USA > Illinois > A history of southern Illinois; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests > Part 29
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William H. Hart is a native of Williamson county, his eyes having first opened to the light of day within its pleasant houndaries on August 31, 1862. He is the son of William Jasper and Sarah Ann (Murphy) Hart, the former of whom was born in Kentucky and the latter in Indiana. They came to Illinois at an early day, when the state was still wild and the Red man still claimed it as his own hunting ground, and here they lived their wholesome useful lives, carving a home out of the wilderness and laying the paths of civilization straight and clean. The father was a farmer, it goes without saying, and he was prominent and honored by his neighbors, affording in his own life a worthy example for the young men of his acquaintance. He was, nevertheless, quiet and unassuming and took no decided part in poli- tics and public life. He was a Democrat in his political faith. The mother was a devout member of the Missionary Baptist church and a worthy and admirable helpmeet for her pioneer husband. The sub- ject's grandfather was an early settler in Kentucky and was unknown by him, the older gentleman's demise having occurred before his time. The mother's family, the Murphys, were early Hoosier settlers.
Mr. Hart received his first introduction to Minerva in the Frank- lin county schools and entered upon his career as a wage-carner in the
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eapaeity of a teacher. For ten years he engaged in a pedagogical eapacity, but during most of that time he was arriving at the conelu- sion that he wanted to be a lawyer and later effected his preliminary studies. He taught in several localities-in Franklin, Jackson, Ran- dolph and Monroe counties,-and always with satisfaction to all con- cerned, for he had an enlightened idea of the duties of a preceptor. In 1890, while engaged in teaching, he met and married Mary W. East. a pioneer of Coulterville, Illinois. Mrs. Hart was also a teacher and received her education in the Carbondale Normal School. To this union a fine quartet of sons and daughters have been born, namely ; William W., Marion M., Mary M. and Mable E. All of them are in attendance at school, and William W. graduated from the township high school with the elass of 1912.
Mr. Hart attacked his Blackstone under the able direction of Daniel M. Browning, and to such good effect that he was admitted to the bar in February, 1889. Subsequent to that he entered the office of Brown- ing & Cantrell, and remained thus engaged until Mr. Browning was made commissioner of Indian affairs during Cleveland's administra- tion. He then formed a partnership with W. S. Spiller, and remained with that gentleman in successful practice until Mr. Hart's high stand- ing as a lawyer and citizen received signal recognition by his election to the county judgeship in 1898. He served one term and then re- entered the active praetiee of law. He now enjoys one of the largest practices in all Southern Illinois, and he has been connected with a great deal of important litigation. He has always been a Democrat sinee he had any ideas upon the subject or was old enough to have the right of franchise, and he is influential in party eouneils. From 1900 to 1902 he was a member of the State Democratic Committee. He formed a partnership with W. W. Williams in 1906, which partner- ship still exists. Their important connection with coal mining has been previously noted.
Mr. Hart is a Mason, belonging to the Chapter and being very popu- lar in the time-honored order. He and his family are members of the Christian church.
SAMUEL MONROE DAILEY. Eleven years ago when Samnel Monroe Dailey beeame connected with the enterprise in Louisville which he has eondueted with so mueh sueeess since its inception, he possessed as his sole asset his ten years of valuable experience as a elerk in an es- tablishment similar to the one which he proposed to launch. To off- set this asset he had a goodly handicap in the way of borrowed eapital. In spite of the meagreness of his resources as to material wealth, his resourees of shrewdness, far-sightedness and all around business abil- ity have been sufficient to win to him a degree of success far in ad- vanee of that of his contemporaries, and he has from the first enjoyed a prosperity and a generous trade almost in excess of his expectations.
