USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 51
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FRIBLEY, Wesley D., one of the most progres- sive of the Christian County agriculturists, owns and operates a farm on Section 24, Assumption Township. that serves as a model for that local- ity. His farm is known as the Wantage Stock Farm, and comprises 320 acres, three and one- half miles southeast of Assumption. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, April S, 1868,
William M. Provine.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
a son of Edward J. and Sarah E. (Keller) Frib- ley, who were born, reared and married in Ohio. In 1869 they came to Christian County, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was active as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as a Republican. There were seven children born to the parents, namely : Martha, who died in infancy; Cornelia, who is the wife of James Catherwod; Dr. J. F., who lives at Decatur, Ill .; W. D .; Dr. W. E., who is a resident of Chicago; James H., who is de- ceased ; and Leah, who is the wife of Rev. Jesse Stout of Martinsville, Ill.
W. D. Fribley was reared on the farm in Christian County, and attended the local schools and the Bushnell Normal school, from which he was graduated in 1890. For the subsequent six years he was engaged in teaching school, and then began farming and stockraising, and feeds stock by the carload. In 1914 Mr. Fribley erected a ten-room modern house, with hot and cold water, electric lights, supplied by his own plant. The residence is built of white brick shipped from Belfontaine, Ohio, the cost approximating $16,000. In every respect it is a model country residence, and compares very favorably in com- fort and convenience with any in the adjacent cities.
In 1893 Mr. Fribley was married to Clara Storey, in Flat Branch Township, Shelby County, Ill., who was born February 14, 1874, a daughter of George and Nancy (Green) Storey. Mrs. Fribley attended the grade and the high school in her neighborhood. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Fribley located on their farm in As- sumption Township. They have had five chil- dren, four of whom survive: George, who was killed by lightning when seventeen years old; Helen, who is a student in the Assumption High school ; Homer, who is also attending the As- sumption High school; and Rachel and John, who are also attending school, Rachel being one of the champion spellers of the township. The family belong to the Methodist Church at As- sumption. In politics Mr. Fribley is a Republi- can, and takes a general interest in local affairs. The example set by Mr. and Mrs. Fribley in pro -. viding so beautiful a home for their children might well be followed by others who desire to keep their young people with them.
GALLOWAY, John W., manager of the Kincaid Lumber Company, that has yards at Bulpitt, in South Fork Township, is one of the substantial men of Christian County. He was born in Ma- coupin County, Ill., January 6, 1876, a son of John and Mary (Correll) Galloway. The father was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., and the mother in Pike County, Mo. In 1866 the father moved to a farm owned by his wife in Barr Township, Macoupin County, Ill., and there he died in 1902. The mother died four years later. In politics the father was a Democrat and fra- ternally he belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, held his membership. The mother left Missouri with her parents when a child, and they
spent some time in Greene County, Ill., before locating in Barr Township, Macoupin County, where both parents died.
John W. Galloway attended the schools of Barr Township, and then went to Colorado, where he was on a ranch until he returned to Barr Township, where he was employed for one winter, and then went to Oklahoma, where he remained until 1901, being engaged in agricul- tural work, then returned to Barr Township, and continued in farm labor till 1905. For the subsequent eighteen months he was with a lum- ber concern at Modesto, Ill., when he was trans- ferred to Hettick, Macoupin County, to take charge of the lumber yards and elevator at that point. For five years he was located at Hettick. but since then has made his headquarters at Kin- caid. He is an experienced man and his connec- tion with this company gives it added strength and increases the volume of its business.
On January 24, 1909, Mr. Galloway was mar- ried to Miss Lillian Skaggs, born in December, 1875, in Greene County, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Whitehouse) Skaggs, natives of Kell- tucky. Mr. Galloway belongs to the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen of America and the D. O. K. K. In politics he is a Democrat.
