USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 74
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On October 2, 1885, Smith L. Von Fossen was married to Miss Clara Belle Griffith, a daughter of James and Nettie (Swain) Griffith. Mrs. Von Fossen was born at Waughtown, near Greens- boro, N. C. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith went to Rush- ville. Ill., in 1870, and there the former worked at his trade of blacksmithing and wagonmak- ing. Mr. and Mrs. Von Fossen became the par- ents of the following children: Ernest Veru, who is a dry goods merchant of Beardstown ; Mabel Nina, who is at home ; Clyde Norman, who is with his brother in the dry goods business ; Ralphı J., who is with his father in business; Cyril Hill, who is at home, and Ruth and Robert (twins) who died in infancy. Mrs. Von Fossen died December 27, 1912. In religious faith, Mr. Von Fosseu is a Methodist. Politically he is a Democrat, and for two terms, he served as alder- man from the Third Ward. He was president of the Commercial Association for three years, and much of its present efficiency is due to his efforts.
The fraternal connections of Mr. Von Fossen are many and varied. The Odd Fellows have in him an enthusiastic member, and for many years he has been a state officer of the Knights of Pythias. He was chairman of the building
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committee which had in charge the erection, at Decatur, Ill., of a home for children and old people, connected with that order. After an exciting campaign, Mr. Von Fossen was elected over four other candidates, to the office of grand outer guard, and in 1918 he will be entitled to the office of grand chancellor of the order. In addition, he is a member of the Elks of Beards- town, in which he has held minor offices.
Notwithstanding all that he has accomplished in a business and fraternal way, it is, perhaps, as a practical friend of children that Mr. Von Fossen's name is most widely known. He was one of the originators of the "Free Fish Fries," which the city of Beardstown has conducted annually for the past twenty years. For as many years he has chartered every summer, the largest excursion steamer on the Illinois River to provide outings for the little ones, and they look forward to them with delightful anticipa- tion, knowing that their kind friend will never fail them. Not only does he get up these excur- sions, but provides generously for the entertain- ment of those given into his charge and brings them back safely, bubbling over with childish glee, and eager to recount the doings of another day of perfect happiness. At the excursion of 1913 there were more than 1,300 children, who were taken to Meredosia, the mayor of that place proclaiming a holiday. The 1914 excursion to Bath had 1,600 children. All of the churches and Sunday schools joined in entertaining the little ones, and the city authorities furnished band music to march by. The 1915 excursion was a grand success, and when the steamer landed at Havana, the party was welcomed by delegations from the Sunday schools of that city and a committee from the Havana Com- mercial Association. A committee from the Havana Lodge of the Knights of Pythias was also there to welcome them. From Havana the party went to Chautauqua Park, at Quiver Lakc, where they enjoyed a picnic dinner, and listened to addresses by prominent representatives of Beardstown and neighboring cities. In one year Mr. Von Fossen was invited to seven different cities with the children, each offering picnic sports. Had le done nothing else, Mr. Von Fossen through this philanthropy, has made him- self honored and beloved in Cass County. Although he is one of the representative men of his locality in many ways, his name will ever be remembered, for, in ministering to the "little ones" he is serving the Master, who, in his religious faith he recognizes, and is setting a shining example.
Although now a man of large possessions it was not always so. At the time of his marriage, Mr. Von Fossen made a great deal of his own furniture, and many pieces of this are now used in his beautiful home here. This furniture was made by him because his capital was limited, and he could not afford to buy.
WAGNER, John H., who is actively engaged in general farming and raising cattle, is one of the progressive men of Cass County, pleasantly
located in township 17, range 11. He was born at Beardstown, Ill., August 15, 1850, a son of George and Mary (Doerr) Wagner, natives of Germany. The grandfather was Theodore Wag- ner, who settled in New York state at an early date, finally locating at Albany, where he died. In 1840, George Wagner moved to Beardstown, Ill., and clerked for a time, but then bought 120 acres of land for twenty-five cents per acre. At the time of purchase it was in a wild state, but he improved it and added to his holdings until he owned 240 acres at the time of his death which occurred in January, 1897. His wife died many years before, passing away in 1862.
John H. Wagner attended the Monroe district and Bluff Springs schools, and grew up on the farm, remaining with his father until 1873, when he rented a farm at Bluff Springs, his possessions then consisting of a span of mules, harness and a wagon. Until 1895 he continued to rent land, but in that year he came to the farm he now occupies to work it on shares. It consisted of forty acres on which was a log house. Mr. Wagner built new buildings and cleared off some of the timber, and added forty acres more, now cultivating about thirty acres, the remainder being in pasturage and timber. Experiments have demonstrated that general farming and cattle raising are the most profit- able to him.
