Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 75

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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from the Mt. Morris Academy, and is now teach- ing in Macoupin County, Ill .; Eva, who is at home; Margaret A., and Emmet W. who are at- tending the Waggoner High school.

Lawrence P. Brubaker was reared on his father's homestead, and attended the local schools, also Blackburn University at Carlin- ville, Ill., following which he took a business course at Mt. Morris, Ill. After returning home he was made assistant cashier of the Waggoner Bank, and later was promoted to the office of cashier. A young man of more than average ability, he has risen in his chosen line, and the utmost confidence is reposed in him by his as- sociates and the public generally. He has proved during his connection with his bank that he is the right man in the right place, and there is no doubt but that further honors await him in the future, for such men as he are needed in positions of trust and responsibility.

On June 14, 1911, Mr. Brubaker was married to Maude Waggoner, a daughter of John M. Waggoner. She died July 7, 1914. On Au- gust 3, 1915, Mr. Brubaker was married (second) to Ruth Miller, a daughter of S. M. Miller of Raymond, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Bru- baker have one son, Donald L., who was born July 23, 1916. They belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Brubaker is a member of Ray- mond Lodge No. 692, A. F. & A. M., and Wag- goner Lodge No. 404, I. O. O. F., and is past grand noble of the latter. Both he and wife are members of Eastern Star. In politics he is a Republican, and takes an active interest in party work.

BRUBAKER, Martin, a prosperous farmer of Section 19. Pitman Townshin, is one of the re- spected agriculturalists of Montgomery County. He was born in Roanoke, Va., April 24, 1861, a son of Samuel F. and Martha A. Brubaker, also a native of Roanoke County, Va. In 1866 they came to Illinois, locating first in Macoupin County, but later moved into Montgomery County, and here both died, she in the rural regions of Montgomery County, and he at Gir- ard. Ill., where he moved after her demise. In addition to farming Samuel F. Brubaker was a . minister of the Church of the Brethern. Six of his nine children survive, namely : Levi who lives in Pitman Township; Martin; Hester who is the wife of William Kirk of Pitman Town- ship: George who is a farmer of Macoupin County. Ill. Maria who is the widow of Henry Specht ; and Henry, Emery and Edward who are all deceased.

Martin Brubaker was five years old when the family came to Illinois, and he was reared and educated in this state. He remained at home until his marriage which took place February 19, 1883 to Clara J. Williamson who was born in Pitman Township. They located on a farın in Sangamon County. Ill., and in 1884 came to Pitman Township, where they rented land for seven or eight years, when they bought 100 acres of land on which they later made all the improvements. They have five living children, namely: Gail. who was graduated from Mt.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Morris Academy. is a school teacher: Law- rence P. who is cashier of the Waggoner Bank; Eva G. who was also a student at the Mt. Mor- ris Academy ; Margaret A. who was graduated from the Girard. Ill. High school. Mr. Bru- baker belongs to the Church of the Brethren, to which his family also belong, and he is one of its deacons. In politics he is a Republican. A man of intelligence, he has made farming a science, and his success is the result of well laid plans and careful work, and he is regarded by many as an authority upon agricultural matters.

BRUNTJEN, John G., who is living on his fine farın on Section 6. Rountree Township, is one of the native sons of the township, having been born on his present farm, February 9, 1884. His parents were Frederick and Margaret (Kei- ser ) Bruntjen. Frederick Bruntjen was born in Oldenburg, Germany, in 1850 and when he was eighteen years old, he came to the United States, stopping for a time at Mt. Olive. Macou- pin County, Ill., later leaving there for Harvel Township, this county. At first he rented land, but bought the farm a year before he was mar- ried. Margaret Keiser was born in Freisland, Germany. and in her girlhood was brought to this country by her parents, who located in Montgomery County, Ill .. the family following a' son who had come to Montgomery County some time previously. After Frederick Brunt- jen and Margaret Keiser were married they set- tled on the farm now owned by their son, John G .. and there the father died in 1892. The family then moved to the village of Harvel, but afterward returned to the farm here. The mother died in 1910. They had three children, namely : John G .: and Anna and Frederick, both whom are deceased.

John G. Bruntjen was reared on the farm and attended the country and Harvel schools. For three and one-half years he worked for W. W. Adams as a grain buyer at Harvel, and then, in 190S. he returned to the homestead. On Sep- tember 7. 1910. he was married to Mary E. Potterť. born June 21. 1829, a daughter of Reu- ben and Sarah E. (Tittle) Potterf, who were born and reared in Defiance. Ohio, where they were married in 1866. In 1892 they came to Montgomery County. Ill., locating in Raymond Township. They were consistent members of the Presbyterian Church at Raymond. The father died November 2. 1905, and the mother Novem- ber 9. 1916. Mr. and Mrs. Bruntjen have three children : Melvin E., Margaret E., and Hazel M. Mr. and Mrs. Bruntjen belong to the Lutheran Church at Harvel. Ill. His political principles find expression in the Republican platform, and he is very well posted in current events, and al- ways willing to support his ideas when occa- sion demands. He is now assessor of Rountree Township.

