Full text of "Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois"

LIBRARY OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

977.382
T69p

I.H.S.

PAST AND PRESENT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ILLINOIS

By JACOB L. TRAYLOR

ILLUSTRATED

"A People that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never

achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by

remote generations." — Macaulay.

CHICAGO :

THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY

19 04

JDeotcateb to tbe pioneers of
flDontgomers Counts

PREFACE

Montgomery County has had history in which the people may take just pride. li> securing the
services of Hon. Jacob L. Traylor in the compilation of the history, the publishers feel thai they
have secured the one man well qualified to do justice to the work, and the citizens of the county
may well be congratulated on the result.

The biographical sketches incorporated with the work are of special interest, our corps of
writers having gone ti> the people, the men and women who have, by their enterprise and indus-
try, broughl this country to a rank second to none among those comprising this great and
noble state, and from their lips have the story of their life struggles. No more interesting or
instructive matter could be presented to an intelligent public. In this volume will be found
a record of many whose lives are worthy the imitation of coming generations. It tells how some,
commencing life in poverty, by industry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how
others, with limited advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and wom-
en, with an influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men
who have risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed, and records
how that success has usually crowned their efforts. It tells also id' many, very many, who. not
seeking the applause of (he world, have pursued the "even tenor of their way," content in have
it said of them, as Chrisl said of the woman performing a deed of mercv — "They have dour
what they could." It tells how many, in the pride and strength of young manhood, left the plow
and the anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and
at (heir country's eall went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through (heir efforts the
Onion was restored and peace mire more reigned in the land, in the life of every man and
of everv woman is a lesson that should not be !os1 upon those who follow after

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a sacred treasure, from
the fact (hat it contains so much that would never find its way into public records and which
would otherwise he i naccessihlr. Greal care has been taken in the compilation of the work and

every opportunity possible given to those represented to insure correctness in what has I □

written: and the publishers flatter themselves that they give to their readers a work with few
errors id' consequence. In addition (o biographical sketches, portraits of a number of repre-
sentative citizens are given.

The fare- of some, and biographical sketches of many, will lie missed in tin.- volume. For
this the publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception oi the work, some refused
to give the information necessary to compile a sketch, while others were imlitferent. Occasion-
ally some member of the family would oppose the enterprise, and on accoun( of such opposition
the support of the interested one would be withheld. In a few instances men never could be
found, though repeated calls were made at their residence or place of business.

^ The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.

December, 1904.

I I 09480

>/^C

J^^crp^

BIOGRAPHICAL

SAMUEL MOODY GRUBBS.

Samuel Moody Grubbs, for many years one
of the forceful and honored factors in financial
circles in Litchfield, and one whose influence
has not been a minor element among the finan-
ciers of .Montgomery county, attained to promi-
nence through the inherent force of his char-
acter, the exercise of his native talent and the
utilization of surrounding opportunity. He
has become a capitalist whose business careei
ex< ites the admiration and has won the respect
of his contemporaries, yet it is not this alone
that entith s him to rank as one of the fore-
most men of his day in his portion of Illinois.
His connection with the public interests of his
city has been far-reaching and beneficial, for
he has aided in shaping the municipal policy,
his patriotic citizenship and his interest in
community affairs taking tangible form in his
zealous labor for improvement while the in-
cumbent in various city offices.

Mr. Grubbs was born in Hillsboro in 1S35,
a son of Moody and Cynthia Anna (Boone)
Grubbs. His father, a native of Kentucky,
came to Montgomer} county in 1834, locating
m Billsboro, where he. died about 1838. He
was a brick-mason by trade, and was a member
of the Baptist church. His wife, who was born
in Kentucky in 1795, died in 1887 when nearly
ninety-two years of age. Her father was Squire
Boone, a nephew of Daniel Boone, the explorer
and pioneer. Squire Boone was one of the
valiant heroes of the Revolutionary war and
was shot in fhe thigh by a musket hall. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Grubbs were born ten children,
eight sons and two daughters, of whom Samuel

M. Grubbs is the youngest. The others still
living are Thomas lloone. who is ;i iirii k-ma-on
al l.em.ir. .Missouri: and Mary L., the widow of
Allison Corlew, of Denver, Colorado.

Mr. Grubbs of this review acquired his early
education in the common schools of Hillsboro
and afterward attended the academy there. He
entered upon his business career as an employe
in the store of W. H. Brewer, of Hillsboro,
for whom he clerked for three years. He after-
ward accepted a similar position in the store at
Litchfield which stood on the site now occupied
by the First National Bank. Its proprietors
were MeWilliams & Paden, and there Mr.
Grubbs remained until the fall of 1856. when
he returned to Hillsboro and opened a drug

store, which he c lucted for two years. On

the expiration of that period he purchased a
general store of W. IT. Brewer and carried on
business in that line until the spring of 1865,
when he again came to Litchfield and entered
into partnership with R. H. Peal, as proprietor
of a general store, in which he continued for
three years. In 1868 lie became interested in
the banking business of Davis. Haskell & Com-
pany, predecessors of the firm of Brewer, Sey-
mour & Company, Mr. Grubbs being the silent
partner in the latter. Upon the retirement of
Mr. Seymour the firm became Brewer &
Grubbs, and this relation was maintained until
1883, when Judge Brewer died and the firm
nam.' was changed to S. M. Grubbs & Company.
Under that style the banking husiness was con-
tinued until January. 1880. when it was merged
into the First National Bank and the institu-
tion was capitalized, for one hundred thousand

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

dollars. During the firsl year Mr. Grubbs was
vice-president, and since that time has been
president. Cinder his administration this has
become one of the strong and reliable financial
concerns of this part of the state, following a
very conservative policy that awakens uniform
confidence and yet adopting such progressive
measures as result to the benefit of the institu-
tion and tn the stockholders and depositors as
well.

Mr. Grubbs is a man of resourci ful business
ability, alert and enterprising, and his ready
recognition of opportunity has made him a val-
ued factor in business circles, while his wise
council and sound judgment have contributed
in large measure to the successful conduct of
various interests. He is connected financially
with the Litchfield Marble & Granite Works,
has hern treasurer of the Oil City Building &
I. nan Association since 1883, is interested in
the Litchfield Water Supply Company and is
a member of the firm owning the Gillespie
Bank, his partners being E. R. Miller and R.
H. Isaacs. He is also a stockholder in the
Hillsboro National Bank.

In 1857 Mr. Grubbs was united in marriage
to Miss Mary Brewer, a daughter of Judge
William and Delilah (Huff) Brewer. Mrs.
Grubbs was born in Palestine, Illinois, and died
in 1888 ai the age of forty-nine years. They
were the parents of seven children, but the sons
all died in infancy. Those living are Mary G.,
the wife of Edward R. Davis, formerly of Litch-
field, but new cashier of the First National
Bank at Chicago Heights; and Delilah A., the
wife of Edwin 1!. Elliott, a traveling salesman
of Litchfield. The eldest daughter, Ella B.,
became the wife of George W. Attfrbury and is
now deceased. In 1890 Mr. Grubbs was again
married, his second union being with Mrs.
Betty A. White, the widow of Gustavus L.
White and a daughter of Samuel Beach. She
was born in Gowonda, Mew York, In ls.38.

Mr. Grubbs is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and for alums! fifty years
has taken a ven helpful pail in various church
industries, lie is mm president of the board
of trustees and has long hem a loyal worker
in the Sunday-school. Socially he is connected
with the Masonic fraternity, lie votes with

the Republican party and has been honored
with public nlliee. serving both a streasurer and
as mayor of the city. He is a man of action
rather than theory. Through the whole course
of his career the prime moving spirit that has

prompted all his act - seems to have been

improvement and advancement. He is a very
hus\ man, yet he is ever ready to pause in the
midst of his business duties to promote the
welfare and progress of the city, lie is held
worthy of the respect which i- accorded him,
for his name is synonymous with honorable
dealing and with all thai is elevating to the
city and to the individual.

('. W. BLISS.

('. W. l'.li>>, former president of the Illinois
Press Association, and a leading journalist of
the central section of the state, is the owner
and publisher of the Montgomery News, the
leading Democratic paper of the county. He
was bom in Fillmore township, where the vil-
lage of Fillmore now stands, January 8. 1846.
His father, the Rev. Alfred Bliss, was a pio-
neer Methodist preacher of central Illinois long
connected with the southern Illinois Methodist
Episcopal conference. His mother, who bore
the maiden name of Direxia Haines Knowles,
was married to Alfred Bliss in New Hampshire,
March I. L834. In 1838 Alfred Bliss and his
wife, accompanied by their two children, sis-
ters of our subject, came to Illinois, settling
in Fillmore township. Montgomery county,
where he had purchased land. The trip was
made by wagon, and they reached their desti-
nation mi the 24th of September, L838. Rev.
Bliss afterward acquired a large body of land
in Fillmore township, and was not only ex-
tensively engaged in farming, but was also
prominent in public affairs and assisted in the
substantial, intellectual ami moral development
of his community, lie was for two terms one
of the associate judges of the county court of
Montgomery county, and in 1853 he began
preaching, devoting the remainder of his life
to the itinerary, being -cut to a number of
charges in central and southern Illinois. His
wife died iii 1894, hut he passed away in 1899.

C. W. BLISS

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

['AST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

1 1

C. W. Bliss attended the public schools of
Fillmore and in 1804 entered McKendree Col-
lege at Lebanon, Illinois, where he was gradu-
ated on the completion of the classical course
in 1869 with salutatorian honors of his class.
The degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred
upon him, and in 1874 he received the hon-
orary degree of Master of Arts from the same
institution.

Mr. Bliss entered upon his business career
as a school teacher and foil,, wed that profes-
sion for two years, during which time his lei-
sure moments were devoted to the reading of
law. lie was admitted to the bar at Edwards-
ville, Illinois, in the fall of 1871 and located
lor practice in Hillsboro, where for two terms
he held the office of city attorney, and in addi-
tion enjoyed a good private practice, lie has
been master in chancery in Montgomery county
for three terms and has performed other official
service, having in 1892 been appointed by (Jov-
ernor John P. Altgeld a trustee of the South-
ern Illinois Normal University at Carbondale,
serving for four years as president of that
board.

In February, 1892, Mr. Bliss purchased the
Montgomery News, the hading Democratic
paper of the county, and has devoted his time
and energies to newspaper work since then,
having secured the largest subscription list of
any paper the county has ever had and larger
than any other in this part of the state. The
News is a sixteen-page journal, all home print,
and the office is one of the best equipped news-
paper plants in (he central section of the state.
The building, a large brick structure, was
erected by Mr. liliss in 1894 as a home for
the News, and is furnished with a large power
press, job presses, folders ami other equipments
all operated by electricity. His standing as a
representative of the profession is indicated by
the fact that he was chosen president of (he
Illinois Press Association for the war 1902-3.
lli< business interests have not been confined
entirely to the law or to his newspaper work.
He i- a director of the First National Bank of
Litchfield, also of the Hillsboro National Bank
and of the Hillsboro Building & Improvement
Association, and he is the president of the
Montgomery County Telephone Company. He

owns about five hundred acres of land in Fill-
more township.

Mr. Bliss was married October 15, 1872, to
Miss Elizabeth W. Phillips, a daughter of Mr.
ami Mrs. Burrell Phillips, of Hillsboro, ami a
nice of Judge Jesse James Phillips of the
supreme curl. To this union three children
were horn: Noi ('electa, born July 25, 1873,
is the wife of Dr. II. A. Seymour, of Hillsboro;
( 'hnion P., who was horn July 30, 1875, is pri-
vate secretary to Congressman Ben F. Caldwell,
of the twenty-first Illinois district: ami Mar-
guerite was horn May 23, 1890.

Mr. Bliss is a Mason, a member of Litchfield
Commandery, K. T., and is also identified with
the Knights of Pythias lodge and with the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He
holds membership relations with the Methodist
Episcopal church of Hillsboro, and is a liberal
contributor I,, every public enterprise.

JOHN M. SHOEMAKER.

John M. Shoemaker, prominent ami in-
fluential m community interests and in busi-
ness life, is well known in Montgomery county,
and his efforts have been effective and far-
reaching in behalf of public welfare. He
stands as a high type of American citizenship,
one devoted to the general good, and whose
life history demonstrates possibilities that, arc
open I,, ambitious, purposeful ami determined

3 g men in America, for he started cut

empty-handed and through capable manage-
ment ami untiring perseverance ha- worked
his way up to success.

Mr. Shoemaker was horn in Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, on the 21st of August, 1860.
His father, .lac]. Shoemaker, also a native of
Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was of Ger-
man lineage, ami throughout his active busi-
ness career carried on the occupation of farm-
ing, lie held membership in the Lutheran
church ami gave his political allegiam e to the
Democracy. 1 1 is wife, who bore the maiden
name of Rebecca McQueeney, was of Scotch-
Irish descent and was likewise a native of
Lancaster county. Pennsylvania. She. too,
held membership in the Lutheran church ami

PAST ANH PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

lived a consistenl Christian life. In the fam-
ily were four children; but only two are now
living: John 1... of this review ; and Elizabeth,
w ho resides in lVun.-i Lvania.

After acquiring his preliminary education
in the common schools of his native city, John

L. Shoemaker pursued the high scl ' course

in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, ami later attended
the Millersville State Normal School of Penn-
sylvania. On putting aside Ins textbooks he
turned his attention to the business of manu-
facturing cigars at Manheim, Pennsylvania,
where ho remained for about fifteen year-, and
in 1S90 removed In Illinois, settling in De-
catur, where he worked at the cigar trade.
After a short period there passed, however, he
took up his abode in Assumption, Illinois,
where he engaged in tin; same business, and in
the fall of 1891 he removed to Nokomis, Illi-
nois, where he established a cigar factory of
his own. The success he has achieved in busi-
ness has resulted entirely from his close ap-
plication, thorough knowledge of his trade and
careful management.

Mr. Shoemaker has beeu prom nt and in-
fluential in political circles in the various
communities in which he has resided. While
residing m Manheim, Pennsylvania, he served
as a member of the Democratic central com-
mittee, and in Nokomis he filled the position of
city clerk for two terms. In 1898 he was
elected to the office of county clerk of Mont-
gomery county, and during the four years'
term discharged his duties with such faith-
fulness and capability that in 1902 he was re-
elected, so that he i- now serving for the sec-
ond term. fie i< systematic ami methodical
in the discharge of In- official duties, prompt
and reliable, and over his public career there
falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
Ik was chairman id' the county Democratic
committee of 1900 and he ha- done much to
promote Hie success of his party in this por-
tion of the -tali'. After his election to office

lie removed to Billsboro in the spring of 1899,
and is well known in the county seat as a pub-
lic official ami as a representative business
man.

In 1895 occurred the marriage of John L.
Shoemaker ami Miss Delia A. Morgan, a

daughter of Daniel and Martha E. Morgan,
in whose family were eleven children. Her
lather was a farmer by occupation. Mrs.
Shoemaker was horn in Wabash, Indiana, in
1870, and has become the mother of three chil-
dren: Ophelia, Prances and Alice. Fraternally

Mr. shoe ker is connected with the Masonic

lodge and i- a charter member of Blue Cross
lodge, K. I'., of Assumption. He also belongs
to the Modem Woodmen camp and the Court
of Honor, and his wife i- a member of tin 1
Presbyterian church. His genial manner, un-
failing courtesy and kindly disposition have
made him a popular citizen, and his influeuce
in public affairs has been a beneficial factor,
contributing to the substantial progress and up-
building of the community.

EDWARD LANE.

A well-known jurist of Illinois has said: "In
the American state the great and good lawyer
must always he prominent, for he is one of
the lone- that move and control society. Pub-
lic confidence has generally been reposed in
the legal profession. It has ever been the de-
fend* r of public rights, the champion of free-
dom, regulated by law, and the firm support
of good government. No political preferment,
no mere place can add to the power or increase
the honor which belongs to th lueated law-
yer." Judge Lane is one who has been honored
by and is an honor to the legal fraternity of
Montgomery county, lie stands to-day promi-
nent among the leading members of tin 1 bar of
this portion of the state, a position to which
he ha- attained through marked ability.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, he was born
on the 27th of March, 1842. His father. Join,
Lane, also a native of Ohio, was a merchant
and in his political affiliation- was a Democrat.
lie marred Catherine Harry, who was of
Scotch-Irish descent, and they became the pat-
ents of five children, bul Judge Lane is the
only one now living. The father died during
the infancy of bis son and the mother'- death
occurred during his boyhood.

Edward Lam' was only sixteen years old
when he came to Hillsboro, Illinois. Here he

W ^pP|fe

$dllru4^t tfiLSKiJ

LIBRARY
OF THE
^S!TY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

worked at any occupation that would yield him
an honest living. Desirous of obtaining an
education he entered the academy, in which he
spent five years as a student, meeting his ex-
penses through his earnest, persistent labor.
Hardships and difficulties confronted him, but
it is only through the pressure of adversity and
the stimulus of opposition that the best and
strongest in man is brought out and developed
and the latent powers of Judge Lane were
called into use and the foundation of a self-
reliant character was laid. He pursued a full
academic course, including languages, and. leav-
ing that institution, he engaged m teaching for
one term, but lie had become imbued with a
desire to enter the legal profession and made
arrangements whereby lie entered the law office
el' [ la vis & Kingsbury as a student. In the
fall of 1864 he was admitted to the bar and
entered upon practice with his former precep-
tor, Mr. Davis, this association being main-
tained until the death of the senior member
two years afterward. Judge Lane then began
practice alone, in which he continued until
L882, when he formed a partnership with
George R. Cooper, with whom he is still asso-
ciated. The political positions which he haa
filled have all been in direct line with the law.
In 1SG6 he was chosen as city attorney for a
term of two years, and when lmt twenty-seven
years of age he was elected county judge of
Montgomery county, entering upon the duties
of the office in 1869 for a four years' term.
In 1886 he was elected to congress, where he
served for eight years, during which period he
was a member of the judiciary committee and
was widely recognized as one of the most active
working members of that body. He gave close
and earnest attention to every question which
came up for consideration and supported with
unfaltering loyalty the measures in which lie
believed. On his return from the legislative
halls of the nation he resumed the active prac-
tice of law in Hillsboro, where lie has -nice
remained. Tin'.- has been his real life work,
and at the War and mi lie bench he has won
distinction. His preparation of case- i- mosl
thorough and exhaustive and he seems almost
intuitively to grasp the strong points of law
aid fact.

To other fields of activity Judge Lane has
extended bis efforts and with equal success. He
is an agriculturist, giving personal supervision
to bis farming interests. lie is also a director
of the Hillsboro National Bank, of which he
was one of the organizers, and is a stockholder
in the Montgomery Loan & Trust Company,
lie likewise has a beautiful home in Hillsboro,
which is numbered among his valuable realty
possessions.

In is; n Judge bane was united in marriage
to Miss Tucie Miller, a daughter of Samuel K.
Miller, of Lawrenceville, Illinois. Mrs. Lane
was born there in 1850, and is descended from a
Kentucky ancestry. By her marriage she has
become (be mother of two children: Guy C,
who is a graduate of Yale College and is now
a practicing attorney connected with his father;
and Bessie, the wife of Howard Boogher. an
attorney of St. Louis. Judge and Mrs. Lane
hold membership in the Lutheran church. He
is a man of strong intellectual endowments
and of high character, standing at the head of
bis profession in Montgomery county. In his
habits he is temperate and disposition kindly,
and as a judge and statesman he made a repu-
tation which ranks him with the distinguished
residents of central Illinois.

JOHN W. ANDERSON.

John W. Anderson was born April 28, 1872,
upon the farm on which he now resides, near
the town of Nokomis. His parents were Henry
Clay ami Ellen T. (Holmes) Anderson, and
the former was born in Effingham county. Illi-
nois, while the latter was a native of Yorkshire,
England. Mr. Anderson carried on farming in
St. Clair county. Illinois, for a number of
years and removed to Montgomery county
about L867, settling in Wilt township. Later
he look up his abode on section 29, Nokomis
township, purchasing one hundred and twenty
acres of lamb to which he afterward added a
tract of fort} acre-, making a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres, upon which he lived
until bis death in 1878. Eis widow still sur-
vives him and is now living in Witt at the
age of sixty-six years. In their family were

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

four children: Minnie, the wife of Mercer
Hargitt, whoso home is in Witt; James EL,
who is in the employ of a mining company in
the Black Hills of South Dakota: John W.,
of this review; and Lewis Clay, who died in
infancy.

John W. Anderson acquired his preliminary
education in the district schools and supple-
mented it by a short period of study in Witt.
He put aside his textbooks at the age of six-
teen and began work as a. farmer. In 1895
he began farming on his own account on the
Mill hell farm, one mile southwest of Witt, and
in 1896 lie removed to his present location.
where he lias since resided, having here an ex-
cellent tract of land, which he has cultivated
and improved until it is now a valuable prop-
erty, his well tilled Selds yielding to him
golden harvests, lie is also one of the direc-
tors of the Central Illinois Creamery Company
of Xokomis.

On the (ith of March, 1895, occurred the
marriage of John W. Anderson and Al iss Sadie
Bote, a daughter of Adam ami Mar; A.
(Zeolzer) Bote. Her father was born in Prus-
sia, in 1826, and the mother's birth occurred in
the same country in 1831. She came to the
United States about 1843, at which time she
settled in St. Louis. Missouri, and in 1846
Adam Bote crossed the Atlantic. They were
married in St. Louis in 1851 ami subsequently
became residents of Montgomery county. The
father has now passed away, but the mother
is still living in Witt. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Anderson have been horn three children : Ches-
ter t '.. eight years of age; Gladys L.. who is
seven years of aev ; and Foster Shelby, who
died in infancy and was buried in Xokomis
cemetery.

Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Presby-
terian church in Witt and is a mosl estimable
lady. Mr. Anderson gives his political sup-
port to the Republican party and is now serv-
ing as highway commissioner and as ~elin.il
director and secretary of the hoard. lie has
been very successful in his farming operations
since he started out in life for himself, and.
although he is yet a young man. he has never-
theless attained success which is enviable and
creditable.

T. J. W1IITTKX. M. D.

Dr. T. J. Whittcn, who is engaged in the
practice of medicine in Nokomis, is one of the
older representatives of the fraternity in the
county, and has long ranked with the more
skillful and capable physicians. He was born
in East Fork township, southeast of Hillsboro,
in 1844, and is a son of Austin and Sophia
Whitten. The father was a native of Kentucky
and came to Illinois at an early day. He se-
cured a tract of land in East Fork township,
for mam year- carrying on farming there and
eventually departed this life on the old family
homestead. His wife was also a native of Ken-
tucky, and by their marriage they became the
parents of twelve children, of whom live are
living.

Dr. Whitten was reared in the county of his
nativity under the parental roof and his early
education, which was acquired in the district
schools, was supplemented by study in the
Hillsboro Academy. He afterward engaged in
teaching school in East Fork township, but it
was his desire to become a member of the medi-
cal fraternity, and to this end he began read-
ing medicine in I860 in Bowling Green, Ken-
tucky. During the period of the Civil war,
however, he returned home and here enlisted in
defense of the Union, becoming a member of
Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was placed
mi the hospital corps at Memphis, Tennessee.
as steward of the Third Heavy Artillery, and
while acting in that capacity he received splen-
did schooling for his profession in the practi-
cal experience which came to him in the hos-
pital wards. He rendered efficient aid to his
country by the faithful performance of his
duty and he was mustered out at Memphis,
Tennessee, in 1865. When the war was over
Dr. Whitten returned to his home and soon
afterward entered upon a course of lectures in
the Long Island College Hospital. He was
graduated from the Jefferson Medical College
of Philadelphia with the class of 1867. and
has since practiced in Montgomery county, so
that he is therefore one of the oldest physeians
in continuous practice within its borders. He
first opened his office in Hillsboro, where he
remained for a year and then removed to Fill-

DR. T. J. W MITTEN

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

more, where he spent two years. Ee resided
in Irving from that time until 1880, when
he removed to Nokomis, where he remained for
ten rears as a member of the medical fraternity
of that town. In 1890 he wen! to Jacksonville
to accept the sivperintendency of the David
Prince Sanitarium, of which he had charge
for eighteen months, and on the expiration of
that period he returned to Nokomis, where he
has since made Ins home. He has been very
successful, especially in the line of surgical
work, ami lie is called upon to perform the
most important surgical operations throughout
the entire county. He has very intimate and
accurate knowledge of anatomy and the com-
ponent parts of the human body, and in the per-
formance of an operation displays the utmost
precision and skill. He belongs to the Mont-
gomery County Medical Society, to the Central
Illinois Medical Society, the Southern District
Mcdual Society, the State Medical Society, the
American Medical Association, and the Inter-
national Railway Surgeons, and he is local sur-
geon for the Big Four Railroad Company.

Dr. Whitten was married in 1868, the lady
of Ins choice being Miss Sophia Harkey, a
daughter of George Harkey of Hillsboro. They
have four children: Harry Hood, who is a
practicing physician in Peoria, Illinois: George
C. who is engaged in the real estate business
at Granite, Colorado: Lelia G., at home: and
Lester C, who is employed in the International
Harvester Works at Springfield, Ohio.

Dr. Whitten is a valued member of the
Lutheran church, and he also belongs to the
Masonic lodge and the Independent Order of
Odd Fellows at Mokomis. In his political
views he has long hem a stalwart Republican.
supporting the party since attaining his ma-
jority. He has never sought or desired office,
however, preferring to devote his undivided at-
tention to his professional duties. He has a
splendidly equipped office in Nokomis and does
more consultation work than any other physi-
cian in the county. In a calling where advance-
ment depends upon individual merit he has
steadily worked his way upward, and his repu-
tation is not limited by the borders of his home
town nor even by the county. He is known
throughout central Illinois as a man of superior

skill in the practice of surgery, and the profes-
sion as well as the public accords him high
rank.

WILLIAM GRAGG.

William Gragg, who is engaged in the real
estate business and in his operations mani-
fests the enterprising spirit which has been the
dominant factor in the upbuilding of the
middle west, was born in Macoupin county,
Illinois, mi the 10th of November, 1844. He
was reared to manhood in that county and re-
ceived the educational advantages afforded by
the common schools. Upon the horn.' farm he

remained until early manh 1. and when about

eighteen or nineteen years of age came to
Montgomery county, settling upon a farm near
Raymond. He rented this land for two or
three years and then removed to another farm
near Nokomis, where he carried on agricultu-
ral pursuits for about eight years.

William Gragg was married in Woodburn in
1863. when nineteen years of age, to Miss
Am la Drennan, a native of Macoupin coun-
ty, and the young couple began their domestic
life upon his rented farm before mentioned.
At a later date Mr. Gragg removed to Madison
county, where he continued in the operation
of rented land for about four years. He then
returned to the vicinity of Nokomis and pur-
chased hundred and forty acres of land.

constituting a part of the farm upon which he
had previously resided. There he continued
td engage in the tilling of the soil until 1888,
when lie sold the property and took up bis
abode in Raymond, where he began dealing in
grain and operating an elevator, following that
inn-suit for nine years. He purchased the
elevator, but at a later date disposed of that
property and went to Oklahoma, where he was
engaged in the grain business for a few months.
Returning, however, to Raymond, be pur-
chased a racket store, which he conducted for
three years and then sold out. Turning bis at-
tention to the real estate business, he has con-
ducted many important realty transfers dur-
ing the fifteen years of his connection with this
line of business activity. He has dealt in real

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

estate in [owa, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Ar-
kansas and South Dakota, as well as in Ray-
mond and the adjoining districts, and has se-
cured a good clientage. He has made large
purchases and sales, and his business has con-
stantly increased in volume and importance.
bringing to him richly merited success.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gragg has been
blessed with three children: Alfred, who is
married and resides in Litchfield; Clara, the
wife of Harvey Denhum, of St. Louis, Mis-
souri; and Fred, who is married and makes
his home in Raymond. They also lost one
child. Eddie, who died in infancy. Politically
Mr. Gragg has been a life-long Democrat, cast-
ing his first presidential vote for General
MeClellan and his last for W. J. Bryan. He
served for one term on the town board and is
now township clerk, hut has never been an
active politician in the sense of office-seeking.
Fraternally he is connected with the Indepen-
dent Onler of Dild Fellows, has filled all of
its chairs, and is now a past grand and was
twice representative to the grand lodge of the
state, lie is also connected with the Modern
Woodmen of America. Mr. Gragg is well
known throughout Montgomery county as a
man of integrity and worth, and from a humble
financial position he has steadily worked his
way upward to one of affluence, employing
only such luisiness methods as will hear the
closest investigation and scrutiny.

THOMAS C. K1BKLAND.

Thomas C. Kirkland is one of the most en-
terprising citizens of Litchfield, having been
engaged in active business here for many years,
and he has taken an active and interested part
in the maintenance of the intellectual and
moral as well as the material development of
the city. He has fostered numerous local in-
dustries and has contributed of his means and
influence to various undertakings calculated to
benefit the people of Montgomery county. He
is now practically living retired, but his in-
vested interests return to him a handsome in-
come.

Mr. Kirkland was horn in St. Louis county,
Missouri. July 26, 1823. His father. Isaac

Kirkland, was a native of Kentucky, and was
descended from Virginian ancestry, although
the family was established in the Blue Grass
state at an early epoch in its improvement.
Isaac Kirkland removed to St. Louis. Missouri,
about the time the state was admitted into the
Union. He was a pioneer, and followed his
trade in that city and at Clayton for a long
period, hut later engaged in agricultural pur-
suits. In 1835 he came to Illinois, settling on
a farm near Jerseyville, all of which was then
largely wild prairie, but several years prior to
his death he put aside active business cares and
located in Litchfield, where he spent his remain-
ing days with his children. He died in 1881
in his eighty-fifth year and thus terminated an
honorable and upright life, which had been in
consistent harmony with his professions as a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
When in the prime of manhood he took a very
active part in church work. His political sup-
port was given to the Whig party until its dis-
solution, and he subsequently joined the ranks
of the new Republican party, but never sought
or desired public office. He had an elder
brother. Joseph Kirkland. who was a soldier
of the war of 1812 and died of yellow fever
contracted while serving under General Jack-
son at New Orleans.

The mother of Thomas ('. Kirkland bore
the maiden name of Mary Malinda .Mann. She
was born in Kentucky in 1m!) and died in 185S.
Her parents were Beverly and Mary Mann,
the former a farmer by occupation. His death
occurred in Kentucky. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Isaac Kirkland were born nine children,
namely: James and Mary, now deceased;
Thomas C. ; Mrs. Cynthia Ann Irwin, who has
passed away; Lucinda. the wife of Chauncey
Davis, of Litchfield; John B.. a n sident of
Litchfield; and Eliza Jane, William A. and
Fletcher, all three deceased.

Thomas C. Kirkland acquired his early edu-
cation in an old log schoolhouse in Jersey
county, Illinois. The path of learning was not a
very flowery one for him. Indeed, his school
privileges were quite limited, but he made good
use of the few opportunities he had and through
reading and observation greatly broadened his
knowledge. In his youth he assisted in the

i t

OF THE
'\SITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COFNTY

operation of the home farm, and after attain-
ing his majority began farming on his own
account in Jersey county. The year 1849 wit-
nessed his arrival in Montgomery county,
where he located a land warrant, but as he had
no means with which to carry on the work of
improvement there he returned to Jersey
county, and it was not until 1851 that lie be-
gan tlic cultivation of his farm in Walshville
township, though as a township Walshville was
not then organized. He moved his family to
this place, the first home being a mere "shell,"
the lumber of which was hauled from Alton
in 1851. Mr. Kirkland hewed the house sills
and other trimmings from the adjacent woods.
They resided upon his first farm until 1865,
when he purchased another tract of land nearby
ami I'm- twenty years made it his place of resi-
dence. He then came to Litchfield township
in 1885, hut he still has extensive landed pos-
sessions, owning four hundred and forty-one
acres in Walshville township and four hun-
dred acres in Pitman and Zanesville town-
ships.

On removing to this city Mr. Kirkland be-
came a very active and influential factor in
its public and business life. In connection with
S. M. Grubbs and others he organized the
first National Bank and has since been its
vice president. He was one of the organizers
of the Litchfield Water Supply Company, and
its first president ami is now one of its direct-
ors. He was also one of the organizers of
the Litchfield Marble & Granite Company and
from the beginning has been its president.
He owns stock in both of the hanks at Hills-
boro, is one of the largest stockholders in the
First National Bank of Litchfield and like-
wise has stock in the Mount Vernon Car Man-
ufacturing Company. His realty possessions,
including a comfortable home in Litchfield,
have been won entirely through his own ef-
forts. He has been administrator of as many
estates as any man in the county and has been
guardian for many children.

On the 18th of February. 1847, in Jersey
county. Mr. Kirkland was married to Miss
Edith Irwin, a daughter of Abijah Irwin.
Sin- was born in North Carolina and died
in 1878 at the aefe of fifty-six vears. By their

marriage there were eight children, three of
whom died iii infancy. The others are: Ma-
tilda Ellen, the deceased wife of William F.
Davis; Sarah E.. the wife of II. W. Ripley,
of Waggoner; Ann E., the wife of G. W.
Flint, nl' Raymond; John Hardin, a manufac-
turer of Decatur; and Mary, the widow of E.
W. Dresser, of Greenville, Illinois. Mrs.
Kirkland, the mother of these children, died
in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church,
of which she was long a member. In August,
1SS5. Mr. Kirkland was again married, his
second union being with Louisa J. Peal, the
widow of Robert Peal, and tin.' daughter of
James Eddings, who was a farmer and came
to Montgomery county in 1850, locating in
North Litchfield township.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland arc identified
through membership relations with the Meth-
odist Episcopal church ami from bis boyhood
he has been active in church work, serving as
steward and trustee for many years and doing
all in Ins power to promote the various church
activities. Fraternally he is associated with
the Masons and politically with the Repub-
lican party. He has never sought public office
yet served as supervisor from Walshville town
ship and also from North Litchfield town-
ship. He is a man greatly beloved in the
county because of his kindly spirit and many
excellent traits of character and greatly es-
teemed for his probity. His life has been a
busy and successful one. not. however, given
up to self-aggrandizement, hut ever domi-
nated by the noble desire to aid and uplift his
fellow men. A man sincere, upright and con-
scientious in word and deed he is truly one of
the best citizens of Litchfield.

RILEY STEVEN'S.
Rilev Stevens, a farmer of Pitman town-
ship, is a native of the Empire state, his birth
having occurred in Madison county. New
York. April 3. 1838. His father. Richard
Stevens, was horn in Vermont within the sight
of the Green mountains, and from that state
removed to Madison county, where he became
acquainted with and married Abbie Reynolds.

•.'I

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

a native of New York. It was in the county
of his nativity thai Rile} Stevens was reared,
mastering the common branc-Ties of English
learning in the public schools. The west, with
its developing business opportunities, attracted
him when he was a young man. anil in 1858
he came to Illinois, Locating first in Sangamon
county, where he earned his living by herding
sheep. He was thus employed for five years,
and lie worked for one year as a regular farm
hand. Ho afterward went to Christian coun-
ty, Illinois, and there he first became a land-
owner, investing the money which he had saved
from his earnings in one hundred and sixty
acres, which was partially improved. Upon
this tract lie began general farming and con-
tinued the work of development and cultiva-
tion there for four years, at the end of which
time In 1 sold that property and purchased an-
other farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
This lie also operated for a time, but later he
rented the farm and removed to the town of
Raymond. Montgomery county, where he pur-
chased two residences. These lie placed in
good condition and he resided in the town for

al i two years, when he sold the property

there and purchased his present farm on sec-
tion 3. Pitman township. Locating in Farm-
ersville, he improved a good residence property
there and made it his home I'm- a number of
years, but in the spring of 1904 lie took up his
abode upon his farm, where he has built a
good house within a mile of Farmersville. lie
owns two good farm-, the land being rich and
arable, so that it returns excellent harvests for
tin' care and labor bestowed upon the fields.
His home is commodious and attractive in ap-
pearance and everything about the place is in
keeping therewith, an air of neatness and
thri ft pen ading the entire farm.

In Springfield, Illinois, in 1862, Mr. Stevens
was married in Miss Lottie Wav. who was born
in that city. She spent her girlhood days there
and in Girard. Her father, John Way. was
one of the early settlers of Illinois, who came
to this state from Pennsylvania. He was a
plasterer and brickmason by trade. Mr. and
Mrs. Stevens are the parents of four children,
of whom three .-ire living. Annie, the wife
of Gaston Buchanan. ;i resident of Pitman

township, died .March 23, 1904, leaving four
children, including twin daughters. The eld-
< st. living child is Harriet, the wife of Frank
Flood, a farmer of Bois Dare township. Frank
assists in the operation of the home farm.
kiddy completes 1 he family.

Mr. Stevens is a Republican who has voted
for his party since casting his first presidential
ballot for Abraham Lincoln. At local elec-
tion.-, however, he is independent, regarding
only the capability of the candidate for town-
shi] or count; office. He and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal church at
Farmersville, in the work of which they take
an active and helpful part, and he is now serv-
ing mi iln official hoard. II is business careei
has been marked by untiring energy, crowned
with creditable success, for he came to the
west a pom- man. anxious to improve his oppor-
tunities. Hard and unremitting labor gave
him a start, and his economy made possible his
first purchase of land, to which he has added
as his financial resources have increased. He
is known as a man of strict and unfaltering
integrity, possessing many sterling character-
istics which he inherited from his New
England ancestry — a people who have ever
been noted for their integrity and a-erinine
worth.

JUDGE GEORGE R. COOPLb.

Judge George R. Cooper, a member of the
firm of Lane & Cooper, probably the oldest
law linn of southern Illinois, has attained to
a distinguished position in connection with his
profession. He was born in Greencastle, In-
diana, on the 25th of July, 1855. His father.
Jacob II. Cooper, was a native of Maysville,
Kentucky, and was of Scotch-Irish descent.
lie was a mechanic who learned and followed
the carpenter's trade and throughout his busi-
ness career commanded the respect and con-
liileiiee of his fellow men. He removed from
Kentucky to Indiana and became one of the in-
fluential and leading citizens of the neighbor-
hood. A man well informed, he kept in touch
with all ideas of modern progress and im-
provement and was the champion of every

JUDGE GEORGE R. COOPEE

OF TH€
-y c !LL!N o!5

PAST AND PEESBNT OF MONTGOMERY COUNT'S

measure that tended to promote the welfare of
his community. Although reared in a southern
state lie was an ardent abolitionist and was a
most consistent member of the Methodist
church. He died in November, L877, at the
age iif sixty-one years. His wife, who bore the
maiden name of Eliza Robinson, was also a
native of Kentucky and with her parents re-
moved to Indiana, her father becoming one of
the pioneer fanners of that stale. Earlier gen-
erations of the family resided in Virginia. Her
father was also a Methodist in religious faith
and in his political views was a Republican.
In 1858 Jacob R. Cooper removed with his
family to Illinois, settling near Coffeen. Unto
him and his wife were born six children: Sa-
rah M. became the wife of James M. Moore.
who served his country as a soldier in the Civil
war and died in 1S7S ; Mary A. became the
wife of Dayton T. Miller and after his death
married John Deitriek, of Greencastle, In-
diana; Louisa J. became the wife of Harmon
Young, a school teacher residing in Greenville,
Bond county. Illinois, and her death occurred
in August, 181 I ; William H. is a traveling
salesman residing in St. Louis: George R. is
the fifth of the family; and John R. is a coal
miner at Coffeen. Illinois.

In the district schools George R. Cooper ac-
quired his preliminary education, which was
supplemented by study in Hillshoro Academy.
He afterward engaged in teaching, following
that profession for two terms in Bond county
and for seven years in Fillmore township, hut
the profession of law attracted him and he en-
tered the office of Rice, Miller & McDavid in
1880. He there read for about two years,
teaching school in the winter months. He
afterward spent a year in the office of Judge
Edward Lane and was admitted to the bar in
1882. Through the succeeding winter he again
engaged in teaching and then entered the" of-
fice of .Indue Lane, hut thirty days later, en-
tirely without his solicitation, was elected city
attorney. After his first year in that office, in
the spring of 1883, he formed a partnership
with Judge Lane and the business connection
has continued without interruption to the pres-
ent time, this being probably the oldest law firm
in southern Illinois. Mr. Cooper was elected

twice te the office <>f eitj attorney, was chosen
to fill a vacancy in the position of county
judge occasioned by the death of . lodge Lewis
Allen, in November, 1891, and in 1894 was
chosen for the full term, lie was nominated
for supreme judge mi the Republican ticket
at Vandalia in 1901 to till a vacancy occasioned
by the death of Judge Jesse J. Phillips. He
has won distinction at the bar and on the
bench. A man of unimpeachable character, of
strong intellectual endowments, with a thor-
ough understanding of the law. patience, ur-
banity and industry, he took to the bench the
very highest qualifications for this responsi-
ble position in the state government and his
record as a judge has been in harmony with
his record as a man and a lawyer, distinguished
by unswerving integrity and a masterful grasp
of every question which was presented for
solution. In the private practice of law his
clientage has been of a most important char-
acter and the firm of Lane & Cooper is always
connected with every important litigated in-
terest of the district. Mr. Cooper is also a
director and stockholder in the Hillshoro
National Bank.

On the 10th of June. 1886, occurred the
marriage of George- R Cooper and Miss Nettie
Ireland, a daughter of Dr. H. M. and Sarah
Ireland, of Columbia City. Indiana, where
Mrs. Cooper was born. Her death occurred
February 24, 1887, when she was twenty-six
years of age. On the 12th of December, 1894,
Judge Cooper wedded Estelle S'. Allen, a
daughter of Professor A. P. and Josephine
Allen, the latter a niece of William M.
Springer. Her father is a graduate of Asbury
University of Greencastle, Indiana, and had
charge of the schools in Hillshoro as principal
for siuiie time. He and his family were resi-
dents of Erie. Kansas, at the time of the mar-
riage of Judge and Mrs. Cooper. The latter
was horn al Sullivan, Indiana, in 1873, and
was liberally educated. Judge Cooper has four
children: Josephine, Lane. Mary and George
R, Jr.

Both the Judge and his wife are members of
the Methodist Episcopal church. He is iden-
tified with the Masonic fraternity, the Modern
Woodmen Camp and the Business Men's Club.

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNT!

In politics he is a Republican and he takes an
active and helpful interest in community af-
fairs. He was the first president of the board
of education under the present law and served
in that capacity for seven years, his labors be-
ing effective and greatly promoting the school
interests of the city. He is also one of the
trustees of his church, lakes a very active part
in church work .'111(1 is now serving as a mem-
ber of the official board. Faultless in honoi,

fearless in e In.-i ami stainless in reputation.

he is no less honored in public than loved in
private life.

PIERSON B. UPDIKE.

Pierson B. Updike, now deceased, was identi-
fied with the business interests of Litchfield,
when:' he made for himself an honorable name
as a representative of commercial interests. He
was born near Trenton. New Jersey. July 14,
1834, and in his early boyhood days was brought
by his parents to Illinois, where he was reared
to manhood and acquired his education. After
arriving at years of maturity he was married
in Woodburn, Macoupin county, [llinois, on
the 23d of October, 1856, to Miss Estella Op-
dyke, wdio was of Holland lineage and there was
a distant relationship between the Updike and
Opdyke families. They became the parents of
two children: Ella E., the wife of G. L. Settle-
mire, h\ whom she has two sons, David P. and
Wilbur Lynn, aged respectively twenty-three
and twenty years; and Mrs. Cora May Crafty.

Pierson B. Updike became a resilient of
Litchfield in 1864 and through more than
thirty years was connected with its commercial
interests as a dialer in machinery and hard-
ware. His patronage steadily increased and he
continued in the business until a couple of
years prior to his death, which occurred on the
28th of November, I sin;. During the last two

years of his life succeeding the dissoluti f

his hardware business he was receiver for the
Litchfield Car and Machine Company and this
position he was ably filling at the time of his
demise. Ee was always straightforward and
honorable in his dealing and his reputation in
commercial circles was unassailable. Mr. Up-

dike also took an active and helpful part in
community interests and his public spirit was
manliest in tangible way through his capable
service as mayor of the city. lie was three
times called to that office and his administra-
tion of municipal affairs was at once business-
like, practical and progressive, lie introduced
needed reforms and promoted various improve-
ments ami the city benefited by his efforts. He
gave his political allegiance to the Democratic
party for many years, hut in 189'! voted for
William McKinley and was thereafter promi-
nent in political circles until his demise. He
was a member of the state legislature from 1891
to 1S93.

Mi'. Updike was a prominent Mason and had
received the honors of the thirty-second degree.
A Presbyterian in his religious faith he held
membership in the church of that denomina-
tion in Litchfield, took a very ,'reti\e and help-
ful part in its work and was superintendent of
its Sunday-school for many years. His life
record covered sixty-three years and was tilled
with good deeds, with successful accomplish-
ment in business and with loyalty and honor in
citizenship. Mrs. Updike is a lady of strong
intellectual qualities, broad-minded and cul-
tured ami has a very large circle of friends in
Litchfield, where she still makes her home.

SAMUEL L. CRATTY.

Samuel L. ('ratty, who was classed with
Litchfield's prominent citizens, was born April
IT. 1858 near Walshville, Illinois, and his life
was passed upon a farm in that locality and
also near Sorento, Illinois, lie remained in
the latter neighborhood until his removal to
Litchfield in the fall of lssn. He acquired
his education in the public schools and follow-
ing his removal to Litchfield he entered the em-
ploy ol' Pierson B. Updike in his hardware and
machinery store. In 1896 after long and faith-
ful service with Mr. Updike he became con-
nected with the Mundy-Settlemire Company,
grain merchants, and he also extended his ef-
forts to another line of business activity by be-
eoming ;r member of the firm of Rose & Cratty,
insurance agents. Throughout his business

LIBP. ! :

OF I

ii i >v

SAMUEL L. CEATTY

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST VXD I'UKSHXT OF MONTGOMERY CO! VIA

career his industry and perseverance were num-
bered among his salient characteristics and led
to a gratifying measure of success.

On the 17th of March, L886, Mr. Cratty was
united in marriage to Miss May Updike, and
they became the parents of two children: Fay
and Grace, aged respectively seventeen and fif-
teen years.

In his political views Mr. Cratty was a stal-
wart Republican, having firm faith in the prin-
ciples of the party. He was popular with his
fellow townsmen because of his genuine worth,
social nature and unfailing courtesy, and when
he died on the 16th of May, 1899, his death
was deeply deplored by many friends as well
as his immediate family. He died very sud-
denly and not Long after the death of Mr. T T p-
dike and his loss thus came particularly hard
upon his wife, who had so recently Lost her
father. Mrs. Cratty was educated in the Litch-
field high school and occupies an enviable posi-
tion in social circles where true worth and in-
telligence are received as passports into good
society. She is a very earnest worker in the
Sunday-school, a most capable teacher and also
assists in various departments of the church
activities. She now lives with her mother in
a beautiful and commodious brick residence
at Xo. .V23 Union avenue.

D. W. XEISLER.

1). W. Xeisler. conducting a well improved
farm on section 27, Witt township, wdiere he
not only engages in the tilling of the soil but
also in the raising of stock, was born in Irv-
ing township. October 21. 1846. He is a son
of Henry Milton and Elizabeth E. (Lipe)
Neisler, who were natives of Knox county,
North Carolina. The father was a millwright
by trade and. thinking that he might have bet-
ter business opportunities in the new and grow-
ing west, he came to Irving township, Mont-
gomery county, about 1832. Few improve-
ments had been made here, the work of prog-
ress and civilization being scarcely begun, but
with characteristic energy he began the de-
velopment of a farm, securing his land from
the government. Not a furrow had been turned

or an improvement made thereon, but with
characteristic energy he undertook the task of
breaking the fields and planting the crops. For
many years he successfully carried on agri-
cultural pursuits, and at Length his life's labors
were ended in death on the 23d of August,
1881. His widow later became the wife of
Joseph Davis, uov deceased, and she resides in
1 rving.

I). W. Xeisler was educated in the common
schools of Montgomery county. He early be-
came familiar with all of the duties and labors
that fall to the Lot of the agriculturist, work-
ing in held and meadow through the months
of summer, while in the winter seasons he mas-
tered the branches of Learning Laughl in the
public schools. At the age of twenty-one years
he began Earming on his own account, settling
where he now lives. He had eighty acres of
land, which was then raw prairie, and he bar-
since made all of the improvements upon the
place, building fences, planting trees, erecting
buildings and tilling the soil. He now has a
line orchard of eight acres, and his fields are
producing excellent crops. He also has good
grades of stock upon his place.

On the 2.1 of December, L875, Mr. Xeisler
was united in marriage to Miss Ora E. Knodle,
a daughter of George and Margaret (Spiel-
man) Khodle, both of whom were natives of
Maryland, whence they removed to Ogle coun-
ty, Illinois, in 18.");. They came to Mont-
gomery county in the spring of 1864, locating
at Hillsboro, ami Mr. Knodle purchased land
in Witt township. He was identified with
farming interests for a number id' years, but
is now- living retired on his farm in the en-
joyment of a well earned rest. He is one of
the most venerable men of the community, hav-
ing reached the age of ninety-two years on
the 10th of April, 1001. His wife is now de-
ceased.

The home id' Mr. and Mrs. Xeisler has been
blessed with eight children: Oscar L.. born
Augusl 28, 1876, is a machinist with the
Lake Shore Railroad and is located in Chicago;
Henry D.. born July 31. 1878, died on the
28th of July. 1896; Guy K.. born January 2,
L882; Milton Earl, born December 17. 1883;
George A., born September 16. 1885; Ira E.,

:;-:

PAST AND PRESENT 01 MONTGOMERY COUNTY

born March 1. 1888; Walter I., bora Decem-
ber S, 1889; ami Edgar Lee, bora December
■.'II. LS93, are all at borne. Mr. ami Mrs. N is-
Ler are identified with the Lutheran church
through membership relations, ami he is a
member of tin 1 school board, on which he has
served I'm- a number "1 years, the cause of edu-
cation finding in him a warm friend. His
political affiliation is with the Democratic par-
ty, and, keeping well informed on tin' ques-
tions and issues of the day. he is enabled to
supporl his position by intelligent argument.

WILLIAM RILEY BLACKWELDER.

William Riley Blackwelder, a retired farmer
living in Litchfield, is numbered among Mont-
gomery county"? native sous, his birth having
occurred July 28, 1840, upon his father's farm
ten miles southwest of Hillsboro. He is a son
of Alfred and Joanna (Scherer) Blackwelder,
the latter a daughter of Frederick Scherer, a
farmer of German descent. The father. Alfred
Blackwelder. was horn in Cabarrus county,
North Carolina. July 17, 1811, and was also
of German lineage, ami his wife was a native
of the same state. In April, 1838, he became a
resident of Illinois and began working for
Judge Rountree al ten dollars per month, be-
ing thus employed for three years. When he
arrived in Illinois be owned a small sorrel
horse and had ten dollars in money. Though
poor, he possessed a courageous spirit and ever
made the most of bis opportunities. On the
19th of April. 1837'. he was married to Miss
Joanna Scherer. and later he rented land, on
which he lived until 1840. when he purchased
eight} acres, on which he built a house, making
that place his home for sixteen years, lie then
sold oul and bought two hundred and forty
acres, a part of which is now within the cor-
poration limits of Litchfield. He afterward
added one hundred and eighty acres to his
tract, so that his landed possessions comprised
four hundred and eighty acres in all. This is
now highly improved land, constituting one of
the valuable farms of the county. Mr. Black-
welder continued in the active management

and cultivation of the Earm until L878, when
he retired to private life.

Into him ami his wife were born twelve
children, of whom four died in early childhood,
while the others, who are yet living, are resi-
dents of Montgomery county and are identified
with farming interests here. These are:
Daniel M. ; William R. ; M inerva ( '.. who is the
wife of Robert Morrison; Jacob Francis; David
Alexander; John M . ; Harriet Louise, the wife
of Gid( Davis; and Samuel R.

Alfred Blackwelder was a member of the
Lutheran church and came of a family long
identified with that denomination, the repre-
sentatives of the name in differenl generations
being id' a deeply religious nature. He, too.
took a very active and helpful part in church
work ami tilled various offices in the church
through more than a half century. His po-
litical allegiance was always given to the Dem-
ocratic party. His wife died January 31,
1876, when more than sixty years of age, and
after a happy married life of forty years. His
death occurred in L900, when he was about
eighty-sis years of age. He was one of the
venerable citizens of the county and an honored
pioneer resident who. casting in his lot with
the early settlers, took an active pari in lay-
ing broad and deep the foundation for the
present development and progress of this part

of the .-late.

William Riley Blackwelder obtained his edu-
cation in the common schools and remained
under the parental roof until after the inaugu-
ration of the Civil war. when, in August, 1862,
be enlisted in Company A. Ninety-firsi Illi-
nois Infantry, with which he served lor about
three years, being mustered out in July. 1865.
He was promoted from the rank of third ser-
geant to orderly sergeant ami commissioned
brevet lieutenant in L865. He served under
Canby at the capture of Fort Hudson ami
Fort Blakeley. On the 28th of December, 1863,
at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, he was captured
by General Morgan's troops ami was later
paroled and sent to St. Louis. Missouri, where
he was exchanged in June. 1864, after which
he returned to active service. He was wound-
ed at the battle of Morganza and he par-
ticipated in the battles of Mobile. Spanish Fort

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

and Fort Blakeley. He was a war Democrat,
advocating the cause of the Democracy, yet at
the same time being an unfaltering supporter
of the Union cause.

