Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 71

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897, ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913, ed. cn; Strange, Alexander T., ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 810


USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II > Part 71


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F. D. Belknap lived with his father and worked at home until he was eighteen years old when he started out for himself. During that period he had but few opportunities for acquir- ing an education as his parents were poor, and the country schools not very good. For two years he was engaged in burning charcoal, and then he worked at farming, until February, 1875, when he came to Illinois, and worked on a Macon County farm for four years. On Janu- ary 5, 1879, he was married to Mary E. Davison, a daughter of Mrs. Martha J. Davison of Macon County, and he then rented a farm and con- ducted it for seven years. At the expiration of that period he bought eighty acres in Macon County, on which he lived for three years, when he bought 120 acres adjoining and spent two years upon his second farm. He then bought eighty acres iu Macon County. Subsequently having sold his Macon County holdings, he bought 160 acres in Raymond Township, Mont- gomery County, and sold the Raymond Town- ship farm and bought 160 acres in Macon


County, which he now owns. On February 10, 1902, he moved on his present place.


By his first marriage Mr. Belknap had the following children: Bertha and Thomas, who are deceased; Bessie, who lives at Crookston, Minn .; Harry, who lives at Blue Mound, Ill .; and Otto, who is at Crookston, Minn. Both sons were graduated from the Raymond High school, and taught school for a time. Harry is now assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Blue Mound, and Otto is a farmer. Mr. Bel- knap was married (secoud) April 9, 1912, to Anua Mathews, a daughter of Mrs. Harriet Mathews of Iron County, Mo., and they have a son, Walter Q., who was born December 12, 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Belknap belong to the Presbyte- rian Church of Raymond, and he is an elder, in that body. In politics he is a Republican.


BENNETT, Danvill, one of the substantial men of Litchfield, and a prosperous landowner of Montgomery County acreage, was born in Walshville Township, January 17, 1856, a son of William and Martha (Evans) Bennett, natives of Kentucky and Walshville Township. The grandparents, Joseph and Sarah (Kirkland) Evans, were born at Danville, Tenn., aud Spar- tanburg, S. C. They went by ox-team to Walsh- ville Township, on their wedding trip, being pioneers of that section, and there entered heavy timbered land from the government. At that time there were all kinds of wild game to be found, aud they often supplied their larder with animals and birds, killed by the grandfather's gun. They spent the balance of their lives on this farm. The parents were married in Walsh- ville Township, and settled ou forty acres of prairie land the father bought, to which he added by purchase eighty acres more, and still later bought an additional forty acres. When the father came from Ohio, where he had been bound out to a family, he drove an ox-team to Jersey County, Ill., and thence to his home in Walshville Township and from 1850 until 1869 he lived there and then rented his farm and moved to Litchfield, where he engaged in team- ing, and there he died August 1, 1898. The mother died June 12, 1902. Their children were as follows : Jennie, who died in infancy ; Dan- vill ; and three other sons and three other daughters, all of whom died when very young.


Danvill Bennett attended the local schools, and when he was twenty-oue years old he began clerking in a dry goods store, handling various kinds of merchandise including boots and shoes for seven years. He then was engaged along various lines until the death of his father when he took charge of the estate and managed it for his mother. At her death he inherited the estate comprising 240 acres in the homestead, eighty acres of farm land at Barnett, and forty acres two and one-half miles east of Litchfield in South Litchfield Township. Mr. Bennett rents out all of his land.


On September 1, 1887, Mr. Bennett was married to Elizabeth H. Boekewitz, of St. Louis, Mo., a daughter of George Christopher and Amanda (Stiegers) Boekewitz, natives of


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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY


Prussia, Germany, and of Louisiana. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett became the parents of the follow- ing children: George William, who lives at Litchfield, was married to Jule Aillien Casse- day; and Harry Edward, who also lives at Litchfield. Mrs. Bennett attended the public schools. She is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Bennett is a Republican. Frater- nally he is a Mason, having attained to the Knight Templar degree, and he is also a Shriner and member of the Eastern Star, and his wife is also a member of that order.


BENNETT, David R., who is postmaster of Panama, Ill., is a sound and reliable man in every way, one whose judgment and sagacity find practical expression in his everyday life. He was born in Scotland, April 23, 1877, a son of Jamieson and Agnes (Henderson) Bennett, both of whom were born, reared and married in Scotland, and there they died. The father was interested in mining and insurance and was a man of considerable means. He was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church and brought up his ten children in that faith, eight of whom are now living, namely : Thomas A., who is a well educated man is secretary to a member of the English Parliament, and is recognized as an eloquent speaker ; David R .; George, who is a miner, living in Vancouver, B. C., Canada ; John, who is a soldier with a Canadian regi- ment ; Alexander, who is a miner at Panama, Ill ; Agnes, who is a highly educated lady, lives in London, England; and Beatrice, who is also well educated, is the wife of a Mr. Ballentine, and lives in Scotland.


