Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 14

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 14

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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Bolte survives, iiving at No. 115 East Jefferson street, Springfield, in the house where her son was born.

After attending the German Lutheran School, Mr. Bolte went to the Trapp public school, and when his father dled he began working. He had learued the trade of fresco painter under his father and was employed by the new firm of Zimmerman & Armstrong. Mr. Zimmerman died and Mr. Schaunbacker succeeded him. After nine years of work at his trade Mr. Bolte went to Germany for a year, then, returning home, spent six years In the employ of M. Ben- jamin, a clothier. For the following two years he traveled for the Springfield Supply Company, aud then for three years was In Chicago. Re- turning to Springfield, he was in business here for six years, and on May 1, 1909, was oppointed to his preseut office. Some of the striking im- provements and innovations in the city fire de- partment have been inaugurated by Chief Boite.

Mr. Boite is a Democrat and prior to his ap- pointment served as Aiderman for the Third Ward for one term. He was also chief usher at the Chatterton Opera House for sixteen years, aud is one of the best known men of the city. His fraternai relations are many and pleasant, he belonging to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Knights of Pythias, and he is also a member of the Theatrical Mechanicai Asso- ciation and the Stage Hands' Unlon. In re- ligious belief he is a German Lutheran and be- longs to the church in which he was baptized and confirmed.

Mr. Bolte was married in Chicago, Aprii 13, 1902, to Estella Manier, of Davenport, Iowa, born near Unionville, Mo., November 6, 1878, daughter of Perry and Anna (Brown) Manier. No issue. It is such men as Mr. Bolte who are making Springfield what it is today-a city of whom every loyal son of Iilinois feeis proud. Progressive, conscientious and capable, Mr. Bolte is giving Springfield a service that can- not be over-estimated and putting his depart- ment iuto magnificent shape to handle any em- ergency that may arise, quickly and success- fully.

BOOKER, John B., a retired farmer living in his comfortable home at 1724 South First Street, Springfield, Ill., is a highly respected citizen of that city, which has been his home about thirteen years. He was born in Orange County, N. C., December 5, 1830, son of Johu Brinkman and Phebe (Henshaw) Booker, tbe former a native of England and the iatter of Ireland. The parents emigrated to America and located first in Virginla, but later moved to North Carolina. John Brinkman Booker was a soldier in the Revolution. Nelther his parents nor his wife's came to America, but spent their lives in England and Ireiand.

The childhood of John B. Booker, subject of this sketch, was spent on his father's farm in North Carolina, where he learned habits of in- dustry. He cared very ilttle about sports but

was greatly Interested in farming aud was of great assistance to his father. In April, 1862, he ehlisted in the Confederate Army, in Com- pany F, Forty-fifth North Carolina Regiment, serving three years and three months. He en- listed at Hillsboro, Orange County, under Cap- tain Scales. Mr. Booker participated in the Battles of Gettysburg, Bristol Raid, Deep Gully (N. C.), Falling Water, Wilderuess, Seven Days' Fight below Richmond, and many skli- mishes. After the surrender of Lee at Appo- mattox Court House he went to Greensboro, N. C., to join Johnson's Army, remained with them until the surrender of Johnson and then returned home. During his service he was never taken prisouer but was wounded twice at Spottsylvanla Court House, in the arm and shoulder. In the light of later events and his present convictions, he does not feel particu- larly proud of his record as a soldier, but though he fought in a cause that did not win and one that he no longer feels to have been a just oue, he served as a brave soldier, fighting for what he believed to be the rights of his fellows, and he was in every way true to the flag under which he fought. However, he has since proved to be as true a citizen of the United States as is to be found today.

Soon after his marriage Mr. Booker emigrated to the State of Illinois, arriving at his destina- tion September 15, 1871, and since that time he has been a resideut of Saugamon County. He began farmning, and carried on agricultural operations until 1898, then retired from active life and purchased his present comfortable home, where he has every convenience. He is highly esteemed by all who know him and is a man with malice toward no one, aiming to live at peace with others and in a manner which will leave no cloud on hls character or repu- tation. He Is reasonably proud of the fact that he uever sued anyone or was sued, and that he was never intoxicated and never arrested. Whatever difficulties may have arisen between him and anyone else have always been settled amicably, and in this way Mr. Booker has been able to win and retain a large number of warm personal friends, who have accorded him their utmost trust and confidence. In political convictions he is a Prohibitiouist and he is a member of the First Christian Church.

