USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II > Part 111
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the war he returned to Hillsboro, and continued in practice until 1887, when he returned to Little Rock Ark., and lived there until 1893. At that time he came back to Hillsboro, and here died September 30, 1893. The mother survived. dying at the home of her son, Seth E. Washburn. June 24, 1904. The children of these parents were as follows: Seth E. the only survivor ; and Edward B., William Edward, Daniel W. and John B.
Seth E. Washburn attended the common sehools and Hillsboro Academy, and took eight- een months at Jacksonville College. Jackson- ville. Ill. In Mav. 1864, he enlisted for service during the Civil War. in the One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. and served for three months, when he was honorably discharged. He was then employed by the gov- ernment in the quartermaster's department as clerk at Little Rock, Ark., and during his army service he was an orderly. Returning then to Hillsboro. he worked on a farm by the month until 1867. when he went to Arlington. Mo .. where he hauled freight from the terminal of the Southern Pacific, now the Frisco Railroad. including lumber for all the depots located he- tween Arlington and Pierce City, Mo. In 1870 le once more returned to Hillsboro, from whence he went to Washington County. Ill., and for eighteen months operated a flour mill in partner- ship with another man. Severing those con-
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nections, he went with a team to Council Grove, Kas .. where he was engaged in farming for three years, and upon his return to Montgomery County. he was engaged for a year in teaming. Mr. Washburn then worked on a farm for one summer, when he engaged in farming for him- self and in 1876 bought eighty-six acres of land, which he improved and added to it until he now owns 160 acres of land, all well improved. Until February. 1911. he continued to operate his land, but then rented it and moved to Hillsboro, where he bought a centrally located residence, and here he has since made liis home. In 1912 he was elected constable, and has held that office ever since. A Republican, he has served as school director and trustee, road commissioner of Irving Township and assessor. The Modern Woodmen of America hold his membership and he has acted as advisor of that order. Mr. Wash- burn has been commander of the local G. A. R. Post. and he has been its adjutant since 1914.
On November 3. 1874, Mr. Washburn was married to Josephine M. Richmond. born March s. 1850. a dangliter of William and Mary (Doty) Richmond, natives of Ohio, who lived in Fill- inore Township, where Mrs. Washburn was born. Mr. and Mrs. Washburn became the parents of the following children : Ruth, who was born September 16. 1875. died Angust 28, 1876 ; Hattie Eliza, who was born July 25, 1877. is Mrs. J. B. Turner. Jr .. of Butler Grove Township : William Bancroft, who was born February 18. 1882, died at Hillsboro. September 2, 1917. Mrs. Washburn lied September 12, 1915.
WEAVER, Alson F., now living at Nokomis, was at one time one of the leading farmers of Nokomis Township, and still owns 500 acres of land there. He was born on a farm in Madison County. Ill., September 8, 183S. a son of John and Anna Maria (Handschey) Weaver, the for- mer of whom was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, but came to Madison County, Ill. in 1834, and in 1836 was married. his wife being a native of Westmoreland County, Pa. She was nearly eiglity years old when she died. Early in 1900 John Weaver came to Nokomis, and here died when ninety-olle years old. He and wife had two children, of whom Alson F. was the elder, a dangliter dying in infancy.
Reared in Madison County, Alson F. Wearer remained on his father's farm until his enlist- ment for service during the Civil War, on August 9. 1862. in Company D. One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years. becoming a sergeant, and took part in several large battles as well as many skirmishes. After his honorable discharge. Mr. Weaver returned to his old home in Madison County, and on January 25. 1866, he was mar- ried to Martha A. Dunn, who was born in Ohio where she was reared. She died at Nokomis. March 22, 1910. when sixty-eight years old. She and her husband had eight children. as follows : Lorena, who is the wife of G. W. Churchill of Chicago : Edward, who died in infancy : Winona. who is the wife of Clifford Wells of Springfield, Ill .; Claudia, who died in infancy ; Dunn W.,
who lives in Marshall County, Ind .; Hattie O., who is at home; Earl, who lives at Mt. Auburn, Ill. ; and Harry E., who is a farmer and lives at home.
