Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 79

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 79

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CUMMINGS, Frank, one of the leading general contractors of Litchfield, is a man whose work and reliability are of the highest class. He was horn at Shelbyville, Ill .. in November, 1862, a son of Joseph and Hannah (Martin) Cummings. About 1869 the father moved to Litchfield where he engaged in farming, and later became a teamster. His death occurred in 1873, a vic- tim of cholera. Left a widow with little chil- dren, the mother was forced to get along as best slie could, several of the children dying in the same year as their father. She and her hus- band had six children: Charles, who died in 1873 ; George, who died in 1915; Mary, who died in 1873; Martha, who died in infancy : Anna, who lives with her brother; and Frank, who was the youngest. The mother died January 9, 1916, aged eiglity-five years and nine months.

Frank Cummings attended the local schools, and after his father's death worked in the coal mines, although only twelve years old. He then learned the painting trade and became a painter and decorator, and worked as a journeyman for eight years, after which he embarked in a general contracting business, and not only operates at Litchfield, but within a radius of fifteen miles. During the season he employs three experienced men to help him. Mr. Cum- mings is a Presbyterian. In politics he is a Republican, and served for six years as a mem- ber of the city council of Litchfield from the Fourth Ward. His business experience has not been confined to the contracting business, for

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

in 1893 he started a grocery store and conducted it for eighteen months. Mr. Cummings has .

never married.

DALY, Thomas W., postmaster of Witt, Ill., , and a man who is a fine representative of Mont- gomery County citizenship, was born at Alton, Madison County, March 7, 1866, a son of David and Mary (Griffin) Daly. David Daly was born in County Limerick, Ireland, where he lived until he was twenty years old, doing farm work. At that time he came to New York City, and after a short time came on west to Alion, Ill. There he worked at the barber trade, and met and married his wife who was born in - County Kerry, Ireland. which she left after reaching womanhood. coming first to Canada and then to the United States. In the early seventies, the family moved to Litchfield, and after a few years in that city, located on a farm north of Irving, in Irving Township. When the father bought sixty acres it was all wild land, and he began at once to develop it into paying property, living on the farm until 1904 when he came to Witt, and is now living here in retirement. He and his wife had eight children, five of whom are living, namely : Ella, who is in Coffeen, Ill .; Thomas W .; Elizabeth, who is a stenographer, of St. Louis, Mo .; Katie, who is employed in Pfertner's store at Witt; Sarah, who is at home: and Anna, who is em- ployed in the same store as Katie. The family belongs to St. Barbara's Church at Witt. The father is a Democrat in politics.

Thomas W. Daly attended the schools of Litchfield and Irving, and lived at home until his marriage when he and his wife located on his farm two and one-half miles northwest of Irving. and lived there six years. They then moved to Farmersville, Ill., and Mr. Daly was in business at that point for five years. He then came to a farm east of Witt. in Witt Township, and conducted it for three years, when he received the appointment of postmaster of Witt and has held this office ever since. re- signing the office of highway commissioner to accept that of postmaster. In politics he is a Democrat. While living. at Farmersville he was town treasurer. His record as a public official is such as to prove his ability and up- rightness. In addition to other realty holdings, he owns eighty acres of land in Witt Town- ship.

Mr. Daly was married to Lydia Ross, a daughter of Alexander Ross of Seymour, Mo. Mr. and Mrs, Daly have three children, namely : Blanche, who is with her father in the post of- fice: and Margaret and Mildred who are at- tending school. They all belong to St. Barbara's Church at Witt.

