Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 104

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 104

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John H. Row was reared on the family farm in St. Clair County, Ill., and attended the com- mon schools of his neighborhood, remaining at home until he made a trip to California in 1879. For two and one-half years he was a clerk in a grocery store in California, and then returned to Illinois, and went on a farm in Witt Township, Montgomery County. Here he re- mained, engaged in farming and horse buying until 1910, when he moved to Nokomis. In 1914 he helped to organize the Nokomis State Bank, of which J. L. Manning is president ; Charles H. Kerr is vice president; V. C. Singler is cashier, and B. F. Zimmerman is assistant cashier. The board of directors is composed of the following : J. L. Manning, Charles H. Kerr, P. A. Kennedy, O. Brokenhoff, W. D. Webster. J. H. Row, S. A. D. Hall, and William Radeker. Although he has left the farm, Mr. Row is still engaged in buying horses, and is one of the wealthy men of Nokomis. In politics he is a Republican, and was assessor for one term while living in Witt Township. He is descended from one of the old families of the country, and is a highly re- spected resident of Nokomis.

SALLEE, Junius F., M. D., one of the most eminent oculists of the country, with head- quarters at Litchfield, Ill., is a national charac- ter in this science, and one whose success in his special line is phenomenal. He was born at Washington, Ill., July 7, 1869, a son of Wil- lianı A. and Sarah Frances (Jones) Sallee. The father was a jewler in Peoria and Washing- ton, Ill., but in 1892 he came to Litchfield where he continued in the jewelry business until he opened his music store, which he con- tinues to conduct.

Junius F. Sallee attended the public schools of Peoria, the high school of Virden, Ill., and in 1885 took an optical course under J. M. John- son, at Detroit, Mich. Dr. Sallee then located at Mattoon, Ill., and was employed by the Illinois Central Railroad to examine the eyes of the railroad men for different branches of railroad work, and continued there for three years, when he went to Chicago where he took a post-graduate course of two years in the Chicago College of Ophthalmology and Otology. He then began professionally visiting all of the leading county-seats throughout the south- ern part of Illinois, at that time being the only truly scientific man in his line, outside the large cities of the state. In 1895 he located at Litch- field and opened a home office, but his practice extends all over the United States, and he has many times been called on to visit cities through- out the country.

Although already so competent, Dr. Sallee is constantly taking post-graduate courses in scientific sections of the American Optical Asso- ciation, and has attended lectures on the all- atomy, physiology and histology of the eye, and diseases of the retina, given by such great authorities as Dr. Earl J. Brown, Dr. Wall, and Dr. A. J. Cross of Columbia University and Dr. W. B. Needles of Needles Institute of Optometry, Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Sallee fits and manufactures and grinds all kinds of glasses. In 1913 he was elected third vice president of the Illinois State Society of Op- tometrists, and in 1915 was elected first vice president of the society, being subsequently reelected to the same office. He was instru- mental in having the law passed in Illinois requiring those fitting glasses to be examined by the state board of optometrists. In 1898, Dr. Sallee as president, with Dr. A. F. Strange of Bloomington, Ill. as treasurer; H. R. Hen- dricks of Litchfield, Ill., as vice president, and H. M. Sallee, founded the Litchfield Institute. The board of trustees is composed of Junius Strange, A. F. Strange, H. F. Hendricks, and C. A. Higinbottom. The purpose of the institute is to give instruction in the treatment of tlie eye to post graduates by correspondence and classes. Dr. Sallee did a marvelous piece of surgery in making an artificial tace for the victim of an operation for cancer which had destroyed the ball of one of his eyes and a portion of the face, leaving a terrible scar. Although it appears almost incredible, Dr .. Sallee succeeded in making a new eyeball, fill- ing in the place cut out and even put in eye-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

lashes, and so restored the man's face that it looks perfectly natural. He has long advocated the examination of the pupils of the public schools for eye troubles by those who are com- petent to make such an examination.

Dr. Sallee was married in September, 1590, to Eva B. (Clark), born at Waverly, Ill., a daughter of William R. Clark. Dr. and Mrs. Sallee have three children, namely: Iloward M., who lives at Litchfield ; Gordon, who lives at Springfield, Ill .; and Vivian, who is asso- ciated with Dr. Sallee in business. Ile is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, is a Republican, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias.

