USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 50
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On August 21, 1905, Mr. Estes was married to Miss Bertha C. Achenbach, a daughter of Philip and Adeline Achenbach. They have one daugh- ter. Virginia C. Fraternally Mr. Estes belongs to the Odd Fellows and Elks.
ETTINGER, Hayden, a successful farmer lo- cated on Section 8, May Township, has earned his respected position in his community by hard work and honorable dealing. He was born at Taylorville, July 1, 1873, a son of William Jacob Leslie and Mary A. (Willey) Ettinger. The father was born at Millersburg, Pa., and the mother in May Township, Christian County, near Willey's Station. After attaining to man's es- tate, the father drove overland from Pennsyl- vania to Taylorville, by way of Valparaiso, Ind., and found employment with Simon Helems, a harnessmaker of Taylorville, subsequently bought a half interest in the business, and in time became the sole proprietor. After some years of business activity, he bought a farm in Taylorville Township, east of Taylorville, com- prising eighty acres, and conducted it for three years. Leaving it, the father then moved on the farm now owned by his son, Hayden Ettin- ger, which was then owned by his wife. and there he died May 11, 1882, aged forty-two years. The mother died at Taylorville, September 20, 1899, aged forty-nine years. The maternal grandfather was born in Ohio, but came to Illi- nois when a young man, and located at what is now known as Willey's Station, in Christian County. He built the first depot, and the place was named after him. From time to time he entered government land and owned considerable acreage at the time of his death, which occurred at the home of his grandson, Mr. Ettinger. The maternal great-grandfather, David Blunt, was the first coroner of Christian County.
Hayden Ettinger was reared at Taylorville and on his present farm, and attended the Cen- tral Normal College at Danville, Ind., and on returning home commenced operating his 270 acre farm and has since remained upon it. On January 11, 1911, Mr. Ettinger was married to Miss Alta I. Hensey, who was born January 13. 1878, a daughter of John and Sarah (Vaughn) Hensey of Sangamon County. John Hensey and wife were born in Kentucky, but they were married in Sangamon County, leaving their farm there subsequently for one in John- son Township, Christian County. on which Mr. Hensey died in 1891, aged forty-two years. Mrs. Hensey died April 10, 1916. In politics the father of Mrs. Ettinger was a Republican, and he belonged to the Christian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Ettinger have had two children, namely : Mary, who was born March 15, 1913, lived four
Thomas J Ruter + Family
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days only ; and William Hayden, who was born August 23, 1914. Mr. Ettinger is a Republican and he belongs to the Modern Woodinen of America.
EVANS, Ake, a prosperous farmer and stock- man of Rosemond Township, belongs to an old and established family of Christian County. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, March 3, 1857, a son of Alexander and Eliza Evans, farm- ing people who had three sons and five daugh- ters. They came to this county in 1863, and bought a farm, on which the mother died in August, 1874, the father surviving until October, 189S. When the family came to this county pioneer conditions still prevailed, and they suffered the hardships and endured priva- tions incident to such times. Wild game was plentiful, and hunting was not only a pastime, but also a business, the family oftentimes hav- ing to depend upon the prowess of the men for their meat supply.
Ake Evans was only a child when brought to Christian County, he was practically reared within its confines, and all of his schooling was obtained here. He bought his present farm in the fall of 1890, moving on it the following spring. He paid thirty-five dollars per acre for it and has 160 acres all in one tract, on which he features feeding cattle.
On January 25, 1882, Mr. Evans was married to Luella Kendle of Rosemond Township, al- though her parents came here from Ohio. They had two sons and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Evans became the parents of two sons, namely : Harry, who was born January 5, 1884, is a farmer, he was married to Frances Funk, and has one son ; and Robert Earl, who was born February 3, 1886, was married to Veva Barrett, a daughter of W. H. Barrett of Owaneco, is a farmer on the old homestead, and has three children, namely: Lyle Barrett, Elizabeth and Francis Earl. Mr. Evans belongs to the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. He believes in fraterni- ties, and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Having grown up to farm work, Mr. Evans understands its every detail, and the importance of improving his property. His residence and silo, as well as other buildings are models of convenience, and he has a Stude- baker automobile. Mr. Evans is very proud of his grandchildren, who are worthy of his affec- tion, and he can point with pride to what they have already accomplished, and look forward to their future without any fear as to their ulti- mate success in life.
