USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II > Part 102
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In Mareh. 1903, Thomas Potts, who had attended the publie schools of his native eity, and there learned his trade of a mechanic, came to the new world and worked at Sidney, N. S .. for the Dominion Iron and Steel Company as mill foreman for a year, leaving there for Buffalo, N. Y., where he entered the employ of his present company as toolmaker. After a year he was transferred to Litehfield and made machinist and millwright, which positions he held for a year. He then took charge of the machine and assembly shop, and retained that position for four years, when he was again promoted to that of master mechanic of the plant. After two years he was made assistant
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made general superintendent, and is still hold- ing that very responsible and important position.
On September 3, 1906, he was married to Anna Furlong, born at Litchfield, a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Furlong, natives of County Cork, Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Potts have three children, namely: William Thomas, Jack Seal, and Bettie Jane. The family are Episco- palians. In politics he is a Republican. A Mason in good standing he belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of that order. A man of unusual ability, he has devoted him- self to one line and has perfected himself in it, and his persistence is being rewarded for he has the confidence of his company and of his com- munity where he stands very high in public esteem.
PULLEN, Robert H., a dealer in hardware, fur- niture and lumber at Panama, is one of the live . business men of Montgomery County. He was born in Irving Township, this county, April 25. 1871, a son of Charles and Ellen (Marsden) Pullen, natives of England. Charles Pullen left his native land for the United States when twelve years old, and his wife was brought here by her parents when a child and was reared at St. Louis, Mo. Until he came to Montgomery County, Charles Pullen was engaged in mining at Alton, Ill., but after his arrival in this county he was engaged in farming, and lived at Litch- field for forty years. He and his wife were married in Illinois and they had six children, all of whom survive, namely: Sarah, who is the wife of Thomas Green, lives at Troy, Ill .; Etta, who is the wife of James Morrisey, lives at Chicago, Ill .; Charles W., who lives at Alton, Ill. ; J. T. who lives at Staunton, Ill .; Martha, who is the wife of Thomas W. Kinser, Sorento, Ill .; and Robert H.
Robert H. Pullen was reared at Litchfield and Sorento, Ill., and attended the public schools of Montgomery County, and the Litchfield High school. After studying mining engineering he was engaged as a hoisting engineer for eighteen years, and he also learned the lumber business. In 1912 he came to Panama, Ill., and bought his present business, adding the handling of lumber to the original commodities, and has found his former business experiences stand him in good stead. He owns the building he occupies, and property also at Sorento, and has made all he possesses through his own efforts.
On March 14, 1894, Mr. Pullen was married to Bessie Reiley, who was born near Rock Island, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Pullen have three sons, namely : Charles H., who is a graduate of the Sorento High school, is in business with his father; Robert R. and Norman, both of whom are attending school. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church at Sorento, and Mr. Pullen is a member of Sorento Lodge, A. F. & A. M .. and Panama Lodge, K. of P., of which he is past chancellor, and he also belongs to the grand lodge of that order. A Republican, he was treasurer of the township for three terms. and a member of the Panama city council. While living in Shoal Creek Township, Bond County,
Ill., he was supervisor for two terms, and has proven himself a faithful official.
PYATT, Henry T., supervisor of Fillmore Town- ship, and a man of more than average ability .and of high standing, is a prosperous farmer and stockman of Fillmore Township. He was born in Saline County, Mo., February 5, 1873, a son of Cornelius and Frances (Allen) Pyatt, natives of Fayette and Montgomery counties, Ill. Cornelius Pyatt died in 1873, and his widow came with her three children to Montgomery County, Ill., where she has since remained. These three children are as follows: Emma, who is the wife of Bascom Wright of Nokomis, Ill .; John who is a farmer of Witt Township; and Henry T.
Henry T. Pyatt has spent almost his entire life on a farm, and was reared in Fillmore Township, where he attended the local schools. On November 19, 1902, he was married to Emma Chestnut, who was born in Bond County, Ill., and reared at Sorento, Ill., where she attended school. They have no children. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Pyatt settled on the old Allen farm in Fillmore Township, and he now owns seventy- six acres, and farms 120 acres, breeding a good grade of Shorthorn cattle.
During his mature years Mr. Pyatt has been very active as a Democrat. He served for two terms as highway commissioner before he was first elected supervisor in 1914, and in 1916 he was elected to the same office to succeed him- self, his administration of the affairs of that office being such as to commend him to his con- stituents, and cause them to return lim.
