USA > Illinois > Clay County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 17
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 17
USA > Illinois > Marion County > Biographical and reminiscent history of Richland, Clay and Marion counties, Illinois > Part 17
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where the father engaged in merchandising. In 1870 he came to Olney where he continued in the mercantile busines until his death in 1876, at the age of seventy years. His worthy life companion passed to her rest in 1900, at the age of seventy-five years. They were people of many praiseworthy traits and hon- orable at all times. They were the parents of eiglit children, all deceased except the sub- ject of this sketch and one daughter, Mrs. J. I. Moutray, of Kokomo, Indiana, the sub- ject having been the fifth in order of birth. He was reared in Ohio and Illinois, receiving a public school education. He was an ambi- tious lad and when twenty years old began the study of law with Wilson and Hutchin- son, for years the leading law firm of South- ern Illinois. He made rapid progress and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He then formed a partnership with Judge J. C. Allen, which continued until 1907. They did an immmense business, the combination being one of peculiar power and their clients came from all parts of the county and surrounding counties, it being generally recognized as one of the best firms in the locality. The subject became prosperous through his successful practice and since the date mentioned has been practically retired, having given up all legal practice, preferring to devote all his time to the post-office and his business inter- ests in Richland and adjoining counties. He has large interests in oil.
Theodore Augustus Fritchey was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, near Dayton, April 24, 1855, the son of Benjamin and Eliz- abeth (McQueeny) Fritchey, natives of In his political relations our subject is a Republican, always loyal to his party's prin- ciples and always active. When he was Pennsylvania where they were reared and where they married, later moving to Mont- gomery county, Ohio, locating in Baltimore, twenty-one years old he was elected City
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Clerk by a majority of one, and he so faith- fully did his work that he was re-elected to serve four years in all. In 1881 he was elected City Attorney for one term of two years. Then for two terms of four years as County Judge. He made a splendid record both as City Attorney and as Judge, dispos- ing of many important cases in a manner that stamped him as an able and learned jurist and well versed in the law. In 1897 he was ap- pointed postmaster of Olney by President Mckinley and is now (1909) serving his third term with entire satisfaction.
Judge Fritchey's happy domestic life be- gan in 1889, when he was united in mar- riage with Mary Eliza Bucher, a native of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John E. and Mary E. (Eby) Bucher, also na- tives of Pennsylvania. They moved to Ohio, where her father became the head of graded and high schools and where he died. Mrs. Bucher lives with her daughter, wife of our subject.
Mr. and Mrs. Fritchey are the parents of two children, both giving promise of suc- cessful futures, and who are receiving every care and attention from their fond parents. They bear the names Paul B. and Theodore A., Jr.
In his fraternal relations Judge Fritchey belongs to the ancient and honored Masonic Order, Knights Templar, also the Shrine. He is a charter member of Olney lodge No. 926, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. and Mrs. Fritchey are faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They have a beautiful
home in which is a fine library of choice volumes, where the judge spends many hours in reading and reflection, and they are known as people of kindness, integrity and culture.
Judge Fritchey stands admittedly in the front ranks of Richland county's distin- guished citizens, possessing a thorough knowledge of law and keeping in close touch . with the trend of modern thought. He has ever maintained his high standing, never de- scending beneath the dignity of his profes- sion nor compromising his usefulness by countenancing any but legitimate practice.
LEANDER C. MATTHEWS.
The subject has spent his entire life in this county and he has always had deeply at heart the well-being and improvement of the county, using his influence whenever pos- sible for the promotion of enterprises cal- culated to be of lasting benefit to his fellow men, besides taking a leading part in all movements for the advancement of the com- munity along social, intellectual and moral lines.
Leander C. Matthews was born South of Salem, in the edge of Jefferson county, May 25, 1848, the son of Andrew J. and Hulda (Swafford) Matthews, natives of Tennessee and Illinois, respectively, and both repre- sentatives of honorable and well known families in their own communities.
Our subject remained under his parental roof until he reached man's estate and at-
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tended the district schools in his native com- munity and in Centralia, where he applied himself in a careful manner and received a good education.