Mr. Booker was married in Orange County, N. C., in August, 1871, to Mrs. Carolina (Rob- erts) Stone member of a well known famliy of Rockingham County, N. C., daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Wray) Roberts, both natives of that State. Mrs. Booker was born In Rocking- ham County, N. C., November 26, 1838. Four children have blessed the unlon of Mr. and Mrs. Booker, namely : Eugene E., born December 15, 1872, farming near Barry, Iil .; Effie S., born January 14, 1875 is single and resides at home ; Noah Oliver. born November 27, 1880 farming near Springfield; Charles Lewis, born February 15, 1883 is engaged in the cement manufacturing business. All were born in Sangamon County.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

BOOTH, Amasa S .- In naming the representa- tive citizens of any community, the biographer comes across many cases where the subject has risen from humble surroundings in his youth and achieved success in some chosen line, but he also finds that there are just as many cases where the father has followed a certain bnsi- ness interest with success and the son has taken np the same line and brought himself to the front rank of business men. Amasa S. Booth, a retired capitalist of Springfield, Iil., is an example of the latter class of successful menl. Born Jnne 9, 1835, in Exeter, Me., he is a son of Albert and Hannah (Stevens) Booth, who were also natives of the Pine Tree State. Al- bert Booth was a wagon-maker by occupation and to enlarge the scope of his operations re- moved with his family to Illinois in 1840, set- tling on a farm north of Springfield in San- gamon County. Mr. Booth soon fonnd success in his new field, and was there engaged in busi- ness until his retirement, which occurred a short time before his death, the latter event happening in Springfield in his sixtieth year. His wife also died in the Capital City, having reached the age of fifty-six years.

Amasa S. Booth was the fourth of his parents' eight children. He was but a lad of five years when he accompanied the famlly on their journey to Illinois, and his yonth was spent on the farm in Sangamon County, while he secured his education in the common schools. Early in iife he began learning the trade of wagon- maker from his father, and the traits of indns- try, enterprise and sobriety from his mother, and all stood him in good stead in the battle of life. He established a wagon manufactur- ing plant of his own and this business he con- tinued to carry on nntil his retirement in 1896. Mr. Booth's business operations were very suc- cessful and he proved himself a shrewd, capable business man by making wise investments in valuable city property, of which he owns con- siderable, and in purchasing farming land, he and his wife being owners at the present time of 2,300 acres of some of the best agriculaural land in Sangamon Connty. He is known as a public-spirited citizen, one who is always fore- most in joining any movements that have for their object the welfare of the city or county, and as a consequence he fills a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens.

In 1862 Amasa S. Booth was united in mar- riage in Springfield to Miss Harriet Richardson, a native of England, and to this nnion there were born six children, namely : Mary E., John R., William D., Alexander, Amasa Jr., and Jacob. The family is weli-known in Spring- field's social circles.

BORLAND, Royai Sheidon, of Pleasant Plains, Sangamon county, Ill., now retired from active life, comes of old Pennsylvanla stock and has done his full share towards the development and advancement of the community in which he has lived. He was born in Hardin County,

Ohio, February 15, 1851, son of William H. and Sarah A. (Alfred) Borland, who were born and married in Indiana County, Pa., and became pioneers in Hardin County, Ohio. His father had to travel a blazed road to his new home and from that point for a distance of sixty miles to mill at Columbus. He bullt a puncheon-floor log cabin on a 160-acre claim and cleared 110 acres. It was in this log house that the sub- ject of this notice was born, one of eleven born in that home and one of the totai of his par- ents' twelve children, eight of whom are liv- ing. All of them grew up and married and their parents lived to see them well settled in life. In 1867 Mr. Borland sold his farm and moved to Johnson County, Neb., where he bonght a section of land, out of which he event- ually gave each of his children a farm. Born in 1810, he was seventy-six in 1886, when he died and at that time was owner of about 800 acres of land in Johnson County, Neb. He and his good wife were devoted members of the Presbyterian Church in Ohio. In Nebraska, there having been no Presbyterian Church es- tablished at the time of their settiement, they joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they were liberal supporters and most devont and falthful members. They gave their chil- dren the benefit of the best available ednca- tional advantages. Mrs. Borland passed away in 1872. Of their living children Hiram A. lives near the old Borland home in Hardin Connty, Ohio; Sarah Minerva, widow of Lang- field Cook, lives at Bishop, Calif. ; Daniel M., is a farmer in Van Wert County, Ohio; John M. lives in Morrill, Neb .; Christopher C., is farming near Portland, Ore .; Royal S., was next in order of birth; Melissa J., is marrled and lives in Nebraska ; Amanda M., married Elmore Osbun and lives near Larue, Ohlo. Those de- ceased : Maryanne became the wife of James Baker, and she and her husband have died, leaving four children-the Rev. Warren Baker (of the Christian-Union Church), Hiram (a farmer), William and George Baker, all of whom live iu Ohio, and the last named, George, a music dealer and musician, is leader of the Baker Band, of Marion, which has won in many contests with prominent bands In different parts of the country; James Borland was twice married-first to Liddia Kiser, of Har- din County, Ohio, then to Martha Benidict, and died In Kansas; Lawson G., married Maria Young and they both died in Marion County, Ohio, leaving four children; William W. Bor- land died in Johnson County, Neb., his first wife having been Deborah Sexton, of Ohio, who dled after having borne him eight children, and his second wife, Anna Sexton, also bore him eight children.

