Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 70

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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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

1905, he located at Witt and has been in charge of his present firm ever since, his employers re- garding him a very valuable man, on account of his long experience in this branch of industry.

Mr. Bathe was married to Miss Emma J. Burch, of Iowa, and they have three children : N. R., who is manager of the Witt Sanitary Steam Bakery; Mary E., who was a bookkeeper for her father's lumber company for seven years, is now the wife of W. O. Borror; and George T. They are members of the Christian Church, at Sullivan, Ill. Mr. Bathe belongs to Nokomis Lodge No. 456, A. F. & A. M .; to the Elks, to the Modern Woodmen of America, and to the Red Men, at Witt. In politics he is a Republican, and was for a time president of the town board. When Witt was incorporated as a city, Mr. Bathe was mayor for two years, and proved him- self a very capable man in that important office, doing much for his city and giving his people a wise and businesslike administration.

BAXTER, Wilbur S., who is a merchant and pro- prietor of the Baxter garage at Witt, is one of the leading business men of the village, where he is held in high esteem. He was born in Carroll County, Ohio, December 18, 1875, a son of Isaac and Rebecca (Wambaugh) Baxter, natives of Ohio, the former a son of Benjamin Baxter, and he was reared in Ohio, where he was married, leaving Ohio for Illinois in 1876, at which time he located in Montgomery County. At first he was engaged in farming, but he later moved to the village of Ohlman, in Audu- bon Township, where he and his wife dicd. They had seven children, six of whom survive, namely : Samuel W., who lives at Ohlman. Ill .; Homer S., who lives at Witt; W. S .; Margaret, who is the wife of Isaac Turner, lives at Ohl- man; Estella, who is the wife of Arthur Lowe of Witt, Ill .; and Bertha, who is the wife of J. D. Wilson of Nokomis.

W. S. Baxter was reared at Ohlman, and attended its public schools until he was fifteen years old when he began to be self supporting, and later aided in taking care of the family. In time he learned blacksmithing, and when he came to Witt in 189S, he started a shop of his own, and conducted it until December, 1916. In 1910 he entered the automobile business, and built his present garage in 1912 on Hursh Street, the dimensions of which are 110 by 100 feet, and he owns other realty at Witt. When he came to Witt he was a poor man, but he was not afraid of hard work, and knew how to save and invest his money, and he is now one of the well-to-do men of his locality.

On February 4, 1898, he was married to Mar- garget Sommers. a daughter of John Sommers. Mr. Baxter belongs to Camp No. 5628, M. W. A. In politics he is a Republican, but his time has been too fully occupied with his own affairs for him to enter public life. although he is capable of discharging the duties of almost any office, and the personal popularity to secure him the nomination of his party.

BEAL, John K., a representative citizen and prominent farmer of Montgomery County, re-

sides on his valuable property which lies in Section 28, Hillsboro Township. Mr. Beal was born in Butler County, Ohio, February 6, 1865 His parents were Milton and Lydia A. (Beeler) Beal, both of whom were born in Ohio. The paternal grandparents lived and died in Ohio and were survived by their four children: New- ton, Milton, Adeline and Lizzie. The maternal grandparents were natives of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, Francis Beeler, removed with his family to Ohio and died there. Among their children were: Hannah, Lizzie, Sarah, Julia, Lydia A. and Samuel.

Milton Beal was reared in Butler County, Ohio, and followed farming there until he came to Montgomery County, Ill., January 15, 1872. He located northwest of Litchfield but removed from therc in 1875 to Hillsboro Township, where he rented land for two years and then bought forty acres in Section 33, and still lives there. He subsequently added land to his orig- inal purchase and at one time owned 120 acres. Mr. Beal has served as school director but now lives somewhat retired, having passed his eightiethi birthday on September 2, 1916. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church. To his mariage with Lydia A. Beeler, who died in 1906, aged seventy-two years, eight chil- dren were born, as follows: Francis; Willard : John Kirby ; Newton Bradley ; Jennie, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Milton F., Harvey Allen, and Lydia Adeline, who is the wife of D. J. Seybert.

