USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II > Part 69
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Dr. Victor B. Barcroft was given his pre- liminary educational training in the public schools, following which he entered Lincoln University, at Lincoln, Ill., and was graduated therefrom in 1876. For the following two years he taught school, and then entering the Medical College of the University at St. Louis, was graduated therefrom in 1879 with the degree of M. D. Dr. Barcroft then practiced at Walsh- ville until 1901, when he came to Litchfield, and built up so large a practice that in 1904 he built a brick sanitarium to accommodate his patients.
In 1SS4 Dr. Barcroft was married to Eliza- beth Hodges. born at Walshville, Ill., and died in 1893. She was a daughter of Charles T. and Ruth (Bostwick) Hodges, and left one daugh- ter, Erma C., who is Mrs. E. J. Hewitt of Sheri- dan, Wyo. In 1896 Dr. Barcroft was married (second) to Margaret Taylor, born at Walsh- ville. Ill., a daughter of George D. and Mary (Kirkwood) Taylor, natives of New Jersey and Illinois. respectively. Dr. and Mrs. Barcroft have three children. as follows: Lavonne. Dwight and Victor. all of whom are at home. Dr. Barcroft belongs to the Christian Church of which he has been an elder since 1906. In politics he is a Republican and is a member of the school board. Fraternally his connec- tions are with the Modern Woodmen of America and the order of Ben Hur. Dr. Barcroft owns several farms in the vicinity of Litchfield and is a man of ample means and wide interests.
BARLOW. C. C., postmaster at Walshville, and junior member of the well established coal and general store firm of T. M. and C. C. Barlow, is one of the sound business men of Walshvilie,
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who stands weil in his community. He was born near Walshville, Ill., December 29, 1868, a son of T. M. and Elizabeth (McPhail) Bar- low.
Growing up his native township, C. C. Barlow ,
attended the district and the Walshville schools. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster of Walsh- ville, and has held that important office cou- tinuously, in spite of a change in political parties. A Republican, he was the successful nominee at one time of his party as assesor of Walshville Township, and served for four years, and he is school and village treasurer at pres- ent, having held these offices for some years, succeeding himself in office.
In October, 1890, Mr. Barlow was married to Anna Haley, a daughter of Rev. A. Haley, a Presbyterian minister. Prior to her marriage Mrs. Barlow was a school teacher for some years. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow have had three children, namely : Shirley, who was born iu September, 1891, died in 1892; R. L., who was born July 15, 1894, is a graduate of the Walsh- ville High school, completing his course there at the age of twelve years, and he was gradu- ated from the Litchfield High school iu 1911. Ile is now an interne in the City Hospital at St. Louis, Mo., having been graduated in June, 1917, from the St. Louis University with the degree of M. D .; and Truman A., who was born June 10, 1908, is atteuding school. Mrs. Barlow belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Barlow belongs to Walshville Lodge No. 1558, W. of A. A mau of unusual ability, he has prospered himself and has been able to give his children advantages that have aided these naturally bright sons very materially.
BARLOW, Thomas L., one of the well known residents of Walshville, and a man who is held in high esteem, was born in Walshville Town- ship, near Walshville, Montgomery County, Ill., October 25, 1867, a son of William F. and Har- riet (Ferguson) Barlow, both of whom were born in Illinois, the father in Walshville Town- ship. IIe died in November, 1884, and she in 1892. of their five children three surviving : Thomas L .; Maggie E., who is the wife of G. E. DeShane, of Panama, Ill .; and Elmer W., who lives at Walshville, is a telegrapher for the Big Four Railroad. William F. Barlow was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and he was a Republican in politics.
Thomas L. Barlow was reared on a farm and attended the Walsliville schools. He began busi- ness life as a clerk in a hardware store, and remained with the same concern until February, 1815. when he went with the firm of T. M. & C. C. Barlow, with which he has since continued. In August, 1SSS, Mr. Barlow was married to Effie Lindley, who was born in Missouri, but was brought to Montgomery County in her girlhood, and attended school here. Mr. and Mrs. Barlow have had two daughters: Grace, who was grad- uated from the grade schools, is the wife of Elijah Green, and they live at Schram City, Ill. ; and Lola M., who died at the age of three years.
They belong to the Presbyterian Church, iu which Mr. Barlow is an elder, and both are active workers in church and Sunday school. Mr. Barlow belongs to Walshville Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he is treasurer, aud he also belongs to the Modern Woodmeu of America. In politics he is a Republican and served at one time as assessor of the township. Mr. Barlow owns his residence and in every way stands well in his community.
