Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 77

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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IIISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

dist Church in Wisconsin, and there Mrs. Clot- felter was reared, eoming later to Illinois. Her father died in 1915 aged seventy-eight years. At that time he was a retired Methodist clergy- man. and was living at Danville, Ill. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Clotfelter was Thomas Wanless and his wife bore the maiden name of Nancy Jones. Their children were as follows : Edward, John, Martin, Frank, Thomas, George, Nellie, Nancy, Margaret, Eliza Jane, Mariana, William and Frank II., born in Canada and Illinois. All of them are now .deceased except Frank and Marianna, who both live west of the Rocky Mountains. The mater- nal grandfather of Mrs. Clotfelter was Philonas Kinsman, and he was born in Landoff, N. H. His wife bore the maiden name of Adeline Shurtleff, and she was born at Hatley, east Canada. Their children were as follows : Henry Harrison, Rosina Alana, Sarah Adeline, Walda Scott, and Amanda, the last two dying in infancy.

Doctor Clotfelter belongs to the county, state and national medical societies, and the National Association of Military Surgeons. He is regi- mental surgeon of the Fifth Illinois National Guards. In politics he is a Republican and was mayor of Hillsboro for two terms, and proved himself a very efficient official:

COCKELREAS, F. P., who is profitably conduct- ing his business as a general merchant upon lines that commend him to the general public, is one of the leading men of Irving. He was born in Irving Township, December 9, 1852, a son of George L. and Elizabeth (Richardson) Cockelreas. George L. Coekelreas was born in North Carolina, in 1805, a son of John Cockel- reas. John Cockelreas and his wife were both born in Holland, where they were reared and married, and then immigrated to the United States, locating in North Carolina, where they engaged in farming.

In 1813 the family came to Montgomery Connty, and were among the earliest settlers of this section. They located on the farm now owned by Seth Washburn, taking up the land from the government. In order to get the necessary papers, they had to go to Edwards- ville. On this farm John Cockelreas and wife died, and there George L. Cockelreas was reared. After his marriage in 1834, George L. Coekelreas located on the homestead. He married Elizabeth Richardson, who was born in Kentucky in 1813, and her parents were both native born English, of Scotch and Irish descent. and they came to Kentucky. When Mrs. Cockelreas was seven- teen years old, about 1830, she came to Illinois, and lived in Christian County until her mar- riage. In 1863 George L. Cockelreas died on his father's homestead, and his widow kept the family together on the farm until 1872 when they moved to Irving, the farm being sold, and she died in the village in 1890. George L. Cockelreas and his wife had the following chil- dren : R. J., who died in March, 1913: Mary J., who was Mrs. C. B. Weley, died in December, 1912; A. N., who lives at St. Louis, Mo .; F. P .;

L. H., who lives in Irving, Ill .; and two who died in infancy. George L. Cockelreas was a Democrat, and was quite an important factor in politics, although he did not desire public hon- ors The Lutheran Church held his member- ship.

F. P. Cockelrcas was twenty years old when he located at Irving, and had already taken the regular district sehool course. At that time he began learning the carpenter trade and fol- lowed it for three years, when he and his brother R. J. Coekelreas, established themselves as carpenters and builders and so continued for ten years. Mr. Coekelreas then worked for a poultry concern, and was interested in this line for thirteen years, during the last five being inanager. Leaving this business, he conducted a restaurant for three years. when he sold and put in a grocery stock. His returns were such that he branched out and now carries a general merchandise stock, and is doing a fine business.

On November 17, 1889 he was married to Addie M. Kiesler, a daughter of John and Ellen Kiesler. Mrs. Cockelreas was born in Mont- gomery County near Hillsboro, May 11, 1866. She died August 1, 1907, leaving one daughter, Bertha Myrtle, who was educated in the Irving schools and who is in the store with her father. Mr. Cockelreas and his daughter belong to the Methodist Church at Irving, and he is a mem- ber of its official board, and is church treasurer. A Democrat in politics, he served as constable of Irving Township for nine years, and upon three different occasions was elected supervisor, being very efficient in both offices.

