Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 109

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

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TESTER, George E .- The education of the gen- eral public with reference to the desirability and necessity of insurance has drawn to this business some of the most capable men of the country and one who is finding in this line a proper ex- pression for his personality is George E. Tester ot Litchfield. He was born in Irving Township, this county, March 26, 1877, a son of Joseph and Susan (Carriker) Tester, natives of New Jer- sey and Irving Township, respectively. The grandparents were John Tester of England, and John and Mary Carriker of North Carolina. The latter drove a one-horse wagon from North Carolina to Montgomery County in 1842, and upon their arrival located in Irving Township. The father reached Chicago on his way to Mont- gomery County from New Jersey and there enlisted in 1864, for service during the Civil War, in Company C. One Hundred and Forty- seventhi Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. His marriage took place in Irving Township, and he located on the farm where he continues to live, immediately afterwards. There the mother died November 15. 1911. Their children were as follows : Willis who lives at Irving, Ill. : Ella, who is Mrs. A. E. Mowery of Morrill, Neb .; and George E.

After attending the schools of his district, George E. Tester entered the high school of Irving from which he was graduated in 1895. Until 1891 his energies found employment on

the farm, but in that year the father sold it and moved to Irving to give his children better edu- cational advantages, When he was twenty-three years old, George E. Tester moved to Hillsboro, and was turnkey at the jail under Sheriff John Miller for four years. Later he went to Staun- ton. Ill., and was a conductor on the I. T. S. Railroad until February, 1911, when he came to Litchfield and went into a general insurance business with John W. Rae, and this connection still continues.

In May, 1909, Mr. Tester was married to Ethel W. Wikoff, who was born in Hillsboro Township, a daughter of B. M. and Lewtita (Youell) Wikoff, the former born September 4, 1839, and the latter September 10. 1842, and both in Montgomery County. Ill. Mr. Tester is a Democrat. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and has served as a trustee since 1914. His fraternal connections are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Masons, he having risen to the Chapter of the latter order.

THACKER, W. Preston, superintendent of the public schools of Nokomis, is one of the scholarly men of this part of the state and one who holds the confidence of the people of his community, as well as the respect and affection of the pupils under his able charge. He was born in East Fork Township, this county, July 21, 1867, a son of T. A. and Sarah R. (McCaslin) Thacker. The father of W. Preston Thacker was a native of Kentucky and came to Bond County, Ill., with his parents in 1827, when he was two years old. Later he came to East Fork Township, Mont- gomery County, where his death occurred in 1897, when he was seventy-two years old. By trade he was a blacksmith and was also a farmer. The mother died in Donnellson, Ill., when about eighty years old. She and her hus- band had eight sons and three daughters. W. Preston Thacker is a twin brother of Dr. H. H. Thacker of Brazil, Ind.

Reared in East Fork Township, W. Preston Thacker there attended the public schools, later taking a course at Dixon College, Dixon. Ill .. from which he was graduated with the degrees of B. S. and M. S. During this period he taught school at intervals. and following his graduation he resumed his duties as instructor, being sta- tioned in Montgomery County continuously with the exception of three years when he taught in Marion County, Ill. Mr. Thacker at one time took a course in the Bradley Horological and Optical school at Peoria, Ill., and then organized a jewelry and optical business at Nokomis that he conducted for a time, but found that his incli- nations led him back to the schoolroom, and in the fall of 1914 he accepted the position of super- intendent of the public schools of Nokomis, and still holds it to the satisfaction of all. In poli- tics Mr. Thacker is a Republican and he served as president of the school board for two years. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. For some years he has been an active worker in the Presbyterian Church, and exerts a marked influence for good wherever occasion gives him opportunity.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

THOMAS, George H., a prosperous farmer living

Joseph E. Thomas was reared in his native in Raymond Township, not far from the city of . township and there attended the district schools. Raymond, is one of the representative men of As his father died in 1880, the burden of the farm work and that of keeping the family to- gether. fell upon his shoulders, although he was then only sixteen years old. Later he rented land in different sections for sixteen years before he made his initial purchase of forty acres. now included in his present farm. He gradually added to his holdings until he now has 124 acres. Mr. Thomas is specializing on a good grade of Holstein cattle, and his bulls are registered stock. Montgomery County. He was born in Zanes- ville Township, this county. September 25. 1863, a son of Prior and Sarah (Fite) Thomas, both of whom came to Montgomery County from Tennessee. becoming farmers of Zanesville Township, where they continued to reside until their death, he passing away in 1SS0. and she in 1874. He was a church member. They had seven children, four of whom survive. namely: Joseph E., who is a farmer of Pitman Township : George H .: William O., who lives in Montgomery County : and Prior Thomas, who is a farmer of Zanesville Township.