SAMMONS, James, one of the prosperous land- owners and general farmers of Montgomery County, is engaged in operating bis valuable farming property in Butler Grove Township. He was born in Butler Grove Township, May 26, 1866, a son of Abner and Nancy C. (Kitner) Sammons, natives of Morgan County, Ill., and North Carolina. They lived in Morgan County after their marriage until the winter of 1865-6 when they moved to Butler Grove Township, where both later died.

In 1886 James Sammons was married to Eva Puntney, born in Butler Grove Township, a daugliter of J. N. Puntney, and she died in 1891, leaving no issue. On March 20, 1895, Mr. Sam- mons was married (second) to Mina Masters, a daughter of Martin W. and Ilelen (Jennings) Masters, and they have one son, Augustus, who was born October 26, 1896.

After his first marriage Mr. Sanimons moved · on eiglity acres of unimproved land on Section 17, Butler Grove Township, which he improved. later adding twenty acres to his tarm, and he also owns another tract of fifty-five acres in Butler Grove Township, and forty acres in North Litchfield Township. On all his land he carries on general farming and stockraising. In addition to attending the public schools of his district, he went to Brown's Business College, at Jacksonville, Ill., for two winters. The family attends the Presbyterian Church. In politics Mr. Sammons is a Democrat and served as township assessor for two years. Fraternally lie belongs to Butler Camp, M. W. A. and Litch- field Lodge, B. P. O. E.

SANDERSON, Edward F., one of the responsible men of Litchfield, has long been a resident of this county. He was born in Bond County, Ill., September 4. 1860. a son of Benjamin and Eme- line (McLain) Sanderson, natives of Bond and Montgomery counties, respectively. They set- tled in Bond County after their marriage, and there she died about 1873. Some years prior to his death, the father came to live with his son Edward F., and there passed away in Febru- ary, 1915.

After he was sixteen years old. Edward F. Sanderson lived with a cousin in Bond County, and at times worked for neighboring farmers. In 1855 he came to Montgomery County and be- came engineer of the Litchfield Water Supply

Company, having charge of the Creek Pumping Station. After seven years with this plant he went to Taylor Springs, this county, to assist in opening a coal mine, and was the first person to locate at that point, and helped to lay off the town, buying property there that he has later sold. After two and one-half years he moved to Sorento and spent a year, then, once more came back to Litchfield and for a summer was engaged in housemoving, when he resumed work as an engineer. In October, 1912, he went to Panama, Ill. to look after the repairs on property there for real estate owners, and then he was solicited by the proprietors of the Litchfield water plant to become their engineer and now holds that responsible position.

In 1885 Mr. Sanderson was married to Cale- conia Jolmson of Bond County, Ill., and they had one child. Tracey, who died in infancy. Mrs. Sanderson died in 1889. On May 27, 1903, Mr. Sanderson was married (second) to Laura Frances Bates, born at New Douglas, Ill., a daughter of Joel T. and Nancy S. (MeCaslin) Bates. Mr. and Mrs. Sanderson have had the following children born to them: Lena Mae, who died in infancy ; and Kenneth Edward, Leslie Ernest and Arthur Benjamin. The fam- ily attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Sanderson is a Republlean.

SAWYER, Alfred Augustus Kendall, now de- ceased, but formerly one of the leading eitizens and prominent business men of Hillsboro, is remembered with deep respeet and kindly af- fection by the inany with whom he was assoei- ated during lris life at the county seat. He was born at Boston, Mass .. August 8. 1832. a son of Amos and Juliet (Kendall) Sawyer. When he was ten years old, the family came to Hillsboro, and Amos Sawyer bought a farm one mile south of Hillsboro, on which he put up a beautiful residence which he had shipped to him in see- tions from Boston. There he continued to be engaged in farming, meeting with marked suc- cess. until his death which occurred September 13. 1858. Ilis wife survived him, living until December, 1873.

Growing up at Hillsboro, Alfred Augustus Kendall Sawyer attended school at the Hillsboro academy, and then, going to St. Louis, was under the instruction of Prof. Edward Wyman, also from Boston, who was at the head of a very superior educational institution. Later Mr. Sawyer was engaged in clerking in St. Louis, for a Mr. Gilman, a commission mer- chant. and. having learned the business, he formed a partnership with John O. Mullens, in the same line, with offices at St. Louis and Chi- cago. Mr. Sawyer having charge of the Chicago office. Subsequently. he went to Pana where lie spent a short period. and then returned to Hillsboro, where he established himself in a general merchandise business, and conducted it until within a few years of his demise, when he sold. and devoted himself to caring for his own and his wife's property interests.