CODDINGTON, John F., one of the responsible and reliable merchants of Litchfield, has been associated with the clothing trade for many years, and has been located in his present block since 1880. He was born at Jerseyville, Ill., February 25, 1868, a son of David and Mary (McGill) Coddington, natives of Newark, N. J. and Jersey County, Ill. In young manhood the father came to Jersey County, Ill., and became a brick mason contractor, one of his contracts being the building of the old Jacksonville Insane Asylum. Ilis death occurred in 1879, the mother surviving him until July, 1911.

John F. Coddington attended the grade and high schools of Jerseyville, and when he was fifteen years old came to Litchfield where he began working in a restaurant. After two years he became a clerk in a dry goods store, and continued that connection for fifteen years, being with the Regulator Store, and spending the greater part of that time in the clothing department. In 1901 the Union Clothing Com- pany was organized, Samnel Herschler, L. M. Eisfeld and John F. Coddington being the partners. The firm handles all kinds of cloth- ing, shoes and gent's furnishings, and has built up a large and valuable trade.

Mr. Coddington was married June 16, 1915, to Emma S. Summerfield, born at Litchfield, a daughter of Edward and Rosalee Summer- field, natives of Germany. Mr. Coddington is a Presbyterian. In politics he is a Democrat

Geo. H. Thomas

MRS. GEORGE H. THOMAS

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

and served one term as city treasurer. He is a charter member of the order of Elks of which he is first esquire and esteemed lecturing knight. A man who understands thoroughly his business and the needs of the public, he has developed , a fine trade and is regarded as an authority upon matters pertaining to correct dressing.

COLLAVO, John, one of the leading merchants of Schram City, has been one of the factors in building up this suburb of Hillsboro. He was born in France, December 14, 1877. a son of Victor and Antonia (Codemo) Collavo, born near Venice. Italy. The father was a stone- cutter. and while he and his wife traveled in France their son was born. In 1893 they returned to Italy, and he conducted a grist-mill until February 18. 1897. when the family came to the United States and locating at Hillsboro, Ill., the father engaged in mining, so continuing until 1910, since which time he has lived retired.

John Collavo attended the Hillsboro public schools and took a bookkeeping course with the Scranton Correspondence School and when he had completed it, took charge of a general merchandise business his father had founded at Kortkamp, Ill., erecting the first store build- ing at that place to house his business. The family also owns lots and residences here, and are in comfortable circumstances. John Collavo is the youngest in the family, having a brother Frank who lives in Wisconsin. The eldest of the family. Mary, is deceased.

On June 9, 1913. John Collavo was married to Winifred Opal White, born at Litchfield, Ill., a daughter of John E. and Lillie (Anderson) White. Mr. and Mrs. Collavo have a daughter Erma Arline, who was born June 9, 1914. He is a Catholic and his wife is a member of the Christian Church. In politics he is a Republi- can and he served as city clerk of Schram City for two years. Fraternally he belongs to .Schram City Lodge No. 725, I. O. O. F.

COLT, John Dennison, M. D., the oldest physi- cian in practice at Litchfield, is one of the leading members of the medical board of St. Francis Hospital, and a man widely known and universally respected. He was born at Berlin, in Mahoning County, Ohio. January 12, 1839, a son of Joseph H. and Charlotte (Packard) Colt. natives of Connecticut and Virginia, respectively. The father was a farmer in Mahoning County.

Dr. Colt spent his boyhood in Mahoning County and when about eight years old his parents moved to Ellsworth, and he there attended school at the Ellsworth Academy. In 1862 he shipped in the United States Navy as an able-bodied seaman and was assigned to the gunboat fleet of Admiral Porter. After his honorable discharge he returned to Ohio, and completed his medical studies in the medical department of the Western Reserve University, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which he was gradu- ated March 4. 1865. Immediately thereafter he came to Litchfield, Ill., where he has since con-

tinued in active practice. He is recognized as the father of St. Francis Hospital.