Orj the 1st of December, L865, not long after
his return from the army, Mr. Blaekwelder
was married to Miss Mary .lane Fogleman, and
they became the parents of seven children: Ira
Ulysses, who was named in honor of General
Grant, was born September 25, L866, and is
engaged in business as a dealer in agricultural
implements in Raymond, where, having been
married, he maintains bis home. Eva J., born
November 19, 1867, is the wife of .1. W. Mc-
Cowan, of Kansas City, Missouri, and they
have two children. Julius A., born February
21. 1869, is married and resides upon his
father's farm. He lias five children. Amanda
i;.. bom December •">. L872, is the wife of
Frank Stuttle and resides near Raymond. John
W., born March 19, 1874, is a coal miner of
Raymond, and is married and has two children.
Annie M., horn December 3, 1872, died at the
age of twenty-one. Nellie II.. born December
23, 1876, died Dec-ember '24.1890. The chil-
dren have been provided with excellent educa-
tional privileges, and Ira, Eva and Rosa were
students in the Indiana Normal School at
Valparaiso and were successful school teach-
ers. For his second wife Mr. Blaekwelder
chos,. Amanda E. Fogleman, a sister of bis
first wife, their marriage being celebrated Au-
gust 6. 1878. They had three children: Mary
!•:.. who was born March 23, 1882, and died
June 22, 1883; Ella M., who was bom Janu-
ary 10, 1884. and died February 16, 1893; and
Bertha F.. horn October 5, 1886. The young-
est daughter will graduate from the high
school of Litchfield in the class of 1905.

Mr. Blaekwelder is a member of the English
Lutheran church, takes a most active part in
its work and is now a teacher in the Sun-
day-school. The cause of education also finds
in him a warm friend, and he does all in his
power to advance its interests. Public spirit-
ed, he has ably supported many measures for
the general good, and his efforts in behalf
of public progress and improvement have been
far-reaching and effective. His business career
has been attended with success, and he still

owns a Farm of one hundred and twenty acres,
which is in excellent condition, the land being
well tilled. He also raised good stock and Ins
business affairs were capably conducted. He
is new a stockholder in the First National
Bank of Raymond. Throughout his entire life
he has been known as a man of integrity and
unfaltering honor, and in his business dealings
is always straightforward and reliable; in
fact, his religion is manifest in his everyday
life and is a motive power in his kindly and
just treatment of his fellow men.

JESSE S. GRIFFIN.

Xo history of Nokomis would be complete
without mention of Jesse S. Griffin, who is
one of its leading merchants. In his business
career he has always displayed qualities which
ever command respect and secure patronage.
He was born March 6, 1865, in Morgan county.
Illinois, a son of E. and Sarah Griffin, both of
whom were uatives of England, the father's
birth occurring in Devonshire in 1828, while
ihe mother was horn in Huntingdonshire. They
came to America in 1850 and finally settled in
Illinois, the father being a merchant of Mor-
gan county for many years. He passed away
in 1878 and his widow now resides with our
subject in Nokomis, occupying a beautiful
home in the western part of the town. In the
family were ten children, id' whom five are
-nil living, Jesse S. and All' being residents of
Montgomery county.

Jesse S. Griffin, however, -pent his boyhood
days in Morgan county, assisting his father in
business. In the summer of 1S79 he came
io Nokomis and found employment with J. W.
Russell. Later he accepted a position in the
dry goods -lore of A. F. Weaver, with whom
he remained until 1885, when the firm of
Griffin Brothers was organized, succeeding to
ihe ownership of the store formerly the proper-
ty of the linn of Bliss & Griffin. The now
linn consisted of Alf and Jesse S. Griffin, who
.ariied on the business together until 1S98,
when the latter purchased hi- brother's inter-
est and his since continued alone in trade. He
is now sole proprietor of one of the largest

PAST AND l'KESENT OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTS

and most elaborate modern mercantile estab-
lishments in southern Illinois, earn Jul;' an
extensive line of hardware, queensware, guns,
furniture, buggies, etc. The building occu-
pied by him is built of brick, is two stories in
height and fifty by one hundred feet in di-
mensions. Besides this there is a warehouse
two stories in height ami twenty by seventy
feel, so that the entire establishment covers a
total of twelve thousand square feet. Every
foot of space is occupied and the store is spe-
cially arranged with reference to the con-
\, riient handling of a large and complete stock.
Mi-. Griffin has been at his present location for
nineteen years and his name is inseparably
connected with the business interests of No-
komis, for he has contributed in a large meas-
ure to the commercial prosperity and develop-
ment of the town.

Politically Mr. Griffin is a Democrat and is
the Montgomery county member of the Demo-
cratic congressional committee of the twenty-
first district of Illinois, of which committee
he is now serving as secretary. He is also a
member of the county central committee, of
which lie has been secretary ami treasurer and
is now serving for the second term as iis chair-
man.

C. F. EDWABDS.

C. F. Edwards, who has been closely associ-
ated with the business development of Mont-
gomery county through agricultural and finan-
cial interests, and who has also figured in pub-
lic affairs as the promoter of many measures
for the general good, is now engaged in bank-
ing in Coffeen. He was born November 4.
1856, in East Fork township, Montgomery
county, his parents being James A. and Chris-
tina T. Edwards. His father was horn in
L818 in North Carolina and was the son of
Thomas Edwards. In the state of his nativity
he was reared and educated, and when a young
man he came to Montgomery county. Illinois.
and purchased land here. Thomas Edwards be-
ing among the early settlers of this portion of
the state. From that time forward members
of the familv have borne an active and helpful

part in the work of general improvement and
upbuilding. Thomas Edwards continued as a
farm resident of Montgomery county until his
death, which occurred in 1857.

James Allen Edwards continued farming in
this county from the time of his arrival until
his demise. He was married in 1848 to Miss
Christina T. Cannon, a daughter of William
Cannon, and they became the parents of ten
children, of whom nine are living: William
T., of East Fork township; Margaret, who
died in infancy; John \\\. also of East Fork
township; Julia F.. who is the widow of John
W. Major; Mary T.. who is the wife of Jo-
seph A. Hanner; ('. I-".; Samuel II.. of Cof-
feen: Amos li.. of East Fork township; Ida,
who married William A. Boyd, of East Fork;
and James A., also of East Fork. The father
died in 1867 and was buried at Edwards
Chapel, which was named in honor of his
grandfather, who gave the land upon which
the church was built. James A. Edwards was
deeply interested in all that pertained to the
welfare of his community and was a co-operant
factor in many measures for the general good.
At the same time he conducted important and
extensive business interests, becoming one of
the leading landowners of the county, having
at the time of his death bought nine hundred
acres. In his political affiliation he was a
Democrat, taking an active interest in politics
and keeping well informed on the questions of
the day. His barn was the voting place of his
district. After the death of her husband Mrs.
James A. Edwards remained upon the home
farm until her children were married and then
removed to Coffeen. where she is now living.

C. F. Edwards was reared to farm life and
acquired his education in the public schools,
while in the summer months he assisted in the
labors of field and meadow. When twenty-one
years of age he began farming for himself on
bind which he inherited from his father. After
his marriage be settled upon a farm of one
hundred and sixty acres and there carried on
agricultural pursuits with good success for
about eight years. In 1888 he removed to
Colleen, where he purchased a lumber yard,
which he conducted with profit for ten years,
having a very extensive patronage and thereby

C. V. EDWAEDS

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND l'KKSKNT OF M< >.\TC< )M FRY COUNTY

realizing a good return from his invesl nts

and his labors. In L898, however, he sold the
lumber yard. He was secretary of the Build-
ing & Loan Association for nine years, and in
1900 he built a hank, and has since conducted
a private hank, which has become the leading
financial institution of the township. He still
owns his farm, which is now rented. After re-
moi ing to ( loffeen he buill a nice residence,
which he occupies, and he is classed with the
substantia] citizens of his community.

When twenty-four years of age Mr. Edwards
was united in marriage to Mis- Catherine J.
Nichols, a daughter of Gordon Nichols, of
East Fork township. Her father was born in
Kentucky, July 3, 1826, and with his parents
removed to Indiana, whore he was reared. He
became a resident of Easl Fork- township,
Montgomery county, in 1857, and made for
himself a place among the substantia] farmers
of the community, becoming the owner of
four hundred acres of rich and valuable land.
At length he retired from active farming pur-
suits and in 1893 removed to Coffeen, where lie
spent his remaining days, his death occurring
on the 6th of March, 1901. He was married
in is is to Miss Jemima F. Robinson, of
Greeneastle, Indiana, who is now living in
Coffeen. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Edwards
has been blessed with eight children, of whom
six are now living: Clarence T... Harvey C,
Lester Franklin, Floyd Springer. Russell
Wayne and Chauncey J., all of whom are ai
home. Rosetta and Grove Allen, the second
and third members of the family, died in in-
fancy.

Mr. and Mrs. Edwards belong to the Method
i-i church, he having become identified with
the Edwards Chapel prior to his marriage and
served in church offices since his removal to
Coffeen, and he is deeply interested in the va-
rious church activities, contributing generoush
to their support and doing nil in his power
for their upbuilding. Tn politics he is a
Democrat with accurate information concern-
ing political questions, conditions and issues,
and the important service which he has ren-
dered his party led to his selection for a
delegate to the state convention held in Spring-
field in 1904. lie was a member of the first

town board of Coffeen and is now filling that
position, although his service has not been con-
tinuous, lie has been particularly active in
opposition to the saloons, doing all in his
[lower to promote temperance sentiment here.
There were onlj a few houses in Coffeen when
he removed to the (own. and he has been a
very important factor in the upbuilding of the
plaee. He is quick to recognize and take ad-
vantage of opportunities Eor the public wel-
fare, as well as bis individual business inter-
ests, and his career ha- been marked by steady
progression and characterized by the develop-
ment of a life history which commands uni-
form respect and esteem.

GEORGE WILLIAM PAISLEY.

George William Paisley, a representative
business man of Montgomery county, who at
the head of the Montgomery Coal Company is
now controlling one of the important product-
ive industries of this section of the state, was
horn and reared within the borders of the
county and obtained his earlj education in
the country schools. Later he attended for
three short terms the Hillsboro Academy and
then put aside his textbooks to take up the
active work of the farm. At a later date.
however, he put aside agricultural pursuits
and entered upon a throe years' service in the
Civil war as a member of an Illinois regimi nt.
He did bis full duty as a soldier, and when
hostilities bad ceased returned to his home.

After the war Mr. Paisley took up the study
of law and for a time served as county sur-
vevor of Montgomery county, while later be
engaged in the publicat ion of a newspaper. 1 L
Pa- always been a man of much activity in
belli business life and in connection with pub-
lic affairs, and from 1881 until 1883 he was
a member of the lower house of the Illinois
legislature. In 1805 he was chosen to repre-
sent bis district in the slate senate, of which
hi> continued a member for four years. Dur-
ing President Cleveland's first administration
be was connected with the interior department
of the government and had charge of the land
offices and surveyor general's offices in the

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

states of Michigan. Wisconsin, Minnesota,
Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Louisiana,
Mississippi. Alabama and Florida. He is at
present engaged in the mining and production
of coal at Paisley, where there is a very rich
vein of bituminous coal. The Montgomery
Coal Company, the corporation with which Mr.
Paisley is connected, was chartered July, 1895.
and the first shaft was commenced in the fall
of the same year, while mi the 1th of July.
L896, coal was struck. The output is now ex-
tensive and the business profitable.

J. A. HAMPTON.

J. A. Hampton, a retired minister, now re-
siding on his farm on section 21. East Fork
township, was formerly closely connected with
agricultural interests in Montgomery county,
and his unfaltering purpose and strong deter-
mination in the face of obstacles and opposi-
tion enabled him to gradually advance upon
the high road to success. He was horn in East
Fork township. November 3, 1835, and is a
son of William E. and Nancy A. (Williams)
Hampton. In tin 1 maternal line he is a rep-
resentative of one of the oldest families of the
country, for the Williams home was established
in this portion of the state in 1818. W. E.
Hampton was horn in Kentucky in 1814, and
his wife in the same state in 1816. He was
twenty-one years of age when he came to Illi-
nois, and here lie met and married AI iss Wil-
liams. He was a tanner by occupation, de-
voting his entire life to the tilling of the soil,
and through his perseverance ami energy he
was enabled to provide a comfortable living
for his family, save them many of the hard-
ships and t rial- of pioneer life had to be met.
Hi- death occurred about 1893, and thus passed
away one who had long been associated with
the agricultural development of Montgomery
count \ .

J. A. Hampton commenced his education in
the old log sehoolhouse in Fast Fork township,
which was one of the pioneer structures of the
community. There were no glass windows, hut
a log had been removed from one side of the
building ami covered with greased paper, so

that light was admitted to the room in that
way. There was a wooden chimney and all
the furnishings were very primitive. The
methods of instruction also were rather crude
a- compared with the advanced methods of the
present day, hut Mr. Hampton laid tin- foun-
dation for a good practical knowledge, which
he has supplemented by experience, reading

and observal in later years. He started out

for himself at the age of twenty years as a
farmer, and made the tilling of the soil his
life work, although lie has given his lime ami
energies to a considerable extent to the labors
of the church. In early manhood he began
studying for the ministry, and while working
ai farm labor he would frequently take his

I k- into the field with him. He received

his license to preach when twenty-one years
of ago and became a local minister, preaching
on Sunday while continuing at farm labor
through the week. He was a local preacher
for ten years, and afterward spent thirty years
in connection with the southern Illinois con-
ference. On the expiration of that period he
entered upon su pern uiucra ry relations with the
ministry. He never ceased to conduct his farm-
ing interests, ami although he started out for
himself empty-handed he gradually worked his
way upward, adding to bis capital, and he now
own- aboul four hundred acres of land. At
the prose nt time In' is residing on his farm,
which bis son operates.

Ai the time of the Civil war J. A. Hampton
put aside all business and personal considera-
tions and with patriotic spirit enlisted in Com-
pany E. One Hundred and Seventeenth Illi-
nois Infantry. Pie participated in the Red
River campaign ami in the battle of Nashville.
was also in the fighting at Mobile at the close
of tin' war and. though often exposed to the
fire of the enemy, he was never wounded. He
was. however, in the hospital because of illness
during the last year of his service, and in 1865,
following the close of the war. he was mus-
tered out.

Mi-. Hampton was married in October. 1S55,
to Miss Jane Desart. a daughter of George
Desart. She was reared in Edgar county, ana
by her marriage became the mother of eight
children, and only two are now living: George

MI! 8. J. A. HAMPTON

REV. J. A. HAMPTON

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

W.. ii resident of Bond county: and John M.,
who is living upon the homestead rami. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Hampton held membership in
the Methodist Episcopal church and lived earn-
est, consistent. Christian lives. He cast his
first presidential ballot for John C. Fremont,
the first candidate of the Republican party,
and continued one of its supporters for many
years, but is now a Prohibitionist. He for-
merly belonged to the Masonic fraternity and
is a member of the Grand Army of the Re-
public.

Ee has for many years — in fact, during the
entire period of his lift — been a resident of
Montgomi ry county, and has therefore wit-
nessed many of its changes as it has left be-
hind it the conditions of pioneer life and has
emerged into an advanced civilization. His
mother's family particularly, was one of the
oldest of the county, and his mother lived here
wben the Indians were still very numerous in
the locality. The rise of ground upon which
the farmhouse is now located was at one time
the site of an Indian camp. Mr. Hampton
made all of the improvements upon his farm.
lie secured a tract of land which was unculti-
vated and unimproved. There were no fences
upon the place, and over the wild prairie
roamed deer and wolves, but with characteris-
tic energy Mr. Hampton began the development

of his property and in tbe course of ti

reaped good harvests as the reward of his la-
bors. His life has been, indeed, an active,
busy, useful and honorable one, and over tbe
record of his entire career there falls no shadow
of wrong or suspicion of evil.

Jobn M. Hampton, who is now operating
the home farm, was born in East Fork town-
ship and supplemented his educational privi-
leges by a course of study in the McKendree
College at Lebanon. Illinois. He there pur-
sued a law course and was graduated with the
class of 1892. Subsequently he published a news-
paper and practiced law in Gillespie, Illinois.
His health then became poor, and he went
south. After returning to Illinois he resumed
the practice of law and published a paper at
Cerro Gordo, Illinois, but once more bis health
failed and again lie traveled south and through
the west, visiting both Mexico and California.

About a year ago. however, he again came to
Montgomery county and settled upon his
father's farm, where he now lives, lie is an
enterprising, progressive man. making the most
of his opportunities and in the control of his
business interests is displaying excellent ability
and enterprise.

In November, 1903. Air. Hamilton was
united m marriage to Miss Eva Merriwether,
a daughter of .lames Merriwether, of Macou-
pin county. His wife belongs to the Presby-
terian church. Mr. Eampton is identified with
the Knights of Pythias fraternity and with
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and
his political allegiance is given to the Repub-
lican party. lie is a worthy representative of
a family that has long stood for progress and
improvement along material, social, intellec-
tual and moral lines and like his honored father
deserves mention in this volu

WILLIAM VAX HOOSER.

William Van Hooser, whose upright life
causes his memory to be cherished by all who
knew him. was born in Madison county, Illi-
nois, October 1, 1816, his parents being Abra-
ham and Nancy (Howard) Van Hooser, who
were pioneer settlers of Madison county. The
father was a farmer by occupation and owned
land near Collinsville. where he resided for
many years, his death occurring on the home-
stead farm there. In tbe family were twelve
children, seven sons and five daughters, of
whom William Van Hooser was the fourth in
order of birth and he was the last survivor of
the family.

In the district schools, such as were com-
mon at that period. William Van Hooser ac-
quired his education. The little temple of
learning was a log structure and the methods
of instruction were equally primitive. Ee,
however, bad the privilege of attending not
more than three months in the year, but he
made good use of bis opportunities during that
time. The remainder of the year was devoted
to farm work, and he early became familiar
with the duties and labors that fall to the lot
of the agriculturist. His father gave him a

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

farm in Madison count)' of eighty acres, which
he sold in December, 1859, and then removed
to the vicinity of Staunton Station, where he
resided for sixteen years. He also lived for
two years near Troy, Illinois, and on taking
up his abode near Nokomis he purchased
eighty acres of land. He eventually moved to
Nokomis, where occurred his death in 1894.
He successfully conducted bis agricultural in-
terests, placing his land under a high state of
cultivation, and when invention brought upon
the market new and improved machinery he
purchased the better farm implements and thus
facilitated his work. He was a man of pro-
gressive spirit and everything about his place
was neat and thirfty in appearance.

On the 2d of February, 1840. Mr. Van
Hooser Tas married to Miss Jane Hawks, a
daughter of Drury and Mary Hawks. Mrs.
Van Hooser was born in Grayson county, Vir-
ginia, was taken in early childhood to eastern
Tennessee, and when quite young came with
her widowed mother to Illinois, arriving in
1838, at which time the family home was es-
tablished near Troy, in Madison county. There
her mother died in 1854. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Van Hooser were born two children: Martha
Jane, who died at the age of three months;
and Mary, who died at the age of twenty years.
She was married when nineteen years of age
to Isaac Wilson, who now resides near No-
komis. There was one daughter by this mar-
riage, Martha J., now deceased.

In his political views Mr. Van Hooser was
a stanch Republican from the time of the or-
ganization of the party until his death. He
was a member of the Christian church and for
more than sixty years was a representative of
its ministry. He put forth every effort in his
power to advance the cause of Christianity and
upbuild his church in his locality, and bis in-
fluence was widely felt. A kindly spirit and
sympathetic nature had endeared him to all
with whom he came in contact, and his memo-
ry is cherished by those who knew him. He
died in the year 1894 and his remains were
inferred in Nokomis cemetery. Mrs. Van
Hooser still survives her husband. He sold
the farm before his death, and his widow is
living in Nokomis, occupying a pleasant home.

and by reason of his industry she was left in
comfortable financial circumstances. She has
been a devoted member of the Christian church
for sixty-four years and her Christian life fur-
nishes an example that is indeed well worthy
of emulation.

WILLIAM A. YOUNG.

William A. Young is a native son of Mont-
gomery county, his birth having occurred in
Grisham township, one mile west of Donnell-
son. on the 30th day of August, 1836. Within
the borders of his native county he has lived
and labored, being one of the representative
farmers and leading horticulturists in this part
of the state. His father, William Young, came
to Montgomery county in 1830, having been
born and reared in Maury county, Tennessee,
near Columbia. The journey to Illinois was
made on horseback, and after remaining a
short time be purchased a claim on forty acres
of land, which had a pioneer's log cabin built
on it and a few acres under cultivation. On
March 12, 1832, he was married to Jane C.
Paisley, of Montgomery county, who was born
and reared in Guilford county. North Carolina.
Soon afterward William Young volunteered
for service in the Black Hawk war in 1831 as
a member of Captain Rountree's company, and
when hostilities had ceased he returned and en-
tered the forty acres on which he had pre-
viously purchased the little improvements with
his savings while in the service. He bought a
team of mule}" oxen and made for himself a
wagon with wooden axle and wooden wheels,
on which he did all of bis hauling for a num-
ber of years. As the years passed he pros-
pered, adding continually to his landed pos-
sessions as financial resources permitted until
he was the owner of about fourteen hundred
acres of farm land. He served twelve years as
justice of the peace, and in 1854 he was elected
as representative to the state legislature from
the counties of Montgomery, Bond and Clin-
ton. He strongly advocated the Democratic
principle- as set forth by Andrew Jackson, for
whom he cast his first vote for president

There were born to William and Jane C.
Young nine children, namely: James J., who

WILLIAM A. YOUNG

OF THE
DIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PEESENT OF MONTGOMEEY COUNTS

was a practicing physician in Fremont county,
Iowa, for twenty years and is now deceased;
John W., who died near Donnellson. Illinois,
in 1899 ; Harriett E., who became the wife of
William J. McCulach and died May 22, 1901;
Sarah J., who married Ii. M. Powell, of Tay-
lorville, Illinois, and died in 1S70; Samuel,
who was cashier of the Haskell. Harris & Com-
pany Hank and died in 1881 : and three who
died in infancy.

William A. Young, whose name introduces
this record . is the only survivor of the nine
children. In his boyhood days he worked on
his fathers farm in summer, and in the winter
attended the subscription schools and afterward
continued his education in the public schools,
which had been organized in the meantime.
When nineteen years of age he entered the
Hillsboro Academy, in which he spent one
year and afterward engaged in teaching for a
year. In 1858 he entered McKondree College
and remained for two years. In I860 he read
law cne year in the office of the late James M.
Davis, of Hillsboro. On the 7th of July, L861,
he enlisted for service in the Civil war. be-
coming quartermaster sergeant of Company E.
First Regiment of Illinois Cavalry. He served
in Fremont's campaign in Missouri until the
surrender of Colonel Mulligan to General Price
at Lexington, Missouri, September 30, 1861.
In 1862 he resumed his studies al McKendree
College and was graduated with the class of
that year. In December. 1862, he was ap-
pointed deputy sheriff, which position he filled
with entire satisfaction for two years, and in
18(11 he received the nomination and was
elected to the office of sheriff of Montgomery
county by over six hundred majority.

After the expiration of his term of office
as sheriff and ex-officio collector of Montgomery
county. William A. Young was united in mar-
riage, November '28. 1866, to Miss Alary E.
Wave, daughter of Obadiah Ware. The follow-
ing summer the young couple moved to the
farm, where he at present resides. On Janu-
ary 1. 1870, the wife and mother was called
from this life, leaving two sons: Anthony O..
who was born December 25. 1868, and is now
a leading physician in St. Louis; and William
A., Jr.. who was born November 9. 1869, and

is practicing medicine with marked success in
Springfield, Illinois. In 1871 our subject took
as bis second wife Miss Sarah Muenscher, of
Mount Vernon, Ohio, who died in 1898, leav-
ing four children, who are named as follows:
Frederica, Cornelia, Charles and Eunice.

At a meeting of the State Board of Agri-
culture, in 1892, Mr. Young was elected vice
president of that society for the seventeenth
congress al district and served ten years, be-
ing re-elected four times to succeed himself.
While a member of the Board of Agriculture
lie was appointed as superintendent of the Illi-
nois exhibit in the national agricultural build-
ing at tbi> Columbian Exposition at Chicago,
in 1893. Later lie served three years as super-
intendent of the swine department and six
years as superintendent of the horticultural
department of the State Fair at Springfield.
It was through bis vote and influence that the
State Fair was permanently located at Spring-
field, and he was appointed on the committee
to lay out the grounds and locate the buildings.
For more than twenty years Mr. Young was
associated with the Montgomery County Agri-
cultural Fair Association, and served continu-
ously as superintendent and director and three
years as president of the society. He was one
of the organizers of the County Farmers' In-
stitute and was elected and served for three
years as president of that organization. At
this time he is an active member of the Illi-
nois State Horticultural Society and Alton
Eorticultural Society, and is often called upon
to give a talk and read a paper on horticultural
topics before different county institute-.

Eis farm is bunted one mile north and one
mile east of Butler, in Butler Grove township,
and upon this he is engaged in breeding and
raising fine stock, always procuring the best
blood obtainable to raise from. He is, perhaps,
better known as a horticulturist and fruit-
raiser. From his boyhood he has loved trees,
fruits, birds and flowers, and the study of na-
ture is ever a fascinating and interesting pas-
time to him. About a quarter of a century ago
he attended a meeting of the Horticutural So-
ciety at Alton, Illinois, and flic beautiful ap-
ples and other fruit on display were a revela-
tion to him and aroused his ambition, and he

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

said to himself, Why can aoi I produce equally
as fine fruit? Going home, he read and drank
in everything he could obtain pertaining to the
culture of fruit; bought textbooks; read pa-
pers; mid secured official reports on the sub-
ject. This theory he put into practice, and by
experimenting ami using good judgment has
succeeded in producing fruit that has not
only carried off many prize- at the state fairs
and horticultural meetings, btit his fruit was
also awarded eight gold and two silver medals
at the great Paris Exposition in 1900. At the
Pan-American Exposition, at Buffalo, in
L901, he was awarded a gold medal on apples
and peaches. He prepared and shipped twelve
barrels of apples to the Paris Exposition which
were on exhibition from May until November,
ami because of the size, shape and color and
fine flavor of the fruit it attracted wide at-
tention and made [llinois apples famous over
western Europe. It is largely due to the ef-
forts of Mr. Young that the attention of fruit
growers has been attracted to Montgomery
county as an apple-producing region, and thou-
sands of dollars have come to the county an-
nually to pay for fruit through the advertising
which he has given to them. Tn this work he

has I n eminently successful and has earned

the respect and gratitude of all fruit growers
in the county. 'Sir. Young is an enthusiast
upon the subject of forestry and thinks that
the growing of timber for fuel and lumber
will be a profitable industry in this country in
the future, and thinks it an excellent field
for a young man to engage in. He has more
than fifty varieties of native and foreign trees
growing on his grounds.

On the 31st day of August, 1890. Mr.
Young was married to Mrs. Emma J. Whit-
ing, of Kansas City, Missouri, whose maiden
Dame was Critchlow and who was born in
McKeesport. Allegheny county. Pennsylvania.
Her parents, Daniel G. and Emma .1. Critch-
low, emigrated to Illinois when she was two
and a half years old and settled at Caseyville,
Illinois. At the breaking out of the Civil war
Mr. Critchlow enlisted in the service in Com-
pany E, Second Illinois Cavalry, and was at
the siege of Vicksburg, where he died the day
after the surrender, leaving a widow and four

children. In 1861 Mrs. Critchlow, with her
daughter. Emma J., moved to Kansas City,
Missouri, the other three sisters being mar-
ried and living at Summerfield, Illinois, aft-
erward moving' to Kansas City. Mrs. Young,
who had resided in Kansas City for thirty-four
years, had witnessed the phenomenal growth
of that place from a small steamboat landing
on the Missouri river to the great metropoli-
tan city it is to-day. Mr. and Mrs. Young
have a very pleasant, home and are always de-
lighted to entertain their many friends and
visitors. "The latch-string always hangs out."
Socially Mr. Young is a member of the or-
der of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and
Royal Arch chapter of Hillsboro. and in poli-
tics is a strong adherent to the Democratic
doctrines as taught by Thomas Jefferson. He
is well known in Montgomery and adjoining
counties as one of its most enterprising and
progressive men. and he belongs to that class
of typical American citizens who, while ad-
vancing their individual prosperity, also con-
tribute to the general welfare of their fellow
men.

ISAAC A. MILNER.

Isaac A. Milner, deceased, represented one
of the old and honored pioneer families of
Montgomery county. A native of Illinois, he
was born in Edgar county, June 11. 1843, and
was a son of Robert and Mary (Desart) Mil-
ner, both of whom were horn in Kentucky, the
former April IT. 1817, and the latter Decem-
ber 1 1. 1822. At an early day Robert Milner
cam.' to Illinois and first settled in Paris, but
afterward removed to Montgomery county,
where he owned some good farming property.
His first wife died in 1864 and he subse-
quently married Mrs. Emily (Martin Brown)
Desart, whose death occurred in 1887. He died
in 1881. Religiously he was a member of the
Baptist church and politically was idem i Bed
with the Republican party. In his family were
eight children, all of whom are now deceased.

During his boyhood Isaac A. Milner pursued
his -indies in a log school house at Walnut
Grove and n hen not in school he \\ orked on the

ME. AND MRS. 1. A. MILXEE

W. A. MILXEE

MBS. W. A. MILXEE

ME. AND MES. AAEON HAWKINS

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

farm, early acquiring an excellent knowledge
of agricultural pursuits. At the time of the
Civil war he enlisted at Decatur, Macon county.
in 1864, as a private in the First Illinois Cav-
alry, but was afterward promoted to corporal,
and remained in the service until hostilities
ceased. He then returned to Montgomery
county and engaged in farming upon land
w In. li his father had given him. He purchased
additional property in East Fork township and
engaged in its operation up to the time of his
death, which occurred November 6, 1879, bis
remains being interred in Elm Point cemetery,
Bond county.

Mr. Milner was married December 28, 18G5,
near Hillsboro, to Miss Emma J. Frame, who
was born near Coffeeu. in East Fork township,
September -1. 1847. Her father, Robert T.
Frame, was born near Dayton, Ohio, in De-
cember, 1819, and at an early day came witli
his parents to Montgomery county. He ac-
cumulated considerable property. In politics
he was a Republican, but never desired office,
and in religious connection he was a member of
of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He
died in February, 1879. His wife, who bore
the maiden name of Cyrena McCaslin. was
born in Kentucky, December 8. 1822, and is
still living, her home being near MeCune,
Crawford county, Kansas. In their family
were nine children, the sons and four daugh-
ters, of whom all are living with the except inn
of Maggie.

By his ballot Mr. Milner supported the Re-
publican party anil was eaUed upon to fill sev-
eral local offices. While advancing his indi-
vidual interests he also aided in promoting the
public welfare through hearty co-operation in
many measures and movements I'm' the general
trood .

W. A. MILNER.

W. A. Milner was born od the old home-
stead farm in East Fork township, September
4, 1873, a son of I. A. ami Emily J. (Frame)
Milner. In bis early boyhood days he pur-
sued his education under the instruction of J.
E. Traylor, and when a youth of eighteen years

he started out in life on his own account.
Eowever, in the meantime, when a lad of only
twelve years, he had been a most able assistant
to his mother in the management and care of

tl Id home farm and to her gave the benefit

of his services until about twenty years of age.
He had perhaps more advantages than some
an] less than others, but at all times he realized
that labor is the basis of all true and desir-
able success and because of this he has worked
steadily and persistently to acquire a com-
petence and his efforts have been rewarded,
for he is now one of the substantial citizens of
Ins community.

"On October 17, 1894, Mr. Milner was united
in marriage to Miss Alma Hawkins, a daugh-
ter of Aaron and Julia (Miller) Hawkins, of
East Fork township, and they now have three
children: Mary Eva, Julia E. and Isaac A.
Mi'. Milner belongs to the Knights of Pythias
fraternity at Coffeen and in politics he is a
Republican, but has never sought or desired
office, preferring to give his attention to his
business affairs, which are now bringing to
him a very gratifying financial return. He is
raising stock of all kinds for the market and
makes his own shipments. He has now two
hundred and seventy-live acres of valuable
laud. He learned farming through experience
and in his labors he has displayed not only
practical knowledge but excellent business
ability. He built all of the fences upon his
place and made all of the improvements and
now has a splendid residence, commodious
barns ami substantial outbuildings. He had
mi farm implements when he started out and
in fact bis capital was extremely limited. For
sometime he rented land ami was then enabled
tii purchase one hundred and forty acres, but
as the years advanced his work resulted in
bringing to him a very gratifying prosperity.
In addition to general fanning he began rais-
ing stuck and has raised some excellent mules
and lias owned some high-bred horses. He at
one time handled Illinois Boy, the highest
price horse in the county, it being owned by
his uncle. He also raises good draft horses and
fat stock produced on his farm is a guarantee
of its high grade. He is yet a young man, but
has already won a prosperity that many an

UNIVERSITY OF

ILLINOIS LIBRAR1

<U UKBANA-CHAMPA

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

older farmer mighl well envy, and undoubt-
edly greater success awaits him in the future.

WILLIAM S. CHESS.

William S. Cress was born on the farm
where he now lives in Butler drove township,
his natal day being February 11, 1848. His
father. Jacob Cress, was horn in Indiana in
1818, and the grandfather. Jacob Cress, Sr.,
was a native of North Carolina, whence he
started overland in 1817, but on reaching In-
diana he settled there, remaining in that slate
for a year. His son Jacob was born there in
the spring of 1818 and soon afterward the
family came to Montgomery county, Illinois,
settling in Butler Grove township. His grand-
father entered land from the government on
section 3.3 and upon the place built a log cabin.
He then began the development of a farm,
breaking the prairie preparatory to the tilling
of the soil and in due course of time gathering
rich harvests as the result of his labors. Ho
was interested in the Lutheran church and
contributed to it- support. His death oc-
curred when he had reached the advanced age
of eight\ -six years. In the family were eight
children, two sons and six daughters.

Jacob Cress, dr.. was reared upon the old
family homestead in Butler Grove township
and remained with his parents until the time
of his marriage, which occurred on the 23d of
January. 1840. Miss Helena Scherer becoming
his wife. She was born in Virginia in ISIS
and was the daughter of Rev. Daniel Scherer,
one of the pioneer Lutheran ministers of this
section id' the country. After their marriage
the young couple located upon the farm where
William Cress now resides ami the husband
erected a log cabin where a beautiful and com.
modious residence now stands. The pioneer
home, however, contained but one room and
Jacob Cress built their first table. He brought

his bride to his 1 m horseback and there

lived in true pioneer style for some time, hut
as the years advanced they were enabled to
add many of the comforts and conveniences
of the time to their place. In this county

Jacob Cress died at the age of eighty-six years
and his wife has also passed away.

William S. Cress was reared to farm life
upon the old family homestead and attended
the conn i schools, hut later he had the ad-
vantage of a course in the Illinois State Uni-
versity under the auspices of the Lutheran
church. He spent three years in that institu-
tion and at the age of twenty-four began teach-
ing school, being employed m several district
and high schools, while at one time he was.
principal of the schools of Butler. From 1873
until 1875, inclusive, he was the teacher in the
school which was removed from Springfield to
Carthage, Illinois, becoming Carthage College.
He was assistant to the chair of mathematics
in that institution for three years and in 1876-7
he taught in the Butler school. On the ex-
piration of that period he went to Hillsboro,
where he and his brothers were engaged in the
agricultural implement business for four years.
They then sold out and William S. Cress later
spent a year in St. Louis and Kansas City. He
afterward went to Wichita, Kansas, where he
was connected with an agricultural implement
house for four years. Later he went to Port-
land, Oregon, where he was engaged in the
real-estate business for li\e years, returning
thence to Wichita, where he again entered into
business relations with the house with which
he had formerly been connected. Owing to the
death of his younger brother he returned to
Montgomery county and took charge of the
old home place, thus relieving his father of its
care.

On the 4th of January, 1900, Mr. Cress was
united in marriage to Miss Mattie Schopf,
of Wichita. Kansas, and they have two chil-
dren: John B.. three years of age: and Marie
L., about two years old. There are seven hun-
dred and fifty-five aires of land in the home
farm and the entire amount is tmder the per-
sonal supervision of Mr. Cress, whose practical
training at farm labor in early years makes him
an agriculturist whose ability is widely recog-
nized, lie is extensively engaged in the rais-
ing of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep and now
has a rloek of four hundred head of merino
sheep. In community interests he takes an
active and helpful part and in 1902 served as

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

W. S. CHESS

MRS. W. S. CRESS

LIBRARY
OF THE

--ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

:.;

trusti f Butler Grove township. Ee is a

member of the Fraternal Aid Association and
Insurance Society; he gives his political al-
legiance to the Democracy and is a member <>£
the Lutheran church. Ee lias had a varied
business experience ami has a wide ac-
quaintance, and in the different localities in
which he has resided fur any length of time
he has made warm friends because of his relia-
bility, social, genial nature and his recognition
of worth in others.

P. .1. BERMAN, M. D.

The medical profession of Montgomery
county finds a capable, conscientious and
worthy representative in Dr. P. J. Eerman,
who has hern practicing within its borders for
nearly a half century. A native son of Illi-
nois, he was horn near Chatham, Sangamon
county, nu the 22d of December, 1833, and
comes of German ancestry, the family having
been established in North Carolina in early
colonial days. David Eerman, the grand-
father, was there born, and David II. Eerman,
the father, was also a native of thai state.
born in 1805. About 1810 David Herman re-
moved with his family to Kentucky, settling
in Grant county, where his son, David H. Her-
man, grew to manhood. Ee was married there
to Sarah Mills, a native of that stale and a
daughter of Jacob Mitts, also one of the early
residents of Kentucky of German ancestry. Mr.
Herman removed to Illinois in 1830, establish-
ing his home in Sangamon county when it was
largely an unimproved district, the greater part
of the land being still in possession of the gov-
ernment, while the work of progress and im-
provement was scarcely begun. Tie located
near Chatham, where he entered a tract of
land and opened up a farm, which he continued
to make his home for more than sixty years.
There he reared his family and lived an active,
useful and honorable life, proving a valued
citizen of the community from which he was
called by death in 1891. His wife had de-
parted this life about ten years before.

Dr. Herman is one of a family of six sons
and three daughters that were reared to adult

age upon the old family homestead, and of
these three sons and laughter are yet liv-
ing. Like the others of the family, he re-
mained under the parental roof through the
period of his boyhood and youth. His com-
mon school advantages were supplemented by
a course of study in the high school at Spring-
field, and he entered upon preparation for his
profession in Chatham as a student in the
office of Dr. N. Wright, one of the old practi-
tioners of Sang; n county. He began read-
ing medicine in L855 and pursued his first
course of lectures in Rush Medical College in
18.58-59. Before this time he had engaged m
teaching in Sangamon county, but he regarded
this merely as an initiatory step to other pro-
fessional labor. After completing his first
course of lectures he came to Montgomery
county and entered upon the practice of medi-
cine here. In 1862 he went to Chicago and
completed a medical course in Rush Medical
College, in which he was graduated with the
class of 1863. Again locating in Raymond, he
not only practiced medicine and surgery, but
also conducted a drug store, in which he com-
pounded hi.- own medicines. His practice
called him to many points over a wide area and
he built up a large and successful business, lie
is now the oldest, practitioner in this part of
the county and has long maintained a foremost
position J7i Ihi' ranks of the fraternity. He
belongs to (he Montgomery County Medical
Society, ami continued reading and investiga-
tion bave kept him thoroughlj informed con-
cerning the advancement made by the profes-
sion. He now largely confines himself to
office practice, and in as far as possible is put-
I ing aside professional labors.

Dr. Herman was married April II. 1863,
to Miss Eliza A. Xeal. a native of Sangamon
county, who was reared in Montgomery coi □
ty. Her father. Elijah B. Xeal. formerly of
Kentucky, became a resident of Sangamon
county. Illinois. Into Dr. and Mrs. Herman
have been horn four children, who are yet liv-
ing: Julia A., the wife of frank' If Schafer,
of Nokomis; Hattie L.. who occupies a posi-
tion in a mercantile establishment in Ray-
mond; Flora Belle, the wife of William \.
Ray, of Chicago; ami Blanche Mav, the wife

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

of Stephen 0. Seward, of Montgomery coun-
ty. They also lost their first child, Frances

Ellen, who died in early wornanh I.

Politically Dr. Herman is a Democrat, who
east his first presidential vote for Franklin
Pierce and his last ballol for William Jennings
Bryan. He has never had time to seek or
fill public office, although he served as presi-
dent of the village board for three terms and
also as village trustee. He has ever been a
warm friend of the cause of education, and
while serving on the school hoard has put
forth effective effort for the upbuilding of the
schools and the raising of the standard of edu-
cation in Raymond. He is a Royal Arch
Mason and was one of the organizers of the
Masonic lodge at Raymond, of which he served
as master for a number of terms, while at the
present time he is again filling that position.
He has likewise represented his lodge in the
grand lodge of the state on three different oc-
casions. He belonged to Hillsboro chapter,
hut was afterward dimitted. His wife is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Dr. Herman has resided in this section of
Illinois throughout his entire life, and for
nearly fifty years lias been identified with
the growth, development and prosperity of
Raymond and Montgomery county. Few have
so lone- resided in this district as lias Dr. Her-
man, and none have a wider or more favorable
acquaintance. He is always an honored at-
tendant at the old settlers' picnics of Sanga-
mon and of Montgomery counties, and he is
well known in central Illinois as a man who
is entitled to the highest regard and respect
by reason of an upright life, as well as su-
perior professional skill that has rendered his
lifework of the utmost benefit and value to his
fellow men.

GEORGE N. ALLEN.

George N. Allen, one of the most progressive
residents of East Fork township, following
farming on sent ion ~>. was born in that town-
ship. April '.".i. 1858, a son of Robert and
Harriet (Ohmart) Allen. His father was
born in North Carolina, spent flu 1 days of his

boyhood and youth there and came to Mont-
gomery county when twenty-one years of age,
settling in East Fork township. Pioneer con-
ditions existed here at that early period. Much
of the land was still in possession of the gov-
ernment, having not been reclaimed for the
purpose of civilization. Mr. Allen, however,
took an active part in developing this portion
of the state and was recognized as one of the
leading men of his community, doing much
to promote social, religious and political inter-
ests, as well as the material development of
Montgomery county. His life was actuated by
high and honorable purpose and principles,
and he commanded the respect and good will
of all who knew him. He died August 1,
1891, leaving two sons, William A. and
Georue X.

George N. Allen was reared upon the old
family homestead, working in the fields
through the summer months, while in the win-
ter seasons he attended the public schools and
acquired a fair practical English education.
He started out in life for himself when
eighteen years of age. His father was then
in poor health and gave to him the manage-
ment of the farm, which he conducted as his
father's partner. He also purchased a tract
of land about the same time, incurring an in-
debtedness in order to do this, but within a
short period be discharged the obligation. Later
he removed to the vicinity of Donnellson,
where he resided for four years, but through-
out that period he continued as overseer of his
father's farm. After his father's death he
settled upon the home plan', where he now re-
sides. He has added to this farm from time to
time and is today the owner of a valuable
property of four hundred and thirty-six acres
in East Fork township. Much of his land is
under a high state of cultivation, and he an-
nuallv harvests good crops. For about ten
vears be has engaged in shipping stock, and
this has added materially to his income, for
he is an excellent judge of farm animals and
thus is enabled to make purchases and sales
which vield a good profit. He has become
well known as a stock-raiser, and be also han-
dles a pood breed of cattle, wdiich he feeds for
the market. He has made a close study of how

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNT!

to import stock in the best way and in the
shortest time, and his knowledge is compre-
hensive and practical. At this writing, in 1904,
he owns a. herd of registered Ohio Improved
Chester White hogs, and he now has about sev-
enty hogs eligible to be registered. He has
also handled many sheep. He and his brother
had very little in boyhood and worked on a
threshing machine for fifty cents per day, but
as time passed, through industry and economy
Mr. Allen gradually worked his way upward
financially, and is today the possessor of a
very valuable farm and is also one of the stock-
holders and directors of the First National
Bank at Hillsboro. He and his brother also
own nine hundred and sixty-five acres of land
m Arkansas, a part of which is covered with
timber, while the remainder is devoted to cot-
ton raising.

In November, 1882. Mr. Allen was united in
marriage to Miss Zilphia Wilson, a daughter
of George Wilson, and unto them have been
born seven children, all of whom are living:
Orin K., who is now attending the State Nor-
mal School at Charleston, Illinois ; Cullen F. ;
Robert W. ; William F. ; Charlotte; Mary; and
Dorothy. All of the children are at home.
Mrs. Allen belongs to the Methodist church and
Mr. Allen holds membership relations with the
Masonic fraternity, being made a Mason atDon-
nellson in 1800. and with the Knights of
Pythias lodge and the Benevolent and Pro-
tective Order of Elks. He keeps well informed
on the political questions and issues of the
day, votes with the Democracy ;md has filled
the office of assessor, but would never consent
to occupy other official positions, preferring to
give bis time and energies to his business af-
fairs. He, however, takes a deep and active
interest in everything pertaining to the wel-
fare of his township and is the champion of
many measures that have resulted in the pub-
lic good. He has been a delegate to the state
and congressional conventions and a member
of the federal court at Hillsboro. He is an
advocate of gravel roads for the county and
of graded township schools instead of the dis-
trict schools, and he was instrumental in se-
curing the establishment of the rural mail de-
livery along its present route. His ideas, while

always progressive, are at the same time practi-
cal, and his efforts have proved very beneficial
to the county, and lie has also conducted his
business affairs so as t" win most gratifying
ami honorable success.

L. V. HILL.

L. V. Hill, who is filling the position of
prosecuting attorney at Hillsboro, is one of
the younger representatives of the Montgom-
ery county bar, hut his years seem no obstacle
in his success, which has been of a most de-
sirable character. He seems to have been en-
dowed by nature with the peculiar qualifications
that combine to make a successful lawyer. He
is patiently persevering, possesses an analytical
mind and one that is readily receptive and re-
tentive of the fundamental principles and in-
tricacies of the law. He applies himself with
great thoroughness to the mastery of his case,
is fearless in its alvocacy, is quick to com-
prehend subtle problems and logical in his
conclusions and thus he has won for himself
an enviable position as a representative of the
legal fraternity.

Mr. Hill is a son of Isaac and Mary (Sears)
Hill. His father, now residing in Joplin, Mis-
souri, was born in Fayette county, Illinois, and
in early manhood followed the occupation of
farming. About 1888, however, he turned his
attention to the lumber business and he is
now- extensively interested in zinc mines near
Joplin, Missouri. Through marked enterprise
and keen discrimination in business affairs he
has become one of the substantial citizens of
I he community in which be makes his home.
His political allegiance is given to the Democ-
racy. He married Mary Sears, also a native
of Illinois, a ml a daughter of Thomas andJoicey
(Alexander) Sears, who removed to Missouri
during the childhood of their daughter, re-
maining for several years in thai state. Mr.
Sears was :i farmer by occupation. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Hill were horn five children, of whom
four are yet living, the second. Louisa, hav-
ing passed away. Those who still survive are
L. Y.. of this review: .T< sse. who is a stockman
of Fillmore township, Montgomery county;

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Lona, who married Fred Hendrix arid resides
aear her parents; and Nora, who married
Houston King and is also living aear Joplin,
M issouri.

L. V. Jlill acquired his early education in
the village of Fillmore and alA rward attended
the Alexander school of that locality. On put-
ting aside his text books he engaged in the
lumber business at Fillmore in connection with
his father, remaining there until L897, whm
he removed to Hillsboro. hi the meantime he
had devoted a year to the reading of law. and
in May. 1897, he entered the law office of How-
ett & Jett, with whom lie continued his read-
ing until the fall of 1899, when he was ad-
milted to the bar. He at onee began to prac-
tice at Hillsboro, where he has met with very
desirable success, securing a clientage of a dis-
tinctively representative character. In 1900 be
was elected to (be office of states attorney of
Montgomery county and in the spring of l!Ni +
lie successfully prosecuted the work of a mur-
der case in which the culprit was given the
full extent of the law. His has bei n a remark-
able career in the prosecution of important
eases and during his term as attorney has prose-
cuted three murder eases in this county and bis
presentation of a case indicates thorough prep-
aration, a comprehensive knowledge of the
principles of jurisprudence and Ins logical de-
ductions, lie has gained high rank among his
professional brethren by bard work and by
evidencing bis ability to lill the position with
which thi people have intrusted him. Aside
from bis law practice be is interested in flu.
Eillsboro Electric Railway Company and with
his father lias large interests in zinc mines at
Joplin, Missouri. In connection with four
others he laid out the park subdivision to Hills-
boro, recently incorporated within the limits
of the city, lie bus been watchful of every sign
pointing to progress ami advancement in the
community, has endorsed all measures for the
general g 1 ami has given hearty co-opera-
tion to many movements which have tended
toward material 1" aefil to II tllsboro.

In tSPo Mr. Hill was united in marriage to
Mis- Josie Williams, a native of Fillmore town-
ship, and a daughter of Webster ami Katherine
Williams. Her father is a harnessmaker of

Fillmore, line child was born of this mar-
riage. Harold, luit lii> death occurred when be
was but four months old. Mr. Hill is a mem-
ber of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the
Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the

Modern W Imen camp and the Knights of

the Maccabe s and bis political allegiance is
given to the I (emocracy.

HENRY II. WARNSING.

Henry 11. Warnsing, who devotes his time
and energies to auctioneering and general
farming, lives on section 28, Rountree town-
ship. He is a representative of the worthy
class of citizens that Germany has furnished
to Montgomery county, his birth having oc-
curred in Hanover, Germany, on the 1st of
December, 1844. He was Left an orphan when
only a year old and at the age of seven he
accompanied Ins grandparents on their emigra-
tion to the United .States, the family home
being established in Madison county. Illinois.

Henry II. Warnsing was educated largely in
Germany, having no instruction in the English
tongue, save that he attended an evening
school. At the age of sixteen years lie began
learning the marble-cutter's trade in Fdwards-
ville, Illinois, where be was employed until
1864, when in the month of August he en-
listed in Company F. One Hundred and
Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He
served for eleven months and on the expiration
of that period was discharged at (.'amp Butler
in July, 1865, for tin' war bad ended and the
country no longer needed bis aid. He after-
ward resumed farm work, being employed by
the month in Madison county. After two and
a ball' years be resolved to engage in farming
on In- own account and. renting a tract of bind
in Montgomery county, be took up his abode
thereon in ISM. He continued renting until
1873, and during that period prospered in his
work so that in the latter year he was enabled
to purchase forty acre- of land, constituting
tbe nucleus of his present extensive and val-
uable landed possessions. As opportunity has
increased be has made judicious purchases of
other land and now owns aboui seven hundred

[I. II. WAENSING AND FAMILY

LIBRARY
OF TH£

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

acres in Montgomery county, the greater part
in Rountree township. He has placed most of
the improvements upon the farm where he
now lives and he lias here a very attractive
place equipped with all modern conveniences
and accessories. The buildings and fences are

kept iii g I repair, the fields are well tilled

and everything about the place indicates the
careful supervison of an enterprising owner.
Be is also agent for the Home Mutual Insur-
ance Company and he lias been an auctioneer

for the last thirty-one years, the lir f Warn-

sing & Son being the leading auctioneers of
tli is section of the state.

On the 24th of February, 1871, Mr. Warh-
sing was united in marriage to Miss Londa
M. Weller, a daughter of Jacob and ( '. Weller,
both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Warosmg
have become the parents of eight children:
John, who died at the age of two years; Wil-
liam, who died at the age of a year and a half;
Fred, who died at the age of nine months;
Robert P>. ; Daniel J., of Rountree township;
Martin Luther, who is also living in this
township; Fred IT. and Lena L.. both at borne.

The parents are members of the English
Lutheran church and Mr. Warnsing is con-
nected with Cunningham Post, G. A. I!. Rec-
ognized as one of the influential men of his
township whose interest in the public affairs
is of an unselfish and patriotic nature, be lias
been called upon to fill many of the township
offices, perhaps serving to a greater extent in
such a way than any other man of the town-
ship. He is now school treasurer and in this
office as in all others that lie has filled be lias
discharged his duties with notable prompt-
ness and fidelity. Tie is a man id' genuine
worth, true ti> every trust reposed in him, and
the' sterling traits of bis character have gained
him warm friendship in Montgomery county.

WILLIAM SIMS.

William Sims, for many years identified with
agricultural interests in Montgomery county,
hut now living a retired life in Raymond, is
of Scotch birth and parentage. He was born
in Aberdeenshire. Scotland, May 12, 1845. a

Miii of William and Ann (Breody) Sims, both
of whom were natives of Scotland. The fa-
ther's birth occurred in Aberdeenshire in 1821
and in ls;>n he emigrated to the new world in
company with his family, locating in Bucks
enmity. Pennsylvania, where he purchased a
trait el land and engaged in farming. In
1851 he Mild that properly and came to Illinois,
settling in Clinton county, where he purchased
raw land and opened up a farm, residing there-
on lor a number of years. Later he came to
Monte/mii ry enmity and purchased a farm near
Hillsiioro. where he spent the last years of his
life, passing away there on the 9th of June,
is is. Throughout his entire business career
he carried on agricultural pursuits and as the
result of his activity and perseverance he was
enabled to provide a comfortable living for his
family. He possessed many excellent traits of
character which endeared him to those with
whom he came in contact and won for him the
confidence and good will of all with whom
be was associated. His wife survived him sev-
eral years, dying March 26, 1885. In their
family were six sons and two daughters, of
whom one daughter died in infancy and another
at the age of about five years, while live of the
sons are yet living.