BARLOW, Thomas M., mayor of Walshville, and a prosperous merchant here, dealiug in coal and grain under the firm name of T. M. & C. C. Barlow, has long been accepted as one of the leading men of Montgomery County. He was born near Walshville, Ill., May 25, 1851, a son of Joseph and Nancy ( Blair) Barlow. The father was born in 1801, iu Tennessee, and the mother was a native of Pennsylvania. When they came to Grisham Township, Montgomery County, Ill., where they spent the remainder of their lives, Joseph Barlow had fifty cents in money, a shot gun and two rounds of ammunition, and a wife and two children. When he died he owned 350 acres of land aud had $8,000 in money. In addition to farming he was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in poli- tics he was a Republican, but never entered public life. By his first wife he had the fol- lowing children: Emily, Elizabeth, Mary and Ceburn. By his second wife his children were as follows : Eliza, who is the widow of Murray Easley ; Phoebe, who is the wife of James Fer- guson ; Martha, who is the wife of Michael Judge; Joseph, who is deceased; S. Dina, who is deceased; Frances, who is the widow of E. M. Root ; Alice, who is deceased; and Thomas M. and E. L.
Thomas M. Barlow was reared on a farm and attended the local schools, remaining at lome until on February 27, 1868, he was mar- ried to Nancy E. McPhail, who was born and reared in Walshville Township. After his mar- riage he rented a part of his father's farm. Later he bought a residence iu Walshville, pay- ing $6 per month for it the first six months and after that $10 per month until he finished paying for it. This gave him au incentive to save, and today he is in more than comfortable circumstances. In 1891 he entered the Walsh- ville Co-operative store as a clerk at $25 per month. Later he was employed in the imple- ment and lumber house of A. H. Moberger & Co., with which he remained until 1901, when he and his son, C. C. Barlow, formed their present partnership. They have met with very gratifying success in their business.
Mr. and Mrs. Barlow had the following chil- dren born to them: C. C., James E., Thomas M., Jr., and one daughter, who died in infancy. There are seven grandchildren in the family. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a trustee. In politics he is a Re- publican, and he is the present mayor of Walsh- ville, and has been for the past ten years. A lover of home aud family, he is very proud of
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his children and grandchildren, and deeply in- terested in everything pertaining to his city or the county, where he has spent so many years.
in farm lands in Texas and Arkansas as well . be appointed in District No. 30. Mr. Barnwell
BARNWELL, Charles G., who represents the leading old line insurance companies, and deals as in southern Illinois, is one of the most enter- prising men of Montgomery County and the city of Litchfield, from which he conducts his opera- tions. He was born in Johnson County, Ill., November 27, 1870, a son of John Carter and Nancy Jane (Roberts) Barnwell, natives of North Carolina and Kentucky respectively. They were married on the farm on which Charles G. Barnwell was born, and during their married life became the parents of eleven chil- dren who grew to maturity. The father was born February 21, 1829, and when he was ten years old was brought to Illinois, the family having spent the preceding eight years in Ten- nessee. The grandfather entered and bought Johnson County farm land, and the father fol- lowed his example becoming a heavy land- owner. He resided on his Johnson County land until 1898, when he retired, moved to Ozark, Ill., where the mother died May 5, 1899. The father remarried, and moved to Williamson County, Ill., where he died October 13, 1915. During the Civil War he served as a soldier in Company K, One Hundred and Twentieth Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry.
Charles G. Barnwell attended the country schools of his native county, and taught school for eight years. He then came to Montgomery County, and was made principal of the schools of Farmersville, serving as such during 1898 and 1899, and then occupied the same position at Honey Bend during 1899 and 1900. For the succeeding two years he held a clerical position with the Wabash Railroad at Litchfield, and then was appointed a mail carrier of the city, holding that position until September 1, 1910, when he embarked in a life insurance commis- sion business, being district manager for the Yeomen of America until this company was taken over by the Loyal American Life Associa- tion, August 3, 1916. He represents the American Eagle Fire Insurance Company, the Aachen and Munich Insurance Company ot Germany, the Milers National Insurance Com- pany, the Home Insurance Company of New York, and is collector and agent for the Mas- sachusetts Bonding and Insurance Company. Mr. Barnwell is a notary public, and in 1910 he began handling farm lands in Arkansas, south- ern Illinois and Texas, and does a large busi- ness.
