Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 114

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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Carlinville, Ill. They had two children, namely : Mrs. Wolters; and Anna, who is the widow of August Schlurt, resides in Texas. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wolters located on his present farm, which he rented for a time, and then bought and now owns 160 acres on Section 1, Montgomery County, and 120 acres in Chris- tian County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Wolters have seven children. namely : Louise, who attended the common schools, is at home; Anna, who is the wife of Frank A. Johnson, of Christian County, Ill. ; Hulda, who is the wife of William Folkkarts of Rountree Township; Robert, Jr., who is a farmer of Christian County, Ill .; Albert, Lester and Irene, who are all at home. The family belong to the German Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Wolters is a Republican and very active and prominent in his party. He has been overseer of the poor, township col- lector, assessor for eight years, supervisor for six years, and assistant supervisor and justice of the peace for eight years. He is one of the most highly respected men of his township, and deserves all the honors which have been accorded him.

WOOD, Benjamin P., one of the enterprising agriculturalists of Pitman Township, is operat- ing land on Section 32. He was born in Madison County, Ill., September 1, 1869, a son of T. V. and Kate J. (Nesbit) Wood, natives of Madison County, Ill., and Ohio. They were married in Madison County, Ill., and the father then bought a farm in Pitman Township, Montgomery County, east of Waggoner, and there he lived until his retirement at which time he moved to Waggoner. The Christian Church holds his membership. He and his wife had six children, as follows: Benjamin P .; Laura, who is the wife of Perry Brown of North Dakota ; Janette, who is the wife of James Sharp, of Pitman township; Minnie, who is the wife of Willie Sedentop; Lulu. who is the wife of William Whitaker ; and Harry, who lives at Waggoner.

Benjamin I'. Wood attended the schools of his district and also those of Bement, Ill. When he was old enough he began assisting with the farm work, and remained on the homestead until he was twenty-five years old. At that time, in 1895. he was married to Mary Sullivan, a daughter of Patrick and Rose (Kelly ) Sullivan, natives of Ireland. coming to the United States when aged six and two years respectively. with parents. They landed in New York and came to Illinois about 1800. Mr. Sullivan was a farmer. He is deceased but Mrs. Sullivan lives at Ray -. mond. Ill.

Mrs. Wood was born in Waggoner, III .. October 19. 1873. Her education was obtained in the schools of her native place. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Wood lived east of Waggoner. and later moved to Bois D'Arc Township where they remained until 1909, when Mr. Wood bought his present farm. He operates 320 acres of land, raising corn and hogs. Mr. and Mrs. Wood be- came the parents of five sons, namely : LeRoy, who is at home; Earl; Ben P .. who is deceased ; Glenn D. and Clinton W., at home.

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Fraternally Mr. Wood is a charter member of Waggoner Lodge No. 404, I. O. O. F., and he also belongs to the Loyal Americans. In politics he is a Democrat. A good farmer and excellent citizen, Mr. Wood stands very high in public approval.

WOODIN, C. M., Mayor of Witt, and agent for the Big Four and the C. & E. D. Railroads at Witt, is one of the leading men of Montgomery County, and one who stands very high in public esteem. He was born at Burford, Ontario, Canada, November 10, 1879, a son of C. N. and Emily A, (Pettit) Woodin. C. N. Woodin was born in Ontario, Canada, a son of Alanson Woodin, whose parents were born in Pennsylva- nia, and his grandparents in New York state, coming of Holland-Dutch stock. His wife, Emily Pettit, was born in Ontario, Canada, a daugh- ter ot Stephen A. Pettit, also a native of Canada, as were his parents, they coming of English stock. C. N. Woodin grew to manhood in his native place and learned the carpenter trade and finally developed his business into contracting, and is still engaged in this line of business in Canada, never having come to the United States, making his home at Burford. He and his wife had five children, three of whom died in infancy, those surviving being: C. M .; and Laura E. who is the wife of E. W. Robert- son, lives at Burford, Ont. Mr. and Mrs. Woodin are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he belongs to Burford Lodge, A. F. & A. M.

C. M. Woodin attended the collegiate institute at Brantford, Ont., after having taken courses in the public schools of Burford. He did clerical work for his father, and conducted a retail flour, feed and meat business at Burford, until he was twenty-four years old, when he came to Mattoon, Ill., and having learned telegraphy as a boy, he found it useful and secured a position as an operator on the C. C. C. & St. L. Railroad. remaining with this road for five years. He was then agent at Dorsey's Station, Ill. for eleven months, when he was transferred to Granite City, Ill., and after a year, in 1906, was placed at Witt, where he has since continued.