PYLE, Walter, who is conducting a general mer- chandise business at Witt, has been engaged in this line of activity for the past twenty years, and prior to that handled harness and buggies for eight years. He was born in Witt Town- ship, this county, December 23, 1876, a son of Lorenzo and Mary (De Witt) Pyle. Lorenzo Pyle was born in Kentucky, and came to Sanga- mon County, Ill., when a child, being reared to manhood in the latter section. During 1862 he enlisted for service during the Civil War in an Illinois regiment, and after his honorable dis- charge, he returned to Sangamon County, and after a time moved to Montgomery County, where he met and married Mary De Witt. After their marriage they bought eighty acres of land, and there they lived until within three years of Mr. Pyle's death, wlien he retired and moved to Nokomis, Ill., in 1904, and there he died about 1912. He and his wife had five children, namely : Ella, who is married, lives in Ohlman. Ill .; Horace, who lives at Bunker Hill, Ill .; George, who died in infancy ; Walter ; and Cora, who is the wife of Henry Zimmerman of Ohlman, Ill. The father was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he be- longed to Nokomis Lodge No. 456, A. F. & A. M. In politics he was a Democrat.
Walter Pyle was reared on his father's farm and attended the schools of his district, remain- ing at home until he was twenty-seven years old. He then came to Witt and bought the
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harness and buggy business owned by Edward Witt, and condneted it for eight years, then sold it back to Mr. Witt, and purchased his present store. At that time it was conducted as a ten-cent store and he had a partner, the busi- ness being conducted as Ruggs & Pyle. A year later he bought out his partner, and since then had developed it into a general merchandise establishment, and enjoys a very large trade.
In March, 1904, Mr. Pyle was married to Mary Fox, a daughter of John Fox, of Witt Township. Mr. and Mrs. Pyle have one child, Enid E., who is attending school. Mr. Pyle belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, at Witt, and to Witt Lodge, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat. A sound business man and reliable citizen. Mr. Pyle stands well with his associates and the public generally.
RAMEY, Frank Marion, one of the leading law- yers of Montgomery County, is located at Hillsboro, although his practice extends over a much wider territory. He was born at Hills- boro where he has always resided, and he was graduated from the Hillsboro High school in 1900. He is a son of James Thomas and Mary Ann (Ammerman) Ramey, natives of Virginia, but residents of Kentucky at the time of the family migration to Illinois when location was made near old Van Burensburg. Later the Ramey moved to Springfield, and thence to Hillsboro, where they spent the balance of their lives. The father was a laboring inan, and he industrionsly followed various avocations. He was a soldier during the Civil War, enlisting in Company C. Twenty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. and served for four years, being cap- tured at Franklin, Tenn., six months before the close of the war. and confined at Anderson- ville prison. until peace was declared. He died in 1913, aged seventy-four years and the mother died in 1906, aged fifty-two years. Their chil- dren who lived to maturity were: Mary, who is the wife of B. F. Satterlee: Roland ; Tony ; Flora, who married L. H. Barry; Della, who is the wife of Allen Bush : Frank M .; Margaret. who is the wife of Charles Pullen; Jesse M .. who lives at Hillsboro; and Edward, who lives at Winnipeg. Canada. The paternal grandfather was Thomas Ramey, a native of Virginia, who died in that state, having had the following children : Frank, James, Thomas and George and the maternal grandfather was Henry
Ammerman.
Frank M. Ramey taught school for three years following his own graduation, and studied law at the same time. being admitted to the bar in December, 1907. at Mt. Vernon. Ill. Immediately thereafter he opened an office at Hillsboro, and has continued in practice ever since. In politics he is a Republican, and he served as city treasurer and city attorney for six years. Mr Ramey is a self-made man, having achieved success through his own efforts, is a successful lawyer and is deservedly popu- lar. Genial and affable, he has a host of personal friends whom he has won by his many admirable characteristics, and the confidence of
the public, the bench and the bar, throngh his integrity and straightforwardness in his pro- fessional life.
RAMSEY, Charles Alexander, president of the Hillsboro National Bank, and one of the most prominent men in Montgomery County, whose progressiveness has aided materially in the development of the financial and commercial interests of this section of the state, was born at Milroy, Pa., January 8, 1844, a son of William Hamilton and Mary (Rarer) Ramsey, natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was a car- penter and contractor, died in 1893, the mother having passed away previously.