· In the fall of 1865 Dr. Colt was married to Susan Mary McAllister, of Kentucky. Dr. and Mrs. Colt became the parents of two children : Charlotte, who is the wife of Joseph E. Paden, an attorney at Chicago, and Archibald, who died at the age of six years. Dr. Colt is a Presbyterian. In politics he is a Republican. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masonic order, and he also belongs to the Grand Army of Republic.

CONCIDINE, William Michael, one of the capi- talists and representative men of Litchfield, who for many years was railroading, was born in New York City, N. Y., May 13, 1855, a son of Patrick and Mary .( Hannon) Concidine, natives of County Clare, Ireland. Upon coming to this country, they located in New York City, but afterwards went to Dubuque, Iowa, where Patrick Concidine died in July, 1858. Later Mrs. Concidine was married (second) to James Anglim. at Dubuque. Iowa, and a few years afterward Mr. and Mrs. Anglim went to St. Louis, Mo., where they lived until 1866, when they came to Litchfield. Ill.

William Michael Concidine attended the paro- chial schools of his parish, and when he was sixteen years old he began working as a water- carrier on the Big Four Railroad, and in the following year was engaged with the Wabash Railroad as water-boy on the work train. When his brother James was killed, in a collision at Edwardsville. Ill .. in 1871, he went to work as section hand. so continuing until 1873, when he was made section foreman on the Wabash Rail- road. He held that position for twelve years. He then went to work for the St. Louis and Chicago Railroad Company and completed the tracks of the St. Louis & Chicago Railroad between Glenarm and Springfield, after which he was made roadmaster, holding that position for about a year. Mr. Concidine was then made yardmaster of the Wabash Litchfield yards, and soon after that promotion. left the Wabash Railroad for the Big Four Railroad. to become switchman in the Litchfield yards, which position he held for two years. His next position was brakeman for the C. P. & S. L. Railroad, his run being from Litchfield to Peoria and Pekin. This road was later consolidated with the J. & St. Louis Railroad, and he was made local freight conductor, which position he held for twelve years. For the subsequent two years he was a passenger conductor for the same road. the C. B. & Q. absorbing the J. & St. Louis and then went with the C. B. & Q. Railroad as passenger conductor and remained for two years, when on account of seniority he was set back to be a local freight conductor. In 1914 he retired from railroad work, and is now occupied in looking after his realty interests.

On April 24. 1SS2 Mr. Concidine was married to Mary E. Roach, who was born in Litchfield, Ill., a daughter of John and Catherine (Flynn)

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Roach of County Clare, Ireland, early settlers of Litchfield, where Mr. Roach was engaged in coal mining. Mr. and Mrs. Concidine became the parents of the following children: William Michael and Thomas P., who live at Chicago; Rose Cecelia, who is at home; Irene C., who lives at Chicago; Mary A., who lives at home; and James J., who is deceased. Mr. Concidine is a Democrat, and served as alderman of Litchfield from the First Ward for twelve years. His fraternal affiliations are with the Elks, Modern Woodmen of America, Royal Neighbors and the Order of Railroad Conductors and belongs also to the Loyal American Insur- ance Company. A man of ability, he has known how to save his money, and then how to wisely invest it, and his success is well merited.