Mr. Woodin was married to Carrie Myrtle Holmes, a daughter of Richard Holmes, of Witt, and they have two children: Dorothy . M., and Lawrence. Mr. Woodin belongs to Nokomis Lodge No. 456, A. F. & A. M. and Amo Lodge No. 291, I. O. R. M. In politics he is a Republi- can, and was elected mayor of Witt and prior to that served a term as city clerk. While living in Canada, Mr. Woodin took a course at the Royal School of Cavalry at Toronto, Canada, and was a member of the Second Regiment of Dragoons. He was selected as one of 600 mili- tary representatives to attend the coronation ceremonies of the late King Edward, in London. England, in 1905. Mr. Woodin is one of the substantial men of Montgomery County, and his personal popularity is largely responsible for his election to high office.

WRIGHT, Christopher C., a retired farmer and merchant ot Chapman, Ill., and one of the honor- ed residents of Montgomery County, was born in Fayette County, Ill., February 15, 1838, a son oť Ewing and Mary (Hill) (Ludewick) Wright. Ewing Wright was born in Kentucky. He mar- ried Mary (Hill) Ludewick, who was a native of Illinois, and at the time of her marriage to Ewing Wright was a widow with one child, Francis Mallory Ludewick, who now lives in Fillmore Township. Ewing Wright was a son of Joseph Wright, who brought his family to Illinois and settled in Montgomery County where he died, having been a farmer all his life. There Ewing Wright was reared and lived until his marriage, when he moved to Fayette County, Ill., and was engaged in farming. Early a Democrat, he later became a Republican, and tor sixteen or eighteen years he was a justice of the peace, taking an active part in local affairs, and becoming a member of the county board of supervisors. By his first marriage he had three children, two of whom survive, namely : Isaac, who is a retired farmer of Vandalia; and Christopher C.

Christopher C. Wright was reared on his father's tarm, and attended the subscription schools of his day which were held in log cabins of the neighborhood. He remained on the home- stead until he was twenty-three years old, and then began working for himself receiving for his first year's work, $100. For another year he worked at different things, and manged to save $300. On March 1, 1863, he was married to Margaret W. Whitten, who was born June 12, 1838, and was reared on a farm in Fillmore Township, and she also attended the primitive subscription schools. After their marriage they moved on a farm which they later bought and lived on it until 1883, at which time Mr. Wright owned 100 acres of prairie and forty acres of timberland. In 1883 he moved to Chapman and operated a general store until about 1906 when he turned the business over to his son.

Mr. and Mrs. Wright have three children. namely : Malura, who married Louisa Whitten, lives on the farm in Fillmore Township; Victor L .. who is a merchant of Donnellson ; and Leliah who is the wife of a Mr. Hill, lives in Fillmore Township. There are eleven grandchildren in the family, of whom the grandparents are naturally proud. The 'Methodist Episcopal Church holds the family membership. Mr. Wright is a member of Fillmore Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat, and served for several terms as township collector. Desiring to witness the comfort and advance- ment of his children, Mr. Wright divided his estate among them several years ago.

WRIGHT, Victor L., formerly mayor and a gen- eral merchant of Donnellson, is one of the pro- gressive business men of Montgomery County. He was born in Fillmore Township, this county, April 4. 1875, a son of Christopher and Margaret (Whitten) Wright, the former born in Fayette County, Ill., February 15, 1838, a son of Ewing and Mary (Hill) Wright; and the latter, born

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iu Kentucky, was brought to Illinois by her parents when she was a young girl. A compre- hensive sketch of Christopher Wright is found elsewhere in this work.

Victor L. Wright was reared on his father's farm, and attended the schools of his district, remaining at home until he was twenty-three years old, during which period he made himself very useful to his parents. Becoming a telegra- pher, he was stationed at Chapman, Ill. for a year, and he then conducted a general store at that point, for three years, which gave him the experience that made it possible for him to carry on the same line of business at Donuell- sou so successfully. When he first located at Donnellson he conducted a hotel, being so en- gaged until in March, 1915, when he founded his present mercantile house.