David R. Bennett spent his boyhood in Scot- land where he attended the public schools, and a night college. He followed mining in Scot- land. and after leaving that country for Canada in 1901. he continued mining there. and also in New Mexico and Colorado, coming to Illinois about 1903. In the spring of 1908 he came to Panama, and was mine examiner in the Shoal Creek mine until 1910, when he was elected police magistrate, and served as such for five years. In December, 1915, he was further hon- ored by being appointed postmaster of Panama, which office he still holds.


On February 6, 1903, he was married to Lena Boyd, of Coffeen, Ill., who was born in East Fork Township. They have three children, namely : Jamieson C., who was born December S, 1905; Agnes E., who was born July 25, 1910; and Chiarles Runciman, who was born Decem- ber 17, 1915. The family belong to the Presby- terian Church. Mr. Bennett is a member of Panama Lodge, No. 71S, K. of P. In addition to his other responsibilities, Mr. Bennett has been in an insurance business at Panama for several years, and writes up a good deal oť business. He is a man well and favorably known throughout the entire county, and still takes great interest in all phases of mining, although he has not been connected with that industry for some years past.


BERRY, W. Milton, cashier of the Irving Na- tional Bank of Irving, and one of the substan-


tial and reliable men of Montgomery County, is held in high esteem by the leading business men of his locality. He was born in Woodford County, Ill., February 12, 1850, a son of W. S. and Catherine (Solomon) Berry. W. S. Berry was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Va., in 1807, and his wife was born in Ohio. Coming from Virginia to Kentucky, in childhood, W. S. Berry was reared in the latter state, and when he was a young man he came to Illinois, where he was married, thereafter settling on a farm in Irving Township, Montgomery County, where he lived for a time, subsequently moving to Woodford County, Ill., thence to Green County, Wis., where he was engaged in farming until 1870. In that year he returned to Irving Township, where he died in January, 1892. His wife died in March, 18SS. In politics he was a Republi- can. Of his eleven children, three survive, namely : Lizzie, who is the wife of J. J. Arm- strong of Green County, Wis; James M., who is a retired farmer of Green County, Wis., and W. Milton.


W. Milton Berry grew up in Green County, Wis., working on the farm and attending school as the occasion offered. Later he attended Eureka College at Eureka, Ill., and then for ten years was a teacher in the schools of Kansas, Illinois and Wisconsin. He then embarked in a mercantile business at Irving, and has been occupied with conducting it for twenty-four years. Previous to the organization of the Irving National Bank, in the fall of 1900, Mr. Berry and those named below organized the Bank of Irving, then formed the National Bank. Mr. Berry was cashier. When the Irving Bank was organized, he was one of the men respon- sible for its creation, and associated with him were Ward M. Carter, James M. Kelley, M.Winn, and Joseph Price. In April, 1907, the bank was reorganized as a national bank, with the follow- ing officers : James M. Kelley, president ; R. L. Kelley, vice president; Milton Berry, cashier, and C. L. Neisler, assistant cashier. The board of directors was as follows: Oliver O. Lipe, William E. Morain, Frank R. Fowler and A. H. Kelley.


On May 18, 1876, Mr. Berry was married to Kunsie L. Kelley, a daughter of James Kelley of Irving, Ill. Mrs. Berry attended the public schools of Jacksonville, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have had three children, namely ; Eunice R., who married Oliver O. Lipe and they resided in Chicago where she died July 20, 190S, leaving a son, Keith Berry, who has been reared by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W. Milton Berry; Charlotte, who was graduated from the Irving High school, is the wife of L. C. Smith of LaFayette, Ind. ; and Robert R., who was graduated from the Irving High school, is now at Tulsa, Okla. The family belong to the Christian Church, of which Mr. Berry is an elder, and a member of the official board. For- merly a Republican, he is now a Prohibitionist, the principles of that party being more in accordance with his views. At one time he was collector of Irving Township. A man of high principles, he lives up to them, and sets an excellent example to the rising generation.