George H. Thomas was reared in Montgomery County where he attended the common schools. When he was seventeen years old. he began working for himself on farms by the month. and when he was twenty-one years old. he rented land and had his sister keep house for him until he was married. Mr. Thomas con- tinued to live on rented land in Zanesville Town- ship until 1900. when he bought eighty acres of land in Harvel Township, but sold it in 1903. and in 1904 purchased 160 acres in Raymond Township where he has since resided. This farm is a very valuable one, worth at least $175 per acre, and in addition to it. Mr. Thomas is a stockholder and director of the Farmers Grain and Supply Company of Raymond.

On March 18. 1886. Mr. Thomas was married to Maggie A. Mitchell, born in Illinois, whose parents took her to Missouri, where she was reared and married. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have had the following children: Clyde, who was a student of the Raymond High school. is at home : Velma, who is attending the Raymond gram- mar school : and Samuel A .. Sarah A .. an un- named infant and Ella E., all of whom are deceased. In politics Mr. Thomas is a Democrat, and he has served as a highway commissioner. When he was married Mr. Thomas had $600 to $700 he had earned himself, and he continued his thrifty habits, so that today he is a prosper- ous man. While he has been successful in a material sense. he has also won and retains the respect and confidence of his associates.

THOMAS, Joseph E., one of the successful farmers of Pitman Township, owns and operates 124 acres of land on Section 23. He was born in Zanesville Township. Montgomery County, Ill .. November 26. 1861. a son of Pryor and Sarah (Fite) Thomas. Pryor Thomas was born in Macoupin County. Ill .. his parents having come to that section from Tennessee at an early day. and there he grew to young manhood. Mrs. Thomas was born in Zanesville Township. and was there reared and married, and she and her husband located on a farm in that section and there spent the remainder of their lives. passing away on their farm. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four survive: Joseph E. : George H .. who lives in Raymond Township ; William Oscar, who lives in Kansas; and Pryor, who lives in Zanesville Township.

On November 15. 1883. Mr. Thomas was mar- mied to Sophronia E. Piggott. a daughter of John M. and Margaret Piggott. Mrs. Thomas was born in Zanesville Township, July 4. 1862. and her father was born in Jersey County and her mother in Macoupin County. Ill., both com- ing of Kentucky stock. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas became the parents of six children. five of whom survive : Flora Bessie, who was born August 28, 1SS4. married Archibald Hisey, and died August 25, 1907; Mary Edna, who was born March 26. 1SS6. is engaged in teaching the Brush Creek school in Montgomery County: Jennie May, who was born August 21. 1887. is at home; Margaret E., who was born December 18. 1SSS. is at home ; William Harold, who was born January 18. 1904: and Joseph Frederick, who was born December 27. 1909. Mr. Thomas is a Democrat. and has served on the school board. Fraternally he belongs to the Waggoner Camp. M. W. A. The Waggoner Christian Church holds his men- bership, and he is a deacon and very active in its good work.

THOMPSON, Edwin L .- Within the past few years the more intelligent agriculturalists of Montgomery County. as elsewhere, have come to appreciate the valne of fruit growing. and some of the more progressive are specializing in this important branch of farm life. One of the best known of these men is Edwin L. Thompson, of Hillsboro, whose experiments and operations in fruit growing are watched with interest and followed by those who appreciate their value.

Edwin L. Thompson was born in Owensboro. Ky .. February 5. 1873. a son of Jacob L. and Sarah C. (Wright) Thompson, natives of Ken- tucky. His boyhood and early youth were spent on a farm and he was sent to the schools of his neighborhood. where lic obtained an excellent educational training. that he later supplemented by close observation and contact with men. His interest in the public schools was fostered by the years he spent in the school- room as an instructor, his practical training for this important work being gained in the Indiana University. In 1906 Mr. Thompson began experimenting with fruit growing with such favorable results that in 1907 he left his profession of teaching in order to devote all of his time to his new calling. His property is located in Hillsboro Township, where he has eighteen acres. and Mrs. Thompson owns 120 acres on Sections 30 and 31 in Hillsboro Town- ship.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Mr. Thompson was married in Litchfield, August 8, 1900. to Eva Atterbury, born August 26. 1878, in Hillsboro Township and they have the following children : Marianne W., Edwin J .. Mildred C., Mahlon A., Wilbur W., Galey LaRue, Clara E., and William E.

