Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 72

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 72

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Bickett attended the common schools of Illinois, and Mrs. Bickett had the advantages of- fered by the grade and high schools of Chester. They have had the following children: Ella, who is Mrs. William McConachie, of Jetmore. Kas: Susan, who was Mrs. Anson Wing, died at East St. Louis, Ill., in 1903: Margaret, who is Mrs. Preston Pugh of Litchfield, Ill .; and Minnie, who died at the age of three and one- half years.

As mentioned above. Mr. Bickett is an earn- est Presbyterian, and has served as ruling elder since 1876, and has been sent to the Presbytery abont twenty times, and that body in 1900 sent him to the general church assembly at St. Lonis. Mo., and again to the general assembly at Louisville, Ky., in 1910. He has also been a delegate to the state synod mauy times. For many years he has been a teacher in the Sun- day school, and has been assistant superintend- ent and also superintendent a number of terms. In politics he is a Republican. The Good Tem- plars is the only order to which he has ever be- longed. An npright, conscientious man, he has done his full duty and never asked of anyone more than he was willing to do himself.

BLACKWELDER, Charles, whose operations in flour, feed, grain and hay at Litchfield, make him one of the worth while business men of Montgomery County, was born in North Litch- field Township, February 20, 1874, a son of John C. and M. V. (Brown) Blackwelder, natives of North Carolina and Montgomery Connty, Ill., respectively. The father was twenty-three years old when he came to the neighborhood of Litch- field, and here engaged in farming. After marriage the parents settled on a farm in North Litchfield Township, where the mother died in and moved to Litchfield, where he died in Feb-

Not long after his mother's second marriage, Hugh Bickett went to live with a distant re- lative. Gavin Bickett, a farmer of that vicinity, . the spring of 1880, and in 1900 the father sold with whom he remained until he was sixteen

1013

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ruary, 1907. Their children were as follows: Lula, who is Mrs. George Hempken of Alton, Ill. ; Charles; and Jesse, who died in infancy.

Charles Blackwelder attended the Neacon and Fairview district schools. When he was only nine years old he began plowing and continued to assist his father until he was twenty-four years old. Following that for two years he was engaged in farming in North Litchfield Town- ship, and then came to Litchfield where he bought a flour and feed store, and has con- tinued in the same location ever since. In addition to his original commodities, he handles grain, seeds and hay.

In May, 1903, Mr. Blackwelder was married to Lura Moore, born in Macoupin County, Ill., a daughter of A. J. and Maria (Sanders) Moore, who was born in Honey Point Township, Macoupin County, Ill. There are no children. Mr. Blackwelder is a member of the Baptist Church and since 1908 has served his church as trustee. In politics he is a Democrat. A man of sound principles and intelligent judgment with reference to his business, he has built up a large trade and stands very well in his community. -

BLACKWELDER, David Alexander, whose life has been a busy one, is a highly respected citi- zen of Litchfield, where he is engaged in fur- nishing refreshments and staple groceries at the Hillsboro-Litchfield Chautauqua. He was born in North Litchfield Township, September 1, 1848, a son of Alfred and Johanna (Scherer) Blackwelder, natives of Montgomery County.

Until he was twenty years old, David Alexan- der Blackwelder attended the public schools of his native township, and learned farming in all its details. He then farmed on his own account in Zanesville Township for a year, returning then to his father's farm of 320 acres which he conducted as long as his father lived, or until February 13, 1898. The mother passed away January 31, 1876. After his father's death Mr. Blackwelder moved to Litchfield and conducted a grocery store for eight years, and then was manager of a grocery owned by Buel & Canady for two years. He then established his present · business.

On January 1. 1870, Mr. Blackwelder was married to Henrietta Fogleman, born in North Litchfield Township, a daughter of Joel M. and Nancy Jane (Crabtree) Fogleman, natives of Kentucky. They became the parents of the following children : Joel Taylor, who lives at Enid, Okla .; Nora Alice, who is Mrs. George Good, of San Diego, Cal .; Benjamin Alexander, who lives at Enid, Okla .; Otis Edward, who is at home; Alfred Monroe, who lives at Enid, .Okla .; Jesse Winfield and Ernest Simeon, who are deceased ; Perley Wayne, who lives at Litch- field and Fred, an infant son and Launor who are deceased. Mrs. Blackwelder died March 29, 1890. On August 14, 1892, Mr. Blackwelder was married (second) to Emma M. Doerr, born at Edwardsville, Ill., October 23, 1854, a daughter of Peter and Joanna (Volbright) Doerr, natives of Baden and Hanover, Germany,

respectively. Their two children, a daughter and son, both died in infancy. Mr. Blackwelder is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been a steward of his church since 1876, and has held all of the other lay offices · of that body. In politics he is a Democrat. He served as commissioner of highways for two terms, supervisor of his township for two terms, and for six years represented the Fourth Ward in the Litchfield city council. A man of high principles, he has lived up to his conception of the best type of citizenship, and his repeated elections to offices of importance prove that his associates appreciate him and know his worth.