Born in Perry county, Indiana, Samnel Monroe Dailey is the son of T. J. and Sarah Ellen (Whitmarsh) Dailey. The father was a na- tive of Kentucky, and as a young man he moved thenee to Grantsburg. Crawford county, Indiana, and began the practice of medieine, in which profession he had been trained in his native state. He carried on a luerative praetiee there from the year of his advent into Indiana ( 1867) until the time of his death, which occurred in 1893. He died in Posey- ville, Indiana. He was a member of the Methodist church all his life and was a Republican in his politieal faith. The maternal grandfather of Samuel Monroe Dailey, was born in New York city. He also was a member of the medical profession, and after his removal to Indiana con-
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tinued there in practice for the remainder of his life. Young Dailey attended the public schools of Poseyville, and after his graduation from the high school took a two years' course at the normal at Danville, Illinois. He then taught school for a period of five years, after which he took a position as clerk in a general store in Poseyville, where he remained for ten years, and where he gained a generous fund of expe- rience and a working knowledge of the general run of such a business. Thus equipped, and with practically no capital, Mr. Dailey determined to launch out into business on his own responsibility. He accordingly chose Louisville for the scene of his operations and in 1901 he located there, putting in a stock of general merchandise and opening his doors to the public. From the first he drew a large trade, and has continued to hold the best business in Louisville. He has increased his lines from time to time, always keeping well abreast of the popular demands, and his establishment has a reputation for up-to-dateness that is one of its most valuable characteristics. Ilis complete interests are centered in his mercantile establishment and he has made no other investments of any kind regarding one well-protected investment as more profitable than a number of less safe ones. Mr. Dailey is connected with the Ma- sonie order, the Pythian Knights, the Elks and the Odd Fellows.
In 1902 Mr Daily was united in marriage with Lena Davis, the daughter of J. B. Davis, who was born, reared and still lives in Posey- ville, and where Mrs. Dailey also was born and reared. Mr. Davis is postmaster in Poseyville, and he is a veteran of the Civil war, as was also the father of Mr. Dailey. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Dailey .- Alan Dailey. .
ALSIE N. TOLLIVER. Many of the prominent and valuable citizens of Louisville of the younger generation are men who were born and bred in Clay county and of such men Alsie N. Tolliver is a bright example. The familiar aphorism-"far off hills look greenest"-has carried no weight with Mr. Tolliver, and he has been well content to devote his energies to the opportunities which presented themselves in his home town and county. The very agreeable degree of success which he has thus far experienced is ample evidence that his judgment of the future of Louisville was well founded.
Born in Clay county, October 12, 1870, Alsie N. Tolliver is the son of John H. and Margaret (Lauchner) Tolliver. The father was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, in 1844, while the mother was born in Tennessee in the same year. John H. Tolliver came to Illinois in the fifties, where he was occupied with farming interests for a number of years. Ile also beeame interested in the drug business, and was thus connected for a period of twenty years. He is still a resident of Clay county and is an honored and useful citizen. He is a veteran of the Civil war, serving three years in the Forty-fourth Illinois, and seeing much active service in the various campaigns he participated in. He is a Republican of strong and sturdy character and has ever been a faithful adherent of the party and an advocate of party interests. In his own town he has filled practically all the offices of a public char- acter. The father of John II. Tolliver was Isom Tolliver, born in In- diana and there reared. Ile came to Illinois in the early fifties and entered upon government land, which he improved and worked as a farm of considerable value. Ile passed his life on the farm thus ob- tained and there died. Ile was a particularly successful man in his business, and was regarded as being exceptionally well-to-do for his day and age. Certain it is that he possessed a wide acquaintance in Southern Illinois and was prominent among the more important men
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of his time. The maternal grandfather of Alsie Tolliver was Daniel Lauehner, born in Tennessee, who came to Illinois in about 1850. He settled on an Ilinois farm in Clay county and devoted the remainder of his life to farming pursuits, being known as one of the more solid and conservative men of his district.
Alsie Tolliver received his education in the common schools of Clay county. Finishing his studies, he began life as a teacher, and for ten years was thus occupied. in the meantime continuing his own studies until in 1898 he gave up teaching and took up the study of the law. In 1903 Mr. Tolliver was admitted to the bar, and he began the prac- tiee of his profession in Louisville in the same year. Since that time he has made his headquarters in Louisville and has built up a fine and lucrative practice. Ile has been an important factor in the political and civic life of the town, and has done much for the uplift of eivie conditions within the sphere of his activity. In 1906, only three years after his admission to the bar, he was elected to the office of county judge on the Republican ticket, of which party he is an enthusiastic supporter, and again in 1910 he was re-elected to that important office. Mr. Tolliver has filled that office in a manner wholly creditable to his ability as member of the legal fraternity and as a citizen of unblem- ished integrity. Always deeply interested in the fortunes of the Re- publican party, he has been "up and doing" for the cause since his earliest manhood, and since his residence in Louisville has been prom- inently identified with the party and its activities. He has been chosen to represent the party in its state conventions on numerous occasions and his name is always to be found on any committee of importance relative to the labors of that political body in his eounty.
