Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 103

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 810

USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II > Part 103

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RHOADS, O. A., foreman of the Pevely Dairy Company of St. Louis, Mo., is one of the leading business men of Irving. He was born at Litch- field, Ill., December 16, 1879, a son of William M. and Alma (Stanton) Rhoads. William M. Rhoads was born in Macoupin County, Ill., while his wife was born at Belfast, N. Y., and came to Illinois in her girlhood, and was mar- ried in Macoupin County. After their marriage William M. Rhoads and wife located at Litch- field, Ill., where he was in a grain business, but later sold it and went to farming in Irving Township, where he still resides. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In poli- tics he is a Democrat and was president of the village board at Butler, Ill., and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife had seven children; five of whom survive, namely : O. A .; Bruce, who is a painter at But- ler, Ill .; William, who is on the homestead ; Edith, who isa graduate of the Hillsboro High school. is at home ; and Rue M.

O. A. Rhoads was reared on a farm in Bois D'Arc Township and sent to the district schools and the Farmersville High school. He remained at home until he was twenty-six years old, at which time, on January 30, 1905, he was married to Mamie Reynolds, who was born in Ripley County, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Rhoads have two children : Sylvia and Juanita. Mrs. Rhoads belongs to the Christian Church, and to Mag- nolia Lodge No. 71, O. E. S., of which she is an official. Mr. Rhoades belongs to Irving Lodge No. 455. A. F. & A. M., and is now senior war- den. He is also a member of the Modern Wood- men of America. In politics he is a Democrat. In 1915 he was made foreman of his present company, by whom he had been employed for five years, and he is representing them effi- ciently and effectively in this section. A man of perseverance and industry he has steadily advanced and deserves all that he has secured.

RICE, Edward Young, lawyer, ex-circuit judge and ex-member of Congress, was born in Logan County, Ky., February 8, 1820. His parents were Francis and Mary (Goech) Rice. The family is of English origin; the ancestors having migrated to his country previous to the Revolu- tion, and settled in Virginia, from whence their descendants have scattered to all parts of the West. His father was born in North Carolina, from there he moved to Kentucky when that was a backwoods settlement, and thence to

Illinois, in 1835, and settled in Macoupin County. He was a pioneer preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a man of more than ordinary education in his day; and his time was divided between preaching, teach- ing school and farming. He had eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, of which Edward Young was the youngest. His mother was a woman of great force of character, of deep piety and entirely devoted to the care and training of her large family, who are mainly indebted to her precepts and example for their success in after life. Rev. Francis Rice died in Macoupin County, Ill., in 1837, in the sixty-third year of his age, and his widow followed him in 1852, in the seventy-fifth year of her age.

Judge Rice received the foundation of his scholastic attainments under the paternal roof, his father being his instructor ; after his death, his eldest brother. James aided him in his edu- cation and plans for life. To the filial tender- ness of this brother, and the deep interest he manifested in his well being, he acknowledged, with gratitude, the most profound obligations. His time was spent almost exclusively on a farm till the age of twenty, after which he attended a common school for a few months, and in 1840 he entered at Shurtleff College ; but so careful had his education been looked after at home, that he was the best scholar in the common school, and inferior to but few of his fellow students when he entered college. where he remained till 1842, but did not gradu- ate. Early in 1843 he commenced the study of law in the office of ex-Governor John M. Palmer, at Carlinville, and in the following year was admitted to the bar. In 1845 he settled in Hillsboro, and there entered upon the practice of his profession. This was his home to the time of his death.

In 1847 he was elected recorder for the county of Montgomery, which position he retained for one year. In 1848 he was elected to the lower honse of the state legislature to represent the counties of Montgomery, Bond and Clinton. He served but one term, being in the following year elected County Judge, to fill an unexpired term of J. H. Ralston, who had resigned, in which capacity he served two years. In 1853 he was appointed Master in Chancery for Montgomery County, by the late Judge Chas. Emmerson, which position he retained six years. In 1857 he was elected Circuit Judge for the 18th Judicial Circuit, then comprising the counties of Sanga- mon, Macoupin, Montgomery and Christian. To this important office he was reelected in 1861, and again in 1867, holding the position altogether fifteen years, being elected each time without opposition and by unanimous consent. He re- signed the judgeship in 1870 to accept a nomina- tion to the United States Congress, to which he was elected in that year from the 10th District of his state. His term expired in 1873, and he declined a re-nomination. During the last term of his judgeship he was elected a member of the constitutional convention of 1869-70, to rep- resent the counties of Montgomery and Christian, and was one of the most distinguished and use-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ful members of that body, serving on the jndi- ciary and educational committees. After his retirement from Congress in 1872. ho pursued the practise of his profession in Ilillsboro, till his death. In politics he had always acted with the Democratic party, but had not been a par- tisan in the accepted seuse of that term.

