Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 113

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 113

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John M. Whitlock was over thirteen years old when the family left North Carolina, and he lived in Preble County, Ohio, where he com- pleted his studies. being twenty years of age when he came to Montgomery County. In 1861 he enlisted for service during the Civil War, in Company E. First Illinois Cavalry, and was captured by the enemy at Lexington, Mo. After lis honorable discharge. he returned to Mont- gomery County. but still manifests his interest in his old soldier days, by belonging to the local G. A. R. Post.

On March 20. 1862. Mr. Whitlock was married to Elizabeth A. George, who died April 18, 1905, born in Henry County, Ind., March 19, 1839. She came to Montgomery County in 1858 with her parents, and here she grew up and attended the district schools. After his marriage. Mr. Whitlock rented land for a time, and then bought the Whitlock homestead. In 1SS4 he bought 140 acres in Fillmore Township, which continues to be his home, and he has made many improvements upon it. taking great pride in his premises. Mr. Whitlock has five living children. namely : Eva, who is the wife of J. R. Livingood

who was graduated from the Raymond High school ; Emma, who is the wife of M. Herbert Bost. of Fillmore Township; John E., who lives at Hillsboro, Ill .; William L., who is on the home farm; and Lewis, who lives at St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Whitlock belonged to the Grange, and politically he is a Democrat. At one time he was elected supervisor of Fillmore Township, but although he qualified, he soon resigned as lie did not care for office.

WHITTEN, A. F., whose efforts have been very successfully directed towards the breeding of full blooded horses, is conducting his business at Fill- more. He was born in Fillmore Township. this county. March 27, 1846, a son of Levi and Priscilla (Hill) Whitten. Levi Whitten was born in Kentucky and came as a boy of nine years with his parents to East Fork Township, being a son of Austin Whitten, one of the oldest settlers of these parts.

Reared in East Fork Township, Levi Whitten was there married, his wife. a native of Fillmore Township, being a daughter of Henry Hill, also an early settler of the county, and one of two brothers who came to these parts. Henry is an old name in the Hill family. many for numer- ous generations having borne it. After marriage, Levi Whitten and his wife settled in Fillmore Township, on the farm now owned by Lee Ham- lin but moved from it in 1846 to another farm in the same township, where both died. They had eleven children. seven of whom reached maturity, and six are now living. namely : A. F .; Jane who is Mrs. Dan Cress of Fillmore Town- ship; Peter W. who lives at Seattle. Wash; Louisa E. Jackaberry. who lives at St. Louis, Mo. : S. C. and Thomas both of whom live in Fill- more Township; and Mary L .. who married Robert Stevenson. is now deceased. Levi Whit- ten was a Republican, a Methodist, and origin- ally a member of the Hillsboro Lodge. A. F. & A. M .. but later demitted to the Fillmore Lodge.

A. F. Whitten was reared on the homestead, and remained at home until he was twenty-five years old, when he went to Hillsboro and there learned blacksmithing, which trade he followed until 1873. when he went to Salem. Ill .. for a brief period. He returned to Fillmore Town- ship, and started a shop of his own, but later sold it and resumed his farming. Becoming interested · in full blooded horses he began to . breed them and raised them in large numbers, keeping from five to six for his own use. Sub- sequently he went to Hillsboro and dealt in horses, but later, in 190S moved his headquarters to Fillmore, where he has since remained.

On October 2. 1872. Mr. Whitten was married to Belle Lois Haven. born November 30. 1850. who died Mareb 3. 1910. They became the parents of five children. as follows: Elsie, who is a graduate of the Coffeen Normal school. is at home in Fillmore: Levi, who lives at Noko- mis. Ill .. married Ida MeCaslin and they have two children, Lois and Raymond ; Willard, who lives in Minnesota, married Hester Galen. and they have one child Francis : Henry. of Fillmore Township, who married Lena May, and they

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

have Tornie and Alice; and Cress, who lives at Fillmore, married Minnie Spinner and they have Ida. Floyd and Buell. The family belongs to the Methodist Church, In politics Mr. Whit- ten is a Republican. A man of energy, he under- stands his business thoroughly and has been very successful at it. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America.

WIEGREFFE, William W., whose operations as a dealer in lumber, lime, cement and similar commodities, entitle him to a place among the foremost business men of Litchfield, was born at Litchfield. August 19, 1869, a son of William and Eva (Senn) Wiegreffe, natives of Germany, who were. married at St. Louis, Mo. After farming in Montgomery County until about 1867, the father moved to Litchfield, where he established himself as a retail lumber dealer, and continued in this line until his death in 1906. The mother survives and makes her home at Litchfield.