BRYCE, William F., who is profitably engaged in farming on Section 19, Nokomis Township, is one of the substantial men of Montgomery County. Ile was born in Ontario, Canada, near

Brantford, April 22. 1864. His parents were James and Janet (Armstrong) Bryce, both of whom were born, reared and married in the vicinity of Doune, Scotland. One of ten children, James Bryce and four of his brothers were black- smiths. He came in 1854 to Mt. Pleasant, On- tario, Canada W. with his wife and their one child. During the twelve years they lived in Canada, he worked at his trade, and then eame to Butler Grove Township, Montgomery County, and while he still worked at his trade, he also farmed, remaining in that township until 1871, when he bought 160 acres of land in Nokomis Township, which he conducted until 1895, which :his son now owns. In that year he retired, moved to Nokomis, and there he died January 4, 1914. His wife died in December, 1912. They had six children, namely : Grace, who lives in Nokomis, Ill .; Christina, who is the widow of Edmund Collier, of Nokomis: Nettie, who is the wife of Edward Randall of Nokomis; George, who lives at Irving, Ill .; William F .; and Arthur, who lives at Edinburg. Ill. The parents belonged to the Presbyterian Church of Nokomis, of which the father was an elder for many years, and he was a strong worker in his church. In politics he was a Republican.

William F. Bryce was two years old when the family settled here, and was reared in Mont- gomery County, and attended local schools. Living at home, he took charge of the home- stead when his father retired and he now owns it. On March 13, 1895, he was married to Belle Lingle, a daughter of Martin and Cathe- rine (Lipe) Lingle. Mrs. Lingle was born in Irving Township, where her people were old settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Bryce have two children, namely : Hubert Arthur, who was graduated from the Nokomis High school, is at home; and Letha May, who is attending the Nokomis High school. Hubert belongs to the Presbyterian Church of Nokomis. Mr. Bryce is an excellent farmer and is engaged in raising good grades of Shorthorn eattle, and in general farming, al- though he specializes in his stockraising, and is a recognized authority along this line. He is a stockholder and a director of the Witt Na- tional Bank, at Witt, and a stockholder of the Oland National Bank of the same place.

BUEL, Harold D., who owns and conducts the leading meat market at Litchfield, is one of the representative business men of Montgomery County, and one who is fairly typical of its best citizenship. He was born in Sugar Grove, Warren County, Pa., July 27. 1858. a son of Dwight W. and Keziah E. (Falconer) Buel. natives of Pennsylvania. The grandparents were George W. and Eliza (Jolls) Buel, na- tives of Onondaga, N. Y .. and Albany County, N. Y .; and Robert J. and Mary (Sill) Fal- coner, natives of Brooklyn, N. Y .. and Black Rock, Erie County, N. Y. Members of the Falconer family located in Chautauqua County. N. Y., at an early day. and founded the town of Falconer, N. Y. They went there in the employ of the Holland Land Company.

The parents of Harold D. Buel were married

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

at Sugar Grove, Pa. From the time he was fourteen years old the father worked at the tailor's' trade until he enlisted for service dur- ing the Civil War, iu the Two Hundred and Twelfth Peunsylvania Volunteer Intautry, in which he served until the close of hostilities. He theu became a merchaut at Sugar Grove, aud so continued uutil 1SS6, in that year sell- ing aud coming to Litchfield, Ill., where he eu- gaged in the retail meat business. His death occurred in 1903, when he was sixty-nine years old. The mother died in April, 1914, aged seventy-six years.

Harold D. Buel attended the common schools iu Peuusylvauia until he was nine years old, aud then begau doing a man's work on the farm, aud continued farming until the spring of 1SS9, from 1SS2 living on his own farm in Warren County, Pa. In 1SS9 he came to Litch- field and entered the employ of his father, remaining with him uutil the latter died, when he bought the meat market aud continued the business until 190S. He then sold the market and bought, sold aud traded and shipped stock witil 1911, wheu he bought another meat mar- ket, aud, in partuership with his son Allen D., conducts the leading retail meat market ot Litchfield.