Mr. Tolliver and his family are members of the Baptist church of Louisville, in which denomination he was reared by his parents, them- selves members of that church; and he is prominent in local Masonie eireles. He is a member of the Chapter and has been through all the chairs of the blue lodge.
On June 15, 1892, Mr. Tolliver was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Bryan, daughter of Josiah Bryan, an early settler of Clay county, of which he is still an honored resident. He was actively en- gaged in farming for years, but is now retired, and is passing his de- elining years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labors of earlier years. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tolliver, and all are attendants of the Louisville schools. The wife and mother passed away, and Mr. Tolliver was subsequently united in marriage with Miss Rachel Kincaid. daughter of Jonathan Kincaid. of Clay county. prominent in his distriet for many years as a stock-raiser and agricul- turist of considerable importance. Of this latter union, one child has been born.
SAMUEL H. FELDMEIER. Well directed energy is an asset to every modern business man, without which even the most favorably situated may fail, and as an element of success it may be considered of first value. When men of large capital or large corporations seleet officials for important positions in their enterprises and undertakings they are very fiable to make choice from among those who have already dom- onstrated business energy. In this connection attention may be called to the present efficient secretary and treasurer of the Salt Lick Milling Company doing an extensive business at Vahnever. Monroe county. Hli- nois-Samuel H. Feldmeier, who was born at Waterloo, Illinois, March 27, 1885. Hle is a son of Henry and Ernestine ( Kurt) Feldmeier.
Henry Feldmeier was born March 2. 1861. at Macystown. Monroe Vol 3-13
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county, Illinois, and at present is a resident of Waterloo. His father, Frederick Feldmeier, was an early settler on the rich bottom land along the river near Waterloo, and was a veteran of the Mexican war. Henry Feldmeier engaged in farming near Waterloo until 1885, when he moved into the town, where he is at present serving as superintendent of the Waterloo electric light plant. lle still owns his farm of one hun- dred and twenty acres. He married Ernestine Kurt, who was born in Dresden, Saxony, Germany, and they have three children, namely : Samuel H., Louise and Florence, the last named being Mrs. M. A. Koenigsmark. Henry Feldmeier and wife are members of the Lutheran church.
In the public schools at Waterloo, Illinois, Samuel H. Feldmeier se- cured an excellent education. A farmer's life did not appeal to him, hence when seventeen years of age he left home and went to St. Louis, Missouri, where he became an employe of the Standard Stamping Com- pany and remained with the same firm until May 25, 1910, when he became interested in the grain business in connection with the W. L. Green Commission Company. He continued with the same firm until April 1, 1911. and displayed such excellent judgment in this line that he made a very favorable impression and severed his pleasant business relations only to accept his present position, that of secretary and treasurer, as above mentioned, with the Salt Lick Milling Company, at Valmeyer. This enterprise is a stock company, backed by large capi- tal, with J. J. Koenigsmark as president. The capacity of the mill is two hundred barrels, the leading brands of flour being the Valmeyer Patent and the Purity. Employment is afforded fifteen workmen, the mill is equipped with modern, improved machinery, and the outlook for the future is very promising.
On November 17, 1909, Mr. Feldmeier was united in marriage with Miss Wilhelmina Koenigsmark, a daughter of J. J. Koenigsmark, and they had one son, Robert Louis. Mrs. Feldmeier died at Valmeyer on September 30, 1911. In his political views Mr. Feldmeier is a Repub- lican and fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America. Ile is a member of the Lutheran Evangelical church.
WILLIAM MOHLENBROCK. Among the well known citizens of Jack- son county was William Mohlenbrock, who immigrated to the United States in 1859, coming directly to Illinois, and located in Red Bud, Ran- dolph county.