On October 7. 1858, Mr. Sawyer was united in marriage with Miss Sarah E. Brewer, a daughter

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

of Judge William and Delilah (Hough) Brewer. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer became the parents of the following children: William, who is deceased ; Amos, Edgar A., Nellie, and Hubert A. In poli- tics Mr. Sawyer was a Republican. All his life he was an active man, and possessing a big- hearted nature, he gave liberally of his money and sympathy to his friends, and was loved by many. A Mason in high standing, he belonged to Mt. Moriah Lodge of Hillsboro. Loving the great out doors, he excelled in manly sports, and was an expert shot and fisherman. Few men were better judges of horses and dogs than he and he owned several of note. In his demise, which occurred October 13, 1905, Hillsboro lost one of its best men in every sense of the word, and in his wide circle of friends was one who could be depended upon to give the best of him- self to others. and never ask more of another than he was willing to bestow. Such men as he are rarely found, and so their loss is more deeply felt.

SAXBY, Robert, one of the heavy property owners of Litchfield. and a man of unusual busi- ness ability, has demonstrated in his career what can be accomplished through persistent and intelligent effort, and the history of his life offers much that is interesting and instructive. He was born in Lincolnshire. England, February 24. 1874. a son of Charles and Susan Saxby, who died when he was an infant. and he was placed in an orphan school. In 1880 William Holmnes adopted him, but on account of ill treatment, when he was eleven years old he ran away and did what he could to support himself at Lincoln. Lincolnshire. England. He roamed about until he was fourteen years old, and did some farm work.

On May 29. 1889, the boy became a stowaway on the White Star Line steamer, Britannic, hop- ing to escape detection, but becoming seasick, he was discovered and put to work earning his passage in the galley at paring potatoes. When it was found that he had uncles in Montgomery County. Ill., he was shipped to them, collect on delivery. being transferred from one conductor to another until he arrived at Litchfield. June 12. 1889. His uncle. Robert Saxby of Shaws Point Township, Macoupin County, took him until December 12. 1890, when he hired out to S. H. Stansifer, on a farm in Zanesville Town- ship, Montgomery County, with whom he remained until June, 1891. At that time he began working by the day on farms, so continu- ing until in January, 1893, when he was em- ployed by the Postal Telegraph Company and went to Ohio by wagon as a teamster. In March. 1894. he returned to Montgomery County, to join his uncle John Saxby, of North Litch- field Township, and rented a farm in that town- ship, and conducted 100 acres there for three years. Later he went to South Litchfield Town- ship where he rented 120 acres of land and farmed it until 1899, when he moved to Litch- field and was employed on the construction of the American Radiator plant. For the subse- quent thirteen years he was engaged in mining,

and invested his earnings in real estate, and now owns considerable real estate in Litchfield, in St. Louis, Mo., and other places where he has found favorable openings. Considering his early difficulties. Mr. Saxby's success is phenomenal, and he is essentially a self-made man, for out- side of the little training given at the orphan school, he is entirely self taught, studying con- siderably through the Scranton Correspondence School, from which he received a certificate as mine manager. Mr. Saxby has a fine law library and has studied enough to enable him to act as his own lawyer. A strong Republican he was the successful candidate of his party for alder- man from the Second Ward in the spring of 1915, was precinct committeeman for two years and takes a deep interest in politics, but will not tolerate anything that is not fair and above board. On April 20. 1917. he was made police magistrate. Fraternally he is a Mason and he also belongs to the United Mine Workers of America. A man of strong personality, he has forged ahead. and not only has attained to material success, but has made and retains the friendship of the best men of his community.

On June 16, 1917. Mr. Saxby was married to Grace M. Epps. of Litchfield, born January 3, 1899.

SCHEFFEL, Frank Julius, now deceased, was for a number of years one of the leading citizens of Litchfield, and a substantial business man. He was born in Saxony, Germany, January 21, 1849, a son of Godfried John and Christina (Brummer) Scheffel, who in 1870 came to Brighton, Ill .. locating on a farm in its vicinity, where they died about twenty years later. While living in Germany the father was a wool buyer, but after coming to this country he devoted himself to farming.