On April 2, 1899, Mr. Wright was married to Eva Towell, a daughter of Isaac T. Towell, aud they have had the following children born to them : May, who died at the age of eighteen months; Etta, who is attending high school ; LeRoy, who is in school; Lawrence, who died at the age of eighteen mouths; and Mildred, who is at home.

In politics Mr. Wright is a Democrat, aud for two years was mayor of Donnellson, proving himself the right man for that important office and giving his people a wise and businesslike administration. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church iu which he is a steward. In addition to his business, Mr. Wright owns the farm of 105 acres on which he was born, aud is iu very comfortable circumstances.

YOUNG, William A., one of the leading men of Montgomery County, aud well known throughout the state, is living in Butler Grove Towuship. He was boru in Grisham Township, August 20, 1836. a son of William and Jane C. (Paisley) Young, he born in Maury County, Tenn., and she in Guilford County, N. C.

In 1830 William Young came to Montgomery County, making the trip on horseback, aud bought forty acres of land on which there was a log cabin. On March 12, 1832, he was mar- ried. During the Black Hawk War he served under Captain Rountree, and it is interesting to note that the man sent by the Federal govern- ment to swear in the recruits was Jefferson Davis, who later became president of the Con- federacy. It may surprise some to know that Abraham Lincoln was sworn into the service for the Black Hawk War by the man who was later to set up a rival government and be abased by total defeat. William Young became a large land- owner, having 1,400 acres at one time. He served for twelve years as a justice of the peace, and as a member of the Illinois Assembly from the counties of Bond, Montgomery and Clinton. He cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, as he was a Democrat. His death occurred May 6, 1900, when he was ninety years old as he was born in 1810. His wife died in 1851.

When he was nineteen years old, William A. Young entered the Hillsboro Academy, and after

a year's course there, taught school for a year. In 1858 he enterd McKendree College and took a two years' course. In 1860 he began reading law at Hillsboro with James M. Davis. With the outbreak of the Civil War, however, his plans were interrupted, and on July 7, 1861, he eulisted for service in Company E, First Illinois Cavalry .and was quartermaster-sergeaut. The regiment was sent to Missouri and was in the Fremont campaign until the surrender of Colonel Mulligan to General Price at Lexington, Mo., September 20, 1862, when his enlistment expired. In 1862, he resumed his studies at McKendree College aud was graduated in June of that year, and was then appointed deputy sheriff which office he held for two years. In 1864 he was elected sheriff of Montgomery County, and while in office planted the trees which now afford so grateful a shade on Courthouse Square.

On November 28, 1866, Mr. Young was mar- ried to Mary E. Ware, born in Montgomery County, Ill., a daughter of Obediah and Electa Ware. In 1869 Mr. aud Mrs. Young moved to their present farm, where she died January 1, 1.70, leaving two sons, namely : Anthony O, who was born December 25, 1868. a physician of St. Louis, Mo. ; and William A., Jr., who was born November 9, 1869, who is a physician of Spring- field, Ill. In 1871 Mr. Young was married (second) to Sarah Muenchuer, born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio, and she died in 1898. leaving four children, namely : Frederick, Cornelia, Charles and Eunice.

In 1892 Mr. Young was elected vice president of the State Board of Agriculture for the Seventeenth Congressional District, and served for ten years, being re-clected four times to succeed himself. While a member of the board he was appointed superintendent of the Illinois exhibit of the Board of Agriculture at the Chi- cago World's Fair in 1893. For three years he was superintendent of the swine department and for six years served as superintendent of the horticultural department of the Illinois State 1 air. Through his vote the Illinois State Fair was located permanently at Springfield. and he was appointed as a member of the committee to lay out the grounds and locate the buildings. TA was one of the organizers of the Montgomery County Farmers Institute and served as its president for many years, and he has been an active member of the State Horticultural Asso- ciatiou, which he has served as secretary and also of the Alton Horticultural Association. He is recognized as one of the leading authorities on horticulture. His fine farm is devoted to the raising of blooded stock and fruit.

Mr. Young was married (third) to Mrs. E. J. Whiting of Kansas City. Mo., in 1899. She was born in Mckeesport. Allegheny County, Pa., a daughter of Daniel G. and Emma J. Critchlow, natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Young is a Royal Arch Mason, a strong Democrat and a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.