Royal Sheldon Boriand gained an education and began life as a farmer in Ohlo. In 1867, when he was seventeen, he went with his par- ents to Johnson County, Neb. There he con- tinued his studies with such good results that in 1870 he began to teach school, doing farm

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

work in seasou. Thus he was employed until 1875, one year iu Johnson County and four years in Gage County.

March 8, 1874, Mr. Boriaud married Miss Amy Phinuey, born in Cartwright Township, Sangamon County, Ill., May 24, 1850, daughter of Warren and Carollne M. (Arnold) Phinney, natives respectively of Montpelier, Vt., and of Rhode Island, who came to Sangamon County in 1849. Mr. Phinney was a farmer and black- smith at Yankeetown, near Pleasant Plains. He went overland to California in 1860 and met with success as a gold miner. He came back around the Horn three years later and located at Pleasant Plains, where his wife died, May 31, 1872, and he died at Carlinville, Ill., No- vember 2, 1900. They are buried in the Bap- tist cemetery at Old Berlin. Ot their nine chil- dren seven were born in Sangamon County. Their son Charles H. is a farmer living in re- tirement at MeLeouth, Kan. ; Ellen F., widow of William H. Armstrong, lives at Lawrence, Kan., and these and Mrs. Borland are the only sur- vivors of the family. By a second marriage Mr. Phinney had a daughter, Minnie Maud, who is the wife of Shohel Boatman of Carlinville, Ili., and a son, Truman W. Phinney, of Tacoma, Wash. The second Mrs. Phinney was Mrs. Elizabeth Gear. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Borland In March, 1874, they came back to Springfield and lived there tili 1876, then moved to a farm in Macon County, Ill., where they lived till February, 1877, when they located on the farmu of Mrs. Borland's father, in Cart- wright township. There they remained till 1893, then bought a beautiful home at Pleasant Plains. In 1894 they occupied it, remalning till 1904, when they returned to Springfield, where they lived till 1908, when they returned to Pleasant Plains .. Three children have been born to them two of whom have died. The other. Ethel Ellen, born December 18, 1889, mar- ried Herbert H. Moor in December. 1907, and lives in Springfield. Mr. Moor is a machinist.

Mr. and Mrs. Borland have iong been active as members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and they are identified with the Court of Honor. For fifteen years he has voted the Pro- hibition ticket, believing that by so doing he could best do his duty as a citizen. He is one of the successful men of his part of the county and his publlc spirit has made him useful to his fellow citizens in many ways.

BOTTORFF, Charles, who owns a small farm near Springfield, has been a resident of San- gamon County nearly fifty years and during that time has carried on farming in varlous local- ities within the county. Mr. Bottorff was born near Jeffersonville. Clark County, Ind., Decem- ber 28. 1836, son of Morrison F. and Mary (Kin- caid) Bottorff. the former horn in Kentucky, in 1815, and the latter in Clark County, in 1817. The Bottorff family originally came from Ger- many and the Kincald family came to Indlana from Pennsylvania. Morrison Bottorff moved

from Indlana to Keokuk County, Iowa, in 1849, aud remained there until his death, at the age of ninety-two years. He and his wife had five sons and three daughters, and five of these children survive.

The early education of Charles Bottorff was acquired in a log school-house in Clark County, and after accompanying his parents to Iowa he continued to attend school for a time. During his hoyhood he worked on a farm in Indiaua and later In Iowa, and in 1863 came to Sanga- mon County, where he has since resided. He has carried on farming at several different places, first locating near Salisbury. He now owns fifteen acres of valuable land, which he has cultivated for the past five years. He has been fairly successful in his operations and has worked hard all his life. He is an intelligent and enterprising business man and much Inter- ested in the public welfare and advancement.