FAIRBANKS, Roy L., an undertaker at Pana, Ill., and a man whose natural tact and profes- sional skill make him one of the capable men in his line in this county, was born at Buda, Ill., June 24. 1883, a son of Lorenzo D. and Martha A. (Gordon) Fairbanks, natives of Indiana. For forty years prior to his death November 24, 1900, the father had been an undertaker at Buda. The mother died at Pana, April 23, 1915.
Roy L. Fairbanks attended the public schools
of Buda until he was sixteen years old, at which time his father died, and young as he was he took charge of the business and conducted it for his mother. Later he went with David Fudge & Son, a very well known undertaking firm of Boston, Mass., and during the two years he con- tinued with this concern he gained a very thor- ough knowledge of the business. Subsequently he took a post-graduate course at Chicago, under Carl L. Barnes, professor of embalming and sani- tary science. In 1905 Mr. Fairbanks came to Pana and bought the undertaking business of Smith & Bulpitt, and expanded the facilities to a considerable degree. Mr. Fairbanks was the first Pana undertaker to establish an ambulance serv- ice, and he also has the only real ambulance in the city. He also inaugurated the custom of having automobiles at funerals. His undertaking parlors and private chapel in the Huber building on S. Locust Street, are very fille and are fully equipped according to the latest ideas. He be- longs to the Illinois State Undertakers Associa- tion and has held several minor offices in it.
On June 24, 1903, Mr. Fairbanks was married to Miss Grace Aten, of Buda, a daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Vincent Aten. Mr. and Mrs. Fairbanks have a daughter, Lucile, and a son, Robert, aged twelve and nine years, respectively. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons. Odd Fellows, Elks, Moose, Knights of Pythias and Fraternal Reserves. Mrs. Fairbanks is also a licensed embalmer, and her sympathetic presence in a house of mourning oftentimes is very com- forting to the bereaved parties.
FERGUSON, Lee, a skilful blacksmith and re- pair man, at Bolivia, Ill, is one of the successful business men of Christian County. He was born at Springfield, Ill., November 23, 1863, a son of Alexander L. and Ellen (Williams) Ferguson, na- tives of Ohio and Illinois. The father was a pioneer of Sangamon County, and was a wood- worker for many years, and he died at Loami, Ill. The mother passed away in the vicinity of Springfield, Ill.
Lee Ferguson left home when his mother died, although he was then a lad of only eleven years. and young as he was began taking care of him- self. He commenced to learn his trade of blacksmithing at Loami, and then went to Auburn, Ill., where he remained for four years, working at liis trade. For the subsequent four- teen years he worked for Meyers & Van Duyn, Gietel Bros. and Puttinge & Son of Springfield. In 1913 he went to Grove City and opened a shop for himself, conducting it for two years. In June, 1916, he came to Bolivia, and now has one of the biggest and best equipped blacksmith and repair shops in the county, including saw, emory wheel, disk sharpener, feed grinder, shearer, and other appliances, and he has a large patronage from people who want first class work.
In September, 1897, Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage with Mary Greening, at Loami. They have the following children: Archie, Charles. Harry and Della. Mr. Ferguson is a member of
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the Odd Fellows. A Republican in politics he has served as a justice of the peace. He has built up his business in a remarkable manner, and his success proves that he is an expert in his line, and that it was good judgment to put in ex- pensive appliances for they enable him to render the most efficient service promptly.
FLEIGLE, Philip, now living in comfortable re- tirement at Morrisonville, was for years a very prominent business man, and a pioneer in the manufacture of tile in this locality. He was born in Adams County, Pa., May 28, 1840, a son ot Nicholas and Elizabeth (Von Folk) Fleigle, he being the only survivor of eleven children born to his parents. They both lived to be cighty- one years old, and died within seven months of each other. The father was a farmer and manu- facturer of lime.
Philip Flcigle spent three years as an appren- tice in a pottery, and then for the following quar- ter of a century worked at his trade, with the exception of five years, when he had a pottery of his own at Hagerstown, Md. For the succeeding two years he worked at railroad construction, and then, with his brother-in-law, began manu- facturing tile in Adams County, Pa. This ven- ture proved to be a success, and Mr. Fleigle con- tinued in it for nine years, when he sold and came to Christian County, Ill., locating at Morri- sonville in 1883. He was the first man to intro- duce the manufacture of tile in Christian County. At first it was an uphill task to get the business upon a paying basis, the farmers not recognizing the value of draining their land with tile. In 1887 he added the manufacture of brick to his tile plant, and in time developed a fine trade. The Catholic Church, city hall, depot and several business houses were built of his brick. In 1910 his son Frank bought his father's tile and brick plants, and has since continued to operate them with gratifying success.