John K. Beal was seven years old when his parents came to Montgomery County and he has lived in Hillsboro Township since 1875. He attended the district schools and lived at home and assisted his father until he was twenty-one and then worked with other farmers and later on purchased forty acres of land. Industrious and prudent, he kept on adding to his possessions until he now owns 246 acres, which, on account of the admirable improve- ments he has put here, is one of the finest farms in the entire county. Its rich bottom Jand is wonderfully productive and two fine flowing springs make it particularly favorable for stock raising in which Mr. Beal is much interested. At present time of writing he has 35 head of cattle and 80 head of hogs, all thor- oughbred, and a number of horses and mules, and for a span of the latter has refused the offer of $650, in cash. His substantial buildings are appropriate and adequate and he has an ex- cellent silo. In fact the whole place indicates that modern methods prevail in its manage- ment and that Mr. Beal is an intelligent, me- thodical, up-to-date farmer.

Mr. Beal was married December 15, 1896, to Miss Jennie McAdams, who was born in Hills- boro Township. December 14. 1878. Her parents were natives of Illinois and were born and reared in Montgomery County but now live at Gypsumn, Kans., the father always having been a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. McAdam had six chil- dren : Don Newton, Cora A., Ida M., Jennie A .. Samuel Grover and a babe that died. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Beal were Thomas and Mary (Hunt) McAdams, and they

John glievers of Family

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

had children as follows: Harriet, Margaret, Louisa, Thomas, John, Samuel and Frances. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Beal was John Barry and he and wife were natives of Kentucky. They were early settlers in Mont- gomery County and were the parents of the following children: Scott, .Newton, Joseph, Jane, Lizzie, Amanda and Wilson. To John K. Beal and wife the following children have been born: Jesse Ernest, Orville Newton, Floyd LaRue, Otto Milton, Lydia Gladys, Grace Amanda, Charles Chester and Russell Clyde.

Not only is Mr. Beal an industrious and cap- able farmer and justified in taking pride in property which he has developed himself, but he is a very important man publicly in his township. In politics he has always been a Democrat and has long been a factor in party councils bere and at times has been offered public positions of much responsibility. From 1892 to 1895 he served as highway commis- sioner, for two years served as assistant super- visor, and at present is serving in the office of supervisor, and as an official enjoys the con- fidence of his neighbors and fellow citizens of the township. He has always taken an active interest in educational matters and is serving in his second term as school director. For a number of years he has been identified with the fraternal order of Odd Fellow's and belongs to Montgomery Lodge No. 40, I. O. O. F., and also to the Encampment. Mr. and Mrs. Beal are held in high esteem by all who know them and their circle of acquaintances is wide.

On the night of June 7. 1917, Mr. Beal's big barn was struck by lightning, and the structure and two mules and four horses (valued at over $1,200) were destroyed. Mr. Beal is at present rebuilding.

BEARDSLEY, Charles W., for many years was one of the substantial business men of Litch- field, where he was engaged in the jewelry tradc. He was born at Canton, Bradford County. Pa., February 15, 1855, a son of Hiram and Myra (Fuller) Beardsley, natives of New York and Pennsylvania, respectively, and died at Litchfield. Ill., December 10, 1910.

Charles W. Beardsley attended the schools of Canton, Pa., and later took a business course in New York City, following which he was in a jewelry business at Canton, Pa., and Elmira, N. Y., and then returning to Pennsylvania was in the same line of business at Morris. in Tioga County, but subsequently returned to Elmira. where he bought a business block in which he conducted a large and well patronized jewelry store until 1SSS. In that year he moved to Litchfield, Ill., where he established himself in a jewelry business that he continued until his death. after which time his son continued it until 1913, when he sold it.

