USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 43
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John Richard Adkins attended the schools of his district. and remained at home until his first marriage, when he moved to a farm of eighty acres in Cass County. Later he moved back to his father's farm, but after fourteen months returned to his own property, to which he added until he had 271 acres, and owned additionally, at the time of his death, 525 acres in Morgan County in one piece. and 205 in another piece. He also owned thirty-six acres of timberland. As he was the only surviving member of the family. he inherited his father's homestead of 244 acres in Cass and Morgan counties. All his life, hie carried on general farming and stockraising. The death of this
excellent man occurred October 7, 1910; buried in Flinn Cemetery. In politics he was a Repub- lican, but not an office seeker.
Mr. Adkins was married ( first) to Abigail Smith, born in Ohio, and they had two children, both of whom died in infancy. On September 25, 1867, Mr. Adkins was married (second), in Jacksonville, 111., by a Methodist minister, to Ella M. Stockton, born in Morgan County. Ill., April 9, 1841. a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Burfram) Stockton, natives of Kentucky and Virginia. respectively, who were married in Ken- tucky, but soon thereafter moved to Morgan County, Ill., as they did not believe in slavery. From there the Stocktons went to Macoupin County, Ill., where both died about 1855. Mrs. Adkins resided with an elder sister thereafter, in Macoupin County, until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Adkins had the following family : Clara, who was born July 23, 18GS, is at home ; Walter, who was born February 17, 1870, con- ducts the home farm, married June 24, 1914, Bertha M. Allen of Pike County, Ill. ; a son who died in infancy : John, who was born August 4, 1872. is operating one of the Morgan County farms, and married Maud P. Adkins, and they have Vera, Thomas, Armour and Oakleigh : and Mary A., who was born September 26. 1874, is Mrs. Elmer Jolinson and lives on the homestead of her grandparents. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children : Marjorie, Weir and Kermet.
ALKIRE, Milem Josiah (deceased) .- It is diffi- cult to bow to the decree of death when the one taken away is still in the very prime of young manhood, and both the fellow citizens and the family of Milem Josiah Alkire of Vir- ginia, felt especially bereft when he was taken away, for he not only was a lawyer of prom- inence, but also a man of sterling qualities and of lovable characteristics. He was born at Sweetwater, Ill., March 4, 1879, a son of Frank" and Mary (Hurie) Alkire, both born in the vicinity of Sweetwater. Frank Alkire was en- gaged in farming until about 1899, when he went to Colorado and there worked as a civil engineer.
Growing up in his native place, Milem Josiah Alkire received a common school education, and in the Illinois College at Jacksonville, Ill., fur- ther pursued his studies. After leaving college he was principal for two years of the schools of Petersburg and Virginia, then went into the law office of R. W. Mills as a student of law, and after he was admitted to the bar, was in partnership with his former preceptor until his death, on March 2, 1907. Mr. Alkire is buried in Walnut Ridge Cemetery, Virginia. While a Republican in political faith, he never took an active part in public affairs. Fraternally, he was a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. Until his marriage Mr. Alkire resided with his mother, but after that event, which occurred January 1, 1906. to Stella Skiles, he main- tained a home of his own. After her husband's death Mrs. Alkire resided with her mother until the latter's death on December 26, 1911, after
albert H. Maya & Family.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
which she erected one of the most beautiful residences at Virginia, where she is now living with her little daughter, Jewel, who was born January 2, 1907. She is a member of the Pres- byterian church.
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Mrs. Alkire was born at Virginia, Cass County, Ill., July 1, 1SS5, a daughter of Oswald and Eliza (Epler) Skiles, natives of Ohio and ot Sanga- mon County, Ill. The paternal grandfather was Harman Skiles, while her maternal grand- parents were George and Eliza ( Huckleberry) Epler, natives of Pennsylvania and Indiana, re- spectively. Mrs. Alkire was educated at the Monticello Seminary, Godfrey, Ill. Her father was a prominent man of Virginia, Ill., being a banker and landowner; he died in that city Feb- ruary 18, 1908. Mrs. Alkire has one brother, Louis O., and a half-brother, Lee H. Skiles, who was born of her father's first marriage, with Ann Conover, the latter dying in 1874.