Charles Alexander Ramsey attended the com- mon schools of his native place. and spent two terms in the academy at Pine Grove, Pa., remain- ing with his parents until he left home to serve his country during the Civil War. He enlisted in August. 1862, in Company D. One Hundred and Forty-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volun- teer Infantry, which regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in the battles of Gettysburg. the Wilderness, Spott- sylvania Court House, Ream's Station, Sailor Creck and Farmville. Va., and was in numerous skirmishes. His service brought him promotion, and he was discharged June 1. 1865, as regimen- tal adjutant. Returning home he remained there until in October. 1865, when he came to Illinois and taught school one term in Shelby County. After one winter in that county, he came to Sangamon County and read medicine for one winter, but in 1867 came to Irving. Mont- gomery County, and embarked in a drug busi- ness, which he conducted until 1879. During that period he had several partners, and branch- ing ont, added the handling of hardware and lumber to his other line of business. In 1879 he sold his interests, and coming to Hillsboro. in conjunction with John R. Challacombe. bought a hardware store, and the two continued together nntil 1892. when the partnership was dissolved.
In the above year the Hillsboro National Bank was founded. with Mr. Ramsey as president. and W. H. Brewer as vice president. Samuel R. Thomas and George M. Raymond. Edward Lane and others. Mr. Raymond was cashier. The original capital was $50.000. but it has been increased until it is now $100.000, and there is a surplus of $60.000. The deposits average about $500.000. Mr. Ramsey is still president ; Guy C. Lamb is vice president; George H. Fisher is cashier ; and Henry L. Cox is assistant cashier. Mr. Ramsey is also interested in the Southern Illinois Light & Power Company, of which he is treasurer. This company has two plants, one at Hillsboro, and the other at Collinsville. and lights abont fifty cities and villages. Mr. Ram- sey was interested in the first coal mine sunk at Hillsboro; in the opera house. and the hotel. Perhaps no man here is more active in promot- ing movements for the betterment of the com- munity. and he has been instrumental in bring- ing outside capital here for investment. He and Judge Amos Miller were interested in secur- ing the establishment of the Schram Glass Works at Hillsboro, and it was these two who put the
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first library on a practical basis, and finally secured the Carnegie donation.
In 1870 Mr. Ramsey was married to Elizabeth Corley, who was born in Shelby County, Ill., a daughter of W. F. and Lois (Walefield) Corley , of Illinois. In politics Mr. Ramsey is a Republi- can. He was a member of the state legislature from this district from 1892-3. He was one of the trustees of the Soldiers' Widows' Home, at Wilmington, Ill. He belongs to Mt. Moriah Lodge No. 51, A. F. & A. M., Hillsboro Chapter No. 97, R. A. M., and F. D. Hubbell Post No. 403, G. A. R.
RASOR, John H., for many years was one of the most progressive men of Montgomery County, and probably did more than any other one man to awaken interest in draining the swamp lands. He is justly recalled with feelings of high re- gard for his public spirit. He was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, September 7, 1848, and died in his home at Litchfield, Ill., February 21, 1918. He was a son of William and Matilda (Hasting) Rasor, natives of the vicinity of Wheeling, W. Va. The father was a farmer in Ohio, which he left for Jasper County, Ill., where he remained for three and one-half years, and then bought land in North Litchfield Town- ship. Montgomery County, to which the family moved. The mother died on this farm May 20, 1869, and several years later the father moved to Litchfield, and there he died August 7, 1892. Their children were as follows: Martha Jane and Martin Luther, who are deceased ; Sarah C., who is the widow of Jacob F. Blackwelder, lives in Barber County, Kas .; Mary Amanda, who is the widow of H. M. Gilmore, lives at Litchfield ; John H. who is deceased ; Samuel G., who died in Ohio ; and Alice M., who lives at Litchfield.
On April 5. 1877, John H. Rasor was married to Ruth A. Reubart, born in Hamilton County, Ohio, April 17, 1855, a daughter of George and Diadama (McDonough) Reubart, natives of Ohio, who in the fall of 1855 moved to North Litchfield Township, Montgomery County, Ill., and there bought land. Mrs. Reubart died Sep- tember 6. 1887, and Mr. Reubart, June 12, 1889. Mr. and Mrs. Reubart had the following chil- dren : Jeremiah V., who lives in Fillmore Town- ship; James F .. Ruth A., Elizabeth J., and Catherine A .. all of whom live at Litchfield ; and Israel W., who lives at Divernon, Ill.