BLACKWELDER, Daniel Monroe, now living re- tired at Litchfield, was formerly one of the leading agriculturalists of Montgomery County. He was born at Hillsboro, Ill., February 27, 1839, a son of Alfred and Johanna (Scherer) Blackwelder, the former of whom was born in 1811, and died February 13, 1898, and the latter of whom was born November 13, 1816, and died January 31, 1876. They came to Hillsboro about 1834, when the country was still in an unsettled state. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Black- welder, was a son of Jacob Blackwelder, born in Schwartzald, Germany. The maternal grand- parents were Frederick and Margaret (Clapp) Scherer of Guilford County, N. C., where the grandmother was born in 1791. The parents of Daniel Monroe Blackwelder were married at Hillsboro, Ill., and lived in that city for a time, and then entered land to the extent of 160 acres just east of Litchfield, improved it, and some years later traded that farm for 240 acres of land on a part of which Litchfield now stands. Subsequently they sold that farm and went one mile north where they bought 320 acres of land.

Alternating working on the farm with attend- ance at the district schools, Daniel M. Black- welder grew to manhood, and after his marriage, he lived on a part of his father's farm for ten years, and then bought eighty acres of land west of his father's farm, and from March, 1872, until 1902, he lived on that farm, adding to it until he owned 200 acres which he improved and made into a fine property. Later he sold a por- tion and the farm that he now has under rental contains 115 acres. On May 22, 1902, he bought a residence at Litchfield and here he has since resided.

On October 10, 1861, Mr. Blackwelder was married to Miss Helena Cress, born in North Carolina, May 5, 1840, a daughter of George Henry and Elizabeth (Foggleman) Cress, na- tives of North Carolina, where Mr. Cress died, the mother and her daugliters coming to Litch- field, Ill., in 1855. Mrs. Cress died in 1901, aged eighty-eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwelder became the parents of the following children : William Riley, who lives at Joliet, Ill .; John Franklin, who lives at Litchfield, and Charles Ezra, who died in infancy. Mr. Blackwelder belongs to the English Lutheran Church in which he has been a deacon for over half a century, and is now a life member of the Church Council, and also a life member of the Lutheran

1014

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Cemetery Association. He is a Democrat and served as commissioner of highways for twelve years. as school director for nine years and supervisor of North Litchfield Township for two years. He is a man of practical ideas and excellent business capacity and has prospered in his undertakings.

BLACKWELDER, J. Frank, one of the leading painters and decorators whose work is not only very artistic, but practical as well. enjoys a fine trade in Litchfield and throughout a wide con- tiguous territory. He was born in North Litch- field Township, October 24, 1864. a son of D. M. and Helena (Cress) Blackwelder. His attend- ance at school was limited to the schools of his native township, but Mr. Blackwelder has learned much from observation, and is a well informed man.

Mr. Blackwelder resided at home until his marriage, which took place August 23, 1894, when he was united with Nora I. Kinder, born in Macoupin County, Ill., a daughter of Abra- ham and Adelia A. (Chapman) Kinder, natives of Macoupin County. The paternal grand- parents, Jacob and Jane (Hudaleston) Kinder, were natives of North Carolina, and the mater- nal John R. and Charity (Duncan) Chapman were natives of the same state. After his marriage J. Frank Blackwelder bought a resi- dence at Litchfield, to which he took his bride. He had learned honse painting and decorating, and has continued in that line of business ever since, his patrons being many. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwelder have no children. They belong to the English Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. and his wife who is a highly culti- vated lady, is a Republican. She is a graduate of the Litchfield grade and high schools, and was a teacher in the city schools of Litchfield for ten years prior to her marriage. Mr. Black- welder belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and to the organization of Painters and Decorators of America, at Litchfield.