William Wiegreffe attended the grammar and high schools of Litchfield, and then went into his father's business, succeeding him as propri- etor upon the latter's death. Since then he has developed his concern and made it a leading one in the county, controlling a large and val- nable trade. In 1896 Mr. Wiegreffe was mar- ried to Margaret Loescher, born at Kenosha, Wis. There are no children. Mrs. Wiegreffe is a member of the Catholic Church. In politics Mr. Wiegreffe is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Masons, the Elks, and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is as popular in them as he is in business and social circles, for his personality is one that wins and retains friends.

WILDERMAN, Levi T., cashier of the Coffeen National Bank, and one of the sound financiers of Montgomery County, was born in Bond County. Ill., September 9. 1873, a son of John T. and Emily (Laws) Wilderman, natives of Kentucky and Bond County, Ill. The father died in 1876, but the mother survives and makes hier home at Donnellson. The parents had five children. namely : John W., who lives at Green- ville. Ill. : Mary T., who married Alexander Smith : Effie, who is the wife of John S. Hamp- ton : Milton F., who is a farmer of Bond County : and Levi T.

Levi T. Wilderman was reared on a farm, and sent to the district schools until he was sixteen years old, when he entered the Donnellson High school and was graduated therefrom in 1893. For the following eighteen months he was a drug clerk at Donnellson, and then became a partner in a drug business, continuing this asso- ciation for two years. Ile then sold and estab- lished himself in a notion business at Dounell- son, conducting it for seven years. Disposing of this business he went into a private bank at Donnellson as assistant cashier, holding that position for eighteen months. when he came to the Coffeen Bank, August 1, 1908, as cashier, and has held that position ever since.

In 190S he was married to Lena G. Force. of Altamont. Ill. There are no children. Mr. Wilderman belongs to the Baptist Church. In

politics he is a Democrat, and has served as president of the board of trustees of Donnellson, and is now city treasurer of Coffeen, and town- ship trustee of schools. A man of unusual abil- ity, his capabilities are recognized by his fellow- townsmen.

WILLIAMS, Prof. Aaron Crane, now living re- tired at Hillsboro, has had a long and honorable artistic career, and also may be regarded as one of the representative agriculturists of Mont- gomery County. He has a wide acquaintance and is universally estecmed. He was born at Orange, Essex County, N. J., August 13, 1830, a son of Ebenezer and Abigail Baldwin (Crane) Williams. The father was born at Orange, N. J., January 7. 1792, and died February 14, 1874; while the mother was born September 17, 1795, and died at an advanced age.

Ebenezer Williams served in the Essex County militia and was stationed at Sandy Hook, and in his day was one of the leading men of his community. He was a son of Aaron and Mary (Dodd) Williams, of Essex County, N. J., Aaron Williams serving during the American Revolu- tion as a private in the Second Essex County Regiment, Col. Philip Van Cortland command- ing. and was attached to Hurd's Upper Brigade. Aaron William was a son of Isaac and Eunice (Pierson ) Williams, natives of Orange, N. J., where he was born November 6. 1722, and died in 1806, being a son of Matthew Williams, who was born in 1094, on the first homestead of his father. He married Abigail Nutman, born in 1698, and died June 22, 1772. Matthew Williams was a son of Matthew and Ruth (Wheeler) Wil- liams, the former of whom was born at Wethers- field, Conn., May 14, 1651, and died November 12, 1732. She was born in 1657 and died July 27, 1724. Matthew Williams, Sr., was a son of Matthew and Susanna ( Cole) Williams, he born in 1005, and she was born in England. It is claimed that the Williams family originated in Wales and that Oliver Cromwell was a Williams by birth.