COOPER, George Reed, now deceased, was for many years one of the leading attorneys of Hillsboro, and a man widely known and univer- sally respected not only in Montgomery County, but throughout the state. He was born at Greencastle, Ind., July 25, 1855, a son of Jacob and Eliza (Robinson) Cooper, he was born on August 16, 1816 at Mayville, Ky., and she was born in 1820 in Kentucky. The paternal grand- father, Jacob R. Cooper was born in Loudoun County, Va., March 3, 1774. He was married to Sarah Hale Kenner, who was born June 26, 1782. The maternal grandparents, John and Sarah (Duncan) Robinson, lived at Greencastle, Ind. On November 7, 1844, Jacob Cooper and Eliza Robinson were married at Greencastle, Ind. There Jacob Cooper worked as a carpen- ter and farmer until 1858, when he settled on a farm. near Coffeen, Montgomery County, Ill., where he died November 22, 1877. Politically he was a Republican and was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His widow moved to Hillsboro, where she lived until her death August 2, 1892. These parents had the follow- ing children : Sarah M., who is Mrs. James M. Moore, a widow of Coffeen. Ill., who was born October 29, 1845; Mary Ann. who was born October 7, 1847, is Mrs. Darnell of Greencastle, Ind .; Louisa Jane, who was born July 1, 1849, was Mrs. Jacob Young, and died in July, 1873; William H., who was born April 14, 1851, lives at Atlanta, Ill., and was married January S, 1874 to Catherine E. Campbell; George Reed ; John R., who was born May 6, 1858, lives at Coffeen Ill., and was married October 5, 1887 to Ella D. Perry.

George Reed Cooper spent his boyhood on the home farm and attended the common schools and the Hillsboro Academy. For two years he taught school in Bond County and for seven years in Fillmore Township, Montgomery County, when he entered the law office of Rice, Miller & McDavid, in 1880, and for about two years read law and was in the office of Judge Edward Lane, and in 1882 he was admitted to the bar. During the following winter he again taught school, and then entered the office of Judge Lane, and a month later, without any solicitation on his part, he was elected city attorney of Hillsboro. In 1883 he formed a

partnership with Judge Lane, and this associa- tion continued until 1910, when Mr. Cooper was obliged to retire on account of ill health, and he dicd July 11, 1915. He was twice elected city attorney, and he was chosen to fill a vacaney as county judge at the death of Judge Lewis Allen, in November, 1891, and was elected to that office for the full term in 1894. He was nominated to fill the vacancy as Supreme judge at the death of Judge Jesse J. Phillips. He was recognized as a very strong man both as a jurist and attorney, and of unimpeachable character. The Hillsboro National Bank was proud of the fact that it had him as a stock- holder and a member of its board of directors.

On June 10, 1886 Judge Cooper was married to Nettie Ireland, a daughter of Dr. H. M. and Sarah Ireland, of Columbia City, Ind. She died February 24, 1887. He was married (sec- ond) to Estelle S. Allen, on December 12, 1894. She was born at Sullivan, Ind., August 1, 1873, a daughter of Prof. A. P. and Rachel Josephine (Dodds) Allen, he was born January 15, 1829 at Greencastle, Ind., and died February 4, 1917, and she was born July 26, 1834, at New Leba- non, Ind. and died August 17, 1896. both at Erie, Kas. Professor Allen was educated in Greencastle and at DePauw University, and spent his life in educational work. From 1881 to 1886 he was superintendent of schools at Hillsboro. where Mrs. Cooper was educated. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper became the parents of the following children: Josephine Estelle, Lane Reed, Mary, George R. Jr., and William Allen. Judge Cooper was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for many years served his church as a trustee. He was a Mason, a Modern Woodman, a member of the Business Men's Club, and a Republican.

CORLEW, J. Morgan, one of the retired farmers of Litchfield, was formerly a very important agriculturalist of Zanesville Township. He was born one half mile north of Walshville, Ill., March 20, 1852, a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Barlow) Corlew. Philip Corlew was born near St. Louis, Mo., and died in 1855, and his wife was born in Illinois, and died in 1859.

Left so early an orphan, J. Morgan Corlew was taken by an uncle and aunt who reared him in their home on a farm, and sent him to the district schools. When he was twenty- one years old he began earning his own living. On December 28, 1876, he was married to Susan F. Roberts, who was born March 6, 1857, in Montgomery County. near Honey Bend, and was reared there. Mr. and Mrs. Corlew located in North Litchfield Township after their mar- riage, and after several changes, during which time Mr. Corlew bought and sold a farm, they moved to Zanesville Township, where he became the owner of 200 acres of land on Section 23, and on it he carried on general farming until February 9. 1917, when he moved to Litchfield. He is a director of the Hillsboro Insurance Company, and while living in Zanesville Town- ship, represented that company. He is also a stockholder in the Raymond Farmers Grain

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

and Supply Company, and has been a very im- portant man in business circles.

