Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 67

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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ALLEN, Lee Gilbert, M. D., who is widely and favorably known in Montgomery County, as an able young physician and surgeon, is conveni- ently located at Litchfield, where he enjoys the confidence of the public and a large practice. He was born in Zanesville Township, this county, November 30, 1876, a son of William Lee and Amanda C. (Potts) Allen. His father was born in Montgomery County, Ill., November 6, 1833, and his mother in Macoupin County, Ill. The paternal grandparents were Robert and Agnes (Rolland) Allen, born in Kentucky, and the ma- ternal were William Bate and Rhoda (Stewart) Potts, and they were all early settlers of this section of Illinois. After their marriage, Wil- liam Lee Allen and his wife settled on a farm, and Mr. Allen was also pastor of the Christian Church at Pleasant Hill for twenty-two years, and at Shaw's Point, and was a charter meni- ber of the former church. In 1901 Reverend Allen moved to Litchfield, and since 1913 he lias made his home with his son Doctor Allen, being now retired from active life.

Lee Gilbert Allen attended the district schools, and the high school of St. Louis, Mo., and then matriculated in the medical department of the St. Louis University, from which he was grad- uated with his degree of M. D. In 1902 he came

to Litchfield and entered upon professional work, building up a very fine practice, which is confined mostly to St. Francis Hospital.

In April, 1905, Doctor Allen was married to Effie Rosella Felts, born in Missouri, but reared . at Litchfield. She is a daughter of George W. and Amanda (Ramsey) Felts, natives of West- line, Mo. Doctor and Mrs. Allen have three children, namely : Dorothy Lee, who was born September 1, 1907; Elizabeth Colt, who was born December 10, 1914; and Lee Gilbert, who was born October 11, 1916. A member of the Christian Church since 1905, Doctor Allen has been an elder in it since 1914, and was a deacon from 1909 to 1914. In politics he is a Demo- crat. Fraternally he is a Mason belonging to Charter Oak Lodge No. 236, A. F. & A. M. A scholarly man, Doctor Allen stands very high among his professional brethren, and is ranked with the skilful physicians and surgeons of this section of the state.

ALLEN, William A., M. D., a physician and sur- geon for thirty-nine years, and for the past thirty-five years engaged in practice at Donnell- son, was born five miles northeast of Donnellson, in East Fork Township, January 28, 1856, a son of Robert S. and Harriet (Ohmart) Allen.

The founder of the North Carolina Allen tam- ily came to the United States from England at an early date, and at the same time a brother settled in New York state, and from him Col. Ethan Allen. the heroic commander of the "Green Mountain Boys," in the War of the Rev- olution, was descended. Robert S. Allen was born in Rockingham County, N. C., November 22, 1833, his family having long been estab- lished there. He was reared in his native state, but left it in 1854 to come to Illinois, locating four miles south of the present site of Coffeen, there buying a farm, on which he lived, and on which he died in August, 1901. He served as a justice of the peace, and was a radical Dem- ocrat. A member of tlie Cumberland Presby- terian Church, he took an active part in its af- fairs and was one of its elders for years. Fra- ternally he was a Mason, belonging to Donnell- son Lodge No. 255, A. F. & A. M. Harriet Ohmart was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, of Ger- man parentage, and her grandparents came to this country from Germany. She was brought to Illinois in her childhood, and was reared in Montgomery County. Her father died at New Salem, Ill., where he spent his last years, but her mother died when she was young. Rob- ert S. Allen and his wife had two children, namely : William A., and George N., who is a stock buyer and lives at Donnellson.

William A. Allen was reared on a farm in East Fork Township, and during his boyhood at-, tended the district schools. . As soon as he could secure a teacher's certificate he began teach- ing. and during 1874, 1875 and 1876 was thus en- gaged. When only seventeen years old he began studying medicine under Dr. Haynes, and in the fall of 1876 he entered Missouri Medical Col- lege. at St. Louis, Mo., and took the full course, working his way through, and receiving his de-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

gree March 5, 1878. Until 1882 he practiced in his home neighborhood, and then located at Donnellson, where he has since been success- fully engaged in a general practice.