On April 21, 1863, Mr. Fleigle was married to Mary Adams of Pennsylvania, a daughter of Elias Adams, and they became the parents of thirteen children, eight daughters and five sons, two of the sons dying in infancy, while two other sons died at the ages of twenty-one and nineteen years, of typhoid fever. The children were as follows : Jennie, who is the wife of Frank Strasbaugh, has twelve children : Elizabeth, who died at the age of twenty-seven years. had mar- ried Ignatius Weaver, and left four children at her death in 1893 ; Laura, who died at the age of thirty-nine years, had married Joseph Bertmann, and left four children ; William, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Rosa, who died at the age of twenty-eight years, had married Theodore Millburg, and left four children : Harry, who died at the age of seventeen years; Katherine, who died August 28. 1912, at the age of thirty-five years, had married John O'Brien, and left four children ; Mary, who married Dennis Noonan, a merchant of Morrisonville, has five sons ; Stella, who married Arthur Brookman, lives at Mor- risonville; Frank, who was born November 16, 1882. operates the brick and tile business founded
by his father, married Stella Martin and they have five sons; and Clara, who married Roscoe Hough, an undertaker of Raymond, Ill., has two sons and two daughters. There are thirty-seven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren. . Mrs. Fleigle died June 29, 1915, aged seventy-two years. During her long and useful life she set an example for she was a really good woman, kindly and charitable, a true Christian, excellent neighbor, devoted wife and judicious mother. In her loss her community suffered, and her memory is cherished not only in her immediate family, but throughout a wide circle of friends her many virtues attached to her.
FOIL, J. A., Circuit Clerk of Christian County, and one of the most capable men the county lias ever had in this important office, is a splendid type of the resourceful, self-reliant and purpose- ful men this section has developed. He was born at Concord, N. C., February 21, 1872, a son of George G. and Laura (Blackwalter) Foil, natives of North Carolina, who came of German descent. The parents were married at Concord, N. C., but later came to Christian County, and now the father makes his home at Pana, Ill.
J. A. Foil attended the public schools of his native place, and Catawba College at Newton, N. C., coming to Pana, Ill., in 1889. After coming to this county he became associated with the Postal Telegraph Company, and was manager of the Pana office from 1896 to 1908, when he was elected circuit clerk of Christian County, on the Democratic ticket. He was also agent for the United States Express Company, and was clerk for the Modern Woodmen of America. In 1912 and in 1916 he was again elected circuit clerk, and has held that office continuously ever since.
On June 28, 1893, Mr. Foil was married to Miss Myra E. Turrentine, of Pana, a daughter of Cal- vin and Susan Turrentine. Mr. and Mrs. Foil have the following children: Frank A., who is a plumber in Pana; Paul D., who is a painter and decorator in Pana ; Sydney L. and Susie L. who are attending the Pana High School; and Charles Frederick, who is attending the grade school. Mr. and Mrs. Foil are attendants of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen. Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, and Red Men, and is very prominent in all these orders. A man of high principles, he is rendering the county faithful service, and is held in the highest regard not only by his associates, but also by those who know him and recognize his ability and fitness for the duties of the office he has held for so long.
FORBES, James, who is now deceased, was a man who bore an important part in a practical way in the development of Taylorville and Christian County, for he conducted during many years a very successful painting business as a contractor. He was born in Ohio in 1829, a son of James Forbes. His father was born in Ohio where he was a cabinetmaker. His mother, also a native of Ohio, died in that state, and follow- ing that event James Forbes, the father, moved
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to Springfield, Ill., and embarked in business as a painting contractor.
James Forbes, Jr., was also a painting con- tractor at Springfield, later coming to Taylor- ville, where he continued his operations in this line until his death. James Forbes married Mar- garet Murphy, a daughter of Michael and Cather- ine Murphy, who were natives of Ireland, where they were married. The father of Mrs. Forbes came to the United States when the daughter was a child, locating at New Orleans, from which city he later moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he died, the mother having passed away in New Orleans. Mr. and Mrs. Forbes had three children, namely : William, Jennie and Dora. Jennie Forbes married William McGann, of Tay- lorville, who served in the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. McGann are living with Mrs. McGann's mother. Mr. Forbes was a Republican in polit- ical faith.