Mr. Matthews early decided to devote his life to a business career and he has bent every effort to this end with gratifying re- sults.
He commenced a general business in 1883 at Fairman, Marion county, Illinois, where he remained ten years with much success at- tending his efforts. He is at this writing engaged in the hay, grain and implement business in Kinmundy, this county, and is conducting a thriving business, his trade extending to all parts of the county and penetrating to adjoining counties, in fact he is one of the best known dealers in these lines in this part of the state and the able manner in which he conducts his business and his courteous treatment with those with whom he deals insure him a liberal income from year to year.
Mr. Matthews was united in marriage Oc- tober 8, 1873, to S. Elizabeth Lydick, who was born near Odin, this county, December 24, 1854, the refined and affable daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Sugg) Lydick, a well known family of that locality.
The following family has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Matthews: Lillian, Baby, Hallie, Hulda, Carl. They have all gone to their rest except Hulda, who is the wife of Albert C. Dunlap, of Champaign, Illinois.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Matthews is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Kinmundy, also of the Knights
of Pythias of this place. In politics he is a loyal Democrat and takes a vital interest in his party's affairs, however, he has never aspired to positions of public trust. Both he and his wife are members of the Chris- tian church, and our subject is regarded as one of the substantial church workers of Kinmundy, and he has long taken an active part in all religious affairs. He is a man of large public spirit and enterprise, and per- sonally is of the genial and sunny type, pleasant to meet and makes friends readily. He likes a good story and enjoys a good joke, and because of these qualities of com- mendation and genuine worth Mr. Mat- thews has won a host of warm friends which he retains, being popular with all classes in his community where he maintains a home that is comfortable, substantial and pleasant in all its appointments and which is regarded as a place of generous hospitality and good cheer.
THE OLNEY SANITARIUM.
One of the important institutions of Rich- land county, Illinois, in fact, one of the best known in the southern part of the state, is the Olney Sanitarium. Its phenomenal growth in a short time from a modest begin- ning to a prominent place, has been due to the untiring efforts and extraordinary surgi- cal and business ability of the founder, Dr. George T. Weber. Fourteen years ago, 1894. he had just received his degree of Doctor of Medicine and had begun practice as a young
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man without means ; however, he was always ambitious and an assiduous worker and made a good record in school, and it was predicted by his instructors and friends that the future held great things in store for him. His first practice was in the village of Ingraham, Clay county, near his birthplace, where he re- mained for four years with growing popular- ity and success, during which time his work in surgery and special cases had attracted more than ordinary attention and had sug- gested to him the necessity and desirability of a central point, where patients could be cared for better than at their homes. Accord- ingly in 1898 he came to Olney and purchased the old Arlington hotel building, a three- story brick structure which was duly remod- eled and equipped for hospital purposes.
The hospital was thrown open for the re- ception of patients in the fall of 1898 and from the first the success of the undertaking was assured. It soon became necessary to em- ploy assistants and in due time Doctor Ziliak became a partner. During the years 1900 and 1901, a three-story addition, which now constitutes the main part of the structure, was erected, making possible the care of twenty- four additional patients in as many rooms. In the latter part of 1905, a brother of the founder, F. J. Weber, who had recently graduated from a medical college, bought the interest of Doctor Ziliak, since which time the business has been owned and conducted by Webers. In 1907, another brother, J. C. Weber, also a physician and surgeon, be- came interested in the sanitarium, also two sisters, Catherine and Philomena Weber,
both of whom are graduated and very pro- ficient nurses. A stock company was accord- ingly formed and incorporated March 5, 1907, with a capital stock of forty thousand dollars and the following officers were elected which continue to serve at this writing: George T. Weber, president; Frank J. Weber, secretary and treasurer. The stock- holders include the above and Joseph C., Catherine and Philomena Weber.
No institution of a similar nature ever had a more rapid growth and it is today regarded as one of the best in the state. The busi- ness of the sanitarium is devoted principally to surgical and special cases, also chronic cases and some mild forms of nervous dis- eases. Hundreds of operations are annually performed here and are uniformly successful.