DANCISAK, George, who is engaged in general merchandising at Taylor Springs, was the pio- neer in his line in this village. and has more than borne his part in its upbuilding and de- velopment. He and his wife were both born in Slovak, Austria-Hungary, he coming into the world November 12, 1870. There he attended

the public schools, learning English by attend- ing a night school after coming to the United States, which he did in 18SS, accompanied by a sister. In 1895 Mr. Dancisak opened a grocery and meat market at Joliet, Ill., and conducted it for two years, then he went to Braceville, Ill., and resided there until 1907, at one time con- ducting a store and doing some mining. He then came to Taylor Springs and opened his present establishment, which has expanded with the growth of the village, and is now the lead- ing general store. In addition to his fine res- idence, Mr. Dancisak also erected his valuable business block, and is a man of large means, all of his property coming to him as the result of his work and thrift.

On September 5, 1897, Mr. Dancisak was mar- ried to Anna Godzo, who was born June 9, 1SS2, a daughter of Michael and Mary Godzo, both of whom now reside at Taylor Springs, al- though upon first coming to the United States, they lived at Joliet, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Dan- cisak have the following children : Rosalina, Al- bert John. Ludmilla, Edward George and George N. Mr. Dancisak is a member of the Greek Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and was elected president of the board of trus- tees of Central City, Ill., serving one term, and he has held the same office at Taylor Springs for three terms. He has held all of the local offices of the United Mine Workers. While at Braceville he joined the Odd Fellows, and the National Slavak Society. A public-spirited man, he has always been interested in his communi- ty, and is recognized as one of the most desir- able citizens of Montgomery County.

DENTON, J. Frank, who is profitably engaged in conducting a large business as a contractor in brick and concrete work. is one of the sub- stantial men of Hillsboro, Ill. He was born in Fillmore Township, Montgomery County. Au- gust 11, 1866, a son of George W. and Margaret (Card) Denton, natives of Shelby County, TIl., and of Fillmore Township, respectively. The paternal grandfather, Reuben Denton, a native of Ohio, was a very early settler of Illinois. The maternal grandparents were James and Sarah (Davis) Card, natives of North Caro- lina and Kentucky, and they were also very early settlers of Montgomery County, James Card serving on its first grand jury. Until 1883 the parents of J. Frank Denton lived on their farm, but then they moved to Hillsboro, where the father engaged in brickmaking until he retired. His death occurred in December, 1911, when he was sixty-seven years old. The mother, born in July, 1846, survives and lives at Hillsboro.

J. Frank Denton spent his boyhood on the home farm until he was sixteen years old. and then for the following two years he worked at farming for others. then joined his parents at Hillsboro and worked for his father in the brickyard until 1890, at which time he moved to his father-in-law's farm in East Fork Township, and operated this property for fifteen years. He then came to Hillsboro, mainly in order to

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

give his children better educational advantages, and embarked in his present business, in which he has been very snecessful.

On March 12. 1890, Mr. Denton was married to Anna McGee, born in Hillsboro Township. a daughter of George H. and Mary (Clotfelter) McGee, natives of North Carolina and Hillsboro Township. The paternal grandparents, James and Permelia (Moose) McGee, were born in North Carolina, as were the maternal grand- parents. George Lee and Jemima (Hope) Clot- felter. George Lee Clotfelter was a son of David Clotfelter, who died on Lookont Moun- tain. Tenn., on his way west to Montgomery Connty. Mr. and Mrs. Denton have two chil- dren: George L .. who is a mail carrier; and Owen L., who lives at Hillsboro. Mr. Denton attended the grammar and high schools and is a well informed man. and has served as a school director, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. Fraternally ho belongs to the Odd Fellows. in which order he has served as vice grand. the Rebekahs, which he has served as financial secretary, and the Modern Woodmen of America.