ANGIER, Lafayette A .- In every community the most substantial men lend their influence and devote their efforts towards the establishing of concerns which will give stability to the locality. Conservative policies dictate that in nothing is the public given better service than in the organ- ization and faithful conduct of banking institu- tions, and Virginia owes much in this respect to Lafayette A. Angier, who, although now retired, has done much to promote the welfare of Cass County in general, and Virginia in partic- ular. He was born just west of Virginia, in Cass County, October 1. 1852, a son of Addison G. and Anna Eliza (Wilson) Angier. The par- ents were born and married in Ohio, coming to Cass County soon after their marriage. Here they reared a family of eiglit children, as fol- lows : Harriet, Mary Ellen, and Emma G., all of whom are deceased ; Louisa, who is Mrs. E. Dygert, of Virginia; Rose and Grace, both oť whom are deceased ; and Lafayette and George, both of whom reside at Virginia. Both father and mother are deceased and are interred in the cemetery at Virginia. For many years Addison G. Angier was president of the Centennial Bank of Virginia, and was one of its heavy stockhold- ers at his death, and was also one of the organ- izers of the Farmers Bank of Virginia, and was connected with it for a number of years.
Lafayette Angier was brought up on his fa- ther's farm, and educated in the schools of his district. For some years he farmed very suc- cessfully, and resided on his farm land, but moved to Virginia in 1892, although continuing his agricultural activities and still operates 380 acres near Virginia. There he bought a beauti- ful residence, which he has since remodeled, and has one of the most desirable homes at the county seat.
In 1876 Mr. Angier married Jennie B. Hill, a daughter of Charles and Martha J. (McCon- nell) Hill, and they became the parents of five children, namely : Grace, who is Mrs. J. L. Way, of Virginia : Harry, who died May 27, 1901, at the age of twenty-three years; Alice, who is Mrs. George Kikendall, of Springfield, Ill. ; Fern,
who is Mrs. William Finn, of Virginia; and Charles, who married Goldie Bingham, lives at Virginia and is associated with the firm of Finn Bros., dealers in gents' furnishings.
ARMSTRONG, Claude J., of Chandlerville, Ill., whose farm is situated in township 18, range 10, n., Cass County, Ill., is considered among the most intelligent, worthy and promising of the younger farmers of this portion of the county. Further details of his family connections are to be found in a sketch of his brother, Jeptha Armstrong, which appears in this volume. He was born in Cass County, Ill., July 26, 1889. His father was Robert H. Armstrong, a native of Cass County, who was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and his mother's maiden name was Jennie B. Schoonover, also of Cass County.
In early youth Claude J. Armstrong received a fair education in the public schools of his neighborhood and spent the time until his mar- riage in working on a farm by the month. He became possessed of a share of his father's estate, and after he was married, rented a house near the paternal property, and, in the fall of 1913, moved to the homestead, and here he and his family have since resided, and he has carried on farming successfully on the old place.
On February 10, 1909, Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage with Edith Schoonover, born in Cass County, October 14, 18SS, a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Baker) Schoonover. Mr. Schoonover was born in the state of New York, and the birthplace of Mrs. Schoonover was in Cass County. They have the following chil- dren : Lloyd Bertrand, born April 7. 1909 ; Remus Robert, born June 6, 1911; and Roland Howard, born February 19, 1914. Mr. Arm- strong has prospered in his undertakings and is considered a judicious and substantial farmer. He is affiliated with the M. W. A. of Chandler- ville. Mr. Armstrong attends the Christian church.
ARMSTRONG, George W .- That part of Cass County which is included in the district of Chall- dlerville, finds a worthy and capable agricultural representative in the person of George W. Arm- strong. His career has been similar to that of many others, who have followed varied pursuits for a member of years, but at length have returned to farming, finding in the tilling of the soil their comfort, their success and their proper field of endeavor. Mr. Armstrong is a native son of Cass County, born October 11, 1869, on his father's homestead in township 18, range 10, near Chandlerville, Cass County, Ill., a son of James and Anna B. (Chittick) Armstrong.