Mr. Weaver is better educated than many of his fellow townsmen for he not only attended the local schools of Madison County, but entered the Ohio Wesleyan University when ineteen years old, and took a two-year course. In March. 186S, he came to Montgomery County, and located in Nokomis Township, where he lived until 1SS1, in which year he moved to Noko- mis, and has since made this city his home. Always identified with the Democratic party, he has been selected as its candidate for a nnm- ber of offices. and was elected supervisor of Nokomis Township, and highway commissioner, and otherwise has made himself nseful as a citi- zen, especially in educational matters. having been on the school board for many years both in Madison and Montgomery connties, making a consecutive service of thirty years. Since boy- hood he has attended the Methodist Church, and is now serving the Nokomis church of this denomination as trustee. He still owns 500 acres of valuable land in Nokomis Township, and otherwise is a man of ample means. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, and he is now serving as commander of Nokomis Post No. 236, G. A. R. Having done his full duty all his life. he is entitled to the comfort lie is now enjoying and also to the confidence he inspires among those who know and appreciate him.
WEBER, August, a retired business man of Nokomis, who formerly was quite an important figure in the commercial life of Montgomery County, was born in Hanover, Germany. Novem- ber 1, 1852. a son of Frank William and Caro- line (Casper) Weber, both born and reared in Hanover. Germany. The father was a tailor by trade. When their son August was about one year old. the parents left Hanover. Germany for the United States. landing in New Orleans about Christmas, 1853. They came on the first steamer running after the new year up the Mississippi River to St. Lonis. Mo., where they remained for three years, and there the father worked at his trade. The family then moved to Marine. Madison County, Ill., and the father continned working as a tailor until the spring of 1865 when he moved to Butler, Montgomery County, Ill., and there died.
August Weber lived at Butler from 1865 to 1876, at which time he came to Nokomis, and was interested in several lines of business until 1900. when he retired and then spent two years at Los Angeles, Cal. Returning to Nokomis in 1903. he has made this city his home ever since. In June. 1SS7. he was married to Lena Ammons. her parents being of German descent. She was born in Macoupin County. Ill. They are members of the Presbyterian Church of Nokomis, in which he has served as deacon and elder, and lie is now superintendent of the Sunday school. In politics lie is a Republican, and for the past four years has served as city treasurer, and for two terms was a member of the city council.
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Mr. Weber is a member of the board of directors of the Nokomis Building Association at Nokomis, and is first vice president of the Farmers National Bank, aud a member of its board of (lirectors. A man of sound judgment and un- blemisbed integrity, he has long held the con- fidence and respect of his associates.
WEBSTER, George Henry, formerly associate editor of the Free Press Gazette at Nokomis, was long one of the broad-minded journalists of Montgomery County, and one whose influence was a factor in deciding matters of public mno- inent in this section. He was born near Rock- ford, Winnebago County, Ill., September 13, 1852, and died at his home in Nokomis, August 29, 1917. He was a son of William and Olive (Smith) Webster, the former, born in England and the latter at Shelbyville, Ind. When he was fourteen years old William Webster came to America with his parents and settled at Shelby- ville, Ind., where he was married in 1849 to Olive Smith. In 1851 he moved to Rockford. INl., and afterward to Iowa, but in 1861 returned to Illinois, settling at Bethalto, in Madison County. In 1862 he enlisted for service during the Civil War in the Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and served until peace was declared, when he returned to Madison County. A year later, in 1866, he moved to Montgomery County.
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George Henry Webster was educated in the country schools of Montgomery County and in MeKendree College, where he took a short course. From the time he was thirteen years old, mutil 1901, he made his home on a farm, and in 1876 located on a place near Walshville, Ill., leaving there in 1880 for Nokomis Town- ship where he was engaged in farming until 1901, when he sold his farm and came to Noko- mis, purchasing an interest in the Free Press Gazette, which has since been published under the firm name of Wild & Webster. Mr. Webster never held any elective office except that of supervisor of Nokomis Township in 1900 and 1901, and served a few terms on the Nokomis school board. Politically he was a Republican. Ile was interested in the Central Illinois Cream- ery Company at the time of its organization and while he remained on the farm. Mr. Web- ster was a member of Nokomis Lodge, A. F. & A. M., which he served several times as worthy master, and was a Knight Templar. He also belonged to the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America, Not only was he a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but was superintendent of the Sunday school for sev- eral years. Under all circumstances lie was an honorable man and dependable citizen.