On May 5, 1881, Dr. Allen was married to Clara Clotfelter, born November 22, 1857, at Hillsboro, Ill. She was a daughter of James W. and Dorcas (Bost) Clotfelter, the former be- ing one of the pioneers of Montgomery County and a well known stockman. He was born in North Carolina, and started for Illinois with his parents when a child. His father died on the way, and his mother with her nine children landed at Hillsboro in 1833. There James W. Clotfelter was reared, and spent his entire life, dying in 1905, having lost his wife in 1897. Dr. and Mrs. Allen Iived at Donnellson until 1900 and then moved to a farm two miles south of the village, where they still reside, although he maintains his office at Donnellson. They have one daughter, Ruby, who is the wite of Raymond N. Harwood. Mrs. Harwood attended the grade and high schools of Hillsboro, and spent two years at Greenville College and one year at Forest Park University, St. Louis. Mr. Harwood is a graduate of Michigan University. He and his wife have one son, Allen Harwood.

Dr. Allen is a member of Donnellson Lodge No. 255, A. F. & A. M .; Mississippi Valley Con- sistory at East St. Louis, Ill., and Ainad Tem- ple, Mystic Shrine, A. A. O. M. 'S. He belongs to Sorento Lodge No. 318, K. of P. In politics he is a Democrat, and was supervisor of East Fork Township for one term, prior to his moving to Donnellson. Dr. Allen was one of the organizers of the State Bank of Donnellson, and has served as its president since its organization, and is a stockholder of the Hillsboro National Bank, and a stockholder in the Bradford National Bank at Greenville, Ill. He also owns stock in the State Bank of San Marcial, N. M., and owns 1,400 acres of land in Bond County, and 166 acres in Madison County, and 160 acres at Ab- erdeen, S. Dak.

ANGLE, Franklin Claude, who is now engaged in a concrete contracting business, is one of the reliable men of Litchfield. He was born in Greene County, Ill., September 4, 1880, a son of Robert Theodore and Augusta (Lachmund) Angle, natives of Pennsylvania and Germany, respectively. The father was a farmer who in 1902 moved to Litchfield. Montgomery County, and bought a restaurant, which he conducted for two years and then sold to his son Franklin Claude. He then bought a farm in South Litch- field Township, but soon thereafter returned to Litchfield and bought back the restaurant and was conducting it when he met with an acci- dent, four months later, when he sold this busi- ness once more, and retired from active life. His death occurred in April, 1911. The mother survives and lives in Litchfield.

Franklin Claude Angle attended the district schools, and worked for his father on a farm in Greene County, and in his father's restaurant at Litchfield, buying it from his father and con- ducting it for three months. and then sold. After

that he worked at the mason trade for three years and branched out as a concrete contractor and now does all kinds of cement work.

On March 22, 1904, Mr. Angle was married to Zena Margaret Guthals, born in Walshville Township, a daughter of George and Henrietta Guthals, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Angle have the following children: Russell LeRoy, Ruth Lavon, Harold Lamoine and Fay Lucile. The family are members of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. Angle is a Democrat. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he has been local manager since 1910, and to the Royal Neighbors. He is a man of his word, and through his honorable dealing and uprightness, he has built up a large and valuable trade.

APPLEGATE, Arthur William, operating the old Applegate homestead on Section 29, Hills- boro Township, is one of the substantial farmers and reliable men of Montgomery County. He was born near Palmer, Christian County, Ill., July 28, 1875, a son of William H. and Caroline P. (Jones) Applegate, and a grandson of John J. and Abigail (Applegate) Applegate, and Samuel and Charlotte (Hendricks) Jones, all natives of New Jersey. The paternal grandparents died in their native state, but the maternal grand- parents came to Sangamon County, Ill., at an early day.

William II. Applegate was born in New Jer- sey but spent many years in Hillsboro Township, Montgomery County, Ill., where he died when sixty-seven years old, his widow still surviving and living on the old homestead with her son Arthur William, and her daughter Susie. Their children were as follows: Rachel, who is the wite of Perry Alexander, of Enid, Okla .; Gor- don, who lives at Ramsey, Kas .; George, who lives in Hillsboro Township; Abigail, who is the wife of Thomas Callaghan, of Hillsboro Town- ship; Samuel Addison, who is a farmer of Hills- boro Township; Arthur William; Susie, who is with her mother : and four who died in infancy. In his earlier years William H. Applegate was a carpenter, later was a merchant and finally a farmer, and all of his life he was an industrious man and desirable citizen. Both he and his wife early joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. and he died firm in its faith. and she is still a faithful member.

Arthur William Applegate was reared on the farm he now occupies, and has lived in Mont- gomery County since he was four years old, at which time the family came to Hillsboro Town- ship, the father investing in two eighty-acre tracts of land which have since then greatly in- creased in value. thereby proving his foresight and judgment. Growing up in Hillsboro Town- ship during the formative period of his life, Arthur William Applegate attended its schools and has been thoroughly identified with its best interests, so that what is of value to his neigh- borhood, is very close to his heart. His efforts have been concentrated on farming and he is recognized as one of the leading agriculturalists

FRANK J. SCHEFFEL

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

of this section which contains a number of men who thoroughly understand their business. Mr. Applegate lives with his mother and sister Susie. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the office of school director for one term.