Prof. Aaron Crane Williams was primarily educated by a Mrs. Simpson, a Scotch woman. When he was twelve years old he went to live with a cousin, Josephi Ward, at West Bloom- field, N. J., where he worked on a farm for two years. When he was seventeen years old he went to Newark, N. J., to learn the trade of a carpenter, and there began the study of music. Two years later on account of ill health, he gave up his trade and went to New York where he became the tenor singer in the Mercer Street Church, in New York City, so continuing for two years. For a year he took vocal instruc- tion and then became an instructor of music in New York City. He studied music with George F. Root, Lowell Mason, Thomas Hastings, George James Webb, William B. Bradbury, Later he taught music on Staten Island and at various places and was the first instructor to teach musical notation in the public schools of New York City. He came to Illinois in 1854 on account of his health, and locating at Jackson- ville on October 2 of that year, subsequently

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

resumed his musical work. In the winter of 1856-7 he began a tour of the state giving lessons at Bunker Hill and Hillsboro, returning to Orange, N. J., in 1859, and from thence going to North Reading. Mass. Going to New York City once more he studied under Professor Bassini, the noted vocal teacher, for a year, and then went to St. Louis, Mo., where he taught for a year. Still later he went to Jacksonville, Ill., and two years later bought a farm in Fayette County, Ill. At the same time he continued teaching and eventually returned to St. Louis for two years and later he was made musical instructor in the Springfield public schools. In 1871 he moved on his farm, but later traded it for 235 acres in Hillsboro Township and there- after, until 1900. he devoted his time to farming and dairying. Later he bought 100 acres near Coffeen. but now rents it and his farm in East Fork Township, having retired in 1900 and moved to Hillsboro, where he has since resided.

In 1864 Professor Williams was married to Elizabeth Jane Brown, born at Hillsboro. Ill .. a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Craig) Brown, natives of Hillsboro, N. C. Professor and Mrs. Williams became the parents of the following children : Edward E .. who lives at Hillsboro, Ill .: Margaret A .. who is at home; Mary G .. who is Mrs. Charles E. Swan of Seattle. Wash .: Jenette who died in July, 1876, at the age of eighteen months: and Alfred Aaron, who lives at Monte Vista. Col. Professor Williams is a member of the Presbyterian Church and has served it as deacon since 1905. In politics he is a Republican.

WILLIAMSON, Perry, one of the leading farmers of Butler Grove Township, and a man widely known and universally respected, was born in this township. May 6. 1845. a son of William and Eliza M. ( Swallow) Williamson. he born in Butler County. Ohio, and she in Sharon, Ohio. They came to Montgomery County in September. 1843. and he worked in a sawmill at Cherry Grove until the spring of 1844 when he bought land in what is now Butler Grove Township, later adding until he owned 120 acres and on it he erected buildings and made other improvements, and there he died August 16. 1900. The mother died September 1. 1912. Their children were as follows: Nancy J. and John, who are deceased : Perry : Jacob. who is deceased; Alice R. who is Mrs. A. T. Doerr of Harvel. Ill. : Mary. who is Mrs. C. H. Baker of Decatur, Ill .. and four who died in infancy.

On November 25. 1875. Perry Williamson was married to Emma F. Vrooman, born at Johns- town. N. Y. a daughter of Myndert and Julia (sammons) Vrooman of New York who came to Butler Grove Township in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Williamson became the parents of two children. namely : Eleanor C. and Grace L. Mrs. William- son died December 22, 1891.

After his marriage, Perry Williamson rented the homestead and lived on it. building for his own use a two-story dwelling. When his father died, he left the farm to his two granddaughters.

and forty acres have been added to this property. Having supplemented his district school training with a course at the Shelbyville Seminary, Mr. Williamson is a well educated man. and from 1866 to 1SS7, taught school during the winters, and farmed in the summer. On October 4, 1864, he enlisted for service during the Civil War, in Company F, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out at Springfield, July 14, 1865. A hardworking man. he has always done what he believed to be his duty to his family and his community, and stands well in the neighborhood.

WILSON, William, a prosperons farmer of Har- vel Township, living on Section 9, is one of the progressive men of Montgomery County. He was born in Madison County. Ill., February 22, 1859, a son of William and Agnes (Anderson) Wilson, both born at Glasgow. Scotland, where they were reared and were married, the cere- mony taking place January 1. 1848. A short time afterward they came to the United States. landing in New York City. After several changes they reached Alton, Ill .. and in 1853 moved on a farm in Madison County. where they lived until 1861, when removal was made to Mont- gomery County, locating on Section 9, in 1862. and there William Wilson, the father, died De- cember 23. 1865. He was a man upright and honest. He and his wife had eight children, three of whom survive, namely: James, who lives at Belmont. Kas., is a retired farmer and banker: Susan, who is the wife of Mark Worrell, lives in Kingman County, Kas .; and William.