In September, 1SS2. Mr. Buel was married to Margaret Jamison, born at Sugar Grove, Pa., a daughter of William K. and Agnes (Mc- Donald) Jamison, natives of Scotland. Mr. aud Mrs. Buel have two children : Alleu D., aud Agnes. The family belongs to the Presby- terian Church. In politics Mr. Buel is a Dem- ocrat, and he served as tax collector of North Litchfield Towuship for two years, and for two years was au aldermau of Litchfield from the Third Ward. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmeu of America, and is as popu- lar iu that order as he is with the public generally.

-BUSBY, James A., one of the successful farmers aud stockraisers of Butler Grove Towuship. was born uear Crawfordsville, Montgomery Couuty. Ill., December 15, 1871. a son of Francis M. and Ruthanna (Wagner) Busby, natives of Kentucky and Rush County, Ind. They were married in Indiana but came to Montgomery County, leaving there iu 1874 for Christian County, where they lived on a farm until 1SS6, returuing in that year to Butler. . where he died iu 190S. The mother continues to make her home at Butler.

James A. Busby attended the public schools in Christian Couuty, and when he was seven- teeu years old he became a telegraph operator on the Big Four Railroad and was with the St. Louis Division, as operator and station agent until 1905, when he moved on a farm of 130 acres in Butler Grove Township, owned by his wife, and here he carries on general farm- iug and stockraisiug. Ou October 10, 1900. lie was married to Amy Lilliau Ware. born in Butler Grove Township, a daughter of Justus and Lucena (Brigham) Ware. Justus Ware

was born ou a farm in Butler Grove Towuship, where he lived until he died at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. and Mrs. Busby have two children, namely : Leland Ware, who was born November 24, 1901; and Evelyn, who was born April 17, 1904. Since 1911 Mr. Busby has beeu treasurer of the Lutheran Church of bis township. A Republican, he has been a school director aud clerk of the board since 1911, and fraternally, Butler Camp, M. W. A .. holds his membership. A man of ability. along more than one line, he is held in high esteem in his community.

BUTLER, Edward Ray, city clerk of Litchfield, and one of the leading young men of South Litchfield Township, was born in this township, September 1, 1SSS, a son of Joseph and Ellen (Brokaw) Butler, both born in New Jersey. The materual grandparents, Daniel and Mary Brokaw, were also born in New Jersey. The parents were early settlers of Montgomery as were the grandparents, all being farmers. About 1892 the parents moved to Litchfield, where the father made his headquarters, and from whence he went out on the road and is still a com- mercial traveler. The children of Joseph and Ellen Butler are as follows: Emma, who is Mrs. Howard Hayes of Columbus, Ohio; Bertha, who is Mrs. E. G. Thorp of Litchfield ; and Mabel, Lillian and Ethel who are at home; Ed- ward Ray; and Harry, who is also at home.

After completing his studies in the public schools of Litchfield, Edward R. Butler de- voted all his time to clerking in a grocery store, prior to leaving school having had some ex- perience along this line. After four years as a clerk in the grocery store, he left to assume the duties of his present office, to which he was elected in 1915, for a term of two years, and proved one of the most capable town clerks Litchfield has ever had, and was reelected in 1917. The Presbyterian Church holds his mem- bership. In politics he is a Republican and is very active in his party. Fraternally he is a Mason. A young man with more than average ability, he has forged ahead and undoubtedly has a very bright future before him.

BUTLER, Homer S., mayor of Hillsboro, and a dealer in real estate in this city is one of the sound, substantial and reliable men of Mont- gomery County, in whom implicit faith is re- posed by his fellow citizens. He was born in Witt Towuship, this couuty. April 23. 1879, a son of Johu R. and Louisa C. (McCaslin) But- ler. natives of Tennessee, the latter being the second wife. They had five children as follows : Homer S .: Elsie. and three who died in child- hood. The first marriage of Johu R. Butler was to Sarah Fleet, and they had three children, namely : Philip B .; Lulu, who is the wife of Preston Sanders. postmaster at Pawnee, Ill .; and William J., who lives at Irving, Ill. The father of Mayor Butler came from Tennessee to Witt Township, when he was eighteen years old, quarried there aud reared his family. At present

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

he is residing at Irving, this county, but the mother of Mayor Butler died October 10, 1914, aged seventy-four years and eight months. Dur- ing the Civil War the father served his country as a soldier, and was honorably discharged on account of disability.