In 1861, loyal to his adopted country, he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and for four years did service in the army. In 1866 he settled at Campbell IIill, and was here extensively engaged in mercantile pursuits until his death, which occurred April 16, 1898. He was a man of great business enterprise and judgment, and was largely influential in building up the interests of the city, which he served as mayor several years. Ile founded the milling company which bears his name, and took especial pride and pleasure in advancing the cause of education, serving as an active and valued member of the school board for many years. Fraternally he belonged to the A. F. and A. M. and to the G. A. R.
Ile married while in Red Bud Minna Kroemer, a daughter of Conrad Kroemer, a Randolph county farmer, and to them were born nine chil- dren : Malte. Charles, Eva, Fortis, Eric, Haydee, Osser, Herman and Ludwig. Charles and Eric are deceased.
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JOHN FRANKLIN PORTERFIELD. All the years of the life of this es- teemed citizen of Carbondale since he left school have been devoted to railroad work, and he has risen step by step in the service, as he dem- onstrated his fitness for advancement, from the humble position of messenger to that of superintendent of one of the busiest and most important divisions of the road with which he is connected. llis sev- eral promotions have not come to him, however, as gratuities, or through favoritism or influenee. Ile has earned them, one after an- other by fidelity to duty, capacity in his work and loyal devotion to the interests of his employers, with due regard for the welfare of the public.
Mr. Porterfield is a native of Pulaski county, Illinois, where his life began on February 23, 1871. Ile is a son of Benjamin F. and Sarah Margaret (Hunter) Porterfield. The father was a manufacturer of lumber and prominent in the business. He died in 1907. The mother is still living, and has her home in Chicago. While they were able to provide the ordinary comforts of life for themselves and their off- spring, they did not find the way to furnishing their son John with opportunity for advanced scholastic training. And it is doubtful if he would have availed himself of it if they had. For from his boy- hood he was eager to do something for himself, and make his own way in the world. Ile obtained a district school edneation and then en- tered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company as a mes- ยท senger at Pulaski in his native county. After serving the road for a time in this eapacity he became its telegraph operator and later its agent at Pulaski. He was next chief elerk to a sneeession of super- intendents at Cairo, New Orleans, Chieago and La Salle. Ile com- pleted his apprenticeship in this department of the service with credit to himself and benefit to the road and its patrons, and was made train- master for a period sufficiently long to prepare him for higher duties and more important responsibilities.
He served as division superintendent at Vieksburg. Mississippi, New Orleans, Louisiana, Memphis, Tennessee : in 1910 was transferred to the St. Louis division, of which he has been superintendent ever since. with headquarters in Carbondale and with a large and active territory to supervise in his particular line of very important work.
On January 27, 1892, Mr. Porterfield was married to Miss Cora Stewart, of Pulaski. They have one child, their son Robert Rowley, who is a student at St. John's Military Academy in Delafield. Wiseon- sin. The father is a prominent member of the Association of Railroad Superintendents and chairman of the transportation committee of the St. Louis lines in that organization. In fraternal eireles he is a Free- mason of the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite and a Noble of the Mystie Shrine holding his membership in these branches of the order in Memphis, Tennessee. His religious affiliation is with the Pres- byterian church. He is zealous in his support of all commendable undertakings for the progress and improvement of Carbondale and Jackson county, the substantial welfare of their people, and all agen- cies for good at work among them. He and his wife are welcome ad- ditions to every good social- circle, and are universally regarded as among the most estimable and worthy citizens of the county.
C. D. STILWELL. Coming from Chicago to Harrisburg in 1905. C. D. Stilwell soon gained a position of note among the leading mem- bers of the legal profession of Saline county, and in 1906 was honored by the voters of Harrisburg as their choice for eity attorney. Posses- sing great taet and good judgment, coupled with a splendid knowl-
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edge of the law, he has since met with every requirement of that re- sponsible office. Enterprising and progressive, Mr. Stilwell takes an aetive interest in municipal affairs, and is known as a consistent and persistent "booster," and one who will do his full share in advancing the public welfare.