William Wilson was three years old when he was brought to Montgomery County, and here he grew up. attending the local schools. After the death of his father he took care of his mother and was an excellent son. In 1SS5 Mr. Wilson was married to Minnie Jelden, who was born near Bunker Hill. Ill. They became the parents of eight children : William. Jr., who is a farmer : Margaret, who is the wife of Henry Peters: Henry, who is managing the homestead ; Agnes. who is at home; and John. Anna. Lizzie and Herman J .. all at home. The fraternal connec- tion of Mr. Wilson is with the A. H. T. A. In politics he is a Republican and was highway commissioner for nine years. and school trustee for six years. For some time he served on the drainage commission, and was one of the most public-spirited of men until illness about ten years ago forced him to retire to a certain extent. although he retains his ownership of 277 acres of land.

WILTON, Wm., now deceased, but for many Years one of the forceful figures of Litchfield. because of his high character and business enter- prise, left his mark npon his times, and is kindl,v remembered by all who had the privilege of his acquaintance. He was born in Macoupin County. Ill., April 12. 1843, and was there reared to a farm life. In 1873 he was married at Hampton. Ill .. after which he lived in Macoupin County on his 100-acre farm for some years, later sell-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ing it and coming to Litchfield, where he went into a livery business, conducting it for some time. Selling it, he became interested along different lines and helped to develop the first coal mine. He was also in a shoe business, and was a member of the company that built the Litchfield Hotel, and continued at the head of that company for many years, being its president when he died, May 6, 1916. Mr. Wilton bought the Litchfield water works from the city and formed a company for operating the plant, serving as its president and superintendent.

By his first marriage Mr. Wilton had two children : Lillian, who is the widow of Wilbur Charles, of Litchfield; and Etta who is Mrs. Webner Davis of Carlinville, Ill.

After the death of his first wife. Mr. Wilton was married (second) on October 7, 1903, to Mrs. Angeline (Kessinger) Ahern, widow of Jeremiah Ahern, and a daughter of Silas and Lucinda (Reubart) Kessinger, he born in Hart County, Ky., and she in Indiana, both being very early settlers of Montgomery County. Mrs. Wilton was born in South Litchfield Township, montgomery County and attended the public schools of Litchfield. Jeremiah Ahern was born in Randolph County. Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Ahern had the following children : Jesse J., who lives at Litchfield. Ill .; Dorothy, who is Mrs. John F. Burns, of Litchfield : and John Silas, who died in infancy. Mr. Wilton was a member.of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was prom- inent in the Democratic party and served sev- eral terms as mayor of Litchfield, and was also alderman from his ward, giving an honest and capable administration of city affairs in both offices.

WITT, J. N., a justice of the peace at Farmers- ville, and a man widely known and universally respected, was born in the northern part of Greene County, Ill., near Bradshaw's Mound. December 11. 1845. a son of Andrew L. and Rebecca M. (Johnson) Witt. Andrew L. Witt was born in eastern Tennessee, and was brought to Greene County. Ill., by his parents. Later they went into Texas. but did not stay, return- ing almost immediately to Illinois, and Andrew L. Witt was reared in Greene County. There he was married, his wife having also been reared in Greene County. Until 1858 they lived in Greene County, and then moved to St. Charles County. Mo .. and lived there for two years. and on March 2, 1861, came to Bois D'Arc Town- shin. Montgomery County. This continued the family home until 1866. when the family went to Texas, and the father died there, in Dallas County.

J. N. Witt was with his parents when they went to Dallas County, Tex .. but he returned to Bois D'Arc Townshin June S. 1867. and worked for farmers and rented land until his marriage. which occurred August 10. 1873. when he was united with Annie C. Gerhardt. who died in 190S. They had two sons : Samuel A., who lives at Farmersville. Ill .: and Josephus Earl, who died when three years old. in Dallas County. Tex. In 1887 Mr. and Mrs. Witt went to Texas, and

while there they lost their younger son, and remained but two years, and upon their return to Montgomery County located at Farmersville, and bought the hotel which they condneted for some fourteen years. and Mr. Witt was also in a livery business. Mr. Witt owns 147 acres of land, one and one-half miles west of Waggoner in Pitman Township.

On April 7. 1910, Mr. Witt was married (second) to Amanda Buckner, a daughter of Alfred and Martha (Hawkins) Buckner. Her grandfather and the father of former Gov. Simon B. Buckner of Kentucky, were brothers. Mrs. Witt was born near Bonnieville, Hart County, Ky., December 19, 1853, and until she was twenty-one years old she lived in that state, leaving it for Virden, Macoupin County. Ill., with her parents. After a year they moved to Bois D'Arc Township, this county, and a year later to Sangamon County. A little later they returned to Macoupin County, and once more came to Montgomery County. Finally they moved to Morgan County, Ill., where the father died. Mrs. Witt then came to Montgomery County which has since continued her home. She is a member of the Mutual Protective League and also is a member of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Witt is a Democrat and in 1869 was elected a constable, was deputy sheriff for eight years, and then was elected a justice of the peace. which office he now holds. He belongs to the Modern America fraternal order, at Farmersville, in which he has passed all the chairs, and is past president of the order.