BLISS, Charles W .- Among the representative men of Montgomery County no one has a wider acquaintance nor more solid reputation than Charles W. Bliss, who is editor and publisher of the Montgomery News, one of the leading jour- nals of the state. Mr. Bliss was born in Fill- more Township, Montgomery County, Ill., Janu- ary 8, 1846. His parents were Rev. Alfred and Direxia (Haines) (Knowles) Bliss. The father was born at Bradford, Vt .. and the mother at Piermont, N. H. To them were born eight child- ren, as follows : Eliza A., deceased, who was the wife of James S. Moody. also deceased ; Celecta J., who was the wife of E. C. De Vore, a lawyer at Carthage, Mo., where they died; George Alfred, who died at Nokomis. Ill .; Alice D., deceased, who was the wife of Lyman C. Allen, a banker living in Fillmore township; Charles W .; Ellen J., who is the widow of John C. White, formerly of Effingham; and two who died in infancy.

Rev. Alfred Bliss was reared in Vermont. He was married in New Hampshire and a few years

afterward came to Illinois, in 1838, and engaged in farming in Fillmore Township, Montgomery County until forty-five years old. He had pur- chased several hundred acres of land and for three years afterward managed to break forty and fenced it with rails, his helper being a boy whom he and his wife had taken to raise. He lived on that place until 1860, when he entered the itinerant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At first he had to travel over long circuits but later had charge of many churches of importance. When his time for superannuation came on he bought a piece of property at Effingham, Ill., and there he died in 1899, when aged eighty-eight years. At one time he was one of the three county commis- sioners of Montgomery County. His wife, born in 1809, died in 1894, aged eighty-five years.

The paternal grandfather of Charles W. Bliss, was Deacon Solomon Bliss, a leading member of the old Covenanter Church. Both he and wife were natives of Vermont and they both died in New England. Remembered members of their family were: Jerusha, Helen. Celecta and Alfred. The maternal grandfather of Charles W. Bliss was Joseph Knowles, a native of New Hampshire who came to Illinois in 1838 and became a farmer in Filhnore Township, Mont- gomery County. The children of Joseph Knowles and his wife were: Direxia, who was the wife of Alfred Bliss; Hannah J., deceased. who was the wife of Martin Bost ; Harriet, who is deceased, was the wife of Gideon Richmond ; John H., who died on his farm in Fillmore Township; George, who is deceased ; and Joseph, who was a resident of Chicago. In their day and communities all these people were useful and upright.

Charles W. Bliss was reared on his father's farm and attended the country schools until prepared for college, when he entered McKen- dree College, Lebanon, Ill., and in 1869 was graduated from the classical department there with the degree of A. B., and subsequently the degree of A. M. was conferred on him. For two years Mr. Bliss taught school and then went to Edwardsville and engaged in the study of law until prepared for his examinations, and he was admitted to the bar. In 1871 he came to Hillsboro and practiced law in this city until 1892, in which year he bought the Montgomery News. Mr. Bliss was acknowledged to be an able lawyer but journalism would have lost onc who seeins particularly well suited for the editorial chair and for public life, had he con- tinued in the law. For a number of years he has been a very important factor in state Democratic politics. In 1896 he was sent as a delegate to the Democratic National Conven- tion in Chicago, that nominated William Jennings Bryan for the presidency. He was sent also as a delegate to the Baltimore Demo- cratic Convention that first nominated Wood- row Wilson, and once more was selected as a delegate and in the St. Louis Democratic National Convention in 1916, assisted in re- nominating Mr. Wilson.

Mr. Bliss was married October 15, 1872, to

1015

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Miss Elizabeth W. Phillips, a daughter of Burrell and Julia A. (Cole) Phillips. and they have three children: Noi Celecta, Clinton Phillips and Marguerite. The elder daughter is the wife of Dr. Homer A. Seymour, and they have two children : Bliss and Bernays. Clinton Phillips Bliss, the only son. is associated in the publishing business with his father. He was married to Miss Lucia M. Evans and they have three sons: Charles E., Thomas and Robert. The younger daughter is the wife of Ben O. McLean. and they have three children : Sam, Bettie and Jean.

The Phillips family is an old one in Mont- gomery County and the father of Mrs. Bliss spent his entire life here. The mother of Mrs. Bliss was born in New Jersey and still survives. To Mr. and Mrs. Phillips seven children were born. namely: Noi. who is the wife of Dr. E. Douglas, of Hillsboro: Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles W. Bliss: George M .; Sidney B .; Kittie, who is the wife of George Damam, of Hillsboro: Lucy, who is the wife of James McLean. of Birmingham, Ala .: Harry, who is engaged in the practice of law in Chicago ; and Thomas. Of the above family, Mrs. Bliss is second oldest and was born in Butler Grove Township. Montgomery County. Ill., October 7. 1854. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Bliss were Capt. Thomas and Jane (Roberts) Phillips. Captain Phillips was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and an early settler in Mont- gomery County. His children were: Jesse. Burrell. Henry, Sidney. Harriet. Parnesia and Unity. Sidney Phillips was killed at the battle of Pittsburg Landing during the Civil War. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Bliss were John S. and Mary (Pollock) Cole, who were married in New Jersey and came to Mont- gomery County in early days. They had four children : Clarence, Julia A., Lucinda and Almeda.