William Sims grew to manhood upon the
old homestead farm and remained with his
father until be had attained his majority, as-
sisting in the labors of field and meadow as
bis age and strength permitted. His educa-
tional privileges were those afforded by the
common schools. He was married in Clinton
county. August 6, 1866, to Miss Julia Ash-
lock', who was horn at Belleville, Illinois, and
is a daughter of Robert Ashlock, a cabinet-
maker and one of the early settlers of the
-laic living in St. Clair county.

After his marriage Mr. Sims located in Clin-
ton county, llliinus. where he carried on gen-
eral farming I'm- several years and about 1870
he came to Montgomery county, where he rent-
ed a tract of land for one year. He then pur-
chased a farm in Raymond township, consti-
tuting one hundred and twenty acres and this
he began to break and improve, adding many
modern equipments and placing his fields un-
der a high state of cultivation. Later he pur-

Ill

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

chased more land from time to time until he
now owns two hundred and eighty acres, com-
prised within the borders of two well improved
farms. He continued in the active operation
of his land until 1891, when he rented the
farms and removed to Raymond, when' he pur-
chased the residence that he now occupies. He
lias since given his supervision to his farming
interests, but if not connected with the active
work. In Raymond he purchased a lot and
erected a business house and he also remodeled
and added to his residi nee, which is a neat
and attractive home. Tie also own- some val-
uable property in Pueblo, Colorado. Tlis busi-
ness affairs have claimed the greater part of
his time and attention, yet he has neveT been
remiss in the duties of citizenship and in a
quiet way has assisted in many measures for
the general good. Politically he i- a stanch
Republican, having given unfaltering support
to the party since casting his first presidential
y< te for U. S. Granl in 1868.

I tito Mr. and Mrs. Sims have been born
three children, but they lost their oldest,
Charles, who reached mature years, was mar-
ried and was successfully engaged in business
in Raymond at the time of his death. Their
daughters are Libbie and Ethel, the former the
wife of George It. Lynch, of Pueblo, Colo-
rado: and Ethel, now living with her sistei..
Mr. and Mrs. Sims are members of the Baptist
church and he is a Master Mason, belonging to
the lodge at Raymond. During thirty-four
years' residence in Montgomery county Mr.
Sims is widely known to many of its citizens
and there has been in his life record no cle-
ment, which awakt ns harsh criticism or con-
demnation. On the other hand his career has
been characterized by laudable ambition to
achieve success and honorable methods of win-
ning prosperity, and he certainly deserves cred-
it for what he has accomplished.

.lolIN W. CHAMBERLIN.

John W. Chamberlin, one of the best known
representatives of industrial interests in Litch-
field, has been identified with building opera-
tions here for many years, and has contributed

in large measure toward improving and beauti-
fying the city. lie i.- al-o engaged in the man-
ufacture of brick, and his business career has
Keen characterized by unfaltering diligence and
perseverance. Moreover, he is an active ad-
vocate .if intellectual and moral progress, and
as a citizen is foremost among those who
champion all measures for the general good.

Mr. Chamberlin was bom in Kanawha
county. West Virginia, April 17. 1840, a son
of Nathaniel and Joanna (Willis) Chamber-
lin. The father was a native of Pennsylvania,
and was of English lineage, tracing his ancestry
back to on,' of the band of Pilgrims who came
to America in the Mayflower. Nathaniel
Chamberlin was reared upon a farm, but be-
came a contractor and builder. He removed
to Virginia when twenty-three years of age
and there operated a sawmill. On his removal
to the west he settled in St. Louis, where he
began contracting and building, and was one
id' the leading citizens and business men of
the Missouri metropolis of that time. While
ii. Virginia he married Miss Joanna Willis,
who was born in Winchester, that state, a
daughter of William Willis, who was of Ger-
man birth. There was also an English strain
in the maternal ancestry. Her father was a
harnessmaker by trade and for many years fol-
lowed that business in Virginia, where his
death ultimately occurred. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Chamberlin were horn eight children, but with
the exception of John W., of this review, all
have passed away. The father died in 1863 at
the age of sixty-three years and the mother's
death occurred in Litchfield in 1890 when she
was seventy-six years of age. Mr. Chamber-
lin held membership in the Cumberland Pres-
byterian church, while his wife was a member
of the Metholist Episcopal church. In politics
he was a radical Republican, espousing the
cause of the party at a time when it required
personal courage to uphold one's political con-
viction-, lie enjoyed the highest regard of all
with whom he was associated and his upright
career ami fidelity to duty made him one of
nature's noblemen.

In the public schools of St. Louis. Missouri,
John W. Chamberlin acquired his education
ami on putting aside his text books entered a

JOHN W. CHAMBEELIN

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

printing office, where he worked for a year.
He afterward learned the trade of brick-lay-
ing and throughout the greater pari of his
business career lias been engaged in contract-
ing and building. His business interest-, how-
ever, were put aside at the time of the Civil
war. fur in September, 1861, at St. Louis, he
enlisted in Fremont's Engineering Corps and
served in that organization until it was dis-
banded. He was then with William Hitchcock,
known as "Wild Bill," on a transportation
train through Missouri and Arkansas, trans-
porting provisions for the army for eighteen
months. In 1865 he came to Litchfield and has
since been identified with its building opi ra-
tions. He has ^rm the town grow and expand
and has taken a very active part in its improve-
ment, building many sehoolhouses, churches,
business blocks and private residences here and
also in other parts of Montgomery county ana
in adjoining counties. The buildings which he
has constructed would constitute a considerable
town in themselves, lie is still actively en-
gaged in work ami now has the contract for
the Carnegie library building. His success
is attributable to his skill in the builder's art
and is thoroughly reliable, for he lives fully up
to the terms of an agreement. As soon as bis
sons were old enough to become factors in in-
dustrial circles hi' admitted them to the firm
and the business is now carried on under the
style of .1. W. Chamberlin & Sons. In 1885
Mr. Chamberlin also established a brickyard
and manufactures a machine-made brick, em-
ploying twelve men in the operation of tic
plant. Although this is being worked to its
full capacity the supply is not equal to the
demand.

In December. 1864, Mr. Chamberlin was
married to Mrs. Victoria V. Keese, the widow
of Albert C. Keese and a daughter of Wesley
and Elizabeth Nelson Simmons. Her father
removed from Ohio to Montgomery coun-
ty, Illinois, in 1833. and settled three miles
west of Hillsboro. where he remained for
a short time. He afterward took up bis abode
in the city and from that point superintended
his farming operations. His death occurred in
Hillsboro in 1881. In 1855 he had established
the Simmon- Hotel, winch he conducted until

L865. His life was an honorable and upright
mie. covering a long span of eighty-one years,
ami be lived m constant harmony with bis
professions as a member id' the Methodist Epis-
copal church. His wife, also a life-long mem-
ber of the church, died at the age of seventy-
two years. Both toolc an active part in church
work and Mr. Simmons served as trustee and
steward. In their family were eighl children,
of whom three are now living, Mrs. Chamberlin
and Pilcher and Julia Simmons. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Chamberlin were born four children:
William S.. a brick-layer of Litchfield; Annie,
the wife of Marshall Titsworth. who is em-
ployed in the Latham store in Litchfield; Lucy,
at home; and Nathaniel, who is associated with
his father and brother in business. There are
now ten grandchildren. By her first mar-
riage Mrs. Chamberlin bad one son. who is yet
living, Pilcher G. Keese, who is a brick-layer.

Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin hold membership
in the Methodist Episcopal church and have
co-operated in its various activities, doing all
in their power to promote its growth and ex-
tend its influences. At, the present writing
Mr. Chamberlin is serving as one of its trustees.
In politics he is a Republican and is assistant
supervisor of North Litchfield township. He is
a man of high standing in the community be-
cause of his genuine personal worth. His mar-
riel life has been a happy one and his home
largely embodies ideals of domestic felicity.
Those traits of character which are esteemed
as of most value in character building are his
and he is to-day one of the most honored and
respected men of his adopted city.

LEE M. PAUL.

The business circles of Farmersvillc find a-
worthy representative in Lee M. Paul, who is
assistant cashier of the hanking firm of John
Pell & Company, in which capacity he has ac-
ceptably served for ten years and his unfalter-
ing courtesy as well as business capacity have
made him popular with the patrons of the
institution and gained him a large circle of
warm friends. A native of Illinois, he was
born in Macoupin county, September 16, 1861.

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

His father, Jacob Paul, was born near Wheel-
ing, West Virginia, on the 16th of September,
1815, and during his early boyhood days ac-
companied his parents on their removal west-
ward, the family home being established in
Indianapolis, win re Jacob Paul grew to ma-
ture years and was married, the lady of his
choice being Miss Ellen McClain, a native of
Kentucky. In the year 1836 Jacob Paul re-
moved to Alton, Illinois, where he resided for
more than twenty yiars and on the expiration
of that period he purchased land and located
in Macoupin county, where he resided until
is; i.

It was upon the old family homestead there
that Lee 31. Paul spent his boyhood days.
He had good educational privileges, his course
in the public schools being supplemented by a
few terms of study in the Indianapolis high
school. In 1874 he returned to the home farm
and later removed the family to St. Louis,
Missouri, where they remained for two years.
Returning in 1876 to Illinois, the family home
was established upon a farm in Montgomery
county near the village of Parmersville and
there the father and son.- engaged in general
agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, mak-
ing a specialty of the raising of horses. Jacob
Paul, the father, was an active and capable
business man and continued a resident of this
locality until his death, which occurred Sep-
tember 30, 1893. His wife passed away Oc-
tober I. 1892. The remains of both were in-
terred in the Morrisonville cemetery.

After leaving school Lee M. Paul continued
to assist his father upon the home farm and
after the hitters death engaged in the culti-
vation of the old home place until 1894, when
he rented the land and removed to Farmers-
ville, to accept a position in the banking house
of John Bell & Company. He has now served
as assistant cashier for ten years and is very
efficient and faithful in the performance of
all the duties which devolve upon him in con-
nection with the conduct of this strong and
reliable financial institution. He is also con-
ducting some private business interests as a
dealer in real estate and as an insurance agent,
and he displays good business ability, hav-
ing tin' power to readily recognize and utilize

an opportunity. Moreover he possesses tact and
has a good fund of common sense, which is
too often lacking in the business world, and
has been the source of more failures than any
other one element.

Mi'. Paul was married in Montgomery coun-
ty. May 25, 1898, to Miss Hattie Carroll, a
native of this county and a daughter of James
Carroll, one of its worthy pioneers. He was
a prominent farmer here for some years and
is now living retired in Farmersville. Mr.
and Mrs. Paul have a pleasant home in the
town and the hospitality of the best families
in this part of the county is freely extended
to them. Mr. Paul is nnfalti ring in his ad-
vocacy of Democratic principles and is an ac-
tive supporter of (he party, being recognized
as a local leader here. He has served as vil-
lage treasurer for a number of years, was alsi.
township collector for two terms and has filled
other positions of honor and trust. He has
long been a notary public and does all such
work in connection with the bank. He belongs
to the Masonic lodge at Girard and is also
identified with the Loyal Neighbors and the
Modern Woodmen. 1 1 is interest centers in bis
adopted county and bis hearty co-operation is
given to every movement which he believes will
contribute to its upbuilding and improvement.
In manner he is unostentatious, but his gen-
uine worth is recognized by a large circle of
friends.

JESSE J. CAEEY.

Jesse J. Carey, who is one of the prominent
business men of Harvel, where he has been
successfully engaged in dealing in lumber for
the past fifteen years, has spent almost his en-
tire life in Illinois, dating his residence here
from 1837. Montgomery county has numbered
him among its valued citizens since 1875. He
was born in the city of New York, December 1,
1831, and was brought to this state by his
father, Jesse Carey, who located in Pike county
in 1837. There the father purchased a tract
of wild land and opened up a good farm.
Pioneer conditions existed at that time and the
nearest neighbor to the Carey home was three

ME. AND MES. J. J. CAREY

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

miles away. Hardships and difficulties were
to be endured, but the family persevered in
their efforts to build a new home on the fron-
tier.

Jesse J. Carey, who was the oldest son, was
reared on the farm in Pike county and enjoyed
fair school advantages, but has largely sup-
plemented his knowledge by lessons gained in
the school of experience and through reading
and observation. The word work would sum
up most concisely his entire life, for his career
lias been characterized by unflagging diligence.
Early in youth he learned lessons of industry,
enterprise and integrity and these have been
salient features in his career down to the pres-
ent time. In earlj manhood he was married
and then engaged in farming in Pike county
i'nr three or four years. In 1SG9 he removed to
Logan county, where he purchased a tract of
land and continued to engage in agricultural
pursuits until 1875. He then sub I his property
there and went to Christian county, arriving
on the 1st of March, 1875. He secured a tract
of land near Harvel, which he operated for a
number of years and then putting aside agri-
cultural pursuits he removed to the village in
1889 and bought out a lumber and coal yard
that he has since conducted. As the years have
passed he has built up a profitable trade and
he is now one of the active business men of his
community, having for fifteen years dealt in
coal and lumber with good success. This has
been sufficient time to test his capability, his
honorable methods and his earnest desire to
please his customers — qualities which have been
the strong elements in his prosperity.

In Pike county, Illinois. Mr. Carey was mar-
ried, November 5. 1863. to Miss Helen M.
Ross, a daughter of T. J. and Annie (Hovey)
Ross, early settlers of Illinois. She was born
in Ohio, but was reared in this state Her
death occurred in Harvel, February 19, 1892,
ami she left four children. Those still living
are: Phoebe, the wife of A. X. Banes, who is
deputy county clerk of Montgomery county;
Harvilla, at home; and Helen J., the wife of
D. A. Renning. of Girard. Kansas. One son,
George A., died when a young man of twenty-
two years.

Mr. Carey purchased an attractive home in

Harvel, which he now occupies. He is an ear-
nest advocate of Democratic principles and has
supported the parly since casting his first pres-
idential ballot for James Buchanan in 1856.
He was elected and served as supervisor in
Christian county for six years and for four
years in Montgomery county, but he has al-
ways rather avoided office, preferring to do
his public duty as a private citizen. He has
given his time and attention to his business
affair:-, which have been crowned with success.
Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fel-
lows bulge at Harvel and passed through all of
the chairs, is a past grand and has been repre-
sentative of the subordinate lodge to the grand
lodge of the state on two or three different oc-
casion.-. He belongs to the Christian church,
of which he is one of the elders and bis life
has exemplified his Christian faith, being at
all times honorable and straightforward. His
is a kindly spirit and ready sympathy and he
has put forth earnest effort to advance the wel-
fare of the church and extend its influence;
He is well known in the northern part of the
county as a respected and honorable business
man and Harvel classes him with its repre-
sentative citizens.

CARL F. BARTLING.

Carl F. Bartling. well known in Litchfield
and respected because of bis many sterling qual-
ities, is now conducting a mercantile enterprise
in the interest of the heirs of the Hoffman es-
tate. He is one of Illinois' native sons, his
birth having occurred in Woodburn. Macoupin
county, on the 13th of February. 1864. His
father. Henry W. Bartling, was born in Swit-
zerland and came to the United States in 1856,
locating in iVlton. In 1863 lie removed to Ma-
coupin county, where Ik 1 carried on general
farming. He married Annie Tuscher, who was
born in Switzerland and was a daughter of
Benjamin ami Elizabeth Tuscher, who came to
the United Slates in 1856, settling at Alton,
hut afterward removing to Macoupin county,
where they located near Hornsby. Her father
also carried on agricultural pursuits. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Bartling were members of the

AST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

German Lutheran church. His death occurred
m 1870, when he was thirty-five years of age,
and his wife passed away in 1876, at the age
of thirty-eight years. They were the parents
of five children: Henry \\\, who is now liv-
ing in Litchfield; Carl I".: Elizabeth, the wife
of George Siegel, at Trenton, Illinois; Annie,
the wife of John Freloish, of Alton; and
Ti enie, the wife of George Smith, who is en-
gaged in the grocery business in Alton.

Carl F. Bartling is indebted to the district
schools for the early educational privileges
which he enjoyed and which were supplement-
ed by two years' study in the schools of Litch-
field. He then entered upon his business career
in the store of V. Hoffman and remained in
his employ until the death of Mr. Hoffman,
in 1899. Mr. Bartling was then appointed ex-
ecutor of the Hoffman estate and has since
been conducting the business for the heirs.
He is well qualified for the trust reposed in
him and in carrying on this enterprise has
displayed excellent business ability as well as
unremitting fidelity to the interests of those
whom he represents. He is also a member of
the firm of Bartling Brothers, wholesale deal-
ers in and shippers of poultry and produce. .
On the 18th of February, 1885, Mr. Bart-
ling was united in marriage to Miss Ella Hoff-
man, a daughter of V. and Martha Huffman
and a native of Litchfield, born in 1861. They
became the parents of five children, but Val-
entine. Carl. Gertrude and Mary are all now
deceased. The only living child is Roscoe
Blaine, the second in order of birth. Mr. and
Mrs. Bartling hold membership in the Metho-
dist Episcopal church and fraternally he is
connecti d with the Odd Fellows, the Elks and
the Mutual Protective League. He supports
the Republican party by his ballot and has
several times hern elected collector. He has
also been a member of the school board and
the library board and was count] treasurer
from 1894 until 1898, thus being closely as-
oeiated with the public interests of his com-
munity. Whatever tends to promote the gen-
eral welfare receives his endorsement and he
has been the champion of many measures
which have proven of great benefit to Mont-
gomery eonntv. His social manner and kind-

ly disposition render him popular and the circle
of his frit nds has been extruded by reason of
the fact that he is always considerate of others'
opinions and shows to all the deference which
condition and time warrant.

E. F. CANADAY.

E. V. Canaday, who as a stock dealer has
built up a profitable business in Coffeen, was
born in North Litchfield township, Au-
gust 5, 1869, He is a son of C. W.
and Martha L. Canaday. the former a
native of Kentucky and the latter of Illi-
nois. When the father was only a yeai
old he was brought by his parents to Mont-
gomery county, the family home being estab-
lished here in 1834 among the pioneer resi-
dents. The members of the Canaday house-
hold bore their full share in the work of early
development and improvement, living in true
pioneer style and meeting as best they could the
hard conditions which are always to be faced
by the frontier settler. After attaining to
man's estate C. W. Canaday began farming on
his own account and is a representative of ag-
ricultural interests of North Litchfield town-
ship, lie aided in surveying the land in this
county and could have purchased any amount of
it at twelve and a half cents per acre. He has
witnessed many changes as the years have gone
by and the county has emerged from primitive
conditions to lake its place with the leading
counties of this great commonwealth.

E. F. Canaday acquired his education in
North Litchfield township and remained upon
his father's farm until twenty-five years of age.
He then conducted a butcher shop for six years.
spending four years of thai time in Hillshoro
and tin' remaining two years at Coffeen. On
selling his meal market he began shipping
stock and now handles most of the stock sent
from this point, lie also raises and feeds cat-
tle, hogs and mules, and he is gaining a very
desirable success in handling stock, being an
excellent judge of domestic animals, so that he
makes judicious purchases and profitable sales.

On December 6, 1900. Mr. Canaday was
married to Miss Matt ir Perkins, a daughter of
Willis and S'amantha (Heskett) Perkins, the

OF THE

FY OP ILL"* 10,10

MRS. E. F. CANADAY

E. F. CAN AD AY

OF TH£
HXIVEP.SITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AXD PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

former a native of Alton, [llinois, and the
latter of Edwardsville, this state. The Cana-
day home is a hospitable one and is a Favorite
resorl with their many friends. Mr. Canaday
votes with the Democracy, but has never sought
or desired office, preferring to erive his undi-
vided attention to his business interests.

JACOB M. ELWELL.

Jacob M. Elwell, who built the first frame
house on the prairie on which the town of
Pana has been founded — a house which is still
standing as one of the landmarks of pioneer
times— has been closely associated in helpful
manner with the upbuilding and progress of
this portion of Montgomery county. He was
born May 1, 1832, in Bridgeton, New Jersey,
a son of William and Catherine (Miller) El-
well. The father was of English lineage, while
the mother was descended from a family from
northern Germany. Both, however, were. born
in New Jersey, and the father, who through-
out his entire life carried on agricultural pur-
suits, was the owner of three farms in that
state. His was a long, useful and active life,
in which he commanded the respect and trust
of his fellow men. He died in 1881, at the
advanced age of eighty years, and his wife
passed away in 1878, when seventy years of
age. They were members of the Baptist church
and in that faith they reared their fan i i I \ of
eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of
whom eight are now living. The record of the
family is as follows: Jacob N. ; Isaac, who
is living at Bridgeton, New Jersey; Margaret,
the wife of David Brooks, a resideni of Mill-
ville, New Jersey; William, who is married
and makes his home in Bridgeton, that state;
George, who is married and is located in Pana.
Illinois; Catherine, the wife of Joseph Hil-
liard. also of Bridgeton, New Jersey; Sally,
who is living in Vincentown, New Jersey;
Samuel S., of Bridgeton; Annie, the deceased
wife of Frank DuBois, who has also passed
away, having been killed in a wreck; Ann
Maria, who died in infancy; and one that died
unnamed.

Jacob M. Elwell attended school in his na-
tive town and in early youth assisted in the
work of the home farm, continuing to give his
father the benefit of bis services until twenty-
one years of age, when he started out in life
on bis own account, working by the month
for ten dollars as a farm hand. He afterward
went to .Miami county, Ohio, and in the vicin-
ity of Covington was employed at farm labor
ami in a sawmill, lie afterward drove a team
from that place to Audubon, Illinois, in 1855,
and for four years he continued in the service
of others in tins state, when with the capital
he had acquired through his own persistent
labor lie purehased three hundred and twenty
acres of land, upon which he now resides in
Audubon township, the purchase price being
ten dollars per acre. In 1856 he was engaged
in farming near Pontiac, where he met the
lad\ who aft' rward became bis wife and who
bore the maiden name of Sarah Jane Cilery.
They were married in 1860 and Mr. Elwell
then turned bis attention to farming upon
bis home place, beginning its improvement and
continuing the further work of cultivation and
development until he has produced the pres-
ent high state of productiveness for which
his farm is now noted. He broke the prairia
with oxen and used various farm implements
which now seem crude in comparison to the
improved machinery seen upon his farm at the
present day. He has utilized every facility for
promoting bis work along practical lines and
has prospered in bis undertakings.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Elwell were born five
children, a son and four daughters, namely:
Mary C, the wife of Charles C. Brown, a resi-
dent of Audubon township, by whom she has
three children; Margaret, who was a teacher
and died in 1891 at the age of twenty-eighl
years: Lottie, who also followed teaching prior
to her marriage to Edward Howe, by whom
she had one child that died in infancy; Bertie,
who engaged in teaching in the public schools
and also teaching music and is now the wife
of Harry Cutler, who resides near Rosemond,
Christian county, by whom she has three chil-
dren; William J., who is employed as a line-
man by the telephone company and resides at
Pana. The mother passed away July 14, 1900,

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

at the age of fifty-seven years and her re-
mains were inti rred in the Rosemond ceme-
tery. She was a member of the Methodist
church, was reared in the faith of the Chris-
tian church and her entire life was in har-
mony with her religious principles and cob-
mi linns. She was devoted to her family and
loyal (n her friends, her many good 1 raits of
heart and mind endearing her to those with
v, horn she was associati d.

Mr. Elwell has joined no church, but has
lived an honorable, straightforward life, at-
tempting to follow the golden rule in Ins treat-
ment of his fellow men. In politics he has
been a stalwart Republican since casting his
first presidential vote for .John ('. Fremont.
Few men have a more intimate or accurate
knowledge concerning the early history of his
section of the county. He -a\\ the first train
that passed through Nokomis, running over
the Torre Haute & Alton Railroad, now a part
of the Big Four system, the town at that time
being called Fillmore. lie also Temembers
when the first load of stock was shipped over
the road, although Nokomis was nut founded
at that time. Deer and other wild game were
seen in large numbers upon the prairie and
there were many wolves throughout this sec-
tion of the country. Other indications of pio-
neer conditions were also in evidence, but grad-
ually these have given way before the advanc-
ing civilization and the result has been the
upbuilding of a county that is a credit to
its citizens and to the commonwealth at large.

CHARLES ALEXANDER RAMSEY.

In the field of political life and commer-
cial activity Charles Alexander Ramsey has
won distinction and to-day is numbered among
the leading, influential and honored citizens
of Hillsboro, while as president of the Hills-
boro National Bank he is occupying a promi-
nent position in financial circles. For many
years he has been engaged in helpful manner
in I he development of the natural resources of
the stati . in the upbuilding of his adopted city
and in the promotion of the enterprises which

add not alone to his individual prosperity, hut
also advance the general welfare and prosperity
of this city.

Mr. Ramsey was horn in Mifflin county.
Pennsylvania, on the 8th of January, L845,
his parents being William II. and Mary ( Rar-
er) Ramsey. The father was of Irish descent,
Inn his parents were of the Presbyterian faith.
The mother was of German lineage and both
were natives of Pennsylvania, where the}' spent
their entire lives. Mr. Ramsey was a very
strong and energetic man and his death re-
sulted from accident in 1894, when he was
seventy-three years of age. He followed car-
pentering and building hut was living retired
at the time of his death. His wife had died
in 188G. at the age of sixty-two years.

Charles A. Ramsey was educated in the com-
mon schools and at the Pine Grove Academy
in Cent r county. Pennsylvania, the institu-
tion being located in the town of Pine Grove
Mills, lie left the Keystone state in 1865
when twenty years of age and located in Shel-
by county. Illinois, where he resided for a
brief period. He then removed to Irving in
Montgomery county, where he established a
drug store, conducting the same for eleven
years. In 1877 he removed to Hillsboro,
where he established a hardware and imple-
ment business, becoming a member of the firm
of Challacombe & Ramsey. This relation was
maintained lor about fifteen years or until
is!!-.'. uh< n Mr. Ramsey sold out to his part-
ner. The entire period had been one of pros-
perity in which well directed business interests
lad resulted in the acquirement of a hand-
som competence. In 1882 he assisted in the
organization of the Hillsboro National Bank.
was elected its president and has since remained
at the head of the institution, being annually
re-elected. His practical and progressive spir-
it has made this one of the sound financial
concerns of the county ami the business has
constantly grown in volume and importance.

On the -27th of October. 1870, Mr. Ramsey
was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cor-
ley. a daughter of l>. \Y. F. Corley, a promi-
nent citizen of Shelby county. Illinois, and
an e\i nsive farmer. This union was blessed
with two children. The elder, a daughter,

PAST AND l'RKSFAT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Mae, born in Irving in 1872, died in Hillsboro
in 1895. The other, a son. died in infancy.

Mr. Ramsey is a standi Republican and has
long been a recognized leader in the ranks
of the party in this Locality. He was elected
mayor of Hillsboro in 1891 and as the chief
executive officer he gave to the city a public-
spirited, progressive administration that re-
sulted in substantial benefit. In 1892 he was
nominated and elected to the Legislature, and
as a member of tlie thirty-eighth general as-
sembly again did good service fur his constit-
uents. In 1904 he was chosen a delegate to
the state convention which will go down in
history memorable because of the great dead-
lock that occurred over the nomination for
governor, the leading contestants being
Richard Yates, then governor of the state,
Prank Lowden, and Charles Deneen, state's
attorney of Chicago, the contest at length re-
sulting in the selection of the last named.
Mr. Ramsey has also been township super-
visor and was president of the board for rva,
terms. lie is a trustee of the Soldiers & Sail-
ors Widows Home at Wilmington, Illinois, and
has always been deeply interested in military
affairs and kindred subjects since the time of
the Civil war, tor then he espoused the cause
of the Union, having enlisted in 1862, as a
member of Company D, One Hundred and
Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. He was
mustered out at Harrisburg in 1865 after three
years of service. He had been promoted to
the rank of sergeant major in August, 1864,
and to adjutant in January, 1865. He served
in the Army of the Potomac and participated
in the battle of Gettysburg and others of the
most hotly contested engagements of that long
and sanguinary struggle. Honored and re-
spected in every class of society, he has for
some time been a leader in thought and action
in the public life of the stale.

WILLIAM GAMLIN.

For nearly forty years William Hamlin was
a representative of farming interests in Mont-
gomery county and during that period he
labored to such good purpose that be acquired

a handsome competence that now enables him
to live a retired life in Raymond. Ho dates
his residence in tin- slate from 1856 and in
Montgomery county from 1887. He was born
in Somersetshire, England, November 5. 1822,
and spent his boyhood and youth upon a farm,
i lure working in the fields at an early age
and thus becoming familial' with the prac-
tical methods of carrying on agricultural pur-
miiIs. lie was married in his native country
in 1852 to Miss Mary Ann Hart, also a na-
tive of Somersetshire.

The yeaT 1856 witnessed the emigration of
Mr. Gamlin to the new world. He took pas-
sage at Liverpool upon a sailing vessel and
after five weeks spent upon the broad Atlantic,
during which time they encountered some se-
vere storms, anchor was dropped in the har-
bor of New York. He arrived in New York
in the fall of that year, but did not tarry
long in the eastern metropolis, coming direct
to Illinois. He made his way to Alton and
previously he had made arrangements to ope-
rate a farm in Macoupin county. He resided
upon thai place for one year and then en-
gaged in cultivating a rented farm for eight
years. He afterward removed to another farm
property and continued to engage in agri-
cultural pursuits in that county for ten years,
or until 1887, when he came to Montgomery
county and purchased a farm of one hundred
aid nine acres near Raymond. There he car-
ried mi agricultural pursuits for seven years,
when be sold that property and bought his pres-
ciu home in Raymond, erecting a neat and
attractive residence, his lot covering sixty
acres. He also bought a farm near the village
which be cultivated for several years and then
sold. He bad little capital when he came to
America, but lie improved the opportunities
which are open to all ambitious young men,
and through bis persistency of purpose and
euergv la' accumulated a handsome competence.

In the fall of 1903 Mr. Gamlin was called
upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed
away on the 7th of September. Soon after-
ward be started for England, sailing on the
28th of that month. There he visited his old
home and spent three months in renewing the
acquaintances of Ins youth and early manhood.

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

He had a very pleasant trip and it was a
happy period which lie passed amid the scenes
iif his early life, but when his visit was over
he willingly returned to his adopted land.
Since the death of his wife his nephew John
G-amlin and his family have lived with Mr.
'iaiiilin of this review.

Politically William Gamlin is an earnest
Democrat and cast his first ballot for Gkrover
Cleveland. He is a member of the Raymond
Presbyterian church, to which his wife also
belonged. He has now reached the advanced
age of eighty-two years, but is yet quite hale
and hearty and life holds for him many en-
joyable moments. He has not been disap-
pointed in the hopes that led him to America,
for here he realized a handsome competence
from his labors, gained a good home and won
the friendship of many with whom he has been
associated.

John Gamlin. now- living in Raymond with
his uncle William Gamlin, was born in Som-
ersetshire, England, February 17. 184G. and
there spent the first twenty-two years of his
life, living upon a farm. Crossing the Atlan-
tic in 1868 he made his way westward to Ma-
coupin county, Illinois, where he joined bis
uncle and in that locality he was employed
at farm labor. He was married in Novem-
ber, 1868. to Miss Elizabeth Baker, who was
also horn in Somersetshire, England, a daugh-
ter of Benjamin Baker, who died in that coun-
try. Mrs. Gamlin came to the new world with
her brother's wife in 1868 and lived in Ma-
coupin county, Illinois, where she gave her
hand in marriage to Mr. Gamlin. They re-
mained in Macoupin county for eight years
ami then removed to Missouri, settling in Pet-
tis county near Sedalia. where Mr. Gamlin
owned and operated a farm, having one hun-
dred and sixty acres of land. In 1801 he sold
that property and took up his abode in Henry
county near Blairstown. hut in the fall of 1893
he returned to Illinois and took charge of his
uncle's place in Raymond, Montgomery county.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Gamlin have been
born eight children: Catherine M.. the wife
of William Rector, of Henry county, Mis-
souri ; John B., who is married and is an agri-
culturist of Henry county, Missouri; William

H.. of Johnson county. Missouri; Nathan A.,
of Henry county, Missouri ; Mary Ann, the
wife of Gust Burke, of Henry county, Mis-
souri : Joseph E., a farmer of this county;
Virginia M. ; and Naomi E. The parents hold
membership in the Presbyterian church and
Mr. Gamlin is a man of strong temperance
principles who gives his political support to
the Prohibition party.

L. THOMAS DOYLE.

A valuable farm of five hundred and twenty
acres is the property of L. Thomas Doyle, who,
living on section 29. Raymond township, is
devoting his time and energies to the cultiva-
tion of his fields and to the raising and feeding
of stock. He has a wide acquaintance and his
popularity among his friends is indicated by
the fact that he is usually called Tom by thost
who know him. His manner is genial, his dis-
position kindly and cordial, and he has the
warm regard and genuine friendship of many
with whom he has been associated.

A native son of Montgomery county, Mr.
Doyle was horn in Raymond township. March
8, 1868. His father. James Doyle, was born
in Greene county, Illinois, in 1835. was reared
there in the usual manner of farm lads of the
period, and when he started out in life for him-
self he wedded Miss Julia Overby, a native of
Greene county, thus securing a companion and
helpmate for life's journey. Removing to
Montgomery county, he became one of the early
settlers of Butler township and transformed a
tract of raw, wild land into a good farm, the
richly tilled fields yielding him fine harvests.
There he carried on general agricultural pur-
suits until his death, which occurred July 5,
1903. His wife had died several years before.
They are survived by four of their seven chil-
dren.

Thomas Doyle spent his youth upon the home
farm, attending the common schools, where
he mastered the branches of English learning
usually taught in such institutions and thus
became well prepared for the discharge of his
business duties and obligations. He has always
followed farming as a life work. He was mar-
ried in Raymond township on the 14th of Feb-

JAMES DOYLE

L. T. DOYLE AND FAMILY

LIBRARY

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ruary, 1891, to Miss Fanny Seward, who spent
her girlhood days in this locality and attended
the school in which her husband was pursuing
his education. Eer ratlin-. Oscar Seward, was
one of the early settlers of Montgomery county.
Mrs. Doyle inherited some of her father's farm
and Mr. Doyle extended the boundaries of this
place by making extensive additional purchases
until he now 1ms five hundred and fifty-five
acres of land. He has continued the work of
cultivation and improvement, lias repaired and
remodeled the house, has built two barns, has
planted a young orchard and now has n very
valuable property, situated within two miles
of Raymond, so that the advantages and oppor-
tunities of the town are easily accessible. In
addition to general farming he was one of the
organizers of the Raymond National Bank,
took stock therein and is still interested in the
institution. He is progressive in both business
life and citizenship, is regarded as one of the
most industrious agriculturists of his locality
and is continually putting forth effort to im-
prove his farm and add to its convenience and
to supplement its fertility and value.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Doyle has been
blessed with two children: Oscar J. and Lemar
S. Mr. Doyle votes with the Democratic party
and served for one term as supervisor and also
as a member of the honorable county hoard.
He has been a delegate to the county and state
conventions of his party and is deeply inter-
ested in its succes>. doing all in hi- power to
promote its growth and to secure its victory.
He is a man of integrity and honor and his
character development has been along lines that
ever command respeel and good will. The fact
that his stanchest friends are among those who
have known him longest is an indication that
his career has been worthy of respect and as one
of the valued native son> id' Montgomery
county we present hi- record to our readers.

JAMES 11. ATTERBURY.

James Hardin Atterbury, of Litchfield, Illi-
nois, was born two miles northwest of that city,
March 7, 1858. The Atterbury family is of
English descent. The first of the name in this

country is believed to have been James Atter-
hurv, who lived before the Revolution at Cam-
den, South Carolina. lie was the lather of
Charles Atterbury, and the latter was the father
of Michael Aiterbury, the father of Ahram D.
Atterbury, the father of .1. 11. Atterbury, of
this sketch. Michael Atterbury was married
to Elizabeth Kissinger, a daughter of Joseph
Eessinger, a son of Solomon Kessinger. The
latter was horn near Wittenburg, Germany,
and died near Millerstown, Hart county, Ken-
tucky, in is:::, at the age of one hundred
years.

Ahram D. Atterbury was born in Grayson
county. Kentucky. February 26, 1827; came to
rilinois in 1850, and on October 19, 1853, at
Eardinsburg, in Montgomery county, was mar-
ried to Mrs. Julia A. Ogle, mv McEarland, the
widow of Joseph T. Ogle and the mother of
Joseph T. Ogle, now a retired farmer living
in the suburbs of Litchfield. Mrs. Ahram D.
Atterbury was the daughter of David McFar-
land. of near O'Fallon, in St. Clair county,
Illinois. The latter was the son of Donald Mc-
Farland, the -on of Malcomb McFarland, the
son of Duncan McFarland. Mrs. Ahram D.
Atterbury's mother was Ruth Sparks, daughter
if David Sparks, the son of Joseph Sparks.
Mr. and Mrs. Atterbury had three sons: George
W., of Buffalo, New York; James IT., the sub-
ject of this review; and Charles M., of Chicago.
Ahram D. Atterbury died at Litchfield, April
■!', . 1898. His widow still lives in this city.

.Tame- 11. Atterbury acquired his early edu-
cation in the country school, and then went to
the high school of this city, where he lacked
three months of graduating. He attended Mc-
Kendroe College at Lebanon. Illinois, from
is; I to 1879, graduating in the classical course
in June of the latter year. He then went to
the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor,
where he completed the law course in 1881.
He was admitted to the Michigan bar at De-
troit, hut returned to Litchfield and was ad-
mitted to the bar of Illinois in May. 1881,
after which for several years lie was a member
of the firm of Southworth X Atterbury. He
was afterward admitted to the liar of the su-
preme court of the United States at Washing-
ton.

PAST AND PRESENT OF UOXTGOMERY COI'XTY

As a lawyer he has been connected with some
important litigation, and lias represented some
large financial interests. In 1883 he was
elected secretary of the Chicago, Springfield &
St. Louis Railway Company, which began the
construction of the line now the Illinois Cen-
tral Railroad Company between Springfield and
St. Louis. In 1890 he instituted a suit result-
ing in the appointment of a receiver of the St.
Louis. Alton & Springfield Railroad Company.
In 1894 he organized and was elected president
of the Belleville Electric Railway Company,
which converted the horse railway to an elec-
tric one. In 1895 lie organized and was made
a director and secretary of the Williamson
County Coal Company. In the same year he
was a director ami secretary of the Chicago,
Paducah & Memphis Railway Company (now
a part of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Rail-
road), ami was its general solicitor, having
charge of its legal department, and moved his
family to Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where he lived
for three years. In 1899 he was elected a direc-
tor and secretary of the St. Louis, Oklahoma
& Southern Railway Company (now a part of
the Frisco system), and had charge of its legal
department while it constructed its line from
Sapulpa, Indian Territory, to Denison, Texas.
a distance of two hundred miles. He has since
practiced his profession at Litchfield, where he
is also active in the promotion of anything
which promises to lie of public good to the city.

On January 31. 1894, he was married to Miss
Fannie Kathan, a daughter of A. J. and Eliza
(Perry) Kathan. His wife was horn in St.
Louis, August 24, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. James
PL Atterbury have one son. James Hardin At-
terbnry, Jr.. horn December 23, L895. Mr.
Atterbury in politics has always been an active
Republican, but has never held nor sought pub-
lic office.

S. W. ELDRED.

S. W. Eldred, a substantial farmer and
stock-raiser living on section 9, Bois Dare
township, is the owner of extensive landed
possessions, his farm comprising seven hun-
dred acres. He is a native -on of Illinois ami

his life history is such of which the state can
well be proud, for in his career he has dis-
played the enterprising spirit which has led
to tin' substantial and rapid development of the
great west.

He was born in Greene county, Illinois, No-
vember 12, 1848, and is a son of Jeduthan B.
Eldred, whose birth occurred in Herkimer
county, New York. July 23, 1S20. The grand-
father, William Eldred, was a native of Con-
necticut and in 1820 he removed westward with
his family to Illinois, settling in Greene
county in 1821. He was one of the pioneer
residents of that part of the state, taking up
his abode in a locality where there were few
settlements, when the greater part of the land
was unimproved and when the now thriving
cities were small villages, or had not yet been
founded. There amid the wild scenes of fron-
tier life J. B. Eldred was reared and. seeking
a companion and helpmate for life's journey,
he was married in Greene county to Miss Jane
E. Thomas, whose birth occurred in that
county. June 6. 1823, and who was a daughter
of Samuel Thomas, said to be the first white
settler of that county. Mr. Eldred became an
active farmer of Greene county and, making
judicious investments in land, became the
owner of nearly five hundred acres. The life
of the farmer, especially at that day when there
was little improved machinery, was particularly
arduous, but he worked on year after war and
in due course of time accumulated a handsome
competence. He reared his family upon the
old homestead there and made it his place of
residence up to the time of his death, which
occurred April 13. 1887. His wife still sur-
vives him and now makes her home with her
children.

S. W. Eldred was reared under the parental
roof in Greene county and at the usual age he
entered the public schools, therein acquiring a
good practical education. He received man-
ual training at farm labor under the direction
of his father, whom he continued to assist upon
the old homestead up to the time of his mar-
riage. In Jacksonville. Illinois, on the 21st
of December, 1876, he was joined in wedlock
to Miss Mary .1. Robertson, a native of Mor-
s in eountv, Illinois, ami a daughter of John

ME. AND MRS. S. W. ELDHED

UBRAIW

OF ^l

m , VBS w of u*»

;

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

and Mary Robertson, also natives of that
county. She was reared in the county of her
nativity, pursuing her education in the schools
of Jacksonville.

Mr. Eldred came to his present home in
1874 and began the development of his farm,
which at that time had few improvements
The place, however, was three hundred and
twenty acres in extent and with characteristic
energy he began to till the fields, construct
buildings and continued the farm work along
progressive lines that have led to substantial
and gratifying results. As his financial re-
sources increased he has bought more land from
time to time and he now has seven hundred
and fourteen aires. He has erected a large
two-storv residence, also three barns, corn
cribs, sheds and other outbuildings, has planted
fruit and shade trees and now has an excellent
property equipped with all modern conven-
iences and accessories and displaying in its
excellent appearance the careful supervision of
the owner. The farm is enclosed with a hedge
and wire fence, which also divide the place into
fields of convenient size. In the pastures are
found good grades of stock and annually he
ships about four carloads of fat hogs, from four
to six carloads of steers and two carloads of
sheep. He is very successful as a stock-
raiser and dealer and is accounted one of
the leading agriculturists of this part of the
county. He is also a stockholder and director
in the Carrollton Bank. His father was one
of the organizers of this institution and his
brother has been in this hank for twenty-seven
years as cashier.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eldred have been born
two sons anil a daughter: John J., who is
now occupying a position in the Carrollton
Bank; William S., who assists in the operation
of the home farm; and Jennie, also under the
parental roof. The parents hold membership
in the Baptist church of Bois Dare, to which
their children also belong and they are deeply
interested in the various church activities and
contribute generously to the support of the
church. Mr. Eldred cast his first presidential
vote in 1S72 for General Grant and has sup-
ported each presidential nominee of the Re-
publican party since that time, having firm

faith in the Republican principles and ear-
ne-ih desiring their adoption. He served as
commissioner of highways, but otherwise has
held no office, preferring to give his undivided
attention to his business affairs. He has been
blessed with remarkably good health, having
never hail to employ the services of a physician
for over thirty years. His entire life has been
passed in Illinois and he has assisted materially
in making Montgomery county what it is to-
day, never neglecting any duty of citizenship,
while at the same time promoting his indi-
vidual business interests with success. He is
one of the honored residents of his community,
having the good will and confidence of those
with whom he has been associated for in all his
trade transactions he has been strictly reliable.
making the most of his opportunities, yet never
taking advantage of the necessities of his fid-
low men in any business transaction.

JAMES VERRICKER.

James Yerricker. interested in fanning as
the owner of a rich ami arable tract of land
well improved with modern equipments -and
located on section 22, Witt township, was born
in County Kilkenny. Ireland, on the 15th of
September, 1846. His parents were Edward
and Margaret (Powers) Yerricker, also natives
of Ireland, whence they came to the United
States in 1850, settling in Ohio. The fathei
there engaged in farming for some time and
afterward removed to Jersey county, Illinois,
arriving in this state in 1855. He died in I860
at the age of sixty-live years, and his wife
passed away in Montgomery county in March,
1892, at the advanced age of eighty-two years.

James Yerricker is indebted to the public
schools of Jersey county for the educational
privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. He
was but four years of age at the time of the
emigration to America ami was a lad of nine
summers when he arrived in this state. On the
11th of April. 1864, when but seventeen years
of age, he offered his services to the country
in defense of the Union, enlisting in Company
0. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois
Infantry. He participated in the battles of

PAST AND PEESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Jackson, Mississippi, and Mobile, together with
several other engagements, and was honorably
discharged on the 7th of August, 1865, at
Vicksburg, Mississippi. He then returned to
Jersey county, but the hardships and rigors
of war had so undermined his health that he
was ill for two years and unable to do any-
thing. He afterward conducted a saloon at
Fidelia, Jersey county, but when six months
had passed he engaged in teaming in Macoupin
county, following that pursuit for a year and
a half. He afterward worked by the month for
two years and in 1871 he came to Montgomery
count v. where he purchased forty acres of land,
winch became the nucleus of his present farm.
He has since added to the place at different
times as his financial resources have permitted
until he now owns two hundred acres of val-
uable land, constituting a productive farm,
lie put all of the improvements on the place
and transformed the tract, which was at first
swamp land, into very arable fields, annually
returning to him good crops.

On the 27th of July, 1874, Mr. Verrieker
was married to Miss Mary Ann Gaughen, a
daughter of Austin and Julia (Fleming) Gau-
ghen, the former horn in County Mayo and the
latter in County Carlow, Ireland. They came
to the United States in 1841, settling in Will
county. Illinois, whence they removed to Jer-
sey county in 1857. There Mrs. Verrieker
was born on the 25th of December, of that
year. After three years the parents removed
to Montgomery county, where the father en-
gaged in farming for six years. He afterward
lived in Fayette, Illinois, and in 1875 returned
to Montgomery county, locating near Nokomis.
His wife died July lit. 1893, at the age of
sixty-live years, but Mr. Gaughen is still liv-
ing al the age of seventy-eight years and makes
his home with Mr. and Mrs. Verrieker.

Unto our subject and his wife have been
horn thirteen children: Julia, who was horn
December 7. 1873. and died when nine months
old; Margaret Mary, who was born August 11,
1876, and is the wife of John Lanahan, a far-
mer of this county: Edward James, born No-
vember 17, 1878, who is at home: Augustine
Leo, who was born April 1. 1881, and is mar-
ried and lives in Nokomis township; Thomas

Henry, who was born March 13. ISM: Brid-
get Catherine, who was horn May 1, 1887, and
is at home; Mary ami Alice, twins, horn Jan-
uary 10, 1886, who died in infancy; John Cle-
mont, who was horn October 1, 1889, and is
also at. home; William, born February 5, 1892,
Michael, horn March 20, 1894, Elizabeth Ellen,
born in July, 1896, and James, born May 15,
1900, are all at home. The parents are mem-
bers of the Catholic church of Nokomis and in
bis political views Mr. Verrieker is independ-
i nt, supporting the men whom he thinks best
qualified for office.

MICHAEL J. McMUERAY.

Michael J. McMurray, who for six years has
been a member of the bar of Montgomery
county, is now known as one of the strong
representatives of this calling in his adopted
county and is serving as county judge. He
was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the
8th of March, 186-1. a son of Michael and
Mary F. (Dugan) McMurray. His father, a
native of Ireland, came to the United States
in 1848 and located in Morgan county. Illi-
nois, where he engaged in general farming and
stock-raising. In 1861 he removed to Sanga-
mon county, hut his last days were spent at
Farmersville. this county. In his political faith
he was a Democrat and in religious belief was
a Catholic. He wedded Mary E. Dugan, also
a native of Ireland, ami in 1850 came to the
United States with her parents, the family
home being established in Jersey county, Illi-
nois. Her father. Michael Dugan. was a
farmer by occupation and became a very ex-
tensive landowner. He, too, was identified
with the Catholic church and in that faith
Mrs. McMurray was reared. By her marriage
she became the mother of fourteen children,
eleven of whom are now living, seven sons and
four daughters.

Michael J. McMurray acquired his early edu-
cation in the public schools and afterward at-
tended Illinois College at Jacksonville, sub-
sequent, to which time he engaged in teaching
school for six years. He read law in the office of
Conklinp & Grout, of Springfield, and in 1892
was admitted to the bar after careful and

JUDGE M. J. McMURBAY

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF \LLm06S

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

thorough preparation. Ee entered upon the
practice of his chosen profession at Litchfield,
Illinois, where he remained for six years, and
then removed to Hillsboro in 1898. He is a
Democrat in his political allegiance and in
1896 upon that ticket lie was chosen by popu-
lar liallut the first city attorney of Litchfield,
Ins predecessors having been appointed by the
council. In 1898 he was elected to the office
of county judge and was re-elected in 1902 by
an increase, 1 majority, so that he is new seining
upon the bench. In the practice of his pro-
fession he has been very successful and his
is one of the fine legal minds of this part of
i he state, lie is a safe e( hi nsel< >r. well versed
in law. ami during his two terms en tin' bench
has been distinguished For high Legal ability.
To wear the ermine worthily it is not enough
that one possess legal acumen, is learned in the
principles of jurisprudenc , familiar with
precedents and thoroughly honest. Many men.
even when actin_i uprightly, are wholly un-
able to divest themselves of prejudice ami are
unconsciously warped in tie ir judgments by
their own mental characteristics or educa-
tional peculiarities. This unconscious and
variable disturbing force enters more or less
into the judgments of all men. but in the ideal
jurist this factor becomes so small as not to
be discernible in results and loses its potency
as a disturbing force. Judge McMurray is
exceptionally free from all judicial bias. Iiis
varied legal learning and wide experience in
the courts, the patient care with which he
ascertains all the facts bearing upon every case
wdiieh comes before him, give his decisions a
solidity and an exhaustiveness from which no
member of the liar can take exception.

Judge McMurray was married in 1903 to
Miss .Juliet K. Fink, a daughter of Dr. Isaac
W. and Sarah ('. (Sawyer) Fink. She was
horn in Hillsboro and is a lady of superior
education and ability. She attended Monti-
cello Seminary and afterward went abroad to
finish her education, taking up painting and
other art- under some of the best instructors of
Europe. She has displayed much more than
ordinary ability as an artist.

Judge McMurray is a man of high character,
displaying public spirit and unfaltering loy-

alty to the obligations ami duties imposed upon
him by his professional ami official career.
His acquaintances ami friends — and they are
main -entertain for him that warm personal
regard which arises from trui aobility of char-
acter, kindness, genialty ami deference for the
opinion of others.

HENRY W. BARTLING.

Henry \V. Bartling, who was a member of
the firm of Bartling Brothers, is doing a whole-
sale business as a shipper of poultry ami pro-
duce at Litchfield, was born in Alton. Illi-
nois, in lsii'.'. ami is a son of Henry \V. Hart-
ling. Coming to this city in early boyhood he
attended its public schools and afterward
worked upon a f; until 1881, when he se-
cured a situation in the hardware store of
Caudry & Rhoades, of Litchfield, and here he
remained 'for four years, lie then went west,
spending two years in thai section of the
country, after which he returned and entered
the hardware store of Qpdike & ('ratty, being
employed therein from 1886 until 1891. In
1891 he formed a stock company with the
members of that firm and the name was
changed to the Updike, Cratty Hardware Com-
pany, with the following officers: Samuel
('ratty, president; llenn W. Bartling, vice
president; P. F. Updike, secretary ami treas-
urer: and the business was capitalized for t < n
thousand dollars. In duly, 1894, however,
Mr. Bartling sold his interesi ami entered the
employ of II. II. Henson, a dealer in proluce
and poultry, with whom he remained until
January, 1897, when he and his brother Carl
purchased their employer's business, forming
the present well-known firm of Bartling Panth-
ers, wholesale shippers of poultry and produce.
They do a business amounting to sixty thou-
sand dollars a year and their business is not
only proving profitable to themselves but also
furnishes an excellent market for the surround-
ing districl as they make large purchases from
the farmers and poultry raisers. Henry W.
Bartling is also identified with other business
interests of this city, being a member of the
firm of II. W. Bartling & Company, dealers

PAST AND PRESENT OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY

in ice and coal and a director in the Oil City
Building & Loan Association.

In 1892 occurred the marriage of Henry
\Y. Bartling and Miss Lena Craft, who was
born in Mount Olive, Illinois, in 1868. They
have four children: Wilmont, Arthur, Paid
and Henry. They also lost a daughter, Eliza-
beth.