After the death of Mr. Forbes Mrs. Forbes mar- ried Robert C. Murphy, a son of James Murphy, the ceremony taking place at Springfield, Ill., fol- lowing which Mr. and Mrs. Murphy came to Tay- lorville where Mr. Murphy followed blacksmith- ing until his death. He, too, was a Republican, The Forbes and Murphy families are well and favorably known in Christian County.
FOWKES, Henry L., the county superintendent of schools of Christian County, Ill., and the editor of the present History of Christian County, has been continuously identified with educational work since 1894, and has filled his present important office since 1910. While pref- erably he has devoted much of his time and effort to the advancement of the schools of Christian, his native county, he is well known in other parts of the state because of scholarly attainments and authorship.
Henry L. Fowkes was born at Mt. Auburn, Christian County, Ill., September 9, 1877. His parents were G. F. and Lucy E. (Bloxam) Fowkes, the latter of whom was a daughter of Dr. Henry Bloxam of Mt. Auburn, one of the early physicians, and prominent in the early political history of the county. The grand- father of Mr. Fowkes was born in the city of Philadelphia in 1831, and came to Christian County, Ill., in 1841. His father was the man- ager of the western branch of Camp, Bradish & Co., a large business firm of Philadelphia. The father of Mr. Fowkes was a contractor.
Educated in the common schools of Christian County and the Taylorville Township High school, being graduated from the latter, what- ever ambitions for collegiate training the stu- dious youth might have cherished, had to be put aside, for at the age of fifteen years, Henry L. Fowkes was thrown upon his own resources. His first hand opportunity was work on a farm and after that such employment as a youth at that time found available until he had suffi- ciently prepared himself for examination for a school certificate. Since 1894 pedagogical work has been of first importance with him. For seven years he taught in country and village
schools ; for ten years was superintendent of the Taylorville city schools, and in 1910 was first elected county superintendent of schools and was re-elected in 1914. He has lived in Christian County all his life, either at Mt. Auburn or Taylorville.
Mr. Fowkes has given of his best to educa- tional progress, and in his aims and in all that he has done may be traced that spirit of emulation that leads life's humblest activities along higher lines in recognition of the best and noblest ideals. He was president of the eastern divi- sion of the Illinois State Teachers' Association at Charleston, Ill., in 1915. Since 1914 he has been a member of the Illinois State Reading Circle Board, the duties of which include the selection of professional books for teachers of the state to read for approved credits. He was a director of the Carnegie Library of Taylor- ville for six years, and at present is a director of the Taylorville Chautauqua Association. Mr. Fowkes is joint author of "School Essentials in Agriculture," a text book for use in rural, graded and first-year high schools. Much other literary work of value is in course of prepara- tion.
Mr. Fowkes was married at Mt. Auburn, Ill., August 22, 1900, to Miss Lillieth L. Foster, who was born at Mt. Auburn, August 17, 1882, and is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Foster. They have six children, three sons and three daugh- ters, namely : Pauline, born September 7, 1901; Corine, born October 14, 1902; William, born October 17, 1908; Ralph, born January 21, 1911; Myron, born July 14, 1914; and Ruth, born August 8, 1916.
Mr. Fowkes in his views on public questions, is a man of the people. From principle he gives his political support to the Democratic party ; nevertheless the work of the county superin- tendent's office is entirely non-partisan. He is a man of social instincts, is a hospitable host and agreeable conversationalist. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen. For twenty-two years he has been a member of the Christian Church, commonly known as the Dis- ciples of Christ. For two years he was superin- tendent of the Mt. Auburn Christian Sunday school, and since 1903 has occupied the same relation with the Taylorville Christian Sunday school.
FRAILEY, B. E., M. D. C., junior member of the firm of Singer and Frailey, veterinary sur- geons of Pana, has long been recognized as a skillful man in his profession. He was born in Fayette County, Ill., March 16, 1887, a son of Joseph and Catherine (Burrus) Frailey. His parents were also born in Fayette County, and are still living in that section, where his father is a farmer. Both he and the mother belong to the Christian Church.
Doctor Frailey attended the schools of Fay- ette County, and then was engaged in farming until he decided to become a veterinary. With this end in view he entered the Chicago Veter-
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inary College, from which he was graduated on April 5, 1911, with the degree of M. D. C., and coming to Pana, he associated himself with Dr. Singer in their present firm with gratifying results, as the two form a strong combination, and their skill and knowledge are recognized by those needing their services.