Judge Rico was a steadfast believer in the principles and doctrines of Christianity as set forth in the New Testament. and believed that through the organization of the church these principles and doctrines would more success- fully be carried forward. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro. Illinois, and had been for several years before his death. In 1878 he was a delegate, appointed by the Alton Presbytery to the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church held at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and had been a number of years prior, and at the time of his death, a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, Ill. His Christian faith was childlike and was grounded upon the fundamental doctrine of the fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of man.

Judge Rice was married November 29. 1849. to Mrs. Susan R., daughter of the late Win. Allen, of Kentucky, and relic of the late Oliver Condy, of Ilillsboro, Il. On his death he left two chil- dren, Mrs. Amos Miller and James Edward Young Rice, both of whom now live in Hillsboro.

RICHARDS, Edward C., president of the Mont- goinery County Historical Society, and a man widely known and miversally respected, resid- ing in Hillsboro Township. is possessed of good business ability and executive force, carrying on agricultural pursnits along progressive lines on his farm of 179 acres, which property is well equipped with modern improvements and accessories. Ile was born at Boston. Mass .. May 14. 1852. a son of George II. Richards whose hirth occurred in the same city May 5, 1816. He was a representative of Puritan ancestors who located in Massachusetts during the carly development of the colony.

In his youth George H. Richards learned the carpenter trade, serving a seven-year apprentice- ship in Boston, but believing that the West pro- vided better business opportunities, he came to Illinois in 1839. and established his home at Hillsboro, where he soon became actively identi- fied with industrial interests as a partner of the late Amos Clotfelter in the conduct of a saw- mill. He had carried on business here for about three years, when he returned to the East and was married on December 22. 1842. to Miss Irene H. Lincoln, a daughter of Bradford Lincoln of Jamaica Plains, Mass. Mr. Richards then brought his bride back to Hillsboro, and they began their domestic life in the home which he had built for her. and which is now owned by John Clotfelter. They became the parents of six children, namely : Henry, who was born April 25, 1844. died in infancy: Snsan, who resides in Hillsboro Township: Lucy E .. who was born March 15. 184S. and died in infancy : Alice, who is the widow of Amos Barry of Hills- boro Township; Edward C. and Frederick W.,

who was born March 5, 1856, died in infancy. Mrs. Irene Richards passed away in 1857.

In the following year Mr. Richards moved to a farm in Montgomery County to which he returned from a residence in the East where he had become an importer and wholesale dealer in structural iron. After his return to Mont- gomery County, Mr. Richards devoted himself to general farming and continued to reside npon the old family homestead np to the time of his demise. Ilis first purchase comprised 120 acres to which he afterward added sixty acres, and upon this farm he made many desirable im- provements, erecting substantial buildings, cul- tivating his fields along modern progressive lines, and carrying on stockraising with equal success. In all of his business dealings he was strictly fair and his name came to be a synonym for enterprise and integrity in trade trans- actions. He never cared for political honors or office, and would never allow his name to be used in connection with the candidacy for any political position. He served, however, as a school director, took an active interest in educa- tional matters, and was a stalwart champion of the public school system. In early days he was a member of and had a strong leadership in the Home Guards. A man of fine physique, he was about six feet in height and weighed 190 ponnds when' in his prime. Mr. Richards pos- sessed much natural ability as a mathematician and improved his talents in this direction as opportunity afforded. He took great delight in discussing with Edmund Fish and A. IT. Bell great mathematical principles, and in this con- nection the trio became known throughout the country. Mr. Richards reached the advanced age of eighty-six years, five months and nine- teen days, passing away at his home in Mont- gomery Connty on January 31. 1903. To the county he left the record of loyal citizenship ; to his acquaintances the memory of faithful and considerate friendship, and to his family he left not only a good property. but also an nntarnished name. He commanded the respect of all with whom he was associated. manifest- ing throughout his entire life sterling traits of character.

