USA > Illinois > Christian County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Christian County, Volume II > Part 55
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John G. ITill attended the schools of South Fork Township. After the death of his father he was reared by his maternal grandmother. Mrs. Ralston, with whom he lived until twenty
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years old when he went to southwestern Kansas and took up government land and remained on it for three years. Then he came back to Illinois, and worked for M. H. Coen of Taylorville, in gents' furnishings, for three years. Mr. Hill then rented his present farm, later buying it from the heirs of his father-in-law, Henry Kirk. On this 160 acres he carries on general farming, and has been very successful.
In November, 1887, Mr. Hill was married to Miss Grace Kirk, a daughter of Henry and Belle (Orr) Kirk, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. Hill is a Thirty-second Degree Mason and a Shriner. The Christian Church holds his membership. For years he has given a hearty support to the candidates and princi- ples of the Republican party. A man who lives up to what he believes is right, he is highly re- garded by all who know him.
HILL, Robert E., one of the substantial farm- ers of Bear Creek Township, was born in Logan County, Ky., March 3, 1841, a son of R. M. and Susan (Pore) Hill, both natives of Kentucky and farming people. From Kentucky they went to Missouri, thence to Fayette County, Ill., and then, after buying and selling a farm, came to Christian County, and bought 120 acres in Bear Creek Township, where they spent a number of years. Leaving Christian County, they went to Dallas County, Tex., where the father bought a home, and there they died. In politics the father was a Democrat, while in religious faith he was a Methodist. During the war between the North and the South, the father espoused the "Lost Cause." and served under Confederate General Shelby, in General Price's division, but was dis- charged after a year on account of disability.
Robert F. Hill attended school in Missouri, and in 1861 enlisted in the Confederate service in Company A, in the cavalry division of General Shelby's command, and served for three years. After the close of the war, he came to Illinois. driving cattle overland, and at first worked as a farm hand, but in time began buying land, and now has 760 acres.
In 1865 Robert E. Hill was married to Miss May Hailey of Bear Creek Township, a dangh- ter of Joseph and Nancy (Elliott) Hailey. The father was born in the vicinity of Lexington, Ky., and the mother was born near the Ken- tncky line in Tennessee. Coming in young man- hood to Illinois, Mr. Hailey settled near Spring- field, hnt later went to Bear Creek Township. Christian County, where he was married. the mother having come to Christian County when about sixteen years old, her parents being early settlers of Bear Creek Township. Mr. and Mrs. Hill became the parents of seven children as follows: James W., Benjamin, Albert, Ora and Zelma, all of whom are living, and two others who are now deceased, Lilly, who died at the age of eleven years; and Effie, who died at the age of thirty-eight years. Mr. Hill is a Democrat and has served as school director for many years. In addition to his agricultural interests, Mr. Hill is a stockholder and a director of the Farmers
National Bank of Palmer, and of the Farmers Elevator Company of Palmer.
HOAGLAND, Hiram, for a number of years was a farmer of Christian County and during his later life an honored resident of Edinburg. He was born in Summit County, Ohio, December 17, 1832, a son of Henry and Mary (McDowell) Hoagland, who were born in Pennsylvania. Henry Hoagland was taken to Ohio in his boy- hood by his parents, who lived in Medina County. By trade the father of Hiram Hoagland was a carpenter, and combined working at this trade with farming all his life. The mother of Hiram Hoagland died at the home of her son, north oť Taylorville, Ill. The father was a Republi- can and they were members of the Methodist Church.
Atter boyhood and youth spent in Ohio, Hiram Hoagland came to Illinois at the age of twenty- two years and located in Buckhart Township, Christian County, working for A. D. Bond and Henry Kirk for a number of years, or until he realized that his country required his patriotic services. He enlisted in August, 1861, for serv- ice during the Civil War, in Company I, Forty- first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After his hon- orable discharge at the close ot the war, Mr. Hoagland returned to Buckhart Township and resumed his farm work. In the spring of 1866 he rented land, and later bought some wild prairie land to the amount of eighty acres, and later sold that piece and bought 126 acres in Buckhart Township, and remained on it for nineteen years. Selling it to Mr. McClusky, he bought twenty acres east of Edinburg, and spent twelve years upon it. Later he sold and bought the present home of his widow in Edin- burg, where he died in 1913, at the age of eighty years, after a long and useful lite. He was a Republican and a Methodist.