During all his life Mr. Young has evinced a great interest in horticulture. aud the fruit pro- duced on his farm won for him eight gold and two silver medals at the Paris, France. Exposi-

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tion in 1900. The size, quality, and beautiful coloring of his apples attracted a great deal of attention and advertised this county widely as an apple growing center. It may not be gener- ally known that within four miles of Hillsboro, Ill., are raised some of the finest and best apples in the United States and in the world. Mr. Young has been awarded many first prizes and medals which he prizes highly, from State fairs and World Expositions held in the United States. In June 1913, Mr. and Mrs. Young made tue trip to Europe and visited many places of interest, and after touring Scotland, England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and Italy returned home via Gibraltar, the Azores and Boston, much pleased with their experience. From notes taken on the journey a little book has been written entitled "My Trip Abroad."

ZIMMER, Charles P., one of the proprietors of the Paisley Mill and Elevator Company, at Witt, Ill., is a substantial man and good citizen. He was born at Waterloo, Ill., January 3, 1883, a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Wall) Zimmer. Philip Zimmer was born in Germany, and came to the I'nited States when about sixteen years old, locating at St. Louis, Mo., where he grew to manhood. He was married at Waterloo, Ill., where he was successfully engaged in the imple- ment business, in one year making the record sale of 120 binders, and he continued in it until his death. Commencing a poor man, he became prosperous and he was at all times highly respected. For many years he was an honored member of the German Evangelical Church and of several fraternal orders. He and his wife had four children : Louis, who was a graduate of the Waterloo High school, is a teacher; Matilda, who was also graduated from the Waterloo High school is now engaged as an instructor in that school; Chantes P .; and Louise, who was graduated from the Waterloo High school, is the wife of Louis Sprattler, and was a teacher before her marriage.

Charles P. Zimmer was reared at Waterloo, and attended its schools. He then learned the milling trade and was employed as manager of the Carondelet mills of St. Louis, and the Val- meyer Milling Company of Valmeyer, Ill. Later he was engaged in milling at Grand Chain, Ill. for a short time. For the subsequent three years he was in the same line of business at Iligh Hill, Mo., and then in April, 1913, he came to Witt, where he bought a half interest in the Paisley Elevator Company, which is operated under the firm name of Ernst and Zimmer. Mr. Zimmer has practically made all he owns through his own efforts.

On November 30, 1907, Mr. Zimmer was married to Minnie Boeke, who was born at Waterloo, Ill., June 28, 1881, where she attended the public schools. Mr. and Mrs. Zinimer have three children, namely : Earl, born July 30, 1910; Raymond, born March 12, 1913; and Albert, born May 5, 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmer belong to the German Evangelical Church, and he belongs to Morris Lodge No. 787, A. F. &

A. M. Hle is one of the directors of the Witt National Bank, of which Henry Fesser is presi- dent ; Fred Pfertner is vice-president ; Charles Rolston is cashier, and John Lonsherry is assistant cashier. The board of directors is composed of the following capitalists: Henry Fesser, Fred Pfertner, Charles Poland, William F. Bryce, Charles P. Zimmer, Ira Lonsberry. Homer Butler and Joseph Mitchell. In addi- tion to his other interests. Mr. Zimmer owns real estate including the land on which his elevator stands.

ZIMMERMAN, H. H., president of the Harvel Bank, at Harvel, Ill., is a business man who has contributed materially to the city's commer- cial and financial prestige, and a citizen who has taken an active and leading part in matters pertaining to civic welfare. He has been " con. nected with the institution of which he is now the head since 1900, and during a large part of this time has directed its policies. His abilities may be noted in the reputation which this enterprise enjoys among Montgomery County's banking houses. Mr. Zimmerman was born on a farm near Dorsey, Madison County, Ill .. November 19, 1869, and is a son of John W. and Maria G. (Slachter) Zimmerman.