GARDNER, Henry Thompson, a prosperous re- tired farmer of Edinburg, is one of the substan- tial men of Christian County. He was born in Murray County, Tenn., June 12, 1841, a son of Nathan and Fannie (Harris) Gardner. The father was born in Tennessee in 1817, and the mother was born in Louisa County, Va., in 1818. They were married in 1831, and located on a farm in Murray County, Tenn. Soon after the birth of their son, Henry T., the father moved to Fayette County, Ill., where he entered land and on which he located, and there lived until 1856, when he again sold and came to Christian County, and settled in what is now known as Buckhart Township, where he bought 200 acres of land. After improving this farm, the father subsequently sold it but bought 160 acres of land in the same township. Once more he made im- provements, and after increasing the value of the property sold it also at a profit, and moving to Sharpsburg, lived in retirement until his death, at the age of seventy-six years. The mother survived and died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Emma J. Minis of Buckhart Township. The father was a Democrat. The Baptist Church was his religious home. In the early days Springfield was his nearest market, and he hauled lumber and provisions from there to his farm. The mother was born and spent her girlhood in Virginia, but was brought to Ten- nessee by her parents who later died in Ten- nessee, of which state her father was a native, but her mother was born in Virginia.
Henry T. Gardner spent his boyhood in Ten- nessee and Illinois, leaving Fayette County, when fifteen years old, having been attending the dis- trict schools up to that time. After coming to Christian County, he continued his attendance in
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
the district schools for several years, and assisted his father in the farm work until he attained his majority, at which time he rented land and began farming for himself in Buckhart Town- ship. Subsequently he bought eighty acres of land in this same township, increasing his farm until he owned 200 acres, and this he operated until 1896, doing general farming and stockrais- ing, when he retired and moved to Edinburg. Here he bought the house that is still his resi- dence. It is interesting to note that when he was a young man he plowed all over the present site of Edinburg. In politics he is a Democrat and he was highway commissioner for fifteen years, and for one term was supervisor, and he has hield other local offices, being very popular with his constituents. For twenty-five years Mr. Gardner has been agent for the Mosquito Town- ship Mutual Fire and Lightning Insurance Com- pany, and also for the Pana District Cyclone Company.
In August, 1864, Mr. Gardner was married to Miss Clarinda Doak, who died without issue. On July 18, 1866, Mr. Gardner was married (second) to Miss Harriet Ward. a daughter of Louis and Elizabeth (Walker) Ward, of Macon County, Ill .. natives of Bourbon County, Ky., and North Carolina, respectively. The father came with his father and brother to Illinois at the age of fourteen years, and after a short stay in Fayette County, moved to Macon County, and entered 160 acres of land, to which more was added until the family owned 600 acres in Elwin Township. Subsequently Mr. Ward went to Crawford County, Kan., where he bought 160 acres of land, and there died. The mother died in Macon County. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have three children, namely: William, Louis, who is a farmer of Taylorville Township, and Franklin. Mr. Gardner is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, and religiously is a Baptist.
GEBHARDT, George William, a prosperous farmer of section 15. Stonington Township, is one of the well worth while men of Christian County. He was born in Cass County, Ill., Sep- tember 29, 1858, a son of George and Elizabeth (Dor) Gebhardt, the former born in Germany in 1828. and the latter also born in Germany, in 1838. The parents came to Cass County, Ill., in 1850, buying a farm there, on which they resided until death claimed them, the father passing away in 1908, and the mother a few months pre- viously.
George William Gebhardt was reared and edu- cated in Cass County, and until he was sixteen years old, remained at home. He then hired out as a farm worker, and so continued until he was twenty-one years old, when he moved to Christian County, and bought his present farm, on which he has resided ever since. In addition to his farm, he is a stockholder in the Farmers Grain Company of Stonington. He owns 160 acres of land on section 15, Stonington Town- ship, and 160 acres of land on section 23. Buck- hart Township, all of which is very valuable.
On June 18, 1882, Mr. Gebhardt was married at Monroe, Ill., to Anna Louise Wildt, a daugh- ter of Louis and Augusta (Govert) Wildt, na- tives of Germany, where Mr. Wildt was born in 1842, he dying in 1910. Mr. and Mrs. Gebhardt have two children, namely: Charles Edwin, who was born June 15, 1883 ; and Leslie Wilbert, who was born May 18, 1892. In politics Mr. Gebhardt is a Republican and served as a school director of Stonington Township for nineteen years, and for nine years was a school trustee. The Methodist Church of Stonington holds his membership. A man of enterprise, he has forged ahead, and has every reason to be proud of what he has accomplished.