TODT, Frank A., a prosperous farmer, and man- ager of the Farmers Grain and Supply Company at Raymond, is one of the substantial men of Montgomery County. He was born in Macoupin County. III .. January 12, 1864, a son of John and Mariah (Poggenpohl) Todt. The father was born in Germany, and the mother in the same country. Coming to the United States at the age of seventeen years, the father settled in Jersey County, III., while she came here when nineteen years old, and located north of Ray- mond, Ill. They were married at Alton, Ill., and he then bought a small tract of land in the lum- ber regions of Macoupin County, and on it they began their wedded lite, living on this property for eight years, when they sold it and moved to Ilarvel Township, and from the spring of 1861 until their death, they made that section their home. The father was active in local politics. becoming supervisor of his township, and was postmaster at Herndon for several years, being a staunch Democrat. He was a member of the Raymond Catholic Church. The parents had eight children, three of whom are still living. namely : II. J., who is a farmer and is supervisor of Harvel Township; Margaret, who is the wife of John Long of Harvel Township; and Frank 1.

Frank A. Todt was reared on his father's homestead in Harvel Township, and at the same time he attended the country schools. After attaining his majority. he began farming on his own account, and now owns 320 acres of land. which is in prime condition. In addition to managing the Farmers Grain and Supply Com- pany at Raymond. he is a stockholder in the Raymond State Bank. and a man of consequence in his community.

In 1887 Mr. Todt was married to Elnora Langen. who died February 17. 1905, having borne him five children. namely : Elizabeth, who is the wife of A. H. Waitckamp of Santiago. Cal. ; Elnora, who married J. J. Brunkamp of Colby, Kan. ; Mary F., who is the wife of George Scelboch of Zanesville Township; and Raymond and Agnes who are at home. On November 28, 1906. Mr. Todt was married (second) to Alice Curan, and they have the following children : Bernard. Lauretta. Francis. Claude, Ursula. Margaret and Joseph. Mr. Todt is a member of St. Raymond's Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat, but he has not had the time to spare to enter public life to any extent. A sound Isiness man and excellent manager. he has made a success of his life, and stands well in his community.

TODT, Herman J., a prosperous farmer and twice supervisor of Harvel Township, is one of the representative men of Montgomery County. IIe was born at Shipman, Ill., November 1, 1859,

a son of John H. and May A. (Poggenpohl) Todt. John H. Todt was born on October 21, 1835, in Germany, and the mother, also a native of Germany, was born in 1836. He was seven- teen years old when he landed in the United States, and she was nineteen. They were mar- ried in Montgomery County, but afterwards located on a tam in Macoupin County, where they lived until 1865, in which year he bought a farm in Harvel Township. The father held all of the leading township offices and was a prom- inent man in many ways. A member of the Catholic Church, he was active in its work. Eight children were born to him and his wife. four of whom survive, namely: Herman J .; Margaret, who is the wife of John Langen of Harvel Township; Frank A., who lives in Ray- mond Township; and Elizabeth B., who married William Langen.

Herman J. Todt was six years old when his parents brought him to Harvel Township, and here he was reared and attended the schools in this neighborhood. He was twenty-one years old when he began work on his own account, on a portion of his father's homestead comprising 160 acres, and has been very successful. On September 27, 1882, Mr. Todt married Mary B. Langen, a daughter of Theodore and Elizabeth Langen, who was born in Christian County, Ill., March 8, 1864, and there attended school. Mr. and Mrs. Todt moved on their present farm and built their beautiful home in May 1905. They have five sons and one daughter. namely : John T., who is a farmer of Harvel Township; Will II., who is a graduate of St. Francis College of Quincy. Ill .. is in a grain business at Litchfield : Fler H., who is a farmer of Harvel Township; Mary E., who married A. McLean, cashier of the First National Bank of Morrisonville, Ill. ; Clarence F., who is in the United States Army ; and Lawrence J., who is at home. They all belong to the Catholic Church. Mr. Todt is a Democrat, and has held all of the important offices of his township, and was first elected supervisor in April, 1913, and reelected in 1915. He owns SSO acres of land, all in Harvel Town- ship, and raises a good grade of stock. A man of importance, he has earned his wealth and standing through his own efforts, and is very popular.