Mr. Bartling gives his political support to
the Democracy and keeps well informed on the
questions and issues of the day so that by in-
telligent argument he can uphold his political
positon. He is a member of the Knights of
Pythias fraternity and of the Odd Fellows
lodge of Litchfield and Ids wife is a member
of the Lutheran church. His progress and ad-
vancement in the business world are due not
to any fortunate combination of circumstances,
but result from persistent, earnest labor, the
utilization of opportunity and unfaltering de-
termination combined with creditable ambi-
tion.

T. L LANE.

T. L. Lane, possessing the business enter-
prise which is characteristic of the middle west
and has been the strong element in the rapid
growth and development of this portion of the
county, is now successfully engaged in mer-
chandising in Fillmore. He was born in Fill-
more township, Montgomery county, March 2 1.
1850, and has passed his entire life here. His
parents were Jonathan B. and Sarah (Ha ins)
Lane, but the latter died at the birth of our
subject. About one years later the father mar-
ried Rachel Bost, a daughter of Jacob Bost,
one of the pioneer settlers of Montgomery
county. She is now living at the old home
place. The father was born in New Hamp-
shire, September 10, 1826, was reared in the
old Granite st'ate to the age of twelve years and
in 1838 came to Illinois, the family home being
established near Galesburg. He entered upon
his business career as a farmer and followed
that pursuit continuously until 1860, when he
turned his attention to merchandising, conduct-
ing a business upon his farm west of Fillmore.
He was also a very extensive farmer and at the

time of his death was the owner of five hun-
dred and seventy-four acres of valuable land.
His son, T. L. Lane, was made executor of his
estate. His residence in Montgomery county
dated from 1840, and thus he was one of its
earliest settlers. He took an active and helpful
part in community affairs, never withheld his
co-operation from any enterprise which tended
to prove of public benefit. In the month of
April following the twenty-first anniversary of
his birth he was elected justice of the peace and
held that office continuously for about twenty
years, his decisions being characterized by the
utmost fairness and impartiality, a fact which
is plainly indicated by his long continuance in
office. He was postmaster at Fillmore for
more than forty years, or until President Cleve-
land's administration. He died March 16, 1902,
and the county thus lost one of its most hon-
ored and valued pioneer settlers. In the family
were eight children, and with one exception all
are yet living.

T. L. Lane, whose name introduces this rec-
ord, was reared under the parental roof and
was educated in the district schools of this
county. He started upon his business career
in 1872. settling upon a farm, and there re-
sided until thirteen years ago, when he removed
to Fillmore and began clerking for the old firm
of J. B. Lane & Son, remaining in that employ
for twelve years. After his father's death he
purchased the store, which he is now conduct-
ing, it becoming his property on the 7th of
June, 1902. He is the sole proprietor, and
handles a good and well selected line of gro-
ceries, dry goods, notions, clothing, hats and
caps, boots and shoes, glassware and tinware, in
fact, his stock is such as is the demand of the
village and country trade, and his honorable
dealing and earnest desire to please his patrons
has secured to him a large and growing busi-
ness, which brings to him a good profit.

In October, 1872. Mr. Pane was united in
marriage to Miss Minerva Barringer. a daugh-
ter of Alfred Barringer, of East Fork township,
and unto them have been horn four children,
of whom three are living: Estella C. Lottie
M. and Orville B. The family are all member*
of the Evangelical church and Mr. Lane is
identified with the Knights of Pythias frater-

LIBRARY
OF TH£
'" TY OF ILLINOIS

MR. AND MRS. T. L. LANK

MR. AND MRS. JONATHAN B. LANE

LIBRAE

OF THE

n^yppglTY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PKESENT OP MONTGOMERY COI'XTY

nity of Fillmore. In politics he is a Republi-
can, and the father was one of the first to vote
that ticket in this district. Mr. Lane belongs
to that class of representative American men
who, while devoted to individual interests, also
advance the general welfare, and in Fillmore
and throughout the surrounding district he is
known as one who is thoroughly reliable, pro-
gressive and public-spirited.

JAMES D. KENDALL.

James 1>. Kendall, who is usually known as
Judge Kendall, is activelj engaged in farm-
ing in Zanesville township on section 11, and
is a recognized leader in Democratic circles
in Montgomery county. He was born in Jer-
sey county. Illinois, December 30, 1839. His
father. Samuel T. Kendall, was a native of the
adjoining state of Indiana, born in 1808, and
came to Illinois with bis mother in 1821, the
family home being established in Macoupin
county, where the present town of Carlim Hie
now stands. Mrs. Kendall and her sons. Thom-
as, Samuel S. and John H.. built the first
house in that locality. It was a rude pioneer
cabin, but it served to shelter the family until
a belter home could be erected. Samuel Ken-
dall was twice married, but his first wife died
soon after the wedding and later he was mar-
ried in St. Charles, Missouri, to Catherine J.
Sumner, a native of Tennessee. Locating in
Jersey county, Illinois, he there engaged in
farming until his death, which occurred in
1849. Hi- served as adjutant of an Illinois
regiment during the Black Hawk war and was
a member of the state legislature for two terms
when the capital was at Vandalia. In his
family were five sons and two daughters and
four of the sons and the daughters reached ma-
ture years, while three sons and the daughb rs
are yet living.

Judge Kendall spent his early youth in Jer-
sey county, Illinois, upon the home farm, where
he lived with an aunt until nineteen years of
age. He then began working as a farm hand
by the month and was employed in that way
for several years. When the country needed
the aid of its loyal sons he enlisted in Jersey

county in March, L862, joining the boys in
blue of the Second Illinois Cavalry. When
the regiment arrived at Cairo he was detailed
for service in the quartermaster's department
and acted as wagonmaster under General John
M. Palmer, tilling that position continuously
until discharged for physical disability, by or-
der of the secretary of war late in 18(1:!. He
was home on a furlough ill with typhoid fever
when discharged.

On recovering his health Mr. Kendall en-
gaged in farming in Jersey county until 1866
and then came to Montgomery county, where
he rented a tract of land which he cultivated
for a number of years. The capital he acquired
through his earnings and which he saved by
his commendable economy was then invested
in land and he began the improvement of his
own farm, which he has transformed into a
line property. It is a good place of seventy
acres, on which he has planted an excellent
orchard. He has also fenced the place and
made other substantial improvements and in
connection with general farming he has en-
gaged in the breeding of horses, keeping a good
stallion and also a jack for breeding purposes.
Upon his place is found only high grade stock.

On Christmas day of 1864, Judge Kendall
was married to Miss Elizabeth Margaret Hack-
ney, who was born and reared in Jersey coun-
ty and is a daughter of William Hackney, for-
merly of New York. Four sons and two
daughters have been born unto Mr. and Mrs.
Kendall: Albert A., a farmer of Montgom-
ery county; Harry S., of Springfield, Illinois;
John E., of East St. Louis; Carrie J., the
wife of Harry H. Birch, of Waggoner, Illi-
nois; George M., of East St. Louis; and Laura
II. White, at home.

Politically Judge Kendall is a stalwart Dem-
ocrat and is recognized as one of the foremost
representatives of his party in this portion of
the county. He cast his first presidential bal-
lot for the Little Giant of Illinois — Stephen
A. Douglas — in 1860, and has \oted for each
presidential nominee since that time and also
the Democratic nominees for governor and for
congress. lie has served as justice of the
peace, was deputy sheriff of the county for
six years and has assessed his township five

PAST AMi PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

times. He is now serving for the eighth year
as a member of the honorable county board of
supervisors and was at one time chosen presi-
ded of the board. He is now serving on the
committees on fees and salaries and roads and
bridges. He was appointed postmaster of
Waggoner under President Cleveland's admin-
istration and occupied that position for three
years. Judge Kendall has frequently been a
delegate to the county and state conventions
of his party and has served on the Democratic
centra] committee of Montgomery enmity for
twenty-six years. He and his wife arc mem-
bers id' the Baptisl church, in which he i»
serving as a deacon, and he belongs to the
Masonic fraternity and the Modem Woodmen
camp. He is well known in Hillsboro and
throughout the county where he has so long
resided, and is justly accounted one of its pro-
gressive, prominent and influential residents of
Zanesville township, lie is proud of his rec-
ord a- a stanch life-long Democrat and one
of hi,- sterling characteristics is his unbending
fidelity to whatever lie believes to he right.

JOHN ROBERT CHALLACOMBE.

John Robert Challacombe, well known m
Montgomery county, is one whose extensive and
varied business interests have resulted in the
acquirement of a comfortable competence. To-
day he is engaged in contracting for the con-
struction of steel bridges and water towers at
Hillsboro, is also a director and stockholder iu
the Decatur Bridge Company of Decatur, Illi-
nois, and a partner in the firm of Challacombe
Brothers, dealers in farm implements at No-
komis.

A native son of Illinois, he was born in Ma-
coupin county in 1845. His father. John
Challacombe, was born in Devonshire,
England, near Ifracombe. The grandfather,
John Challacombe, Sr., was likewise a native
of the county of Devonshire, born in 1785. He
married Elizabeth Parminter in 1814. Her
father, James Parminter, was appointed super-
intendent to oversee the removal of the sick
and infirm women and children at the time
of the threatened invasion of England hv Na-

poleon. John Challacombe, Sr.. died at the
age of sixty years and was buried at Carlin-
ville, Illinois. Hi:- wife had departed this life
three years before. In their family were eight
children, of whom John Challacombe, Jr., \\;i-
the third in order of birth. He came to the
United State- in is:;.",, the voyage being suc-
eessfully accomplished, although while iu mid-
sea a severe storm was encountered. It was
the intention id' the family to locate in Illinois,
but they stopped first at Brockport, m western
New York, on the Erie canal. Not long after-
ward Mr. Challacombe purchased a farm iu
Genesee county, New York, forty miles east
of Buffalo. In 1840 he sold that property and
removed to Macoupin county, Illinois, settling
on the farm now known as the John M. Palmer
place, three miles southwest id' Carlinville. On
the removal westward the trip was made from
Buffalo to Cleveland by water, thence by way
of the Ohio canal to Portsmouth, thence down
the Ohio river and up the Mississippi and Illi-
nois rivers to Columbiana. Illinois, and on to
Carrollton.

John Challacombe, father of our subject,
spent the early part of his life a- a farmer and
was engaged in the raising of stock for a num-
ber of years at Alton. Finally he turned his
attention to the grain trade and to contracting,
doing paving and building. Through his well
directed efforts he won prosperity and at one
time had a large property in Alton. He died
in Litchfield. May '29, 1904, at the age of
eighty-six years. His political allegiance was
given to the Republican party and his re-
ligious belief was indicated by his member-
ship in the Presbyterian church. He married
Rachel Padgett, who was born in Virginia.
March 22, 1822, and died February 18, 1850,
at the age of twenty-eight years. Her father
was Robert Padgett, a native of England, who.
on crossing the Atlantic to America, settled in
Virginia, whence he afterward removed to Pal-
myra. Macoupin county. Illinois, where he car-
ried on agricultural pur-nils. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Challacombe were bom three children.
William Brotherton is now living in Sedalia,
Missouri. He was a member of the Twelfth
Illinois Cavalry and served throughout the
war. lie was detailed at headquarters most of

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

the time, at Sheridan's headquarters, and was
engaged in writing the history of the engage-
ments and movements of the army. John Rob-
ert is the next of the family. James Paxminter
is engaged in the implement business at
Xokomis. After the death of his first wife the
father of our subject married Elizabeth Boulter,
whose parents settled near Brighton, Illinois, at
a very early day. The children of this mar-
riage were Anna. George and Lizzie. The last
named died in 1884.

In the public schools at Alton. Illinois. John
Roberl Challacombe acquired his early educa-
tion, which was supplemented by study in Mc-
Kendree College at Lebanon, Illinois, and in
Bacon's Commercial College ai Cincinnati,
Ohio. After leaving school he engaged in

1 kkeeping in a wholesale grocery house at

Alton, Illinois, and was afterward employed in
the Alton postoffice. Subsequently he became
cashier and bookkeeper for L. EL Church &
Company, wholesale dealers in dry-goods at
Leavenworth, Kansas, being located there dur-
ing the last years of the war. In 1864 he went
to trying. Illinois, where he conducted a grain
elevator that bad been built by his father, this
being the first one constructed along the line
of the Big Four Railroad to handle grain in
hulk. Mr. Challacombe continued in the busi-
ness there for twelve years, on the expiration of
which period he removed to Hillsboro and the
firm of Challacombe & Ramsey was formed.
This relation was maintained for eighteen
years and in 1892 Mr. Challacombe purchased
the interest of his partner. Not long afterward
he sold the hardware department to the Hills-
boro Hardware Company, but continued in the
implement business until 1900, when lie sold
out to George W. Brown. Jr. Since then he
has been contracting for steel bridges and
water towers, with offices in connection with
A. A. Cress & Son. in the News building.

In IS'rl Mr. Challacombe was united in mar-
riage to Miss Marcella hi Walter, who was
horn in Hillsboro in 18. r i4. To this union one
child was horn. Esther Challacombe. Mrs.
Challacombe's parents were Colonel Paul and
Nancy E. Walter. Her father, a farmer by
occupation, is now deceased, and her mother is
still living in Hillsboro. Mr. Challacombe be-

longs to the United Commercial Travelers' As-
sociation of America and to the Benevolent
and Protective Order of Elks, hi his political
views he is a Republican, a recognized leader
in the local ranks of his party. He has been
supervisor id' Irving township, has served as
councilman of Eillsboro and was the repre-
sentative front the thirty-eighth senatorial dis-
tr.et of Illinois to the thirty-ninth genera] as-
sembly. Few men are more prominent or
more widely known in the enterprising city
of Hillsboro than John Robert Challacombe.
lie has been an important factor in business
circles and his popularity is well deserved, as
in him are embraced the characteristics of an
unbending integrity, unabating energy and in-
dustry that never Hags. He is public-spirited
and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to
promote the moral, intellectual and material
welfare of Hillsboro ami Montgomery county.

W. 11. COOK. M. I).

Dr. \\ . II. Cook, whose comprehensive
knowledge of the principles of the medical
science and skill in the administration of
remedial agencies has made him one of the
prominent physicians of Coffeen and of his part
of the county, was horn in Shelby county,
Kentucky, in Is:!), his parents being F. B.
and M. (Roseberry) Cook. His paternal great-
grandfather, William Cook, served as a ser-
geant in Wall's Company of the Fourth Vir-
ginia Regiment in the Revolutionary war. This
fact indicates that the family was established
in America in colonial flays. The parents of
Dr. Cook were horn and reared in Shelby coun-
ty. Kentucky, and the father followed the oc-
cupation of farming up to the time of his
death, which occurred in 1847.

Dr. Cook acquired his early education in the
subscription schools of his native county ami
later attended the public schools. When nine-
teen years of age he removed to Putnam coun-
ty, Indiana, and was there engaged in teach-
ing school and in clerking in a store. lie
spent several years in thai locality and was a
medical student in a physician's office there
for two years. In 1861 lie came to Mont-

LOO

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ginnery c-<"nmt y. where hr practiced medicine
with a preceptor for a time. When the war
was ended he entered Washington University
at St. Louis, Missouri, then known as the St.
Louis Medical College, and completed a course
of study by graduation with the class of LS67.
In 1879 he again entered that institution for
post-graduate work, lie possesses a splendid
medical library and has even kept in touch
with the advancement made by the profession,
using the latest improved instruments in his
surgical practice and administering those
remedies which modem science have demon-
strated to be must effective in checking the
ravages of disease. He has, moreover, been
prominent in medical organizations and is now
president of the County Medical Society. He
was one of the charter members of the District
Medical Society, was its secretary for two years
and did most of the correspondence which re-
sulted in the formation of the society. He
likewise belongs to the Illinois State Medical
Society and to the American Medical Associa-
tion, and is a member of the American Asso-
ciation of Life Examining Surgeons. He is
examiner in Coffeen for nearly all of the lead-
ing insurance companies and is one of the old-
est practitioners in Montgomery county, arriv-
ing here when there were but few towns within
the borders of the county. He is a firm be-
liever in higher education, advocating the best
mental development that can he secured by
each individual, and he has spent much mone]
in educating his children.

In September, 1856, Dr. Cook was united in
marriage to Miss Elizabeth F. Robinson, of
Indiana, and they have become the parents of
four children, of whom three are now liv-
ing: Charles Edwin is a lawyer residing in
Greenville, Illinois. Ella J. is married and
lives in Ramsey, Illinois. Melvin Thurston is
professor of biology in De Pauw University.
He was graduated from Stanford University
in 1894, won tin 1 master's degree at De Pauw
and expects to win the doctor's degree at the
Ohio State University. While studying in the
last named institution he wrote a series of ar-
ticles upon "Calls and Insects Producing
Them," which articles are to be used by him
as a thesis for the degree of doctor of philoso-

phy. These papers were published anil at-
tracted world-wide attention, lie is recognized
as one of the best authorities on the subject in
the United States, having made most extensive
investigations along that line. Recently he
has been appointed chief plant pathologist of
Cuba.

Dr. Cook has prospered in his professional
career and is now the owner of eighty acres
of farming land in Montgomery county and
also some timber land in addition to his town
property in Coffeen. He has always been deep-
ly interested in everything pertaining to the
welfare and progress of the county, and his
aid and support have been counted upon when
an attempt has been made to promote general
welfare in any way. In politics he has always
been a Democrat, supporting the party from
the time he attained his majority. For forty-
nine years he has been an exemplary member
of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife
are members id' the Methodist Episcopal
church. Not only is he one of the older mem-
bers of tin' medical fraternity of Montgomery
county, but has always maintained a foremost
place in the ranks of the profession, and in his
life has also displayed the sterling traits of
character which have made him a man honored
among his friends.

JUDGE JESSE J. PHILLIPS.

Judge Jesse J. Phillips was born in Mont-
gomery county, Illinois, May 22, 1837. His
parents came from Kentucky at an early day-
anil were among the pioneer settlers of Mont-
gomery county. Jesse received a liberal edu-
cation at the old Hillsboro Academy and in
is."); i altered the law office of Davis & Kings-
bury ol Hillsboro as a law student. In 1860
be was admitted to the bar and immediately
opened a law olliee in Hillsboro. He remained
in the practice of bis profession until the
breaking out of the Civil war in the spring of
1861.

I'pon the tirst call of President Lincoln for
troops Phillips hung a Hag from his office win-
dow and announced that be would raise a
company to aid in preserving the Union. He

.Mix; K .1. J. l'HILUI'S

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

FAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

103

was elected captain. Upon the organization of
the Ninth Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Captain
Phillips was elected major of the regiment.
At the expiration of the term of enlistment —
three months — the Ninth was reorganized,
Fhilli|is retaining his position as major. The
regiment was soon ordered to the front and
was engaged in a number of notable battles,
acquiring the name of the "Bloody Ninth."

On December 2, 1861, Major Phillips was
commissioned lieutenant colonel. For his gal-
lantry in the battle of Fort Donelson he was
publicly complimented by Genera] Grant, lie
participated in the memorable battle of Shi-
loh, April (!. 1862, and his command lost one
hundred and three killed on the field, two
hundred and eighty-seven were wounded, and
ten were taken prisoners. Colonel Phillips was
shot through the hand, permanently disabling
that member, and twice through the thigh.

In August, 1863, Colonel Phillips, in com-
mand of sixteen hundred men, raided through
Mississippi, carrying consternation and havoc
wherever he went. At the battle of Resaca,
in May, 1864, Colonel Phillips was shot
through the ankle and on September 1, 1864,
lie resigned, having seen, perhaps, more hard
fighting (ban any officer in the Union army.
He was always a gallant and fearless leader and
was idolized by his men. lie was afterward
brevetted brigadier general for gallant, meri-
torious and distinguished services.

Alter his resignation from the army he re-
sumed the practice of the law with great suc-
cess. He was soon recognized as the leading
lawyer of the county, if not of this part of
the state.

In 1866 and again in 1868 he was the Dem-
ocratic nominee for state treasurer. In 1879
he was elected circuit judge of this circuit and
served in that capacity thirteen years. In 1893
he was elected to the supreme bench, which
position he held when he died.

He died on the 16th of February, 1901, and
of the many tributes of respect paid to his
memorv we quote the following by Judge J.
G. Irwin, of Edwardsville :

"My acquaintance with Judge Phillips dates
from August 19. 1861. He was then twenty-
four years old, and was a rare example of the

qualities which lil a man for war. His pres-
ence was so inspiring that he had lew. if any,
superiors in the impersonation of the gifts
which make a man a leader of men while un-
dergoing the deprivations ami the disciplinary
duties of camp life, or when engaged in deadly
strife upon the held of battle. His individu-
ality marked him as a man born to he a sol-
dier, and distilled to win the name and fame
for himself and the men who Eoughl under him.
which the records of the Civil war now ac-
cord to hint and them. He had a physique
which never seemed to flag, much le^s succumb
to fatigue, hardship, exposure or the strain of
battle, siege, march, or raid.no mailer how long
emu limed nor how intense or trying the situ-
ation in which he or his men might lie placed
by i he fortunes or misfortunes of war. His
unconquerable spirit sustained the physical
man in every struggle, and made him person-
ally the victor over every difficulty or discom-
fiture, and enabled bint to vanquish bis enemies
at the front. It may he doubted, physically
speaking, whether flesh and blood was ever
called upon to endure more than he and his
men endured during the Civil war. On all oc-
casions, under all circumstances, in every emer-
jeiic\ and in every situation, in body and spirit
hi' most nobly fulfilled his country's expecta-
tions, in fullest measure, at the front in the
Civil war. Tic occasion forbids going info the
details of this record, and necessarily limits

c ment upon it except to the extent called

for by a sketch sufficiently full to show the
character and qualities of a soldier. He did not
know- what fear was. and always courted in-
stead of shunning danger. No field officer was
ever known to expose himself to the dangers of
the firing line with such perfect abandon and
such unconcern for his own personal safety
as Phillips. This was nol occasional, but ha-
bitual with him. He seemed to glory in it,
and was always willing t<> go where he asked
his men to go. He led and never took ad-
vantage of his privilege of following. Herein,
and in the magnetism of his voice, and of his
heroic bearing in field and camp, was the secret
of his power to inspire subordination and lead
men to death or victory. He was not a rigid
or severe disciplinarian, and yet there is no

L04

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

instance of a spirit of insubordination, or dis-
position to disobey orders or rebel against the
requirements of superiors in the record of his
regiment. No matter who might be criticised
in private, if complaints were ever uttered
against Colonel Phillips, I can recall nothing
of the kind, and do not believe they were ever
entertained. He was idolized by his men, not
one of whom would have refused to obey or
follow where he led or commanded them to go.
This was wholly due to the inspiration of his
own heroic example, and was free from the
taint of servility.

"When to the value of his services as a
soldier we add that of his worth as a judge,
so well set forth by his associates on the bench
mi Hi is occasion, we can say that the state
has lost a citizen of pre-eminent worth, in
the death of Judge Phillips. He occupied a
large place, and rendered services which it is
the good fortune of few men to be able to
render, at a period in the progress of his coun-
try, which entitled him to be held in grateful
remembrance by his fellow citizens. Whatever
his faults or frailties may have been, his son-
ic<s as a soldier and jurist should totally ob-
scure them, and his name should be handed
down with approbation of everything that per-
tains to his public life and services. In these
respects lie was certainly true to high ideals
and standards of citizenship. He was conspic-
uously a man of honor in all the relationships
of camp and forum. Let us fondly and fre-
quently hope that the state of the soul at the
last gave the spirit of our lamented friend and
comrade entrance into the realm where war
and strife are unknown, and where the peace
that passeth understanding shall lie his ever-
lasting portion."

DAVID S. WARE.

David S'. Ware was numbered among the
early settlers of Montgomery county, having
made his home within its borders from 1855.
lie was born in New Hampshire, October 25.
1828, a son of David and Mary (Smith) Ware,
the former a native of New Hampshire and the
latter of Vermont. The father followed the

occupation of farming and spent his last days
in the state of his nativity. Unto him and his
wife were born four children: Theoda, the
wife of George Tolle; David S. ; Mary, de-
ceased; and Samuel B.

David S. Ware acquired his education in the
public schools of New Hampshire and after-
ward engaged in teaching school. It was in
1855 that he emigrated w-estward, establishing
his home in Montgomery county, Illinois, at
what is known as Ware's (J rove, in Butler
Grove township. He w^as for many years there-
after actively engaged in agricultural pursuits
and secured an extensive tract of land, which
he transformed into richly developed fields. He
placed many modern improvements and acces-
sories upon his farm, equipping it with all the
facilities that tended to make his labors of
greater avail in securing a competence. At
length, having acquired a good capital, he put
aside business cares and removed to East Hills-
boro to enjoy the fruits of his former toil in
an honorable retirement from further labor.
There he died in August, 1904.

Mr. Ware was twice married. He first
wedded Lestina Brigham, who was horn in
Xew Hampshire and died in 1872 at the age
of forty-one years. Her parents were Aaron
and Susan (Proctor) Brigham. the former a
farmer by occupation. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Ware were born nine children, including John,
who resides near Coffeen. Illinois: Arthur, who
is living at Ware's Grove; David, who makes
his home in the same locality; Lyman, who re-
sides on the old homestead; Beulah. the wife
of Albert Chickering, of New Hampshire : and
Emma, the wife of Jesse Osborn, who is liv-
ing five miles north of Hillsboro. In L872 Mr.
Ware was again married, bis second union
being with Mrs. Catharine (Dryer) Wiley, the
widow of Robert Wiley. She was born in Hills-
boro in 1829 ami was a daughter of John and
Mary Dryer, who came to Montgomery county
prior to 1824 and settled in Hillsboro. remov-
ing to the west from New York. He was a
wheelwright by trade, ami after coming to the
west also engaged in farming. On remov-
ing from Hillsboro he took- up his abode at
St. John. Illinois, where he resided for three
or four years, and final lv his death occurred

W. H. WILEY

MES. OEA .1. (WILEY) LIPE

MES. CATHAEINE ( DEYEE) WAEE
COEYDON CLYDE LIPE

LIBRARY

OF THE

DIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

107

in Montgomery comity, about six miles
north of Hillsboro. March 21, 1844. His wife
bore the maiden name of Mary Nusman and
was a daughter of John Nusman, the first set-
tler of Hillsboro and the builder of the first
cabin in the town. He, too, was a wheelwright
and farmer. Mrs. Ware's grandmother found
the first spring in Hillsboro, the one which now
furnishes water for the city.

By her first marriage Mrs. Ware had seven
children, of whom three are now living: Sadie
E., who is engaged in teaching school in S'a-
lida, Colorado; \V. II. Wiley, who makes his
home in Butler Grove township; and Hattie,
the wife of Charles Mann, of Lincoln, Ne-
braska. Mrs. Ware is a member of the Meth-
odist Episcopal church and is well known in
Montgomery county, being a representative of
one of its honored pioneer families.

Mr. Ware gave his political allegiance to the
Republican party and served as justice of the
peace, as school director and was supervisor for
one term. His career clearly illustrated the
possibilities that are open in this country to
earnest, persevering young men who have the
courage of their convictions and are determined
to be the architects of their own fortunes. When
judged by what he accomplished his right to
a first place among the representative citizens
of Hillsboro cannot be questioned.

ROBERT W. KENNEDY.

Robert W. Kennedy has been a resident of
Montgomery county since 1859 and few resi-
dents, therefore, have longer witnessed its de-
velopment and progress as it has emerged from
pioneer conditions to take its place among the
leading counties of this great commonwealth.
He resides on section 11. Raymond township,
where he has a well improved farm of eighty
acres, pleasantly situated about three miles
from the village of Raymond. He came to
this county when a young man of sixteen years
from Brown county. Ohio, where he had re-
sided for about six years. He was born in Ire-
land and was brought to Illinois by his parents.
Mr. and Mrs. William Kennedy, who purchased
a tract of land including the farm upon which

Robert W. Kennedy now resides. The father's
original purchase comprised two hundred acres
of swamp land and raw prairie and with char-
acteristic energy he began to cultivate and im-
prove this and in due course of time developed
a valuable property supplied with many of the
modern conveniences and accessories of farm
life. His last days were spent upon the old
homestead and his wife also died there. In
their family were seven children, all of whom
are now living and are heads of families.

Robert W. Kennedy remained upon the old
homestead until the father's death and during
that period assisted in the development and
cultivation of the fields. Taking up his abode
upon his present farm he has erected here a
new residence, has built a barn and other sub-
stantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain
and stock, has placed his fields under a high
state of cultivation and has planted forest and
ornamental trees. In addition to his home
place he cultivates one hundred and sixty acres
adjoining and he is raising good grades of
burses, cattle and hogs. His business is well
managed and his life is one of unfaltering in-
dustry. He has continuously engaged in farm-
ing save for the period of his service in the
Civil war. On the 1st of May, 1864, he re-
sponded to his country's call for troops, enlist-
ing in the One Hundred and Forty-third Illi-
nois Infantry as a member of Company H.
With his command he went south to Arkansas
and also saw duty in Tennessee, being mostly
engaged in guard duty. After the close of his
three months term he was honorably mustered
mil at Mattoon. Illinois, in September, 1864.

Mr. Kennedy was married on the 4th of
April. 1868, to Miss Mary E. Dickson, a na-
tive of Missouri, where her early girlhood days
were spent and then came to Illinois. Her
death occurred March 4, 1888. and she was laid
to rest in Asbury cemetery near Raymond.
She had seven children, of whom three are
now living: Maggie E., the wife of Robert
J. Brycc. of Indianapolis; William J., who is
engaged in business in San Francisco; and
Clara L., who is married and resides in Indian-
apolis. Three of the children of that marriage
died in early childhood. On the 6th of Feb-
ruarv. 1901, Mr. Kennedy was united in mar-

IDS

PAST .WD PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

riage to Mrs. [sabel Mey, the widow of Mil-
lard F. Mey. By her former marriage she had
two children who are now grown.

Politically Mr. Kennedy is an earnest Id
publican and casl his first presidential ballot
for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, since which
time he has supported each nominee of the
party at the head of the ticket. He has been
elected and served in various local offices, in-
cluding that of township trustee and for twen-
ty-four years he was a member of the school
board, during which time he put forth effec-
tive and earnest effort in behalf of the schools.

believing in the employ nt of g 1 teachers,

|| ( ' has been elected and is now serving for Ins
third term as assessor and he has been a dele-
gate to various county convention- of his party.
Fraternally he is connected with the Grand
Army of the Republic ami is a Master Mason,
belonging to Raymond lodge. He was reared
in the Presbyterian faith, hut he and his wife
are now members of the Methodist Episcopal
church. Mr. Kennedy has been a resident of
i he county lor nearly fifty years and is one of
the oldesl settlers of Raymond township, where
he has a wide acquaintance, his friends being
many.

WILLIAM ALLEN FRAME.

The rich prairie tracts of central Illinois
furnish splendid opportunity to the agricultur-
ist, and William Allen Frame is classed with
those who. taking advantage of this opportun-
ity have won success through indomitable per-
severance and untiring energy. A native of
Ohio, he was horn in Pickaway county. March
•.'(>, 1835, and is a son of George Frame, who
by two marriages had twelve children, six sons
and six daughters. In 1836 the family came
to Illinois, going by way of the river route to
St. Louis and thence across the country with
ox-teams to Montgomery county. They located
in East Fork township, where the father pur-
chased a claim of one hundred and sixty acres
of land, and upon that farm he spent his re-
maining days, his death occurring at the age
of sixty-four. In addition to general farming
he wa- extensively engaged in the raising of

cattle. Connected with the pioneer development
of the county, he bore his share in promoting
public progress, especially along agricultural
lines, and deserves mention among the early
settlers whose labors proved of practical and
far-reaching value here.

William A. Frame was only a year old when
brought to Montgomerj county, and his mem-
ory pictures many of the pioneer conditions
which then existed. His environment was such
as is usually common on the frontier when the
log cabin shelters tin' earh settlers, who have
few of the advantages of the older cast. He
pm sued hi- education in a log schoolhouse, to
which he walked a distance of two miles, and
when fourteen years of age he started out in
life for himself. His father dying, he went to
Alton. Illinois, and tor two years he worked on
a farm through the summer seasons, while in
the winter months he attended school. At the
age of sixteen he returned to Montgomery
enmity and worked on a farm for. lames Clot-
Eelter during the greater part of the time for
five years, receiving at first hut ten dollars per
month. Ife afterward spent about two years
a- an employe at the slaughter-house at Spring-
field, Illinois, and after his marriage he rented
land in Efillsboro township. When seven years
had passed he purchased one hundred and sixty
acres m Last Fork township, where he made
his home until 1901. All of the improvements
upon the place were the work of his hands, and
he transformed it into a valuable property. He
also extended the boundaries of that farm until
it comprised two hundred and fifty acres, which
he gave to his sons. During the first two years
the proceeds of his farm — largely devoted to
wheat-raising — paid for the old place. In 1901
he removed to his present farm of two hundred
acres in Hillsboro township. This farm is
now mostly in blue grass pasture, and there arc
living springs upon the place sufficient for one
thousand head of cattle. He is now largely
engaged in stock-raising and is conducting a
profitable business.

On the 17th of March. 1So9, Mr. Frame was
united in marriage to Zilpah Clotfelter, who
was born September IS. 1832, and they had
five children : Mary, the wife of Samuel Ed-
wards: James, deceased: Amos, who is living

ME. AN 1 > MRS. W. A. FRAME

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

111

cm the old homestead; Milly, deceased; and
George, who is also on the old farm.

Mr. Frame votes with the Republican party,
but has never been an office-seeker, preferring
to give his attention to his business affairs, in
which he has met with excellent success. He
started out in life at a very tender age — a poor
buy, dependent entirely upon his own resources
for a living. He worked early and late and
most laboriously to gain a start, but he found
scope for his expanding business powers in the
agricultural possibilities of the county, and is
now one of its substantial and respected farm-
ers. Moreover, lie is one of the pioneer settlers
of the county, who for almost seventy years
has resided here, and has witnessed the changes
that have occurred as the county has put off
pioneer conditions and become one of the more
progressive counties of this great state.

II. s. SHORT, M. D.

Dr. II. S. Short, actively engaged in the
practice of medicine and enjoying the suc-
cess which is evidence of Ins skill and ability
in his chosen profession, was born in Ran-
dolph county. North Carolina. May 4. 1840,
bis parents being Lemuel and Mary (Hasket)
Short. The father, also a native of North
Carolina, was born in Guilford county, Feb-
ruary 24, 1814, and in the fall of 1853 he
came to Illinois. He was a teacher by profes-
sion, and he established bis home in Fayette
county east of Ramsey, where be resided for
about two years. On the expiration of that
period be removed to Shelby county. Illinois,
and in 1S58 went to Missouri, but was not long
permitted to enjoy bis new home, for his death
there occurred on the 6th of May, 1858. In
his family were eleven children, ten of whom
reached years of maturity, while five are now
living.

H. S. Short spent the first thirteen years of
his life in the state of his nativity and then
accompanied his parents on their removal to
Illinois. His education was acquired in the
common schools of Fayette and Shelby coun-
ties, and he also attended a Quaker institute
north of Indianapolis. Indiana. Having ac-

quired a good literary education to serve as
the foundation upon which in build the super-
structure of professional knowledge, he en-
tered the Eclectic Medical Institute at Cin-
cinnati, Ohio, where be pursued a complete
course of study and was graduated with the
(lass ef 1873. lie had also previously studied
medicine at Ramsey with Dr. Jones, and he
practiced for four years before his graduation.
lie opened an office in Fillmore. Illinois, in
-Inly. 1869, practicing there for four year-:
was also at Ramsey from September, 1875. un-
til 1878, and in the latter year returned to
Fillmore, where he has since remained, being
now the oldest practitioner of the town. He
has been very successful, bis practice being at-
tended with excellent results. He lias always
made a close study of the profession, has kepi
abreast with the host thinking men who are
representatives of the medical science, and has
-ained a liberal patronage, which is accorded
him in recognition of bis ability.

Dr. Short was a young man of only about
twenty-one years when, on the 3d of July.
1861, hi' responded to the country's call for
aid to preserve the Union and enlisted in Com-
pany C. Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, from
Shelby county. He served until September 27.
1864, and was with Sherman on his campaign
as far as Atlanta. He participated in the bat-
tles of Stone River, Perryville, Chattanooga
and Ivnoxville. and from tin' 7th of May un-
til the 18th of August. 1864, was never beyond
i he range of the enemy's guns, being constantly
under fire.

On the 31st of October, 1871, Dr. Short was
married to Mss Sarah M. Stokes, a daughter
of Bird and Alary Stokes, and they have six
children, all of whom are living: Dr. W. T.
Short, who is now practicing in Stonington.
Illinois: Alary L., the wife of Dr. Hoyt, of
Fillmore: Emma E., the wife of Walter Tober-
man; U. S., who is now practicing in East St.
Louis. Illinois, ami is a graduate of the Ma-
rion Sims Beaumont College, having com-
pleted the course with honors: Walter C, who
is a graduate of the Illinois University and
was appointed by President Roosevelt to the
rank of second lieutenant in the LTnited States
Army, February 15. 1902. and is now serving

112

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

as battalion quartermaster at Fort Reno, in
Oklahoma ; and L. Bird, who was born No-
vember 22, 1883, and has attended medical
college two years, being now a junior in the
Marion Sims Beaumont College at St. Louis.

Dr. Short belongs to the Masonic fraternity,
being made a Mason at Cowden. Illinois, in
Cold Spring lodge, in 1866. He is an exem-
plary representative of that order and is also
connected with the Modern Woodmen camp,
while his wife belongs to the Methodist Epis-
copal church. In politics he is a Republican
and has ever taken a deep and active interest
in the. welfare of the town, co-operating in
many community affairs which have for their
object the genera] good and the promotion of
the county's progress and improvement. Croat
changes have occurred during the period of
his residence hero, for he can remember when
a few settlements on the border of the county
remained only in the edge of the timber, the
prairie land then being considered unfit for
farming purposes. There were many doer and
many kinds of lesser game, most of the homes
were but pioneer cabins, and the work of im-
provement and progress largely lav in the fu-
ture. Dr. Short has I'm' many years been the
loved family physician in a large number of
the households of Fillmore and the surround-
ing district, and his genuine personal worth,
as well as his professional skill, has gained Eor
him the warm regard of a. large circle of
friends. He stands to-day among the leading
representatives of his profession in the county.
and his life has been one of great usefulness to
those among whom his lot has been cast.

WILLIAM DANIEL CARTER.

William Daniel Carter, living on section 20,
Zanesville township, where he is carrying on
genera] farming and stock-raising, breeding,
feeding and shipping thoroughbred Angus cat-
tle, has been a resident of Illinois since 1880
and has prospered in his business undertakings
here, becoming the owner of five hundred and
twenty acres of rich and arable land. A na-
tive of Ohio, he was born in Clinton county,
on the 11th of December. 1S57. and is a son

of William B. and Kate (O'Brien) Carter,
who were natives of Ireland, the father born
in 1822 and the mother in 1817. They spent
their youth in that country and were married
there. They afterward emigrated to the new
world, settling first in New York, whence they
later removed to Ohio and about 1863 came
to Illinois, settling in Madison county, where
the father developed a farm of three hundred
and twenty acres, placing his land under a
high state of cultivation and adding substantial
improvements in the way of good buildings.
It was upon the old homestead in Madison
county that he reared his family and there he
continued to reside until 1880, when he came
to Montgomery county. Having sold his Madi-
son county property he purchased five hundred
and twenty acres of land in Zanesville township,
this county, which he operated for ten years.
In 1890 he retired from the farm and removed
to St. Louis, where he died on the 2d of Decem-
ber, 1902. His wife still survives him and re-
sides in St. Louis at the age of eighty-seven
years, making her home with a daughter.

William D. Carter is the only son in a family
of five children, three of whom are living. He
was reared in Madison county and is indebted
to its public-school system for the educational
privileges he enjoyed. Early in youth he be-
came familiar with farm labor in all of its de-
partments and his boyhood experience has
proved an excellent foundation upon which to
build his manhood's success.

In St. Louis. Missouri, on the 4th of Novem-
ber. 1900. Mr. Carter was married to Miss Lil-
lian Hennessy. who was born in that city, a
daughter of Thomas and Anna (Hayes) Hen-
nessy, and obtained her education there. They
now have one daughter, Isabel, born July 10,
1903.

Mr. Carter located upon his present farm in
Zanesville township in 1880, having inherited
one hundred and twenty acres of this tract,
while the remainder he purchased from the
other heirs. He has made an addition to and
remodeled the house and now has a comfortable
residence. There arc also three good barns
upon the place and other necessary outbuildings
for the shelter of grain and stock. He has sel
out a good orchard and his farm in its various

LIBRARY
OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

\Y. I). CAIJTKI! AXD FAMILY

MRS. WILLIAM U. CARTER

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

117

departments is neat and thrifty in appearance,
indicating his careful supervision and practi-
cal progressive ideas. His fields arc well tilled
and he also raises line stock, shipping from five
to leu carloads of fat stock annually. For tin'
pasl thirteen years he has been engaged in
breeding ami dealing in thoroughbred polled
Angus eat tli- and new has a line herd and is
well known as a raiser of this breed of stock.
He had formerly been identified with his father
in a similar business enterprise. He now has
a herd of one hundred and ten head with t\v< nty
head of full blooded Angus cattle and a splen-
did bull at the head of the herd. He also
makes a business of buying and selling road
horses of the better breeds, and raises Poland
China bogs, having a line thoroughbred male
hog and shipping on an average of two hundred
head annually.

Mr. Carter votes with the Democracy and
while interested in its success and the growth of
the party has never sought or desired office. He
and his wife wire reared in the Catholic faith
and are members of the church at Litchfield.
lie has made for himself an excellent reputa-
tion as a good business man and is widely known
throughout central [Uinois as one of the suc-
cessful agriculturists and leading stock-raisers
of Montgomery county.

GEOEGE T. SEWARD.

George T. Seward is a man of rare business

capacity, who, in his day, has I n among the

foremost in developing the mercantile and
municipal interests of Hillsboro. His native
talent has led him out of humble surroundings
to large worldly successes through the oppor-
tunity that is the pride of our American life,
nor has his success been such as to be meas-
ured by material standards alone, for he has
■developed thai type of character which makes
for higher ethical ideals in business and in
society, and in his business relations and deal-
ings he has applied the principles which have
made him a most honored and honorable man
in private life.

George T. Seward was born near Butler,
Montgomery county, on the 1-lth of September,

1856, and is a representative of one of the
old pioneer families of this part id' i\\r state.
His paternal grandfather, Israel Seward, came
to Montgomery county at a very early epoch in
the development of tins portion of Illinois and
established Ins home near Hillsboro. lie aft-
erward removed to the farm near Butler.

George ( '. Seward, the lather of George T.
Seward, was on that farm, a mile and a half
north of Hillsboro, in 1820, and for forty-eight
years lived upon the farm which was his birth-
place. Ilis entire life was devoted to agri-
cultural pursuits and his consecutive labor and
unfaltering perseverance made him one of the
substantial citizens of the community, ami at
his death enabled him to leave his family in
comfortable circumstances. lie was regarded
as a trite and faithful friend to the needy and
was held in the highest regard by his fellow
citizens, lb' died January 1. 1897, when in
his seventy- seventh year. Me gave his political
allegiance to the Republican party and in all
matters of citizenship was progressive and
public-spirited. He watched with interest the
progress of events in the county as it emerged
from pioneer conditions and was the champion
of all measures for the general good. His wife,
who bore the maiden name of Unity .1. Phil-
lips, was a daughter of Captain Thomas Phil-
lips, "who served his country in the Black Hawk

war. lie was a far r during the greater part

of his life. Imt for a lime resided in Hillsboro
and during that period engaged in the raising
of horses. Both he and his wife died when in
their eighty-eighth year. Mrs. George <'.
Seward, who is still living, is a member of the
Presbyterian church and a lady whose many
good traits of heart and mind have won for
her the friendship of a large majority of those
with whom she has come in contact. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Seward were born seven chil-
dren: Uattie. who married Lloyd C. Wash-
burn, a commercial traveler, residing in South
Dakota; Thomas I., who is living on the old

family boniest I near Butler; Benjamin II..

who is employed as a clerk in St. Louis;
George T. : Carrie, who is the wife of Dr. C.
W. Hickman, of Springfield; Jesse J., who is
engaged in carpentering in Butler; and one
that died in infancy.

118

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

George T. Seward acquired his education in
the schools of Butler and in the HiJlsboro
Academy. He left school, however, at a com-
paratively early age and worked upon the home
farm until he attained his majority. He then
came to Hillsboro and accepted a position in
Woodruff's shoe store, but after a short time
became a salesman in the general store of
A. A. K. Sawyer, in whose employ he re-
mained for eight years. In 1887 he embarked
in the furniture business, forming a partner-
ship with Jesse McHenry, under the firm style
of Seward & McHenry. This relation was
continued for about two years, at the end of
which time Mr. Seward purchased his part-
ner's business and has since been alone. He
is now in a corner block, occupying two floors,
one hundred and forty by one hundred and
five feet, and one floor forty by seventy-
five feet, and he carries the largest stock of
general furniture in the county, and also deals
in carpets and does an undertaking business.
His trade has become extensive, his business
profitable, and his success is attributable en-
tirely to his own well directed efforts and in-
telligent and capable management. He has
otherwise extended his efforts to other fields
of activity, and is now the president of the
Hillsboro Brick & Tile Company and a di-
rector in the Hillsboro Building & Improve-
ment Association, of which he was formerly
vice president for two years.

In 1881 occurred the marriage of Mr. Sew-
ard and .Miss Katie Rohlfing, a daughter of
Christian and Katherine Rohlfing, both of
whom are natives of Germany, whence they
emigrated to St. Louis, and thence came to
Montgomery county, eventually settling in
Hillsboro. where they spent their remaining
days. Mrs. Seward was born in St. Louis in
1861 and has become the mother of two chil-
dren: <i ge LeMar and J. Frederick. The

parents are members of the Presbyterian
church and Mr. Seward is a Republican in his
political views. He has served as a member of
the city council for two years and has a public-
spirited interest in everything pertaining to
municipal affairs and to the improvement and
progress of his community. His business ca-
reer has been crowned with a high measure of

success. He has the dominating personality
and the imagination, coupled with a sure grasp
of affairs, that mark the progressive man who
does not shrink from taking large risk in the
hope of large reward. Besides, he has the pa-
tience, the wide vision and the power to recog-
nize and to grasp an opportunity. Because of
these salient 1 i-aits in his character he has won
for himself success and made an honorable
name in lutsiness circles.

A. F. WEAVER.

Of a large number of Illinois' native sons
now residing within the borders of the state
none are more deserving of mention than A.
I-'. Weaver, who in his community is well
known and highly respected. He resides in
Nokomis, where he is engaged in the insurance
business and he has secured a good clientage,
while at the same time he has won warm friend-
ship which is accorded in recognition of his per-
sonal traits of character. He was horn in Madi-
son county. Illinois, in 1838, his parents being
John and Ann Maria Weaver. The family
is of Swiss lineage. In 1804 three brothers
ami a sister came from Switzerland to Amer-
ica and two of the number settled in Ohio and
one in northern Indiana. To the latter
lirinch of the family Mr. Weaver traces his
ancestry. The father's birth occurred in Fair-
field county. Ohio, in 1816, and the mother
was born in Pennsylvania in 1811. He was
reared in the Buckeye state and in 1834 re-
moved to Illinois, settling near Edwardsville,
where he lived until about a year ago, when
he came to Nokomis. He is numbered among
tin 1 early settlers of this state, having come
to the Mississippi valley when this was largely
,-i wilil and unimproved district. For many
years he carried on farming, hut is now living
a retired life. He lost his wife in 1891 and
their only living child is A. V. Weaver.

In Madison county A. F. Weaver was reared,
attending school there until seventeen years of
age, after which he went to Edwardsville.
Later he spent two years as a student in the
( Him Wesleyan University at Delaware. Ohio.

PAST AXD PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

119

and was there located at the time of the out-
break o! the Civil war. Returning to Illinois he
enlisted in August, 1862, as a member of Com-
pany D, One Hundred ami Seventeenth Illinois
Infantry. He participated in the battles of Fort
De Russey, Pleasant Hills. Tupelo, Nashville,
Fort Blakeley and a number of skirmishes and
was never wounded or captured, although in
the battle of Nashville a shot from the artillery
passed directly under his foot. Through three
years he remained a faithful defender of the
old Bag and the cause it represented and in
August, 1865, he received an honorable dis-
charge ai Camp Butler near Springfield.

.Mi-. Weaver returned to his father's home
and there continued until January. 1866, when
he was married to .Miss Martha A. Dunn, of
Zanesville, Ohio. This union has been blessed
with eight children, of whom six are living:
Lorena, the wife of G. W. Churchill, a resident
of Chicago; Winnie, at home; Dunn \Y.. who is
occupying a position in the auditing depart-
ment in Marshal] Field's mercantile establish-
ment in Chicago; Hattie, at home; Earl, who
is a graduate of Brown's College and is em-
ployed by the Paddock Lumber Company; and
Harry, at home.

Alter Ins marriage Mr. Weaver located upon
the home farm, where he resided for two years
and in 1868 he removed to this county, where
he carried on agricultural pursuits, purchasing
four hundred acres of land west of the town of
Nokomis. This he still owns and for fifteen
years he was actively engaged in farming. He
then came to Nokomis and for six years carried
on general merchandising, but since 1891 he
has devoted his energies to the insurance busi-
ness and now represents seven of the old re-
liable fire insurance companies. He is re-
garded as one of the representative men of
Nokomis and his labors have been an active
factor in promoting its welfare and substantial
improvement. He now owns the Opera House
of the town and also sixty acres at the north
side of the town, having thereon a splendid
residence, which he occupies. He was also
one of the organizers of the bank, and after-
ward served as one of its directors. Mrs. Wea-
ve! 1 has been to her husband a faithful com-
panion and helpmate on the journey of life

and is a most estimable lady, who enjoys the
warm friendship of many with whom she has
come in contact. Her life is permeated by her
Christian faith, for she is a devoted member of
the Methodist church. Mr. Weaver belongs to
the Masonic fraternity and to the Grand Army
of the Republic and has been commander of
the post at Nokomis. In his political views
he is a Democrat and has tilled various public
offices, serving as supervisor, as town clerk and
as school director, occupying the last named
position for a number of years. He has al-
ways taken an active interest in politics and
has done much to promote the growth and
insure the success of his party in this lo-
cality.

R. M. BARRINGER.

R. M. Barringer, engaging in the livery busi-
ness, is active in community affairs as super-
visor of Witt township, in which connection be
has rendered signal service to his fellow citi-
zens. A native son of Montgomery county.
he was born eight miles south of Paisley, June
lii. 1851. His parents were Caleb and Dor-
thula (Fleming) Barringer, the former a na-
tive of North Carolina and the latter of Ten-
nessee. They became residents of Montgomery
county in 1832, locating in Fillmore township,
where Mr. Barringer secured land from the
government for twenty-five cents per acre. He
placed all the improvements upon his farm,
developed the land into productive fields and
made his home thereon until about 1892, when
he took up his abode in the village of Fillmore
and in 1904 he removed to Paisley, where he
is now living retired at the advanced age of
eighty years, while his wife has reached the
age of seventy-sis years. R. M. Barringer is
the second son in their family of six living
children, the others being: Mrs. Carrie Po-
land, id' Ellensburg, Washington : Sidney Ed-
ward, who is superintendent of the county
farm ; Mrs. Anna Alderson. who is living in
Pond Creelc. Oklahoma : Isaac N.. a farmer
of Fillmore township; and Mattie, the wife
id' Richard Holmes, of Paisley.

B. M. Barringer, having attended the com-

L20

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

mon schools, afterward entered the academy at
Eillsboro and subsequent to putting aside his
text books he remained upon the home farm
until twenty-two years of age, alter which he
engaged in farming on his own account for two
years, lie next took up his abode in Nokomis,
where he was engaged in conducting a restau-
rant and bakery. After seven years he re-
turned to the farm where lie again lived for two
years and then removed to Sumner county,
Kansas, where he spent eight years in fanning
and in the livery business. In 1893 he made the
race for land in the Cherokee strip in the In-
dian Territory. For days people had gathered
around that strip and at a given signal all
started in a rush for the land. Mr. Barringer
secured a claim two miles south of Blackwell.
lie afterward removed to Howell county, Mis-
souri, where he carried on farming for two
years and then returned to Illinois, settling
in Hillsboro. In 1896 he was janitor of a
schoolhouse, occupying that position for two
years, after which he engaged in teaming for
a year. In 1S99 he removed to a farm south
of Eillsboro and on the 33d of October, 1900.
he took up his abode in Paisley, where he
worked as top man in connection with the
mines for a year. Later he bought the livery
business, which he is now conducting and he
has a well equipped stable and is enjoying a
good patronage.

On the 2d of April, 1874, Mr. Barringer was
married to Miss Meca L. Sanders, a daughter
of Elza and Sarah Sanders, early settlers of
this county, coming here in 1830. They had
twelve children, of whom Mrs. Barringer is
the third in order of birth. Those living are
Prank, who is now living in Witt; Mrs. Lena
Richards, of Litchfield; Ervin. who resides up-
on the old home place near Ohlinan; Charles,
who is living in Rosemond, Illinois: Edward, a
resident of Chicago; Jefferson, who is located
in Canada; and Mrs. Ella Graden. of Ne-
maha, Kansas. The others died in infancy.
The father died in 1902 at the age of eighty-
two years and the mother is now living in Ohl-
inan, at the age of seventy-six years. Unto
Mr. and Mrs. Barringer have been horn three
children: Corwin E.. who is married and re-
sides in Paisley: Viola E., the wife of Homer

Sawyer, who follows farming near Paisley:
and Lawrence M., who died in 1899 at the age
of nineteen years.