GEORGE, James M .- One of the interesting and gratifying features of life in the smaller cities of Illinois, is the location in them of substan- tial retired farmers, who, having completed their active life work, are prepared to enjoy in comfort the result of their labors. One of these men deserving of special mention in a history of Christian County, is James M. George, of Tay- lorville. He was born on Spring Creek, in Sanga- mon County, Ill., October 26, 1841, a son of Edwin and Catherine ( Whaley) George. The father was born near Lexington, Ky., and the mother in Illinois. When he was twenty-one years old the father came to Illinois and bought a farm at Breckenridge Mills, Ill., which he conducted for sixteen years, and also operated another farm in Sangamon County. Later he moved to Roch- ester, Ill., where lie died at the age of sixty-six years. The mother died in 1852. In politics tlie father was a Republican.
James M. George grew to manhood in Sanga- mon County where he lived until he attained his majority, and attended school at Rienzie, Ill., being a pupil of Major Vandeveer's grandfather. On August 11, 1862, Mr. George enlisted in de- fense of his country in the Civil War, in Com- pany E, One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry at Springfield, and served for three years, being honorably discharged at Vicks- burg. Miss., and then returned to Sangamon County. In the spring of 1866 he moved to Macon County, Ill., and rented a farm for a year. He then came to Christian County, and after renting land for two years, bought 100 acres of prairie land near Taylorville. This he im- proved and occupied until 1896, when he moved to Taylorville and bought city property, which he still owns as well as his farm. In politics he is a Republican. The local G. A. R. post holds his membership and retains his interest.
In February, 1866, Mr. George was married to Miss Jane Hedricks, a daughter of Alfred and Nancy ( Whover) Hedricks, natives of Tennessee, who lived near Rochester, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. George became the parents of the following chil- dren : Homer E., Catherine L., Mary L., Nancy C. and Emily F. A man of excellent judgment, Mr. George has done well whatever he under- took, and his present prosperity has been honest- ly earned.
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
GEORGE, John E., County Clerk of Christian County, and a fine type of the best of American citizenship to be found in this section, is a well known figure in political life. He was born in Buckhart Township, this county, on the farm of his parents, October 3, 1871, a son of James F. and Jane A. (Stokes) George, both natives of Christian County, Ill. The father continued to be a farmer of Buckhart Township until his death which occurred September 11, 1913. The mother survives, making her home at Edinburg.
John E. George attended the country schools and the Edinburg High school, and then took a course at the Northern Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso, Ind., from which he was graduated in 1895. For the subsequent four years, Mr. George was engaged in assisting his father on the homestead, but in September, 1889, moved to Taylorville with the intention of making the county seat his permanent home. For three years he was deputy circuit clerk, and for two years was deputy county treasurer. In 1906 Mr. George was elected county treasurer on the Democratic ticket, and served for four years. At the ex- piration of this term of office, he went into the abstract business, so continuing until the duties of his office of deputy circuit clerk. to which he was later appointed, necessitated his retirement from his business. In 1914 he came before the people for election as county clerk, and carried the election by a comfortable majority. There are few men in public office in this county who have made a better record than Mr. George, and he stands extremely high in the estimation of the people whom he has served so long and faith- fully.
On January 14, 1905, Mr. George was married to Elizabeth A. Johnson, of Bloomington, Ill., a daughter of Rev. Francis Johnson. Mr. George is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Fraternally he belongs to the order of Moose. Live, progressive, and living up to the high prin- ciples which have always actuated him, Mr. George is a credit to himself and the people who have honored him by repeated election to offices of trust and responsibility.
GEORGE, Logan R., one of the prosperous farm- ers of Mt. Auburn Township, whose finely devel- oped farm is located on Section 23, was born in this township, February 8, 1871, a son of William George. The latter was the first white child born in Lower Buckhart Township and spent many years as a farmer, but is now living. at an advanced age, with his son Logan B. George, the inother being deceased.
Logan B. George attended the schools of his native township, and from boyhood has been a farmer and stockraiser. About 1895 he bought his present farm of eighty acres, and he also owns a small farm in Mt. Auburn Township which is a portion of his grandfather's home- stead, and the place of his birth.
On April 9, 1893, Mr. George was united in marriage with Mary F. Ross, and their children were as follows: Rebecca, who is a teacher ; Ruby V., who is also a teacher; John W., who
is in Montana; Floy and Katherine who are at home; and Logan R., who is deceased. Politi- cally Mr. George is a Republican and has served as a school director, proving himself a capable man in that office. His fraternal connections are with the Masons and Modern Woodmen of America. A capable, reliable man and expert farmer, Mr. George has made his mark in his community and is highly esteemed.