Frank Julius Scheffel attended school in Ger- many and served an apprenticeship to the sausage-making and butchering trade. He was one in the following family born to his parents : Charles E., who lives at East St. Louis, Ill .; Frank Julius ; Ernstina, who is deceased ; Paul, who lives in Macoupin County, Ill .; and Her- man, who lives at Brighton. Ill. After his ar- rival in the United States, Frank Julius Scheffel worked at Alton, Ill., until 1873, and then went to Brighton. Ill., where he resided until 1876. In that year he went to Clinton. Iowa, where he was in a meat business for two years, and after returning to Illinois, he was in a similar business at Medora until 1882, when he sold and came to Litchfield. where he bought a meat market, and conducted this business until his death on January 17. 1909, following which his widow continued the market with the help of her brother for one year, and then sold it to George Low and Otto Swartz. In 1SSO Mr. Scheffel bought 107 acres of land in South Litchfield Township on which both coal and oil were dis- covered. He was a member of the English Lutheran Church. In politics he was a Demo- crat, and fraternally he belonged to the Odd Fellows.

On April 26, 1874, Mr. Scheffel was married

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

at Brighton, Ill., to Mary Thole, born at Brighton, a daughter of John and Christina (Lippold) Thole, he born in Hanover, and she in Saxony, Germany. They were married at Alton, Ill., where he carried on cabinetmaking and they lived at Brighton, 111., for forty-five years. His family was the only German one there in 1854, and the third one to locate there, Mrs. Scheffel being the first white child born at Brighton. She used to walk three miles to attend school during her girlhood, and was glad to have the opportunity. At that time the Chicago and Alton Railroad was in process of construction. Mrs. Thole died there in 1876, and Mr. Thole later married again and moved to Holland, Mich, where he died in 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Scheffel had the following children : Walter, who lives at Litchfield; Louise, who is Mrs. Roy Stark of St. Louis, Mo .; Harry, who lives with his mother; and Natalia Dolly, who is a clerk in Cline's store at Litchfield.

SCHLUCKEBIER, William F., one of the enter- prising farmers of East Fork Township, and a man who is widely known and universally respected, was born on the family homestead which he now owns. May 21, 1871, a son of Christian and Fredricka (Ortmeyer) Schlucke- bier, natives of Germany who came to the United States. The father was born in Waldeck, Prus- sia, Germany, February 22, 1829, and died May 15, 1913. Landing at St. Louis, Mo. in 1857, for the succeeding ten years he was engaged in farming in its vicinity, and elsewhere for the subsequent nine years, and then in 1870 he bought the farm now owned by his son William F., and here he spent the balance of his life. When he reached this country he had three dollars, and when he died he owned 560 acres of land, making everything himself. A hard work- ing man, he saved his money and invested it wisely, and lived to be wealthy. The Lutheran Church held his membership, and he was a Republican in politics. By his first marriage he had two children, namely : William F., and Mary F., who married Allen Edwards, and they live in East Fork Township. The father was married (second) in 1874 to Dortha Hazelmyer, who was born in Germany. and they had one ehild, Julia, who was the wife of Omar Cooper, but she is now deceased.

William F. Schluckebier was reared on his father's farm. and attended the Donnellson schools. On February 13, 189S, he was married to Louise Heckel who was born in Grisham Township, October 27, 1868, and after she had completed her school course at Prospect, Ill., she taught school three or four terms in Grisham Township. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Schluckebier rented his family homestead, and later bought it and now owns it and additional land, amounting in all to 890 acres, in East Fork and Grisham townships, and some in Bond County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Schluckebier have six children, namely : Nellie M., Charles C., Minnie A .. Mary L., Grace C. and Jacob W. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church, and Mr.

Schluckebier contributes liberally toward its support. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as a school director. In his farming he breeds Shorthorn cattle and other stock. In addition to his other interests he is a stock- holder in the Hillsboro National Bank at Hills- boro, Ill., and also the Taylor Springs Bank.