TRAYLOR, Lew R., superintendent of the Cof- feen public schools, and a man of unusual execu- tive ability as well as scholarly attainments, is one of the noted educators of Montgomery County. He was born in East Fork Township. March 4, 1879. a son of Jacob L. and Mary F. (Hicks) Traylor. The parents had eight chil- dren. seven of whom are living, namely : Lyman, who is in the employ of the Coffeen Coal Com- pany ; Jessie, who is the wife of E. A. Thomp- son, an electrician of Coffeen; Alma, who is a graduate of the Coffeen High school and Normal Training school. is a teacher in the Coffeen pub- lie schools; Ruth, who is the wife of Lyndon McDavid ; Paul, who is a printer of Coffeen. Ill. ; Blanche, who is a senior attending high school; and Lew R.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Lew R. Traylor was reared in the village of Coffeen, and studied in the grammar schools of . that place, and was in the first graduating class of the high school, which completed the conrse in 1897. He then attended Normal school for two years, when he entered the East Lynn, (111.) State Normal School at Charleston, Ill., and took np a number of studies at the University of Chicago. In order to perfect himself, Prof. Traylor tanght school in order to earn the money to pay his tuition, setting a commend- able example, and became an educator in the Coffeen High school. His work in this connec- tion was of such a nature as to recommend him to the school board as the logical candidate for superintendent of the schools. he being appointed as such in 1912, and has continued to fill that important position. Under him the schools have been raised in standard. and the quality of the work, as well as its quantity, been very materi- ally improved.

Prof. Traylor was married to Beulah Edwards, a danghter of O. M. Edwards, of Sorento, Ill. Mrs. Traylor attended the public schools of New Donglas. Ill. Prof. and Mrs. Traylor have had five children. fonr of whom survive, namely : Winston. Lowell, Joel. and Marian. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Prof. Traylor belongs to Donnellson Lodge No. 255. A. F. & A. M., the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a Democrat in his political views, but has never accepted any but an educa- tional office. For three years he was editor of the Montgomery Democrat. and was for a time associate editor of the Montgomery County News, and was also editor of the Ramsey News- Journal for a short time, but his interests have centered in his educational work, and the people are fortunate in having him in charge of the schools of Coffeen.

TURNER, Pryor L., one of the most prosperons farmers of Montgomery County, owns and operates a fine farm on Section 10. Hillsboro Township. He was born two miles south of Hillsboro. November 27. 1848. a son of McKinzie and Melissa (Bennett) Turner. natives of Tennessee and Massachusetts. They had six children : Pryor L .: Jennie, who is the wife of John Short, of Witt. III .: Mary, who is the wife of Charles Tobin. of Fresno. Cal. : Ella, who is the wife of Harry Dickey. of South Bend. Ind .: Sylvia, who is deceased, was the wife of William Short ; and Agnes, who died in infancy. The father was a carpenter and farmer. and came to this connty when a young man, settling on a farm on the present site of Taylor Springs, Ill., and there he died in 1869, when sixty-five years old. The mother died a few years later. Both were Methodists. He was in the Black Hawk War, and served Montgomery County one term as deputy sheriff, and one term as sheriff. He was twice married. his first wife having been Rachel Warden, and they had five children, namely : William, John. Henry and James : and a daughter. Martha, who died in infancy.

Pryor L. Turner was reared on his father's

farm. and lived at home until he was a grown man. He attended the district schools, and also the Hillsboro Academy, and then bonght a part of his father's farm, and operated it until he sold it at the time Taylor Springs was organized. At that time he purchased 205 acres on Section 10, where he now lives. and has added thirty-four acres. This farm is one of the finest in the Township and is well improved in every particular.

On December 24, 1879. Mr. Turner was mar- ried to Miss Jessie Barry, a daughter of Smith Barry. Mrs. Turner died in 1882, leaving one son. Hubert, who is a teacher in the electrical department of the University of Minnesota. He was married to Jessie Baldwin. of his exact age, and it is a peculiar fact that their fathers were just of the same age. Hubert Turner and his wife have two children, namely : Elizabeth and Richard. On January 19, 1885, Mr. Turner was married (second) to Miss Minnie Cress, a daughter of Alvin and Mary (Weaver) Cress, and they have two children: Norma, who is a teacher in the public schools at Hillsboro: and Harland, who is at home. Mrs. Turner was born two miles north of Hillsboro, and has always lived in this county. Her parents were natives of Montgomery County and Kentucky. Her father survives, and lives on his homestead north of Hillsboro, but her mother died in 1912. They had five children : Minnie, Benjamin. Eva. Mamie. and Walter.