On February 27, 1877, Mr. Wagner married Elizabeth Dietrich, born in Germany, a daugh- ter of George H. and Catherine (Berg) Diet- rich. Mr. and Mrs. Wagner became the parents of the following children: Mary, who is Mrs. John Witcher of Alton, Mont .; Amelia, who is Mrs. Harry Daniels of Cass County ; Elizabeth, who is Mrs. Dr. M. L. Perrine of Chandlerville, Ill. ; Edward W., George H. and John F., who are at home: Elmer; Josephine, who is Mrs. Jerry Lynn of Ashland, Ill. ; Lydia, who is Mrs. Jule Darland of Virginia, Ill .; and Rosa and Florence. Mr. Wagner belongs to the Methodist church. He is a Republican and has served as a member of the county central committee of his party since 1906.
WAHLFELD, Fred-Fred Wahlfeld is one of the young men of Cass County, who, besides his in- dustrious and thrifty habits, and his sensible management of the farm interests in his care, has the faculty of making a good many friends. He not only keeps his old friends, but his is such a sociable, genial, good-natured habit, as to add to their number wherever he goes. His home is in the vicinity of Chandlerville, and his farm is situated in section 34. township 19, range 9. Cass County. Ill. His birthplace was near the village of Bishop, Mason County, Ill .. and he was born August 25, 1SS7. His father, Gerhard Wahlfeld, was born in Ger- many. December 18, 1856, and on coming to this country, with one brother, in 1SS1, engaged in farming and raising stock in Mason County. In 1882 he made a visit to Germany, and re- turning to this country, was married to Amelia Wessling in 1SS4.
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In early youth Fred Wahlfeld attended the conntry district school. At the age of eighteen years he went from home to work by the month on a farm, and continued this plan until his marriage, when he and his father bonght a place, which they have named the Grand View Stock and Grain Farm. It contains 90 acres and is very productive land. .
On March 6, 1912, at Bath, in Mason Connty, Ill., Fred Wahlfeld was married to Lizzie May Camp. Mrs. Wahlfeld was born in Bath, Mason Connty, Ill., October 9, 1882. Her father is J. L. Camp, born February 15, 1856, and her mother's maiden name was Carolina Glack- meier, born in the same connty, February 16, 1862. Mrs. Wahlfeld was educated in the Bath High school, where she graduated, and also at- tended the Normal school at Normal, Ill. Fin- ishing her education there she taught school for eleven terms in only three different schools. Religiously they are members of the Lutheran church.
WALLBAUM, Frederick C., one of the heavy landowners of Cass County and president of the State Bank of Ashland, as well as largely interested in many of the leading business en- terprises of this place, is one of the thoroughly representative men of the locality in which he makes his home. He was born in Cartwright Township, Sangamon County, Ill., November 9, 1871, a son of William and Elizabeth (Chittick) Wallbaum, natives of Germany and Ireland, re- spectively. When William Wallbaum was eigh- teen years old he came to the United States, landing at St. Louis, Mo. There he found em- ployment at his trade of shoemaking, but left that city in 1836 for Sangamon County, Ill., where he worked for different farmers for sex- eral years, then moved to Morgan County, where he married and began farming for himself about the close of the Civil war. He died January 9, 1905, aged sixty-seven and one-half years, his first wife having passed away in 1894. Their children were as follows: Frederick C .; and E. 1 .. who is of Pleasant Plains. Ill. The father's second marriage was to Martha Con- way Virgin, and they had one daughter and one son. Emma May, who is of Springfield, Ill .; and William C., who is of Ashland, Ill.