The paternal grandfather of Mayor Butler was William Butler, and both he and his wife died in Carroll County, Tenn., she in young womanhood, and he when eighty-five years old. Their children were as follows : Philip, John, Aaron, Monroe, Buck, Vina Rogers and Sarah Cole. The maternal grandfather was Rev. Frank McCaslin, and he and his wife were born in Tennessee, where she died, but he passed away at Ramsey, Ill. He was a Baptist preacher. While living in Tennessee before the Civil War he was an extensive slaveowner. His children were as follows: Louisa, Mack, Syl- vestor. Lucinda, Ann, Nancy, Stephen, Hiram, Louis, Robert, William, Benjamin and Jackson.

Homer S. Butler was reared on his father's farm in Witt Township, and he attended the district schools and Dixon Normal school, and after completing his course at that institution. he taught school for six years. In 1904 he came to Hillsboro, and since then has conducted a profitable real estate business.

On June 26, 1901, Mr. Butler was married to Miss Ethel Hill, a daughter of Thomas J. and Rebecca (Robertson) Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have four children, namely : Everett H., Elbert W., Homer S., Jr., and Rebecca Louisa. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Butler is a trustee. Fraternally he belongs to Hillsboro Lodge No. 40, I. O. O. F. Politically a Republican, Mr. Butler served on the school board for three years and formerly was president of the Hillsboro Republican Club. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Butler is a director of the Witt National Bank, and a stockholder in other financial institutions of the county.

Mrs. Butler was born in Hurricane Township, Fayette County, Ill., May 2, 1880. Her father was born in Missouri, and her mother in Fayette County, Illinois and both parents are still living.

Mrs. Butler's brother and sister are: O. E. Ilill of Fayette County and Jessie, who lives with her parents, at Fillmore, Illinois.

BURRIS, Charles D., a substantial and success- ful general farmer and stockraiser of Butler Grove Township, is proving in his everyday work the satisfaction and profit of an agricul- tural life and is one of the leading men in his line in Montgomery County. He was born in Butler Grove Township, February 15, 1875, a son of DeWitt C. and Roselma (Mack) Burris, natives of Jackson County, Ohio, and Gilsum, N. H., who came to Montgomery County in 1858. Until he was twenty-one years old, Charles D. Burris lived with his parents and then bought 127 acres of land, in Butler Grove Town- ship, one and one-half miles north of Butler, and here he spent a year prior to his marriage. On January 19, 1898, he was married to Edna Briggs, born in North Litchfield Township, a

daughter of Thomas J. and Ellen (Sammons) Briggs, natives of North Litchfield Township and Jacksonville, Ill. From the time of his marriage until the spring of 1900, Mr. Burris lived on his farm, and then he sold it and bought another farm in the southwestern cor- ner of Raymond Township, and farmed this 180 acres until the fall of 1902, when he sold it and went to Boise City, Idaho. In the fall of 1903 he returned to Montgomery County and bought eighty acres of land which was a portion of his father's homestead in Butler Grove Town- ship, which in addition to the eighty acres lie inherited, gave him a farm of 160 acres. He later bought sixty acres additional of the home- stead. All of the present improvements have been installed by him including the convenient and modern buildings, and his farm is a very valuable and productive one, and on it he carries on general farming and stockraising. Mr. and Mrs. Burris have three children, namely : Kenneth, Helen and Fern, In politics Mr. Burris is a Democrat, and he has served as highway commissioner, as school director and two terms as supervisor. Fraternally he belongs to Raymond Lodge No. 692, A. F. & A. M., and the Modern Woodmen of America.

BURRIS, DeWitt C., now deceased, was one of the representative agriculturalists of Butler Grove Township, and a man widely known and universally respected. He was born six miles southeast of Jackson, Jackson County, Olio, April 3, 1826, a son of William Burris. When William Burris was only eighteen years old he was married, his bride being then but sixteen years of age, and she died when her son, DeWitt C. was only three years old, but Mr. Burris lived for many years thereafter, being a farmer of Butler Grove Township.

On April 7, 1857. DeWitt C. Burris was united in marriage with Roselma Mack who was born April 18, 1835, at Gilsum, N. H., a daughter of Calvin and Hulda Mack. Mr. and Mrs. Burris became the parents of the following children : George W., who was born February 22, 1860; Enima J., who was born April 29, 1863; Hattie E., who was born February 8, 1866; Carrie A., who was born August 3, 1868; Elzina, who was born October 2, 1870; William O., who was born October 21. 1872; Charles D., who was born February 15, 1875; Wesley C., who was born August 30, 1877, and an infant who died un- named.

In April, 1858, DeWitt Burris and his wife came to Montgomery County, Ill., where he con- tinued to live until deathı claimed him in 1903, his wife dying some time later. In 1863 he bought the farm in Butler Grove Township that lie operated until his death, and this property is still in the family, his sons having acquired it by inheritance and purchase. He was a man of high principles and did his full duty as he saw it, and in dying his community lost a fine citizen and his family a beloved member.