Mr. and Mrs. Bliss are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church and he is a trustee of the same. Fraternally he is identified with Mount Moriah Lodge F. & A. M .; Hillsboro Chapter R. A. M. and St. Omer Commandery, Knights Templar. at Litchfield. In addition to the political honors formerly mentioned, Mr. Bliss served Hillsboro as city attorney, was master in chancery for three terms, and prob- ably has declined more offices than he has filled. He is prominent in other directions and for four years was president of the board of trustees of the Southern Illinois Normal school located at Carbondale. He also has large agricultural interests and operates two farms in Fillinore Township aggregating 800 acres.

BOGGIO, Joseph Boniface, police magistrate of Taylor Springs, and one of the capitalists of Montgomery County, was born at Courgne, Italy, April 11. 1872, a son of John and Teressa Boggio. On May 26. 1SS7, John Boggio came to New York City with his son. Joseph Boniface, and a few months later the remainder of the family joined them at Coal City, Ill. There Joseph Boniface Boggio found employment as

a miner, and lived until 1910. when he moved to Benld. Ill .. and after eleven months at that place, he came to Taylor Springs, and embarked in a grocery business. Ten months later he sold .his grocery, and in the spring of 1912 he was elected police magistrate, and was re-elected to the same office in the spring of 1916. having been continuously in office since he was first elected. From time to time he has invested his money in city property and now owns ten lots and one large business block. His time aside from his official duties, is occupied in looking after his realty.

While living in Coal City. Mr. Boggie was married to Anna Cortese, born at St. Conzo, Italy. They have three children, as follows : Teressa. Lucy and Joseph Domenic. When Mr. Boggio arrived in the United States he could not write English and he attended night school for about three months, and then con- tinued his studies. and has also learned much through observation. He is a Catholic and a Republican. In the fall of 1916 he was appointed village trustee, and has been a notary public for some years. While living at Coal City, in Grundy County, he was elected a jus- tice of the peace and served in that office for eleven years. While living at Benld. Ill .. Mr. Boggio joined the Odd Fellows and maintains his connection with the lodge of that place. He is one of the best examples of successful and popular citizens of foreign birth this county has and he stands deservedly high in public esteem, for all that he has and is, has come from his own untiring efforts.

BOONE, William D., one of the substantial business men of Donnellson. is conducting a first class hardware store. and is making a suc- cess of his efforts along this line. He was born near Donnellson. in Grisham Township, March S. 1863, a son of Cyrus and Susan V. (Bugby) Boone, natives of Maryland and of Ohio. The father came west to Ohio, where he met and married, and brought his wife to Illinois, in the early forties, when he was in the thirties as he was born in 1812. For some years after coming to Illinois he was a teacher at Hillsboro, but later moved to what is now Grisham Town- . ship, and afterward engaged in farming until his death. which occurred December 30. 1872. The mother, who was born February 5. 1821, died January 12, 1867. They were the parents of ten children, three of whom now survive, namely : Susan V., who is the wife of W. Y. Jenkins, lives in Canyon City, Colo .; Thomas C., who married Laura Ray. lives in Kansas ; and William D.

William D. Boone lost his mother when he was four years old, and his father when he was nine years old. and then he was taken by Carson Donnell with whom he lived until he attained maturity and in the meanwhile attended the public schools. For a year follow- ing his becoming twenty-one years old. he worked for farmers by the month, and then rented a farm for one year, then became a breeder of draft horses, and was engaged in this

1016

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

line for three years. In October, 1889, he estab- lished his present business at Donnellson, where he has since remained, prospering greatly.

On October 5, 1886, Mr. Boone was married to Julia Ross, and they have three children : Walter E., who is a graduate of the Donnellson High school, is a partner of his father, and married Effie Laws, a daughter of Charles Laws ; Hazel C., who was graduated from the Donnell- son High school, was married to Floyd Allen of Donnellson ; and Madge, who is a graduate of the Donnellson High school, is at home. The family all belong to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Boone belongs to Donnellson Lodge No. 255, A. F. & A. M., of which he is treasurer. He is a director of the Donnellson State Bank, and owns 540 acres of land adjoining the village of Donnellson, In politics he is a Republican and has been active in local affairs, his advice and judgment being relied upon by many.