The Armstrong family has been located in Cass County since 1840, when John and Nancy (Cook) Armstrong, the grandparents of George W. Armstrong, came to this part of Illinois from County Tyrone, Ireland, the grandfather enter- ing a large tract of land from the government, which he cleared from its native timber and developed into a productive farm. James Arm- strong, the father of George W., was a child
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when he accompanied his parents from Erin to this conntry, grew up amid pioneer snrround- ings, and, following in his father's footsteps, adopted the calling of a husbandman. He was married Jannary 1, 1855, to Anna B. Chittick, who had come to Cass County with an elder brother, and they settled down to housekeeping on a farm adjoining the Armstrong homestead, to which the father continued to add until at one time he was the owner of 600 acres of valn- able soil, the greater part of which he put under cultivation. He was known as one of the sub- stantial citizens of his community, and an authority upon the subject of livestock. His death occurred April 10, 1907, when he had reached the age of more than seventy-five years, he having been born December 10, 1832. The mother, born March 11, 1834, passed away March 16, 1911. Their children were as follows: Elvina M., who married James E. Way, of Easton, Mason Connty, Ill. ; John S., Robert H., Tillie V. and Gilbert, all of whom are deceased ; James W., who is engaged in farming in this township ; Anna E., deceased ; Fannie F., who is now Mrs. Frank B. Todd, of Chicago ; and George W.
George W. Armstrong attended first the dis- trict schools in the vicinity of his father's home- stead, and following this was given further training in the Chandlerville High school and the Valparaiso ( Indiana ) Normal school.' He entered upon his career as a teacher in the district schools, being thus engaged for three years, and then was made principal of the Walker Grove school, in Mason County. Two years in this capacity were followed by one year as principal of the Chandlerville school, but , after his marriage, in 1898, Mr. Armstrong gave up the vocation of educator to become proprictor of the Commercial Hotel. When he sold out, three years later, he was made chief of police of Chandlerville, retaining that position for four years, and then returned to the old homestead where he had been born and purchased 165 acres of land, in which the place of his birth is included. Mr. Armstrong has since carried on general farming, and has also met with decided success in the raising of Red Polled cattle and Poland-China hogs. He is known as a business man of ability, and his private interests are large, yet he has found time and inclination to serve his community, and has been a school director since 1909 and deputy assessor since 1913. His public duties have been discharged in an able and conscientious manner, and his services have been such as to add to his general popularity in the community in which he has so long made his home. Politically a Democrat, Mr. Armstrong is one of the strong and influen- tial men of his party in his section of Cass County. His fraternal connection is with the Modern Woodmen of America, at Chandlerville.
Mr. Armstrong was married December 21, 1898. to Miss Jennie B. Taylor, who was born in Cass County, March 1, 1873, daughter of Harry L. and Matilda (Lynn) Taylor, natives of Cass County, and granddaughter of Henry and Mary P. ( Hawthorne) Taylor. The grand-
father of Mrs. Armstrong founded the Taylor family in Cass County in 1830, in which year he came from Nashville, Tenn., where he had been born January 24. 1814. He died February 5, 1864. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, namely: Myron G., June 11, 1900; Mabel A., October 6, 1901; and Robert H., May 16, 1904.
ARMSTRONG, Gilbert Jeptha,-Among the most intelligent, enterprising, prosperous and success- ful of the younger farmers of Cass County, Ill., is Gilbert Jeptha Armstrong, of Chandlerville. He is, moreover, by reason of his amiable and neighborly qualities, one of the most popular and highly esteemed members of the community in which he lives.
Mr. Armstrong was born December 13, 1SS0. in Cass County, his parents being Robert H. and Jennie B. (Plaster) Armstrong, born also in this county. The children of Robert H. and Jennie B. Armstrong were: Cora Pearl, now Mrs. John E. Rethorn, of Chandlerville; Gilbert Jeptha ; Nathaniel Howard, of Chandlerville: Judson Lee, of Fort Stielacoom. Wash. ; Chalmers Nisbet, of Chandlerville, and Claude Johnson, who re- sides on the Armstrong homestead, just west of Chandlerville, in section 1, township 18, north, range 10. Cass County, Ill.
When Jeptha was three years of age his par- ents moved to the large Plasters farm west of Chandlerville, of which they afterwards became the owners, and which is still owned by the Armstrongs. In early youth Jeptha attended the Live Springs district school, afterward becoming a pupil of the Chandlerville High school. where he was graduated. in May, 1899, with highest honors of his class. In September of the same year he entered Eureka College, at Eureka, Ill., where his sterling qualities soon made him a leader among his fellow students and associates. He was in his senior year at Eureka College, when his father died. April 3, 1903. Being the oldest of the five sons. he was forced to give up his school work and return home and assist his mother in the settlement of his father's vast estate. His carefulness, painstaking and sensi- ble economy, displayed in the settlement of this estate, were exceptionally business-like, and were characteristic of the eminent business qual- ities which have guided him in the attention given to his private affairs. After the settle- ment was concluded. Jeptha, personally, took up farming and stockraising, on the above named Armstrong homestead.