DEWITT, Henry F., a prosperous agriculturalist of Montgomery County, is operating a fine farm on Section 2 in Pitman Township. He was born in Scotland County, Missouri, December 15, 1858, a son of Andrew J. and Sarah J. (Green- walt ) DeWitt. The father went from Fleming County. Ky., to Missouri where he was mar- ried. his wife having been born in Hardin County. Ky. They were living in Missouri in 1863. during the Civil War, and he entered the Confederate army nnder General Price, and later was captured hy Union forces and as a war prisoner was confined at Alton. Ill. After his release he went to Macoupin County, Ill., where he was joined by his family. For many years he made this county his home, but later went to Oklahoma and died there in 1901. He and his wife had eleven children, eight of whom survive. namely : Lizzie, who is the wife of J. W. Stansberry ; Henry F .: William W., who lives in Oklahoma: Anna. who is the wife of Charles Howlingworth: Kate, who is the widow of Albert Stevens of Texas; Gustave and Rob- ert, twins, the former of Mulhall. Okla .. and the latter of St. Joseph. Mo .: and Lewis, who lives in Oklahoma.

Henry F. DeWitt was reared in Montgomery County. and attended the local schools. remain- ing at home until he was nineteen years old. when he began working. although he turned his wages over to his father until he attained his majority. On February 28, 1884, MIr. De- Witt was married to Rachel A. Bonnet, born September 5. 1857. and they have two children, namely : Eva. who is at home; and Paul, living on a farm in Macoupin County, married Ollie Thomasson. and they have one son. Clarence W .; and Clarence. who married May Tombes. is a graduate of Brown's Business College, and is employed by a prominent firm of St. Louis. Mo .. in the daytime and is an instructor in

bookkeeping at night in Brown's Business Col- lege.

After his marriage. Mr. DeWitt rented land in the county until 1SSS, when he leased his present farm of thirty-five acres of very valu- able land. With the exception of four years during which he was superintendent of the poor, he has lived here since he bought the property. A Democrat, he has been a member of the county central committee since 1886 with the exception of the four years he spent on the county farm. In 1916 he was made a member of the board of review. and he stands very high with the leaders of his party. they as well as others recognizing his ability and sound com- mon sense. For years he has been a leading Baptist, and he belongs to the M. P. L. Mr. DeWitt is a man well known in Montgomery County. and his standing is exceptionally high in every respect.

DOWNS, William H., one of the prosperous farmers of Fillmore Township, residing on Sec- tion 7. owns eighty-two and one-half acres in this tract, and eighty-nine acres more in this same township. IIe was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, near Columbus, May 9, 1863, a son of Benjamin F. and Lottie (Graham) Downs. Both parents were born in Pickaway County, Ohio, and they were reared on neigh- boring farms. Until the fall of 1871 they re- sided in Ohio, and then came to Montgomery County, renting land in East Fork Township for a time. but later buying a small farm on Section 7 East Fork Township, on which they reared their family, and on which they still reside. They are members of the Bost-Hill Lutheran Church, and have always taken an active part in church work. In politics the father is a Democrat. but he has never sought office. Four children were born to them, three of whom are living. namely: W. H. ; Sherman. who is in a western state: and Anna, who is the wife of N. B. Allen of Fillmore Township.

W. H. Downs was eight years old when he was brought to Illinois, and he attended the schools of East Fork Township, living at home until marriage. On March 3, 1889, he was married to Elizabeth Bost. a daughter of John J. Bost of Fillmore Township. She died August 26, 1901. They had nine children, of whom six are now living, namely : Wilda, who is the wife of Ralph Bost. of Fillmore Township : Paul, who married Esther Cross, lives in Fillmore Township: Chester, who is at home : and Willis. Amber and Hugh. On December 31, 1916. Mr. Downs was married (second) to Lena Wetterer. a danghter of Barney and Sophia Wetterer. In politics Mr. Downs is a Democrat, and has served during three terms as a school director. In his farming he is paying considerable atten- tion to dairying, in which he has been engaged since 1902, and his herd consists of pure regis- tered Shorthorn cattle, so that his product is particularly fine and is in great demand.