After marriage Mr. Rasor bought a farm of 120 acres from his father. and for four and one-half years the latter lived with his son, before moving to Litchfield. Until March, 1912, John H. Rasor was engaged in farming. He then rented his farm and retired and bought property at Litchfield, and his subsequent life was spent in this city. When his parents came to Montgomery County, much of the land now so fertile was under water, and from his boyhood Mr. Rasor had the matter of proper drainage in his mind. As soon as he acquired his farm he began ditching and draining, and was one of the first to advocate the establishment of drain- age commissions and districts, and really led the
people in the excellent work they have accom- plished along these lines.
To Mr. and Mrs. Rasor the following chil- dren were born: Oscar, who died in infancy ; Rosa A., who died at the age of twenty-five years; Elora M., who is Mrs. L. G. Bandy, of North Litchfield Township; Gertrude A., who is at home; Perlia, who died at the age of four years; Ruth A., who is at home; and Eva Irene, who married Henry Doll. Mr. and Mrs. Doll live on the Rasor homestead, where Mrs. Doll was born, and their daughter, Ruth Ann, was born in the same room as her mother. Mr. Rasor's attendance at school was confined to the district schools, but Mrs. Rasor attended the Litchfield High school. The family belongs to the English Lutheran Church, in which Mr. Rasor was a deacon and elder. Politically he was a Democrat, and fraternally a member of Litchfield Camp, M. W. A.
REA, John W., Mayor of Litchfield, Ill., and one of the successful and efficient men engaged in selling insurance and representing the leading old line companies, is an honored business man of this city, as well as one of its prominent public officials. He was born in Bond County, Ill., December. 17. 1870, a son of John B. and Olivia H. (Whitledge) Rea, natives of Fulton County, Ill., and Cape Girardeau County, Mo. They were married near Greenville, Ill.
For some years John B. Rea carried on a general stock business at Hillsboro and Litch- field, with George Arnold. and then a company was formed composed of Messrs. Arnold, Wayne and Rea, the junior member of the firm being John W. Rea. From 1902 to 1906 the partners remained the same, but in the latter year, John W. Rea sold his interest, and the association was dissolved. At that time Mr. Rea assumed the duties of county treasurer to which he had been appointed to fill out an unexpired term of John Green, and in the fall of 1907, was elected to that same office, filling it for four years more. In 1910 he bought the insurance business of John S. Woods agency, to which he added the Rose and Woods and Potts agencies. In 1913 George Tester was taken into partner- ship, and the firm now handles all kinds of insurance, and does a large business.
On September 3. 1905, John W. Rea was married to Sarah E. Hussey, who was born at Litchfield, a daughter of C. W. and Matilda (Fowler) Hussey, natives of Maine and Georgia. Mr. and Mrs. Rea became the parents of two sons, namely : Leland, who lives at Litchfield ; and John Weston, Mr. Rea attended the gram- mar and high schools of Greenville. Ill., and also of Hillsboro, St. Louis, Mo. and Kingman, Kas. In politics he is a Democrat and a very strong factor in his party. He has served as alderman of Litchfield one term, and for three successive terms served as assessor of North Litchfield Township. On May 20. 1915, he was appointed a special collector for the city of Litchfield. and in April. 1917, was elected mayor of Litchfield. Fraternally he belongs to Elliott Chapter No. 517, R. A. M., Litchfield Lodge No. 724, I. O. O.
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
F., which he has served as secretary since 1910; Litchfield Lodge No. 654. B. P. O. E. ; has been secretary of Ben Hur Lodge No. 169, and he also belongs to the M. P. L. and Lincoln Frater- nal U'niou, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Merchants Life Association. Mr. Rea is a man of strong personality, he has many friends in this community, and is an influential element in the civic life of Litchfield.
REBHAN, William C., a prosperous farmer of Raymond Township, living on Section 15. whose agricultural activities entitle him to a place among the successful men of his county, was born at Belleville. Ill., in St. Clair County, Febru- ary 4. 1873, a son of John C. and Emma E. (Sandwich) Rebhan. The father was born in Germany, but was brought to this country by his parents when he was a child, the family spending some time at St. Louis, Mo., before proceeding to St. Clair County. 111.