Gilbert Jeptha Armstrong was united in mar- riage, March 5, 1904, with Mary Sarah Kilham, of Virginia, Ill .. who was born in Macon County. Ill., January 13. 187S. a daughter of Thomas and Judia Ann (Black) Kilham. the father of English nativity, and the mother born in Morgan County. Illinois. Mrs. Armstrong was educated in the district schools and in the Virginia High school, where she was graduated in May, 1898. She continued her studies, specializing in math- ematics, and began teaching in the district schools of Cass County in 1899, which she con-
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tinued until her marriage, teaching a special course of mathematics, during the summer sea- son. Atter marriage the couple resided on the Armstrong homestead west of Chandlerville, where Mr. Armstrong carried on his farming and stockraising operations successfully for six years, when he purchased and moved to the farm where the family now reside, and where he still farms extensively. This tarm is located in sec- tions 26 and 27, township 19, north, range 9, Cass County, Ill., and contains 200 acres of the most fertile Sangamon River bottom land. The lives ot Jeptha Armstrong and wite move along in perfect harmony, each being interested in the other's work, without a shadow or cloud to mar their happiness. Two children have been born to bless this union, namely : Jeptha Thomas, born January 10, 1908, and Winona Darlene, born December 14, 1911.
Mr. Armstrong is intelligently interested in intensive farming and in the development of modern agriculture. He believes in building up the soil to make it produce the maximum results and does not hesitate to put his ideas into prac- tice, on his own farm, regardless of what his neighbors do. He was one of the active work- ers for and is, in a large measure, responsible for the University Agricultural and Domestic Science School that has been held, annually, at Chandlerville for several years, He is secretary of the Cass County Life Club, an organization the object ofwhich is the advancement and pro- mulgation of agricultural development. He is also treasurer of the Sangamon Bottom Anti- Horse Thief Association. Fraternally he is affiliated with the M. W. A. and Royal Neigh- bors, of Chandlerville, as is his wife. Polit- ically Mr. Armstrong is one of those staunch, progressive Democrats who place principle above party. He is interested in his friends and, not seeking office for himself, has never hesitated to go into the field and work for others. He is at present the democratic committeeman from Chandlerville Precinct, and has won the approval and good will of the public for his careful, con- servative and honest political dealings. Relig- iously. he is affiliated with the First Christian Church of Chandlerville, and serves as a mem- ber of the official church board. A man of upright life and high ideals. he enjoys the highest esteem of his fellow citizens, and never does he lose an opportunity to demonstrate his sincerest appre- ciation of their friendship. He is a man of large physique as well as of strong character, a care- ful and methodical business man; a warm hearted and generous companion, and those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance always know where to find him on all questions. for there is no uncertainty in his character. He is a kind, generous. thoughtful and affectionate hus- band and father: is devoted in his attachments and ever has the interest of his family at heart. His life has been eminently successful and he is an excellent representative of the superior class of young farmers in the community and county in which he lives. 16
ATTERBERY, Emmet K .- For many years the Atterberys have been prominent among the agri- cultural families of western Illinois. Some of the most extensive and successful farming enter- prises in Cass County have been carried on by its members, and one of the county's thriving towns is known as Atterberry. Emmet K. Atter- bery, one of the best known farmers in this county, was born in Menard County, Ill., July 11, 1873. Ilis father, also a farmer, was Ashford Atterbery, who was born in Menard County ; and the birthplace of the mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Isabel McKee, was Ohio. At an early period, Ashford Atterbery acquired pos- session of an interest in 350 acres of land which, through years of unremitting effort, he developed into a highly productive farm. In early boy- hood, Emmet K. Atterbery accompanied his father and mother to this place, and since that period has continued to live here. As he grew to suitable age he received a fair education in the district school of his neighborhood, and suhse- quently applied himself diligently to the work of the farm. In addition to general farming operations, he devotes considerable time to the raising of choice stock. The farm is composed of 350 acres of excellent land, and is situated in section 25, township 19, range 9, in Cass County, near the village of Chandlerville, which place is the postoffice address of Mr. Atterbery.