The parents of 1I. H. Zimmerman were born in Germany, were reared in a community near the North Sea, and after their marriage emi- grated to the United States, in 1845, making the journey in a sailing vessel that took thirteen weeks to make port at New Orleans. From that city they came up the Mississippi River and located at Alton, Ill., where for one year Mr. Zimmerman was employed in a packing house. Subsequently, they hired out to a farmer, and for some years both worked faithfully and energetically, but did not seem to make any progress and became sick and discouraged. When about decided to return to their native land, they resolved to make one more effort. and with the few dollars that Mr. Zimmerman had managed to save bought a farm outfit and took up their abode on rented land. In this venture they were successful and were able be- tore long to buy a farm in Macoupin County, where they prospered greatly. Later they pur- chased 209 acres across the line. in Madison County, Ill .. and resided there until June 2S, 1883, when they disposed of their property and moved to Harvel, where Mr. Zimmerman owned 'a section of land. He was one of the good citi- zens of his community, being interested in edu- cation and a member of the school board for thirty years, and both he and Mrs. Zimmerman were active and faithful members and liberal supporters of the German Evangelical Lutheran Church. He was first a Democrat, but in later years became a Republican. Of the family of ten children born to John W. and Maria G. Zim- merman, six are living at this time: William J., a prominent citizen and agriculturist of Harvel ; John J., who is unmarried and living with his elder brother : Wade J., a retired farmer living at Ilarvel; Frederick J., who is the owner of an elevator at Shirley. Ill .; Ed J., who is en-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

gaged in farming in Harvel Township, this connty ; and H. H.

H. H. Zimmerman was reared on the home farm until thirteen years old. in the meantime attending the district schools of the rural com- munity of his birth. At that time he moved with his parents to Harvel, where he attended the high school. and subsequently took a business course at Quincy. Ill. This fitted him for a posi- tion with a wholesale hardware firm at Saint Louis, Mo., where he remained four years, snb- sequently becoming stenographer and secretary to a railway official in that city. Returning to Harvel. he took charge of his father's estate for a time. and then purchased his brother's share in the Harvel Bank, this being about the year 1900. He remained as bookkeeper of the institution for one year and then became cashier, a position which he held for nearly fourteen years, and finally rose to the presidency. which he now occupies. In the meantime. he had first pnr- chased a one-third interest in the bank, later securing a one-half interest with Mr. Cook. whose share he eventually bought. Mr. Zimmer- man sold a one-seventh interest to J. A. Huber, the present cashier of the institution. Mr. Zim- merman is one of the well known men in bank- ing in Montgomery County and his present high reputation and that of his institution have been built up through years of honest and straight- forward dealing. While the interests of his bank receive the greater part of his attention, he also has other holdings, being interested in the Farmers Grain Company and the Harvel Lumber Company, and also owning innch realty at Harvel and in other parts of Montgomery County.

On November 26. 1913. Mr. Zimmerman mar- ried Miss Marie C. Tiemeyer. a daughter of H. J. Tiemeyer, a well known carpet dealer of Saint Louis. Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Zimmerman are active members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Harvel and have been liberal in their support of its movements. Politically. Mr. Zim- merman is a Republican and a party leader. He has been earnest in his desire to do his duty as

a good citizen of the community, and has served as alderman and two terms as village president.

ZOLLAR, Christian H., M. D., one of the skilled physicians and surgeons of Litchfield, and a man widely known and universally respected, was born at Murphysboro, Ill .. March 10, 1877, a son of Christian H. and Sarah E. (Layne) Zollar. he born in Baden, Germany, and she in Jackson County, Ill. The father came to the United States in young manhood, locating in Murphysboro, Ill., where he conducted a shoe business, later becoming the owner of a trans- fer business. His death occurred in May, 1916, but the mother survives and makes her home at Murphysboro.

Dr. Zollar attended the common and high schools of Carbondale, and the Normal school at that place. and then matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, St. Louis, Mo., from which he was graduated in 1903. with the degree of M. D., following which he was an interne in the Baptist Hospital at St. Louis. For six months he was engaged in prac- tice at St. Louis, and then moved to Granite City, Ill., where he remained until March, 1914, coming in that month to Litchfield. Here he has found business and social conditions to his liking and has built np a very desirable prac- tice. much of it being hospital work. Pro- fessionally he belongs to the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medi- cal Society, and the American Medical Asso- ciation.

In 190S Dr. Zollar was married to Phillipine Hoffman, born at Millvale, Pa., a daughter of Louis Hoffman. Dr. and Mrs. Zollar have two daughters : Sarah Margaret and Christine. Dr. Zollar was confirmed in the German Evangelical Church. In politics he is a Republican. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, Elks, Eagles and Moose. A scholarly man, he keeps himself abreast of the times, and is recognized as a leader in his profession. especially in cases requiring exceptional surgical skill.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 114

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