When Mr. Stilwell located in Harrisburg the public thoroughfares were well-nigh impassable three months in the year, the mails being hauled from the depot to the postoffice in hand carts, while the com- mercial men walked through the muddy streets, carrying their bag- gage in their hands. Mr. Stilwell began talking sewerage and pave- ments, and so aroused the people that many were induced to second his efforts, the councilmen becoming particularly enthusiastic in the matter. The materialization of well formed plans, for which he as- sumed the legal responsibility, and shaped the necessary legislation, resulted in the laying of nine miles of sewers, five miles of brick pave- ments, and long stretches of concrete walks in the city, improvements that are now absolutely indispensable.
Two or three years before a mile of stone road had been constructed by the state, but was of no practical value in these low lands. Mr. Stilwell advocated a brick pavement laid on a concrete foundation for country roads, stating his reasons clearly. The Commercial Club of Harrisburg took up the matter, and having $23,000 to spend for road improvements appointed, in July, 1911, a committee to investi- gate the subject. This committee appointed visited different places in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, in each county inspected hundreds of miles of stone, gravel and brick roads, and each member of said committee decided in favor of the brick material. Soon after the committee's report was made public a contract was let for the construction of a nine-foot, concrete base, vitrified brick road, which is now well begun, and is surely to be the entering wedge to brick country roads through- out Southern Illinois. Too much eredit for the improvement of the public highways cannot be given Mr. Stilwell, his championship of the good roads movement having borne good results.
MARION S. WHITLEY, who occupies a prominent place among the leading members of the Southern Illinois bar, has been a resident of Harrisburg since 1892, when he moved to the county seat to enter upon the duties of attorney for Saline county, to which office he had that year been elected. A brief review of his life reveals the following facts :
Marion S. Whitley was born three miles north of Eldorado, Saline county, Illinois, June 17, 1860, son of Silas A. and Hannah (Craw- ford) Whitley. His paternal grandparents, George and Sherel (Wal- ler) Whitley, natives of North Carolina, came north about 1820 and settled in Williamson county, and it was in Williamson county in 1837, that Silas A. Whitley was born. For a number of years Silas A. Whitley was engaged in the sawmill business in Saline, Hamilton and Johnson counties. Finally he settled down at Eldorado, in Saline county, where he passed the rest of his life, and where he died in 1900. Ile was twice married. His first wife, Hannah, was a daugh- ter of William Crawford, a pioneer of Saline county who came here from Virginia some time between 1820 and 1830, and who died at about the age of sixty years. Hannah (Crawford) Whitley was born in this county, and died here in 1866, at the age of twenty-three years. She left three children : Silas A., a druggist at Eldorado; Angie, now Mrs. Pemberton, at Forsythe, Montana; and Marion S., the subject of
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this sketch. By his second wife, who was Eliza E. Taylor, of Hamilton county. Silas A. Whitley had five children, three of whom are living. namely: Ed. S., George F. and Serel, all of Eldorado. The mother of this family is still living and is a resident of Eldorado.
Marion S. Whitley while in his 'teens was engaged in the sawmill business with his father. From sawmilling, in 1880. he turned to teaching school and studying law. As a teacher he began on a salary of $32.50 a month, and with this small amount paved his way to the bar. Mornings and evenings and vacation times were spent with his law books, his instructor a portion of the time being John J. Parish. of Harrisburg. He taught in Gallatin, Hamilton. White and Saline counties, the last two years of his career as teacher being spent at Galatia, where, in 1888, he was admitted to the bar. He began the practice of law at Galatia, and remained there until 1892, when, as indicated in the opening paragraph of this sketch, he was elected to the office which brought him to Harrisburg. He prosecuted the only man who was ever hung in Saline county. Mr. Whitley's abilities and high standards soon brought him into prominence as a lawyer. Dur- ing the past ten years he has been identified with the trial of almost every important case in the county, and for five years he has served as attorney for all the various large coal companies in the county. In the famous contested election case, Choisser vs. York, involving the question of validity of a judge of elections, initials being stamped with rubber stamp on back of ballot before it is placed in box instead of initials in own hand, an important precedent was established for li- nois by the supreme court, where it was taken on appeal from deci- sion of Judge Philbriek, of Champaign. Every contention of MIr. Whitley that genuine initials were necessary to establish identity of the ballot was sustained.
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