After attending the district schools Frederick C. Wallbaum took a course in the Jacksonville Business College, and for two years following his marriage resided on his father's farm. In March. 1897, he bought 200 acres of land in township 17. range 9. Cass County, two and one-half miles west of Ashland. upon which he moved, and began farming, raising registered Duroc-Jersey hogs. Percheron and a standard breed of road horses, and is a large feeder of cattle. He has added to his farm until he now owns 4071% acres in the home place, which he is personally conducting : 140 acres, just north of Ashland, which he rents; 240 acres in Cart- wright Township, Sangamon County, which he also rents, and he is interested in several busi- ness enterprises as well. Mr. Wallbanm was
one of the organizers of the Farmers State Bank of Ashland, which came into existence in Sep- tember, 1905, and has been its president ever since. William Mann, of Morgan Connty, Ill., is the vice-president; M. J. Murray is the cashier ; and Raymond Mann is the assistant cashier. The capital stock of this bank is $50,- 000. and dividends have been paid since the first year, and at the same time a desirable snrplus is retained. Mr. Wallbaum was also one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator Company of Ashland and Prentice, and now is secretary and treasurer of the Ashland Elevator Company. He was five years an officer in the Illinois Farmers Grain Dealers' Association, three years as director and two years as presi- dent. a cooperative grain organization composed of 350 companies which handle the most of the grain grown in the grain belt of Illinois. He is a trustee and treasurer of the endowment fund of Shurtleff College of Alton, Ill., a pioneer Baptist school. The First Baptist church of Ashland holds his membership, and the organ- ization has had the advantage of his services as treasurer since 1899. He is a deacon and for many years has been superintendent of the Sun- day school. Formerly a Republican, he is now a Progressive. A charter member of Ashland Lodge No. 929. A. F. & A. M .. he also belongs to Jacksonville Chapter No. 3, and is a member of the Jacksonville Commandery, also a charter member of the new Shrine Lodge of Springfield. The Odd Fellows. No. 514, and the Modern Woodmen, No. 1436. both of Ashland, also hold his membership. The Court of Honor, Ashland Lodge No. 216, numbers him among its workers and earnest members.
In October. 1894, Mr. Wallbaum married Alice Clark of Petersburg. Ill .. a daughter of Albert Allen and Ellen (Goodell) Clark, natives of Menard County. Ill. Mrs. Wallbaum is the youngest of a family of four children, and of fifty-four grandchildren of her grandfather, Henry Clark, of Kentucky, Mr. and Mrs. Wall- baum have two children: Frederick Clark, who was born February 20, 1899, and is now a stu- dent at the Western Military Academy of Alton, Ill. ; and William Lee, who was born November 28. 1900, and is attending the public school of Ashland. Ill.
WARD, Jacob D., a farmer and stockraiser of Cass County, now living in Virginia, Ill., comes of one of the old and substantial families of the country and is proud of an honorable sonth- ern ancestry. His father, the late Jacob Ward, whom he holds in tender remembrance, was born in Scott County, Ky .. December 4, 1800, and there resided until 1829, in which year he came to Morgan, now Cass County, Ill., a pioneer in that locality. With another young man, by the name of Stevenson. Jacob Ward accepted a com- mission from neighbors and acquaintances, to visit the country of which many favorable re- ports had reached them, and note desirable places in which to settle. The young men trav- eled together as far as St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Stev-
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enson looking over Bloomington, Ill., and vicin- ity, while Mr. Ward proceeded to Beardstown and there became acquainted with a Thomas Beard, who had a store on the banks of the river and was profitably trading with the In- dians. The two young men met at Cairo, Ill., when their investigations were completed, and together returned to Kentucky and reported to a meeting of those interested, at the Stevenson homestead. Mr. Ward was so pleased as to the advantages offered by Morgan County that he was eloquent in praise of that section and shortly afterward accompanied a party of sixty-two to the western country, the trip being made in wagons. After reaching their destination gov- ernment land was secured and stable homes established and from those pioneers have de- scended many who are the representative people of Cass County.
Jacob Ward settled at Arcadia, where he started business enterprises including a hotel and a dry goods and groeery store. Other settlers soon came and the hamlet became the village of New Lexington, in memory of the old home city of Lexington, Ky. Mr. Ward was made the first postmaster of the place, and he was a county commissioner at the time Cass County was separated from Morgan County. In 1840 he bought a tract ot land south of Virginia, Ill., on which he lived until 1869, moving at that tinie to his farm two and one-half miles east of Virginia and there died December 5, 1875, his burial being at Little Indian. Mr. Ward's coun- try home was always the abode of generous hos- pitality for all who sought it. For Hon. Stephen A. Douglas he early contraeted a warm friend- ship that continued through life; often enter- tained him for days and weeks at his farm, and aided him financially, during the great statesman's struggles with poverty. He was twice married, first to Eliza Stevenson, a daugh- ter of James Stevenson, and they had two daugh- ters : Mary J., who became Mrs. James Beggs ; and Sarah Frances, who was born August 8, 1828, married Henry S. Savage, and died Octo- ber 27, 1908. His second marriage was to Sarah Frances Leight, a daughter of Peter and Eliza (Gross) Leight, and they had four children : Josephine, who died at the age of three months ; Walter, who died in infancy ; Jacob D., who was born January 12, 1863; and John W., who died at the age of two years. An interesting incident in the early history of the county in connection with Mr. Ward, was his bringing with him from Kentucky to Illinois, a man and woman, negro slaves, both of whom he then set free. The woman died a year later and hers was the first burial in the Stevenson cemetery at Little Indian.