In 1877 Mr. Webster was married to Miss Martha O. Forehand, born and reared in Walsh- ville Township, and died in February, 1904. She was a daughter of George Forehand, and grand- (laughter of Jarvis Forehand, the latter being one of the old settlers of Montgomery County. Mr. and Mrs. Webster had the following chil- dren : George Omer, who was born October 20, 1878, who is a physician of Jacksonville, Ill .; Roy Franklin, who was born October S, 1880, is
a teacher of physics and mathematics iu the Lanc Techuical School of Chicago; and David, who is deceased. In 1905 Mr. Webster was mar- ried (second) to Miss Ella McKowu, wbo died in 1914. On May 29, 1917, he was married (third) to Mrs. Florence Shoemaker, who still resides in Nokomis.
Mr. Webster owned his residence at Nokomis and an interest in the building in that city occu- pied by the Free Press plant.
WEBSTER, Walter, one of the well known and highly respected men of Rouutree Township where he has lived for many years, was born in Iowa, January 4, 1855, a son of William and Olivia (Smith) Webster, natives of England and of Shelby County, Ind. The father came to the United States with his parents when he was twelve years old, and settled at Shelbyville, Ind., where his father, George Webster, conducted a wagonmaking shop, and there died. William Webster was reared in Indiana, and attended the common schools of his neighborhood. After his marriage, he and his wife moved to Jones County, Iowa, and he bought a farm and operated it for a time and then went to Hanni- bal. Mo., and farmed near there and then spent one season in Colorado, returned then to Mis- souri, and after a short time came to Illinois near Bethalto and continued farming. During the Civil War, the father of Walter Webster served for three years in Company K in an Illi- nois regiment. The mother died in Iowa. They had three children, namely: William and George H., both of whom are living at Nokomis; and Walter.
When he was two years old Walter Webster went to live with his grandfather and remained with him nutil he was seven years old, and then joined his father at Bethalto, in Madison County. Ill. and worked at what he could find to do, and went to school when occasion offered. When his father returned from the Civil War, they went to Litchfield, and he found employment among the farmers in that vicinity. After he had attained his majority, he acquired land in Noko- mis Township, but sold it, and in 1904 bought liis present farm of 160 acres in Rountree Town- ship, where he has since resided. About thirty- two years ago he bought a threshing outfit, and during the years that have intervened he has been engaged in operating a threshing machine among the neighboring farmers.
On April 23. 1879 Mr. Webster was married to Virginia Dryer, born May 12, 1858, and they have six children, namely : William J., born February 24, 1880, who is a farmer of Montgomery County ; Mary E. born December 17, 1886, who keeps house for her brother ; Jennie O. born Feb- rnary 4, 1887, who is at home; Charles W. born May 31, 1889 who is also at home; Nettie B. born February S, 1895; Lora E. born October 14. 1900; Olive born October 29, 1SS2, died March 9, 1885 and Henry, born September 23, 1892, died March 4, 1893. In politics Mr. Webster is a Republican. He has been school director and highway commissioner in Rountree Township. Having been self supporting since he was seven
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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
years old, he has made his own way in the world and his success reflects credit upon his industry and capability.
WELGE, Fred W., furniture dealer and funeral director, at Hillsboro is one of the well known and highly respected men of Montgomery County. He was born at Hillsboro, August 10, 1885, a son of Louis and Minnie (Charlemagne ) Welge, both of whom were born near Hanover, Germany, she being the second wife. They had five children, namely: Bertha, who is public librarian at Hillsboro; Fred W .; Leonora, who is the wife of E. L. Hicks of Chicago; Louise, who is at home; and Lyman O., who lives at Hillsboro.
Louis Welge was a sheep herder in Germany. He came to America during the fifties, and at first lived at Alton, Ill., but later came to Mont- gomery County, and settled on a farm east of Hillsboro, where he successfully raised sheep. Later, from 1865 to 1880, he conducted a turni- ture factory at Hillsboro, was also an under- taker, and also had a sample room, and sold and manufactured furniture. In 1903 he sold his business interests to his son, Fred W., and his death occurred in March, 1914, when he was eighty-seven years old. His widow survives. Both early connected themselves with the Lutheran Church. By a former marriage he had two children: Lena, who is the widow of Henry Daman, Jr .; and Minnie, who married George Beeler.
Fred W. Welge was reared at Hillsboro, and attended school and afterward went to work for his father, continuing with him until 1903, when he bought the business and still conducts it. Mr. Welge carries a very large and fine stock of furniture and rugs, of the latest and most modern patterns, and also handles wall paper and window shades and similar articles that are to be found in any first class furniture store. He has one of the best appointed stores to be found in the state outside of the large cities, the establishment being well equipped with modern conveniences, and would be a credit to any city and his volume of trade is constantly increasing.