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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY


BEST, Carl F., one of the enterprising farmers of Rouutree Township, residing on Sectiou 3, is held in high esteem by all who know him. He was born in this township, December 9, 1872, a sou of Carl W. and Ursula (Mier) Best, both oť whom were born and reared in Germany. Com- ing separately to the United States, they bothi located in Ohio and there they were married, leaving that state for St. Louis, Mo., but only remained in that city a short period, as they bought a farm iu Rountree Township, Mont- gomery County, Ill., to which they moved, and ou which they lived until death claimed them. They were active members of the Lutheran Church, of which the father was the founder in Nokomis Township, and he became one of its elders and very prominent workers. In politics he was a Republicau. Through industry he prospered and added to his farm and owned 480 acres at the time of his death, and was well liked in his community. The mother of Carl F. Best was his second wife, and by her he had four sous, three of whom survive, namely: August, who lives iu Raymond Township, this couuty ; Carl F .; and Peter, who is a farmer of Roun- tree Township.


Carl F. Best was reared ou a farm, and seut to the district schools, remaining at home until he attained his majority. At that time he began working the farm on shares, and he now owns the northwest quarter of Section 4 iu Rouutree Township, and 120 acres of land in Christian County, Ill., and stock in the Farmers Elevator Company at Harvel, Ill. Mr. Best is a member of the Evangelical Church in Nokomis Township. In 1900 Mr. Best had the misfortune to lose his good mother, and in 1908 his father passed away. Unmarried, he has a family living with him on the farm. In his farming he raises a good grade of stock of all kinds, and is very successful. In politics he is a Republican, and has served as school trustee of district No. 27, Rouutree Town- ship. Mr. Best is a quiet, unassuming man, whose worth is appreciated by his friends and associates.


BEST, David H., one of the successful farmers of Nokomis Township, is now serving his town- ship as supervisor aud ou account of his many important interests is regarded as a leading man of his county. He was born at Staunton, Ill., March 25, 1861, a son of Henry A. and Margaret (Powers) Best, natives of Staunton, Ill., and very fine people, a sketch of whom appears else- where in this work.


In 1874 David II. Best came to Montgomery County with his parents who located in Nokomis Township, and he attended its excellent schools, remaining at home until he attained his major- ity. At that time he went to South Dakota and pre-empted 320 acres of land, and remained there for nine years. While there, iu 1885, he was married to Carrie H. Hatler. She was born in California, June 7, 1862, a daughter of Jacob and Annie L. Hatler, Mrs. Best attended the common schools and the Woman's College at Jacksonville, Ill. In the fall of 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Best returned to Illinois, and have spent


the intervening time principally in Nokomis Township, Montgomery County, although they were in Sangamon County for three years, where Mr. Best was interested in a graiu and milling business, but returned to Nokomis Township. Mr. Best is president of the Central Illinois Creamery Company of Nokomis, which was in- corporated with D. H. Best as president ; B. J. Battles, vice-president; G. W. Fesser, treasurer, and J. W. Anderson, secretary. Mr. Best has been on its board of directors since the organiza- tion of the company, and has served as its pres- ideut since 1907. For some years Mr. Best has specialized on dairying, aud has a very fine herd and equipment.


Mr. and Mrs. Best have the following chil- dren : Maude E., who is taking a post-graduate course as a nurse, at Chicago; Essie H., who is the wife of Roy E. Kessinger, of Montgomery County, is a graduate of the Nokomis High school, and taught school for three terms; Floyd V .. who is at home; Charles H., who is a grad- uate of the Nokomis High school; Henry Y .. who is a graduate of the Nokomis High school, is now attending college at Jacksonville, Ill., and Gladys, who is attending the Nokomis High school. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Best is a member of Sherman Lodge No. 332, I. O. O. F., and his two daughters, Maude and Essie, belong to the or- der of Rebekah. In politics Mr. Best is a Re- publican, and is now serving in his fourth tern as supervisor of Nokomis Township. and was county commissioner of Butte County, S. Dak., while living there.


BEST, Henry A., who was a veteran of the Civil War and long one of the leading agriculturalists of Nokomis Township, Montgomery County, is remembered as a man of sterling character and high principles. He served his township in the important office of supervisor with honesty and efficiency. He was born at Staunton, in Macou- pin County, Ill., and was there reared and at- tended the common schools. Until the outbreak of the Civil War, Henry A. Best remained with his parents, assisting his father in the conduct of the homestead, but then enlisted in defense of his country in an Illinois cavalry regiment. and served bravely and well for two years when he was honorably discharged, at which time he returned home.