The Olney Sanitarium is a three-story brick structure, with a basement underneath the entire building with accommodations for thirty-six patients. It is operated at thic limit of its capacity all the time and plans are being considered for further enlarging the building, the numerous application of pa- tients all over the country rendering more room a necessity. The basement is used for a drug department, storage purposes and the . keeping of fruits, vegetables, etc. The first floor is devoted to reception rooms, offices, consultation rooms, dining room and kitchen, rooms and verandas for canvalescents, etc. The upper floors are devoted to wards for patients. The operating room is on the sec- ond floor. It is sixteen by sixteen feet and contains everything in modern equipment usually found in institutions of like character.
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Fourteen trained nurses are employed con- tinually and six other employes are constantly in the building, helping in various ways. Dr. Frank J. Weber is the house physician and Miss Catherine Weber is the superintendent.
George T. Weber, M. D., was born in In- graham, Clay county, Illinois, September IO, 1868, the son of Benedict and Regina ( Scha- fer) Weber, the former a native of Germany, who came to the United States when twenty- six years old, and the latter was born in Gib- son county, Indiana, of German parents. They were married in Indiana and in 1865 settled in Jasper county, near Ingraham. His father was a carpenter and farmer. The sub- ject of this sketch was reared on a farm in his native township. He received a common school education there and an academic training at Princeton, Indiana, from which institution he graduated, having taught school in the meantime to get money for a higher education. His parents were poor and reared a large family, there being nine children in number, of whom our subject is the oldest son living. He entered Washing- ton University at St. Louis in 1891, taking a medical course and graduating in 1894. He located in his home town and practiced for four years, his success having been instanta- neous, especially in surgical cases. He came to Olney in 1898, having purchased a build- ing here and he had some equipment before moving.
Dr. George T. Weber's domestic life began November 28, 1894, when he married Eliza- beth Hausner, daughter of Joseph and Ger- trude (Nix) Hausner, former residents of
Clay county, a well known and influential family there for many years. Mr. Hausner, who was a cabinet maker, is deceased, as is also his wife. The subject and wife are the parents of nine children, namely : Gertrude, Helen, Pauline; George, Jr., was killed in an accident by colliding with a horse and buggy in 1907, having been knocked from a wheel and receiving a fracture to the skull; Ber- nard, Elizabeth, Mary, Martha, George, sec- ond junior.
In politics our subject is a Democrat, but is not active. However, he takes an interest in whatever relates to the development of his community. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He and his family are faithful followers of the Catholic church. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Illinois State Medi- cal Society, the Southern Illinois State Medi- cal Society, the Richland County Medical Society, being influential and prominent in all. He is a very progressive man, is a stu- dent at all times and devotes his entire time to his profession. In 1907 he took a post-gradu- ate course at the Post-Graduate School in Chicago, giving special attention to surgery.
Joseph Cornelius Weber, M. D., was born in Jasper county, Illinois, October I, 1875, and was reared on the farm, receiving his ed- ucation in the public schools, the high school at Ingraham and Austin College, Effingham, Illinois. In the fall of 1896 he entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1899. He ranked high in his class and was successful from the
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first. He practiced one year at Newton m the place of Doctor Crawley, whose health was impaired. During the following seven years he was at Clay City, Clay county. He then came to Olney and joined his brother in the fall of 1907, becoming a stockholder in the Sanitarium corporation, as already intimated.
The married life of Dr. Joseph C. Weber began in 1900 when he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Zula Kepp, a native of Ingraham, Illinois, the daughter of Corne- lius and Mary ( Pew) Kepp, natives of Clay county, the former having died there in 1906. Two children have blessed the home of Dr. and Mrs. J. C. Weber, Paul and Frank. In politics he is a Democrat, and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also a member of the American Medical As- sociation, the Illinois State Medical Associa- tion, the Southern Illinois Medical Associa- tion, the Richland and Clay county Medical societies.