Mr. and Mrs. Barringer are members of the
Lutheran church and he is a member of the
Mutual Protective League. His political al-
legiance is given to the Democracy and in the
spring of 1904 he was elected supervisor of
Witt township, which usually gives a strong Re-
publican majority. His election therefore is
indicative of the confidence reposed in him
and the high position which he holds in the
regard of his fellow townsmen. He has also
been a member of the school board. Possess-
ing a genial manner and social disposition he
has won many friends during the years of his
residence in Montgomery county.

J. J. GATES.

J. .1. Gates has figured prominently in public
affairs in Donnellson and Montgomery county,
and through his ready recognition of business
opportunity and his utilization of the advan-
tages that have come to hand he has made him-
self a place among the substantial residents
of In- pari nf the state. He was born in Rock-
ingham county. North Carolina, June 24, 1851.
His father, Philip Gates, of Coffeen, was
reared in North Carolina, and in that state
followed the occupation of farming until after
the Civil war, when, in November, 1866, he
came to Montgomery county, Illinois, settling
near Coffeen. Em- a number of years he was
actively identified with agricultural interests,
but is now living retired in the town. He first
married Miss Barbara Thomas, and after her
death wedded Miss Nancy Raglin, of News
Perry, Halifax county, Virginia. He had five
children, four sons and a daughter, namely:
Mrs. S. C. Quails and .lames P., both residents
of Coffeen. Illinois: Hardin, of Fillmore town-
ship: A. L., also of Coffeen; and J. J., of
this sketch.

The mother died when her son, J. J. Gates,
was hut ten years of age. He continued to re-
main upon the old home farm, however, until
L872, when, at the age of twenty-one years, he

ME. AND MRS. J. J. GATES

LIBRARY

OF TH€

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

123

started out in life Tor himself, beginning work
as a farm hand, in which capacity he was em-
ployed for two or three years. On the expira-
tion of that period he rented land and began
farming for himself. When two years had
passed he bought a place of seventy acres in
Bond county, later added to it another tract
of seventy acres, and upon that farm he re-
mained for thirteen years, or until he pur-
chased a farm of one hundred and forty acres
in Montgomery county. He taught school for
seven terms in Bond and Montgomery counties,
For ten consecutive years he was engaged in the
operation of a threshing machine, and at one
time he owned a half interest in the creamery
at Donnellson, but sold that a short time ago.
He now feeds and ships slock for the market,
and he is quite successful in this business, mak-
ing judicious purchases and profitable sales.

In 1878 Mr. Gates was united in marriage to
Miss Mary A. Ross, of East Fork township,
where her early life was passed. Seven children
have been born unto them, of whom four are
living: Ethel, who is now a stenographer in
St. Louis; Mary, Carrie and Nellie, all at
home. The parents and three of their children
hold membership in the Presbyterian church.
and Mr. Gates is identified with the Modern
Woodman camp, the Mutual Protective League
and the Royal Neighbors. In politics he is a
Democrat, but the honors and emoluments of
office have no attraction for him. as he prefers
to give his attention to his business affairs and
tin 1 interests of his household. He is a self-
made man, having gone in debt when he pur-
chased land, but within the first year he had
discharged all his obligation. He has worked
on persistently and energetically, year after
year, and is to-day the owner of a valuable and
attractive property.

P. C. WOOD.

I'. ('. Wood is an honored veteran of the
Civil War now living on section 0, East Fork
township, where he carries on general farming.
His birth occurred in the locality where he re-
sides August 22, 1834, his parents being

Thomas and Anna Wood. His father was born
in Darlington, South Carolina, on the spot
where the city of Florence is located, in De-
eember, 1802, and was there reared. He
came to Montgomery county in 1823, set-
tling in East Fork township at a time
when few settlements had been made within
the borders of the county. Pioneer con-
ditions everywhere existed, much of the land
being still in its primitive condition, awaiting
the touch of the frontiersman to transform it
into productive fields. Mr. Wood began farm-
ing and while living in true pioneer style he
at I he same time made the most of his oppor-
tunities and as he found it possible secured the
advantages and improvements which were com-
mon in the older east. Unto him and Ins wife
were born eleven children, eight of whom
reached years of maturity, but P. C. Wood is
now the only living representative of this fam-
ily. His father died on Christmas day of 1S58
and the mother passed away in 1882.

P. C. Wood remembers clearly many experi-
ences of early life in Montgomery county, for
lie has made his home here for seventy years.
He acquired his education in the public schools
and although his advantages in that direction
were somewhat limited his training at farm
work was not meager. He started out for him-
self when twenty years of age, locating upon
the farm where he now makes his home and a
part of which (eighty acres) he obtained from
his father. He now has one hundred and sev-
enty acres of land and he lost two hundred
acres by going security for friends. He has
raised both stock and grain, but at the present
time is not very actively engaged in farming,
for to some extent he has put aside the arduous
laborers of the farm and is enjoying a well
merited rest.

On the 19th of April, 1801, Mr. Wood put
aside all business and personal considerations
that he might aid in the preservation of the
Union, and became a soldier of Company H,
Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He found
the regiment was too full, howevi r, and he was
assigned to Company A of the Twelfth Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained
for three months, lie was altogether in active
service for three years and six months and he

I'.M

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

participated in many of the most hotly con-
tested engagements iif the war, including the
battles of New Madrid, Island No. lo, luka,
Corinth, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hills
and the siege of Vicksburg. He was also in
1 1 1 : 1 1 1 \ skirmishes and was slightly woundid. but
was never in the hospital. In the fall of 1864
he was mustered out at Vicksburg and with an
honorable and creditable military record he re-
turned to his home and resumed farming.

In April. 1856, Mr. Wood was married to
Mis- Elizabeth Barry, a daughter of John Bar-
ry, of Hillsboro township. Tin ir only child
died in infancy. Mr. Wood is a member of the
Masonic fraternity and is a veteran Republi-
can, having been one of the original forty-six
members who organized the party in this county
in 1856. He remembers when the county was
very wild, few improvements having then been
made, lie has seen as many as fifty deer in a
single herd and other wild game was to be had
in abundance. He frequently made trips to
St. Louis market and camped out along the
way. His mind forms a connecting link be-
tween the primitive past and the progressive
present, and no man takes a more genuine de-
light in what has been accomplished in this
county than dors yir. Wood. He has always
been spoken of in terms of respect and esteem
and as one of the pioneer residents of the coun-
ty he ci rtainh deserves mention in this volume,
while his record as a soldier alone would en-
title him to rank with the valued citizens of
Illinois.

.1. I'. PEICE.

Among the well known farmers of Mont-
gomerj county is numbered J. P. Price, who is
living in East fork township, lie was horn
in Fayette county. Illinois. October "J".'. 1849,
a son of Thomas and Celia (Duncan) Price.
The father, a native of Virginia, remained in
that state until about twenty years id' age,

when he removed to Tennessee, where he ear-
ned on general farming, becoming one of the
early settlers of that locality. Prospering in
his business undertaking he was eventually
known as one of the extensive and successful

farmers and stockmen of his community. He
died in the year 1861. In his family were
eight children, three Mins and five daughters,
of whom four are now living.

J. P. Price remained a resident of Fayette
county until sixteen years of age and no event
of special importance occurred to vary the
routine of farm life for him during that period,
lie then came to Montgomery county and
started out in life for himself, earning 1 1 i -
living by working as a farm hand in the sum-
mer months. In the winter seasons he at-
tended school, for he realized tin' value of
education as a preparation for life's practical
duties. He first rented a farm in Fillmore
township, upon which he lived for six years,
after which he purchased land in the vicinity
of his present home. The boundaries of his
farm, however, did not continue the same year
after year, lmt were extended by additional pur-
chase as his financial resources increased until
he now has six hundred acres of valuable land,
being a holder of extensive realty possessions
in East Pork township. He has given his
entire attention to stock-raising and makes :l
specialty of registered Hereford cattle and
also registered Poland China hogs. He raises
eattle on an extensive scale for the markets.
buying and shipping for many years. The
volume of his business lias constantly increased
and he stands to-day as one of the leading
representatives of these departments of in-
dustry in the county.

Mr. Price was married December 13. 1872.
to Miss Helen Isabel McNitt, a daughter of
Thomas and Sarah (Cress) McNitt. Her
father was horn and reared in Pennsylvania
and when a young man came to Illinois, where
he followed the occupation of farming. He
settled in East Fork township among its oarlv
residents and there carried on general agri-
cultural pursuits on an extensive scale for a
number of years. His wife was horn in "Mont-
gomery county, a daughter of Jacob Cress, one
of its earliest settlers. Mr. McNitt died in
August. 1860, but his widow- still makes her
home in Montgomery county, although at this
writing, in the summer of 1004, she is visit-
ing in California. This worthy couple were
the parents of eleven children, of whom four

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

127

are living, namely : Saphronia G, Francis,
Mrs. Price and Jennie Jackson, of Kansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Price have three children : Frank
F.j who is now a teacher in Bay City, Michi-
gan ; Gertrude, the wife of Clem Laws ; and
Corwin.

Mr. Price is a member of the Masonic fra-
ternity, being made a Mason at Fillmore in
1873, and also belongs to the Modern Wood-
men Camp and the Mutual Protective League.
He served as head council in the former
for many years. In politics he is a
Democrat and has always taken a deep
interest in the questions concerning the
county, state and nation, keeping well
informed on the issues of the day. He
has been school director and supervisor and
he served for two years in the state legislature,
being elected to the fortieth general assem-
bly. He has never been defeated for a single
office and in the discharge of his duties has
been most prompt, faithful and reliable. At
present he is a member of the county central
committee. Every measure and movement
which he deems will prove of public benefit
receives his earnest endorsement and support
and he is always fearless in the advocacy of
his honest convictions. Whether in public or
private life his record is alike commendable
and his history will bear the closest investiga-
tion and scrutiny. Mrs. Price is a member of
the English Lutheran church of Fillmore.

JOEL JONES.

Joel Jones, whose well improved farm of
two hundred and thirty acres on section 10,
Raymond township, is pleasantly located with-
in three miles of the village of Raymond, was
born in Macoupin county. Illinois, April 11,
1836. His parental grandfather, Rev. William
Jones, was a native of Virginia and became one
of the first settlers of Illinois, locating in
Madison county about 1809, when this state
was still under territorial government. He
opened up a farm in Madison county and was
identified with the substantial improvement
and progress of the county. He was a minister
of the Baptist church and one of the pioneer

preachers of the middle west. He served as
a member of the territorial legislature and
exerted strong influence in behalf of public im-
provement and upbuilding.

His son, Simeon Jones, was born in Madison
county, Illinois, near Alton in 1811 and was
reared and educated in Madison county, expe-
riencing the hardships and difficulties of pio-
neer life. He was married in bis native coun-
ty to Miss Dorothy Starkey, whose birth oc-
curred in that county in 1812 and who was a
daughter of Jesse S'tarkey, also one of the
pioneer settlers who came to Illinois ere the ad-
mission of the state into the Union. Simeon
Jones removed to Macoupin county, where he
opened up a farm, entering two hundred
acres of land from the government. Not a
furrow had been turned or an improvement
made upon the property, but with characteristic
energy he began the development of the land
and in due course of time transformed it into
•rich fields. He reared his family upon that
place and made the farm his home until his
life's labors were ended in death. His wife
survived him for some time and died at the
age of seventy-seven years.

Joel Jones, who is one of a family of four
sons and two daughters that reached adult
age, spent his early youth in Macoupin county
upon the home farm near Bunker Hill and in
the winter seasons he attended the public
schools, while in the summer months he as-
sisted his father in the labor of the fields, gain-
ing practical knowledge of farm methods. In
1866 he came to Montgomery county and pur-
chased eighty acres of raw land and also some
improved land. He took up his abode upon
the place and kept bachelor's hall for four
years, during which time he devoted his ener-
gies to general farming and the improvement
of his place. He then sought a companion and
helpmate for life's journey and in 1871 was
joined in wedlock to Miss Mary C. Blackwelder,
who was born in Cabarrus county. North Car-
olina, where her girlhood days were passed.
Later Mr. Jones erected a large two-story resi-
dence upon his farm, also a good barn and
planted shade and ornamental trees. He also
set out a good orchard and inclosed his farm
with a neat, well trimmed hedge fence. His

128

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

modern improveinents constitute this one of the
valuable farming properties of the community
and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates
his careful supervision.

In 1S97 Mr. Jones was called upon to mourn
the Loss of his wife, who died on the 23d of
dune of thai year. There are hut two ol' their
seven children living: Alva, who is operating
the home farm, was married in Kentucky to
Miss Mary P. Hamilton, a native of Macoupin
county, who was reared there and in Mont-
gomery county. She is a daughter of Andrew
Hamilton, a native of Scotland. Aha Jones
and his wife and four children: Ruth, Jewell
Ross, Elden and Gladys E. After his mar-
riage Alva Jones engaged in farming near

Hills! for several years and then returned

to the home farm after the death of his mother
in 189?. Emily A. Jones is the wife of Wes-
ley Briggs, who is engaged in ranching in Ida-
ho. Mr. and Mrs. Jones lost four children:
Herman II.. who died in childhood; Willis,
who died at the age of five years: Charles, who
departed this life at the age of eighteen ; and
Jesse, who died at the age of twenty-seven

- I ;l K

Politically Mr. Jones is a stanch Democrat.
who cast his first ballol for Stephen A. Doug-
las in 1860, and has supported nearly every
presidential candidate of the party since that
time. He has served as a member of the school
board and has been highway commissioner three
years. He belongs to the Baptisl church and.
his entire life has been in consistent harmony
with his professions. Well known in Mont-
gomi ry county he is classed with those who
owe their success to their own efforts and who
deserve their prosperity because of the honor-
able business methods they have ever followed.

B. F. NELCH.

B. P. Neleh, living on section 33, Pitman
township, is well known as a breeder of pure-
blooded Aberdeen-Angus cattle, having a good
herd in his pastures upon his fine farm. Born
in Springfield, Illinois, on the 4th of Novem-
ber, 1876, he is a son of Henry Nelch, who
was also a native of Illinois, his birth having

occurred in Menard county. The family, how-
ever, is of German lineage. Henry Nelch was
reared to manhood in this state and after his
marriage he established his home in Spring-
held, where he became a prominent contractor
on public works, conducting a successful busi-
ness there for a number of years.

B. 1'. Nelch was reared in the capital city,
attended the public schools and completed his
course there by graduation from the high
school. He afterward entered the university
at .Madison. Wisconsin, taking up the course
of study in the Agricultural College, but he
had to abandon this on account of ill health.
Returning to Illinois, he believed that outdoor
life would prove beneficial to him, and he took
charge of Ins father's farm near Springfield,
continuing in its cultivation for two years.
In 1889 he removed to Montgomery county and
took charge of- the farm upon which he now re-
sides, his father having a good tract of land
here of three hundred and twenty acres. In
connection with the tilling of the soil and the

product] E crop- besl adapted to this climate

he also began the work of breeding and deal-
ing in Aberdeen-Angus cattle. He at first had
only a few head, but he has increased his herd

l'i' year to year by breeding and purchase

and now has forty-two tine animals upon his
place, including many pure-blooded one-. These
are mostly cows, for he sells the male animals
from year to year. He is now well known as
a breeder of pure-blooded Aberdeen-Angus cattle
and he has also been successful as a breeder of
snlendid-bred horses. He farms two hundred
acre- of land, while his younger brother, Pred
G. Nelch, operates one hundred and twenty
acres of the farm.

B. F. Nelch was married in Springfield, Sep-
tember 7, 1898, to Miss Josephine Piekel. who
was horn, reared and educated in Sangamon
county and is a daughter of Joseph Piekel, a
well known business man of Springfield. They
now have two children: Franklin C. and H.
Pari Nelch. Fred G. Neleh. brother of our
subject, is also married and resides upon this
farm. Both are young men of good business
ability, practical and progressive agriculturists,
'who are meeting with success in their undertak-
ings here. Politically B. F. Nelch is a Re-

B. F. NELCH AND FAMILY

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND 1'1,'KSKNT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

131

publican, and proudly cast his first presidential
ballot for William MeKinley. He is a young
man, possessing the enterprising spirit of the
west, and is a typical son of Illinois, alert, en-
ergetic and progressive. Willi good education
and business qualifications, he is so directing
his efforts as to win good results, and is now-
one of the valued younger representatives of
agricultural interests in Montgomery county.

GEORGE W. CALDWELL, M. D.

Dr. George W. Caldwell is one of the oldest
medical practitioners of Montgomery county.
where for forty-nine years he has followed his
profession, thus devoting his energies to a life
work that has proven of the utmost value to
his fellow men. The successful physician is
always a person of broad humanitarian prini i-
ples and it has been because of his ready sym-
pathy and deep interest in his fellow townsmen
as well as his professional skill and knowledge
that Dr. Caldwell has gained for himself high
reputation and a liberal patronage.

He was born in Morgan county, Illinois.
April 23, 1834. His father, John C. Caldwell.
whose birth occurred in Butler county. Ken-
tucky, in the year 1804, was a son of George
Caldwell, a native of Virginia and one of the
first settlers of Butler county, Kentucky. His
life span covered the latter pari of the colonial
history of the United States and the early part
of its existence as a republic and when the
colonists attempted to throw off the yoke of
British oppression he joined Hie American
army and fought for American liberties. John
C. Caldwell spent the days of his boyhood and
youth in the county of his nativity and when he
had arrived at man's estate he wedded Miss
Louisa Rodgers, also a native of Kentucky.
They removed to Illinois in 1827. Only nine
years had passed since the admission of the
state into the Union and they were pioneer
residents of Morgan county. Mr. Caldwell
was a tanner by trade and there established a
tanyard near Waverlv and was known as an
active, enterprising business man of his lo-
calitv. He reared his family in that neighbor-

hood and made his home there throughout his
remaining days.

Dr. Caldwell was reared in Morgan county,
pursued good educational privileges and, de-
siring to enter professional life, he became a
student in McKendree College, in which he
was graduated with the class of 1853. To the
same class belonged Samuel H. Deneen, the
father of Charles S. Deneen. the present Re-
publican candidate for governor of the state.
Although hi' prepared for the bar he did not
practice to any great extent, hut later took up
the study of medicine, pursuing a course of
lectures in Rush Medical college and finish-
ing his course there about 1855.

After his graduation Dr. Caldwell came to
Montgomery county, locating in Zanesville
township, where he soon built up a very ex-
tensive practice thai extended for miles over
the surrounding country. In the early days
a country practice involved much hardships
owing to long rides over the prairies in the
midst of winter storms or under the hot sum-
mer sun. hut with conscientious regard for the
duties of his calling he never considered his
persona] comfort if his aid was needed in be-
half of the sick and suffering. In 1900 he op-
ened an office in Waggoner and he is still one of
the active and successful physicians of the
county. He belongs to the Macoupin County
Medical Society ami he has always read along
lines which have added to his skill and
efficiency.

Mr. Caldwell was married in Morgan county.
Illinois. September Is. 1855, to Miss Frances
('loud, a daughter of Newton Cloud, one of
the first residents of the state, who came here
from Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have
two living children: Bessie is the wife of
Samuel Kessinger, of Litchfield, and they have
become the parents of four children: Harold
Caldwell, Ruth Caldwell. Charles W. and an
infant daughter. Georgie Caldwell is the
wulow of Dr. Charles E. Allard and resides
with Dr. Caldwell. She has one child. Elbert
C. Allard. The Doctor lost two children: Jes-
sie, who died at the age of four years; and
Newton C.

Dr. Caldwell cast his first presidential ballot
for James Buchanan in 1856 and has voted

132

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

for each presidential nominee of the Demo-
cratic party since that time. Political honors
and emoluments have had no attraction I'm
him, lmt he has served as a member of the
school board for fifteen years. A half century
covers Ha 1 period of his residence in Mont-
gomery county anil lie is one of the oldest
practitioners within its border, lie is familiar
with its history from pioneer times, his mem-
ory forming a connecting link between the
past ami present — a period during which great
changes have occurred and marvelous develop-
ment has been wrought, lie has been deeply
interested in the ci. unty's progress ami in as
far as possible lias aided in its upbuilding.
Moreover in the line of his profession he has
endeared himself In many families by the able
assistance he has rendered in a kindly helpful
spirit.

EDWAED GRIMES.

Edward Grimes, who is engaged in general

agricultural pursuits on section 9, Raymond
township, is a native son of the Prairie state.
his birth having occurred in Jersey county, mi
the 34th of May. 1843. His lather. Jarrett T,
Crimes, was born in Madison county. Illinois,
January "21. 1820, and was a son of Philip
Grimes, a native of Tennessee, in which state
he spent the days of his boyhood and youth.
He was n in rried there and then, mum ing north-
ward, became one of the early pioneer residents
of Madison county, Illinois. He served as a
soldier in the war of lsr.'. and was acquainted
with Andrew Jackson, the hero of the battle of
Xew Orleans. Jarrett T. Grimes, the lather,
was reared in Illinois and wedded Miss Charity
Brown, whose birth occurred in St. Charles,
Missouri. In order to provide for his family
he followed the occupation of farming and
stock-raising and spent his life in Jersey county,
although the district in which he lived was at
different times within the boundaries of three
different counties. He always lived, however,
upon the same farm and it is still his place of
residence. He owns one thousand acres of
valuable land, having become a wealthy agri-
culturist of Illinois. He has reached the ad-

vanced age of eighty-lour years and is one of
the honored pioneers of the state.

Edward Grimes spent his boyhood days un-
der the parental roof, working in field and
meadow when not engaged with the duties of
the schoolroom. His early educational privi-
leges were supplemented by a course of study
in Shurtleff College and after completing his
studies he came to Montgomery county in 1866
and located on his present farm, having here
one hundred and sixty acres of raw land. He
at once, however, began to place the fields un-
der cultivation and transform the unbroken
prairie into a rich and productive tract. He

huilt fences, also erected g 1 buildings and

added modern equipments, such as are seen
upon a model farm. As his financial resources
increased he also extended the boundaries of
his place until it now- comprises two hundred
and eighty acres. His home is a commodious
two-storj frame residence and nearby are two
large and substantial hams and other neces-
sary outbuildings. Upon the place is a native
grove ami he has planted many ornamental
trees. For some years be has made a specialty
of the grazing and feeding of cattle and raises
no grain, lie ships his own stock and annually
sells from six to eight carloads of fat cattle and
hogs. In 1868 he left the farm and removed
to Butler, where he engaged in the lumber busi-
ness for three years, hut subsequently returned
to the farm where he is now living, occupying
his pleasant and attractive 1 e, which is situ-
ated within a mile and three-quarters of Ray-
niond.

While in Butler Mr. Crimes was united in
marriage on the 7th of October, 186S, to Miss
Emma Sammons, a native of Xew York and a
daughter of Clement Sammons, of Hillsboro,
in which city Mrs. Grimes was reared. Seven
children have been horn of this marriage, of
whom two sons are now living: Ernest Robert,
at home: and Dr. Leroy Grimes, who is prac-
ticing medicine in St. Louis. Missouri. They
lost five children: Eugene, who died at the age
of nineteen years on the home farm: Charles
E., who died at the age id' twenty-two years
while pursuing a medical course; Frankie, who
died at the age of three months: and two daugh-
ters who died in infancy.

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY Of > i , N0 | S

EDWARD GRIMES

J. T. GHIMES

LIBRARY

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

137

The political views of Mr. Grimes are in
accord with the principles of the Democracy
and he has supported all of the presidential
candidates of that party since casting his first
rote for General George B. McClellan in L864.
lie was elected and served as a member of the
honorary county board of county supervisors
on several different occasions and he acted on
numerous important committees. He was also
township trustee for a uumber of years and
lias been president of the board of school di-
rectors, in which capacity he 1ms done able
service for the cause of education. He and
his family are members of the Presbyterian
church and he is a charter member of the
Masonic lodge ai Raymond, of which lie served
as master lor a. number of years. He also
belongs to Litchfield chapter and commandery,
has represented the blue lodge in the grand
lodge of the state and is an exemplary Mason,
portraying in his lite the beneficent spirit of his
craft, which has as its basic element the prin-
ciples id' brotherly kindness and mutual help-
fulness. Mr. Grimes takes quite an active and
prominent part in the work of the Montgomery
County Farmer.- Institute, of which he is now
serving as treasurer, and he has exerted a wide
influence in its behalf, lie is also prominently
identified with the Illinois Fanners Institute
and al present is a member id' the finance com-
mittee.

WILLIAM COHNTON.

William Counton is numbered among the
self-made men of Montgomery county whose
pro perrty is entirely attributable to their own
efforts and because of what he has accomplished
he deserves much credit. lie re-ides in section
I. [rving township, where he has an excellent
farm well improved. Hi- birth occurred in
\cv York city. December 25, 1857, and he is
a -on of Thomas and Jane (Coudroy) Counton,
both of whom wrvr natives of Limerick. Ire-
land, whence 1 1n \ came to the L 7 nited States.
locating in New York. The father was a tan-
ner by trade and continued in active business
until 1861, when his patriotic spirit being
aroused by the attempt of the south to over-

throw tin' Union he enlisted as a member of
the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth New York
Infantry, with which he served until the close
of the war. In 1st',; his wife departed this
life in I'awtucket. lihode Island. In their
family were lour children: William; Martin.
who is now living in Dodgeville, Massachusetts;
Mary Jane, who died at the age of seventeen
years; ami Thomas, who is living in this
county.

William Counton acquired his education in
the public schools and in an academy at Mun-
cie, Indiana. Owing to his mother's death he
was, when ten years of age, placed in the New
York Juvenile Orphan's Asylum and at the age
of eleven years lie was sent to make his home
with Nelson Lipe in Irving township, Mont-
gomery county. He arrived in this county
February 25, 1869, and lived with .Air. Lipe
until the age of sixteen years, when he began
earning his living by working as a farm hand,
ile was thus employed until 1882 and his in-
dustry and economy during that period enabled
him in 1883 to become the purchaser of one
hundred and twenty acres of land. This he
conducted until June. 1903, when he sold his
la mi. lie had. however, a good tract of land
well unproved and he annually harvested rich
ciops as (hi 1 reward for the care and labor
which he bestowed upon his place.

On the 3d of April. 1881, Mr. Counton was
married to Miss Julia King, a daughter of
John Wesley King and a granddaughter of
Andrew and Hannah King. Her father was
horn near Chapel Hill. Orange county. North
Carolina, September 29, ISM. and died near
Irving. Illinois, January 7, 1881. at the age
of sixty-six years, three months and eight days.
John Wesley King was only a year old when his
father removed to Lincoln county, Tennessee,
where he lived for fifteen years. In November,
1830, when sixteen years of age he accom-
panied his father and Noah Kellev from Ten-
nessee to Montgomery county, Illinois, the trip
being made on horseback. They settled near
Irving, the first home of Mr. King being a log
cabin, lie was one of the honored pioneer
residents of the locality and took- an active and
helpful part in promoting the early progress
and development of this portion of the state.

L38

PAST AND PRESENT OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY

On the -!il of April ; 1856, lie married Mrs.
Julia T. Ellis, and they became the parents of
two children, one of whom, Frank King, is
now living. The wife and mother died Sep-
tember 29, 1859, and Mr. King afterward mar-
ried Miss Elizabeth Grantham, on the 12th
of July, 1860. They became the parents of
six children, of whom two are living: Julia
and Lula. The second wife died December 4,
1873, and on the 8th of May, 1873, Mr. King-
married Nancy Jane Nussman, who departed
this life on the second of June. 1879. Mr.
King was a man of more than ordinary ability,
enterprising and progressive and took an inter-
ested and helpful part in all that pertained to
the advancement of bis locality, lie held va-
rious county offices, was county school commis-
sioner and was also deputy under Hiram Greg-
ory, county superintendent of schools. He
discharged his various duties with promptness
and fidelity and he also practiced law in this
county. In 1840 the lirst schoolhonse of
Rountree township was built and Mr. King
was employed as the lirst teacher. He also
taught for a number of years in other parts of
the county and was regarded as a most aide
educator. When a young man he united with
the Lutheran church, with which he ever con-
tinued a. faithful member and he was thus ac-
tively associated with the material, intellectual
and mora] progress of his community.

Unto Mr. ami Mrs. Counton have been born
two children. Fiber! Wesley and Harold Ros-
lyn. The former, born January 14, 1882, is
married and resides in Irving, being a school
teacher of Irving township. The younger son.
born July 12, 1893, is at home. Mr. and Mrs.
Counton are members of the Presbyterian
church and he belongs to the Masonic Indue at
Irving; Twin City lodge. No. 62, K. P.: and
the Modern Woodmen camp. No. 1498, at Irv-
ing. A stanch Republican in his political
views he was elected supervisor in 1880 and
served continuously in that office until 1895.
He was also a delegate to the last Republican
convention held in Springfield. He is recog-
nized as one of the leaders of his party in his
township and his loyalty in citizenship is mani-
fest by an active co-operation in many measures
which have contributed to the general srood. As

the architect of his own fortunes he has budded
wisely and well and his life is exemplary in
main respects, lor he has molded his own
character and shaped his own destiny and has
won not only success, but also the high regard
of bis fellow men.

LOUIS WELGE.

Among those who have come from foreign
lands to become active in business circles of
EiUsboro is Louis Welge, who for man; years
has contributed in large measure to its com-
mercial prosperity. His success in all his un-
dertakings has been so marked that his methods
are of interest to the commercial world. He
has based bis bnsiniss principles and actions
upon strict adherence to the rules which gov-
ern industry, economy and strict, unswerving
integrity. His enterprise and progressive
spirit has made him a typical American in
every sense of the word and he well deserves
mention in her history. What he is to-day
he has made himself, for he begun in the
world with nothing but his own enorg) and
willing hands to aid him.

Mr. Welge is a native of the province of
Hanover, Germany, where bis birth occurred
on the 23d of October. 1826. His father ,\as
the owner of a large sheep ranch there and it
was upon this ranch that tin- son spent his
early boyhood days, devoting his time largely
to the care of the sheep and gaining the expe-
rience which proved of great profit to him
when be conducted a similar industry in this
county. At the age of twenty-seven years
he resolved to try his fortune in America and
accompanied by a sister he sailed for the new
world, being nine weeks upon the voyage,
which was made in one id' the old time sail-
ing vessels common in the middle of the nine-
teenth century. His love of freedom was also
one of the element- that proved most strong in
his removal and while he has never ceased to
cherish an affection for the fatherland he feels
the strongest love for the country over which
Hows the stars and stripes and has ever been
most loyal to its interests.

It was on the 10th of November, 1853, when
accompanied by his sister, now Mrs. Henry

PAST AND 1'1,'KSKNT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

139

Haake, of Fillmore township, be landed at New
Orleans, but he did not tarry in that city. He
made his way at once to Cincinnati, Ohio, and
there accepted any employment which he could
secure that would yield him an honest living.
When a number of months had passed he went
to Springfield, Illinois, and secured employ-
ment on the sheep ranch of a man named Mc-
Condle. In the succeeding year lie was joined
in Springfield by his brother, Fred Welge, and
they determined to engage in the raising of
sheep. Removing then to Montgomery county
tlic\ purchased land east of Hillsboro and es-
tablished a ranch which they conducted with
excellent success lor fourteen years. They
were proprietors of the farms now owned by
Louis. Walter and William Welge and there is
no more productive soil to lie found in Mast
Fork township. The brothers prospered in
their undertaking and their annual sales of
sheep brought to them a very desirable financial
return. When they disposed of this business
they took up their abode in flic city of Hills-
boro and purchased the old furniture factory.
Mr. Welge was then engaged in the manufac-
ture of furniture for several years, employing
as mam as twenty-five men. The product of
tlie factory was shipped to all of the large
cities and I'm- a time found ready market but
Mr. Welge was eventually compelled to quit
business on account of the competition of the
larger manufacturers. He erected the build-
ing that was afterward occupied as a mill and
which stood on the site of the Hillsboro Pro-
duce Company and in this lie conducted a re-
tail furniture business until be bough! the imsi-
ness block of the Bryce estate and therein
opened a furniture store, which be carried on
with excellent success until about 1902, when
bis son Fred became his successor in this enter-
prise anil be retired to private life.

Mr. Welge has been married twice. He first
wedded Mis- Augusta Oarsten and unto them
were born two children, namely: Mrs. Lena
Dammann, who resides in Hillsboro; and Mrs.
Bieler, who makes her home in Raymond, Illi-
nois. The wife and mother passed away in
December, 1872, and in 1873 Mr. Welge was
again married, bis second union being with
Miss Mena Shorlimer. Their children are five

in number and all reside with their father in
Hillsboro. namely: Bertha, who is the libra-
rian of the city; Fred, who is conducting the
furniture store; Dora, a teacher in the public
schools; and hula ami Lynn, at home.

When .Mr. Welge came to Hillsboro he found
here a small village with little business enter-
prise and has lived to see a great transforma-
tion both in the appearance of the county seat
and in commercial methods which are now in
vogue here. He contributed in substantial
measure to the mercantile activity of Hills-
boro and as a citizen has been the champion of
many measures for the genera] good. His life
has been one of exceptional activity and useful-
ness and has been characterized by the most
unswerving integrity ami honor. He began
life in America with little capital ami his
financial valuation at present represents a large
figure. His competence has been won through
judicious investment and capable management
and throughout his entire career there has been
no action on his part to call forth adverse crit-
icism. In the midst of pleasant conditions
with many friends around him he is spending
the evening of life in comfort, enjoying 'he
fruits of his former toil.

HENRY Q. WAGGONER.

Henry Q. Waggoner i.- one of the extensive
landowners of Pitman township and for years
has been classed with the thrifty farmers of
Montgomery county. His life record is credit-
able to this county which is the place of his na-
tivitv. his birth having occurred upon the old
family homestead near the village of Wag-
goner on the •Mth of November, 1861. His
father was George Waggqner, a prominent
early settler and extensive and prosperous
farmer of this county. He was respected by
all because of Ins activity and success in busi-
ness affair- and his hearty co-operation in all
measures for the general good.

Xo event of special importance occurred
to vary the routine of farm life for Henry Q.
Waggoner in his youth. He had perhaps more
advantages than some ami less than others. He
received good home training and bis education

PAST AND l'KKSKXT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

was acquired in the public schools nearby. In
188.3 he was married, being then a young man
of twenty-one years of age. The lady of his
choice was Miss Virginia Street, a native of
Montgomery county and a daughter of Squire
Street, one of the prominent farmers o 1 ' Zanes-
ville township.

The young couple began their domestic life
upon a farm which he continued to operate
with good success for a number of years. In
1894, however, he was called upon to mourn
the loss of his wife, who passed away in that
year, leaving three children: Florence I., who
is now tlir wile nl' Park C. Pettit, a resident
of Waggoner; Estella B., at home; ami Henr
Wing, who is also with his father. In Sep-
tember, 1902. Mr. Waggoner was again mar-
ried in Montgomery county, his second union
being with Miss Freela D. Shires, whose birth
occurred in Rock Island county. Illinois, -
who is a daughter of D. F. Shires. Her child-
hood was passed in Montgomery county and to
its public school system she is indebted to
the educational privileges which she enjoyed.

Some years ago Mr. Waggoner located in
the village which bears his name and there
erected a large, attractive and substantial resi-
dence, which is one of the best homes of the
town. He now occupies it ami is living retired
from the more active duties of a business ca-
reer, lie vet gives personal supervision to his
farm and other business affairs, owning a val-
uable tract of land of five hundred acres near
(he town. This is kept in excellent condition,
is well improved with modern equipments ami
returns to him a good annual income. In the
establishment of the bank at Waggoner he be-
came interested as one of the original stock-
holders, being associated in this enterprise with
his brother. Horace G. Waggoner. Although
never an office seeker he has always kept well
informed on the political questions of the day
as every true American citizen should do and
hi- political belief is manifest in the stalwart
support which he gives to the Republican
party. His wife is a member of the Methodist
Episcopal church and though he does not be-
long to any religious organization he is a
liberal contributor to different churches. His
entire life has been passed in Montgomery

county and be has witnessed much of its prog-
ress and development, lie has been particu-
larly helpful in improving Waggoner and mak-
ing it the enterprising village that it is to-
day and his support of any measure insures for
it a good following, because he is known as a
public-spirited man with clear sound judgment
and of unquestioned loyalty in matters of cit-
izenship.

WILLIAM A. LEWEY.

William A. Lewey, whose farm on section
17, Hillsboro township, acquired through his
own industry, is well developed ami highly im-
proved, devotes his attention to general agri-
cultural pursuits, and in his business career
displays traits of character which everywhere
command respect and confidence. Interested
in community affairs, he does all he can to
promote the welfare of his township, and is
especially active along the line of its moral
development.

Mr. Lewey was born in Guilford county,
North Carolina, September 25, 1835, and was
one of a family of fourteen children, two of
whom died in infancy and twelve came to Illi-
nois and settled in Montgomery county. Wil-
liam A. Lewey arrived in 1855 and began
working as a farm hand by the month, being
employed principally by his brother-. He
early learned the value of industry and energy
as a foundation upon which to build success,

ami his life has ever 1 n characterized by

diligence and perseverance. He was employed
at farm labor until after the breaking out of
the Civil war. when, responding to his coun-
try's call for troops to preserve the Union, he
enlisted on the 18th of August. 1862, as a
private of Company D, One Hundred and
Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry,
with which he served for three years. After
reaching Tennessee he was taken ill and was
-.■in to the hospital at La Grange, Tennessee,
and afterward to Jacksonville, almost a year
having passed before he was able to resume
active duty. He was promoted corporal at
Jacksonville in 1863. He served on guard
duty at the supply post for some time, was also

ME. AND MBS. WILLIAM A. LEWEY

LIBRARY

OF TH£

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AMi PEESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

143

engaged in guarding railroads, and in Au-
gust, 1865, he was honorabh discharged and
mustered out of the sen ice.

Mr. Lewey has been thrice married. In
1867 he wed, I,., I Miss Rachel Griffith, who
died in March, 1878, and lie later married
Eebecea Chamberlin, who died in 1888. On
the 23d hi' October, 1891, ho was united in
marriage to Miss Leuvenna Thacker, a daugh-
ter of T. A. Thacker and a native of this
county.

In the fall of 1866 Mr. Lewey purchased his
present farm, upon which he took up hSs
abode the following year, and has since made
it his home, lie has here eighty acres of
arable laud on section 17, Hillsboro township,
and he has made all of the improvements upon
the plan'. It. is now well equipped with mod-
ern facilities and its neat and attractive ap-
pearance is due to his untiring energy, strong
determination and laudable ambition. Mr.
Lewey maintains pleasant relations with his old
army comrades through his membership in
Hubbell post, G. A. R. His views on the tem-
perance question are indicated by his support
of the Prohibition party and he is found as
the advocate of all movements which he be-
lirw- will elevate mankind and prove of real
benefit to his community, lie is an active and
influential member of the Methodist Episcopal
church of Woodsboro, lias served as church
trustee and has lieen a class leader for many
years. FTis life, honorable and upright, is in
many respects worthy of emulation and his
friends and neighbors have naught to say
against his good name, lie has lived in this
county for almost a half century, and has.
therefore, witnessed much of its growth and
development, while in the work of improvement
he has felt a deep interest.

EDWARD ('. RICHARDS'.

Edward C. Richards, residing in Hillsboro
township, is a man of good business ability
and executive force, carrying on agricultural
pursuits along progressive lines on his farm of
one hundred and seventy-nine aire-, which is
well equipped with modern improvements and

accessories, lb' was limn m Boston, Massa-
chusetts, mi (lie 1 1th nf .May. 1S.V.'. and is a
son of George II. Richards, whose birth oc-
curred in the same city, May 5, 1816. He was
a representative id' Puritan ancestors, who lo-
cated in Massachusetts during the early de-
velopment of the colony. In his youth George
[I. Richards learned the carpenter's trade, serv-
ing a seven years' apprenticeship in Boston,
Init. believing that the west furnished better
business opportunities he came to Illinois in
1839 and established his home in Hillsboro,
where he soon became actively identified with
industrial interests as a partner of the late

A s Clotfelter in the conduct of a sawmill.

lie had carried on business here I'm- about three
years, when he returned to the east and was
married on (he 22d of December, 1842. to Miss
Irene II. Lincoln, a daughter of Bradford Lin-
coln, of Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts. lie
then brought his bride to Hillsboro and they
began their domestic life in the home which
he hail built for her and which is now owned
by B. P. Boyd. Unto this marriage were born
six children: Henry, who was horn April 25.
18-13. and died in infancy: Susan, who resides
in Hillsboro township: Lucy E.. who was born
March 15, IS IS. and died in infancy; Alice,
the wife of Amos Larry, of Hillsboro town-
ship: Edward ('..of this review; and Frederick
W., who was bora March 5, 1856, and also
died in infancy. Mrs. [rene Richards passed
away in 1857 ami the following year Mr. Rich-
ards again sought a home in the west, coming
to Montgomery county with hi- family. He
settled upon tin' farm which he bad purchased
during his previous residence here. While in
the east he had become an importer and whole-
sale dealer in structural iron and hardware,
but after bringing his family to Illinois he
turned his attention to general farming and
continued to reside upon the old family home-
stead up to the time of his demise. He first
purchased one hundred and twenty acres of
land, to which he afterward added sixty acres
anil upon his farm be placed many excellent
improvements, erecting substantial buildings,
cultivating his fields along modern progressive
lines and carrying on stock-raising with equal
^-access. In all of bis business dealings he was

144

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMEKY COUNTY

strictly fair and honorable and his name came
to be a synonym for enterprise and integrity
in trade transactions. Ee never cared for po-
litical honors or office, and would never allow
his name to be used in connection with the
candidacy for any political position. He
served, however, as school director, took an ac-
tive interest in educational matters and was
a stalwart champion of the public-school sys-
tem. In early days he was a member of and
leader in the home guards. A man of fine
physique, lie was about six feet in height and
weighed about one hundred and ninety pounds
when in his prime. Mr. Richards possessed
much natural ability as a mathematician and
improved his talents in this direction as op-
portunity afforded. He took great delight in
discussing with Edmund Fish and A. H. Bell
the great mathematical principles and in this
connection the trio became known throughout
the country. Mr. Richards readied the ad-
vanced ago of eighty-six years, five months
and nineteen days, passing away at his home
in Montgomery county on the 31st of Jan-
uary. 1903. To the county lie left the record
of loyal citizenship, to his acquaintances the
memory of faithful and considerate friendship
and to his family lie left not only a good prop-
erty, but also an untarnished name. He com-
manded the respect of all with whom he was
associated, manifesting throughout his entire
life sterling traits of character.

Edward » '. Richards was reared upon the old
home farm in this county, to which he was
brought by his father when about five years of
age. His early educational privileges, ac-
quired in tlie common schools, were supple-
mented by study in the Hillshoro Academy.
His training at farm labor was of a practical
character and acquainted him with the best
methods of earing for the fields and raising
stock. As he advanced in age, experience and
capability, he became more ami more closelv as-
sociated with his father in business and in his
father's later years he took entire charge of
the home place, which he has since conducted
in a most capable manner. He now owns one
hundred and seventy-nine acres of rich land
devoted to diversified farming and a glance at
his place with its highly cultivated fields and

splendid improvements indicates to the passer-
by the careful supervision of a progressive
o\\ ner.

On the 6th of November, 1879, Mr. Rich-
ards was united in marriage to Miss Atclia
M Wharton, who was born in Guilford county,
North Carolina, a daughter of Jesse Wharton,
who came to Montgomery county in 1858.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Richards are devoted and
consistent members of the Presbyterian church,
being deeply interested in the various church
activities and for ten years he has served as
one of its elders. In 1895 he assisted in or-
ganizing the Farmers' Institute, with which he
lias since been connected, serving as secretary
six years and president two years. Almost
his entire life has been passed in this county
an. I with the work of substantial improvement
he has been closely associated. He stands to-
day as a typical representative of the business
men of the west, who recognizes and improves
his opportunities, conducting bis interests
along lines that gain him a desirable compe-
tence and an honored name simultaneously.

COLUMBUS ELLIOT.

One of the more progressive agriculturists of
Audubon township is Columbus Id Hot who is
numbered among the native sons of this locality
his birth having occurred in North Litchfii hi,
December 20, 1855. Ili> parents were Robert
M. and Elizabeth (Meyers) Elliot, who re-
moved from Kentucky to Illinois. The Eather
purchased the home farm from the original set-
tler and owned one hundred and twenty acres
of cultivable land and twenty acres of timber
land. He always carried on agricultural pur-
suits, following that calling until his death in
1864, when he was fifty-four years of age. His
wile, surviving him for several years, departed
this life in 1871 and was laid to rest by his
side in the Lutheran cemetery of North
Litchfield. The family, however, were identi-
fied with the Methodist church at the time of
the father's death. He and another man were
associated in the ownership of the Methodist
church property at Litchfield. His political
allegiance was uiven to the Democracy and be

COLUMBUS ELLIOT AND FAMILY

Of TOE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

147

voted for Stephen A. Douglas for president.
In the family were six children, three sons and
three daughters: Pamelia married M. L.
lllackwelder. who resides in Oklahoma City.
Both she and her husband were sehool teach-
ers and taught in Butler Grove township,
Montgomery county. They afterward re-
moved to Haddam, Washington county.
Kansas, where Mr. Blackwelder continued
teaching, and subsequently they took up
their abode in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma,
where he is now engaged in the real es-
tate business. They had two sons and two
daughters, but lost their eldest child at the
age nf eighteen years. Matilda Helen, (lie
second member of the Elliot family, became the
wife of Thomas Henley and died in 1879, leav-
ing a son, who died at the age of fifteen years.
Mr. Heffley has also departed this life. Kate
married John M. Blackwelder and is living
near Witt, in Witt township, where he follows
farming. They have three living children and
lost two, their eldest, a son. living in infancy,
while the second died at the age of twenty-one
years. Guy is a carpenter residing in Los An-
geles, California. Columbus is the fifth of the
family. James Milton died in childhood.
James Wesley was a. farmer, who died at the
age of twenty-four years.

Columbus Elliot is indebted to the old Bea-
con school in North Litchfield township for the
educational privileges which were afforded him.
When not engaged with the duties of the school-
room he worked upon the home farm and in
1Sm4 be came to Nokomis township, where he
was employed at farm labor. On February 24,
1876, he wedded Matilda H. Slocum, a daugh-
ter of Aaron Slocum. a native el' England, who
in his later life made his home with Mrs. Elliot,
his death occurring June l(i, 1892. His wife
had died in Madison county, Illinois, where the
family borne had been established prior to the
marriage of their daughter. They had three
children, but one died in infancy and the sister
of Mrs. Elliot was Sarah J. Slocum, who lie-
came the wife of Theodore L. Covert, a resident
of Webb City, Jasper county. Missouri, by whom
she had six children, five of whom are now liv-
ing. Mrs. Elliot was educated in the schools
of Edwardsville. Illinois, from which she was

graduated. By hi r marriage she has become the
mother of live children: Arthur Leroy, now
twenty-six years of age, married Bertha Fox
and is living in Bountree township, where lie
follows farming. Fred, twenty-two years of age,
was educated in the Fair Prairie school and is
at home. Edna Estella, twenty-one years of

age. was also educated in the Fair Prairie scl I

and is now the wife of Bennett Peach, a resi-
dent fanner of Ada. Minnesota, .lames Milton,
eleven years of age, is attending the Audubon
school. Lucy is a student in the same school.
After his marriage Mr. Elliot resided in
Rountree township, where be made his home for
fourteen years and then removed to Nokomis
township, where lie rented for eight years. On
the expiration of that period he settled in Au-
dubon township, where lie purchased one hun-
dred and sixty acres, upon which he now re-
sides. His property possessions have come to
him as the result of his persistent effort and
untiring diligence. He has met with fair suc-
cess in fanning and stock-raising and he now
has -a valuable tract of land, one hundred and
sixty aere- in Audubon township, which is well
improved, and also eighty acres in Bountree
township. In his political views he is a Demo-
crat, having supported the party continuously
since attaining bis majority. Both he and his
wife belong to the Zion Chape] Methodist church
in Audubon township and are members of the
Mutual Protective League, while he is also con-
nected with the Modern Woodmen of America.

W. L. CURRY.

\V. L. Curry, who for six years has been
superintendent of schools in Fillmore and is
accounted one of the capable educators of cen-
tral Illinois, was born in Walshville township,
Montgomery county, December 10, 1863, his
parents being R. J. and S. D. Curry. His great-
great-grandfather in the maternal line was
Daniel Boone, the famous explorer and hunter
of Kentucky. His father. R. J. Curry, was
born in Pike county, Missouri, and was a
schoolmate of llrigham Young, the noted Mor-
mon leader. He was also one of the mob that
drove Joseph Smith out of Nauvoo. Illinois,

1 18

PAST AND PRESENT <>F MONTGOMERY COUNTY

and prevented bhe planting of the Mormon col-
ony in this state. Mr. Curry was reared in
Pike county and afti r attaining man's estate
lie followed general farming and veterinary
surgery. He became an early settler of Illinois
and won a reputation as a stock dealer, being
widely known, especially for the fine borses
which he raised.

\V. L. Curry, whose name introduces this rec-
ord, spent his boyhood days under the parental
roof and acquired his early education in the
schools of Montgomery county. He afterward
continued his studies in Danville. Indiana,
where he spent three years as a student. He
has since devoted his time and energies to edu-
cational work and has taught for nineteen years
in Montgomery county, the entire time being
devoted between four schools. No higher testi-
monial of his capability could be given than the
fact that he has been so long retained as teach-
er in a single community. Six years ago he was
appointed superintendent of the schools of
Fillmore and has since remained in charge
here. He is constantly studying to improve
the methods of instruction so as to make school
work more effective and valuable as a prepara-
tion for life's practical duties. He has intro-
duced nunry new and improved methods and
under his guidance the schools have made satis-
factory and rapid progress. Professor Curry
is now engaged in merchandising, having
opened a store in the new Knights of Pythias
building, which was erected in Fillmore in
1904.

About fifteen years ago Professor Curry was
united in marriage to Miss Alice Green, and
they have become the parents of five children,
but only two are now living: Ralph Wayne
and Rolla Glenn. The parents belong to the
Methodist Episcopal church and are interest d
in its work, taking a helpful part in various
church activities. Professor Curry is also
identified with the Knights of Pythias frater-
nity and with the Modern Woodmen camp and
his political allegiance is given to the Repub-
lican party, for he believed that its principles
contain flie best elements of good government.
He has a wide and favorable acquaintance in
Montgomery county, where his entire life has
been passed and where he has ever labored to

advance the interests which tend to the de-
velopment of the high standard of citizenship
and of material, social, intellectual and moral
improvement. He is a man of strong purpose,
unfaltering in his support of his honest con-
viction- and his entire career has been actuated
by high and honorable motives.

REV. THOMAS MASTERSON.

Rev. Thomas Masterson, pastor of St. Agnes'
Roman Catholic church, of Hillsboro, was born
in County Longford. Ireland, February 2,
L850. His father, Peter Masterson, was a
farmer by occupation and died in 1903 at the
very venerable age of one hundred ami three
years. His wife, Margaret Sheridan, died at
i lie age of eighty years. They were the parents
of seven children, all sons, and three of the
number are now deceased. The living brothers
of Father Masterson are Bernard, who is serv-
ing as district judge of San Francisco, Cali-
fornia : Michael, who is a bookbinder of Pea-
body. Massachusetts : and James, who carries
on agricultural pursuits in Ireland.

Father Masterson began his education in the
public schools at Moyne, Ireland, and at the

ml I' fourteen years entered upon a classical

course there, which he completed by graduation
at the age of nineteen years. He next matricu-
lated in All Hallows College in Dublin, Ire-
land, from which institution he was graduated
at the end of five years' course of study in
theology. He was at that time twenty-four
years of age and was ordained to the priesthood
of the Roman Catholic church by Bishop
Whelan.

In 1874 Father Masterson came to the
United States, making his way to Alton. Illi-
nois, and was first in charge of St. Mary's
church at Mound City. Illinois, where he re-
mained for five year's. He then went to Cairo.
Illinois, where he acted as pastor of St. Pat-
rick's Catholic church for three years and for
a similar period he was pastor at Paris. Illi-
nois, three years at Winchester, this state, four
years at Carlinville, and then came to Hills-
boro in 1899 to accepl the pastorate of St.
Agnes' Catholic church, which was established
in 1869. There is now a membership of three

EEV. THOMAS MASTERSON

LIBRARV

OF TH£

--v OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

151

hundred, which number has increased fifty per
cent during the incumbency of Father Mas-
terson. The parish and its various branches
of church activity arc in a flourishing condi-
tion and Father Masterson, in addition to bis
work among his people in Hillsboro, is secretary
of the Litchfield deanery, which embraces Mont-
gomery, Christian, Fayette ami Bond counties.
His political allegiance is given to the Democ-
racy and fraternally he is connected with the 1
Knights of Columbus.

HARoU> IlooD.