On February 12, 1896, in Cass County, Ill., Emmet K. Atterbery was joined in wedlock with Elizabeth Hickey, a native of Cass County, where her birth took place August 23, 1876. Mrs. Atterbery is a daughter of Seth and Kizie (Good- man) Hickey, the former of whom was born April 11, 184G. Mr. and Mrs. Atterbery have three children, namely: Ree Divern, born Angust S, 1897 : Alice Irene, born July 17, 1899, and Roy, born November 6, 190S.
Mr. Atterbery has never connected himself with any religious denomination, but fraternally is a Mason. being affiliated with Chandlerville Lodge, No. 724. Politically, he supports the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. Emmet K. Atter- bery is known to almost every resident of his township. He is a man of much intelligence. with a large fund of practical information. He manifests an infinite amount of good nature in daily intercourse with neighbors, and his jovial disposition makes him quite popular among his acquaintances.
BAILEY, Fred R .- The furniture, undertaking and piano business conducted under the firm name of Bailey & Robertson, was started August 19. 1911, by Fred R. Bailey and Frank M. Rob- ertson, two of the energetic young business men of Virginia. They handle a full line of furni- ture, the Fischer pianos, and do a general under- taking business as well. During the years they have been associated together, they have earned a well merited reputation for fair and honorable .dealing, and are called upon to render services in every department of their concern.
Fred R. Bailey was born in Cass County, Ill., a son of Samuel W. and Fannie J. (Fisher)
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Bailey. After passing through the common schools of Virginia, he entered the high school of the city, and was graduated therefrom in 1910. Following this he took a commercial course at a business college, and a course in the Cincinnati College of Embalming, from which latter he was graduated in 1911, almost immedi- ately thereafter forming his present partnership, one that has been profitable and congenial. Fra- ternally, he belongs to the Masons and Odd Fel- lows. Unmarried, he resides with his parents. While not active in politics, Mr. Bailey has always given intelligent attention to public affairs, and can be counted upon to lend his aid to those measures which he believes will work out for the good of all concerned. As a business man, he has proven his worth to his community and both he and his partner stand very high in public esteem.
BAILEY, Samuel W .- One of the substantial retired business men of Virginia, is a native of the state of Virginia, and a son of George and Ann (Jasper) Bailey, the former born in that state. September S, 1826, where he still resides; and the latter, a native also of Virginia, was born August 12, 1827, and died October 5, 1909. They had ten children, of whom Samuel W. Bailey was the fourth in order of birth.
On May 9, 1872. Samuel W. Bailey came from Marksville, Va., to the village of Virginia, Ill., but spent several years upon a farm in Cass County prior to locating in the village. Upon settling here permanently, he engaged with Van- vedentre & Bailey, lumber dealers, as book- keeper and general manager, remaining in this connection for three years. At the expiration of that period, he embarked in a mercantile busi- ness on the east side of the public square, in partnership with Lawson D. Robertson, and they were thus associated for three years, when he sold his interest to Mr. Robertson, and clerked for J. F. Black, hardware dealer and architect until 1SS5. He then took a vacation until 1SS6, when he became a bookkeeper and salesman for George H. Henderson, manufacturer of tile and dealer in coal. In December, 1889, he bought a one-third interest in a coal shaft and gave this business his services until March 1, 1903. On this date he sold, and then embarked in a gro- cery business on the north side of the square, continuing to conduct it until May 2, 1903. Dis- posing of this business at a profit, he opened another store on the south side of the square, and continued it until January 1, 1911, when he permanently retired from business.
On February 7, 1878, Mr. Bailey was married in Cass County, to Fannie J. Fisher, a daughter of John and Adaline (Gist) Fisher. Six chil- dren have been born of this marriage, namely : George L., who resides at San Francisco, Cal .; John C., who resides at Virginia ; Jess O., who resides at Hillsboro, Ill. ; Fred R., who is in the undertaking and furniture business at Virginia ; and Harold L., and Eugene D., who are yet stu- dents.
During the long period Mr. Bailey has resided
at Virginia, he has served the city very faith- fully in a public way, having been city clerk for three terms, mayor for one term, a school director for a number of years, and has held other offices. Joining the lodge of Odd Fellows at Virginia, he has been active in that and the auxiliary order of Rebekah ever since, and is now secretary and treasurer of the Central Illi- nois Odd Fellows Association. The Methodist church holds his membership, in which he is a steward and church secretary.
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