Edward C. Richards was reared upon the old home farm in this county. to which he was brought by his father when about five years of age. His early educational privileges, acquired in the common schools, were supplemented by study in the Hillsboro Academy. His training at farm lahor was of a practical character and acquainted him with the best methods of caring for the fields and raising stock. As he advanced in age. experience and capability. he became more and more closely associated with his father in business, and in his father's later years, he took entire charge of the home place. which he has since conducted in a most capable manner. He now owns 179 acres of fertile land devoted to diversified farming and a glance at his place with its highly cultivated fields and splendid improvements indicates to the passerby the careful supervision of a progressive owner. On November 6. 1879. Mr. Richards was

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

united in marriage with Miss Atelia M. Wharton who was born in Guilford County, N. C., a daughter of Jesse Wharton who came to Mont- gomery County, Ill. in 185S. She died April 28, 1913. She was a consistent Christian and a devoted member of the Presbyterian Church, On May 5, 1914, Mr. Richards was married (second) to Mrs. Agnes Rowen, widow of William Rowen, and a daughter of Matthew Auel and Frances (Dewell) Auel. Mr. and Mrs. Richards are active and faithful members of the Presbyterian Church in which he has been an elder for over twenty years. Mrs. Richards was born in Ger- many and was brought to this country by her parents when she was only a few months old. They located at St. Louis, Mo., where the parents still reside. Mr. Auel has been em- ployed in a blast furnace in that city for many years. Mrs. Richards had two children by her first marriage, namely : Clayton and Wilma, both of whom are in the United States Navy. On January 4, 1918, a daughter, Irene Agnes, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Richards.

Mr. Richards is president of the Montgomery County Historical Society, which he helped to organize, and in connection with which there is a museum with headquarters in the courthouse, and it is open to the public on certain Saturdays during the year. Fraternally Mr. Richards belongs to Mount Moriah Lodge No. 51, A. F. & A. M. He is a Republican in politics, and was a school director and a school trustee for many years. At present he is overseer of the poor. In 1912, when the Mission Chapel at Taylor Springs was organized, Mr. Richards was one of the prime movers with the Hillsboro Presby- terian Church and those who contributed finan- cially to the work. This is the only religious organization in Taylor Springs, and does a large work for general improvement of the com- munity. In 1895 . Mr. Richards assisted in organizing the Farmers Institute with which he has since been connected, serving as secretary for six years and president for three years. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county, and with the work of substantial im- provements he has been closely associated. He stands today as a typical representative of the business men of the West. who recognize and improve their opportunities, conducting their interests along lines that gain them a desirable competence and an honored name simulta- neously,

The paternal grandfather of Edward C. Richards was Eliakim Richards. His wife was Susan (Hersey) Richards. They were natives of Massachusetts. The grandfather was a cab- inetmaker and carpenter, and a fine workman. The grandparents died in Massachusetts well advanced in years. Their three children were as follows : George H., Henry and Catherine. The maternal grandparents were Bradford and Rebecca (Austin) Lincoln. natives of Massa- chusetts, and tracing back to the same ancestors as Abraham Lincoln. Bradford Lincoln was a hatter. He and his wife died in the East, har- ing had four children : Hersey, Benjamin L., Martha and Irene H.

RICHARDSON, Felix G., a veteran of the Civil War, and a retired farmer of Pitman Township, residing upon Section 23, is one of the substan- tial men of Montgomery County and formerly was an important figure in its agricultural life. He was born in Pitman Township, February 20, 1839, a son of Lawrence C. and Neona (Rogers) Richardson. His father was born in Kentucky as was his mother, she being brought to Illinois by her parents when thirteen years old. The father came to Illinois in young manhood, and after his marriage returned to Kentucky and lived in that state for a short period, but came back to Illinois, locating southwest oť Waggoner, where he continued to reside until his death. A member of the Christian Church, and a Demo- crat, he took a prominent part in church and civic affairs and was a justice of the peace for a number of years. He and his wife had ten children, six of whom survive, namely : Felix G .; Thomas B .. who is a retired farmer of Wag- goner ; Eliza, who is the widow of Thomas J. Williamson ; George, who is a retired farmer of Waggoner; and Mary who is the wife of John Bowman of Bunker Hill, Ill.