Frank J. Weber, M. D., was born on a farm in Jasper county, Illinois, July 23, 1878, where he was reared. He attended the com- mon schools at Ingraham, also Austin Col- lege at Effingham. He entered Washington University at St. Louis in 1900, having grad- uated with honor from the medical depart- ment in 1904. He located in Clay City and was there engaged in practice with his broth- er, Dr. J. C. Weber, for seven months, after which he came to Olney and purchased Doc- tor Ziliak's interest in the sanitarium and joined his brother, Dr. George T., in the work. When the corporation was formed he became the secretary and treasurer, as already stated,
and the resident physician. He is a member of the Richland County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the Amer- ican Medical Association. He was united in marriage, May 29, 1908, to Gertrude Loftin, a native of Spencer, Indiana, and the daugh- ter of J. C. and Iola (Hoover) Loftin, now residents of Marion, Indiana. Dr. Frank J. Weber is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, No. 926, and in politics he is a Democrat. Like his brothers he is a man of many commendable character- istics and they all make friends easily.
GEORGE S. RAINEY, M. D.
Good intellectual training, thorough pro- fessional knowledge and the possession and utilization of the qualities and attributes es- sential to success, have made the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling, and he stands today among the enterprising and successful physicians in a community noted for its high order of medical talent, while at the same time he has won the con- fidence and esteem of the people of Marion and adjoining counties for his upright life and genial disposition.
Dr. George S. Rainey was born in Salem, Illinois, May 18, 1849, and he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rainey, Scotch-Irish people of the best ancestry as far back as it can be traced. The father was a Kentuckian, who came to Illinois as early as 1832, settling in Marion county on a farm
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which he transformed from a practically wild tract to a highly improved and produc- tive farm. When the doctor was two years old, his father moved on a farm near Wal- nut Hill, Marion county. He was a man of many sterling qualities, like those of most pioneers, and he became a man of consider- able influence in this-county, being known as an honest and worthy citizen in every respect. He was called from his earthly labors in 1868. The subject's mother, a woman of praiseworthy character, was known in her maidenhood as Margaret Cunningham, and was also a native of Ken- tucky; her father, a man of unusual forti- tude and sterling character, moved to Illi-
nois in 1824. Seven children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Rainey died in infancy. Their other children are: Dr. J. K. Rainey, the oldest child, died in Florida; Matthew was a surgeon in the One Hundred and Eleventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the Union Army, and was the first soldier from Marion county to fall in the Civil war, having lost his life at the battle of Bellmont while a member of the Twenty-second Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry ; Dr. A. H. Rainey, of Cen- tralia, Illinois.
Our subject was a mere lad during the war between the states, but he felt it his duty to sever home ties and offer his services in defense of the flag, consequently he en- listed in the Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry when he lacked two months of being sixteen years old, but his bravery and gallantry were equal to that of the oldest veteran in the regiment. He served in the
campaign around Petersburg, Richmond, and was at the surrender of Lee at Appa- mattox, thus being in some of the bloodiest engagements of the war. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned home and assisted his father with the farm work, attending the neighboring schools, complet- ing the high school course at Salem, stand- ing in the front rank of his class, for he was a diligent student and made the best use possible of his time. Believing that his tal- ents lay along medical lines he began study- ing for a career as a physician. He graduated in medicine in 1875 at the Louis- ville Medical College. He at once began practice in Salem, his success being instan- taneous, and he has been here ever since, having always had a very large practice in this vicinity and throughout the county.
Dr. Rainey has taken a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic Institute of Physicians and Surgeons, having spent the winter of 1888 in the school just men- tioned. Dr. Rainey has also taken special courses in medical colleges in St. Louis and Chicago, consequently he is today and has been for many years at the head of his pro- fession, being so recognized by the eminent practitioners of medicine in other parts of Illinois. He has also been connected with the Baltimore & Ohio and Chicago & East- érn Illinois railroads as surgeon ever since he has been in practice.