On January 28, 1907, Mr. Welge was married to Miss Elzie Mae Hendricks, a daughter of Brewer and Flora (Whitlow) Hendricks. There are three children, namely: Louis Hendricks, Earl Woodrow Wells, and Frederick William. Mr. and Mrs. Welge belong to the Lutheran Church. He belongs to Mount Moriah Lodge No. 51, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Welge was born at Harvel, Ill., and her parents are natives of Montgomery County. The father is deceased. but the mother survives. They had four children, Earl, Elzie Mae, and two who died young. After the death of Mr. Hendricks, the mother of Mrs. Welge married E. C. Garflo, and they live at Hillsboro.
The Whitlow and Hendricks families were pioneers of Montgomery County and were thrifty farmers.
WELLAR, Henry N., one of the substantial farmers of Montgomery County, is living on his farm ou Section 18, Harvel Township, where he owns 154 acres of land. He was born on a farm in this county, April S, 1877, a son of Conrad and Mary (Wucherpfennig) Wellar. Conrad Wellar was born in Hanover, Germany, and there grew up, leaving it when seventeen years old to come to the United States, and stopped first at St. Louis, Mo. There he worked until he came to Montgomery County, Ill., where he was engaged in sheep shearing for a season, then found work in a brickyard at Butler, in Butler Grove Township. From there he went to Christian County, Ill., and worked for Theo- dore Langen for three years.
About this time Mr. Wellar was married to Mary Wucherpfennig, who was a native of Ger- many, which country she left for the United States in company with a sister, who died in midocean, and was buried at sea. After marri- age Conrad Wellar and wife went to Madison County, Ill., and then came to Montgomery County, where he bought eighty acres of land, to which he added until he owned 490 acres and lived on his property until June, 1903, when he retired trom active life. His death occurred December 21, 1907. His widow survives. They had six children, namely: Wilhelmina, who is the wife of Frank Poggenpohl, of Raymond Township; Katherine, who died in infancy ; Henry N .; Joseph C .; Elizabeth, who is the wife of George J. Black of Raymond, Ill. ; and Rose, who is the wife of Louis Eichoff, of Zanes- ville Township.
Henry N. Wellar attended the district schools and remained at home until he was married, on December 30, 1903, to Magdalena Bergman, a daughter of William and Magdalena (Eber) Bergman. Mrs. Bergman was born in Germany, near the frontier of France, and was brought to the United States by her parents. They landed at New Orleans, La .. when she was nine years old, and she lost her parents soon thereafter, and was taken and reared by an uncle. He brought her and his family to Macoupin County, Ill., and there she grew up. William Bergman was born in Germany, and when he was sixteen years old he and a younger brother came to the United States, leaving Germany October 15, 1858, and landing at St. Louis, Mo. December 25, 1858. He later went to Macoupin County, Ill., where he met and was married to Magda- lena Eber, and they then went to Madison County, Ill., and spent a few years. They then moved to Raymond Township, this county, where they rented a farm. He is still living, but Mrs. Bergman died in 1SS7. They had eight children, six of whom are now living, namely : Henry, Christian and William, all of whom live in Raymond Township; Rosie, who is the wife of Joseph Williams, of Kentucky ; Mrs. Wellar; and Fred, who lives at Nokomis, Ill. The other two children died in infancy.
After they were married Mr. and Mrs. Wellar lived first on the farm now occupied by Joseph C. Wellar, but they later moved to their present farm. He specializes on raising Poland-China
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hogs of the big type, and his product is very fine, and in great demand. A Democrat, he has served as township collector. as school director for nine years, and has been drainage commis- sioner for the past eight years. St. Raymond's Catholic Church at Raymond has in him a con- sistent member. his father having been much interested in this parish. Mr. and Mrs. Wellar have had four children born to them, namely : an infant who died at birth ; Evelyn Rose, who was born February 26, 1906: Henry William, who was born January 1. 1908; and Wilma MI., who was born May 31, 1917. The older chil- dren are attending school.