WITTNAM, Hal. W., who is residing on his farm of eighty-five acres of land on Section 18, Witt Township, is one of the prosperous men of Montgomery County. He was born on his present farm. February 24, 1876. a son of Frank and Sarah (Taylor) Wittnam. Frank Wittnam was born in Germany, leaving his native land when he was sixteen years old. for the United States. IIe made the trip alone and landed at New Orleans, and a short time thereafter made his way up the Mississippi River to St. Louis. Mo., where he worked for a time, and then left for Carlinville. Ill. There he worked among the farmers of Macoupin County for a time. and later for farmers in Greene County. During this period he suffered many hardships, for he was a poor and friendless boy, but his industry and thrift at last gained him consideration, and in later life he prospered to a considerable extent.

While in Greene County Frank Wittnam met and married Sarah Taylor, whose mother was of Irish descent and her father an old resident of that county. After marriage they lived in Greene County for a year and then he bought a farm which he developed and improved until he could sell it at a good figurc. He then bought 285 acres of land, of which he sold H. W. forty acres on which property he still resides. He and his wife have the following children : Thomas, who is a farmer of Coffey- ville. Kas. : Edward, who lives at Witt : Hal. W .; Lillie, who is at home: Oliver, who is on the homestead ; Rosie, who is the wife of Ira Louns-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

berry; and Effie, Lester and Charles who are all at home. The family belongs to the Presby- terian Church. He is a Democrat in politics, but does not desire any public office.

Hal. W. Wittnam was reared in Witt Town- ship and sent to the local schools. He was married January 22, 1901, to Carrie Grantham, born February 27, 1873, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Irvin) Grantham, members of old pioneer families of this county. Mr. Grantham was born on his present farm in Irving Town- ship, while Mrs. Grantham was born in Ken- tucky, and was brought to Montgomery County, Ill., when she was a small child by her parents, and she was reared from then on in Irving Town- ship, where she was married. Mrs. Wittnam's mother is dead, but her father survives. Mr. and Mrs. Hal. W. Wittnam have two sons : Walter Irvin, who was born October 4, 1904; and Rolla Warren, who was born October 21, 1912. After marriage Mr. Wittnam located on his present farm where he spent eighteen months, and bought forty-five acres of land. He then moved to another farm owned by G. W. Paisley in Witt Township, but after five years moved back to his own farm to which he further added by purchasing forty acres. He is a Democrat, and is serving as highway commissioner, and is in his second term as a school director, being president of the school board at present. He is a member of the Bankers' Life, and is in every way a prudent. efficient and capable man and one whose standing in the neighborhood is to be envied.

WOLTERS, Robert, Sr., justice of the peace and ex-supervisor of Rountree Township, is success- fully operating his valuable farm in this town- ship. He was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, June 7, 1855, a son of Lewis and Louise ( Heitman) Wolters, both natives of Germany. When they first came to the United States they spent some time in Ohio, which they left in 1857 for Macou- pin County, Ill. Lewis Wolters worked at the carpenter trade for a time and then conducted a dry goods store and grocery at' Cantonville, Ill. On selling his business, he bought a farm east of Hillsboro, Montgomery County, Ill., and lived there until his retirement. when he went to Hillsboro and there both he and his wife died. He was a man who was active in politics, and at times served as alderman of his ward at Hillsboro. A man of religious instincts, he early connected himself with the Lutheran Church, and continued a member until his death. Fra- ternally he was a Mason. Mr. and Mrs. Wolters had four sons, namely : Hugo, who lives on the homestead : Robert : Thomas, who is a farmer of Christian County, Ill .; and Edward, who is a retired farmer of Nokomis. Ill.

Robert Wolters was reared on the homestead, and educated in the common schools of his neighborhood, remaining at home until he was twenty-six years old. On June 30, 1882, he was married to Minnie Ahrans, who was born in Carlinville. Ill., November 26, 1859, a daughter of Henry and Henrietta (Michleman) Ahrans, both natives of Germany, who were married at

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 113

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