On September 3, 1SS4, Mr. Beardsley was married to Emma Dodd, born at Burlington, Bradford County. Pa., June 27, 1867, daughter of George L. and Mary A. (McNiel) Dodd, na- tives of Bradford County, Pa. Mr. Dodd was a hardware merchant of Morris, Tioga County,

Pa., and there he died in 1891. Mrs. Dodd sur- vives and makes her home at Morris. Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley had one son, Benjamin C., born August 28, 1885, who lives with his widowed mother at Litchfield. Mrs. Beardsley attended ·the grade and high schools of her native place. In politics Mr. Beardsley was a Republican and always took an active part in local affairs. He attended the Presbyterian Church. A Mason in high standing he belonged to St. Omar Com- mandery, and he was also an Odd Fellow. A man of the highest principles and of business capacity, he made a success of his life. and dying left behind him an unstained name and unblemished record.

BECK, Benjamin F., formerly a farmer and stock raiser of South Litchfield Township, but now living retired at Litchfield, is one of the sub- stantial and representative men of Montgomery County. He was born at Pocahontas, Bond County, Ill., August 7, 1846, a son of Moses and Lucinda (Sidwell) Beck. The father was a farmer and stage driver, and in 1849 crossed the plains to California with an ox-team, re- turning in 1850. He died in March, 1901, at Nokomis, Ill.

Having lost his mother when an infant, Ben- jamin F. Beck was reared by an aunt, Mrs. Simpson, and when fifteen years old he began working by the month for farmers, so continu- ing until he enlisted for service in the Union army during the Civil War, in February, 1865, in Company H, Third Illinois Cavalry, and was in Mississippi and Alabama, and was discharged on July 4, 1865, having been at Fort Snelling, Minn., and in the west, including the Dakota bad lands after the Indians. He was then sent to St. Paul, Chicago, and finally Springfield, Ill., where he was mustered out in October, 1865.

On returning to Montgomery County, Mr. Beck resumed working by the month for farm- ers, and so continued until 1869, when he bought a farm near Carlinville, Ill., and lived on it for two years, then sold it and bought 160 acres of fine land adjoining the city line of Litch- field, in South Litchfield Township. This land was well improved and he conducted it and raised stock and had a milk route in Litchfield for four years. In 1909 he sold his land and retired, moving then to Litchfield, where he is still living, owning his residence, and being in very comfortable circumstances. He is a mem- ber of the Baptist Church, a Republican in politics, and a member of S. B. Philips Post, No. 379, G. A. R.

On March 10, 1879, Mr. Beck was married to Julia McNeil, born at Alton, Ill .. a daughter of Thomas and Julia (Wilson) McNeil, natives of Scotland and of Kentucky. They became the parents of the following children: Edward, who lives at St. Louis, Mo .; Laura, who is Mrs. Isaac Brokaw, of North Litchfield Town- ship: Henry, who lives in Macoupin County. Ill .; Frank H .. who died in 1916 at the age of thirty-five years; Stanley, who died at Los Angeles, Cal .; Chester, who is an engineer on

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, re- sides at Centralia, Ill .; Pearl, who is at home; and William, who died in infancy.

BECK, Lewis F., one of the retired residents of Litchfield, and a veteran of the Civil War, was born in Montgomery County, Ill., December 11, 1843. a son of Moses and Lucinda (Sidwell) Beck. natives of Shelby County, Ill. When a boy the father came to Hillsboro, Ill., and later became the driver of a stage running between Alton and Shelbyville, Ill. He was married at Hillsboro. and reared three sons. His wife dying. he went to California in the company headed by Alexander and Hall, and was three months on the road. After remaining two and one-half years in the Golden State, he returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and was married (second) to Emily C. Cameron. Buying a farm in Walshville Township, he located on it and died at the age of eighty-five years. His widow, who was born May 10, 1827, survives, and makes her home in Nebraska.