Mr. Turner is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. Turner belongs to the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat. and served several terms as a school director. Although not connected with any fraternal organization. his father was a Master Mason. Mr. Turner is rightly numbered among the wealthy men of this section, and his abilities are snch that he is able to add to his possession by fortunate invest- ments and the profitable working of his proper- ties. Such a man as he sets a good example to others of industry and thrift, and his success ought to encourage them to do likewise.

TUTTLE, Henry Gardner, now deceased, was not only one of the dependable business men of Litchfield. but also a leading agriculturalist of North Litchfield Township. and a man of solid virtnes and high principles. He was born at Bradford. Pa .. January 10. 1848, a son of Nathan and Sarah (Gardner) Tuttle. The parents came to Litchfield in 1860, and there the father engaged in shoemaking.

Henry Gardner Tuttle attended the public schools in Pennsylvania and Illinois until he enlisted for service during the Civil War, when only sixteen years of age. September 3. 1864. in Company E. Fourth Missonri Volunteer Infan- try, and was discharged Jnly 11. 1865. After returning to Litchfield, he worked with his father at shoemaking. and subsequently estab- lished the business known as the Parlor Store. and dealt in high class boots and shoes. Later on in life he was engaged in conducting his farm of 100 acres in North Litchfield Township, but always retained his residence at Litchfield.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

On November, 28. 1871, Mr. Tuttle was mar- ried to Ann Virginia Keller, born in Macoupin County. Ill., and they had the following chil- dren : Olivia B., who is Mrs. A. B. Palmer of North Litchfield Township; Frank N., who lives at Omaha, Neb; is in the shoe business; Henry S., who lives in Montgomery County ; Mary A., who is Mrs. Walter Colby, of Skull Valley, Ariz .: Emma, who is the widow of Thomas McReynolds, of Zanesville Township; Anna, who died in June, 1915 was Mrs. Joseph Kneiry, ot Hillsboro, Ill .; Ruth, who is Mrs. George M. Fanght, of St. Louis, Mo; and Mar- cus L., who lives in Montgomery County. The first Mrs. Tuttle died November 26, 1901. On January 6. 1906, Mr. Tuttle was married (sec- ond) to Elizabeth Ann Palmer, a daughter of Winfield Scott and Sarah Catherine (Burnet) Palmer, natives of Todd County. Ky .. and Newark. N. J., respectively. Mrs. Tuttle attended the common schools. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Since the death of Mr. Tuttle, which occurred August 24, 1913. Mrs. Tuttle has continued to live in the old home at Litchfield. Mr. Tuttle was a Repub- lican and was quite active in his party and served one term as mayor of Litchfield. His fraternal relations were with the Modern Wood- men of America, and he also belonged to the G. A. R. During all of his career he lived up to what he believed to be his duty and com- manded the confidence and respect of all who knew him.

UHLENHOP, Christ, one of the enterprising farmers of North Litchfield, takes a pride in keeping his premises up to standard in every respect. He was born in Hanover, Germany, September 13, 1849, a son of Rudolph and Min- nie Uhlenhop, who both died in Germany. In 1870 Christ Uhlenhop came to Freeport, Ill., and worked for farmers for a year, and then went to Riley, Kas., where he homesteaded. Leaving that state, lie spent three years at St. Louis, Mo., as a driver of private carriages and other conveyances, and then came to Litchfield, Ill., where for a year he was employed in the car shops. He then rented land in North Litchfield Township for cighteen years when he bought forty acres of land, to which he later added forty acres, all of which was unimproved. He has put up modern buildings and placed the land under cultivation, and carries on general farm- ing having now a very valuable property.

On February 8, 1876, Mr. Uhlenhop was mar- ried to Martha Volck, born at Martinsburg, Va .. a daughter of Peter and Barbara Volck, born in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Chlenhop became the parents of the following children : Mary, who is Mrs. Howard Garrick of Litchfield, Ill. has two children. Paul and Rachel: William, who lives at Litchfield married Lena Davis and they have two children: Burnett and Jerald; Joseph, who lives at Hillsboro, Ill., married Nellie Brokaw and they have four children : Henry. Reba. Marian and Isabelle ; Henry, who lives at Litch- field married Lola Sammons, and they have one son, Paul; and Margarct, who is the wife of

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 109

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