On November 27, 1892, Mr. Barnwell was married to Manda Reynolds, born in Johnson County, Ill., a daughter of John, and a relative of Governor Reynolds of Illinois. Her mother was Sarah Peterson Reynolds. Mr. and Mrs. Barnwell have one daughter, Myrtle Ivy, who is a teacher in the public schools of Litchfield. The Presbyterian Church holds the family mem- bership, except the daughter, who belongs to the Christian Church. In politics Mr. Barnwell
is a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Loyal American Life Association, the order of Ben Hur, and the Lincoln Fraternal. In 1911 he was appointed a director of work in the order of Odd Fellows and was the first to is better educated than many, for he not only attended the state normal school at Carbondale, but also the University at Valparaiso, Ind., and since leaving the schoolroom as an instructor, has kept abreast of the times by extensive read- ing.
BARTLETT, Arthur Hiram, county clerk of Montgomery County, residing at Hillsboro, is one of the leading men of this section. He was born at Hillsboro, Ill., December 10, 1878, a son of Hiram and Susie (Keys) Bartlett, na- tives of Illinois. Their children were as fol- lows : Belle, who is the wife of Dan McCallum of Decatur, Ill .; Augusta, who lives at Decatur ; Arthur H., who lives at Hillsboro; Frank, who lives at Alton, Ill .; Harry, who lives at Irving, Ill. ; John E., who lives at Muskogee, Oklahoma ; Marie, who is the wife of Elmer Crane, of Decatur, Ill .; Earl, who died when about six- teen years old; Edna, who is at home, and two who died in infancy.
Hiram Bartlett was reared in Montgomery County and was in early life a stockman, and later on a merchant of Hillsboro. For a num- ber of years he and his wife have been living at Irving. They are Presbyterians. The paternal grandfather was Samuel T. Bartlett, and he and his wife were early settlers of Montgomery County. He was a business man and trader, and prominent citizen and he died at an advanced age, as did his wife. Their children were as follows: John W., Charles L., Henry J., George, Edward, Douglas, Hiram, Mary E., who is the wife of W. A. Nickey. The maternal grandfather and grandmother were early settlers of Montgomery County, and he was in the grain business at one time at Witt. Both he and his wife died at an ad- vanced age. Among their children were the following : Harry, Frank, Walter, Bert, Susie and Ollie.
Arthur H. Bartlett was reared on the home- stead, and he attended the country schools, and the Irving High school. He then went into a restaurant business at Irving. and later into a hardware business, which latter he still carries on. He belongs to Irving Lodge No. 455, A. F. & A. M., Hillsboro Chapter, R. A. M .; to the Litchfield Lodge of Elks, and in politics he is a Democrat. He served as town clerk of Irv- ing Township two terms, and supervisor two terms. In 1914 he was elected county clerk of Montgomery County, which office he still holds.
On January 27, 1900, Mr. Bartlett was mar- ried to Miss Alice Lawson, a daughter of Mat and Eliza (Blair) Lawson. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett, Leona and Merle, both of whom died in infancy. Mrs. Bartlett was born in East Fork Township. September 6, 1878. Her father died about 1896, but her
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mother survives. They had the following chil- dren : Stephen, Serena, Wilson, Thomas, Nancy, Dora, Wesley and Alice.
BARTLETT, Harry L., manager and part owner of the A. H. Bartlett Hardware Company of Irv- ing, Ill., is one of the live business men of the county. He was born at Irving, January 4, 1887, a son of H. Rand and Susan (Keas) Bart- lett. H. R. Bartlett was born in Illinois, a son of Samuel Bartlett, who came to Montgom- ery County at an early day and brought his family with him. Susan Keas was born at Brighton, Ill., and she and II. R. Bartlett were married at that place and lived in Kentucky for a year, and then moved to Irving, Ill., which has since continued their home. They became the parents of nine children, eight of whom sur- vive, namely : Belle, who is Mrs. D. H. McCal- lum of Decatur, Ill .; Augusta, who lives at Decatur, Ill. ; Arthur H., who lives at Hillsboro, Ill. ; Frank S., who lives at Alton, Ill .; Elmer J., who lives at Muskogee, Okla .; Harry L .; Earl, who died at the age of fourteen years; Marie, who is Mrs. Elmer Crane of Decatur, Ill. ; and Edna, who is a teacher at Hillsboro. The fam- ily belongs to the Presbyterian Church. In poli- tics Mr. Bartlett is a Democrat. .
Harry L. Bartlett was reared at Irving, and attended its schools, and his first self-supporting work was done as an employe of the Wabash Railroad Company, at Decatur, Ill., where he was one of the office force, continuing there for about ten years. For the subsequent year lie was in a cigar business at Danville, Ill., and theu he eame to Irving and conducted a confec- tionery business for two years. For the next twelve months he was in Oklahoma, and once more returning to Irving. he entered his present business handling hardware and manufactures cement and cement blocks. He has additional business interests at Shelbyville.