Felix G. Richardson was reared on a farm, and sent to the neighborhood schools, and pur- posed becoming a farmer, when the course of his life was altered by the outbreak of the Civil War, and with other patriotic men, he enlisted August 15. 1862, in Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry. he was assigned to the Sixteenth Army Corps, Gen. A. J. Smithi commanding, and he served until the close of the war, being mustered out July 15, 1865, at Mobile, Ala. Returning to his father's homestead, he remained at home a short time, and then rented land and operated it until he bought his present farm in 1875, on which he has since resided. When the local G. A. R. Post was established, he became one of its charter members. The Methodist Church holds his membership, and he belongs to Ray- mond Lodge No. 692, A. F. & A. M., he having been initiated at Girard, Ill., in 1866. A Demo- crat, he has served as supervisor of Pitman Township nine years, and prior to that was tax collector. In addition to his other interests he is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Com- pany at Harvel.

RIVES, Alfred, one of the successful concrete contractors of Litchfield, has built up a large and prosperous business, and stands very well in his community. He was born in North Caro- lina, April 5, 1849, a son of Levi and Edy (Thomas) Rives, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. She came to North Carolina in girlhood, and there they were married and lived on a farm in that state until death claimed them.

The rural district schools of his native state gave Alfred Rives few opportunities to obtain an education, but he attended a subscription school whenever possible. When he was of age he came as far west as Rush County, Ind., and worked as a farm hand for a year, and later was in Hancock County for a few months, then

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IIISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

went to Huntington County, where he remained for two years. Later he went to Grant County, Ind., but after three years, left that state for Illinois and located at Litchfield, where for five years he was a teamster, and then embarked in the concrete business as a contractor. Ile does all kinds of sidewalk, cistern and similar con- crete work.

Mr. Rives was married in North Carolina to Lettice Heath, born in North Carolina, Febru- ary 1. 1841, a daughter of William and Nancy (Worth) Heath, natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Rives became the parents of four children as follows: William, who died at the age of twenty-three years; Sarah, who died at the age of eighteen years; Zeno, who was post- master of Litchfield, married Effie A. Karnes, and they have three children, Margaret A., Helen J., and James A. ; and Perry, who died at the age of thirty-one years. Mr. Rives is a Republican and served as street commissioner for two years. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Mrs. Rives died August 13, 1913, having been a devoted wife and mother and a kind and charitable neighbor. Mr. Rives is a man who lives up to his con- tracts, and has won the confidence and respect of all with whom he has dealings.

ROBERTSON, William E., formerly one of the leading agriculturalists of Butler Grove Town- ship, now deceased, was a man universally respected. He was born in Butler Grove Town- ship September 1. 1873, a son of Michael L. and Julia (Harris) Robertson, the latter being also a native of Butler Grove Township. her father Thomas E. Harris, having been one of the earliest settlers of Butler Grove Township. Michael L. Robertson and his wife located on the 100-acre farm she owned and there they resided. developing the property, until 1898 when they moved to Hillsboro, where she died in 1902. He still lives at Hillsboro.

On March 17, 1897. William E. Robertson was married to Minnie Masters, born at Butler, III., a daughter of Alexander and Josephine (Cassel- berry) Masters, natives of Kentucky and of Belleville, Ill. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Robertson, Perry and Catherine (Berry) Masters, were born in Kentucky, and the mater- nal grandparents were Charles and Louise (Bon- ham) Casselberry. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Robertson continued to live one mile east of Butler on rented land, for three years, and then moved to the Robertson homestead where Mr. Robertson engaged in farming and stockraising, and after his mother died he bought the homestead of 160 acres. Here he (lied October 27, 1914, and in his death his community lost an excellent citizen and good man. He and his wife had the following chil- dren : Floyd A., Josephine N., Lester M., Mildred A. and William E. Since the death of Mr. Robertson. Mrs. Robertson has conducted the farm. raising hogs, eattle and horses and carry- ing on general farming. She attended the grammar and high schools of Butler, and Mr. Robertson also attended these schools. In

polities he was a Republican and he belonged to the Modern Woodmen of Butler. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. A woman of more than usual capability, she is carrying on her business very successfully, and stands very high in her neighborhood.