WELLAR, Joseph C., whose 160-acre farm on Section 19. Harvel Township is one of the finest in the township, is a man who stands high in the neighborhood. He was born December 14, 187S, in his present township, a son of Conrad and Mary E. (Wucherpfennig) Wellar. Conrad Wellar was born in Hanover, Germany, and when he was seventeen years old he came to the United States, leaving his parents behind. He landed in New York City. His first work in America was shearing sheep and he continued in this work for some time, or until he came to Illinois. Locating in Christian County, he worked for three years in the employ of Theo- dore Langen. He was saving of his money and as soon as he could he bought 160 acres and he and Mary E. Wucherpfennig were married. They located on the farm that is now owned by their son, Joseph C. Wellar. At the time of Conrad Wellar's death, which occurred at Raymond, Ill., December 23, 1907, he owned 320 acres in Harvel Township, and 170 acres in Zanesville Town- ship. For the last six years of his life he lived in retirement at Raymond, where his widow died January 31, 191S. They belonged to St. Raymond's Catholic Church, of which Conrad Wellar was a trustee for a number of years. They had five children, as follows: Minnie, who married Frank Poggenpohl of Raymond Town- ship; Henry, who lives in Harvel Township; Joseph C .: Elizabeth, who is the wife of George Beck of Raymond, Ill .; and Rose, who is the wife of Louis Eickoff of Zanesville Township.
Joseph C. Wellar was reared on his present farm and attended the schools of the neighbor- hood. When he grew up he took charge of the homestead, and has never left it. He is a mem- ber of St. Raymond's Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been a com- mitteeman of his county central committee from Harvel Township. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Grain Company of Harvel, and of the Raymond State Bank. Mr. Wellar raises Spotted Poland-China hogs, and has a registered herd and is quite an authority on hog raising. For four years he served as deputy sheriff of Mont- gomery County, and he has been quite active in his party. He has never married.
WELLER, Lewis, who owns and operates 211 acres of valuable land located one and one-fourth miles north of Irving, in Irving Township. is one of the prosperous agriculturalists of Montgomery
County. He was born in Raymond Township, March 20, 1865, a son of Daniel and Lydia (Hefley) Weller. Daniel Weller was born in Ohio October 28, 1832, and his wife was born in Ohio, August 31, 1839, and died January 2, 1903. He survives and lives in Raymond Township. Beginning lite a poor man, he worked hard and saved his money with which he made wise invest- ments, so that he is now very prosperous and has owned 300 acres of Montgomery farm land, and other real estate. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and is a Republi- can in politics, and has held township offices upon numerous occasions. He and his wife had twelve children, eleven of whom survive, namely : Emma, who is the wife of R. H. Rolf ; Ellen, who is the widow of S. H. Wilson; Louis, who lives in Irving Township; John and George who are at St. Louis, Mo .; Noah, who lives in Raymond Township; Maggie, who is the wife of George Frame of East Fork Township ; Mollie, who is the wife of William Fricke of Raymond Township; H. H. who lives in Raymond Town- ship; Otto, who lives in Raymond Township; Ross L. who lives at Springfield; and Lewis.
Lewis Weller was reared on the homestead, and attended the district schools, remaining at home until he was twenty-four years old. On March 20, 1889, he was married to Mattie E. Perkins, born at Alton, Ill., November 29, 1869, a daughter of Samuel and Carrie (DePry) Perkins. Samuel Perkins was born at Alton, Ill., and Mrs. Perkins was born in Ohio. Her par- ents came to Montgomery County, Ill. in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Perkins died when Mrs. Weller was fifteen years old and she was taken by a family in Montgomery County, who sent her to the local schools. After Mr. and Mrs. Weller were married they located on a farm six miles northwest of Irving, where they lived until 1911, but in that year they moved to their present farm. They have four children, namely : Jesse, who was born March 7, 1890, was graduated from the Irving High school, class of 1909, mar- ried Lelia G. Cruze, and they have two children, Virginia and Clyde D .; Blanche E., who was born October 10, 1893, was graduated from the common schools, and is the wife of James E. Hilt ; Fern E., who was born April 15, 1896, was graduated from the Irving High school, class of 1916 ; and Grace E., who was born December 14, 1902, is attending the public schools of Irving. The family belongs to the Lutheran Church of Irving, in which Mr. Weller is a deacon, Mrs. Weller belongs to the Royal Neighbors of Amer- ica. In politics Mr. Weller is a Republican and at one time served as highway commissioner of his township. The family stands very high in public esteem, and deservedly so, for they possess many admirable qualities.
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