APPLEGATE, George Henry, a prosperous farmer on Section 17, Hillsboro Township, is one of the native sons of Montgomery County, as he was born near Litchfield, March 22, 1862, a son of William H. and Caroline P. (Jones) Apple- gate, of Montgomery County, the former of whom is deceased.

George Henry Applegate was reared iu his native township where he remained until he was eighteen years old, at which time he moved on a farm his father owned on Section 29, Hillsboro Township, and lived there until he was married. He then rented the William Gould farm for one year, leaving it for a place on Section 17 that belonged to his father, and that tract of land he farmed for about eight years. His next location was a quarter of a mile south, on forty acres of land he purchased, and this coutinued his home uutil 1905, when he bought his present farm which is on the east half of Section 17. He operates about 200 acres of land, and still owus his original forty acres.

On December 4, 1884, Mr. Applegate was mar- ried to Miss Julia Ferguson, a daughter of James and Phoebe (Barlow) Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs. Applegate became the parents of five chil- dren : Maude, who is the: wife of Charles Alex- ander, and they have one sou, Clarence; Roy aud Ethel, who are at home. and two died in infancy. Mr. Applegate is a Republican and has served as a school director. The Methodist Episcopal Church holds the membership of both Mr. and Mrs. Applegate.

Mrs. Applegate was born near Walshville, Ill., where she was reared and educated. Her father came to Montgomery County when a child, and both he and her mother are living. They had six children : George, Julia, Johu. Hattie, Lillie, and one who died young. The paternal grand- parents of Mrs. Applegate were Darius and La- vina (Hensley) Ferguson, and they were early settlers of Montgomery County. Their children were as follows : John. George, Robert. James, Wilson, Abner, Emma, Frank and Annie. The maternal grandfather was Joseph Barlow, who married a Miss Blair. and their children were : Phoebe, Martha, Lina. Alcinda, Thomas and Euphemia.

APPLEGATE, Samuel Addison, a very success- ful farmer residing on Section 20, Hillsboro Township, is one of the representative men of Montgomery County. He was born near Tren- ton. N. J .. December 22, 1866, a son of William H. and Caroline (Pones) Applegate, natives of New Jersey. They had eleven children, namely: Gordon, who lives at Ramona, Kas .; George, who lives at Hillsboro, Ill .; Abigail, who is the wife of Thomas Callaghan, of Hillsboro Township; Samuel Addison; Rachel, who is the wife of Perry Alexander of Enid, Okla. ; Arthur W., who lives in Hillsboro Township; Susie,

who lives at home; and four who died in child- hood. William H. Applegate was first a car- penter and later a merchant who came to Mont- gomery County in an early day, then moved away, returning later on and buying two eighty- · acre tracts in Hillsboro Township, where he died at the age of sixty-seven years. His widow, born February 1, 1840, survives, and is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church as was her hus- band. The paternal grandfather was John J. Applegate, and his wife was Abigail (Apple- gate) Applegate, natives of New Jersey who died iu that state. He was a farmer. Their chil- dren were as follows: William, Edward, George, and Gordon, who died at the age of four years. The maternal grandfather was Samuel Jones, and he married Charlotte Hendricks, both being natives of New Jersey, who came to Illinois, locating in Sangamon County, where they died. Their children were as follows: John, Austin, George, Frank. William, Samuel, Susan, Sarah, Caroline, Louise and one who died in child- hood.

Samuel Addison Applegate was reared on his father's farm in Hillsboro Township and at- tended the neighborhood schools, living at home until he was a mau grown. He was then mar- ried and has farmed for himself ever since. owning now 180 acres on Section 20, Hillsboro Township, his farm being one of the best cul- tivated and productive in this locality. On De- cember 28. 1893, Mr. Applegate was married to Miss Lottie Corlew, a daughter of William H. and Eliza (Black) Corlew. Mr. and Mrs. Apple- gate have one daughter, Elsie Fern. Mrs. Apple- gate belongs to the Baptist Church. Mr. Apple- gate is a Republican and was highway com- missioner for three terms. The birth of Mrs. Applegate occurred on a farm, February 16, 1867. Both of her parents are now deceased. They had the following children : Mary Ault, Nettie Kessinger, Martha Sims, Lottie Apple- gate, Lucy Corlew and Eliza Corlew.