In October, 1865, Mr. Hoagland was married to Sarah Royer, a daughter of John and Hetty Royer, a native of Summit County, Ohio. Her parents who were born in Pennsylvania, left their native state for Ohio, and there they died in the eighties. Mr. and Mrs Hoagland had two children, namely : Mrs. Mary Davis, of Morrison- ville, Ill. ; and Elmer O., who lives at Memphis. Mo. In addition to her residence Mrs. Hoagland owns 200 acres of land in Greenwood Township. this county. Mr. Hoagland was a member of the G. A. R., Taylorville, Ill.
HOGAN, John E., one of the leading attorneys of Christian County, and a man widely and favorably known throughout this section, has been connected with some of the most important jurisprudence of the state. He was born at Pana, November 30, 1865, being brought to Tay- lorville when one year old. a son of Thomas and Mary (Murphy) Hogan, natives of Ireland and Ontario, Canada, respectively. The father came to Christian County, Ill., in 1865, and moved to Taylorville in 1866. owning and conducting the old Central House Hotel at the county seat for about thirty years, his death occurring in 1906. The mother died in 1892.
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After attending the public schools of Taylor- ville, John E. Hogan read law in the office of John G. Drennan, present attorney for the Illi- nois Central Railroad company, and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1889. Following this Mr. Hogan formed a partnership with Mr. Drennan which continued trom 1889 to 1892. With the dissolution of the firm Mr. Hogan practiced alone until 1895, and then became connected with James L. Drennan, and the firm lasted until 1901. Once more Mr. Hogan resumed an individual practice, but in 1905 formed a third partnership, his associate being George T. Wal- lace, but in 1912 he again dissolved his firm, and since then has continued alone, carrying on a general practice in all the courts. During the Munday-Lorrimer Bank failure case, Mr. Hogan was the chief attorney for Mr. Munday. His practice extends through Montgomery, Macon, Fayette. Shelby, Sangamon and Christian coun- ties, and he is recognized as one of the leading men of his profession in this part of the state. From 1892 to 1896 he served as a master-in- chancery. For six years he was chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee, and has been a member of the Democratic State Central Committee for six years. In a legal way he has represented all the railroad interests in Christian County, with the exception of one. During the time of the strike involving the Pana mills, which lasted nearly a year, he repre- sented the labor union.
On October 2, 1895, Mr. Hogan was married to Mary F. Merideth of Taylorville, Ill., a daugh- ter ot Charles M. and Laura Merideth, and they have one son, John Merideth who is a student in an eastern college. Mr. Hogan belongs to the Elks, Moose and Modern Woodmen of America. For three years he was captain of Company B. Fifth Infantry, Illinois National Guards. In every respect he measures up to the highest standards of citizenship and of his profession and has fairly won the distinguished position he undoubtedly occupies.
HOHENSTEIN, John F., one of the leading farmers of Mt. Auburn Township, who operates 385 acres of as fine land as can be found in Christian County, was born in Pike County, Ohio, a son of Christopher and Mary (McClain) Hohenstein. Growing up in Pike County, he attended its schools and learned how to farm, remaining with his father until 1900, when he moved to Sangamon County, Ill., and in 1909 came to Christian County. For the next six years he was on the D. J. Milligan farm, and then in 1915 came to his present property which is situated on Section 10, Mt. Auburn Township.
While living in Sangamon County, Mr. Hohen- stein was married to Miss Myrtle Havenor, daughter of Benjamin and Ellen (Clark) Have- nor. She was born in that county April 23, 1884. Mr. and Mrs. Hohenstein have had four chil- dren : Veta, who was born July 6. 1906; Eva P., who was born September 27, 1915; and Kenneth and Royal, who died in infancy. In politics Mr. Hohenstein is a Democrat, and he is now serv-
ing Mt. Auburn Township as a school director. A man of sturdy purpose, he has forged allead, always doing his full duty and saving his money so that when a good investment was found, he had the means to take advantage of it. A man of high character, he stands well with all who know him.
HOLDERBY, J. M., the capable superintendent of the Christian County Home, is a man whose energies have been directed along lines which have for their object laudable purposes. This home is located on section 3, Rosamond Town- ship, and comprises 160 acres of land. There are nineteen rooms in the main building, while that devoted to men's quarters, contains twelve rooms. To the credit of the people of Christian County, there is little absolute poverty as is shown by the fact that there are seldom more than thirteen inmates of the home at any time.