The subject has been a member of the United States Pension Board of Salem for twenty-five years. The doctor is at all times patriotic and ever ready to serve his
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country, consequently when the war with Spain broke out he offered his services and was commissioned a surgeon in the United States army, but the war terminated before he saw active service.
Doctor Rainey's happy and tranquil do- mestic life dates from 1878, when he was married to May McMackin, the cultured and accomplished daughter of Col. W. E. McMackin of the Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Colonel McMackin was for many years one of the best known and most influential men in his community.
To doctor and Mrs. Rainey one son has been born, Warren R., who, in 1908, is a student in the medical department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, where he is making an excellent record.
Doctor Rainey is the owner of a large and fine fruit farm which is very valuable, and he takes a great interest in it and horticul- tural subjects, devoting considerable time to the culture of fine fruits. He has been in general practice ever since his graduation, and as indicated above, not only stands high in his immediate community but also with his fellow practitioners at large, being a member of the County, State and National Medical Association, also of the American Railway Surgeons of America.
Fraternally he is a loyal member of the Masonic Order and carries out its sublime doctrines in his relations with his fellow men. He is a Presbyterian in his religious faith, and in politics he is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Repub- lican party, with which he has always been
affiliated. Though never animated with ambition for political preferment he has ever lent his aid in furthering the party cause, and is well fortified in his political convic- tions, while he is at all times public-spirited to an extent of loyalty.
EDMUND C. BAUGHMAN.
Agriculture has been the true source of man's dominion on earth ever since the pri- mal existence of labor, and has been the piv- otal industry that has controlled for the most part all the fields of action to which his intelligence and energy have been devoted. Among this sturdy element of Richland county whose labors have profited alike themselves and the community in which they live, is the gentleman whose name ap- pears at the head of this sketch.
Edmund C. Baughman, a well known farmer and stockman of Olney, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, December 27, 1837, the son of Jacob and Matilda M. (Houser) Baughman, the former having been born near Baltimore, Maryland, and the latter on the Potomac river, Virginia. Grandfather Baughman was a native of Maryland and was a contractor in Balti- more for many years, where he also carried an extensive factory for those times in the manufacture of sash and doors, blinds, etc. In an early day in the history of Coshocton county he went there and entered land, hav- ing crossed the Alleghany mountains on
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horseback, and had bear meat and wild dog, a trunk and less than one hundred dol- honey on the trip. However, he did not live lars in money, having driven the entire dis- tance. After reaching here he located on one hundred and twenty acres of land given him by his father in Madison township, which had previously been entered by his father, on which he went to work and im- proved it, making an excellent farm, build- ing a house, barn, etc. in Ohio but died in Baltimore, where his wife also died. Jacob Baughman was reared on a farm near Baltimore, and when young went to Coshocton county, Ohio, where he bought land and erected a hewn log cabin in the heavy timber, in which there was all kinds of wild game, deer, wild turkey, bear, etc. He married in Coshocton county, his wife having come to the county from Vir- ginia with her parents who were pioneers. They cleared and improved the land, and there they lived and died. He was a mem- ber of the state militia but was never called upon to serve in any war. He died of pneu- monia at the age of sixty-eight years, and his wife survived for several years, dying at the advanced age of ninety-two. Eight children were born to them, six of whom are living. Two sons served in the Civil war, George and Zenos, the latter with Sherman's army, both serving until the close of the war, receiving honorable discharges. Zenos suffered from sunstroke from which he never fully recovered. The subject, who was the fourth child in order of birth, was reared on the old homestead in his native county and received a good education, first in the country schools, later at the academy in West Bedford, Ohio. He remained at home until he was twenty years old, assist- In 1890 Mr. Baughman organized the bank at Tuscola, Illinois, under the name Baughman, Orr & Company, with a capital stock of thirty-five thousand dollars, which was successful from the first, and has con- tinued with increasing prestige ever since, ing with the farm work, finally going to In- diana, where he taught school for awhile, but in the spring of 1860 he came to Rich- land county, bringing all the earthly pos- sessions he had-a team, wagon, a shepherd
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