Jacob D. Ward was born in Cass County as noted above and grew to manhood in his father's house. He attended the district schools and also took a course in the Gem City Commer- cial College at Quincy, Ill. Inheriting a large amount of land he became a farmer and for a number of years engaged in farming and stock- raising rather extensively. In 1901 he moved to
Virginia, Ill., where he owns a beautiful home. On June 29, 1898, he married Mary Eugenia Van Deventer, a daughter of I. B. and Emma (Barnard) Van Deventer, born at Virginia, June 2, 1876. The father of Mrs. Ward was born in Morgan and the mother in Pike County and they now live retired at Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have two children : Francis Garland, who . was born April 5, 1899; and Emma Maxine, who was born February 13, 1905, both now attending the public schools. Mrs. Ward is a member of the Presbyterian church.
WASHINGTON, John E .- Few of the many fine farms in Cass County, Ill., are in better condi- tion as to cultivation and domestic improve- ments, and few bear evidence of more intelli- gent, enterprising and thrifty management than that owned and operated by the subject of this following narrative, whose name appears above. Beyond question, he is one of the best known, most successful and most highly respected rep- resentatives of the agricultural element among the citizens of this section of Illinois. Mr. Washington lives in the vicinity of the city of Virginia, Cass County, in township 17, range 10, and owns 300 acres in township 11, range 10, which he rents. Besides this he has 146% acres of the homestead property which belongs to his wife.
John Edward Washington was born in Union County, Ky., October 27, 1860, and is a son of Joseph H. and Sallie Ann (Offutt) Washington. The father was a native of Westmoreland, Va., and the mother of Scott County, Ky., where they were married and where they first settled. At a later period they moved to Union County, where Joseph H. Washington died in 1870. His widow lingered until January, 1901, when she passed away. Her son, John Edward, dwelt with her until 1SS1. In early youth he attended the common schools of Kentucky, and for three years was a pupil in the military academy at Morganfield, in the same state. In 1SS1 John E. Washington located in Cass County and was employed at farm work by William Treadway until October 27, 1897, when he was married to Louisa Treadway, born April 30, 1861, a daugh- ter of his employer. Her mother's maiden name was Mary McHenry. After their marriage Mr. Washington eontinued to work for his father- in-law until 1901, when he began farming on 145 acres of the Treadway home place. Mrs. Treadway died August 30, 1879, and Mr. Tread- way passed away July 18, 1912.
Mr. Washington has devoted considerable at- tention to the breeding of fine stock, raising Aberdeen Angus cattle and Poland China hogs, all registered. The farming land he rents out. He has been successful in all his undertakings, and is looked upon as high authority in hand- ling first class stock. He has many friends · among his neighbors and among the public gen- erally in Cass County. He was reared in the tenets of the Presbyterian church. In political activity he is a supporter of the principles of the Democratic party.
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WATKINS, James Albert,-In the strenuous days when almost universal conflict paralyzes the farmers of foreign countries, the value of the American farmer as the producer of food- stuffs with which to feed the world is more than ever recognized, and Cass County can point with pride to some of the most able, practical and industrious agriculturists to be found in the state. One of these men is James Albert Wat- kins, who not only carries on his own work successfully, but influences others to follow his example. He was born at Oregon Point, Cass County, November 19, 1865, a son of William and Emeline M. (Hinchee) Watkins, the former born in Wayne County, Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. These parents were married in Me- nard County, Ill., prior to the Civil war, and on coming to Cass County bought a farm in township 18, range 9, at Oregon Point, to which they added at various times until they owned 360 acres. The father operated this farm until 1903, when he retired to Virginia and is now making it his home. He and his wife had the following children: Nancy, who died at the age of three years; Charles, who died in Kansas in 1892; William T., who is of Davis County, Iowa; Elijah, who is of Chandlerville; Mar- garet, who is now Mrs. M. F. Way, lives in Cass County ; Lydia, who is now deceased, mar- ried Elmer Baker ; James Albert ; and Bell, who is the widow of William Weber of Peoria, Ill. The mother of these children died February 2, 1879. For his second wife the father married Bell Gordley, and they have one son, Warren G., of Philadelphia.