There John C. Rebhan was reared, and he attended the district schools when opportunity offered. When the Civil War broke out. in 1861. he enlisted for service in Company II, Capt. John Smith, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and remained until the close of the war. After his honorable discharge. he returned to St. Clair County, and learned the saddlery trade, but later became mail clerk un- der the government, and remained in the service for ten years. He then bought the farm on which his son William C. now resides, and there he died May 1. 1890. He was a Republican and served as supervisor of Raymond Township for one term. His wife died November 23, 1912. Their children were as follows: James L. : William C .; E. A., who lives at Dallas. Tex. ; Jennie, who was married to Rev. O. W. Shields. a Baptist minister of Carlinville. Il. ; and Susan, who is secretary of the Young Woman's Associa- tion, at Youngstown, Ohio.
William €. Rebhan was five years old when he was brought to his present farm, and has since lived upon it. and during a portion of that period he attended the district schools. On February 19. 1899, Mr. Rebhan was married to Eliza Hitch- ings. a daughter of H. HI. Ilitchings of Ray- mond. and they have one sou, Howard II., who was born November 20. 1900. now attending the Raymond High school. Mr. Rebhan belongs to' the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Repub- lican. His fraternal associations are with Ray- mond Lodge No. 692. A. F. & A. M., and Ray- inond Camp No. 289. M. W. A. He owns 160 acres of land and his wife owns eighty acres, so that together they are quite heavy landowners, and their interest in the county is stimulated by this fact and also because they are public spir- ited people who want their section improved and developed in the best way possible.
REESE, August H., one of the substantial business men of Litchfield, owns and operates one of the largest laundry concerns in the county. IIe was born at Litchfield. May 23. 1862, a son of Frederick W. and Christiana (Geyer) Reese, natives of Hanover and Saxony, Germany,
respectively. They were married at Redbud, Ill. The father was a carpenter, cabinetmaker and undertaker, and about 1852 he came to Litchfield, and conducted a furniture store and undertaking business for many years, dying in 1880. The mother died in June. 1916.
Until he was sixteen years old, August II. Reese attended the schools of Litchfield, and he worked with his father until the latter's death, when he succeeded to the business and operated it for eighteen months, when he sold it and established himself in a laundry business in partnership with Hugh Snell. A year later Mr. Reese retired from the business and went to Belleville, Ill., where he conducted a laundry business for about four years, and then was engaged in the same line at different points until 1900, when he went to Watseka. Ill., and con- tinved in a laundry business at that place until 1908, in which year he returned to Litchfield and bought the laundry business owned by Mr. Kuhns, and since then has remodeled and modernized the plant until he now has one of the best in the county, and gives employment to fourteen girls and two men, the original number being four employes. He has collections and deliveries made by automobile and his is the only laundry at Litchfield.
In 1891 Mr. Reese was married to Stella Miller, who was born at Baltimore, Md .. a daughter of William Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Reese have three children: Gny Thomas, who is in the United States Marine Corps; and Alma and Erma at home. Mr. Reese is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Republi- can party fiuds in him a strong supporter. Fraternally he is a Mason and a Shriner and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen of Ameri- ca. A man of stability he has risen in his chosen line and is worthy of the success which he has attained.
REINEKE, W. Roy, proprietor of the hardware company that bears his name, at Raymond, Ill., is one of the sound business men of this part of the county. He was born in the village now his home. September 15, 1887, a son of Henry E. and Mollie (Cundiff ) Reineke. Henry E. Reineke was born in Montgomery County, a son of William Reineke who, with his wife, came from Germany to Montgomery County, Ill., and lived in this county the balance of their lives. Henry E. Reineke married Mollie Cundiff, who was born near Fillmore. Bond County. Ill., a danghter of William and Margaret Cundiff, of Irish and German desceut, respectively. After their marriage Henry E. Reineke and wife settled in Raymond Township on the farm he occupied until 1908, when he retired to the village of Raymond, where he and his wife are still living.
After attending the grade and high schools of Raymond. W. Roy Reineke took a commercial course of two years in the Gem City Business College, Quincy, Ill. After coming back home he engaged with Ellis Henderson, a grocer and hardware merchant, and then was with the Darlington Lumber Company as bookkeeper for
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
two years. At the expiration of that period he bought the hardware end of the business of Mr. Henderson, and has conducted it alone since January, 1912. Mr. Reineke belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is secre- tary of the Sunday school. Fraternally he belongs to Raymond Lodge No. 476, I. O. O. F., and Raymond Camp No. 289, M. W. A., and is acting clerk of this organization. His political views make him a Democrat. A sound business man and good citizen, he stands high with all who know him, and is recognized as an excellent type of Montgomery County residents.
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