BOST, M. Herbert, one of the prosperous farmers of Montgomery County, residing on Section 23, Fillmore Township, is a man widely known and universally respected. He was born on his present farm, October 14, 1861, a son of Martin and Hannah J. (Knowles) Bost. Martin Bost was born in North Carolina and his wife was born in Piermont, N. H., July 21. 1828, and both were brought to Illinois in childhood. She died February 21. 1917 at Fillmore, his death having occurred December 14, 1867. They had ten children. nine of whom are still living, namely : Emily R., who is the widow of G. J. Frick : C. H., who lives at Fillmore, Ill. ; Laura E .. who is the wife of Jeremiah Reubart : Delia. who is the wife of Joseph Neister, of Witt Town- ship: Dorcas who is the widow of Dr. J. T. Hendricks; Lestia, who is the widow of J. N. Myers. of Litchfield, Ill .; M. Herbert ; Byron A. who lives at Coffeen. Ill .; and Ida M. who is the wife of C. H. Price. George, who was the third born is deceased.

M. Herbert Bost was reared on his present farm and attended the local schools. When he was only sixteen years old he assumed the responsibility of running the homestead for his mother. The father, at the outbreak of the Civil War, enlisted in Company E, First Illinois Cavalry. and after his honorable discharge, from military service, he returned to Fillmore Township. When M. Herbert was married he lived for six years on a farm south of Fillmore, and then moved on his present farm, now own- ing 100 acres of land. Here he feeds cattle and is a dairy farmer of some consequence. At the age of twenty-nine years he was married to Emma D. Whitlock, and they became the parents of two children, namely ; Florence, who is the wife of Ross Kessinger, lives at Fillmore where Mr. Kessinger is engaged in teaching; and Carlos D .. who lives at home with his parents. Mr. Bost is a Republican. All his life he has performed his duty and stands very high in his community.

BOST, Ralph S., whose fine farm of 330 acres in Fillmore Township is a model for his section,

has appropriately named his property The Maple Lawn Stock Farm. It is located one and one-half miles south and two and one-half miles west of Fillmore, Ill. Mr. Bost was born on this farm, January 4, 1885, being a son of Victor A. and Sarah (Shear) Bost.

Victor A. Bost was born east of Fillmore, in Fillinore Township, September 15, 1853, a son of Henry Bost, a native of North Carolina, who came to Montgomery County at a very early day. Victor A. Bost's mother, whose maiden name was Harris, died when he was a small boy. He married Sarah Shear, who was born in Fillmore Township, and her parents were also from North Carolina. After their marriage Victor A. Bost and his wife located on the farm now managed by Ralph S. Bost, and with the exception of two years spent at Fillmore, resided here until in December, 1912, when they took up their permanent residence at Fillmore, where they have since remained. Their ten children were as follows : Lula, who is the wife of Homer Harris, of Fillmore Township; Mary, who died at the age of thirty-four years; Daisy, who lives in Fillmore Township, is the wife of John Joyce ; Ada, who lives at Fillmore, Ill. ; Roy, who lives at Litchfield. Ill .; Ralph S., Bessie, who lives at Fillmore, Ill., is the wife of Lindley McCulum ; Leva, who is at home; and two who died in infancy. The family belongs to the Fill- inore Lutheran Church. Victor A. Bost is a member of Fillmore Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and the Court of Honor, and he is a Democrat in politics.

Ralph S. Bost was reared on the homestead farm and attended the local schools and those of Fillmore. On March 14, 1912, he was mar- ried to Wilda G. Downs, a daughter of W. H. and Lizzie (Bost) Downs, a sketch of whom ap- pears elsewhere in this work. After marriage Ralph S. Bost and his wife rented a farm one mile south of their present place, and in De- cember, 1912, moved to the Bost homestead, where they have since remained. He is a breeder and raiser of registered Shorthorn cat- tle, his herd being headed by True Sovereign III, No. 424599. He also is a breeder of re- gistered Poland-China hogs, his herd being headed by Glassus L., No. 209489, and he also breeds French Draft Percheron horses. Mr. and Mrs. Bost have two children, namely: Ethel Mae, who was born February 25, 1913; and Ed- win Downs, who was born November 30, 1915. The family belongs to Bost Hill Lutheran Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Bost's success as a stock breeder shows what can be accomplished along this line in Mont- gomery County where conditions are very favor- able for this branch of agriculture, and his experiments are watched with deep interest by his fellow citizens.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 72

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