The superintendent, J. M. Holderby was ap- pointed to his present position in September, 1908, and ever since has exerted a wise and sane control of affairs. He was born in Gallatin County, Ill., April 9, 1864, a son of Nathaniel P. and Mary L. (Davis) Holderby, natives of Gallatin County, Ill. The father served as su- perintendent of schools of his native county for twelve consecutive years, and was a man who was extremely active in educational affairs all his life. Ilis death occurred in Gallatin County when he was forty-five years old. The mother lived until 1904, when she too passed away, dying in Galatin County, at the age of sixty-nine years. They had seven children who grew to maturity, two sons and five daughters, all of the latter developing into school teachers.
John M. Holderby spent his youth in his na- tive county, being engaged in farming. Later he was employed in railroad work, but losing his left arm just below the elbow in an accident, he turned his attention to other matters. Having been at the Home for so many years, his inter- est is centered in it, and his main object is to keep it neat and clean and to give the unfortu- nates under his care a comfortable home and healthful surroundings. Owing to the fact that his father and sisters bore so important a part in educational matters, he has always been inter- ested in promoting anything calculated to ad- vance the people intellectually. and is recog- nized as a forceful character and excellent citizen. IIe is a member of the Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen and Order of Moose.
HOOVER, Ernest, whose business of making abstracts of title and mortgage loans was estab- lished in 1869, is one of the sound, reliable men of Taylorville, and one who is known all over Christian and adjoining counties. He was born at Taylorville, February 12, 1872. a son of David and Cordelia (Davis) Hoover, natives of Quincy, Ohio, and Christian County, Ill., respectively. The maternal grandfather was Henry Davis.
Ernest Hoover attended the West Ward school at Taylorville until 1890, when he began working for M. J. Hogan in his drug store. and continued
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with him until 1892, when he went in with his unele, Col. Henry Davis, at Springfield, Ill., where the latter has large financial interests. In 1898 Mr. lloover brought the drug store of H. Jayne, at Taylorville, and conducted it in con- junction with a Mr. Keller for six years. On March 1, 1900, Mr. Hoover purchased the N. D. Ricks building and a set of abstract books, and for four years conducted both lines of business, but in 1904 he sold his drug interests in order to be able to devote all of his time to his abstract business.
When Mr. Hoover's mother died in 1904, she left a large estate, which he handled. The estate consisted principally of mortgage loans, and in attending to them Mr. Hoover found an addi- tional line of business, and as it proved profit- able, in June, 1912, he sold the abstract business to S. S. and John W. Taylor, although he re- tains his old office in the N. D. Ricks building. HIe is a director of the Christian County Build- ing and Loan Association, which office he has held continuously since 1900. From 1901 to 1915 he was a director of the Taylorville Building and Loan Association, and for over ten years he has been a director of the First National Bank of Taylorville. He is now and has been since the organization of the company, president of the Taylorville Amusement and Enterprise Company, which owns the opera house ; is now president of the Currier Printing Company ; has been treas- urer of the Democratic State Central Committee for eight years, and can be counted upon to take an intelligent interest in all public matters. For five terms he has been exalted ruler of the Tay- lorville Lodge of Elks, and for the past fifteen years he has been a member of the Sangamo Club of Springfield.
On December 24, 1907, Mr. Hoover was mar- ried to Minnie Lantz of Taylorville, a daughter of B. F. Lantz, former postmaster of Taylorville. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have one son, Henry Davis Hoover.
Mr. Hoover does not confine his activities to business projects, but is very prominent in char- ity work. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce and had a very active part in secur- ing for the city the beautiful Manner's Park of fifty-five acres, which is one of the finest in Central Illinois. Viewing his work as a whole it is easy to see that Mr. Hoover is one of the most representative men of this part of the state, and that his influence has always been directed to- ward advancing and improving existing condi- tions.