James Albert Watkins attended the schools of Oregon, and growing up on his father's farm, learned how to be a farmer to some practical purpose. He has spent his life upon his birth- place, and when his father retired took charge of the property and is now carrying on farming and stockraising. In addition to the homestead he conducts 120 acres of his own land, one and one-half miles distant, his judgment and indus- try making his work pay him a good return on his investment.
On February 12. 1903, Mr. Watkins married Jennie Van Etten. born in Mason County, Ill., September 24. 1867, a daughter of David and Julia (Butler) Van Etten, natives of New York state and Pennsylvania, respectively. They have no children. Mr. Watkins is a Democrat, and served as road commissioner for three years. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America at Chandlerville, and is popular and respected in that order, as he is among his other associates.
WATKINS, Thomas, one of the honored resi- dents of Cass County, who for many years was connected actively with agricultural work, was born in Greene County, Ky., August 23, 1827, a son of Elijah and Lydia (Montgomery) Wat- kins, of Kentucky. They came to Wayne County, Ill., in 1829, making the trip in wagons, and a few years later went to Menard County, Ill., in the same way. After four years there,
they came to Cass County, where they bought forty acres of land, adding to the farm until there was 160 acres. A portion of this was en- tered from the government, and some of it was timberland. The father died about 1869, and the mother died about 1874. They had a large family of children, fifteen in all, five being older than Thomas, of which family three are still living: Thomas; William M., who is of Vir- ginia, Ill .; and Lydia E., who is Mrs. J. R. Griffin, a widow, who resides at Chandlerville.
Thomas Watkins had no educational oppor- tunities aside from those offered by the sub- scription school. He resided with his parents until 1849, when he began renting land in town- ship 18, range 9. After four years, he bought eighty acres of timber and brush land, and kept adding to his holdings until he now owns 220 acres, all under cultivation except twenty-five acres of pasturage and timber. He has lived on this farm ever since he bought and conducted it until 1894, when he turned the work over to his sons.
In 1849 Mr. Watkins married Charlotta Griffin, born in Tennessee, a daughter of Henry and Edith Griffin, of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins became the parents of the following children : Celia J., who is Mrs. J. H. Bixler, of Idaho; Elsie, who is deceased, was Mrs. J. L. Lucas; Charles, who died in infancy ; Elijah J., who is of Richmond Precinct; William A., who lives at Pittsburg, Kas .; Emeline, who is Mrs. Samuel T. Myers, of Pittsburg, Kas .; Nancy Ann, who is deceased, was Mrs. Samuel McGee ; and James A., who lives with his father. Mr. Watkins belongs to the Primitive Baptist church, and has been a trustee of it since 1SS1. A Democrat, he served as road commissioner, and also as a school director. Mrs. Watkins died September 25. 1889, since which time his children have cared for him and tried to take her place. He is widely known and is num- bered with the oldest residents of this section.
WEBBAKE, John A., of Oakford, Cass County, Ill., an industrious and thrifty farmer, favorably known throughout his section of the county, of which he is a native, was born December 21, 1870. He is of German descent. and has in- herited traits of character which have made the men of Teutonic extraction prominent factors in the industrial development of Illinois. The farm operated by Mr. Webbake is located in section 32. township 19, range S, Cass County, and the family to which he belongs were comparatively early settlers in this vicin- ity. His father was Anthony Webbake. also a farmer, born in Germany, February 14, 1829, and his mother, whose maiden name was Eliza- beth Deighity, born April 1S. 1840. came to this country about the year 1859. After working by the month for eight years, Anthony Webbake purchased 160 acres of farming land.
John A. Webbake received his early education in the country schools of his neighborhood and has ever since then applied himself to farming. He has added sixty acres to the home farm, and
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all the buildings now improving it were erected by him. On January 10, 1893, in Menard County, Ill., he was united in marriage with Anna May Skagg, born February 11, 1870, daughter of James and Ellen (Hayes) Skagg, natives of Cass County, Ill., he born in 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Webbake have the following children : Florence E., born December 30, 1893 ; Mary Helen. born July 28, 1895; Jerome Charles, born July 30, 1898 ; Nelly Fay, born July 10, 1901; Robert Anthony, born January 2, 1904; and Alvin Franklin, born December 28, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Webbake and their family are members of the Catholic church. It may be said of Mr. Webbake that one of his strong traits is the partiality he manifests for high-bred horses. Politically he is a Democrat.
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