ARMENTROUT, Clarence L., one of the prosper- ous farmers of Section 17, Witt Township, owns 110 acres of land, and is engaged iu dairying and raising a good grade of hogs and other stock. He was born on his present farm, in the house he now occupies, on July 10, 1872. a son of John T. and Rebecca (Vermilion) Armen - trout. John T. Armentrout was also born in Witt Township, a son of Christopher H. and Elizabeth Armentrout, who were married in West Virginia, and came to Illinois at an early date. and since then the family has been loca- ted in Montgomery County. Rebecca Vermilion was born in the county in Illinois that bears her maiden name. and she is a daughter of James S. and Elizabeth Vermilion, who were of French descent. They brought their family to Mont- gomery County when Mrs. Armentrout was a child and she was reared here. After their mar- riage, John T. and Rebecca Armentrout settled on the farm now owned by their son. Clarence L., and there the father died in 1887. The mother continued to live on the farm until her second marriage, which occurred in 1898, when

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

she was united with Fred Mitchell, and they now live at Witt, Ill. She is a member of the Pleasant View Methodist Church, to which John T. Armentrout also belonged. He was a Repub- lican in politics, and at one time served Witt Township as supervisor, and held other ofii- ces, being a man of high character and excellent executive ability. Mr. and Mrs. Armentrout had the following children : Clarence L .; Elvira, who is now deceased, was the wife of Orville Carriker; Augusta, who died at the age of sev- enteen years; Gertrude, who lives in California ; Lee who lives at Mattoon, Ill. ; and Howard and Stella. both of whom died when young.

Clarence L. Armentrout attended the schools ot Witt Township, and was reared on the farm where he now resides. On August 16, 1893, he was married to Ida E. Towell, who was born and reared in Witt Township, a daughter of Isaac T. and Elizabeth (Chapman) Towell. Isaac T. Towell was born in White County, Ill., and came to Montgomery County in young man- hood. Mrs. Towell, who was born in Kentucky, lost her mother by death, when she was a child, and her father then brought her to Montgomery County. For a time after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. I. T. Towell lived in North Litchfield Township, but left it in 1870 for Witt Town- ship, and in 1894 they moved to Fillmore Town- ship, nine miles south of Mr. Armentront's farm, and there Mrs. Towell died April 7, 1906. Mr. Towell survives and still makes his home oll his farm. He and his wife had nine children, namely : John W., who lives in Hillsboro Town- ship; Laura, who is the wife of Henry Lee of Witt. Ill .; Martha, who is the wife of Jacob Bauerle of Witt: Nora, who is the wife of Louis Best of Missouri : Ida E .. who is Mrs. Armentrout ; Eva, who is the wife of Victor Wright of Donnellson, Ill .; Isaac T., Jr., who is at home: Elmer J., who lives at Chapman, Ill. ; and Maude, who is the wife of Wood Stephen- son of Chapman. Ill.

When they were first married, Mr. and Mrs. Armentrout located on a farm on Section 7, Witt Township, where they lived until 1903. but in that year they came to the Armentrout home- stead, which has since continued to be their home. They have eight children, namely : Inez, who is Mrs. Chester Cunningham, has two chil- dren, Clarice V. and Ray Lincoln, and they live at Elkville. Ill .; Chester and Lester, who died in infancy; I. Leslie, and John T., who are at home; Letha M. and Dorothy, who are attending school ; and Velma, who is the young- est. The family belong to the Methodist Epis- copal Church of Witt, and Mr. Armentrout be- longs to its official board, being one of its stewards. He is a member of Witt Camp, M. W. A. Politically he is a Republican and he served two full terms and a portion of a third as tax collector. He has also been a school trustee of his district for a good many years, and for the past year has been highway commissioner for his township.

ARMSTRONG, William B., one of the substan- tial men of Montgomery County where he owns considerable property, has for a number of years

maintained an elegant summer residence Just south of Litchfield. He was born in Ireland, in December, 1839, a son of Alexander and Martha (Richey) Armstrong who came to the United States, landing in New York City in 1853, from whence they traveled to Warren County, Ill., there settling on a farm.

William B. Armstrong attended the common schools before leaving Ireland. In August, 1862, he enlisted for service during the Civil War in Company B, One IInndred and Second Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, participating in the battles of Rocky Face, those of the Atlanta campaign, including the famous march to the sea, and the conquest of the Carolinas. In the march from Raleigh to Petersburg, he was bare- footed, as none of the shoes furnished by the government would fit him. From Petersburg he went to Richmond and thence to Washington, where he took part in the Grand Review, being discharged in July, 1865. He then returned to. Warren County.