HOOVER, Will D., one of the substantial busi- ness men of Taylorville, is recognized as a rep- resentative man of Christian County. He was born at Taylorville, Ill., November 12, 1869, a son of David and Cordelia (Davis) Hoover. After being graduated from the Taylorville schools in 1887, Will D. Hoover matriculated at the Northi- western Military Academy at Highland Park, Ill., from which he was graduated June 13, 1889. For the subsequent four years Mr. Hoover lived at Springfield, INI., with an uncle, Henry Davis,
with whom he was associated in business, but then returned to Taylorville, and went into an abstract business with N. D. Ricks, remaining there until the death of Mr. Ricks, after which he managed the business for Mrs. Ricks until she sold it to Ernest Hoover. Since then Will D. Hoover has continued in the mortgage and loan business with Ernest Hoover, and they have a large volume of business. For three years Will D. Hoover was one of the directors of the Farmers' National Bank of Taylorville, and is secretary of the Luella Grace Oil and Gas Com- pany of Tulsa, Okla.
On December 26, 1895, Mr. Hoover was mar- ried to Cora Patton of Pana, Ill., a daughter of Dr. George G. and Amy Patton. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover have two children, namely : Darrell, a midshipman in the U. S. Naval academy at Annapolis, Md .; and Amy, who is at home. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Hoover was one of the organizers of the Order of Elks at Taylor- ville, and was its first exalted ruler.
HUBER, Jacob, M. D., was formerly one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Pana, and a man highly respected and beloved not only by his patients but by all who had acquaintance with him. He was born at Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio, on April 14, 1840. a son of Eman- uel and Sarah luber, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. The father was a farmer who died when his son Dr. Huber was five years old.
Jacob Huber attended the grade and high schools of his native place, and later matricu- lated at Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated. Subsequently he took post graduate courses in Chicago, Philadel- phia and Brooklyn. Locating at Pana in 1868, he continued in practice there until his death, which occurred June 26, 1910, becoming, ontside of his profession, one of the most influential ele- ments in the development of Pana, and served the city as mayor for the period of three terms. He was also nobly philanthropic.
On May 12, 1867, Dr. Huber was united in marriage with Amanda Harbor, of Urbana, Ohio, a daughter of William and Mary Harbor, natives of Virginia, both of whom are deceased, having been devout members of the Methodist Church. Dr. and Mrs. Huber had two sons, namely : John, born September 23, 1876, who died De- cember 23, 1877 ; and Jacob, born August 12, 1868, who died January 12, 1869. A German Lutheran, Dr. Huber gave his church liberal support. A Democrat, he was staunch in his adherence to his party.
From the beginning of his practice Dr. Huber recognized the necessity for a hospital for Pana, and on his death bed told his wife of his desire that $20,000 of his estate be donated for the nucleus of a fund for the erection of a modern hospital to be open to all the people without restriction as to race or religious belief. Mrs. Huber had this amount set aside, and to it other donations were added until sufficient
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
money was raised to erect the splendid Huber Memorial Hospital, which is doing a vast amount of good work carrying out the ideas of Dr. Huber, so that although all that is mortal of him has passed, he still lives and exerts an influence that none will presume to underestimate.
HUDSON, Francis M., one of the business men of Mt. Auburn, who conducts a blacksmith and repair shop which he owns, was born in Chris- tian County, Ill., March 7, 1876, a son of Shep- herd and Elizabeth (Prickett) Hudson, natives of Illinois and Indiana, respectively. The par- · ents moved to Christian County at an early day, and after years devoted to farming are now retired, the father having rented his farm.
Francis M. Hudson attended the schools of the county, and worked for his father until he was twenty-two years old, at which time he went to work in a blacksmith shop at Bolivia, Ill., under Charles Frakes, remaining with him for one year. Leaving there he went to Cascade. Ill., and spent a year in the shop of Philemon Trot- ter. Returning then to Bolivia, he went into partnership with Mr. Frakes, his former em- ployer, and this association continued for a year. Mr. Hudson then sold and came to Mt. Auburn. on June 20. 1900, and went to work on shares for Waldo Meyers, buying him out October 15, 1900, since which time he has continued alone. and has added to his equipment until he has one of the best shops in the county.
On October 15. 1902, Francis M. Hudson was married to Bessie P. Patton. They became the parents of the following children: The first, born October 13, 1903. died in infancy ; Velma Fay. born February 12, 1905 : and Thomas F. O., born November 17. 1907.
Mr. Hudson belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Democrat in politics and served as a school director for three years.