Lewis F. Beck remained at home until his enlistment for service during the Civil War, in Company E, First Illinois Cavalry, at Lexing- ton, Mo. The regiment was captured by General Price, and its members were paroled. Later the regiment was reorganized, and Mr. Beck re- enlisted in the First Missouri Cavalry, in Com- panies C and A, which saw service in Missouri and Arkansas, taking Little Rock, Ark., Sep- tember 10. 1863, after which the regiment was sent to Texas. The men were discharged September 5. 1865, and Mr. Beck returned home.

On March 19, 1868, he was married to Nancy Ann Corlew, born in Montgomery County, Ill., a daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (Barlow) Corlew, natives of Illinois. Following marriage, Mr. Beck bought a farm in Walshville Town- ship, but after a year, moved to Walshville and went into a mercantile business. A year later he sold and went to Wichita, Kas., where for two years he conducted a livery business. and then sold and for a year was engaged in Indian fighting. He then returned to Walshville and resumed his farming. In 1889 he had a final sale, disposing of his farm and stock. and moved then to Litchfield, where he built his residence and has since made his home. His children were as follows: Maggie Olive, who is deceased ; F. M., who lives at Huntington, Ore. ; Edgar M .. who lives at Caldwell. Idaho; F. E., who lives at Whitney. Ore .; and Emma May, who is Mrs. E. M. Hickman, of Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. Beck is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and served as district steward for several years. He is a Republican and was assessor of Witt Township, and was assessor and deputy of North Litchfield Township for eleven years. He belongs to S. B. Phillips Post, No. 375, G. A. R., and to the Masonic fraternity.

BECKEMEYER, Prof. Harry John, superintend- ent of the city schools of Hillsboro, Ill., is a thoroughly qualified educator and one who has had considerable teaching experience. He was born in Clinton County. Ill .. July 12, 18S2, and

is a son of Herman H. and Anna Maria (Ack- mann) Beckemeyer. Professor Beckemeyer has one brother, Capt. William A. Beckemeyer, chief surgeon of the Three Hundred and Fitty-third Infantry, United States Army, whose home is Sedalia, Mo.

Christian Beckemeyer, the paternal grand- father, was born in the province of Posen, Ger- many, where he married Christine Pabst and together they came to the United States in 1857 and settled first in St. Louis County, Mo. Later they removed to Clinton County, Ill., and there both died, he in middle life and his wife in her eighty-sixth year. Among their children were : Christian, Henry. Ferdinand, August, William, Herman and Christina. Henry and Ferdinand entered the Union Army at the beginning of the Civil War. Ferdinand died from illness con- tracted while in the army. Ilenry served throughout the period of the war.

Herman H. Beckemeyer was born in Missouri but was mainly reared in Clinton County, Ill., in which county he still lives, being a resident of Beckemeyer. a place named in honor of the family. He was educated in the university at Normal, Ill., and since early manhood has been in the teaching profession. For a number of years he was postmaster at Beckemeyer. Botlí he and his wife, who was born in Illinois, are members of the German Evangelical Church. They are people of high standing both in church and community.

Harry J. Beckemeyer was reared in Clinton County, Ill., his boyhood being spent on a farm. He attended the district schools until prepared for more advanced schooling, when he became a student in McKendree College, at Lebanon, an institution which, at various times, has edu- cationally sheltered some of the foremost men in the state. Later Mr. Beckemeyer attended the Southern Illinois Normal school and subse- quently the University of Illinois at Champaign. In 1905 Mr. Beckemeyer entered the educational field as an instructor, in which he has continued with unqualified success and during the last thir- teen years has continuously occupied positions of great responsibility. He served acceptably as principal of the public schools of Galatia, in Saline County, Ill., and for four years was prin- cipal of the high school at Carlyle, Ill. In the fall of 1910 he came to Hillsboro and accepted the position of principal of the high school. In 1913 he was elected superintendent of city schools, and that he has been retained by the board of education ever since, pretty thoroughly demonstrates his teaching efficiency and his ex- ecutive energy. He devotes his entire time to his work and Hillsboro has reason to be proud of the showing made by her public schools.