Mr. Bottorff was married, iu Keokuk Coun- ty, lowa, March 26, 1857, to Sarah Autle, who was born near Salisbury, Ill., August 9. 1840. Her father was born in Kentucky, September 13, 1813, and died in Sangamon County, Sep- tember 15, 1894, and the mother, who was born in Morgan County, Ill .. February 18, 1820, died April 18, 1895. Mr. Antle carried on farming some years in Sangamon County, moved to Keo- kuk County, Iowa, where he lived but a few years, and then returned to Saugamon County, where he speut the remainder of his life. He and his wife had twelve children, four of whom died in infancy and seven now survive. The Antle family came to Kentucky from P'enn- sylvania.

Eight children were born to Mr. Bottorff and his wife, seven sons and one daughter, and four children now survive, namely : Elliott A., a farmer living near Williamsville, Ill .; Siduey F., a farmer, lives with his father; John A., of Colorado, and Harry E., of Springfield. There are six grandchildren in the famlly.

Mr. and Mrs. Bottorff were both personally acquainted with Abraham Lincoln aud have many pleasant memories of this great man. Mr. Bottorff is a Baptist in religious belief and po- litically is a Democrat. He is well-known in Sangamon County, which has been his home so long, aud is accounted a representative citizen. HIe has many friends, who appreciate his ster- ling worth aud genuine kindness, and take pleasure In his society. He has a pleasant home and is surrounded by comforts and convenlences.

BOWE, William Henry .- Among the younger muen who hold office in Sangamon Couuty, Ill., is William Henry Bowe, City Treasurer of Springfield. He was born in that city July 31, 1878, son of Patrick and Mary Agnes (Morris) Bowe, natives of Ireland. Patrick Bowe was born in Kells, County Kilkenny, Ireland, Janu- ary 20, 1854. Mary Agnes Morris was born in County Roscommon, February 15, 1859. They were married in the Church of the Immaculate Conceptiou, Springfield, Ill., August 12, 1877.

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Mr. aud Mrs. Bowe were the pareuts of eight children, four of whom are living : William Henry ; Stephen Andrew, born December 8, 1SS4; Mary Agues, January 18, 1888, and Theresa Ellen, February 25, 1890. The four sons who are deceased were: James Francis, born December 7, 1879, died October 3, 1887; John Thomas, boru May 16, 1881, dled July 24, 1882; Joseph Morris, born November 21, 1882, died November 5, 1900; and Charles Vincent, born July 28, 1886, died November 4, 1887. James, Joseph and Charles are buried in Lot 65, Block 12, Calvary Cemetery, and John Thomas iu Angel Burying Ground in the same cemetery. The parents died in Springfield, the father August 21, 1895, and the mother June 12, 1908.

William H. Bowe received his education iu St. Joseph's Parochial School, Springfield High School and Springfield Business College. After leaving school he spent nlne and one-half years in the employ of A. L. Hereford, Supreme Chan- cellor of the Court of Honor, and resigued this position to accept the Chlef Clerkshlp of the County Treasurer's office, which post he as- sumed in November, 1906. Having been appointed Treasurer of the City of Springfield, he entered upon the duties of his present official position May 1, 1911.

Mr. Bowe is connected with several fraternal orders, having joined the Court of Honor as a beneficiary member In 1897; the Knights of Columbus, in 1901; the Loyal Americans, in 1902; the Fraternal Order of Owls, in 1909; and the Red Men, in 1910. He also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce, Associated Chari- ties, and other organizations of a slinilar nature. In political views he is a radical Dem- ocrat. He resides at the northwest corner of Eleveuth and Reservoir Streets.

BOWERS, Ciark, a retired farmer residing in Riverton, Ill .. Is a veteran of the Civil War and a substantial, representative citizen. He was born in Clinton County, Ohio. February 16, 1830, son of Reuben and Loretta (Ludington) Bowers, the former born in Germany and the latter in Pennsylvania. The father came to Amer- ica as a young man and settled In Clinton County. where he was engaged in farming many years. He moved to Logan County, Ill., where he carried on farming from 1837 until a year prior to his death, when he located in Tazc- well County and engaged in farming there. He was a soldier in the Mexican War and was the father of six sons and five daughters, all of whom are deceased except Clark.

The education of Mr. Bowers was received in an old log schoolhouse in Logan County, and in boyhood he helped his father with the farın work, remaining at home until he was a young man. then learning the trade of shoe- maker. However, most of his active life was spent in farming in Tazewell County. He re- moved to Sangamon Couuty in 1880, but since about 1900 has lived retired from active Ilfe.

He Is interested in the welfare of liis com- muuity aud is ready to espouse any worthy cause. He is a member of the Methodist Church and in politics is a Republicau. He takes pride aud pleasure in his children, grandchildreu and great-grandchildren, and has well earned the rest he enjoys. He has inet with success in his operatious aud owns a pleasant home iu Rivertou.