HUDSON, Shepherd, a retired farmer of Mt. Auburn Township, was formerly an active agri- culturalist of Christian County, and still owns forty acres on Sections 18 and 19, on which tract he resides. He was born in Sangamon County, Ill., October 22, 1837, a son of Shepherd and Margaret (Blair) Hudson. Growing up on the farm, the younger Shepherd Hudson assisted his father in the work of operating their prop- erty, until he enlisted for service during the Civil War, at Springfield, Ill., August 12, 1862, in Company K, One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered out of the service at Vicksburg, Miss., August 15, 1865, being finally discharged at Chicago, Ill. Among other campaigns and battles, le partici- pated in the siege of Vicksburg and the engage- ment at Mobile, Ala., and numerous skirmishes. being under the command of General Grant at Vicksburg, and General A. J. Smith in Alabama. After his discharge he returned home in 1865, and began farming on the homestead which he later inherited from his father.
On January 13, 1873, Mr. Hudson was married to Elizabeth Prickett, and their children are as
follows: Francis M., Nevada Prickett and Clara Runyan. In politics Mr. Hudson is a Democrat, and has served as a school director. Both in private life and as a soldier, Mr. Hudson has done his full duty as he has seen it, and his standing in his community is an honorable one.
HUFFMAN, Milford K., a prosperous farmer on Section 8, Taylorville Township, is one of the sound, reliable men of Christian County, one who stands very high in every way in his neigh- borhood. Ile was born in Monroe County, Ky., February 18, 1847, a son of William A. and Clarissa C. (Harlan) Huffman, natives of Ken- tucky, who married in their native state, but later moved to Glasgow, Barron County, Ky., where they rented land, although owning land in Monroe County, Ky. In the fall of 1864 they came to Illinois, and spent a few years on a farm in Macoupin County, and then came to Christian County, buying a farm in Taylorville Township. Five years later, in 1875, the father died, aged sixty-three years. The mother lived until October 14, 1900. In politics the father was a Republican, while in religious faith he was a consistent Methodist.
Milford K. Huffman was reared in Barron and Macoupin counties, where he received liis edu- cational training by attending the public schools. After coming to Christian County, he assisted his father upon the homestead, and after his father's death, purchased eighty acres of it, upon which he still resides.
On October 10, 1895. Mr. Huffman was mar- ried to Miss Ida A. Fisher, born November 27. 1876, a daughter of James HI. and Mattie (Peden) Fisher, natives of Kentucky who were married at Taylorville. Mr. and Mrs. Iluffinan became the parents of the following children : Clara C. and Clella S. (twins) : Milford L. ; and Mary Frances. In politics Mr. Huffman is a Republican. The Methodist Church holds his membership, and benefits from his support. An excellent farmer, live business man and good citizen, Mr. Huffman is a potent force in his community.
HUNSLEY, Albert J., one of the prosperous farmers of Edinburg, and a man whose family is numbered among the most representative in the county, was born four miles northiwest of Edinburg, July 7, 1885, a son of Thomas and Anna S. (Saunders) Hunsley, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Growing up in Christian County, Albert J. Hunsley attended the public schools, and the Illinois Business Col- lege at Springfield. Ill. Returning to the home- stead, he became associated with his father in operating it, and so continued for six years. He then moved to Edinburg, but while residing in the village, operates his fine farm of 200 acres two and a half miles northeast of Edinburg. Here he raises stock, specializing on raising mules, finding this a profitable line.
In 1911 Mr. Hunsley was united in marriage with Miss Chelsea McArthur, a daughter of Joseph and Christina (North) McArthur. In
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY
politics Mr. Hunsley is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, while his social relations are with the Gun Club, in which he finds recreation and sport. Having devoted his life to farming, Mr. Hunsley under- stands it in all its details and so conducts his operations as to make them yield him a hand- some profit on his investment of time and money. It is men like him who have raised the agricul- tural standard, and brought the farmer into his own.
HUNSLEY, Ernest A., whose success as farmer places him among the leading agricnl- turalists of Buckhart Township, where he farms 360 acres of land, was born in Cooper Township, Sangamon County, Ill .. September 9, 1876, a son of Thomas and Anna (Saunders) Hunsley, farm- ing people all of their lives, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.
Ernest A. Hunsley attended the school in his district known as the Campbellsburg school, and was engaged in assisting his father until he was twenty-four years old, when he was married. For the subsequent five years he lived on his father's farm, and then moved to his present farm, where he has since carried on general farming and stockraising. He owns 140 acres of land in this county.
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