Mr. Best was then united in marriage with Margaret Powers, who was also born and reared at Staunton, Ill., and about then he began his operations in stockraising and farming which, in time, made him a very prosperous mau. Subse- quently he moved to Montgomery County and began buying land in Nokomis Township, and became a very heavy landowner in this and other townships, and at one time he was interested with his son in an elevator business. For many years he was a consistent member of the Baptist Church of Nokomis Township. In politics he was a Republican.


Henry A. Best and his wife had twelve chil- dren, eleven of whom survive, namely : Ottila,


JOHN L. SMITH


MRS. JOHN L. SMITH


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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY


who is the wife of G. T. Rhodes ; David H., who is present supervisor of Nokomis Township, is engaged in farming in that township; Richard N., who lives at Chicago, Ill., is manager of the harness equipment in the Fair department store of that city ; O. M., who is interested in a realty company in Colorado; Anna, who is the wife of A. C. Kirby, of Denver, Col .; Fay R., who is manager of the Farmer's Elevator Company at Sidney, Ill .; Media, who is the wife of A. W. Craig, of North Dakota; Bessie, who is the wife of Dr. George Kerr, of McDonald, Ill .; Robert E., who is cashier of the Farmers' National Bank, of Decatur. Ill. ; Mabel D., who is the wife of Horace Gannett, a county judge in Oklahoma ; and Howard, who is on a ranch in North Dakota.


BEST, J. Peter, one of the enterprising farmers of Montgomery County, is living on his fine farm of 100 acres on Section 3, in Rountree Township, of which he is now highway commissioner. He was born on this farm in the house located one- half mile south of the present one. October 14, 1874, a son of Charles W. and Ursula (Meier) Best.


Charles W. Best was born in Nassau, Ger- many, and lost his father in childhood. When he was twenty years old, Charles W. Best came to the United States with his mother, and they located for a few years in Ohio, going from that state to Burlington. Iowa, where he worked in a cigar store. The next place of location was St. Louis, Mo., where he met and married Ursula Meier, who was born in Wurttemberg, Germany. When she was about twenty years old she came alone to Ohio, to keep house for two unmarried uncles. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Best lived in St. Louis for some years, but came to Montgomery County, Ill., finally and bought the farm on which Peter Best now lives, and there they rounded out their lives, he dying in 1907, and she in November, 1900. They had four children : August. who lives on Section 3, Raymond Township; William, who died on Section 2, Raymond Township; Carl, who is unmarried, lives on Section 4. Rountree Township; and Peter. The original purchase of land in Roun- tree Township was forty acres, but Charles W. Best kept on adding to his farm until he had 480 acres. He was a member of St. Paul's German Lutheran Church of Nokomis Town- ship, and took an active part in the church work, being at one time a church trustee. A Republican in politics, he was hearty in his support of party principles and candidates, but never an office seeker.


Peter Best lived at home and attended the German parochial schools and the public schools. On April 24, 1901, he was married to Minnie Dewerff, a daughter of William and Emma (Theen) Dewerff, both natives of Germany, who settled in Rountree Township where Mrs. Best was born. Mr. and Mrs. Best have four chil- dren : Elma E., Wilma O., Alice L .. and Leona Rosa. all of whom are attending school. The family belongs to St. Paul's German Lutheran Church of Nokomis Township. In 1911 Mr. Best


was elected highway commissioner, on the Re- publican ticket, was re-elected for two successive terms, and again was re-elected in 1915. In addition to his farm he owns stock in the Farm- . ers Elevated Company at Harvel and is one of the most prosperous agriculturists of this section.


BETTY, Alonzo A., to whom belongs in large part the credit for the present city of Witt, of which he was one of the promoters, and in whose prosperity and development he has always taken an active and effective interest, is one of the representative men of Montgomery County. He was born in Litchfield Township, this county, January 18, 1853, a son of Isaac and Louisa (Allen) Betty, who were natives of Smith County. Tenn. There they were reared and mar- ried, and there three of their children were born. During the Mexican War the father served his country as a soldier, returning to his family after his honorable discharge.


In 1852 the Betty family came to Litchfield Township, Montgomery County, Ill., and for sev- eral years the father rented land. and then he bought a farm, in Butler Grove Township, west oť Butler, which he improved, selling it in 1861. He then moved to Brush Creek, and for four years rented the William Brewer farm. He later bought eighty acres in Butler Grove Township, which is now owned by his son, Alonzo A. Betty. At the time the Betty family came here, pioneer conditions prevailed in Montgomery County. When they traveled from the old home to the new, all the household goods they owned were brought along in a one-horse wagon. In the early days the father. worked on the construc- tion of the Big Four Railroad, alternating this work with farming. He and his wife had seven children, five of whom survive.