GESELL, Andrew, one of the enterprising farm- ers of South Fork Township, Christian County, is deserving of more than passing mention in a work of this character. He was born in Greene County, Ill., September 28, 1864, a son of George and Adaline (Winters) Gesell, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Andrew Gesell was reared in Greene County, where he lived until brought to his present farm by his parents, who bought the property at an early day. This farm comprises 120 acres of fine Christian County land, and Mr. Gesell de- votes it to general farming and stockraising, and liis methods and management are such as to yield him an excellent profit on his investment.
On March 12, 1893, Mr. Gesell was united in marriage with Miss Anna Vandasant, born June 11, 1872, in South Fork Township, a daughter of Theodore and Mary (Schwelm) Vandasant. natives of Germany who came to the United States at an early day, and located in South Fork Township. Mr. and Mrs. Gesell have the follow- ing children : George T., born November 3, 1894; Alvin A., born December 15, 1896; Minnie L., born March 17, 1899; Lydia L., born October 7, 1900; Ralph, born November 10, 1903, died De- cember 6, 1904; and Viola, born November 30, 1905. The mother of this family is a member of the German Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Republican and has held many township offices. Fraternally he belongs to the Elks and the A. H. T. A. A. A man who thoroughly understands lıis business. Mr. Gesell belongs to the class that has brought the agricultural standing of Christian County up to its present high rating.
GESELL, George, a prosperous retired farmer of Taylorville who is enjoying life in his comfort- able home at No. 525 N. Webster Street, is one of the substantial men of Christian County. He was born in Germany, May 16, 1830, a son of John and Christine (Zimmerman) Gesell, natives of Germany. When he was twenty-two years old George Geseil came to the United States, stop- ping for three months in Indiana, from whence le came to Greene County, Ill. For two years he was employed on farms in that county, and then rented a farm and conducted it for fifteen years. He then bought a farm of 140 acres in South Fork Township, adding to it until he owned 240 acres. From 1868 to 1893 he was en- gaged very successfully in conducting it, but in the latter year moved to Taylorville, where he bought a residence on Poplar Street, where his wife died, and he then went to live with his daughter Mrs. Albert Morgan, at his present ad- dress. During the many years he has lived in
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
Christian County, Mr. Gesell has seen many changes, and takes an intelligent interest in the progress that has been made. In politics he is a Republican.
In 1851 Mr. Gesell married Miss Adeline Win- ter, a daughter of Jacob and Adeline Winter, who were natives of Germany but came to the United States and they resided with Mr. Gesell. Both Mr. and Mrs. Winter are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gesell became the parents of ten chil- dren as follows: George, Henry, Jacob, John, Charlotte. and Elizabeth, all of whom are de- ceased; and the living are: Adeline, Andrew, Mary and Margaret. Andrew resides in South Fork Township; Mrs. Thomas Morgan lives in Taylorville ; and Mrs. George Lohr is living in South Fork Township.
GLEESON, Frederick Albert, one of the exten- sive landowners of Christian County, and a prominent livestock dealer of Stonington, is a native son of the city in which he resides, and was born April 7, 1880, a son of Thomas and Mary (Flynn) Gleeson. The parents were born in Tipperary, Ireland, and came to the United States, locating at Stonington, where they be- came farming people.
Frederick Albert Gleeson attended the public schools of Stonington, and until his father's death, worked for him, and afterward for his mother. In time he began farming on his own account, on the old homestead and then lived on his wife's homestead until 1908, when he moved to Stonington and went into a livestock business that he has developed to large proportions. Mr. and Mrs. Gleeson own 240 acres of land in Mos- quito Township, forty acres in Stonington Town- ship. 120 acres in Johnson Township, forty acres in Macon County, and the residence at Stoning- ton, and he is also a director of the Farmers State Bank of Stonington.
On November 25, 1903, Mr. Gleeson was mar- ried to Mary Colbrock, born June 27, 1881, a daughter of Benjamin and Catherine (Dunn) Colbrock. Mr. and Mrs. Gleeson have the follow- ing children: Helen Louise, who was born November 16, 1909 ; Thomas Paul, who was born July 12, 1911; and Bernadine Lucile, who was horn May 18, 1916. In politics he is a Democrat. The Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Stonington holds his membership. His fraternal relations are with the Knights of Columbus. A man of remarkable energy and sound business principles, he has forged ahead and is one of the leaders in his line in this county.