Professor Beckemeyer was married November 9. 1905, to Miss Cleona Clabaugh, who died in 1909. On June 4. 1913, he was married (second ) to Miss Mary Alice Brown, who is a daughter of Porter (who died in 1910) and Mary (Ran- (all) Brown. of Carlyle, Ill .. where Mrs. Beck- emeyer was born February 29, 1888. A son, Harry John, Jr., was born in Hillsboro, Ill., June

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30, 1917. Mrs. Beckemeyer had four brothers and one sister: Charles, who is deceased ; Revelle Brown, who is assistant superintendent of the B. & O. R. R. at Chillicothe, O .; Edwin W. Brown, who lives at Flora, Ill .; Maria Brown, who is deceased; and William H. Brown, who lives at Carbondale, Ill. Mrs. Beckemeyer for a number of years was a teacher in the public schools of Carlyle, Ill.

Professor and Mrs. Beckemeyer are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Hillsboro. Politically he is a Republican, and fraternally he is identified with Mt. Moriah Lodge, Hills- boro, Ill., F. & A. M., and Erie Lodge, Odd Fel- lows. at Carlyle. Professor Beckemeyer has always taken an active part in all civic and community activities.

BEEMAN, Frederick C., now deceased, was for some years connected with the Litchfield Mining Company as manager and bookkeeper, and was recognized as one of the city's influential men and trustworthy public officials. He was born at New Preston. Conn., April 8, 1853, a son of Marvin and Catherine M. (Chittenden) Beeman.

In young manhood Frederick C. Beeman came to Litchfield, and worked in a clothing store for a Mr. Summerfield for some years, later becoming agent for the American Express Com- pany. Still later he was in an insurance bnsi- ness and for a few years conducted an overall factory, then went to Nebraska and was engaged in a men's clothing honse for three years. On his return as far east as Mayfield, Ky., he was engaged there in the same business nntil he went to St. Louis, Mo., to become foreman for Gilmore and Rnls, clothing merchants. Still later he returned to Litchfield. where he had continued to maintain his place of residence, and formed a business connection with the Litchfield coal mines that continued until his death, he passing away Jannary 23, 1904.

On June 7, 1882, Mr. Beeman was married to Maria Ivins, in Litchfield, Ill., born near Bunker Hill, Ill., a daughter of Randall R. and Sarah (Cooper) Ivins, natives of Dayton, Ohio, and Jerseyville, Ill. Many of the ancestors of the Beeman family and of the Ivins family were soldiers in the American Revolution. The maternal grandparents of Mr. Beeman, Marvin Steele and Catherine (Nichols) Chittenden, were born in Connecticut. Mrs. Beeman's mater- nal grandparents George and Maria (Nev- ins ) Cooper were prominent people in Ohio. Daniel Steele, the great-grandfather, was a son of Daniel Steele, a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. and Mrs. Beeman became the parents of two children : Clarence, born April 7, 1883, who died in infancy ; Mabel Toncey, born June 27, 1885, who resides with her mother. Mr. Beeman was educated in the schools of Connecticut, while Mrs. Beeman attended those of Litchfield. He was a member of the Episcopal Church and Mrs. Beeman belongs to the Lutheran Church. In politics Mr. Beeman was a Democrat and served as alderman and also as township collec- tor for two terms of North Litchfield. He was a charter member of the local order of Elks,

which he was serving as secretary at the time of his death, and belonged also to the Modern Woodmen of America.

BELL, Harry, a prosperous farmer on Section 13, Hillsboro Township, is also a merchant of Taylor Springs, and is surveyor of Montgomery County, and is one of the leading men of his locality. He was born on his present farm, March 19, 1870, a son of Adam Henry and Luna (Fox) Bell, natives of New York state. They had six children, as follows: Frank, who lives near Coffeen, Ill .; Fred, who is on the home farm; Harry; Cora, who is the wife of Ezra Star of Hillsboro Township; and two who died young. The father was a civil engineer, who came to Illinois in 1856, on a railroad survey, and bought some land south of Coffeen. About 1867 he bought several other pieces of land, 160 acres at first, to which he added nntil he owned 300 acres which he improved, and on which he reared his family. Until 1906 he lived on his farm, and then moved to Litchfield where he died in 1910, at the age of seventy-nine years. The mother died abont 1895, aged abont sixty- three years. He was county surveyor of Mont- gomery Connty for several terms.