On December 16, 1912, Harry E. Bartlett was married to Franees M. Broome, of Effingham, 111. Mr. Bartlett belongs to Irving Lodge No. 455. A. F. & A. M .. and Irving Lodge. M. W. A. Ile is a Democrat in politics, but has not cared to enter public life, preferring to exert his in- fluence as a private eitizen.
BARTLING, Carl Frederick, one of the leading citizens of Litchfield, whose business connec- tions are of the soundest, has served his com- munity ably and well in several important pub- lic offices, and stands high in the esteem and confidence of his associates. He was born at Woodburn, Macoupin County, Ill., February 13, 1864. a son of Henry and Anna (Tuseher) Bartling.
Until he was twelve years old, Carl Fred- erick Bartling attended the public schools of Litchfield, and then left home and worked in a general store, rising until he had charge of the mercantile establishment of Mr. Hoffman. When Mr. Hoffman died in 1SSS. Mr. Bartling was placed in full charge by the heirs and conducted the business for them until 1898, when, with Levi A. IIussey, he purchased the
store. The wives of Messrs. Bartling and Hus- sey were among the heirs of Mr. Hoffman. The business is now conducted under the name of Bartling & Hussey. There was a debt of $380 when Mr. Hoffman died. Now this is the largest mereantile store in this part of the state, the remarkable development being due to the management of the present partners. They have a wholesale oil and gasoline station at Hillsboro and Litchfield in addition to their mercantile interests. Mr. Bartling is also president of the Litchfield Creamery Company, J. A. Pappmeirviel being its vice-president, and Martin Jensen the general manager. In poli- tics Mr. Bartling is a Republican and for a year was secretary of the Montgomery County Central Committee. Ile served three terms as colleetor of South Litchfield Township, was county treasurer from 1894 to 1898, for four years was a member of the Litchfield school board, and for two years represented the Sec- ond Ward in the city council of Litchfield. From 1904 to 1912 he was a trustee of the Lincoln State Asylum. Fraternally he belongs to the Odd Fellows and Elks.
On February 18, 1885 Mr. Bartling was married to Ella Hoffman, of Litchfield, a daughter of Capt. Valentine and Martha (Turner) Hoff- man, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Bartling have a sor, Roscoe Blaine, who married May Bar- ringer, and they have one son, Carl W., of Litch- field. The family attend the Methodist Church. A man of undoubted ability, Mr. Bartling has proven himself equal to any emergency, and has been a faithful, capable and efficient public official.
BARTLING, Henry W., one of the prominent business men of Montgomery County is asso- ciated with some of the most important ven- tures and concerns of this section, especially at Litchfield, where he resides. He was born at Alton, Ill., February 22, 1862, a son of Henry W. and Anna' (Tuscher) Bartling. natives of Germany and Switzerland respectively. They were married at Alton, Ill., where the father was engaged in farming until his death in April, 1871, after which the mother and children lived with her father at Litchfield, to which place he had moved in 1864. In 1874 the mother moved to her farm in South Litchfield Township, where she died in July. 1876, after which Henry W. Bartling took the place of both parents as best he could to the other children, he being the eldest. The others were : Carl, who lives at Litchfield, Ill .: Elizabeth, who is Mrs. Charles Seago, of Moherly. Mo .; Anna, who is deceased; and Lena, who is Mrs. George Smith, of East Alton. Ill.
Until he was eighteen years old, Henry W. Bartling alternated attendance in the district schools in the winters, with working on the farm in the summer. In 18SO he began work- ing for Audry and Rhodes, dealers in hard- ware and implements, with whom he continued until 1884, when he went with C. Levi, a dry goods and clothing merchant. After eighteen
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months, he went to work for Pierson Updyke, with whom he remained until 1891, and in that year formed a corporation with Mr. Updyke and Cordey & Company, as the Updyke and Cordey Hardware Company, Mr. Bartling being the company, and this continued until 1894, when he sold and engaged with H. H. Hanson, dealer in poultry and eggs at wholesale. In 1898 Mr. Bartling bought this business and September 1, 1902, bought the ice and coal business owned by C. B. Mundy, in conjunction with Eli Miller and Dr. Sihler. In April, 1912, he bought out his partners, and in October, 1915, he bought the Litchfield Water Supply Company, and is now its superintendent and president, with Mrs. Mae Cratty as vice-president, and George Morell as secretary and treasurer. Mr. Bartling is also president of Oil City Building and Savings Association, and a director of the Co-operative Savings and Loan Company.