BURRIS, John R., one of the reliable farmers of Bois D'Arc Township, is operating 240 acres

James R. Vilken

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

of valuable land on Section 30. He was born in Sangamon County, Ill., January 18, 1879, a son of George and Lizzie (Hardin) Burris. The father was born in Indiana and the mother in Sangamon County, Ill. They were married in Illinois, and the father now resides at Wag- · goner, Ill. During the Civil War he served his country as a soldier in the Union army for two years, and he now belongs to the G. A. R. Post. Of his twelve children, ten survive, namely : Charles, who is a farmer of Minnesota ; Fred A., who is a clerk in a hardware store at Farmersville, Ill .; Retta, who lives at Auburn, Ill .; John R .; Albert, who lives in New York City ; Walter, who lives at Taylorville, Ill .; Edith and Ethel who are twins, the latter being the wife of Preston Lape, while the former resides at home; Lelah, who is the wife of Errett Williamson, of Waggoner; and George A., who is in the United States army.

John R. Burris was reared on a farm near Virden, Ill., and remained at home until he attained his majority. In 1903 he began farm- ing and in 1912 moved to his present farm_ On August 22. 1900, Mr. Burris was married to Laura Kime, who was born in Macoupin County, Ill .. November 6, 1873. a daughter of John Kime. Mr. and Mrs. Burris have two children, namely : Marshall, who was born August 30, 1902; and Paul, who was born January 23, 1905. Mr. Burris belongs to the Christian Church. In politics he is a Republican. His fraternal affilia- tions are with the Modern Woodmen of America. and the I. O. O. F. An excellent farmer and hard worker, Mr. Burris is still forging ahead and deserves the success which has come to him.

CANADAY, Hon. Stephen D .- Few men in public life in Illinois have attained more substantial fame within the same length of time than has Stephen D. Canaday, an honored member of the state senate and serving in his second term after serving through three sessions in the lower house. Senator Canaday enjoys the com- plete confidence of the people whose interests he lias so faithfully represented in both legislative branches, and his achievements speak for them- selves as to his high sense of duty, his remem- brance that public responsibilities come before private concerns and that American statesmen are making history more vital than ever before in the life of the nation.

Senator Canaday was born in North Litchfield Township. Montgomery County, Ill., four miles east of Litchfield. March 3, 1865. His parents were Caleb W. and Martha L. H. (Starr) Can- aday. The father was born in Kentucky, Janu- ary 5. 1833, and was brought to Montgomery County when two years old by his parents, who were John and Pina M. (Sapp) Canaday, both of whom were born and reared in Casey County, Ky. They came to Montgomery County in 1835 and spent the remainder of their lives here. Mrs. Canaday was a sister of Warren Sapp who, with Ahart Pierce, entered the land which is the site of the present city of Litchfield. The grand- parents of Senator Canaday died on the old homestead in North Litchfield Township. They

belonged to the finest type of pioneers. The grand-father of John Canaday had been a Revolutionary soldier. They had the following children : James. Caleb. William, Sarah, Rachel, Mary, Elzie and Euel, the last two being twins.

Caleb W. Canaday grew to manhood on the farm in N. Litchfield Township on which his parents settled and afterward developed a farm of his own, on which he died October 25, 1901, at the age of sixty-eight years. He had devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits. In early manhood he married Martha L. H. Starr, who was born in Montgomery County, Ill., March 27, 1842, and still survives and enjoys life at the age of seventy-five. Her parents were David Badgley and Jane (Street) Starr, the former of whom was born in Monroe County, Ill., was a soldier in the Black Hawk War and followed farming as an occupation. He died in his seventy-seventh year. The maternal grand- mother of Senator Canaday was born near Litchfield, in Montgomery County, and died at the age of forty-eight. They had the following children : Abraham, who served in the Mexican War, Julia, Mary. David Monroe, .James N., John M., Martha L. H. and four who died in infancy. The children born to Caleb W. Cana- day and his wife were: James M., who died October 25, 1880; Stephen D .. who is one of Hillsboro's most prominent citizens; John Sid- ney, who is a resident of Hillsboro ; E. Franklin, who is a resident of Coffeen, Ill .; Julia Alice, who is the wife of D. D. Garyer, of Republican City, Nebr .; William L., who lives at Kankakee ; Lewis W., who is a resident of Nebraska ; Robert N., who is a physician at Irving ; Oatie, who died in infancy; Harriet C., who resides with her mother at Hillsboro; and Mattie, who is the wife of John B. Nail, of Mayfield, Kans.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 75

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