Alonzo A. Betty was reared on the Butler Grove Township farm, where his father died, and he attended the local schools, remaining at home until he was eighteen years old when he started out for himself. In 1876 Mr. Betty was married to Ida B. Berry, a daughter of Moses Berry, and she was born in Montgomery County. Mr. and Mrs. Betty became the parents of the following children : Roy, Elmer, William, Lin- coln and Ralph. Roy is a farmer in Idaho. Elmer is engaged in farming in New Mexico. William is a butcher at Witt, Ill. Lincoln is a farmer of Irving Township. Ralph is attending the Witt High school, and is an expert elec- trician and automobilist.


In 1895 Mr. Betty came to what was merely a cluster of buildings that later, through his efforts was to be developed into the city of Witt. He began at once to help in the development of the coal mines, becoming vice president and direc- tor of the Montgomery Coal Company ; organ- ized the Oland National Bank at Witt, of which he is a stockholder; and he also organized the Oland Brick and Tile Company. Mr. Betty laid out Oland Park addition to Witt, which includes Broadway and the principal part of Witt, and the second Cromer addition to Witt, under con-


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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY


tract. Ilis success encouraged him to enter the real estate business, and since then he has built many of the finest residences and business blocks of Witt, he being both an architect and contractor. In politics he is a Republican and quite active, but has not accepted any public office. Mr. Betty owns 210 acres of land in Montgomery County, and what is known as the Huggins building, three stories in height with a basement. and other business blocks at Witt, and is one of the substantial men of the place. When he was married he had as his sole posses- sions three horses, a buggy and harness, so that all that he now owns has been made since that event, and through his own, unaided efforts.


BETTY, W. E., whose well conducted and re- liable meat market at Witt is a model for others in the same line, is a live business man aud public-spirited citizen. He was boru on a farm in Butler Grove Township, Montgomery County, Ill., October 28, 1884, a son of A. A. and Ida (Berry) Betty, and a grandsou of Isaac aud Louisa (Allen) Betty, the graudparents being natives of Smith County, Tenn., who came to Moutgomery County, Ill., in 1853, locating in Litchfield Township. The parents were born in Montgomery County. A full history of the Betty family is given elsewhere in this work.


W. E. Betty was nine years old when his parents left Butler Grove Township for Irving Township, and obtained his education in the schools of Witt, remaining with his father, who was a butcher, until he attained his majority, when he took over the business and has con- ‹lucted it very successfully ever siuce.


On December 3, 1908, Mr. Betty was married to Miss Nellie Wilson, born January 23, 1884, a daughter of George Wilson of Fayette County, Ill. One son has been born of this marriage, namely : Clarence A., born November 10, 1907, who is attending school.


Mr. and Mrs. Betty are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Witt, of which Mr. Betty is a trustee. He belongs to the I. O. R. M., M. W. A., and the K. of P., all of Witt, Ill. In politics he is a Republican. A young man of sterling qualities, he stands very high in his community.


BICKETT, Hugh, one of the highly esteemed retired residents of Litchfield, has time aud also inclination to devote to religions matters and is recognized as one of the leading Presbyterians of the county. He was born in Fenwick, Scot- land. July 2, 1838, a son of John and Mary (Richmond) Bickett, who in 1843, came to the United States on a sailing vessel to New Orleans, and thence up the Mississippi River to Sparta, Ill., locating on land entered from the govern- ment in Randolph Couuty. There the father flied in 1845, after which the mother continued to live on the property, and a few years later was married a second time.


years old, and then went to Eden, which was not far distant, and remained a year, when he be- gau learning the harness making trade. It took him three years to complete his apprenticeship, and he then went into business for himself at Chester, Ill., continuing there from 1861 to 1865. On September 6, 1860, he was married at Chester, to Rachel Hobbs, born in Randolph County, Ill., a daughter of Thomas and Eleanor (Snodgrass) Hobbs, he born in Kentucky and she iu Virginia, who were married in Indiana, and in the early forties came to Randolph County, Ill. For many years Mr. Hobbs was postinaster at Hobbs Ridge, that was named for him. In 1865 Mr. Bickett moved to Conlter- ville. Ill., where he conducted a harness mak- ing business until 1868, and then sold it and re- turned to Sparta, and conducted a photograph gallery until 1879, when he sold and in March, 1879, opened another gallery, at Litchfield, and conducted it for many years, finally selling to a Mr. Davis, but he continued to do outdoor photographic work until 1914, specializing on groups, and developed his plates in a dark room he had in his house. Since then he has lived retired, the rentals from his properties furnish- ing him with an ample income.




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