Harold II I. promoter of many of the busi-
ness enterprises and interests of Litchfield
which are now contributing to its prosperity
and upbuilding and conducting all affairs in
harmony with modern, progressive ideas, has
by intense and well directed activity won for
himself a foremost position among the leading
young men of the city and has also gained suc-
cess that enables him to control important in-
vestments. Litchfield is his native city and the
27th of May, L872, the date of bis birth. He
represents one of the old and prominent fam-
ilies of Montgomery county. In his grand-
father's family there were ten children, six of
whom reached adult age. Of these Joseph
Hood died in Litchfield, Illinois. John, an
officer of the Confederate Army, died at John-
son's Island. Ohio, in 1865. Griffith was
drowned near Grafton, Illinois, in 1850. Per-
haps the best known of the brothers was Benja-
min Smith Hood, who died February 15, 1904,
at the home of his son in Wellington, Kansas.
He settled in Montgomery county near the pres-
ent site of Litchfield, where be embarked in
the drug busim ss with his brother. Joseph, con-
tinuing therein for several years. He enlisted
in the Seventh Illinois Infantry, the first regi-
ment that went to the front from Illinois. In
1863 he became one of the promoters of the
Union Monitor, published at Hillsboro. and
did much to build up Union sentiment in what
was then a pro-slavery section of the slate.
He was editor of the paper, afterward purchased
the interests of his partners, and removed the
paper to Litchfield, where he conducted his

journal until 1872. At bis death his remains
were brought back and interred in the Litch-
field ei melon. ""lien janiin S. Hood was a
newspaper man who bad Eew superiors." said
the Wellington (Kansas) Monitor-Press. "He
was a ready writer, the master of a graceful
and pleasing style and the possessor of a wide
fund of information. His tastes were scholarly
and his ideals high." An original Abolitionist,
he became a stanch Republican. His first wife
was Miss Mary T. Jackson, who died in I860,
leaving two children: Charles, one of the
editor- and proprietors of the Monitor-Press;
and Mis- Mary Hood, superintendent of pri-
mary work in the public schools of Oak Park,
Illinois. In 1885 he was married to Mrs. Mary
Jackson, widow of a brother of his first wife,
and she now lives in Jerseyville, Illinois.

Harold Hood is a son of Dr. H. H. Hood,
who is represented elsewhere in this volume.
Hi' was educated in the schools of Litchfield
ami he entered upon bis business career in
L888 in the employ of the Jacksonville & St.
Louis Railroad as a messenger boy. Subse-
quently he was promoted successively to bill
clerk, yard clerk and cashier, and remained
with the road until March, 1892, when he en-
tered the service of the Litchfield Car & Ma-
chine Company, as paymaster, thus serving
until 1891. In that year he went to St. Louis,
where he entered the auditor's office of the
St. Louis, Peoria & Northern Railroad, now
the Illinois Central. In 1898 he went upon
the road as traveling passenger agent for the
Illinois Central and thus continued until 1900.
»beu be became agent for the road at Litch-
field, serving in that capacity until April, 1903.
Mr. Hood succeeded bis lather. Dr. H. II. Hood,
as secretary of the Oil City Building & Loan
Association, upon the latter's death, in Febru-
ary, 1903, ami lias since been active in the man-
agement of its interests. In May, L904, he or-
ganized a brokerage business, entering info
partnership with David Davis: Jacob J. Frey,
of Hillsboro, and James E. Calvin, also of
Hillsboro, under the firm name of H. Hood
& Company. They have interests in two hun-
dred acres of land southeast of the town, near
the plant of the American Radiator Company,
and they build houses for sale on the install-

I 52

PAST AND PEESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

tnent plan, and have thus contributed in large
measure to the substantial upbuilding and im-
provement of that section of the city. Mr.
Hood is also one of the promoters, in connec-
tion with David Davis, of the American Radia-
tor Company, manufacturers of radiators. The
various business interests with which lie is
connected are proving important enterprises of
Litchfield and in their control lie is displaying
excellent business capacity and foresight.

In his political views Mr. Hood is a Re-
publican and is now serving as alderman from
the fourth ward, but does not take an active
pari in political work. Fraternally he is a
Mason, belonging to Charter Oak lodge, Xo.
336, A. F. & A. M., and also to the Elks lodge
of Litchfield. In his business career his adapta-
bility and energy found recognition in ready
promotion, and from humble surroundings he
has advanced to a position of prominence in
business circles.

GEORGE FOOKS.

The enterprising village of Waggoner num-
bers George Fooks among ils leading business
men. He lias here resided during the past
seven years and during the last two years has
been engaged in dealing in lumber and coal.
Realizing that success is uot a matter of ca-
price or el' Eortunate circumstances hut is the
direct result of labor guided by sound judg-
ment, ilr. Fooks is carrying on his business
affairs in a most energetic way and has there-
fore secured a good patronage.

Horn in Macoupin county, Illinois, on the
nth of June, 1861, he is a son of William Fooks,
a native of England. The father remained in
that country during (he period of his childhood
and early manhood and was married in his na-
tive land. Hearing favorable reports of Amer-
ica's business opportunities, lie resolved to
enjoy the advantages afforded in the new world
and in 1848 emigrated to the United States.
He made his way direct to Illinois, settling at
Bunker Hill, but misfortune overtook him dur-
ing his early residence there, for be lost his
wife and family of two children with cholera
in 1849. lie was there engaged in teaming

and fruit-growing. On the 36th of August,
L860, h<' was married again, In- second union
being with Jane Taggart, a native of Ireland.
There were three children by this marriage
whom she carefully reared after the death of
her husband, which occurred December 20,
is;:,. She died on the nth of April. 1886.
From Bunker Hill William Fooks removed to
Montgomery county, settling in Zanesville
township upon a tract of land which lie devel-
oped into a good farm. lie' worked in the
fields from the time of early spring planting
until after the crops were harvested in the late
autumn and by hi.- labor and energy succeeded
in transforming the place into a valuable farm
property of two hundred and ten acres, his
home being on the southwest quarter of sec-
tion 3, Zanesville township, wbere he continued
to reside up to the time of his death.

George Fooks, the only -on of the family, was
reared upon the homestead farm in Zanesville
township and attended the district school near-
by. The pleasures of the playground also occu-
pied a full share of his attention, but he did not
neglect the farm tasks that were assigned him.
and after arriving at maturity he engaged in
the operation of the old homestead farm, con-
tinuing the work of development and improve-
ment there. In ISSli he was united in marriage
to Miss Etta E. Sullivan, a native of New York
and a daughter of Patrick and Rose (Kelly)
Sullivan. They lived happily together for eight
years and then Mrs. Fooks was called to her
final rest January 14, 1895.

Not long after this Mr. Fooks rented his
farm and spent two years in Raymond. In
1897 he purchased a grain business in Wag-
goner, bought an elevator, and from 1897 until
1899 he owned the north elevator. He then
purchased the south elevator. He made ex-
tensive purchases and sales of grain, becoming
one of the active dealers in this line in his
locality, and in 190? he extended his efforts to
other fields of business activity by purchasing
a lumber and coal yard. He then conducted
this in connection with the grain trade until
1903, when he disposed of his grain business
and of tin 1 elevators. He. however, continues
to deal in lumber and coal and has a good
patronage, his honorable business methods and

OF THE

I ITY OF ILLINOIS

GEOKGE FOOKS AND FAMILY

\IK. AND MRS. WILLIAM FOOKS

WWW* ) » : * *» v ' r ^ TTt / x — rr.-'y . — rv.Vi

•'/.. »«PWV/ /.'

LIBRARY

OF THE

"*"" r SS!TY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY

i:.:

earnest desire to please his patrons having se- acres of corn and when he was still to Ins
cured him a growing trade. He is Likewise a teens he was familiar with every department
stockholder to the bank of Waggoner and lias of farm Labor and in the best methods of pro-
purchased good residence property in town, ducing crops and raisin- stock. That the soil
II,. s ti|| retains possession of the old home was nut very productive is indicated by the fact
place on the southwest quarter of section 3, that his father sold the entire farm of one hun-
Zanesville township, and has eighty acres in dred and sixty acres for twenty-five dollars
Pitman township, two hundred and eighty acres when he departed from West Virginia to Mi-
in Fayette county, Illinois, and forty acres in aois, For a number of years he had a desire
Montgomery county, Missouri. Ins landed pos- to seek a home in tins then far western state
sessions m>u aggregating five hundred and sixty and he endeavored in every possible moans to
acres of rich Land. All is improved with ex- gain a capital that would enable him to make
ception of the eighty acres in Pitman township, the journey with some degree of comfort and
Mr. Funk- was again married on the 19th of also enable him to gain a start in Life here.
A|iril. 1S99. his second union being with Miss gut crops were poor and he was unable to
Ruth McEeynolds, a daughter of Dee and Mary sa ve money, so he resolved to start with onl\
.1. (Isabet) McEeynolds, the former a native of the meager sum thai he realized from his
Macoupin county, Illinois, and the latter an farm. He hitched a team to an old wagon,
, .; , i- 1 \ settler of that county. There Mrs. Fooks which was in a very dilapidated condition, and
was also horn, Imt she was reared to Montgom- then started for the Mississippi valley. Isaiah
erv county. There is one son by this marriage, Toberman, who was then ten years of age,
George Leland Fooks. Mr. Fooks advocates describes the parting with neighbors and
Republican principles and fraternally is eon- friends at the old Virginia home as more like
nected with the Knights of Pythias lodge. A a funeral than anything else. Everybody for
m . m of good business capacity, his honorable miles around stopped work and came to bid
methods have won the confidence of all and he them goodbye. Their trip was begun on the
is justly classed with the substantial and promt- ith of September, 1841, and Isaiah and his
nent business men of Waggoner. father took turns to riding one of the horses.

while the other drove. They passed success-
ively through Wheeling, West Virginia, and
Columbus and Dayton, Ohio, reaching Indian-

[SAIAH TOBERMAN, a P olis > [ndiana > "" the 25th of S " 1 ', 1 " 1 "'" ',

The money had by that tune become exhausted

[saiah Toberman, one el' the respected and a nd they resolved to remain in the vicinity of
worthy pioneer settlers of Montgomery county, [ndianapolis until enough could he earned to
well deserves representation in this volume enable them to continue the journey. They
and, in fact, no historj of this locality would leased a fifteen acre farm between [ndianap-
be complete without record of his life, lie n s :m ,| Noblesville, of which ten acres had
was hom September 24, 1831, near Franklin, i l( ,,. n cleared and they were to have all they
Pendleton county, Most Virginia, and was the C ould make Erom the farm in return for clear-
eldest son in a family of seven children, three i ng the other live acres. Xoi Ion- after this
sons and four daughters. His birthplace was t| 1( , father's health failed and because of his
a. farm upon which his father hail also been invalid condition his two sons, Isaiah and IV-
born, the family having resided in that locality ter, supported the family. Three years were
for many years. passed in Indiana and on the 1st of September,

[saiah Toberman had little opportunity to 1853, they again started for Illinois, this time
attend school for hi- services were needed on with two wagons, crossing the Wabash river
tin- old homestead and he worked from early near Danville. While en route they heard fa-
morning until late at night. He was but nine vorable reports concerning the new state of
vears of age when he cultivated and raised nine Iowa and derided to proceed further and in-

158

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

vestigate, but after crossing the Mississippi
river at Burlington thej were no! favorably im-
pressed with the Iowa country and returned
to this state, traveling through Beardstown and
Jacksonv ille to Hillsboro.

Isaiah Toberman says that the county seat
was then a very unpretentious village, having
only two buildings worthy of note — the old
courthouse and the academy. At length ar-
rangements were made whereby they were to
purchase one hundred and forty acres of land
of Elza Sanders for one thousand dol-
lars, the farm being located about a quarter
of a mile south of Bost Hill church. When
Isaiah Toberman had assisted the family in
getting settled upon that place he returned to
Indianapolis, where he obtained a position at
running an engine for a pioneer sawmill and
thus gained some ready money for the family.
In March, 1855, he returned to Montgomery

i t\ and rented a tract of Land in Fillmore

township, upon which Eenrj Hanabarger now
resides. He has since been actively and suc-
cessfully connected with agricultural interests
in Montgomery county and is to-day one of the
most respected farmers within its borders.

After several years Mr. Toberman married,
being joined in wedlock on the 29th of Jan-
uary, 1859, to Mrs. Mary (Harris) Scribner, a
sister of Wboten Harris, of Hillsboro, now de-
ceased. He made the journey to his bride's
heme on horseback and after the ceremony was
performed they traveled in the same manner to
a meeting at Bost Hill.

In the meantime Mr. Toberman had saved
enough money to purchase sixty acres of land
and thus investing his capital he and his wife
took up their abode in a log cabin with a stick
and dirt chimney. Later he bought a larger
house of his brother-in-law, Joel Earris, for
twelve dollars and paid for this in coin. In
this house ten children were born unto Mr.
and Mrs. Toberman. In 1861 Mr. Toberman
extended his labors into another department of
agricultural activity, purchasing a horse power
threshing machine and for many years lie was
one of the best known threshers of Mont-
gomery county, making regular trips through
tin- county and also Fayette and Bond counties
until the year 1900. The work proved profit-

able and thus year by year he was enabled to
add to his capital. In 1881 he embarked in
the -rain and hay business at Chapman and
as there was no bank nearer than Hillsboro had
to keep enough cash on hand to pay for grain
which he bought. He conducted the grain
trade and the threshing business and then
added other business interests, including the
cultivation of a large farm and the operation
of two sawmills through the winter months.
He possessed greal energy and business capac-
ity and the word fail never found a place in
his \ocabulary. In 1893, associated with his
son Marion, he purchased the elevator at fill-
more and afterward bought the hay barn there.
At present tiny own and operate elevators ana
bay barns at Fillmore, Chapman and Bingham,
and that at Chapman is considered one of the
be-t in the county. Mr. Toberman continued
to reside upon his farm until August, 1898,
when he removed to the village of Fillmore in
order to superintend his varied business in-
dustries with greater facility and dispatch.

Of the children born unto Mr. and Mrs.
Toberman five are now deceased, namely:
Boxy, Wellington. William H., Thomas A., and
one that died in infancy. Thomas A., who
passed away at Coffeen, June 30, 1903, was a
wry popular young man who had already at-
tained prominence in business circles. Those
still living are: Marion F.. who is interested
with his father in the grain trade at Fillmore
and Chapman; Joel H, who is living on the old
homestead near Bost Hill; Benjamin E.. who
is engaged in the -rain trade in Coffeen: Flor-
ence, the wife of II. F. Williamson, of Fill-
more; and Waller II.. who is connected with
the grain business at Coffeen.

In his political views Mr. Toberman is a
stalwart Democrat, having continuously sup-
ported the party since casting his first presiden-
tial ballot for Franklin Pierce. He is also a
stanch advocate of the cause of temperance
and has labored earnestly for the adoption of
temperance principles and the suppression of
the liquor traffic. In 1868 he became a mem-
ber of the Lutheran church at Bost Hill, but
afterward joined the Baptist church and is
now an active worker therein in Fillmore. His
wife, an earnest Christian woman, has been his

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

159

sympathetic assistant in all church work as in
other walks of life and Mr. Toberman at-
tributes his success in no small degree to lier
encouragement and hearty co-operation. Thej
have n<>\\ reached the ages of seventy-two and
seventy years, respectively, but they arc well
preserved people, Mrs. Toberman doing her
own housework, while Mr. Toberman daily su-
perintends his varied business interests. They
have residence property in Fillmore and in
addition he owns four hundred acres of land.
which he has acquired through Ins earnesi toil.
Throughout his business career he has carried
forward to successful completion whatever be
has undertaken and his example should serve
as a source of inspiration and encouragement
to others. The Toberman household has al-
ways been noted for its hospitality and many
there are who have found in Mr. and Mrs. To-
berman warm friends and on many occasions
there have been those who have received from
them substantial assistance.

WASHINGTON ALEXANDER WHITE.

Washington Alexander White, whose intense
and well directed activity has made him one

of the fore st factors in con inity affairs in

Hillsboro, entered upon thi active duties of
life unaided by influential friends or advan-
tageous circumstances. He has been the sole
architect of his own fortune, molding his own
character and shaping his own destiny. He has
come to be a merchant and a man of affairs in
his adopted state, yet his labors have not been
restricted to the advancement of his personal
interests, for he has extended his effort to
various fields, in which he has championed the
highest interests of the municipality and of
the people at large.

Mr. White was born in North Carolina, as
were his parents, Robert R. and Bebecca (Bark-
ley ) White. The father was a farmer by oci u-
pation and at the time of the Civil war espoused
the cause of the south and died in the hospi-
tal at Richmond, Virginia, in 1804. when
thirty-five years of age. His political allegiance
was given to the Democracy anil he was a
member of the Reformed Presbvterian church.

His wile, who was also born in North Caro-
lina, was a daughter of Eobert R. and Rebecca
1». (Cathey) Barkley. Mrs. White died in is;;,
at the age of forty-two years. She was also a
member of the Reformed Presbyterian church
and was a mosi estimable lady who had the
warm regard of many friends. In the family
were five children: Mary Roberta, now deceased;
Nancy E., who became the wife of Frank Eagle,
a resident of North Carolina; Anna Delilah,
the widow of Wesley Bailey, of North Carolina;
Washington A.: and Bobbie, deceased.

Washington A. White began his education in
ih.' common schools of his native state and
continued his studies in East Fork township,
Montgomery county, lie came to this county
in 1876 with his uncle. Pink White, who located
at Hillsboro. Mr. White was then fifteen years
of age and he worked by the month on a farm in
summer, while in the winter seasons he attended
school for two years, lie afterward drove a de-
livery wagon for John C. Barkley for two years
and at the expiration of that period he entered
the store of A. A. K. Sawyer as a clerk in the
grocery department. Afterward he was em-
ployed in the dry-goods department, where he
remained for five years. Subsequently he en-
gaged in selling dry goods as a traveling sales-
man, beginning in that line in 1886 as a repre-
sentative of a St. Louis house. He was thus
engaged until 189 1 } and during the two last
years he was in charge of the traveling men of
that bouse upon the road. The firm, however,
retired from business in August, 1897, and Mr.
White again came to Hillsboro and began busi-
ness on his own account as a dealer in dry
goods, clothing, hats and caps at Hillsboro. He
still carries on business in this line and has
secured a liberal patronage which has made
the enterprise a profitable one. He is likewise
interested in the new Kortkamp Mining Com-
pany and is a member of the Hillsboro Building
& Improvement Company.

Mr. White was married in 1892 to Miss Win-
nie P. Brown, a daughter of George W. and
Henrietta Brown, who was born in Butler in
18G9. They had two children: Ruth H. and
Marjorie 1!.

In his political affiliation Mr. White is a
Republican, keeping well informed on the ques-

ii;ii

'AST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

tions and issues of the day and giving earnest
support to every movement that he believes will
contribute to the success of the part)-. He be-
longs to the Modern Woodmen camp and in
Mas -y has attained the rlnight Templar de-
gree. He thoroughly enjoys home Life and
takes great pleasure in the society of his fam-
ily and friends. He is always courteous, kind-
ly and affable, and those who know him per-
sonally have for him warm regard. A man of
great natural ability, his success in business
from the beginning of his residence in Hillsboro
has been uniform and rapid. As has been truly
remarked, after all that may be done for a
man in the way of giving him early oppor-
tunities for obtaining the requirements which
are sought in the schools and in hooks, he must
essentially formulate, determine and give shape
to his own character; and this is what Mr.
White has done, lie has persevered in the pur-
suit of a persistent purpose and gained the most
satisfactory reward.

DELOS VAX DEUSEN.

Delos Van Deusen has figured prominently
in financial circles and has aided in fostering
various enterprises which have for their object
the city's benefit and it is. therefore, imperative
that definite consideration he granted to Mr.
Van Deusen in connection with the history of
Montgomery county, where he has been con-
nected with various business affairs and has
so ordered his lite as to gain and retain the
confidence ami esteem of his fellow men. He
has now passed the eightieth milestone on
life's journey and is living in the enjoyment of
a well earned rest.

A native of Allegany county. New York, Mr.
Van Deusen was horn on the 9th id' December,
L823, a -on of Joshua B. and Lucia (Gros-
venor) Van Deusen. who were of Dutch and
English descent, respectively. When their son
was three years of age they removed to James-
town, New York, and in that city he was reared
and educated. In IS Hi he went to Dayton.
Ohio, where he began husiness as a dealer in
I ts, shoes and leather. This proved a re-
munerative enterprise with which he was con-

nected until 1857. In that year he made ;i trip
through the state of Illinois and decided to
become a resident of Montgomery county.
Litchfield was then a very small place, but
he recognized its possibilities and opportuni-
ties and resolved to cast in his lot with its
early settlers. From that time forward he has
been loyal to its interests and his labors have
proved a resultant factor in securing its up-
building and improvement.

At the time of the Civil war Mr. Van Deusen,
aroused by a spirit of patriotism, felt that his
first duty was toward his country and became
a member of the Sixth Missouri Volunteer In-
taut rv. He raised a company, of which he be-
came captain, the enlistment taking place at
the arsenal in St. Louis in June, 1861. The
regiment was then sent south and was kept
at Pilot Knob until the fall of that year, when
it was ordered to Tipton. Missouri, where Fre-
mont was in command. It was then sent to
Springfield in November, 1861, and afterward
returned to guard the Pacific Railroad until
the succeeding spring. Later the regiment was
ordered to proceed to Pittsburg Landing in
May-, 1862, at which time it was assigned to
Genera] Sherman's division and from that time
on until the close of the war was in active
duty under the intrepid Ohio leader. Mr. Van
Deusen was mustered out id' service in St. Louis
in September, 1865. He had been promoted
to tin' rank of lieutenant colonel in 1864 and
with that rank served in all of the campaigns,
commanding the regiment in active service
during the entire succeeding year. After the
close of the war he was made colonel by Gov-
ernor Fletcher. His services covered more than
four years ami during that entire time he was
never wounded, although his clothing was sev-
eral times pierced by bullets.

After his return to the pursuits of civil life
Mr. Van Deusen was made city magistrate of
Litchfield, occupying that position for four
years. In 1871 he entered the bank of Beach,
Davis & Company, wdio were later succeeded by
M. M. Martin & Company. Mr. Van Deusen
was cashier of this institution and held the
position until 1898, when the hank again
changed its name. For some time he was the
oldest hank cashier of Litchfield and wa- a

DELOS VAN DEUSEN

MBRABY

QF W

UNIVERSITY Of lUINOIS

PAST AM) PEESENT OF M03S T TGOMEKY COUNTY

163

member of the firm. Ee was also a director ol
the Oil City Building & Savings Association,
which was capitalized Eor one million dollars,
and as its president he capably managed the
a if airs of the company to the entire satisfaction
of its stockholders. He was likewise one of
the organizers of the Litchfield Homestead &
Loan Association and was its president. He
is now practically living a retired life, although
he lias financial interests in several leading
business concerns of the city.

While residing in Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Van
Deusen was united in marriage to Miss Hen-
rietta M. Snyder, a daughter of Charles and
Elizabeth Snyder, the wedding being cele-
brated on the 19th of February, 1852. Mr.
Van Deusen is a member of the Grand Army
of the Republic at Litchfield and in his politi-
cal views is a Republican. It is said of an
eminent man of old that he has done things
worthy to lie written : that he lias written things
worthy to he read; and by his life has con-
tributed to (lie welfare of the republit ffi trie
happiness of mankind. He on whom this
transcendant eulogy can be pronounced with
even partial truth is entitled to the gratitude
of his race. Nowhere within the broad limits
of the commonwealth of Illinois has there lived
a man about whom this might more truthfully
be said than Delos Van Deusen.

DANIEL POPE.

Daniel Pope, who follows farming on section
4, Raymond township, where he owns and cul-
tivates one hundred and sixty acres of land and
also operates an adjoining farm of one hundred
and seventy acres, has been a resident of Mont-
gomery county since August, 1868, and has
lived in Illinois since 1866, at which time he
settled in Jersey county. He was horn in
Devonshire, England, April 2, 1848. and re-
mained in that country until eighteen years of
age. He also spent seven years in Wales and
he had fair school advantages in his youth. He
came to America in 1866, when a young man
of nineteen years, and made his way at once to
Illinois, settling in Jersey county, where he-
joined an older brother. Richard Pope. He

resided in that county Tor more than a- year,
working as a farm hand by the month, and in
August, L868, he came to Montgomery county,
where lie improved a farm, breaking wild land

ami developing a g I property. He continued

io engage in general agricultural pursuits upon
the first place lor several years and the farm is
still occupied by his brother Richard.

In March, 1873, Daniel Pope was united in
marriage to Miss Josephine Corn, a native of
Illinois, ami here they began their domestic
life upon a tract of rented land, which he con-
tinued to cultivate lor lour years. This was
located near Ins brother's farm. He afterward
rented another farm for twelve years and on
the expiration of that period lie purchased the
property upon which he now resides, buying
forty acres in isss. Later he bought eighty
acres and subsequently an additional tract of
eighty acres, hut afterward sold forty acres of
this. 'He has also purchased ninety-nine acres
of land in Jersey county. His attention has
been given to the development and further im-
provement of tin- home place ami l«> the culti-
vation of other tracts and as before said he not
only operates his home farm of a quarter sec-
tion, but also cultivates the adjoining one hun-
dred and seventy acres. He is a successful
farmer, ever practical in his methods, follow-
ing progressive ideas and laboring earnestly
and persistently in his efforts to accumulate a
competency. He now owns two valuable farms,
one in Jersey and one m Montgomery counties,
and his properties are the visible evidence of
his life of thrift and industry.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pope have been born nine
children: Olivia L.. the wife of John Hitch-
ings, a farmer of Montgomery county; William
G.. who is married and follows farming with
his father-in-law, Henry Hitehings; Etta, the
wife of Ori Thompson, a resident farmer of
Jersey county, living upon her father's land;
Nellie, Bertha, Joseph, Ralla, Geneva and
Maude, all at home. The parents hold mem-
bershTp in the Baptist church and in his fra-
ternal relations Mr. Pope is an Odd Fellow,
connected with Harvel lodge, in which he has
filled all of the chairs and is now past grand.
He was also deputy for sixteen or seventeen
years and represented his local lodge in the

n;i

PAST AM) PRESENT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

grand lodge of the state lor six terms, serving
for five consecutive terms. lie belongs to the
Knights of Pythias fraternity, of Raymond, of
the Court of Honor and the Modern Woodmen
camp and in the last named lias Idled all of
the offices, lie strongly endorses Republican
principles and has tilled the offices of highway
commissioner and township* treasurer, acting in
the latter capacity for six years. He was a
member of the school hoard for fifteen years-.
during which time he served for several years
as its president. He lias likewise been a dele-
gate to the county conventions and takes a deep
and active interest in the success of his party
and the extension of its influence. There is no
more loyal citizen in Montgomery county than
this adopted son of America, for during his
long residence in Illinois he has always been
faithful and true to its interests and at the same
time he has so controlled his business affairs
as to win the success which is the reward of
honesty and concentrated labor when guided by
sound judgment.

MARTIN LUTHER MOYER, M. D.

Dr. -Martin Luther Moyer, successfully en-
gaged in the practice of medicine and surgery
in Hillsboro, was born in Iredell county. North
Carolina. March 19, L850. Hi- lather. John
M. Moyer, was also a native of North Carolina
and was descended from German ancestry, the
family Inning been founded in Pennsylvania at
an early day. while later generations of the fam-
ily became residents of the "hi North state.
John M. Mover was a farmer by occupation and
during the Civil war he made saltpeter for the
Confederacy. In 1866 lie removed with his
family to Montgomery county, Illinois, locat-
ing on a farm near Coffeen. He married Mar-
tha A. Kimball, who lias born in Cabarrus
county, North Carolina, in 1825, and was of
Irish parentage, tracing her ancestry hack to
Major Buckner Kimball, who came from the
north of Ireland about 1750, and served in the
Revolutionary war with the rank that his title
indicates. His children were Nancy. Betsy,
Patsy, Eddie and Harris, all natives of Ran-
dolph county, North Carolina.

Harris, the youngest, married Dorcas Wood,
of North Carolina, and they had ten children:

• loci. Calya, Harris. William, Pihugh. Sarah,
Patsy, Nancy. Betty ami Polly. Of this family

• loci. s,,n of Harris Kimball, was the grand-
father of Dr. Mover of this review. He was
horn in North Carolina. August 11. 1799, and
died Ma] 38, L883. lie was married first to
Naiuy Kearns, who was horn duly 1'.'. 1301,
and was married in IMS at the age of seven-
teen. They had six children: Thomas II.. wdio
was horn November 19, 1819, and died Janu-
ary 15, 1890; Wiley .1.. who was horn April
;. 1821, and died in 1900; John A., who was
horn May 15, 1823, and died July 17, L824;
Martha A., who was born April ', . 1825, and
died November 11. 1891; Mary P.. who was
born March 1. 1828, and lives in Moorsville,
North Carolina; Eliza ('.. who was horn Au-
gusl I. L830, and now lives in Mt. Gilead, North
Carolina. Soon after the last named was born
"The mother died.

"ij March 1. 1831, Joel Kimball was mar-
ried a second time to Miss Sarah Lentz. by
whom he had ten children: Henry P. born
December 5, 1831, now deceased; Nancy L..
born April 4. 1835; David Hoyl. horn January
29, is:;;, and died in August. 1840; John Cal-
vin, horn September 5, 1839; Chrissie A., horn
August 29, IS I-.'; Sarah S., born October 8.
1844. and died April 24, 18"i I : Laura W., horn
March 7, is 17; William IP. born September
28, 1850; Joel P.. born October 5, ls:,4. Sarah
Kimball, the mother of the last ten children,
died March 16, 1902, aged ninety-four years,
■ ighl months and eight days.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Moyer were members of
the Lutheran church and Mr. Moyer was a
Democrat in his political faith. They had four
children, of whom two died in infancy. The
surviving daughter. Mary P.. a resident of But-
ler, Illinois, is the widow- of Robert Hogsett,
who died in Kansas in 1895, leaving four chil-
dren. Mattie P... Maude C, Bertha G. and Ada
E. John M. Mover died December 27, 1891,
and his wife passed away November IP 1892.

Dr. Moyer pursued his literary education in
the public schools and engaged in teaching for
one winter. He read medicine in the office of
Dr. T. d. Whitten, then of Irving and now of

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

DR. M. L. MOYEE AND SON

MB. AND MRS. JOHN M. MOYEE

LIBRARY

of n\i

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

169

Nokomis. Later he attended lectures at the
College of Physicians and Surgeons, Iowa, and
was graduated on the compli tion of the regu-
lar course, March 2, 1880. He located for
practice in Butler, where he remained for sev-
enteen years, and in the fall of 1896 came to
Hillshoro. where he has remained since, lie
has a large patronage and although a general
practitioner, also makes a specialty of the dis-
ea.-es of women and children, having studied
LaTgely along these lines, so that his proficiency
in that direction is above the average.

In 1882 Dr. Moyer was married to Miss
Emma A. Gray, a daughter of Alexander and
Amanda Cray, of Butler Grove township. She
died December 31, L885, at the age of twenty-
three years, and in 188? Dr. Meyer married
Miss Susie L. Gray, a sister of his first wife.
They had twn children, Leland Gray and Har-i
old A., but the former is new deceased.

Dr. and Mrs. Moyer are members of the
Lutheran church, and he belongs to the Knights
of Pythias fraternity and to a number of in-
surance orders. In politics he is a Democrat
and has served as county coroner and in town-
ship offices, his public-spirited citizenship being
manifest by faithful service. He belongs to the
American, Slate. Central, District ami County
Medical Societies and in professional ranks he
occupies a position that indicates a studious.
careful preparation and a conscientious devo-
tion to the demands of a large practice.

ALBERT M. HOWELL.

Albert M. Howell, promoter of many busi-
ness interests which have important bearing
upon the substantial development and progress
of Hillsboro and Montgomery county, was born
at Bunker Bill, Macoupin county. Illinois,
June 23, 1854. The family is of Welsh lineage
and Mr. Bowell, the grandfather, was a farmer
of New Jersey. The ancestors of our subjeel
had located in the new world at an early period
in its colonization and Richard Howell, who
was an uncle of Ebenezer Howell, was governor
of New Jersey during the Revolutionary war.
while another representative of the family was
a genera] in the Colonial army.

Dr. Ebenezer Howell, father of Albert M.
Howell, was born in New Jersey, and in the
year ls:i."> emigrated westward, settling at Bun-
ker Hill, Macoupin county, Illinois, where he
engaged in the practice of medicine for fifty
year-, becoming one of the best known and suc-
cessful physicians of that part of the state. He
removed to Hillsboro in 1893 and died here the
following year when in the eighty-fifth year of
his age. He obtained a competency by reason
of Ins professional skill and the careful hus-
banding of his resources. He had a very large
practice and was a loved family physician in
many a household. His benevolent and kindly
spun led him to give his professional services
where he knew that there was no hope of re-
muneration and it is said that he had not an
enemy on earth. In his political views he was
an earnest Republican. Honored and respected
by all his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts
of many who knew him. In early manhood he
married Almira Cake, who was born in Deer-
field,, New Jersey, and died at the age of sev-
enty-six years. Her parents were David and
Margaret Cake and the former was a farmer
by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Howell became
the parent- of four children : George, deceased,
who was the first white child born at Bunker
Hill, Illinois; Frank and Alfred, both deceased;
and Albert M.

Reared under the parental roof Albert M.
Howell spent the days of his boyhood at Bun-
ker Hill and after completing the course in
the public schools there he attended Blackburn
[Tniversit] ai Carlinville, Illinois. Subsequent-
ly he continued his studies at Notre Dame and
after leaving school accepted the position of
bookkeeper in a wholesale house in St. Louis,
Missouri, where he remained for a year and a
half. <>n the expiration of that period he re-
turned to his home and engaged in clerking in
a dry goods store. A year later he went south
ami was lumber inspector in a sawmill for -i\
months. He next went to Jersey City, N< w Jer-
sey, where he opened a wholesale lumberyard
as a dealer in yellow pine, continuing in that
business for four years. He then again came
io the west and entered the employ of D. P.
Woodman, a lumber merchant of Litchfield, as
bookkeeper. He acted in that capacity for four

170

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

years and from Litchfield went to New Doug-
las. Illinois, where he established a retail lumber
yard in 1883. He had conducted the business
for about two years, when in 1885 he sold out
and removed to Florence, Kansas, where he
was proprietor of a lumberyard for two years,
conducting this under the firm name of Dean &
Howell. He then sold out and returned to
McLean, Illinois. There he purchased a lum-
beryard, which he conducted for six years and
once more he sold his business and bought an
interest in the lumberyard owned by Ed Rice,
of Litchfield. The Rice-Howell Lumber Com-
pany was thus organized and the business was
carried on successfully until 1893, when Mr.
Howell sold out and purchased the lumber busi-
ness of E. Y. McKnown at Hillsboro. Here he
has since carried on business and in February,
1904, he sold a half interest in his yard to
Howell M. Dorsey of Gillespie. Illinois. The
firm name is now Howell & Horsey. They carry
a stock of lumber valued at fifteen thousand dol-
lars. This is both dressed and undressed Lumber
ami their sales have reached a large figure, the
business now being very profitable.

While Mr. Howell has won success as a lum-
ber merchant he has also been the pri ter of

various enterprises, contributing in direct meas-
ure to the commercial and industrial activity
of the county and to its prosperity. In 1895
lie was one of the four organizers of the Mont-
gomery County Telephone Company and has
been its secretary and manager since 1898. He
is also the laxgesl stockholder. In 1901 he was
instrumental in forming the Commercial Club,
an organization thai has been pre-eminent in
the upbuilding of Hillsboro, and from the be-
ginning he has been its president, lie is one
of the largest stockholders in the Hillsboro
Hotel and is one of the promoters of (he Lvort-
kamp Coal ( iompany.

In L886 Mr. Howell was united in marriage
to ^liss Carrie S. Maeknett, a daughter of Dan-
iel S. an.l Rhoda (Clark) .Maeknett, the for-
mer a lumber dealer of Girard and Carlinville,
Illinois. Mrs. Howell was born in Girard in
1865 and has become the mother of three chil-
dren: Almira V,.. Alberta M. and Annell C.
Mr. Howell belongs to the Masonic fraternity
and to the Modem Woodmen camp at Hills-

boro and in his political views he is a Republi-
can. He is a man of excellent business ability,
executive force and keen discernment and car-
ries forward to successful completion whatever
he undertakes, and while he has promoted his
individual prosperity he also belongs to that
class of representative American citizen- who
while controlling business affairs also add to
the gem ral prosperity.

WALTER M. GRIMES.

Walter M. Grimes, proprietor of the Pine
Tree place on section 33, Nokomis township.
was horn October T. 1878, in Rosemond town-
ship, Christian county, his parents being Ste-
ven X. and Lucy E. (Cavender) Grimes, who
were natives of Macoupin county, Illinois. The
father was of English descent, while the
mother's people were Canadians. The mater-
nal grandfather lived to he eighty-two years of
age. and his wife seventy-nine years of age,
their last day- being spent in Macoupin county,
and they celebrated their golden wedding.

Steven N. Grimes was reared in Macoupin
county, followed the occupation of farming in
his boyhood under his father's instruction and
in 1872 removed to Christian county. Illinois,
where he took possession of a farm belonging
to his father. He afterward acquired landed
possessions to the extent of ten or eleven hun-
dred acres, lying in Rosemond and Greenwood
townships, Christian county, and a part in
Nokomis township, Montgomery county. He
had two <ister> who were long residents of cen-
tral Illinois. Mrs. E. K. Adams, now living on
a farm at Gillespie, and Mrs. Mary E. Beggan,
who dieil m Gillespie in L901. Mrs. Grimes
has two sisters who are yet living. Mrs. Robert
Huddle-ton. of Gillespie, ami Mrs. Mary Hal-
pin, who is living on a farm in that locality.
Steven X. Grimes departed this life in 1896,
but his wife is still living, making her home
with her brother, John Cavender, upon a farm
near Gillespie. She is now fifty-one years of
age. Bv her marriage she became the mother
of five sons and two daughers, of whom Walter
M. was the third in order of birth. The mem-
bers of this family are William N.. who re-
sides upon the old home farm and is a success-

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

171

ful breeder of Hereford cattle; Nannie J., who
di.il at the age of fifteen years; Walter M.;
Jessie and Stephen, who died in infancy; Ira,
who died at the ago of one year, and Ruth May,
who is living with her mother m Gillespie.

Walter M. Grimes acquired his early educa-
i urn in the district schools and afterward attended
the graded schools of Rosemond, Illinois, and
later Blackburn University at Carlinville, Illi-
nois, hut while a Student there in 1894 he was
taken ill and did not gei to complete the course,
lie has since taken some correspondence work
and thus supplemented his school training.
Since putting aside his text books he has de-
voted his entire time and energies to agri-
cultural pursuits. For six years he has re-
sided upon hi- presenl farm, which he calls the
Pine Tree place. lie owns altogether eight
hundred acres, some id' which he inherited,
while the remainder he purchased. Of this hi'
has three quarter sections rented and the ren-
tal therefrom brings him a good income. His
own home place is splendidly improved and
equipped with modern facilities for carrying
on the farm work and with splendid buildings.
His life has been characterized by unfaltering
energy and perseverance and in the control of
his property interests he displays excellent busi-
ness management.

In 1901 .Mi'. Grimes was married to Mania
I). Clark, who was born in Cahokia township,
Macoupin county, March i, 18?8, and is a
daughter of M. W. and Carrie T. (Boosinger)
Clark, of Gillespie, Illinois; both natives of
Macoupin county, this state. .Mrs. Grimes at-
tended the country schools in her early girl-
hood and later became a student in the public
schools of Carlinville. She had three brother-,
but the eldesi died in infancy and Harvey M.
is also deceased. Frank 1!. Clark, who was
born in Gillespie township, is living with his
parents at the age id' twenty-one years. John
Clark, the paternal grandfather of Airs. Crimes,
died at the age of eighty years. Her maternal
grandparents, George F. and Marie A. Boo-
singer, however, are still living in Macoupin
county and they have celebrated their golden
w edding.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Grimes has been
blessed with two children, Harry M., horn

March 7, L903, and M. Melvina, horn October
10. 1904. The young couple are widely and
favorably known in Montgomery county, where
they have many warm friends and the hospi-
tality of many of the best homes is freely ac-
corded them. In politics he has always been a
Democrat and fraternally is connected with the
Ixnights of Pythias lodge ami the Modern
Woodmen camp.

ANTON W. COPY.

Anton W. Goby, living on section '.'. Zanes-
ville township, where he owns and opi rate- a
farm of two hundred and ten acres, was born
in Fast Friesland. Germany, on the 22d of
November, 1850. His youth was there passed
and in early life be worked at farm labor in
his native country. He came to the new world
in 1871. being then a young man of twenty-
one year-, and he located in Greene county,
Illinois, where he had a cousin living. He was
employed there by the month as a farm hand
for a year or two and it was during bis resi-
dence in that county that he was married on
the 14th of February. 1873, to Miss Sarah
Jones, a native of Illinois and of English
lineage.

After his marriage Mr. Goby rented a tract
of land on which he carried on general farm-
ing for several years and on the expiration of
that period he purchased a part of his present
farm, becoming the owner of eighty acres. This
he at once began to cultivate and improve, and
when his capital had sufficiently increased to
enable him to make further purchase he ex-
tended the boundaries of his farm and has
added to it from time to time until he is now
the owner of two hundred and ten acres of
valuable land. He has also another tract so
that his landed possessions now aggregate two
hundred and ninety acres. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Goby were born nine children, six of whom are
yet with their parents, while three have started
out in life for themselves. Mr. Goby is a
stanch Republican and has never yet faltered
in his allegiance to the party, although political
preferment and public office have no attraction
for him. He was reared in the Lutheran faith

L72

PAST AM) PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

and his life has been characterized by honesty
in business and straightforward dealing with
his fellow men at all times. A resident of Illi-
nois for a third of a century he is now num-
bered among the prosperous farmers of Zanes-
ville township, but when he came to this state
he had no capital, possessing only a courageous
spirit, stout heart and willing hands. He was
then a young man of twenty-one years and now
in the prime of life he is possessed of very de-
sirable farming interests as the reward of his
capable management and diligence.

SAMUEL E. O'BANNON.

Samuel E. O'Bannon is a representative of
one of the old and honored families of Mont-
gomery county. He was born at Locust Grove,
ten miles east of Alton, Madison county, Illi-
nois, April 7, 184:'.. his parents being Richard
W. and Matilda (Dorsey) O'Bannon. His fa-
ther was born near Fairfax Courthouse, in Far-
quier county, Virginia, November 1, 1808, and
on the 29th of July. 1830, was married to
Matilda Dorsey, whose birth occurred in Jef-
ferson county, Kentucky, on the 23d of No-
vember, 1811. He erected the first building
in the city of Litchfield, in March, 1854, it
being used as a dry-goods store, and later built
his dwelling, and in November, following, was
joined h\ Ins family, the home being thus es-
tablished in a pioneer district, with the sub-
stantial improvement and permanent develop-
ment of which he became closely connected,
so that his name is inscribed high on the roll
of the real builders and promoters of the coun-
ty, lie carried on merchandising for many
fears and had a wide acquaintance in the
county, while his business integrity and per-
sona] worth pained him the favorable regard
of all with whom he was associated. He died
November II. 1883, and his wife passed away
January 23, 1893, and the county thus lost
tun of its representative pioneer people.

Samuel E. O'Bannon pursued his education
in the schools of Litchfield and at Eureka.
Woodford county. Illinois. When he was a
[ad of fourteen years his father placed him
behind the counter in his store to sell poods

and thus lie entered upon his business career.
Eventually he became proprietor of a dry-goods
store and be continued as a merchant in that
line for twenty-five years, when, desiring to
retire from commercial pursuits, he turned his
attention to farming in Zanesville township.
In 1874, however, he re-entered mercantile life
and was again a factor in the trade circles of
Litchfield for ten years, conducting a prosper-
ous business. On the expiration of that period
he resumed farming and in 1890 he purchased
Ins present farm of A. B. Browning. He owns
one hundred and six and a half acres of land,
constituting a well developed property, and
his energies and capable management have
transformed this into a productive tract which
annually yields good harvests.

On the 15th of February, 18GG, in the city
of Litchfield, Mr. O'Bannon was married to
Miss Helen Quisenberry, who was reared in Co-
lumbus. Missouri, ami educated at Christian
College. They have four children living:
Dr. Richard W. O'Bannon, of Hollister. Cali-
fornia, who is married and now practices his
profession there; Edward H. a resident of St.
Louis; Mary Bessie, now the wife of Dr. C.
M. Anient, of St. Louis: and Nellie Q., now
at home.

Mr. O'Bannon belongs to the Woodmen camp
at Litchfield and in bis political views is a
Democrat. He has held the office of township
collector twice, but otherwise has held no po-
litical office, his interest centering more largely
in his business affairs, which, capably managed,
have been resultant factors in bringing him the
success which is to-day his.

J. H. ROB LETS.

.1. ||. Roberts, a representative of the real
estate interests of Montgomery county, was
horn in 1882 in Grisham township, a son of
X. .!. ami Margaret Roberts. The father was
born in Rockingham county. North Carolina,
November 10. 1848, his parents being Richard
and Man Roberts. The grandfather, also a
native of North Carolina, made farming his
life work and died in his native state. N. J.
Roberts came to Montgomery county. Illinois,

S. E. O'BANNON

yum

$ m

mmtmn m§

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNT'S

L75

in 1869 and attended school for two winters
here. He was employed as a farm laborer for
one year and then began farming on his own
account, an occupation which he followed with
good success until 1903, when he removed to
Colleen, lie worked earnestly and persistently
in former years and justly earned the rest
which is now accorded him. In 1 s - ; 1 he was
united m marriage to .Mis- Margaret Beck, a
native of Grisham township, and they became
the parents of seven children: Jessie, who
married P. J>. Smith, of Colleen; Walter E.,
who is the publisher of the Mount Vernon
Times: Lola, who is the wife of O. M. Hamil-
ton, of Hillsboro; and .1. II.. Charles P.. Chloe
and Owen, all at home. The parents hold mem-
bership in the Cumberland Presbyterian church
and are well known and highl) respected peo-
ple o I the community, interested in many meas-
ures for the general good. In his political af-
filiation Mr. Roberts is a Demoeral and fra-
ternally he is connected with the Modern Wood-
men ami with the Mutual Protective Lague, r

J. H. Roberts was reared under the parental
nmf ami acquired Ins early education iji the
schools ni' Grisham township, lie afterward
continued his studies in Coffeen and was gradu-
ated lu re. Later he was a student in the law
department of Cumberland University at Leba-
non, Tennessee, but has never engaged in prac-
tice. Removing to Coffeen. he began operating
in nal estate and later he purchased the Mont-
gomery Democrat from his brother W. E. Rob-
erts. This was the only newspaper published
in the township and it had a good circulation
among the people of the community. It was
established in 1892 and conducted along modern
newspaper lines, being an enterprising journal
devoted to the interests of the locality as well
as to the dissemination of general news. Mr.
Roberts sold his interest in the paper June 1.
1904. and has opened a real estate office in
Coffeen. Having been for about one year in
that business before he bought the newspaper
his success in this enterprise is assured.

Mr. Roberts is a member of the Knights of
Pythias fraternity and of the Modern Ameri-
can. His political support is given to the
Democracy. In the county where his entire
life has been passed he is known as a popular

young man. having man) sterling character-
istics which have gained him man)' friends.

PHILIP STAUDER.

Philip Stauder, who is engaged in general
farming on section 13, Irving township, and
who bas served as game warden of Montgomery
county, was born in St. Clair county, Illinois.
January 13, 1867. lie is a son of Joseph and
Catherine (Heilman) Stauder, both of whom
were natives of Illinois. The mother died dur-
ing the infancy of her -mi Philip, and the
father passed away November 4, 1896, at the
age of li ft v-si\ years.

Philip Stauder received good educational
privileges, lie attended tin 1 public schools and
afterward became a student in McKendree Col-
lege at Lebanon, Illinois, and when he put aside
his text books he entered upon his business
career, accepting a clerkship in the emplo) of
I he .Simmons Hardware Company, of St. Lour-.
Missouri, lie also worked for different news-
paper houses of that city and later learned the
blacksmith's trade. After two years, however,
he came to Montgomery count)- in August,
1881, and began Earming. In 1893 he removed
to his present home where he now owns one
hundred and fourteen acres of good land, all
of which he has improved. His farm is at-
tractive in appearance because of (he good build-
ings upon it and the highl) cultivated condition
of the fields. He is thoroughly conversanl
with the most improved and modern methods
of farming and that his efforts are practical is
indicated by the good financial return which
comes to him. He was appointed the first game
warden in Montgomery county and filled that
position for four years. His political allegiance
was given to the Democratic party, which he
has supported since attaining his majority.

On the 12th of February, L888, Mr. Stauder
was united in marriage to Miss Mar) A. Meyer,
a daughter of John and Mar\' Meyer, of i\A'-
feen. They arc the parents of four children:
Arthur Harry. Eugene Louis. Isabella Gene-
vieve and Lawrence Leo. Mr. and Mrs. Stau-
der are members of the Catholic church of
Hillsboro and he also has membership relations

i;t;

I 'AS']' AND 1'1,'FsFXT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

with the Modern Woodmen camp at [rving.
He lias worked earnestly and persistently to

gain a comfortable c petence and as the years

have passed his labors have been crowned with
a lair measure of success.

J. S. MOODY.

J. 8. Moody, now deceased, was a citizen of
Montgomery county, whose value was recog-
nized by all who knew him and whose loss was
therefore deeply regretted throughout the entire
community in which he lived. He was horn in
Franklin county. Indiana. April 19, 1836, his
parents being John D. and Jane Moody. His
father was a shot maker by trade and followed
that pursuit in early life, but later purchased
a farm at Salem, Illinois, and there carried on
agricultural pursuits, assisted by his son J. S.
The latter was reared in this state, spend-
in,-- his early youth at Monticello. When ten
years of age he accompanied his parents on-
their removal to Salem, Marion county, and
there he assisted in the improvement of the
home farm. He never followed anv other occu-
pation than that to which he was reared and
lived a quiet hut useful, active and honorable
career.

In 1858 J. S. Moody was united in marriage
to Miss Eliza A. Bliss, a daughter of Alfred
and Direxia (Knowles) Bliss. They became the
parents of nine ehillren: Katie, deceased wife
of Dr. William H. Harris, of Kiola. Kansas;
Ida. a resident of Effingham, Illinois: Jennie,
the wife of Edward Killian. of St. Louis;
Alice, the wife of C. 11. Eicks; Charles, who
married Florence Card and is engaged in farm-
ing for his mother, though he also owns three
hundred and forty acres; Margaret, at home;
Blanche, who is engaged in teaching in Noko-
mis; Dora, the wife of Berton Holloway. of
Fillmore; and Leila, formerly a teacher in
county schools, now at home.

.1. S. Moody endorsed the principles of the
Republican party and supported its men and
measures by his ballot. He belonged to the
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association and was
deeply interested in all that pertained to the
agricultural development of the county. In

his business relations he was trustworthy and
he owed his success to his indefatigable energy
and strong purpose. His death occurred April
5, 1891. and was the occasion of sincere and
deep regret to many of his friends, because he
had always displayed in his life record the
qualities of upright man] d. His widow he-
longs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

Charles Moody, since his father's death, has
been operating the home farm, comprising two
hundred and forty acres of land. Upon the
place is a good residence and modern equip-
ments and the home was erected by Mrs. Moody,
who was horn in Bradford. Vermont, and was
brought to Illinois by her parents when only
four years of age, the family home being estab-
lished in Fillmore township. They lived in a
log cabin until a more modern residence could
he built. Mrs. Moody was reared in Fillmore
township amid the condition-; and environments
of pioneer life and attended school in the home
.neighborhood. Her first teacher was Lowell
, Fairbanks and the school building was an old
fashioned structure built of logs with a punch-
eon Hour and seated with slab benches hav-
ing no hacks. She afterward became a student
in the college at Salem, Illinois, and was grad-
uated with the class of 1858. Few of the resi-
dents of Montgomery county have so long been
witnesses of its development as has Mrs. Moody,
whose mind pictures forth many events and
conditions id' those early days. She relates
many interesting incidents concerning early life
here ami she certainly deserves mention among
the worthy pioneer women. She still resides
upon the old home farm, which is now being
operated by her -on. both -rain ami stock being
raised thereon.

SINGLETOX D. CAVE.

Singleton I). Cave, whose genial manner,
cordial disposition and unfailing courtesy have
made him popular in Litchfield and Mont-
gomery county, was born on bis father's farm
in this county, on the 26th of February. 1835,
his parents being Thomas and Lucinda (Dar-
nielle) Cave. The father was of English lineage
and claimed Sir Edward Cave as a remote an-

LIBRARY

OF THE

"".SITY OF ILL

ME. AND MRS. J. S. MOODY

MR. AND MRS. ALFRED BLISS

LIBRARY
QF I BE

f 1 v OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PEESENT OF MONTGOMERY COl'XTY

1S1

cestor. Hi' was born in 1804, became an at-
torney and engaged in the practice of law at
Mount Sterling, Montgomery county, Ken-
tucky. On leaving that state in 1841, be re-
moved to Madison county, Illinois, settling
near Edwardsville upon a farm. Lakr he i n-
gaged in law practice in Memphis, Scotland
count)-, Missouri, until 18-18, when he took up
his abode in Jersey county, Illinois, living with
his children until his death, which occurred
July 16, 1849. His wife was born in Washing-
ton county. Kentucky. January 14, 1808, and
was a daughter of Archibald Darnielle, a farmer
and landowner. She died in Litchfield, August
5, 1900. at the age of ninety-two years and sis
months.