Mr. and Mrs. Corlew became the parents of the following children : Effie, who is the wife of Clinton Ash; Fred, who was married to Effie Bennett, has the following children, Lora L., Morgan B. and Dorris M .; Willis M., who was married to Fannie Burnap, has a son, Leon B .; Jesse J., who is a graduate of the Raymond High school and also of the Northwestern Dental school. Chicago, Ill. is a dentist at Mt. Vernon, Ill .; Philip, who is deceased; Joseph, who is at home; and a daughter who died at the age of fourteen months. Mr. Corlew and his daughter belong to the Primitive Baptist Church, and Mrs. Corlew is a member of the Free Methodist Church. In politics Mr. Corlew is aº Democrat. He is interested in local matters, and keeps well posted on current events.

CORNEAU, Charles Lewis, agent for the Wabash Railroad Company at Litchfield, is one of the highly regarded railroad men of this section, whose long connection with his road has been maintained through his personal fitness for the position. He was born at Springfield, .Ill., October 11. 1849, a son of Stephen A. and Sarah (Bahey) Corneau, natives of Philadelphia, Pa., and Queenstown, Ireland, respectively. While still a young man the father moved to Spring- field, Ill., where he carried on cabinetmaking until the last few years of his life when he became a clerk for the Southern District of Illinois of the United States Court.

Charles Lewis Corneau attended the schools of Springfield, Ill., until he was fourteen years old, and then began to earn his own living as a clerk in a grocery store. On April 8, 1864. commenced his connection with the railroad service which was to continue for so long, be- coming a newsboy, and in July, 1866, he was made a train baggageman on the Toledo. Wabash and Western Railroad. Still later he was made freight conductor, and in 1SS1 was yardmaster of the Decatur yards, where he remained until 1884. At that time he was sent to Forrest, Ill., as yardmaster, and in 1886 he was made a conductor on the Three III Railroad. In 1SSS he engaged as conductor with the Santa Fe Railroad, and in 1SS9, returned to the Wabash, as general yardmaster at Forrest where he con- tinued until December 1, 1899, when he became agent at Litchfield for the Wabash Railroad. which position he still holds.

On November 28. 1871 Mr. Corneau was married to Laura Lamm and they have one daughter who was married to Oscar Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one son, Clifford C. bookkeeper in the First National Bank of San Angelo, Tex. Mr. Corneau is a Democrat in " politics and is a member of the Episcopal Church. His fraternal affiliations are with the Masons. Knights of Pythias and Modern Wood- men of America. A man of reliability and stead- fast purpose, he handles the complex duties devolving upon him with care and discretion,

and is held in high esteem by the public and his road.

COUNTON, William, supervisor of Irving Town- ship, and now chairman of the board, is a farmer and dairyman, living on his valuable property adjoining the village of Irving. He was born in New York City, N. Y., December 25, 185S, a son of Thomas and Jane (Conway) Counton, natives of Ireland. They came to New York City from their native land, and there they met and were married. By trade he was a tanner, and he worked as such in Rhode Island. He died when William Counton was nine years old.

William Counton was taken by an uncle and was put to work in the cotton mills at Paw- tucket, R. I., and later worked in the print mills at Cranston, R. I. Conditions were so unbear- able that he ran away and returned to New York City, and went to the home of an aunt, with whom he remained for a time, but was then, as an orphan, put in the New York Juvenile Asylum. After nine months in that institution, he was taken out and brought to Hillsboro, Ill., February 25, 1869, being bound out to Nelson Lipe, a farmer, with whom he remained for five years and three days, when once more he ran away. He went to work for John Kerr, who lived west of Nokomis, For some time afterward he worked by the month for different farmers, and in the main had a hard time, being knocked about from pillar to post until he attained his majority.