Soon after the beginning of the Civil War Mr. Bowers enlisted iu Compauy C. Sixteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, served one year, and was discharged at Memphis, Tenn., being sent back to Peoria (from where he had en- listed) on account of an injury he had sus- tained in service. He is affiliated with the local. G. A. R. Post, and stauds well with his · comrades.

Mr. Baker married, iu September, 1863, în Tazewell County, Ill., Miss Nancy Farris, who was born in Clark County Ill., where her father was an early settler and carried on farming until his death. Mrs. Bowers died in 1876, having borue three sons and two daughters, and four children are now living: Sarah, the oldest, married Jeff Green and lives in New- inan, where her husband is engaged in the livery business ; Joseph, of Sherman, Ill .; Henry, of Riverton, iu the employ of the Illinois Trac- tion System; Martin, also a resident of River- ton. There are twelve living graudchildren and three great-grandchildren iu the family.

BOYLE, William (deceased) .- No section of Illinois has rewarded its farmers more gener- ously for thelr efforts than Sangamon County, for many men who have there labored to bring forth the fruits of the soil, have become wealthy, finaliy retiring from hard work. Land there has greatly increased in value since the days when an acre of it sold for a few dollars, but while the soil has enriched the farmers, to theni are due the present values and the general pros- perity of the agricultural class. Among those who for many years have beeu progressive farmers of this locality, must be numbered the late William Boyle. He was born in Ireland, July 12, 1843, a son of John and Mary (Gibbon) Boyle, natives of Ireland and farming people.

William Boyle attended school in Ireland, and learued to farm with his parents, whom he finally left to go to Scotland. From that coun- try he came to America, locating in Springfield, which remained his home until he purchased land In Sangamon County. This he developed until he had- one of the best farms in his part of the State. He eventually retired, moving to Springfield, where his death occurred Octo- ber 11, 1908, at St. John's hospital. While a Democrat by preference, he did not desire public office. He belonged to Lodge No. 113, Modern Woodmen, of Springfield. A Catholic, he identified himself with the Church there, and was one of its mnost interested members.

On May 4, 1886, Mr. Boyle married, in Spring-

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

field, Hattie Swords, a native of Ireland. Mr, aud Mrs. Boyle had children as follows: Mary, boru June 13, 1887; Sarah married Charles Miner, of Springfield; Isabella, born January 20, 1889,, and Ellen, born February 8, 1896. Mrs. Boyle resides at No. 1700 North Eighth Street, with her three unmarried daughters, and the four are charming ladies, who gather about them a delightful circle of friends. They are active in church work, aud are highly re- garded in the city.

BOYNTON, Ervin D., general farmer and stock- man, whose busines ability is universally recog- uized the county over, is one of the most repre- sentative men of Sangamon. He was boru De- cember 15, 1858, on Section 30, Cartwright Township, near h'is present home on Section 18 . of the same township. His parents were Charles and Pauliua (De Mary) Boynton. The father was born in Westfield, Vt., June 3, 1822, and when ouly eight years old lost his parents so he made his home with au uncle, receiving only a district school education. When he reached his majority, Mr. Boynton left Ver- mont, coming direct to Springfield, where he spent but a short time, locating in Cartwright Township in 1843. Working by the month un- til he had saved some money, he bought a saw- mill, selling it at a profit. He then bought and sold several others, the last one being disposed of after he had hauled it to Mt. Pleasant, Ia. He then invested in 160 acres of land in Cart- wright Township, paying $3 per acre for it, and embarked in the business of buying and selling cattle. When the cattle were ready for market, he drove them to St. Louis or to Buffalo, N. Y. Ou September 8, 1850, he married, he and his wife commencing their housekeeping in a very primitive manner, but because of economy and good management, they soon became very pros- perous. Mr. Boynton lived on this farm until his death, which occurred April 2, 1897. At this time he owned 1,000 acres of land, in ad- ditiou to the 200 acres he had given each of his children. He was au active member and Dea- con of the Baptist Church of Berlin. In poli- tics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. Always bearing his full part in public matters, he was one of the representative older farmers of Sangamon County. His widow survives, making her home with Ervin D. Boynton and her daughter, Mrs. Warren, of Berliu. She is a most loveable lady, who has attained the age of eighty-three years, and is still very active iu the Baptist Church. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boynton, of whom two survive. Mr. Boynton, and Ella, wife of C. B. Warren, a banker of New Berlin. He is con- nected with the Warren-Boynton Bank of New Berliu, oue of the strongest banking Institu- tions of the county.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 14

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774