Singleton 1). Cave acquired his education in
Illinois and .Missouri, being given special ad-
vantages by his lather, who took great interest
in educating his son. He did not. howevi r. at-
tend an academy or college, and through travel,
through experience, reading and observation he
has greatly broadened his knowledge. When he
was seventeen years of age he ran away from
home, being attracted by the discover] ol gold
in California. He walked acress the plains as
the driver of a six-bull team, and it required
om' hundred and fifty days to cover the dis-
tance between Memphis, Missouri, and Sacra-
mento, lie became a prospector and dug out
nine hundred dollars in gold dust. Becoming
homesick he concluded to return and wont to
San Francisco, hut circumstances caused him
to change his plans and he remained for thir-
teen years or until 1866, mining and farming,
sometimes successfully and again meeting with
financial reverses. In one business deal he
made eighty thousand dollars, but this was Inst
in other transactions.

In 1866 Mr. Cave returned to visit his
mother, who lived in Litchfield. In 1873 he
became a dry-goods merchant of Litchfii hi as
a partner of a Mr. Little. They opened stores
in several towns and would then sell and re-
move to another town, but in 181 I they failed
in business. Mr. Cave also engaged in the
wholesale and retail liquor business, hut that
also proved unprofitable. In 1890 he went to
Indianapolis. Indiana, where he opened a cafe,
entrusting the management to his partner,

J. W. Little, and again he lost all he had, in
IS'.*'.'. lie then retired from business enter-
prises and has since confined his attention to
speculation, in which he is much more success-
ful than in the conduct of mercantile interests.
He has made profitable investments in this way
and lias secured a good financial return.

Mr. Cave was married October 10, 1867, to
Miss llattie Ellen Porter, a daughter of Isaac
Newton Porter, who was horn in Ohio and spent
the later years of his life in Macoupin county,
Illinois, his death occurring m Gillespie, iu
1857, win n he was thirty-six years of age. He
was a blacksmith and wagonmaKer. He mar-
ried a Miss Alexander, a daughter of Andrew
and Esther (McGill) Alexander, all of Scotch
descent. Mr. Alexander was a merchant of
Alton, at the time of the assassination of Owen
Lovejoy. The family were Presbyterians in re-
ligious faith. Mrs. Porter died in Jerseyville,
Illinois, February 2, 1900. Mrs. Cave was born
in Woodburn, Macoupin county. Illinois. Janu-
ary '.'it, L850, and by her marriage has become
i lie mother of two children: Chauneey Lee,
'who was horn February 6, 1869, and is a stenog-
rapher; and Blanche, the wife of J. Frank
Jacobs, of ( 'hicago, Illinois.

Mr. Cave has traveled over much of this
country and can relate many interesting inci-
dents concerning his experiences in the far
west. He is of genial manner and social dispo-
sition — qualities which have rendered him popu-
lar in many communities.

CHARLES MAST.

Charles Mast, who is engaged in general farm-
ing on section 23, Witt township, was born in
Baden, Germany, May 12, 1817. his parents
being John T. and Magdalene (Zeigler) Mast,
who in the year 1852 came to the United States,
locating in St. Clair county, Illinois. Both
parents, however, are now deceased. The son,
Charles Mast, was a little lad of only five sum-
mers al the time of the emigration to the u< w
world and was reared in St. Clair county, where
he acquired his education. He remained at
home until twenty-seven years of age and in
1861 came to Montgomery county. Illinois,

L82

PAST AM) PRESENT ol

MoNTOOMKRY OOIXTY

where he lias since made his home, covering a
period of thirty-seven year-. Jn 1873 he pur-
chased his present farm and took up his abode
thereon. Ee has made all of the improvements
upon the place, including the erection of a fine
residence and a commodious ham. He has two
hundred acres of good land, rich and arable,
and in his work has followed the most progres-
sive farming methods and utilized the modern
implements and improved machinery. He is
well known for Ids industry and also for his
reliability in business affairs, and he deserves
and receives the respect and confidence of his
fellow men.

On the 10th of February, 1874, Mr. .Mast was
united in marriage with Miss Katie Cabrick, a
daughter of Jacob Cabrick, of CofEeen, Illinois.
They now have five children: Mary, the wife
of Frank A. Spinner, of this county; Paulina,
the wife of Louis Spinner, also of this county;
Francis, at home: Matilda, also at home: and
Katie, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Mast
are communicants of the Catholic church in
Nokomis. His political allegiance is given to
the Republican party and he keeps well in-
formed on the questions and issues of the day,
as every true American citizen should do, be-
ing thus able to give an intelligent reason for
the political faith which he entertains. His
farm, now extensive and well improved, is the
visible evidence of a well spent life and an
active ami honorable business career.

M. F. TOBERMAN.

M. F. Toberman, who is dealing extensively
in hay and grain, was horn July L">. 1861, in
the township which is still his home. His
parents "ere Isaiah and Mary Toberman, who
in 1898 removed to Fillmore, where they are
now living. Mr. Toberman was for man) years
identified with agricultural pursuits and is now
interested with his son in the hay and grain
business.

M. F. Toberman was reared upon the old
family homestead in Fillmore township, five
miles northwest of the village of Fillmore. He
attended school there and in his youth also
assist* d in the labor- of field and meadow.

Abou! twenty-one ytars ago he began the grain
business in connection with Ins father at Chap-
man, Illinois, and has continued to engage in
the purchase and sale of grain at that point up
to the present. In November, 1891, however,
he removed to Fillmore, where lie began deal-
ing in gram, while B. E. Tobi rniaii acts as man-
ager of the business at Chapman. Few grain
dealers along the line of the Illinois Central
Railroad handle more hay than do Mr. Tober-
man and his father. In 1903 they shipped one
hundred and forty- live carloads in five weeks.
Their business is continually growing in volume
and importance and the extent of their trade
has secured to them a good patronage. The
company owns an elevator and hay barn at
Chapman. In 1901 they had the misfortune
to have the hay barn at Fillmore destroyed by
fire, causing a total loss of fifty-three hundred
dollars, but they now have the best hay barn in
this part of the country and one of the best
in the state.

M. F. Toberman was married on the 5th of
December, 1889, to Miss Laura Cress, a daugh-
ter of Eli and Sallie ( Holzehouser) Cress. Her
father was a native of Cabarrus county. North
Carolina, horn in 1826, and his death occurred
in 1896, when he was seventy years of age.
His wife, who was born in Rowan county. North
Carolina, died in June. L892, at the age of
seventy-four years. They came to Illinois in
1855, settling in Fillmore township, Mont-
gomery county, where Mr. Cress became exten-
sivelv engaged in farming, conducting a busi-
ness that brought to him a gratifying income.
He was very progressive and energetic and his
careful management proved one of the strong
elements in his success. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
Cress were born twelve children, of whom nine
are living, namely: A. J., who is a resident of
Oklahoma: 0. II. : Mrs. L. S. Sanders, of Fill-
more; F. L.. of Oklahoma: C. 11.. of New
York; T. W., a resident of Fillmore township:
Mrs. S. M. Harp, who is living in Parmers-
ville, Illinois; P. W., who is located in Fill-
more township: and Mrs. Toberman. Mrs.
Toberman was born and reared in Montgomery
county ami by her marriage has become the
mother of five children, of whom three are liv-
ing: Macon. Maurice, and Marvin. The sec-

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

is:;

ond child, Muriel, died at the age of nine years
and the youngest, Murry, died al the age of
three years. The parents hold membership in
the United Baptist church and in his fraternal
affiliation Mr. Toberman is a Woodman and
is also connected with the Knights of Pythias
Lodge at Fillmore, while his wife belongs to the
Court of Honor. Ee exercises his right of
franchise in support of the Democracy and
keeps will informed on the questions and issues
of the day. hut lias never sought or desired of-
fice, although he was highway commissioner
for two terms. He has preferred to give his
undivided attention to his business affairs, in
which he is now meeting with very creditable
and desirable success.

JACOB HAhLKK.

Jacob Haller. who carries on general farm-
ing on section '!'*. Nokomis township, was born
hi Ross county, Ohio, in 1834, and is a son of
Henry and Sarah Haller. The father was a
native of Pennsylvania, horn in 1805, and the
mother's birth occurred in Xew Jersey, Henry
Haller was reared in the Keystone state and
became a fanner there. Subsequently he re-
moved to Ohio, where he carried on agricultural
pursuits until 1845, when he came to Illinois,
settling in East Fork township among its early
residents. There he secured a tract of land
and in due course of time became an extensive
fanner and stock-raiser on a large scale He
was a man of energy and was recognized as one
of the hading representatives of agricultural
interests in his district. In community affairs
he was also deeply interested and in pioneer
days assisted materially in the early develop-
ment of the county. Unto him and his wife
were horn six children who are yet living and
one child died in infancy. The father died
in 1875 and the mother passed away in 1843.

Jacob Haller was reared in Ohio until ten
years of age, when he accompanied his father
on his removal to Illinois. He attended si hool
in East Fork township, becoming a student in
one of the old-fashioned schoolhouses built of
logs and -eat- d with slab benches, while the re-
moval of a low from one side of the room served

to let in light for the building. Jacob Haller

remained in Illinois for eight years and then
with his brother went to California, traveling
with an ox team in 1852. There be engaged
in mining for gold for loin- years and made
good wages, lie also farmed there for eleven
years. He returned to Illinois in L8Ci and set-
tled in Audubon township. He then purchased
tin' home place where he now lives after selling
his property in Audubon township. The pur-
chase which he made when he returned to Illi-
nois covered more than four hundred acres. He
built a house and barn, made some of the im-
provements upon his land and now has a well
developed property. He raises both grain and
stock, having high grades of horses, cattle and
hogs upon his place, and his wife raisis a great
many chickens. Great changes have occurred
in fanning methods during the time of his
resilience here. When he arrived in the county
then were many deer ami great flocks of prairie
chickens were to he seen. Tins portion of the
state was largely unsettled and there were no
near markets so that the family had to drive
hogs to St. Louis, it requiring six days to make
the trip. The neighbors often went together on
such trips so that it did not cost them much
in go lo St. Louis, and there the price of a dol-
lar and a half or one dollar and seventy-five
cents per hundred was paid for the hogs after
they were butchered.

Mr. Haller started in life with little capital
and he has always been a man of industry and
enterprise, so that his success is the legitimate
reward of his own labor. He has worked hard.
every day finding him in the fields or attending
to other labor of the farm, and he also attri-
butes his success in part to the able and willing
assistance of his estimable wife lie is one
of the largest corn raisers of this part of the
state and bis farm presents a splendid appear-
ance, neatness and thrift characterizing every
portion of it. He has also become identified
with financial interests in the county, having
assisted in organizing the National Bank of
Nokomis, of which he has been a director from
the beginning. Only two of the original stock-
holders are still connected with the institution.

In 1859 Mr. Haller was united in marriage
to Miss Ann Abrahamson. who was reared in

1SI

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Norway. They are the parents of nine chil-
dren, six of whom arc living: Catharine, the
wife of Dr. G. S. Easterday, of California;
Caroline, the wife of David Best, who resides
near Nokomis; Nancy Ann, at home; Eugene,
who is living near Nokomis; Milton, at home;
and Camilla, the wife of L. M. Mclntyre, a
resident, of Kansas.

Mr. and Mrs. Haller hold membership in the
Methodist Episcopal church of Nokomis and
he belongs to the Masonic lodge in that town.
For many years he voted the Democratic ticket,
hut in recent years has given his support to
the Prohibition party, being a strong advocate
of the temperance cause. He has served as col-
lector of Audubon township, but has never been
active in search for public office, preferring to
discharge his public duties as a private citizen.
He has intimate knowledge of pioneer experi-
ences in this county and also of the frontier
life during the early mining days m California
and has taken commendable interest in ad-
vancement which has been made here and in
other sections of the country. He feels a local
pride in what Montgomery county has accom-
plished and his mory forms a connecting

link between the primitive past and the pres-
ent with its modern progressiveness.

FRANCIS MARION ENTREKIN, M. D.

Dr. Francis Marion Entrekin, whose capa-
bility as a medical practitioner is demonstrated
by the liberal patronage accorded him. was born
March 5, 1844, in Clinton county. Illinois,
and is a son of Asa and Eliza Entrekin. The
father, who was horn in Kentucky, on remov-
ing to Illinois cast in his lot with the early
settlers of Clinton county. Accompanied by
his wife, lie traveled in a wagon drawn by oxen
in the primitive manner of the times. There
were only a lew cabins in Clinton county and
in one ..I' these Mr. Entrekin and his family
took up their abode. They had to go eighteen
miles in order to purchase something to eat.
Kinallv Mr. Entrekin secured a farm and in
connection with the cultivation of his land
I,,. also conducted a carpenter and blacksmith
shop. He made all of the implements that

were used in that locality ami conducted a suc-
ei ssful business, which made him one of the
leading men of his community. Prospering

in his undertakings he made judicious invest-
ments in real estate and at the time of his
death, which occurred in 1860, was the owner
of one thousand acres of land. He had borne
a very helpful and important part in the early
development and substantial improvement of
his adopted county and his loss in the com-
munity was the occasion of deep regret.

Francis M. Entrekin acquired his early edu-
cation in the schools of Clinton county and
afterward attended Shurtleff. College of Alton,
Illinois, thus acquiring a good education. Sub-
sequently he engaged in teaching school for
nine winters and through experience and in-
vestigation he constantly broadened his knowl-
edge. Eater he entered upon a course of study
in the College of Physicians & Surgeons of
Keokuk. Iowa, and was graduated with the
class of 1878. Locating for practice in Bond
county. Illinois, he there remained for eight
years and on the expiration of that period came
to Colleen, where he has since been classed with
the successful practitioners of Montgomery
county. Fully realizing the importance of the
profession ami the responsibility which devolves
upon him, lie is very careful ami accurate in the
diagnosis of a ease and his efforts have proved
a potent factor in the restoration of health in
this locality. He is a member of the Mont-
gomery County Medical Society, the Fayette
County Medical Society and the Illinois State
Medical Society and by reading and study he is
constantly adding to his knowledge concerning
the bes! methods of medical and surgical prac-
tice.

In 1865 occurred the marriage of Francis
Marion Entrekin and Miss Lueretia A. Cole,
and unto them were horn four children: Ma.
Jessie, Rub] and Eunice. The wife and moth-
er died m 1897, her death being deeply regret-
ted by many friends. Dr. Entrekin was again
married in ISP!), his second union being with
Eosa A. Wilson, and they have a pleasant home
in Coffeen, the hospitality of which is greatly
enjoyed by their neighbors and social acquaint-
ances.

hi-. Entrekin belongs to the Modem Wood-

DR. F. M. EXTREKIN

LIBRAHV

OF IH£

UNIVERSE OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PEESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

187

men camp and is a charter member of the
Knights of Pythias lodge of Coffeen. He votes
with the Democracy and in his religious faith
is a Baptist, holding membership relations with
the church of that denomination in the village
in which he makes his home. In a profession
where success depends upon individual merit
and whore advancement comes as the result of
broad and comprehensive information and its
correct application to the needs of suffering
humanity he has won an enviable reputation
and is enjoying a practice of considerable ex-
tent and importance.

SAMUEL T. ROBINSON, B. S.

Professor Samuel T. Robinson, who for a
number of years has ocenpied a prominent posi-
tion in connection with public education in Illi-
nois, and is now superintendent of the schools
of Hillsboro, was born at Hartford, Saline
county, Illinois, in 1866. He is descended from
English ancestry, representatives of the name
having emigrated from the merrie isle to Vir-
ginia about the close of the seventeenth century
and at a later date one branch of the family
removed to Mississippi, where early in the nine-
teenth century the grandfather opened an ex-
tensive plantation near the state capital. Jack-
sou, which was operated by the family till the
invasion of the south by the Union army, when
their slaves were freed, and plantation build-
ings destroyed. Soon thereafter most of the
family moved to Illinois, one aunt still living
in Jackson. His father, Michael D. Robinson,
was born in Mississippi and at the close of his
colhge course went to Keokuk. Iowa, to at-
tend medical lectures, where he completed his
course in 18.">s. locating at Harrisburg, Illinois.
Saline county. In that county he spent his life,
devoting his time to his chosen profession and
the management of his farm. During the
period of the Civil war he erected a temporary
hospital at Stone Fort, Saline county, Illinois.
ami there administered to the soldiers as they
came home from the front. He was very loyal
to the Union cause and he possessed, moreover,
a broad humanitarian spirit that prompted him
to give generous aid to those who needed his

professional assistance. He belonged to the
Baptist church, took an active and helpful part
in its work and was an exemplary member of
the Masonic fraternity. In polities he was a
Democrat. lie married Amanda Spencer, a
daughter of Dr. Thomas 11. and Martha ( Barks-
dale) Spencer. Her father came to Illinois at
an early day from Virginia and her mother
from Tennessee. The Spencer family is of
English lineage. Mrs. Robinson was born in
Illinois in 1842 and is a member of the Baptist
church. Dr. Robinson passed away in 1SS!) in
the fifty-tin I'd year of his age. This worthy
couple were the parents of seven children: Iva,
the wife of Dr. M. D. Empson, of Hartford,
Illinois; William, who is engaged in railroad
work in De Soto, Missouri; Samuel T., of this
review; Gertrude, the wife of Judge Allien G.
Ahney, of Harrisburg, Illinois; Lorene May,
Thomas II. and Charles A., all deceased.

In the public schools Samuel T. Robinson
acquired his early education, which was sup-
plemented by study in the Southern Illinois
State Normal University at Carbondale, Illi-
nois, lie entered that institution in 1889 and
was graduated on the completion of the scien-
tific course with the class id' 1896. During this
pel ioiI he engaged in teaching through the win-
ter months. In the fall succeeding his gradua-
tion he accepted the position of superintendent
of the public schools of Benton. Franklin coun-
ty. Illinois, where he remained for three years
and in the fall of 1899 he came to Hillsboro as
superintendent of the publis schools here, since
which time he has acted in that capacity. In
i he spring of 1900 he returned to Ewing Col-
lege and was graduated, receiving tin' degree of
Bachelor of Science. He has three schools un-
der his charge, including twelve rooms in ad-
dition to the high school, in which four teach-
ers are employed. A pupil graduating from the
public schools of Hillsboro may enter the State
University and all normal schools without fur-
ther examination. Under the guidance of Pro-
Eessor Robinson excellent advancement has been
made, for he keeps in touch with the modern
spii'it of the times ami has introduced many
improved and practical methods, which have
been of great value in advancing the high stan-
dard of the schools here. He is a member of

L88

PAST AM) PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

the National Educational Association, has been
a member of the Southern Illinois Teachers' As-
sociation for the past ten years and of the State
Teachers' Association for six years. He is
likewise a stockholder in the Galatia Coal Com-
pany in Saline county and is one of the mem-
bers of the Pan-American Exploration Com-
pany wiih mines in old Mexico. Professor
Robinson is identified with the Masonic and
Knights of Pythias fraternities and he belongs
to the Baptist church. His reputation in edu-
cational circles places him with the leading
representatives of this great department of pro-
fessional activity in southern and central Illi-
nois anil his zeal and interest in the work" have
resulti il in much benefit to his community.

HENRY FRIEDMEYER.

Henry Friedmeyer, who has extensive landed
possessions in Montgomery county and is now
living a retired life in Hillsboro. was born in
Germany in 1829, a son of Bombard Fried-
meyer, who was likewise a native of that coun-
try. The father was a farmer by occupation
and came to the United States in 1S44, but
afterward returned to his native land, where
he and his wife now lie buried. They bad ten
children, of whom four arc still living.

In the public schools of Germany Henry
Friedmeyer acquired his education, and in the
fall of 1844. when fifteen years of age, came
to the United States with his father, the family
borne being established in St. Louis. He had
assisted bis father in farm work in Germany,
but in the United States became identified with
mercantile interests and for fifteen years was
connected with commercial affairs in St. Louis.
In the spring of 1863 he removed to Mont-
gomery county and began fanning in Roun-
tree township, where lie lived for twenty-three
years. Here be secured a small tract of land
and with characteristic energy began its de-
velopment. Raising good crops, which found
a ready sale on the market, he was afterward
enabled to add to his original purchase and
accumulated three hundred and sixty-five acres
of land in Rountree township and one hun-
dred and forty-six acres in Irving township,

making live hundred and eleven acres in all.
lie devoted his energies to the cultivation of
the fields until 1885, when he retired from the
fa rin and has since made his home in Hills-
hnro, enjoying the fruits of his former toil,
while the income from his property is sufficient
to supply him with all of the necessities and
many of the comforts and luxuries of life.

On the 7th of March, 1856, Mr. Friedmeyer
was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Welge.
a daughter of Christian Welge, who, leaving
Ins native country, established bis home in St.
Louis. Missouri, in 1845. Five years later he
located in Montgomery county. Illinois, settling
in Butler Grove township. He there owned
one hundred and sixty acres of land, and upon
the farm which he occupied and improved be and
his wife. Mrs. Sophia (Myer) Welge, spent their
remaining days. They were the parents of ten
children, hut only two are living, Mrs. Fried-
meyer and Henry. The former was born in
Brunswick, Germany, June 4, 1830. and when
a maiden of fifteen summers was brought to
America by her parents. Here she married
Mr. Friedmeyer. They had four children:
Louise Emily, the wife of Albert Frickey;
Henry C, deceased; Wilhelmina Etta, deceased;
and .John G.. an attorney at law of Springfield.

Mr. and Mrs. Friedmeyer hold membership
with the Lutheran church, and he votes with
the Republican party. He has served as justice
of the peace and was supervisor from Roun-
tree township for six terms. His public duties
were capably performed and in earlier years he
figured quite prominently in local politics. The
success of his life is due to no inherited fortune
Hi- to advantageous circumstances, but is en-
tirely due to his steady application, studious
habits, tireless industry and sterling integrity.

LUKE C. WEBER.

Luke C. Weber, whose farming interests con-
nect him with the leading agriculturists of
Rountree township, makes his home on section
'25. He is also serving as supervisor of his
township. He was born in Germany, October
23, 1857, his parents being Cornelius and Anke
(Kramer) Weber, both of whom are natives

ME. AND MES. HENRY FBIEICMKYER

LIBRARY
OF THE
" ITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

191

of the fatherland, the former born on the 24th
of September, 183U, and the latter on the 31st
of October, 1834. They came to the United
States in 1S7 <; and located m Rountree town-
ship, where the father is still engaged in farm-
ing, his home being on section 24.

In the public schools of Germany Luke C.
Weber began his early education, which he con-
tinued in the schools of Montgomery comity af-
ter the emigration of the family to the new
world. lie arrived in the United States in
1875 and, establishing his home in Rountree
township, worked by the month as a farm hand
for two years, lb' afterward worked with his
father for one year and on the expiration of
that period he rented a farm. He continued to
cultivate rented land in Montgomery and Chris-
tian counties for five years and in 1884, with
the capital which he had saved from his earn-
ings he purchased one hundred and fifteen acres
of land in Rountree township. In 1&01 he
bought sixty acres in Nokomis township and
now lias a valuable property. He placed all of
the improvements upon his farm, including the
house and bains, the fences and trees. He deeds
good grades of shorthorn cattle and also good
hmses and his stock-raising and dealing inter-
ests as well as the grain raising department of
his business return to him a good income.

On the 20th of November. 1880, Mr. Weber
was united in marriage to Miss Catherine John-
son, a daughter of Henry and Anna (Tlieen)
Johnson, of Germany, who on coming to the
Tinted States settled in Madison county, Illi-
nois, where they are still living. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Weber have been born live children: Anna
G., now twenty years of age ; Henry C, a youth
of eighteen years; Lena A., aged eleven years:
Emma M., eight years of age; and Herman C,
a little lad of five summers.

Mr. and Mrs. Weber are members of St.
Paul's Lutheran church ami in polities he is
a stalwart Kepublican. who keeps well informed
on the questions and issues of the day and gives
to his party an intelligent and loyal support.
He was elected supervisor of Eountree town-
ship in 1902 and discharged the duties so
capably that in 1904 he was re-elected and is
now filling the office. Hi' has also been road
commissioner and served on the school board

for nine years. His residence in this part of
the state covers almost thirty years and he is
uniformly known as a representative and < nter-
prising farmer ami as a progressive citizen.

ROBERT T. EUSBAND.

Robert 'V. Husband, a representative of the
industrial interests of Litchfield, was born in
St. Louis. Missouri, on the 15th of December,
1867, ami is a son of Ezekial A. and Margaret
(Ingalls) Husband, the former a native of
Philadelphia and the latter of New York. The
father removed to St. Louis. Missouri, in 1843.
lie was a ship-builder by trade and in St. Louis
he engaged in the lumber business, becoming
at one time the owner of considerable property.
He saw active military service during the Civil
war, being connected with the Union army
for three years. His political support was given
to the Republican party, which he joined upon
Ms organization, never faltering in his support
of its- principles. He died May 30, 1903, at
•the age of - sixty-five years. His wife accom-
panied her parents on their removal from the
fan pi re state to Little Rock, Arkansas, prior
to the Civil war and it was in that city that
ilr. Husband formed her acquaintance and
they were married. They became the parents of
three children: Minnie D. ; Alice M., the wife
of James H. Brown, who is engaged in the car-
riage business in St. Louis: and Robert T.

In the public schools of St. Louis Robert T.
Husband acquired his early education and af-
terward continued his studies in Litchfield.
On leaving school he entered the shops of the
Litchfield Foundry & Machine Compan} in
1884 and there learned the machinist's trade.
Subsequently he worked in different places, but
afterward returned to Litchfield and has been
again connected with the shops here for ten
years. lie is a practical workman with thor-
ough understanding of the business and those
whom he represents find his services valuable.

On the 12th of October, 1891. occurred the
marriage of Mr. Husband and Miss Emma
Dapper, a daughter of William and Catherine
Dapper, the former a merchant tailor who con-
ducted business for manv vears in Litchfield.

L92

PAST AND PRESENT OF .MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Mrs. Husband was born in 1874. There are
two children of this marriage: Robert M. and
Catherine Feme. Mr. Husband belongs to the
Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Modern
Woodmen camp and his wife is a member of
the Lutheran church. His study of the politi-
cal issues and questions of the day lias led him
to give his support to the Republican party and
In i- now serving as a member of '.lie city coun-
cil from the fifth wan!. Questions which af-
fect the welfare of this city elicit his attention
ami consideration and he has withheld his sup-
porl from no movement or measure which has
for its object public progress and substantial
upbuilding.

HORACE Cr. WAGGONER.

In the death of Horace G. Waggoner Mont-
gomery county lost one of its enterprising and
highly respected young business men. one whose
worth was widely acknowledged by his many
friend- and whose activity in agricultural and
financial circles made him a valued factor in
public life. He was born in Pitman township,
September 5, 1856, and was a brother of John
M., Henry and George B. Waggoner, who are
represented elsewhere in this volume. He was
reared upon tlie old homestead farm by his
mother, who survives her husband and now
resides in the village of Waggoner. The son
was provided with good educational privileges,
attending the common and higher schools of his
locality, and for two or three years he was a
student in the college at Carlinville, Illinois.
In the bom,' he was trained to habits of in-
dustry and integrity and thus laid the founda-
tion for his successful and honorable career.

On arriving at years of maturity Horace
Waggoner was married in Jacksonville. Illi-
nois, on the 2d of January, L88 I. to Miss Sarah
E. Street, whose birth occurred in Montgomery
county, Illinois, the family home being in Pit-
man township, where her girth 1 days were

passed. Her father. Wesley Street, was a na-
tive of Kentucky and when a young man came
to Macoupin county, where he ivas married to
Miss Margaret Williamson, a native of that

county. Mr. and Mrs. Waggoner began their
domestic life upon the farm, where -he and her
sons now reside. Mr. Waggoner owned a valua-
able trad of land of more than five hundred
acres, which he developed into a splendidly im-
proved place. He was very successful as a
general farmer, stock-raiser and feeder. He

thoroughly understood the i Is of the soil, the

effects id' the climate and the value of the rota-
tion of crops and in all of his farming methods
he was progressive, keeping in touch with the
advancement that is continually being made by
the agricultural class. He also raised and fed
good grades of stock and made large annual
shipments to the city markets. He possi — d
excellent qualification- as a financier, was a man
of keen discernment and marked enterprise.
He organized and founded the Bank of Wag-
goner in 1896 and served as president of that
institution until his death, making it one of
the strong and reliable financial concerns of
the county.

Unto Horace G. and Sarah Waggoner wire
born five sons. By a former marriage he had
one daughter. Bertha, who is now the wife of
W. C. Barnett. There are but two of the sons
of the latter marriage now living. Willis ami
Wallace, twins, having died in infancy, while
Ray Street died in his third year. Those still
living are Horace C.ailen and Loren Stanley,
both at home.

Mr. Waggoner was an active member and
faithful worker in the Methodist Episcopal
church, largely promoting the various church
activities and also the work of the Sunday-
school. He likewise exemplified in his life the
beneficent spirit of the Masonic fraternity, be-
ing a Master Mason with membership in the
blue lodge at Raymond. He belonged to the

Modern W linei) camp of Waggoner and was

on,' of the organizers of the Mutual Protective
League, in which he served as suprema
treasurer until his death. In his busi-
ness affairs lie was thoroughly reliable and
trustworthy, conducting all business transac-
tions in a manner to win the confidence and
esfiem id' the public. He was a faithful friend
and, in his home a devoted husband and father,
finding his greatest happiness in promoting the
welfare of his wife and children. He passed

HORACE G. WAGGONER

MRS. SARAH E. WAGGONER

II. G. WAGGONER

MRS. BERTHA W. BARNETT

LOREN S. WAGGONER

LIBRARY

OF IHE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

195

away September 19, 1901, and his loss was
deeply deplored, for he endeared himself to all
with whom lie was associated, whether iu busi-
ness or social relations.

Since the death of her husband Mrs. Wag-
goner has taken chaTge of and carried on the
home farm and she also retains In r interest in
the Bank of Waggoner, being one of its large
stockholders. She is a successful business
women, her ability being manifest and de-
veloped through the necessity which devolved
upon her in earing for the estate after her hus-
band's demise. She gives careful supervision
to her farming interests and the home place
presents a much neateT and better condition
than the ureal majority of the farms in the
county. She is greatly attached to the home,
where her married life lias hem passed and where
she has enjoyed the companionsip and love of
husband and children. She is a member of
the Christian church of Waggoner and is a
lady of many excellent traits of character, of
kindly spirit and cheerful disposition and her
many good qualities of heart and mind have
won her the highest regard and friendship
of all.

JOHN McCALLTJM.

John McCallum has been a resident of Illi-
nois since the spring of 1858 and has been
identified with the interests of Montgomery
county since March, 1862. He is now classed
with the thrifty and energetic farmers and
stock-raisers of Raymond township, owning a
valuable tract of land of two hundred and
forty acres on sections 1 and 12. He is
numbered among the worthy citizens that Scot-
land has furnished to the new world, his birth
having occurred in Ayreshire on the 15th of
January, 1853. His father, Archibald McCal-
lum. was also a native of that country and was
descended from a long line of worthy Scotch
ancestors. He married Cecelia Prentis, also a
native of the land of the hills and heather.
Mr. McCallum was an engineer, being employed
in the operation of a stationary engine for a
number of years. Three children were born

unto him and his wife in their native country
and in 1858 they bade adieu to friends and
native land and sailed for America, making
their way direct to Illinois. They located in
Madison county, where Mr. McCallum joined
his uncle and a brother. He began working
upon his uncle's farm, being employed there for
four years and in March, 1862, he came to
Montgomery county, locating in Rountree town-
ship, where his uncle owned a farm which
Mr. McCallum cultivated for several years.
His last days, however, were spent in the vil-
lage of Raymond, where he died on the 6th
of March, 1904, after a brief residence in the
town. His wife died in this county July 7,
1862. In their family were four children, of
wl i John McCallum is the eldest. The oth-
ers are Jeanette, the wife of Joe Kessinger, a
butcher of Raymond; Mary, the wife of Charles
Peebles, a prominent and influential citizen of
Decatur. Illinois; and Archibald, a successful
agriculturist and well-known citizen of Roun-
tree township.

John: McCallum spent the first five years of
his life in his native hind and was then brought
by his parents to America, becoming a resident
of Montgomery county when a youth of nine,
years. Here he was reared and after attending
the common schools later spent one term in the
Alton high school. He began earning his own
Living by working as a farm hand by the
month, being thus employed for two years and
on the expiration of that period he began farm-
ing on his own account by renting a tract of
land in Rountree township. After his mar-
riage he continued to operate rented land in
that township for about eleven years and then
with the capital which he had acquired through
Ins industry, economy and good management,
lie purchased two hundred acres of land, upon
which he now resides. Taking up his abode
upon that place he began to farm his property
and add to its improvements. He has since
built a good house and barn, has planted an
orchard which is now in good bearing condi-
tion, and has also set out maple, ash. walnut
and other trees, which add to the value and at-
tractive appearance of the place. He has great-
ly improved his property, making it one of
the best farms of the community and in addi-

196

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY CO! VIA

lion In' also owns eighty acres of land in Roun-
t ree township.

()n the 23d of March, 1882, Mr. McCallum
was married to Mis? Emma Walters, of Roun-
tree township, a daughter of Joseph Walters.
Tin \ now have three children: Hugh, Bessie
and Mandie. Mrs. McCallum is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Mc-
Callum attends services there and contributes
tn the support of the church, although he was
reared in the Presbyterian faith. Politically he
i- a Republican where national issues are in-"
reived, and since casting his first ballot for
James A. Garfield he has supported each presi-
dential nominee of the party, but at local elec-
tions he rotes independently, regarding only the
capability of the candidate. In Eountree town-
ship he served as collector for two terms and
as road commissioner for seven years, but he
has never been a politician in the sense of
office seeking, preferring to give his time and
attention to his farm and the enjoyment of the
home, lie is a member of the Woodmen, a fra-
ternal insurance order. During a residence of
more than a third of a century he has aided
materially in building up and improving the
county and has been thoroughly and closely
identified with its development, its prosperity
and its upbuilding, lie is a loyal son of his
adopted land, a courteous, genial gentleman, an
honest yeoman and a credit to the community
in which he makes his home.

ROBERT BRYCE.
Robert Bryce, whose position in public con-
fidence and regard is indicated by the fact that
for Eorty-three years he has served as treas-
urer of Butler Grove township, is to-day the
owner of one of the fines! farms of Montgomery
county, splendidly equipped with all modern
improvements. The tract covers two hundred
and sixt] acres, part of which is lying within
the corporation limits of Butler. Mr. Bryce
was born in Doune, Perthshire, Scotland, on
the 22d of September, 1821, and is one of a
family of ten children, seven sons and three
daughters. When sixteen years of age he be-
gan working at the blacksmith's trade, serving

a three years' apprenticeship in his lather's
blacksmith shop. He remained at home until
1849, when, at the age of twenty-eight years,
he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, for
he bad heard favorable report- concerning busi-
ness opportunities in this country and believed
that he might find better conditions and ad-
vantage- here, lie settled first in Cincinnati,
Ohio, in the spring oJ L850, and there con-
ducted a blacksmith shop for sis years. In
1856 he arrived in Montgomery county, where
he again opened a shop, which he conducted for
a year. Later he built the blacksmith shop in
which he has since continuously carried on
business, working at In- trade in addition to
farming. In 1863 he wenl upon his farm near
Butler and there resided continuously until
L895, when he took up his abode in the vil-
lage, lie owns one of the best farms in the
county, and its improvements are of a splendid
character and were all made by him. The place
covers two hundred and sixty acres of very
rich land, and upon this property he was en-
gaged in the raising of Holstein cattle, which
branch of his business proved very successful.

In 1852 Mr. Bryce was united in marriage
to Miss Sophia Heath, and unto them were
born three children: Eliza, who died in 1884;
Robert, who is now living in California, being
a conductor on the Southern Pacific Railroad;
and George M., deceased. In 1861 Mr. Bryce
was again married, his second union being with
Sarah McMurtry. They had three children:
Maggie, the wife of J. A. Wallis; Mamie, the
wife of George V. Ware: and Thomas L., a
machinisi of Springfield, Illinois, who is su-
perintendent and director of the Aetna Ma-
chine Works of that city.

When eighteen years of age Mr. Bryce be-
came a member of the Presbyterian church,
with which he was connected until 1850, when
he united with the Associated Reformed church.
In 1856, when the Presbyterian church of But-
ler was organized, he beca one of its origi-
nal fourteen members and was ordained a rul-
ing elder, in which position he ha- since served.
The church has found him a liberal supporter
and active worker, and he has put forth every
effort in his power to advance its interests and
promote its activities. In polities he is a very

ROBERT BKYCE

LIBRARY

Of- I HE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

1.99

stench Republican, unfaltering in his support
of the party, and in 1861 he was elected town-
ship treasurer of Butler Grove township, which
office he lias since filled, covering a period of
forty-three consecutive wars. Certainly no
higher testimonial of his faithfulness could be
giveu than the fact that lie has been so long
retained in office. He is now well advanced in
years, having readied the eighty-third mile-
stone on life's journey, ami his has been an
honorable career, actuated by high principles
ami worthy motives. There are in his life
record many elements that are worthy of emu-
lation and should serve as a source "I' encour-
agement ami inspiration to those who desire
success and at the same time have a just regard
for the value of character.

HON. EDWARD A. EICE.

Hon. Edward A. Rice, whose intelligence
and well directed energy have led to substantial
sueci sses in business, is also equally prominent
in political circles, his recognized ability and
personal popularity winning him high honors
so that he is now serving for the second term
as a member of the Illinois legislature. To
trace the history of ;t successful life, lie it in
the electrical world of business where competi-
tion is rife: in the intellectual field where
devotees open up the wider realms of knowl-
edge; or in a public sphere, where is directed
the course of government and where arc formed
the policies that sway state and nation, must
ever prove profitable and satisfying indulgence,
for the history of the individual is the history
of the community and the history of the com-
munity is the history of the state. Under the
initial element of this category may wo direct
attention to the life of him whose name initiates
this review. He has achieved desirable success
in commercial circles, has gained high reputa-
tion in bis political career and at the same time
his private life has been exemplary and worthy
of emulation.

"Mr. Rice was born in Gillespie, Macoupin
county. Illinois, in 1863. His father. Hugh
Rice, was a native of Ireland and came to the
United States in 1833, locating first in Alton,

where he remained until 1849. Then at the
time of the gold excitement in California he
made bis way to the mines upon the Pacific
roust, but on the expiration of two or three

years he retur I to Illinois and invested the

money which he had obtained in his "diggings"
in a farm near Gillespie and. turning his at-
tention to agricultural pursuits, be continued
to cultivate the property until his death. He
possessed excellent, business ability, keen fore-
sight ami energy, and while he was always
straightforward in his business transactions he
yet conducted his affairs so as to win large
successes, and at his death was the owner of
about fifteen hundred acres id' valuable land.
He was a Catholic in his religious faith and
a Mason in bis fraternal relations, lie served
as a soldier in the Mexican war and was one
of its pensioners. His political allegiance was
given the Democracy, lie married Christiana
Boosinger, who was born in Pennsylvania and
whose father was a farmer and one of the early-
settlers of Macoupin county. Illinois. Mrs.
Rice was an Episcopalian in religious faith,
and her death occurred in 1879, when she was
fifty-two years of age, while Mr. Rice, surviv-
ing her about twenty years, died in 1899, at
the ripe old age of eighty-two years. They were
the parents of eleven children: Emmet, a
farmer of Gillespie, who is now serving as
treasurer of Macoupin county: Mary, the wife
of William Steidley, an insurance man of Den-
ver, Colorado: Henry 11.. a resident farmer of
Gillespie; .lames, a miner of Joplin, "Missouri;
Kate, the wife of Louis 1 >. Zenor, an account-
ant of Los Angeles, California: Edward A.;
I. aura, the wife of M. .1. Gainy, a merchant of
Gillespie; May, deceased; William H. a farmer
of Gillespie; one that died in infancy; and
Maude, the wife of Edward [bbetson, a real-
estate dealer of Los Angeles, California.

In bis native town Edward A. Rice pursued
bis education and afterward went upon a farm,
being engaged in agricultural pursuits at No-
komis. Illinois, for ten years. In 1892 lie came
to Litchfield and was engaged in the lumber
business for eleven years, conducting the en-
terprise with good SUCCeSS. lie then sold out
and had no active business connection for two
years. In 1903, however, he embarked in the

,,.,

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

gram trade, which now claims his attention.
His business furnishes a good market for the
grain producers of this Ideality and his annual
purchases and sales are extensive and are so
judiciously conducted that Ids business lias
proved a gratifying source of profit.

In 1885 Mr. Rice was united in marriage to
Miss Stella Durdy, who was born in St. Louis,
Missouri, in 1866, and is a daughter of Alex-
ander ( !. and Josephine ( Burbaeh) Durdy.
Her father was a gram dealer at Ohlman in
Montgomery county. Mr. and Mrs. Rice have
six children: L'ual. Cleo, Emmet, Addis, Ralph
and Josephine. Mrs. Rice is a member of the
Catholic church and Mr. Rice holds member-
ship relations with the Benevolent Protective
Order of Elks. He is recognized as one of
the leaders of the Democracy in Montgomery
count] and has been a member of the board of
education of Litchfield. In 1900 he was elected
t<> represent his district in the state legislature
and in 1902 was re-elected, being the third
representative from the county that has ever
been chosen for a second term. In all of the
positions of honor ami trust either of business
or political nature to which he has been called
he has distinguished himself. His honesty and
integrity have been unquestioned, while time
has proven the soundness ami wisdom of most
of the measures which he has advocated. In
the general assembly he lias been an earnest,
zealous and untiring worker, and the public
g I and not self-aggrandizement has domi-
nated his course.

RANTER HAYNES, M. D.

In the practice of medicine Dr. Baxter
Hawies has become widely known and his pro-
fessional skill and personal worth have won
for him an enviable position in the public re-
gard. He is now living in Fillmore township,
and is a native of Barren county, Kentucky,
bom December 20, 1827. His parents were
William and Annie (Henley) Haynes. His
paternal -rand I'al her. John llavnes, was born
in England, and when sixteen years of age
came to America, settling in this country whin
it was still numbered among the colonial pos-

sessions of Great Britain. He served lor three
years during the latter part of tin' Revolution-
ary war. He was married in North Carolina
to Miss Mary Stice, who was born in Germany
and was brought to the n,» world when thir-
teen years of age. They removed from the Old
North state to Kentucky at an early period in
its development. He followed {farming
throughout bis entire life and lived to be one
hundred ami two years of age, while his wife
passed away in Kentucky when in the nineties.

It was in North Carolina that William
llavnes was reared, lie was born there, and
when a youth of thirteen accompanied his par-
ents on their removal to the Blue Grass state.
He was a farmer by occupation, and also be-
eame a minister of the Baptisl church. In
1829 he left Kentucky and removed to Illinois,
settling in .Morgan county among its early resi-
dents. Like his neighbors he had to face the
hardships and trials incident to pioneer life,
but he made the most of his opportunities and
succeeded in laying the foundation for a good
home for his family. He there died in 1831.
He hail married Miss Annie Henley, a daughter
of Timothy and Mary (Mosler) Henley. They
were of Irish birth and were married in North
Carolina. Timothy Henley was killed two
years after his marriage, and was supposed to
have been murdered in the Blue Eidge mount-
ains. His widow- afterward became the wife
of William Totty and removed to Kentucky,
the family home being established upon a farm
there. Mrs. Totty spent her remaining days
in that locality, passing away when more than
ninety years of age. Rev. and Mrs. llavnes
were the parents of twelve children, but only
three are now living.

Dr. Haynes was only about two years old
when taken by bis parents to Illinois, and was
reared upon a farm in Morgan county. He
afterward began life on his own account on a
tract of land which he secured from the gov-
ernment and there lie carried on general farm-
ing until twenty-eight years of age. He then
studied under Dr. V. L. Raustick, of Seottville,
Illinois, and having prepared for the practice
of medicine he opened an office in Dallas
county. Texas, where he remained for one year,
or until the fall of 185b. He then returned

DR. AND MRS. BAXTER 1IAYNKS

LIBRARY

OF THE

r-""" f"Y 3F [LUNQSS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

203

to this state and settled in Montgomery county
in 1863, since which time he lias practiced
within its borders. He attended lectures at
Rush Medical College in 1864-5 and was gradu-
ated from the College of Physicians and Sur-
geons at St. Louis thirty years ago. He has
read broadly concerning bis profession, has
kept in touch with the improvements and prog-
ress that have been made in connection with
the medical science and in his practice has
been very successful, carrying comfort into
many a household as he ably ministered to the
needs of the sick and suffering.

On the 4th of January, 1849, Dr. Haynes
was united in marriage to Miss Susan Bull,
who died in March. 1863, and on the 20th of
February. 1864, he was again married, his sec-
ond union being with Margaret J. Brown, of
Hillsboro. lie had five children by the first
marriage and four children by the second mar-
riage, and seven of the Dumber are now livin°\
namely : Moses, Mrs. Jane Nichols, Mrs. Annie
Lynn, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith. William. Mrs.
Carolyne Estella Smithfield and Mrs. Effie May
Jett.

Dr. Haynes proved his loyalty to the gov-
ernment in two wars, serving his country in
the war with Mexico, as a member of Company
G, First Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and in
the Rebellion he was captain of Company E.
<»ne Eimdred and Twenty-second Illinois In-
fantry, with which he served for two years.
He organized this company in 1862, and with
his command he participated in the battles of
Parkers Crossroads, Tupelo, Fort Blakely and
many skirmishes. He was never wounded, nor
was he in the hospital, and after three years
of honorable and active service hi was mus-
tered out in 1864. Tie has always been as true
and loyal to bis country and her best interests
as be was when he followed the old flag upon
the battle-fields of the south.

Roth Dr. and Mrs. Haynes are members of
the Baptist church and he is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, being made a Mason in
1866 at Donnellson, Illinois. His political al-
legiance is given to the Democracy. When he
arrived in Montgomery county he purchased
forty acres of land and is now the possessor
of three hundred iH thirty-seven and a half

acres, constituting one of the valuable farms
of the county. II is wife also owns forty
acres in her own name. Dr. Haynes has
made iiinst of the improvements upon his
property ami lias capably conducted his agri-
cultural interests as well as bis profession.
He bas long been accounted f the suc-
cessful physicians of Ibis portion of the state
and be has kept informed concerning ad-
vaneed ideas relative to the medical practice
through bis membership in the county, dis-
trict and state medical societies. lie is now
the second oblest practitioner of the county, and
although he has now passed the Psalmist's span
of three score years and ten be is yet to some
extent engaged in practice, responding to the
calls of many who have for years been num-
bered among bis patients.

W. II. II. BLACKBURN.

W. II. II. Blackburn, who carries on general
farming in Bast Fork- township, is one of
Ohio's dative sons, bis birth having occurred
in Clark county, August 5, 1836. His parents
were George W. ami Ann (Fuller) Blackburn,
the former a native of Virginia, where be spenl
his boyhood days and was reared to the occu-
pation of farming. In early manhood be re-
moved to Ohio, where he was married, and sub-
sequently he went with bis family to Indiana,
whence he afterward came to Illinois, settling
in Montgomery county. This was in 1840 and
he was one of the early pioneer residents of this
portion of the state. For more than a half
century he remained in Illinois and bis mind
bore the impress of main pictures of piomer
experiences and conditions.

W. II. II. Blackburn was reared upon the
old family homestead in Fast Fork township,
working in the fields and meadows through the
summer months, while in the winter seasons
he mastered Hie branches of learning taught in
the public schools. When twenty-one years of
age he entered upon his business career, being
first engaged in the manufacture of lumber in
a. sawmill. He devoted six years to that in-
dustry and then began farming upon the [dace
wh iv he now resides. Tie broke tin' sod and

204

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

after turning the furrows planted his crops,
which in course of time brought forth good
harvests. Year alter war he continued his
labors, working from earl)' morning until late
at night. He has one hundred and eighty acres
in the home place, and one hundred and eighty
acres in Fillmore township, and also forty acres
m East Fork township, so that his landed pos-
sessions now comprise four hundred acres,
which is the visible evidence of his life of thrift
and industry. He has been the builder of four
houses, two in Coffeen and two in Fillmore
township. In the early days he hauled rails
over the wild prairie when there were few roads
and win n fences had not been built to indicate
the individual owner of property. Mr. Black-
burn received five hundred dollars from his
father to aid him in starting out in life, but
with this exception all that he now possesses,
both realty and personal property, has been
acquired through his own labors.

In 1859 Mr. Blackburn was united in mar-
riage to Miss Miranda Wood, who died in ls.M.
leaving three children: Frank, who is living
in Missouri; Annie, who married Hardy Gates
and resides in Montgomery county ; and Flora,
the wife of Martin Mason, a merchant of Fill-
more. Mr. Blackburn was again married, his
second union being with Tabitha Gates, of
North Carolina. They have four children, who
were reared in Montgomery county: John Em-
mett; Addie, who in 19CM married Willet Nich-
ols and resides at Coffeen : Harry : and Fay.
Mrs. Blackburn is a member of the ('umber-
land Presbyterian church. Mr. Blackburn
votes with the Democracy and keeps in touch
with the questions ami issues of the day, but has
never sought or desired office as the reward for
party fealty. His attention is chiefly given,
however, to his business affairs and he is rais-
ing both grain and stock with good success.

CHARLES H. POLAND.
Charles 11. Poland, who follows farming and
stock-raising, is one of the active sons of
Montgomery county, whose present place of
residence was also his birthplace. He was born
April 13, 1861, and is a son of Jacob and Sal-

lie M. N. (Stokes) Poland. His parents were
natives of Tennessee and came thence to Illi-
nois, settling in Fayette county. The father
removed to this state with his parents when
thirteen years of age, and he afterward became
the owner of a farm, upon which the town of
Ramsey, Illinois, has been built. He came to
Montgomery county in 1856, locating on the
farm which is now- the home of his son, Charles
H. Here he began the development of his land,
comprising two hundred and forty acres, and
he continued its cultivation until he had made
it a very productive and valuable property. He
died August 29, 1898, at the age of eighty-two
years, and his widow, who still survives him,
is living in Fillmore, Illinois, at the age of
eighty years.

Charles 11. Poland, having acquired his pre-
liminary education in the common schools of
Montgomery county, afterward spent two terms
as a student in the Northern Indiana Normal
College at Valparaiso. He then returned home
and engaged in farming until 1900, when he
went to Metcalf, Illinois, where he conducted
a general mercantile store for about two years.
In 190-?. however, he sold his property there
and returned to his farm. He has two hun-
dred and forty acres of well improved land,
and this is very rich ami arable, the well tilled
fields yielding to him splendid harvests in re-
turn for the care ami labor he bestows upon
them. He has good improvements upon his
property and is widely known as an enterpris-
ing agriculturist.

On the 10th of January, 1886, Mr. Poland
was united in marriage to Miss Amanda E.
Craig, a daughter of John and Nancy Craig,
of Fayette county. Illinois. They became the
parents of two children, Can-oil and Roxie, and
Mrs. Poland died on the 16th of August. 1898.
On the 27th of March. 1902, Mr. Poland was
again married, his second union being with
Maude Knowles, a daughter of William and
Mahala Knowles. who were early settlers of
Montgomery county, and the father is now liv-
ing in Fillmore.

Mr. Poland and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal church, and he also be-
longs to the Court of Honor. He votes with
the Republican party, has served on the village

LIBRARY
OF THE
IRSITY OF ILLINOIS

C. H. POLAND

MR. AND MRS. JACOB POLAND

LIBRARY

01- I HE
UNIVERSIU Of '.'.LiNOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OK MONTGOMERY COUNTY

209

board of Fillmore, has been township collector
and was on the school board for six years. The
public duties thus placed upon him have ever
been faithfully discharged, and he is ever loyal
to a trust, whether of a public or a private
nature. In his business relations he is thor-
oughly reliable, and he deserves to he classed
among the representative fanners of Witt
township.

HENRY KEITH AUS.

Henry Neuhaus. who for eight years has been
engaged in general merchandising in Farmers-
ville, w-as born in Madison county. Illinois,
August 18, 1869. His father. Henry Neuhaus,
St., was a native of Germany and spent the
days of his youth in that country and was
married there ere his emigration to the new
world. The year 1864 witnessed his arrival
in America. Crossing the Atlantic, he made
his way direct to Madison county, Illinois,
where he located upon a farm and still makes
bis home, being one of the prosperous and high-
ly respected agriculturists of that community.
Henry Neuhaus. whose name forms the cap-
tion of this review, was born and reared in
Madison county and remained upon the farm
with his father until he had attained his ma-
jority. He had fair common-school advantages,
pursuing his education through the winter
months, while during the summer season he
assisted in the labors of plowing, planting and
harvesting. He made the most of his oppor-
tunities in the schoolroom, being an apt scholar,
and broad reading and experience in later
years have also largely added to his knowledge.
While residing in Madison county Mr. Neu-
haus was married in 1892 to Miss Sophia
Linker, who was horn in that county and was
of'German parentage. Her girlhood days were
spent in the same neighborhood in which Mr.
Neuhaus resided and as hoy and girl they at-
tended school together. Following their mar-
riage they began (heir domestic life upon a
farm in Madison county and there resided for
five years, his attention being devoted to the
tilling of the soil. In 1897, however, believing
that he would prefer a mercantile career, he

bought out an established business in Farmers-
Mile and has since been identified with the
commercial interests of the town. He now
carries a well -elected stock id' general goods,
including dry goods and groceries, and his pat-
ronage has constantly increased until he has
become one of the prosperous business men of
his locality, lie owns his own store building,
which is a neat, well arranged and well lighted
business house ami his unfaltering courtesy to
his patrons and his earnest desire to render
satisfaction in all trade relations have secured
to him a business that is represented by a large
figure annually, in addition to his store he
also owns a neat residence which he has re-
built and remodeled, making a delightfully
comfortable home.