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On December 2, 1891, Mr. Bartling was mar- ried to Paulina Craft, born at Mt. Olive, Ill., and they have three children, as follows : Henry Wilmont, of West Allis, Wis .; Arthur William. and Henry Amandus. Mr. Bartling is a member of the Lutheran Church. In poli- tics he is a Democrat, His fraternal connec- tions are with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Masons, he having attained to the Thirty-second degree in the latter.
BARRY, Amos Smith, who for many years was one of Hillsboro's most respected citizens, spent the larger part of his busy life as a farmer and stock dealer in Hillsboro Township, Mont- gomery County. He was a man of sterling in- tegrity, of excellent business judgment, and of an optimistic temperament that radiated cheer- fulness and made him popular with his asso- ciates and highly esteemed by those whom he admitted to close friendship. Amos Smith Barry was born on January 11, 1848, on the old homestead of his grandfather, Richard Barry, who came to Hillsboro Township in 1826. He died August 23. 1910. His parents were Michael S. and Elizabeth (Clotfelter) Barry.
Michael Smith Barry, the father, was born in Barren County, Ky., in 1818. He came with his parents to Montgomery County as a pioneer, traveling overland by team, as there were no railroads and very few well laid roads. He and his family faced many early hardships incident to the wild conditions yet prevailing in this section. After clearing his land he engaged in cultivating it and died in Hillsboro Township. He married Elizabeth Clotfelter, who was a sister of the late James and Stokes Clotfelter of Hillsboro.
Amos Smith Barry was reared on his father's pioneer farm. He attended the district schools and Hillsboro Academy, and later took a course in the Bryant & Stratton Business College, Chi- cago. thoroughly equipping himself for a busi- ness career, for which he had undoubted talent. When twenty-one years old lie started out for himself and for two years he remained in Texas and the Southwest, mainly interested
in cattle, after which he decided to go into the cattle and live stock commission business, and in 1870 located in Kansas City and continued in business there and in St. Louis, Mo., until 1874. He was deemed an excellent judge of live stock and a shrewd trader. After closing out his interests in the centers above named, Mr. Barry returned to Montgomery County and located in East Fork Township, where he en- gaged in farming for four years, and then bought 300 acres in Hillsboro Township, which he continued to operate and substantially im- prove until his death, when aged sixty-two years, seven months and twelve days. Mrs. Barry then took up her residence in her home at Hillsboro. For three months prior to his death Mr. Barry had been considered critically ill from cancer of the throat, but he never became discouraged and braved death with the heroism of a soldier.
Mr. Barry was married December 31, 1874, to Alice Bradford Richards, who is a daughter of the late George H. and Irene (Lincoln) Richards, extended mention of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Barry and the following children survive: George Barry, who is a resident of Columbus, Ohio, is a division engineer with the Pennsylvania Railroad sys- tem ; Harold, who is a division engineer with the Frisco system, residing in Memphis, Tenn .; Mrs. H. A. Cress, Jr., of Hillsboro, Ill. ; Arthur, who is ranching in Montana ; and Edward, who is a civil engineer working with his brother Harold. It was said of Mr. Barry at the time of death that his passing meant a loss to city and county. He was a very loyal friend, a loving husband and a careful and affectionate father, and he left hosts of friends who recall his memory with respect and esteem.
BATHE, Corwin E., formerly mayor of Witt, Ill .. and now manager of the Short & Ernst Lum- ber Company, of Witt. is one of the enterprising men of this locality and one who has done much to aid in civic development. He was born near Mount Ayr, Jowa. April 13, 1872, a son of J. T. and Sarah L. (Rice) Bathe. J. T. Bathe was born in Illinois and his wife was born near Louisville. Ky. They went first to Iowa and later to Kansas City, Kas., where he was em- ployed by a lumber company for ten years. At the expiration of that period he returned to Illi- nois and was manager of the Burnwell Coal Company for three years, and is now city street commissioner of Witt, and is considered a very efficient official.
Corwin E. Bathe, his parents' only child, was reared on a farm, near Shenandoah, Iowa, where he lived until fourteen years old, and attended the public schools, and later completed his studies in the Western Normal College, at Shen- andoah. He was then employed on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and other rail- roads for a time. It was in Kansas City that he entered the lumber business, where he was city salesman for a company for twelve years, and for one year was on the road representing an Illinois lumber company. On November 5,
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