ROOSEVELT, Ralph M., manager of the Robert Lanyon Zinc and Acid Company of Hillsboro, is one of the aggressive young business men of this section. He was born at Grand Rapids, Mich., February 22, 1881, a son of Sidney H. and Mary (Moross) Roosevelt, natives of Michigan. They had but the one child. Sidney II. Roosevelt was born at Flint, Mich .. April 18, 1848. He was ell- gaged in a hotel business at Big Rapids, and was also interested in other lines. He was mar- ried. on January 7. 1877, to Mary Moross of Saginaw, Mich. His death occurred in 1891, but his widow survives and makes her home at Detroit, Mich. She is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. The paternal grandfather was Wilton Roosevelt, and both he and his wife were born in Michigan. The maternal grandfather was Christopher Moross. The Roosevelt family settled in New York in 1649, the founder being Claes Martensyen Roosevelt, from Holland. Ralph Roosevelt is the last survivor of this branch of the family who came to the West. The Roosevelts of the castern states are very influential, numbering among their number Hon. Theodore Roosevelt. ex-president of the United States. There is a complete record of the fam- ily in the Roosevelt Genealogy, published in 1902 by J. B. Burr & Company, of Hartford, Conn.

Ralph M. Roosevelt attended the high school of Saginaw. Mich., and then entered the Univer- sity of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1902. as a mechanical engineer. Following his graduation he engaged with the Mattheessou & Hogeler Zinc Company, at LaSalle. Ill., leaving there to go with the two sons of Mr. Hegeler. when they formed the Hege- ler Zine Company at Danville, Ill. Later he became superintendent of construction for the United Zinc and Chemical Company at Kansas City, Mo., and subsequently he held the position of assistant superintendent with that company at Iola, Kas. Mr. Roosevelt then became super- intendent of the company's plant at Springfield, Ill .. and held that position until he was made general superintendent of the company's plant at Argentine, Kas. On February 1. 1911, he left the above company to go with William Lanyon, of St. Louis, Mo .. who was the largest individual stockholder in that concern, and for him came to Ilillsboro, and built and operates the plant of the Robert Lanyon Zinc Company, of which he is manager. This concern employs about 300 men, and is one of the largest industries in the county.

On September 7. 1908. Mr. Roosevelt was mar- ried to Miss Florence McDougal. of Kansas City, Mo. They were married at White Oaks, N. M .. at the home of Judge John Y. Hewett, a long time friend of the MeDougal family. The Judge's residence at White Oaks is of adobe and was built by Emerson Hough, the novelist. and

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

about it was centered his charming story, "Heart's Desire." Here the Roosevelts spent their honeymoon. Mrs. Roosevelt is a daughter of Judge H. C. and Emma (Chapdu) McDougal, and she was born at Gallatin, Mo. Her father was born in West Virginia, and her mother at Gallipolis, Ohio. Judge McDougal was one of the ablest jurists in the history of the legal pro- fession in Missouri. Among his personal friends were each of the presidents of the United States from the time of Lincoln. For years he was head of the Missouri Bar Association. Judge McDougal prepared a vastly interesting book of his early recollections shortly before his death, which occurred December 17, 1916, his wife hav- ing passed away on August 6. 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Roosevelt have one daughter, Helen, who was born April 5. 1916. Mr. Roosevelt is a Republican in national politics. but in local affairs prefers to act independently. His experi- ence and training make him a very valuable man in his line, and his ability has been shown ap- preciation by his company.

ROW, John H., a retired farmer, and a horse buyer at Nokomis, and a director of the Noko- mis State Bank, was born February 25, 1848, a son of Peter H. and Sarah L. Row, the former born in Dearborn County, Ind., in 1823, and the latter in the same county. His death occurred in 1905, she having died in 1885. They were the parents of six children, four of whom sur- vive, namely : Charles P., who was born in Indi- ana, March 3. 1842, is unmarried and lives in Nokomis; F. M., who was born in 1844, lives in Sacramento, Cal., and with his brother, Charles P., served during the Civil War as privates of Company G, One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry; Nettie, who is the widow of George Young of Nokomis; and John H.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 103

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 810

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 810