Unto Mr. and .Mrs. Neuhaus have been born
four children: Paul. Albert, Bertha and Marie.
The parents were reared in the Lutheran faith
and arc members of the church of that denom-
ination in Farmersville. Politically Mr. Neu-
haus is a Republican and is now serving as a
member of the village board, having been
elected on that ticket, lie exercises his official
prerogatives in support of measures which he
deems will prove of benefit to the town and
whether in or out of office gives loyal allegiance
to everything pertaining to the general wel-
fare. In his trade relations he has made an
honorable name, for he has never been known
to take advantage of the necessities of his fel-
low men. lives faithfully up to the terms of
every contract and fulfills every obligation.

JOSHUA OSBORN.
Joshua Osborn, interested in general farming
in Audubon township, was born on the 9th of
April, 1836, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his
parents being William and Sarah (Manwaring)
Osborn. The father came from England. He
was a shoemaker by trade and followed that
calling in Philadelphia prior to the Mexican
war. When there was need of military service
he responded to the call of his adopted coun-
try and joined the army, but his health became
impaired from wounds and disease contracted
while at the front and be died when bis son

'.'Ill

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

.Joshua was but ten years of age. He had mar-
ried Sarah Manwaring, whose father was of
English birth, while her mother, whose maiden
name was Piatt, was of French descent. He
died when ninety-six years of age and his wife
reached the age of seventy-six years. It will
thus be seen that Mrs. Sarah Osborn came of
a family noted for longevity and she reached
the venerable age of eighty-six years and at
her death, which occurred at the home of her
son Joshua, she was laid to rest in the cemetery
near Mountainburg, Arkansas. In the family
were two sons, the elder being John L. Osborn,
who conducts a general store in Oscoda, Michi-
gan. He is married and has two children.

Joshua Osborn was educated in Michigan.
In early childhood his family had removed
from Philadelphia to Mount Holly, New Jer-
sey, and when he was a lad of six summers the
family home was established at Rochester,
Michigan, twenty-five miles north of Detroit.
There Mr. Osborn attended the public schools
until sixteen years of age. when he entered
upon life's practical duties by learning the shoe-
maker's trade, which he Followed for four years,
lie arrived in Audubon township. Montgomery
county, Illinois, in 1856, and purchased eighty
acres of land in Hurricane township, Fayette
county. Illinois, but never resided upon that
place. For six years after his arrival here he
was employed by (Mis Little, three years before
entering the army anil three years after his
return from the front.

Prompted by a spirit of partiotism Mr. Os-
born responded to tin 1 president's call for troops
and on the 3d of July. 1861, enlisted in de-
fense of the Union as a private of the Thirty-
fifth Illinois Infantry, being mustered in at
Jefferson Barracks. He served as commissary
sergeant and was honorably discharged Sep-
tember 27, 1864, after more than three years'
connection with the army. He took part in
the battles of Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone
River, Chiekamauga, Missionary Ridge and all
of the battles of the Atlanta campaign until
the capitulation of that city. He was very
fortunate in that he was never captured nor
wounded, yet be never faltered in the perform-
ance nf any duty, although it called him into
the thickest of the fight.

Mr. Osborn was married on the 20th of Feb-
ruary. 1868, to Miss Emma F. Bishop, a
daughter id' Robert K. Bishop, of Audubon
township. Mrs. Osborn was the elder of their
two children and Frank Bishop was the young-
er. By her marriage she lias become the moth-
er of three children : Frank J., who married
Eva West, a representative of one of the old
families of Audubon township, is living in
Ohlman and has one child. Otis Ray. Howard
L. is a resident of Jacksonville, Illinois. Eva
M. has completed the course in the district
schools and expects to continue her education
in a high school.

After coining to Montgomery county Mr.
Osborn purchased eighty acres of land. Later
he removed to Ford county, Kansas, where he
secured a homestead claim of one hundred and
sixty acres, going to that state in 1884. In
1886 he removed his family to the claim and
proved it up by living upon it for five years.
He afterward traded that land for a farm of
one hundred and four acres in Arkansas, where
he also spent five years, coming, however, to
Montgomery county upon the expiration of that
period. He has been quite successful here in
his fanning operations and now has a good
property of eighty acres, which is well im-
proved and is kept in excellent condition. He
has been connected to greater or less extent
with the county since 1856 and is therefore
known to many of its older settlers as well as
its later citizens. While bis life lias been quiet-
ly passed it has exemplified a spirit of industry
and enterprise that is most commendable and
has been the basic element of his present com-
fortable competence.

MARSHALL DKISKELL.

'Idle name id' Driskell is one well known in
Montgomery county, for the subject of this
review and others of the family have been act-
ivelv and successfully engaged in farming here
for many years. 'Marshall Driskell. now re-
siding on section 21, Zanesville township, is
living a retired life, enjoying a rest which he
has truly earned and richly deserves, for
through many vears he was an active factor in

MR. AND MRS. MARSHALL D1MSKELL

LIBRARY

OF TH£
UNIVERSITY OF '.LLiNOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

213

farming interests and he became the owner of
a well improved tract of land of one hundred
and sixty acres.

Mr. Driskell lias intimate knowledge of the
history of Illinois through a long period, for
he became a resident of the state about 1835
and has lived in Montgomery county since
1851. He was born in Gallatin county, Ken-
tucky. December 27, 1825, and was a son of
William Driskell, who was born and reared in
that state and was there married to Sarah
Owens, also a native of Kentucky. The father
carried on agricultural pursuits in Kentucky,
and both he and his wife died there. They
were the parents of three children and they
departed this life during the early boyhood of
their son Marshall.

Thus left an orphan at a tender age, Mar-
shall Driskell was reared by bis uncle. John
Owens, and with him came to [llinois in 1833,
settling in Macoupin county, where he attained
his majority. Desiring a companion and help-
mate for the journey of life, he was married
in that county in 1850 to Miss Louisa Davis,
who was born and spent her girlh 1 in Ken-
tucky, whence she came to Illinois. In L851
Mr. Driskell brought his young wife to Mont-
gomery county and purchased eighty acres of
land, comprising both timber and raw prairie
land. This lie at once began to clear and im-
prove, and he opened up an excellent farm. He
afterward bought another eighty acre tract ad-
joining, and with characteristic energy he be-
gan the development of Ids property. In the
early days he underwent many of the hard-
ships and adversities incident to pioneer life
when one lias but limited capital, but as the
years passed by he was enabled to enjoy many
of the comforts ami conveniences known to the
older east. He built a neat and substantial
residence, a good barn and other necessary
buildings upon his place. He also planted an
orchard, made fences, cultivated his fields and
raised good stock. As he found opportunity
he extended the boundaries of bis farm by
additional purchase until he owned two hun-
dred and forty acres, but be has since given
his son an eighty acre tract and now retains
possession of one hundred and sixty acres on
section 21. Zanesville township. Tn raising

both grain and stock he was successful, and at
length be had saved from his earnings and the
sale of his products a capital sufficient to en-
able him to put aside further active farm labor
and live m the enjoyment of a well earned
rest.

In 1894 Mr. Driskell lost his wife, who had
for many years been a faithful companion and
helpmate to him on life's journey. They were
the parents of six children, but they lost their
youngest, a daughter, in early childhood. The
others are John, who is conducting the home
farm and is represented elsewhere in this vol-
ume; Alice E.. the wife of George Martin;
•fames M., who owns and operates a well im-
proved farm adjoining his father's land in
Zanesville township; Sarah Catherine, who is
acting as her father's housekeeper; and Net-
tie L., the wife of Robert Allen, a resident
farmer of Zanesville township.

Politically Mr. Driskell is a, stanch Demo-
crat, believing firmly in the principles of the
party and never desiring office as a reward for
his political allegiance. He belongs to the
Christian church, in which he is serving as
an elder, and in its work- he takes an active in-
terest. As one of the pioneer settlers of the
-tati'. be certainly deserves mention in this
volume, for his residence lure covers almost
seventy years. This has been a period of the
marvelous growth and development in Illinois,
and no one feels greater pride in what has
been accomplished along substantia] lines than
does Mr. I (risked, while in the community
where he has long made bis home he lias ever
borne his part in the work of improvement and
upbuilding.

THEODORE BUMANN.

Theodore Bumann, an inventor and manufac-
turer, operating an extensive productive in-
dustry of Litchfield, was born in Bunker Hill,
Macoupin county, in 1857. and is of German
lineage. His parents, Frederick and Catherine
(Knlil) Bumann. were both natives of Ger-
many and the father emigrated to the United
States in 1848. He finally located at Bunker
Hill, where he became a grain merchant and

214

PAST AND PRESENT OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY

also made extensive investments in farm prop-
erty until he is now a large landowner. By
trade he is a plasterer, but was a grain mer-
chant from the time of the Civil war until he
retired from active business life. He is now
living in the enjoyment of a comfortable com-
petence that has been acquired entirely through
his enterprising efforts. As a business man he
has figured prominently in commercial circles
and in political life has also been recognized as
a local leader. He has served as a member of
the council and as mayor of Bunker Hill and
his devotion to the general good has been mani-
fest by active co-operation in the measures
which have had for their object the substantial
improvement of his city. He has been called
to office as a Republican candidate, having long
supported the party. Fraternally he is identi-
fied with the Odd Fellows lodge. His wife is
also living and is now seventy-seven years of
age. In the family were nine children, four of
whom yet survive.

Theodore Bumann having obtained his edu-
cation in the public schools of Bunker Hill
was later engaged in the hardware business
there, conducting his store for about fifteen
years. lie early displayed considerable me-
chanical ability and inventive ingenuity and he
continued his experiments until he had per-
fected a siphon oil can, upon which he received
a patent in 1892. The following year ho came
to Litchfield and built a factory for the manu-
facture of tins can. His establishment com-
prises a large plant, the building being twenty-
six by one hundred and fifty feet and with the
others he occupies four thousand six hundred
feet of floor space and employs twenty-five peo-
ple, including traveling salesmen. The product
of (lie factory is shipped to almost every state
in the Union. Everything about the place is
m a flourishing condition ami although the fac-
tory is being operated to its full capacity the
supply is not equal to the demand. Mr. Bu-
mann also invented .in improved mouse trap
which lie manufactures, and other products of
tin Eactory are various kinds of sheet metal
ware. Altogether lie makes over twenty-five dif-
ferent articles, hut the principal output are oil
cans, pails and traps. Unlike many men of in-
ventive genius Mr. Bumann also |>"?sesses good

business and executive ability and has made his
enterprise a profitable one. His brother, A.
M. Bumann, who is a teacher of manual train-
ing in the normal school in Pittsburg, Kansas,
is financially interested in the business.

In 1885 Mr. Bumann was united in marriage
to Miss Caroline Hintz. who was born in Ger-
many, a daughter of E. C. F. Hintz, who was
a cabinet-maker by trade and settled in Bunker
Hill in the "70s. .Mr. ami -Mrs. Bumann have
three children: Harry, Doris E. and Albert.
Mr. Biimann is connected with the Modern
Woodmen camp at Bunker Hill, and he exer-
cises his right of franchise in support of men
and measures of the Republican party. He
belongs to that class of representative American
citizens who, while promoting their individual
interests, also advance the general welfare, and
he is new a leading factor in manufacturing
circles in this city.

JOHN W. RITCHIE.

John W. Ritchie has been a resident of Mont-
gomery county for almost a half century, hav-
ing located here in 1855. He was born August
14. 1834, his parents being John and Seeley
(Blackwelder) Ritchie, who were natives of
North Carolina, horn in Cabarrus county. The
grandparents had been residents of Pennsyl-
vania, whence they removed to the Old North
state, founding the family there. They were
fanning people, living in a manner common in
colonial days, and their religious faith was that
of the Lutheran church.

John Ritchie was born in 1T98 and died in
the year 1854. His wife passed away in the
same year and they wen' laid to resi near their
home in North Carolina. Mr. Ritchie had
been a farmer and miller and he was also the
owner of slaves, having twelve negroes at the
time of his death who were worth one thou-
sand dollars each. These were sold together
with the land and the proceeds of the estate
was then divided among the children. In the
family were six children, of whom John W.
was the fifth in order of birth. Mary Ann be-
came the wife of Wilson Ridenhour and after
bis deatli married Milas Bond, who is also

JOHN W. RITCHIE

LlBRAHY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF '.LLiNOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

217

deceased^ but his widow is yet living in North
Carolina. Elizabeth married Jacob A. Cruse
and both died in North Carolina. Martin A.
is living in North Litchfield township, Mont-
gomery county. Daniel M. was killed by a
horse in childhood. Sallie. who married Jacob
A. Cruse, died in North Carolina in 1884 at
the age of forty-eight years.

John W. Ritchie was educated in the state
of his nativity, attending both subscription and
free schools and later continuing his studies
in the schools of Illinois. He came to this
state m 1855 with his brother and his family,
settling on section 15, North Litchfield town-
ship. Later lie purchased a tract of land of
more than two hundred acres and as a com-
panion and helpmate on life's journey he chose
Miss Rachel S. Cress, a daughter of George
Henry Cress, of North Carolina, while her
grandparents were from Pennsylvania. Her
parents resided in Cabarrus county. North
Carolina, near Concord, and her father was a
farmer and slaveholder. He died in the Old
North state and his land was afterward sold
and his widow came to Illinois, arriving here in
1855. She then made her home with her chil-
dren until her death, which occurred Septem-
ber 7. 1901, when her remains were interred
in the Lutheran cemetery in Litchfield. She
bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Fogleman
and belonged to one of the old and prominent
families of North Carolina. Unto Mr. and
Mrs. Cress were born five children, of whom
the eldest was Mrs. Ritchie, who was educated
in North Carolina and was married the year
following her arrival in Illinois. Eliza, the
second daughter, became the wife of M. A.
Ritchie and died in North Carolina in 1854.
Martha afterward married M. A. Ritchie and
is still living. Helena is the wife of D. M.
Blackwelder, of Litchfield. Lotus C. died in
is 15 at the age of three years and was buried
in North Carolina.

John W. Ritchie and his brother purchased
about three hundred and eighty acres of land
after they completed the payment on the prop-
erty it was divided between them. Our subject
has since made additional purchases until his
landed possessions now aggregate four hundred
and fifty acres. He has greatly improved the

home farm, upon which lie resides, making it
a very productive and valuable tract of land,
equipped with substantial buildings and sup-
plied with modern facilities and the latest
improved machinery to promote the farm work.

Unto -Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie were born eleven
children: George A., who died in infancy;
James M.. at home; .Lira J., who died in in-
fancy; Mary E. and Sarah E., at home; Joel
K.. who died in infancy ; C. A., a grocer of
Litchfield, who married Margaret Taulbee;
Flora P.. who is the wife of William E. Bowles,
of North Litchfield township, by whom she has
two children, Ruth P. and J. Stanley; Alice
Ann. at home; Louise E., who died in infancy;
and Albert L., of North Litchfield township,
who married Anna Wahlrop and has two chil-
dren, Morris G. and John M.

Mr. Ritchie has always been an earnest Demo-
crat. Ins first presidential ballot being cast for
Stephen A. Douglas, since wdiich time he has
never faltered iii the allegiance to his party.
IP' and his wife are members of the Evangel-
ical church, of Litchfield. They have long
traveled life's journey together, sharing with
each other its joys and sorrows, its adversity
and prosperity. They reared a family of chil-
dren of whom they have every reason to be
proud and to them they have given good edu-
cational privileges and in addition to attend-
ing the common schools James and Charles
have been students in Litchfield and Albert in
Valparaiso. Indiana. Mr. Ritchie has also been
interested in the upbuilding and development of
the county, furthering all measures for the
practical good and at the same time conduct-
ing his private business affairs so as to win
success.

HENRY CRESS.

Henry Cress, who has attained deserved
financial success by reason of an active busi-
ness career, was born in Fillmore township,
Montgomery county, in 1865. His father, Dan-
iel Cress, was a native of North Carolina, born
in 1835 and in 18,56 he came to Illinois, set-
tling in Fillmore township, this county, where
he carried on agricultural pursuits, residing on

218

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

one farm for forty-three years. In 1900, how-
ever, he removed to his present farm in the
same township. He lias been very successful in
conducting agricultural interests and is now
the owner of five hundred acres of valuable
land. His political allegiance is given to the
Democracy and his religious faith is indicated
by his membership in the Lutheran church.
He wedded Mary J. Sanders, a daughter of
Alva and Chloe Sanders. Her father was a
farmer by occupation and was a great traveler,
visiting many parts of the new world and gain-
ing thereby broad knowledge and experience.
He, too, supported the Democracy. Mrs. Cress
was born in Audubon township, Montgomery
county, and died at the age of thirty-six years.
By her marriage she became the mother of ten
children, nine of whom reached years of ma-
turity : Bettie, who is the wife of T. C. Dough-
erty, of Auburn, Nebraska ; Katie, who married
Claypole Whitten and is living on the old home-
stead; Martin, a farmer who makes his home
in Hillsboro ; Henry ; Lillie, the wife of Robert
Wright, a farmer who resides near Irving;
Hattie, the wife of J. W. Harvey, an agricul-
turist of Nebraska; Peter, at home: William,
who is living with his brother; and Luvena,
who is the widow of T. F. Haven and is liv-
ing in Fillmore township.

Henry Cress acquired his education in the
district schools near his home, being reared to
manhood upon the old farmstead. He assisted
his father in its operation until twenty-five
years of age, when he came to Hillsboro and
began clerking, but in 1903 he began business
for himself. He has prospered in his undertak-
ings and is interested in the Hillsboro Electric
Railway Company.

In 1898 Mr. Cress was united in marriage
with Miss Julia Lohr. a daughter of William
Lohr, who was a farmer by occupation. He
was born in Germany and at an early day came
to Montgomery county, Illinois, casting in his
lot with its pioneer settlers. He soon became
recognized as one of the leading and influential
residents of this locality. Mrs. Cress was born
in Witt township. Montgomery county, in 1873,
and by her marriage lias become the mother of
one child, Foster, who was born in Hillsboro
in 1S99. Mrs. Cress holds membership in the

Presbyterian church. Mr. Cress gives his po-
litical allegiance to the Democracy and while
deeply interested in the success of his party
has never sought or desired office. He and his
family have a beautiful home in Hillsboro and
enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of
friends.

A. K. VANDEVEE.

A. K. Vandever, the editor of the Irving
Time- and also proprietor of the Irving furni-
ture store, was burn in Moweaqua, Illinois,
September 14, 1855. His parents were Aaron
S. and Isabella Vandever, the former a prac-
ticing physician at Oconee, Illinois. He was
following bis profession there when in response
to his country's need he enlisted in Company I,
Thirteenth .Missouri Infantry, and was wound-
ed at the battle of Fort Donelson. In 1863
be came to Irving, Illinois, but he never re-
covered from bis wound and ultimately it
caused bis death in 1868. He was then but
forty-four years of age. His widow, long sur-
viving him, departed this life in 1895, at the
age of sixty-four years.

A. K. Vandever acquired his early educa-
tion in flic public schools and afterward at-
tended the Central Normal College of Dan-
ville. Indiana. When twenty-seven years of
age he began teaching school in Montgomery
county ami in 1900 he turned his attention to
journalistic work in connection with S. J.
Cottrell. ,A year later he purchased his part-
ner's interest in the Irving Times, which is an
excellent local newspaper that keeps apace with
the progressive spirit of journalism and which
is devoted to the best interests of the home
locality. Mr. Vandever. however, has not con-
fined his attention alone to this line, but is
an act i vi' factor in the commercial interests of
the town, conducting a good furniture store.

In 1884 Mr. Vandever was married to Miss
Mamie Haller, a daughter of E. L. Haller, of
Illinois, ami to them were born three children:
A. E., who is eighteen years of age; Lester K.,
a youth of fourteen: and Frankie, who died
at the age of three months. The parents are
members of the Presbyterian church and Mr.

LESTER K. VANDEVEE

A. K. VANDEVEE

MKS. A. K. VANDEVEE

A. EDWAED VANDEVEE

LiBRAHY

OF I HE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OP MONTGOMERY COUNTY

221

Vandever is now serving as a member of the
building committee for the erection of the new
church, lie belongs to Irving lodge. No. 455,
A. F. & A. M., ami to the Mutual Protective
League, No. 8, of which he is now secretary,
lie has been active in public life ami has filled
various offices, serving as police judge, as super-
visor for two terms, as assessor, as a member of
the school board and for two terms as justice
of the peace, being elected to these positions on
the Republican ticket. He advocates the prin-
ciples of the party by active service in political
campaigns and he is found as the champion
of every measure which is dominated by a spir-
ii of progress and improvement in behalf of
the community.

JOHN C. CRABTREE.

For almost sixty years — the entire period
of his life — John ('. Crabtree has been a resi-
dent of Montgomery county. He was born
November 1. 1847, in Smith Litchfield town-
ship, upon the farm where John Simpson now
resides. II i> lather. John Crabtree, came
from Kentucky to Illinois when a young man
and was one of the honored pioneer settlers.
He lived here when the greater part of the
land was still unimproved and when the work
of progress and development lay Largely in the
future. There were many hardships and trials
to be borne in establishing homes in this lo-
cality, but with resolute spirit lie met all diffi-
culties and triumphed over many obstacles.
He married Miss Nancy Griffith, and he car-
ried his household goods across a footlog
which spanned the Long branch. They lived
in a little rail shack until a cabin could be
erected, and Mr. Crabtree carried water from
a spring a mile and three-quarters from his
home, hut both he ami his wife bravely met
the pioneer conditions and in course of time
were enabled to enjoy many more of the com-
forts and conveniences of life. As the years
passed they became the parents of twelve chil-
dren, seven sons and five daughters, all of
whom reached adult age and were married
with the exception of the youngest two. The
three eldest are now deceased, but eight of

the number arc now living. Both parents,
however, are deceased.

Upon the old homestead farm John C.
Crabtree spent the da_\s of Ins boyhood and
youth and assisted in the arduous task of de-
veloping new fields, lie attended the com-
mon schools in the winter months and in the
summer seasons gave his father the benefit of
his labors. In 1868 lie was united in mar-
riage to ,Mis> Esther Witmer, ami they be-
came the' parents of Jive children: Fanny, the
wife of Charles Wethers; Hettie, the wile of
Rufus Gamble, a resident of Seattle. Wash-
ington; Chris, who is located at Great Falls,
Montana; John Q., who is engaged in the ope-
raliou of a. sawmill in California; and David,
who is in the Treadwell mines in Alaska.

At the time of bis marriage Mr. Crabtree
received from his father a gift of forty acres
of land near Litchfield and resided thereon
for a year. He then purchased a farm on sec-
tion 28, Hillsboro township, and has since
blade it bis home. It comprises one hundred
and nineteen acres of land, about live and a
half miles southwest of Hillsboro. and the
fields are under a high state of cultivation,
while in the pastures are found good grades
of stock. He raises cattle and hogs and bis
sales bring to him a good profit on his in-
vestment. His is a well equipped farm, and
wiih the exception of the assistance which be
received from In- father at time of his mar-
riage Mr. Crabtree has made bis way unaided
in the business world and deserves considerable
credit for what he has accomplished. In
politics he is a Democrat, and while he keeps
well informed on the questions and issues of
the day. as every true American citizen should
do. He has no ambition for public office, pre-
ferring to devote his undivided attention to
In- business interests, in which be is meeting
with well merited success.

POY A. RHINE.

Poy A. Rhine, who was born June 28, IPSO,
upon the farm where he now resides, is a rep-
resentative of one of the old families of Illinois.
His paternal grandfather was born in this

222

PAST AM) PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

state and was a farmer by occupation. His
children wore Charles. William, Gardner, Riley,
Jesse. Arthur, George T.,, Mrs. Lillie Hupp and
Mrs. Alice Hupp. The sisters are yet living.
His father, George T. Rhine, is also a native
of Illinois, born in Macoupin county. Septem-
ber 10', 1847, and of German lineage. He wed-
ded Mary Spear, a native of New Jersey and
of English lineage, her birth occurring October
26, 1850. The father developed his farm from
the raw prairie and made all of the improve-
ments thereon, transforming it from a tract
of wild land into a place of rich fertility, the
fields yielding good harvests. He died April
16, 1899, and his wife on the 24th of March,
of the same year. They had four children, but
Frank died in infancy. Charles died in April,
1899, at the age of twenty-four years; Luther
died March 31, 1899. and thus the parents
and the two sons passed away within a month,
the physicians being unable to determine the
disease which caused their deaths.

Roy A. Rhine spent his boyhood days under
the parental roof and acquired his education in
the Walker school in Nokomis. He has always
carried on agricultural pursuits from the time
when he was trained to farm labor by work-
ing in his father's fields. He began farming
on his own account upon the place where he
now resides, having here eighty acres of land.
He is the only survivor of his father's family.
In his farming operations he has been energetic
and purposeful ami by means of his untiring
industry he has won a fair measure of success.
On the 17th of July, 1901. Mr. Rhine was
married to Miss Flora Eddington, a daughter
of Wesley and Ella Eddington, of Macoupin
county. Illinois. She is of English descent and
her parents were early settlers of Macoupin
countv. Mr. and Mrs. Rhine now have two
sons: George Wesley, who was born in Jan-
uary, 1902; and Benjamin, born February 1,
1904. Mrs. Rhine acquired her literary educa-
tion in the town schools of Macoupin county,
has been liberally educated in music and is an
excellent performer on the piano. Mr. Rhine
■ votes with the Democracy, but while he keeps
well informed on the questions and issues of
the day so as to cast an intelligent ballot he
has never sought or desired office, preferring to

give his undivided attention to his business
affairs.

WILLIAM T. QUARTLEY.

William T. Quartley, one of the early set-
tlers of Montgomery county, whose residence
here dates from 1877, is living on section 32,
Raymond township, where he has a well im-
proved and valuable farming property of two
hundred acres. He was born in Somerset-
shire, England, July 4, 1853. His father,
Thomas Quartley, was descended from a long
line of English ancestors, and in his native
land was married to Miss Harriet Hooper,
also born on the "merrie isle.'' Mr. Quartley
reared his family in England and continued a
resident of that country until called to his
final rest.

William T. Quartley was there reared, at-
tending public schools, and in early manhood
became imbued with the desire to seek a home
and fortune in the new world, having heard
favorable reports concerning the opportunities
here afforded. He was twenty-three years of
age when, in 1S77, he crossed the Atlantic and
located in Montgomery county, Illinois. Hav-
ing no capital with which to purchase land, he
began work as a. farm hand and was thus em-
ployed for two years, alter which he rented a
farm for several years. Subsequently he pur-
chased a part of his present farm, becoming
the owner of an improved place of one hun-
dred and sixty acres, and with characteristic
energv he began i is further cultivation ami de-
velopment. At a later date he extended its
boundaries by the purchase of an additional
tract nf forty acres. He has been raising good
graded shorthorn cattle, boss and horses, and
as a stock-raiser and dealer he has met with
gratifying and well merited success. He con-
tinued his labors uninterruptedly until 1889,
when he returned to his native country and
visited his parents and friends, remaining for
one year in the Old World. He also went to
Scotland and Ireland, visiting the important
cities of those countries and other points of
historic and modern interest, and also spent
two weeks in the city of London. In 1890

ME. AND MRS. W. T. QUARTLEY

LIBRARY

Of THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PRESENT OE MONTGOMERY COUNTY

225

he again came to America, and in 189*2 he
made a second visit to England, where he re-
newed the friendships of his youth.

Mr. Quartley married while abroad, having
for fourteen years been in eorespondence with
the lady whom he made his wife. It was on
the 1th of February, 1893, that he was joined
in wedlock to Miss Marian Pish, who was born
in England, hut was of Scotch lineage. Her
father was a farmer of England, and they were
married in the "Id church in her native town.
She was born in Elworthy and had remained
under the parental roof until she gave her
hand in marriage- to Mr. Quartley. They
sailed from Liverpool on the 8th of February,
and on the steamship Majestic they arrived in
the New York harbor on the 16th of that
month. They then went south on a wedding
trip and afterward came to Illinois, where a
reception was held I'm- them on the 26th of
February by a half-brother at his home in
Macoupin county.

Politically Mr. Quartley is a stanch Repub-
lican where national questions and issues are
involved, hut at local elections he votes inde-
pendently. He lias never sought or desired
office for himself, hut has given his undivided
attention to his business affairs, in which he
lias prospered, lie was reared in the faith of
tlie Methodist Episcopal church. His wife
was reared in the Episcopal faith, hut since
coming to America has joined the Methodist
church with her husband. Mr. Quartley is an
industrious and successful farmer and has
made for himself an honored name in the land
of his adoption. He has many sterling traits
of character, being of kindly spirit, of gener-
ous disposition and of strong manhood and
honorable purpose. He and his estimable wife
are much esteemed in the community, and
with pleasure we present the record of their
careers to the readers of this volume.

THOMAS H. WOOD.

Thomas H. Wood, the efficient police magis-
trate of Litchfield, who is also extensively ope-
rating in real estate, carrying on business as a
member of the firm of Wood Brothers, was

born June 28, L857, in Montgomery county,
his parents being John and Elizabeth (Wil-
liams) Wood, lie remained upon the home
farm until twenty-six years of age and in 1885
he became a resident of Raymond, where he
began business as a contractor and builder,
erecting many buildings there and elsewhere.
In 1893 he became actively and extensively en-
gaged in real estate operations by building an
addition to Raymond and purchasing the land.
which he divided and sold as town lots or in
small trail.- of about a quarter of a block each.
He also traded for the Park View addition to
the town and closed out that subdivision. He
has owned various kinds of property including
unimproved swamp land, coal mines, farm
lands and business property and he has prob-
ably bought and sold more property than any
other one man in the county. Realizing the dis-
advantages attending the conduct of his busi-
ness in a small town, Raymond having only a
population of about fifteen hundred, he re-
moved to Litchfield in order that he might
have better railroad and other facilities, taking
up his abode here March 12, 1901.

In connection with bis real estate interests
Mr. Wood has conducted an insurance business
as agent for different fire, life and accident in-
surance companies, representing the John Han-
cock, the Mutual Life, the Aetna Accident and
also large fire insurance companies.

Mr. Wood was elected police magistrate on
the 19th of April. 1904, and in this capacity he
has charge of all criminal business in the city
and manages the civil business. He has made
a most enviable record in office, having had
jurisdiction over one hundred and thirty cases
in a month. He was elected for a term of four
years and his course has been entirely satis-
factory to the public. In bis political affilia-
tion he is a stalwart Democrat and was very
active in politics until about five years ago,
since which time his attention has been given
more largely to his business affairs. In Ray-
mond he served as deputy sheriff and was also
constable and assessor of the township. He
made a new set. of books for Raymond under
the new \:\\\ . which was taken as the basis of
equalization for the entire county. Three mem-

826

PAST AMi PEESENT OF Mo.NTOO.M EEY C()l NTY

bers of the board of review appointed by the
county judge never made a change in the books
of assessment which were gotten up by Mr.
Wood while assessor of Kaymond in 1896, and
he was the only one of eighteen assessors who
performed a work of this character so that his
book was taken as a basis by the board of
equalization for the entire county. He was a
candidate for the office on the Democratic
ticket and was the only one of his party on
the entire city ticket that was elected. In both
his business and political career he has dis-
played marked ability and rare capacity for
successful effort and has made for himself an
enviable record.

JOHN HENRY BREMEE.

John Benry Bremer, of Hillsboro, is well
known in industrial and agricultural circles of
Montgomery county, lie possesses untiring en-
ergy, is quick of perception, forms his plans
readily and is determined in their execution;
and his close application to business ami his
excellent management have brought I" him the
high degree of prosperity which is to-day hi=
It is true that he became interested in a busi-
ness already established, but in controlling ami
enlarging such an enterprise many a man of
even considerable resolute purpose, courage ami
industry would have failed; ami lie has demon-
strated the truth of the saying that success i.-
mit the result of genius, hut the outcome <<( a
clear judgment and experience.

Mr. Bremer was born in Hanover. Germany,
on the 9th of November, 1850, and came to
the United States in June, ls;>7. with his par-
ents, William II. and Mary (Bartoff) Bremer.
Hi- father was born in Hanover and in 1857
made arrangements whereby he left his native
country and brought his family to the new
world, locating upon a farm a half mile north
of Hillsboro. There he carried on agricultural
pursuits for many years and was a resident
of the same locality until his death, which
occurred in 1899, when he was seventy-four
years of age. He held membership in the
Lutheran church and belonged to the church
council for a quarter of a century. He took

a very active and helpful part in religious work
and did everything in his power to promote the
cause of Christianity and extend its influence in
Montgomery county. His study of the political
issues ami questions of the day led him to give
earnest allegiance to the Republican party. His
wife, also a native of Hanover, and a consistent
member of the Lujtheran church, died in 18(51
at the age of thirty-two years. They were the
pari nts of live children : Johanna, the wife of
Herman Wiegand, a shoemaker residing in Mor-
risonville ; John Henry, of this review ; Minnie
ami Ida. both deceased; and Sophia.

John Henry Bremer was a student in the
district schools and entered the public schools
of Hillsboro in his boyhood days, but his edu-
cational privileges were somewhat limited, as
his services were needed upon the home farm.
In IS!i5 he came into possi ssion of the Hills-
boro roller mills and has since been engaged in
the manufacture of flour in connection with the
operation of his farm. The mill has been re-
cently remodeled and supplied with the latest
improved machinery for the manufacture of
high grade Hour, of breakfast foods and of meal.
This is one of the large mills of the county.
having a capacity of one hundred and fifty bar-
rels pel' day, ami the business is successfully
conducted under the able supervision of Mr.
Bremer. In the spring of 1904 he extended his
activities into other fields of labor and formed
a partnership with Daniel Tee and engaged
in the lumbering business, establishing a yard
on the east side of the mill on South Main
street. There the firm handles all kinds of
dressed and undressed lumber and its patronage
is now extensive. The farm which Mr. Bremer
owns comprises three hundred acres of \en
highly improved land. Upon the [dace are mod-
ern buildings, including a handsome residence
equipped with all modern conveniences. The
land is splendidly drained, the fields are under
a high state of cultivation and the place is
stocked with high grades of cattle.

In L878 occurred the marriage of Mr. Br< mer
and Miss Minnie Brinker, who was born in Ger-
many in 1856 and came to the United State*
when but seven years of age with her parents,
Louis and Minnie Brinker. who located in St.
Louis. Missouri. Mr. Bremer was a carpenter

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

J. H. BREMER

WILLIAM H. BREMEK

LIBRARY

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PEESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

23]

by trade, but subsequently purchased a farm
in Butler Grove township, Montgomery count)'.
where he carried on agricultural pursuits until
1899. He then retired from business and has
since made his home with his daughter. 1 nto
Mr. and Mrs. Bremer were born nine children:
Mamie. George, Ida. Henriette, Minnie. Otto,
Henry, Louis and Frederick. The last named
is now deceased and the mother passed away in
July, 1897. In 190] Mr. Bremer was again
married, his second union being with Miss Alice
Currier, a daughter of August Currier, an archi-
tect. Both of her parents are now deceased.
Mrs. Bremer was born in Hillsboro in 18G4
and has two children, Jesse and Lawrence.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Bremer are members of
the Lutheran church and in politics he is a
Ri publican. He has served as highway commis-
sioner for nine years and has also been a church
official, acting as trustee and a member of the
church council, lie takes a very active and help-
ful interest in church affairs, contributing gen-
erously to the support of the organization and
doing all in his power to promote its growth
and extend its influence. Almost bis entire
life has been passed iii Montgomery county,
where he has so directed bis labors as to win
good results, while bis integrity as well as Ins
industry stands a- an unquestioned fact in his
business career.

CHARLES A. BOST.

Charles A. Bost. representing agricultural
and horticultural interests of Montgomery
county, is living on section 28, Rountree town-
ship. His birth occurred within the corporation
limits of this township, on the old family home-
stead, October 7, 1866, his parents being Daniel
and Amanda S. (Ridenhour) Bost. both of
whom were natives of North Carolina, whence
they came to Montgomery county in 1833, lo-
cal mil; in Rountree township among its earliest
settlers. As there were no good roads at that
time the journey was made on horseback and
for a number of years they lived in true pio-
neer style, performing the arduous task of es-
tablishing a new home upon the frontier. Sub-
sequently they resided in Butler for a short

period and about eight years ago they took up
their abode in Nokomis, where .Mr. Bost is now
living retired at the advanced age of eighty-
eighl years. His wife is now sixty-five years
of age.

Charles A. Bost pursued his education in
the schools of Butler Grove township and after-
ward accompanied bis parents on their removal
to Butler, lie remained at home until eighteen
years of age, when he began earning his own
livelihood by working by the month as a farm
band, being thus employed until 1888. He
then went to Missouri and in the following year
he removed to Kansas and afterward to Okla-
homa, lie secured a lot at Crescent City and
assisted in laying out the town. He was also
assistant postmaster there and took an active
and helpful part in the early development of
' that place, but in March, 1890, he sold his in-
terests there and returned to Montgomery coun-
ty. Here he followed farming for a year, after
which he worked at the carpenter's trade for
about five years. On the expiration of that
period he took up his abode at bis present place
of residence on section 28, Rountree township.
At first he rented a tract of land here, but he
now owns one hundred and twenty acres. When
he took up his abode at this place he at once
began the improvement and development of the
property and he now has a good house, a com-
modious and substantial barn and many mod-
ern equipments. Shade trees add to the value
and attractive appearance of the place and the
land is divided into fields of convenient size
by well kept fences. He was entirely without
capital when he took up his abode upon this
farm and he had no stock, but upon the place
are now seen good grades of cattle, horses and
hogs and bis fields annually return to him good
harvests, while among his other possessions is
a fine young orchard of one thousand trees.

While Mi'. Bost has led a very busy and use-
ful life in his efforts to accumulate a comfor-
table competence for his family he has also
found time and opportunity to serve his fel-
low townsmen in positions of public trust. He
was elected town clerk in 1900 and is now
filling that position and also the office of school
director, lie is likewise a member of the cen-
tral committee of bis township and has given

.,.;.,

PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

unfaltering support to the principles of the
Republican party since attaining his majority.

On the 23d of October, 1890, Mr. Bost was
married to Miss Elizabeth C. Nussman, a
daughter of Eli and Sarah E. (Liticker) Nuss-
man, who are residents of Eountree township.
Mr. and Mrs. Bost are the parents of five chil-
dren: Florence Elmira, born June 25, 1887;
Edna P., November 18, 1891; Warner (!., No-
vember Id, 1892; Hazel L., January 18, 1895;
and Archibald, who was born February 11,
1896, and died on the 20th of July of the
same year. The parents attend the Lutheran
church and Mr. Most belongs to the Modern
Woodmen camp at Nokomis and Rountree
Council No. 131, M. P. L.. which was organ-
ized in Eountree township. In politics he is a
stalwart Eepublican and he was the father of
the mail route of this locality. He also wrote
the first hunting license of his township. Hav-
ing spent his entire life here he has been deeply
interested in what has been accomplished, in
the progress that has been made and in the
development which has marked the transition
of the county from pioneer conditions to a
state of advanced modern civilization. In his
business he has prospered as the result of his
untiring diligence and enterprise and well mer-
its the success that has come to him

It will be interesting in this connection to
note something id' the early history of Eli
Nussman, the father of Mrs. Bost. He was the
first white child horn where the city of Hills-
boro now stands, there opening his eyes to the
light of day in a little cabin located not far
from the Rountree spring, which furnishes the
water for the present water works system of
Hillsboro. His natal day was April 9, 1824.
Two years after Illinois had been admitted to
the Union as a state his father, John Nussman.
left his home in Cabarrus county. North Caro-
lina, and came with his family to Illinois, being
the first white man to settle among the hills and
primeval forests of Hillsboro. His rude cabin
was the first building erected at the future
county seat. When his son Eli was six years of
age the father determined to better his fortunes
by taking up some of the wild land that lay
north of Hillsboro. There were few settlers in
the entire county and the rich prairies of the

northern portion, which now sell for from sev-
enty to one hundred dollars per acre, were then
considered worthless lands. In his native state
John Nussman had followed farming, but after
his arrival in this county he conducted a wagon
shop. He determined, however, to return to
his former vocation and this led to his change
in location. In 1830 he removed to what is
now Rountree township and upon the farm
which he there developed he reared his family
of eleven children, of whom Eli Nussman was
the youngest. The wife and mother, who bore
the maiden name of Kathryn Fogleman, died
August 13, 1846, wdiile John Nussman survived
until May '.';, 1852, passing away when about
seventy-five years of age. When he removed to
his farm in 1830 he was the only white man
in the county north of Irving township. There
was much wild game and venison was a com-
mon dish upon the family table, while wild
turkey, prairie chickens and honey were also
easily secured. Near the family home was a
camping place for the Kiekapoo Indians, who
were friendly to their white neighbors, fre-
quently making them presents of small trink-
ets and trading them deer skins and venison
for ammunition and bacon. Mrs. Nussman
made all the wearing apparel for the family,
manufacturing the cloth as well as the gar-
ments. This consisted of thick, heavy jeans,
linsey and a coarse cloth made from cotton
grown on the place, for in those days cotton
was raised to considerable extent by the pio-
neers of this county. Eli Nussman received but
limited educational advantages, for there were
no schools worth mentioning in his locality
and the knowledge he gained was received
through contact with his fellow men and by
observation and experience. In this way. how-
ever, he has gained much valuable learning and
has become a well informed man. In his youth
he delighted in hunting and found great pleas-
ure in the sport long after attaining man's
estate. He has long been regarded as one of
the best practical farmers of the county and
at one time he owned four hundred acres of
land, upon which he raised all kinds of stock
to be found on a well regulated stock farm.
When nearly four score years of age he planted
and cultivated thirty-five acres of corn. In

PAST AND EEESENT OF -MONTGOMERY COUNTY

■»:;:;

his younger years he was remarkably strong
ami vigorous and boasts that he killed Ins two
deer before breakfast and often as many as
four a day. He also tells of making rails for
twenty-five cents a hundred and regarded it
as a good price.

Mr. N'ussman married Miss Sarah Liticker,
a daughter id' Mr. and Mrs. Arba Liticker, who
were early settlers of Fillmore township. They
were married May • '.. 1858, when Mrs. Xuss-
111:111 was eighteen years of age, her birth hav-
ing occurred April (i, 1840. They became the
parents id' six children, three of whom are liv-
ing: Harriet Catharine, the wife of George
Caulk; Mary Emeline, wile of Tom Bost; and
Elizabeth Nora, the wife of Charles Bost. Mr.
Nussman has never taken a verj active interest
in politics, but has always been identified with
the Democracy, lie has ever been known as a
man of strong integrity, honest and honorable
in all of his transactions and popular among
those who knew him. He has always bad the
warm affection of his family and is numbered
among the honored pioneers of Montgomery
count v.

G. A. RICHMOND.
G. A. Richmond, a well known cattle-raiser

and one of the substantial citizens id' Fill-
more township, was bom upon the place where
he now resides, his natal day being October
8, 1851. His parents were Gideon and
Harriet (Knowles) Richmond. His father,
now deceased, was born in Licking county,
Ohio, in 1820, and was a son id Henry and
Eliza. F. Richmond, I be former burn in Mas-
sachusetts and the latter in New Jersey.
Gideon Richmond was reared in the state of
bis nativity and afterward Eollowed (be occu-
pation of farming there until 1845, when be
came to Montgomery county and settled upon
the lull in Fillmore township. He was one
of the early resident- of that locality. lie
purchased the old homestead at the time of his
arrival, began transforming the wild laud into
richly cultivated fields, and in due course of
time, owing to the success which be achieved
through his own efforts, he became known as

an extensive farmer. He gave particular at-
tention to the raising of wheal and to some
extent, produced corn. lie also engaged in
stock-raising, and whatever be undertook be
earned forward I" successful completion. He

possessed, reover, good business ability and

sound judgment, and be carefully considered
every advance move. At the time of liis death
he owned over five hundred acres of land. He
was respected by all for his many good quali-
ties, and bis example is well worthy of emu-
lation, proving what can be accomplished by
strong and determined purpose when supple-
mented by honorable business methods. He
was married in 1848 to Miss Harriet Knowles,
who was bom in New Hampshire and came to
Montgomery county, Illinois, when eight years
nf age with her parents, Joseph and Hannah
Knowles. There were only a few houses
within the borders of the county at the time
nf her arrival, and the town of Fillmore had
imt been established. There were only three
dwellings within a mile of this place, and al-
most tl ntire country was a section of wild

prairie, upon which mil a furrow bad been
turned or an improvement made. Unto Mr.
and Mrs. Richmond were born four children,
but only two are living: (f. A., of this review;
and Dora, the widow of Ora E. Lane, of Fill-
more, iir. Richmond was always a Demo-
crat in bis political views, and he never fal-
tered in support of the partj in which he be-
lieved, lie died as the result of a stroke of
paralysis in 1895, ami since that time his
widow lias made her home with her son. C. A.
Richmond. Her youngest son, Ernest, died in
1903.

G. A. Richmond pursued bis education in
the district school near his father'- home, and
in bis boyhood and youth worked upon the
bnnie farm, assisting in the various labor- thai
fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When
twenty-five years of age be began operating bis
father's land on bis own account and dial he
has prospered in bis business undertakings as
the years have gone by is shown by the fact
that be is now the owner of throe hundred
acres of valuable land, well improved and
equipped with all modern conveniences. Upon
his place is a good bouse and substantial barn.

23 I

PAST AM) PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

He is devoting the greater part of his time
and attention to the raising of cattle and owns
a thoroughbred shorthorn bull. All the cattle
which he sells are raised upon his farm, and
his business interests have become extensive,
so that he is now one of the prosperous men
of his community. He has placed his de-
pendence, not upon any fortunate combina-
tion of circumstances, hut with a realization
that labor is the basis of all prosperity he has
worked earnestly and indomitably, and is now
one of the well known and substantial stock-
dealers of his community.

G. A. Richmond was married about twenty-
five years ago to .Miss Ada Bost, a daughter
of John J. Bost. .She spent her girlhood days
in Montgomery county and has become the
mother of three children: Nellie, now the wife
of R. Sanders, of Fillmore; Zella, who married
Frank Woleott ; and Kent, who resides at
home.

Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have a wide and
favorable acquaintance in Montgomery coun-
ty. Both hold membership in the Methodist
Episcopal church, take an active interest in its
work and delight in its growth and tin' ex-
tension of its influence. Mr. Richmond also
belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being made
a Mason in 1886 at Fillmore lodge. No. 670,
and he is also connected with the Woodmen
camp and the Court of Honor, and his political
views are in accord with the principles of the
Democracy. Those who have known him from
boyhood and have been daily witnesses of his
life are numbered among his stanches! friends,
a fact which indicates that his career has ever
been guided by upright principles, and while
he has won prosperity he lias also gained an
untarnished name.

CHARLES B. McKINNEY.

Charles B. McKinney, a representative of
the business interests of Irving as a dealer in
general merchandise, was horn in Center coun-
ty. Pennsylvania. January 2. 1856, his parents
being Edward C. and Eliza A. (Brown) Mc-
Kinney. both of whom were natives of the
Kovstone state, the father born in Mifflin

county and the mother in Dauphin county.
They became residents of Montgomery county,
Illinois, in November, 1883, and subsequently
removed to Decatur, this state, where the fa-
ther's death occurred in July, 1885. His widow
removed to Chicago, where she now makes hei
home.

Charles B. McKinney was educated in the
common schools of Pennsylvania and in Penn
Hall Academy. He later engaged in teach-
ing through the winter months, while in the
summer seasons he continued his studies, in
May, 1878, he went to Kansas, where he taught
school for two years and on the 31st of May,
1880, he arrived in Montgomery county,
locating at Irving. Here he resumed teaching
and he also worked at carpentering and farm-
ing. In November. 188?. however, he became
a factor in the commercial life of the town by
con ring into partnership with James L. Mc-
David under the firm name of McDavid &
McKinney, proprietors of a general mercantile
store. This relationship was maintained until
July. 1892, when Mr. McDavid sold his interest
to James S. Kelly, and they were partners until
the 1st of March, 1895, when Mr. McKinney
bought out Mr. Kelly's interest. He now has
the largest stock of goods in the town and is
doing a very profitable business. Ids trade still
increasing. His methods recommend him to
the potronage of the public and the support of
a customer, when once secured, is always re-
tained, because of his honorable treatment of
his customers and his earnest desire to please.

On the 10th of April, 1881, Mr. McKinney
was united in marriage to Idella W. Kelley,
a daughter of Harvey M. Kelley. They had
two children: Darwin Pay. who is a clerk in
his father's store; and Owen LaMar, also in
the -tore. Mrs. McKinney died September 12,
L889, and on the 21st of January, 1891, Mr.
McKinney married Mrs. .Jennie Townsend, of
Staunton. Illinois. Their children are Harold
Verne, who was born August 1. 1893; and
Claude Belaud, horn December 2d. 1895.

Mr. McKinney is an adherent of Democratic
principles and served as a member of the
school hoard of his town for six years, while at
the present time he i- serving as a member of
the council. He belongs to the Mutual Pro-

Mil. AND MRS. C. B. MrKIXXKY

LIBRARY

OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

PAST AND PEESBNT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

-:;;

tective League; the Court of Honor, No. 333;
the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 1498; the
[rving lodge, Mo. 155, A. P. & A. M.. of which
he has been master for a number of years; and
to the Presbyterian church. He is well known
in fraternal circles, where his close adherence
to the helpful and benevolent spirit of the dif-
ferent orders has made him widely known as a
representat ive member.

SAMUEL A. MERIWETHER.

Samuel A. Meriwether, who follows farm-
ing and stock-raising on section 30, Harvel
township, has a good tract of land of one hun-
dred and sixty acres, constituting a valuable
farm, which is pleasantly located within four
miles of Raymond, Harvel and Waggoner, so
that the advantages of town life are easily ob-
tained, while he is at the same time enjoy-
ing the liberty of a country home. Born in
Illinois, Mr. Meriwether is a native of Greene
county, the date of his birth being February
5, 1843. He represents an old family of the
south, his father. Henry \V. Meriwether, hav-
ing been born in Jefferson county, Kentucky,
in 1791, soon after the admission of that state
into the Union and not long after the close
of the Revolutionary war. He was reared
amid frontier scenes in Kentucky, and be-
cause of the responsibilities that devolved upon
him and the labor that he performed he de-
veloped a self-reliant character. Having ar-
rived at years of maturity, he married Jane
Meriwether. March 17, 1811. She died Au-
gust 18, 1828, and on October 22, 1829, he
was again married, his second union being with
Miss Dorothea Lewis Hill, who was the mother
of our subject. She was burn in Virginia, hut
was largely reared in Kentucky. Mr. Meri-
wether became a prominent and successful
business man of Jefferson county and took an
active interest in public affairs, serving at
one time as sheriff of his county. He re-
moved to Illinois in 1835, settling in Greene
countv. where he purchased land and ultimate-
ly became the owner of two farms, which he
developed and improved. In 1814 he removed

to Macoupin county, where lie also became the
owner of a farm, making it hi,- hem,' until his
life's labors wen' ended in death. April 2,
L856, when be was sixty-six years of age. His
wile, surviving him some lime, passed away
September 'A I860.

In retrospecct one can see Samuel .V. Meri-
wether as a farm boy of Macoupin count)
working in the fields through the summer
months, while in the winter seasons he attend-
ed the public schools. After completing the
course of instruction in the district schools he
entered the high school at Carrollton, Greene
county. In 1864 he went to the west, spend-
Lng a year in mining in Montana am! Idaho,
after which he returned to this -late.

It was in Kentucky, however, thai Mr. Meri-
wether was married, the wedding ceremony be-
ing performed in Cumberland county on the
20th of January, 1870, on which occasion Miss
Sarah Laker became his wife. She was born
ami reared in Kentucky and was a daughter
of Daniel and Lucy (Chetham) Laker.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Meri-
wether located in Auburn, Kentucky, where
he worked at the carpenter's trade for one year
and on the expiration of that period he re-
turned to Illinois, settling in Macoupin coun-
ty, where he carried on farming with oood suc-
cess for four vears. His unfaltering indus-
try and capable management during that pe-
riod brought to him the capital Unit enabled
him to purchase the farm upon which he now
resides on section 30, Harvel township. Opon
that place at that time was an old house, hut
he has since replaced it by a large, substantial
and modern residence. He located here in
1878 and began to farm and improve this
place, the rich, productive soil yielding to him
good harvests. He has also other outbuild-
ings ami hi' has five acres in an orchard. He
has also tilled some of his land and fenced a
part of it. and now has a good place, the rich
fields promising golden harvests in the late
autumn. In connection with general