In December, 1867, Mr. Armstrong was mar- ried to Olive Terpening, born in Warren County, a daughter of John. P. and Mindwell ( Smith) Terpening, natives of New York state who came by canal and lakes to Chicago. and thence by wagon to Warren County. Mrs. Armstrong at- tended the public schools and Knox College and taught school prior to her marriage. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong spent a year in Warren County, and then moved to Vernon County, Mo., where they bought a farm and lived for thirty-two years. Mr. Armstrong then traded his ranch for a coal mine at Ray- mond, Ill., which had 170 acres of land adjoin- ing it, and also invested in Raymond town pro- perty. For a year he engaged in farming his land and then turned it over to his son and re- tired. Some four years later he sold this farm and bought the Atterbury farm, one and one- half miles northwest of Litchfield, and two acres just north of Litchfield. This farm of 160 acres continued to be the family home for a year and then removal was made to the pres- ent residence just south of Litchfield, where Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong spend their summers, their winters being spent at Lynnhaven, St. Andrews Bay, Fla., where he owns several lots and a fine bungalow.

Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong have two living chil- dren, namely: Ricey D., who is operating the homestead ; and Lenora M. who is Mrs. Shelby Rhodes of North Litchfield Township. They have lost two children, Smith, who died at the age of twenty-six years; and Ethelda, who died at the age of nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong belong to the Church of Christ and to the Christian Union, although both were reared in the Methodist faith. Mr. Armstrong is a Prohibitionist. S. B. Phillips Post No. 379. G. A. R., holds his membership and has his loyal support.

ATTEBERY, William J., owner of what is said to be the finest farm in Hillsboro Township, is one of the leading farmers of Montgomery County. He was born in Hillsboro Township,

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west of the Woodsboro Church, Montgomery County, Ill., March 18, 1861, a son of William M. and Mary Jane (Beeler) Attebery, natives of Macoupin County, Ill., and Butler County, Ohio. They had ten children as follows : Luella E., who is of Hillsboro; William J .; David, who lives in Grisham Township; Sarah M., who is the wife of George Rainey, of Hillsboro Town- ship; Lavina, who is deceased, was the wife of John Loucks, of Hillsboro Township; Charles B., who lives in Arkansas; Eva B., who is the wife of Edwin Thompson, of Hillsboro; Mamie, who died in 1894; and two who died in infancy.

William M. Attebery was reared in Mont- gomery County on a farm, and when a young man moved to the vicinity of Litchfield. On January 1, 1857, he was married to Mary Jane Beeler, a daughter of Jacob Beeler, and after their marriage they went to Hillsboro Town- ship, where Mr. Attebery purchased 100 acres of land that is now owned by the William Ault estate. After a few years spent on that farm, he sold and moved to Section 2S, and in the spring of 1868 moved to Section 17, where George Rainey now lives, buying 200 acres, which he improved and resided on until 1890, when he moved to Litchfield, where he died November 13, 1895. aged sixty years. His wife survived him and died January 19, 1901, aged sixty-four years three months and seven days. She came to this county when eighteen years old, from Ohio. She and her husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In matters of citizenship, William M. Attebery was public spirited and loyal. and at the time of the Civil War he espoused the Union cause. and enlisted as a pri- vate and served a year, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability. Honorable and upright, he was highly esteemed throughout the county. He was a very successful farmer and at the time of his death owned about 1,000 acres of land. although he had started out a poor, boy. His parents were Ailey and Lavina (Logs- don) Attebery, the former of whom was born in Macoupin County. Ill., the son of Melchizedek Attebery. one of the very early settlers of that county. whose wife was before marriage a Miss Peebles. Ailey and Lavina Attebery had chil- dren as follows: Albert. Sarah. William M., Mary. Louis. Willis. Luella and Isabel. The ma- ternal grandparents of William J. Attebery were natives of Ohio, and early settlers of Litch- field. Ill. Jacob Beeler was a farmer and he died at Litchfield. His children were as fol- lows: Mary Jane Atterbury, Margaret Kis- singer. Christina. and Bettie Lockerman.

William J. Attebery is one of the representa- tive and progressive farmers of Hillsboro Town- ship, in which he was born as a member of one of the county's pioneer families. He was reared to farm life. and this calling has always claimed his attention. His educational training was ob- tained in the public schools of, his native town- ship, and in the periods of vacation he assisted his father in the operation of the homestead, re- maining under the parental roof until after his marriage. On March 17. 1SS7, William J. Atte-

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 67

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