in the management of the property after the father's death. Succeeding his mother's death, which occurred on the 4th of October, 1898, Mr. Roodhouse took entire charge of the farm, which passed into his hands about 1900. He had inherited it together with his three sisters, but at that time he purchased the interests of the other heirs in the property. Up to the 1st of March, 1905, he successfully engaged in general farming and in dealing in stock, but at that time he sold the place and removed to Carrollton, where he expects to build a modern residence. He is interested in the trotting stallion, Kingscote, of Wilkes stock, absolutely pure blood.

On the 20th of June, 1901, Edward I. Roodhouse was married to Miss Janie M. Russell, a native of Carrollton and a daughter of J. M. Russell, of Bluffdale township. They have one child, Ella Russell, born March 29, 1902. Their home is noted for its hospitality and is a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Roodhouse was made a Mason in 1895 at Carrollton lodge, No. 50, A.F. & A.M., and having attained the Royal Arch degrees he is now a member of Carrollton chapter, No. 77. They take an active interest in the Presbyterian church and are a highly esteemed couple, their many excellent traits of character winning them the regard and good will of all with whom they have been associated.