SCHRAM, Alexander Lumson .- One of the most important industries of Montgomery County is the immense plant of the Schram Glass Man- facturing Company at Hillsboro, of which A. L. Schram is general superintendent and vice pres- ident. lIe is a man of wide experience in the manufacturing line, and the present enterprise has been largely developed through his energy and business capacity. In 1906 Mr. Schram came from St. Louis, Mo., with his associates to IIills- boro, and built a plant for the manufacture of his fruit jar caps, and the business was carried on here until 1913 under the name of the Schram Automatie Sealer Company. In that year new capital came in and the business was incor- porated and with it came a change of name and change of product. It is now known as the Schram Glass Manufacturing Company and the output is general glassware. The company oper- ates two plants, one at Hillsboro, and the other at Sapulpa. Okla., the former covering eight acres and the latter six acres. In each plant cinployment is afforded 300 people and there is no limit to the trade territory. With a capital stock of $1.000.000 and not a penny of debt, it can easily be understood what a valuable and important enterprise this is. The officers are : Leo A. Decy, of St. Louis, Mo., president ; A. L. Schram, of Hillsboro, vice president and general superintendent ; Engene Drey, secretary ; and D. Sommers, of St. Louis, and C. B. Sommers, of Indianapolis, Ind., additional directors.

SEDENTOP, Dennis F., one of the prosperous citizens and prominent farmers and stockraisers of Montgomery County, resides on Section 33. Bois D'Arc Township, and has won the right to be considered a capable agriculturalist through his own industrious and persevering efforts. He was born in Zanesville Township. Montgomery County. March 19. 1864, a son of Lewis and Hannah (Leonard) Sedentop. Lewis Sedentop was born in Brunswick, Germany, May 4. 1835, and his wife was born in Ireland, and came to the United States when she was twelve years old. he being fifteen when he arrived in this country, both making the trip across the Atlantic on sailing vessels which consumed many weeks in the passage. He came to Bois D'Arc Township and worked for $5 per month at first, receiving larger amounts as he grew older, so continuing until his marriage, when he bought eighty acres of land near Zanesville. Later he bought 320 acres, a portion of which is now occupied by the village of Farmersville, and on that farm he spent the remainder of his life, dying in January, 1916. Both he and his wife were members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. In politics he was a Democrat, but

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

not active in dis party, and he never desired office. The parents had eight children, seven of whom survive, namely : Mary J., who is the wife of C. B. Clark, of Kansas; Josephine, who lives with her mother; Dennis F .; William A., who is a farmer of Farmersville, Ill .; Dora, who is the wife of Charles Gettle, of Springfield, Ill. ; Catherine, who is the wife of Hiram Young, of Taylorville, Ill .; Margaret, who is the wife of Gus Heimessey, of Chicago.

Dennis F. Sedentop was reared on the home- stead and attended the local schools, working for his father until he was twenty-seven years old. In November, 1891, he was married to Mary Dufmer of Nilwood Township, Macoupin County, Ill., and they became the parents of the following children : Opal, who is a graduate of the Farmersville High school and of the Ursu- line Convent at Springfield, Ill .; Ladonna, who is a graduate of the Farmersville High school, is now attending school at Springfield; Nora ; Alice M., and two who. are deceased. The chil- dren all belong to the Catholic Church, and Mr. Sedentop is a trustee of St. Mary's Church. He was one of the organizers and an original director of the First National Bank of Farmers- ville. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Seden- top owns 240 acres of land, 160 acres of which he acquired through his own efforts. He is a breeder of Oxford sheep, Percheron horses, Hereford cattle, and Poland-China hogs. In addition to his rural estate, Mr. Sedentop owns two brick business buildings and other Farmers- ville property. He was the sole administrator of his father's estate, without bond, which is estimated at $100,000. A man of untiring in- dustry, he has used his natural capabilities to good purpose, and is one of the substantial and highly respected men of his locality.

SEWARD, Stephen O., a prosperous farmer liv- ing on Section 21, Raymond Township, is also one of the substantial stock men of Montgomery County. He was born in this township, January 23, 187S, a son of John B. and Eliza (Briggs) Seward. His father was born on Section 20, Raymond Township, January 23, 1849, and his mother was born in 1852, in North Litchfield Township. They were married in North Litch- field Township, in 1871, and settled on the farm which continued to be their home until the death of the father. in 1894. The mother survives and lives at Raymond, Ill. In politics the father was a Republican. At one time he was elected supervisor from a strong Democratic section, his personal popularity causing him to run ahead of his ticket. Fraternally he belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America. John B. Seward and wife had three children, namely : Lucy A., who is the wife of John Foster of Raymond Township; Maria P., who is the wife of N. E. Doyle of Raymond, Ill .; and Stephen O.

Stephen O. Seward was reared on the farm which has been his home all his life, and he attended the schools of his district. In 1899 he was married to Blanche Harmon, a daughter of Dr. P. J. Harmon, a sketch of whom appears

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 104

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