The paternal grandfather was Frederick Bell, and he was married to Elizabeth Voorhees. He was born in the Mohawk Valley, N. Y. in 1800, and the grandmother was born in New Jersey. About 1858 the grandfather came to Illinois and located at Coffeen, where he carried on a shoemaking business, and made the boots for the neighboring families. A prominent Mason he had reached the Thirty-second degree Scottish Rite. His death occurred in 1880 when he was eighty years old, and the grandmother died in 1879, aged seventy-nine years. They had three children, namely : Adelia, Clotilda, and Adam Henry. The maternal grandfather was Levi M. Fox, and he was married to Elizabeth Jerome, both being natives of New York. They came to the West, locating in Michigan in 1858, but a year later they moved to Iowa, and spent the remainder of their days at Marshalltown, where they died when over eighty. They had the following children: Velona, Marcia, Luna, Julia, Webster and Gilbert.

Harry Bell has lived all of his life on his father's homestead, with the exception of one year spent in the West. His first schooling was obtained in the public school at Amherst, Ill. He then spent one year at the Hillsboro High school, taking selective studies. He then returned to the farm, which he now owns, having paid off the old debts, and bought ont the other heirs. The farm now contains 300 acres, but he has laid off thirteen acres in town lots in Taylor Springs, and has sold about half of them. He learned surveying under his father, and now carries on quite a business in this line. For the past three years he has been engaged in handling groceries and feed at Taylor Springs. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Bell belongs to Mount Moriah Lodge No. 51. A. F. and A, M. In managing his own affairs, Mr. Bell occupies his time, and has

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varied interests to take up his attention, He is proud of the fact that his father was one of the expert mathematicians of the world.

In December, 1916, Mr. Bell married Mrs. Anna Capps.

BELKNAP, F. D., one of the valued residents of Raymond Township, owns and operates a small tract of land adjoining the village of Raymond, and also owns a farm of 160 acres in Carlinville Township, Macoupin County, Ill. He was born in St. Francis Couuty, Mo., March 27, 1854, a son of Giles R. and Elizabeth (Wildman) Bel- knap. Giles R. Belknap was born in Jefferson County, Mo., November 24, 1822, a sou of O. A. and Jane (McCreary) Belknap, who came to Missouri at a very early day, and settled on a farm. The Belknap family is traced back to England, from which representatives of it came to the American colonies many generations ago. Giles R. Belknap died at Doe Run, Mo., Febru- ary 27, 1907, and his wife passed away at Bis- marck, Mo., November 18, 1867. Their children were as follows: Finis, who was born Decem- ber 23, 1846, died February 28, 1862; Martha Ann, who married Charles Ross, was born December 5, 1848, and lives at Doe Run, Mo .; Josephine, who was born April 19, 1850, died July 20, 1851; Parmelia J., who was born Febru- ary 20, 1852, was married to a Mr. Fox, and lives at Dallas, Tex .; F. D .; Lucy O. who was born June 7, 1856, married William Phillips, and is now a widow; Hannah E., who was born July 24, 1860, was married to J. E. Strude, and lives at Latham, Ill .; Joseph Lee, who was born November 26, 1862, died October 14, 1891; Sarah who was born July 4, 1865, was married to Harry Brady, and lives at Dallas, Tex .; and Morgan, who was born May 25, 1867, lives at Jeffers, Minn. After the death of his first wife, Giles R. Belknap was married (second) to Elizabeth Reader, and they had one child, Adeline, who was born February 14, 1872, and she was married to Harry Atkins and lives at Gunnison, Col.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 70

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