In 1907 Doctor Frailey was married to Edna Sarver, a daughter of Cass and Harriett (Snow) Sarver. Mrs. Frailey was born in Fayette County March 14, 1888. Her father was also born in Fayette County, but her mother was born in Shelby County, Ill., but died in Fayette County, in 1894. Doctor and Mrs. Frailey have two children, namely: Rowena, who was born in Fayette County, June 7. 1909; and Wayne, who was born at Pana, July 7, 1913. Doctor Frailey owns a handsome home at No. 5 Wyan- dotte Street, Pana. He is a Democrat. In fra- ternal matters he belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
FRALEY, Orlanda B., whose 120 acre farm on section 29, May Township, is devoted to general farming in a manner to reflect credit upon his management and bring prestige to his neighbor- hood as an agricultural center, was born on the old Fraley homestead in May Township, April 30, 1853, a son of John S. and Sarah (Wiley) Fraley. The father was born in Franklin County, Ohio, June 6, 1818, and the mother was born in Pike County, Ohio, in 1828. When he was ten years old the father was brought from Ohio to Montgomery County, Ind., where his parents died. After reaching years of maturity, during which period he was educated, John S. Fraley married and in October, 1849, came to Christian County, Ill., and bought 120 acres in May Township, adding to his original purchase until he owned 700 acres at the time of his death at the age of sixty-nine years, on March 1, 1888. The mother died April 12, 1866, at the age of thirty-six years. In politics he was a Repub- lican. The Methodist Church held his member- ship. The maternal grandparents came to Illinois at an early day, and died in this state.
Orlanda B. Fraley spent his boyhood in May Township, where he was educated, but in 1887 went to southern Oregon and spent a year there and in Washington. Upon his return in 1889, he bought his present farm and has since oper- ated it; devoting it to general crops. In politics he is a Republican. The United Presbyterian Church holds his religious membership, while his fraternal connections are with the Odd Fel- lows. For eight years he represented May Township on the county board of supervisors, and was a member of the building committee at the time the courthouse was built.
On December 18. 1901. Mr. Fraley was mar- ried to Miss Julia Lourence, a daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Jane (Traverse) Lourance, natives of Lexington, Ky., and Quincy, Ill. They were married at Quincy, the father having been brought from Kentucky in boyhood by his parents, who located in Cass County, Ill., where the grandfather bought land, and there he and
the grandmother passed away. The father after attaining to his majority, went to the vicinity of Quincy, Adams County, Ill., bought 260 acres of land, on which Mrs. Fraley was born, and operated it until 1865, when he sold and moved to Christian County, buying land in May Town- ship, and here he died in 1887. The mother died in this same township, in July, 1904.
FRALEY, Wallace D., a prosperous farmer on Section 29, May Township, is one of the men who particularly belong to Christian County, for he was born on the homestead of his family in May Township, September 12, 1868, a son of John S. and Augusta (Anderson) Fraley. The latter was the third wife of her husband, and was born in Wyandot County, Ohio, in 1841, a daughter of William and Eliza Anderson, who came to Illinois when she was seven years old, locating near Taylorville. For a time Mr. An- derson operated rented land, and then bought a farm in Locust Township. Subsequently he went to Nebraska, and still later to Denver, Colo., where he died, Mrs. Anderson having died in Locust Township in 1876.
Wallace D. Fraley was educated in his native township, and with the exception of eighteen months when he was at Taylorville, has spent his life on the Fraley homestead. At present he owns 240 acres of very valuable land, and carries on general farming. In politics he is a Republican and has served as a justice of the peace and school trustee and director. Fra- ternally he belongs to the order of Moose.
On November 20, 1890, Mr. Fraley was mar- ried to Miss Fannie Goodrich, born October 6, 1868. a daughter of Jolin and Nancy (Hershey) Goodrich, of Mosquito Township. Her parents were born in Ohio, but came to Illinois at an early day, locating in Mosquito Township. In 1861 Mr. Goodrich enlisted in Company I. Forty- first Illinois Volunteer Infantry for service dur- ing the Civil War, and after his honorable dis- charge, returned to Mosquito Township. In 1882 he moved to May Township, and bought a farm on which he lived for five years. Selling this property he moved to Shelby County, where he bought another farm, lived on it for twenty years, and then sold it and went to Danville, Ill., where he still lives. The mother of Mrs. Fraley died December 13, 1908. Mr. and Mrs. Fraley have three children, namely : Nellie Fran- ces, born February 4, 1892, died at birth : Dolly May, born February 7, 1893; and Alta Myrtle, born July 10. 1897. They also have Richard Dale Sturgis Fraley living with them. Mrs. Fraley is a member of the Free Methodist Church. IIe owns town property in Taylorville.
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