GORDEN, Thomas J., whose farming operations on 555 acres of land in Prairieton Township, are of such magnitude as to place him among the leading agriculturalists of Christian County. was born in Montgomery County, Ky .. April 17. 1850, a son of William and Lydia E. (Ribelin ) Gordon, the birthplace of both parents being in Kentucky. They were reared and married in their native state, and settled on a farm in Montgomery County, where they remained until 1860. Then they went to Missouri and remained eighteen
months, but the prevailing conditions incident to the Civil War, were such that they left there and then came to Illinois, and located in Prairie- ton Township, Christian County, where they spent the balance of their useful lives. William Gorden became the owner of 240 acres of land, which he acquired through hard work and thrifty saving. Although a Democrat in his political belief, he never took any active part in public events. The Christian Church had in him a faithful member, and he was an upright and honorable man in every respect. He was the father of ten children, five of whom survive, namely : I. B., who was married first to Effadila Workman, and second to Jennie Yantes, lives in Macon County, Ill .; William, who was married to Isabelle Adams, lives in Macon County, Ill .; Thomas J. ; John M., who was married to Minnie Zigler, lives in Prairieton Township ; and Joseph A., who was married to Mollie O'Dell, lives in Kansas.
Thomas J. Gorden was reared on the home- stead and educated in the local schools. remain- ing at home until he was twenty-five years old. On Janaury 26, 1875, he was married to Libbie Lamb, who was born in Ohio, August 9, 1851, a daughter of Linsley E. Lamb. The Lamb family came to Illinois in 1863 and located in Christian County, where Mrs. Gorden was reared, she at- tending the schools of her district. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Gorden located on the farm they have since occupied Four children have been born to them, namely: Sarah A., who is the wife of C. E. Moore; Lydia E., who is the wife of O. J. Austin ; Glenn, who was married to Gertrude Hoffman; and Orville, who was mar- ried to Lillie Bilyeu. The family belong to the Christian Church. In politics Mr. Gorden is a Democrat, and he has been highway commis- sioner for twenty years and assessor for two years. His farm is one of the finest in the town- ship, and he takes pride in keeping it up to standard.
GRAY, James, whose extensive agricultural activities have placed him among the leading grain and stockraisers in Greenwood Township, has been a resident of Christian County since 1873, and is one of this section's most highly respected citizens. Mr. Gray was born Decem- ber 4, 1840, in Dorsetshire, England, and is a son of Giles and Betsey (Shuet) Gray, both of whom died in England.
James Gray attended school through boyhood in his native land and then worked as a farmer until he decided to come to the United States where agricultural opportunities, at that time, were easier to secure, and in 1870 reached Ma- coupin County, Ill. He worked by the month for farmers in that section for two years and then came to Christian County and entered into a contract with Isaac Eddington whereby he rented his fine farm of 160 acres situated in Greenwood Township. Mr. Gray proved a satis- factory tenant and continued to rent this prop- erty until 1903 when he found himself in a position to buy it and on May 27, 1903 the pur-
W Riley Richardson
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
chase was made and Mr. Gray became the owner of what has long been considered one of the finest farms in this part of the county. Since his first purchase he has bought eighty acres more in Greenwood Township and an additional eighty acres in Ricks Township. With the ex- ception of one farm of eighty actes, he operates all of his land, which is well adapted to the growing of grain and makes a specialty of corn. He raises also a large amount of stock. When Mr. Gray took possession of his farm he im- mediately began improving it, building new and substantial barns and corn cribs and shelter for his stock, and his improvements extended to the erecting of a fine residence.
Mr. Gray was married on March 18, 1875, to Miss Anna Barnstable, who was born in Somer- setshire, England, and accompanied her parents, Charles and Betsey (Eddington) Barnstable, to America and to Macoupin County, Ill., in 1867 shortly afterward coming to Christian County. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have had seven children : Lucinda May, who is the wife of Frank Mc- Curdey, lives in Wisconsin; William, who is a farmer in Greenwood Township; Charles and Walter, both of whom live in Montgomery County, Ill. ; and Edward, Bessie and Emma, all of whom live at home; and Laura and Martha, who are deceased; they have seventeen grand- children and four great-grandchildren.
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