On April 3, 1SS1, Mr. Counton was married to Julia King, born in Montgomery County, a daughter of John W. King, one of the pioneers of the county who came here from Tennessee. Mr. Counton settled on a farm on Section 1, Irving Township, where he lived for twenty- four years, and later purchased the farm of 120 acres on which he was living, but afterward sold it and bought forty acres on which he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Counton became the parents of two children, namely : Elbert W., who was graduated from the Irving High school, was a teacher in the public schools, and was married to Stacy Sinn and they live in Irving : and Harold R., who also attended the Irving High school. is a street car conductor, and he was married to Muriel Carriker and they live at St. Paul, Minn.

The family belongs the Presbyterian Church at Irving. He belongs to Irving Lodge No. 455. A. F. & A. M., and the Eastern Star and to the Modern Woodmen of America. He was a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Witt, Ill., and was elected the first chancellor of the lodge and was also a member of the grand lodge. In politics he is a Republican and has been supervisor for many years, serving for six years, and then for twenty years was out of the office, when he was again elected. and reelected. He has been active in local and state politics, being sent as delegate to the state conventions, and has been a member of the county central committee of his party

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

for years. His present prominence and pros- perity are all the more marked because of the contrast between the present and his unhappy and neglected boyhood, and no man is more essentially self made than he.

COVINGTON, Jesse Hiram, one of the honored residents of Litchfield, and a veteran of the Civil War, is held in the highest esteem by the people of Montgomery County. He was born in Sangamon County, Ill., July 5, 1841, a son of Hiram and Jane (Richardson) Covington, she being a native of Bowling Green, Ky., and he of one of the southern states. He served during the Black Hawk War, and his son, James H. Covington, was killed at the battle of Haines' Bluff. Hiram Covington, the father, died when Jesse Hiram Covington was an infant, the mother later marrying Sumner Parmenter, who lived 'at Beardstown. Ill., where the lad was reared to the age of fourteen years. He then went to Macomb, Ill., and worked on farms in that neighborhood for three years.

From then on until 1860 Mr. Covington was employed on boats on the Illinois River, but in that year he came to Litchfield, and hired out by the mouth to farmers in North Litchfield Township, and in Sangamon County, so con- tinuing until his enlistment for service during the Civil War in Company B. Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Capt. J. P. Davis. The company was drilled at Camp Butler, and then sent to Cairo, Ill., and thence to Belmont, Mo., where it participated in a battle. The troops were at Forts Henry and Donelson. Shiloh. Corinth, Jackson and Brownsville, and after a skirmish. on September 1. 1862, at Britton's Lane. Tenn .. Mr. Covington was de- tailed to go with a supply train, and was taken prisoner by General Armstrong. Being later paroled, he walked back to Jackson. Tenn., and remained at Benton Barracks until he was exchanged, February 1. 1863, when he returned to his regiment at Lake Providence, La. He fought with his regiment at Milligan's Bend. La .. Grand Gulf. Miss., Port Gibson, Black River, and Raymond, Miss., where there was a heavy engagement. The regiment then went to Jackson. Miss., and was also in the engage- ment at Champion's Hill. where the soldiers fought all day, and finally chased the enemy to Black River and into Vicksburg. Mr. Coving- ton's period of service having then expired, he was given a month's furlough, and he returned to Litchfield where he was married. He then rejoined his regiment at Cairo, he having re- enlisted, as did the majority of the men in his company. They were sent to Clifton, Tenn., and were in the campaign with General Sher- man including the march to the sea, the engage- ments along the Atlantic seaboard and at Jones- boro, and they entered Savannah, Ga., on Christ- mas Day. 1864. The regiment then marched through the Carolinas, on to Washington, D. C., and took part in the grand review, following which they were mustered ont at Louisville, Ill., and discharged at Springfield. Ill., July 17, 1865. after which Mr. Covington returned to Mont-

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 77

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