DOYLE, L. T., owner of 745 acres of fine land two and one-half miles south of Raymond. on

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Section 29, Raymond Township, is one of the successful farmers of Montgomery County. He was born in Butler Grove Township, Montgomery County, March 8, 1865. a son of James and Julia (Overby) Doyle. The parents were born in- Greene County, Ill., where they were reared and married. The grandparents on both sides were Kentuckians who came to Greene County at an early day, being among the pioneers of that locality. After their marriage, James Doyle and his wife came direct to Butler Grove Township, this county, and located on 160 acres of land his father had previously entered from the gov-

ernment. There they lived and died, James Doyle owning 200 acres of land at his death. He was the father of seven children, five of whom grew to maturity. and four now survive, namely : George, who lives at Irving, Ill. ; I. T .; Ira J., who lives at Raymond, Ill. ; and Agnes, who also lives at Raymond. The parents be- longed to the Blue Mound Baptist Church, and took an active part in religious work, he serving his congregation as an official for many years. In politics he was a Democrat.

L. T. Doyle was reared on the homestead, and sent to the district schools, remaining with his parents until his marriage which took place February 10, 1889. to Fannie Seward who was born in October. 1868, a daughter of Oscar and Mary Seward, of Raymond Township. Atter marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Doyle located on a rented farm sonth of their present one, nntil they bought a farm on which they made many of the improvements. They had two children, namely : Oscar James, who is deceased; and LeMar, who is attending the Raymond High school. Mrs. Doyle died April 10, 1912. He is a Democrat in politics and was supervisor of Raymond Township for one term. He is a director of the First National Bank of Raymond. Mr. Doyle is a breeder of Poland-China hogs handling them upon an extensive scale, and feeds and ships cattle. He handles none but good breeds of stock, and his operations are important, and his shipments very large. so that he is a forceful factor in the stock production of this county. -

DRYER, Judee John Lewis, member of the law firm of Lane, Dryer & Brown of Hillsboro, is an ex-county Judge of Montgomery County, and one of the prominent attorneys of this part of the state. He was born in Butler Grove Town- ship. this county, August 31, 1878, a son of George W. and Lucy J. (McCord) Dryer, natives of Illinois who had five children, as follows : Mary Agnes, who died unmarried in 1902, aged twenty-five years ; John L. : and three who died in infancy. The father of Judge Dryer was born at Hillsboro, and reared in this connty, growing up on a farm. For a number of years after attaining maturity he taught school. When his country had need of him during the Civil War. he enlisted in Company E. First Illinois Cavalry, as a private. He was wounded in the battle at Lexington. Mo., throngh the arm, and was further injnred by his horse falling

npon him. After his discharge, he returned home and was engaged in farming in Butler Grove Township, owning a small farm, which is now included in the village of Butler. He still lives there, but the mother died in 1855, aged about forty-five years. He has been an elder in the Butler Presbyterian Church for a great many years. A man of local prominence he has been supervisor, tax collector, member of the school board and held other township offices.

The paternal grandfather of Judge Dryer was Albert Dryer and his wife was Louisa (Weber) Dryer, and he was a native of New York, and she of Pennsylvania. They were pioneers of Montgomery County, where they died, he when almost ninety, and she when eighty-five. They had six children, namely : Amelia, Olive, George W., John L., Ardalissa and Charles A. The maternal grandparents were Thomas McCord and Mary Elizabeth (Spillman) McCord, natives of New York state, and early settlers of Montgomery County. For many years they lived in Irving Township, where he died at the age of seventy-eight and she at eighty-five years. Their children were: Henry, Maria. Sarah, Charles, who died un- married, and some who died in childhood.

John Lewis Dryer was reared on his father's farm and after attending the Butler High school he was graduated in 1895, following which he spent two years at Blackburn Univer- sity, at Carlinville. Ill. He was graduated from the law department of the University of Illinois in 1904, and was admitted to the bar that same year. He had taught school for two years in the meanwhile. In 1904 he came to Hillsboro, and went into the office of the state's attorney, L. V. Hill. Two years afterwards he was elected county jndge, and was re-elected in 1910, serving in all eight years in this important office. Leaving the bench in 1914, he formed a partnership with Guy Lane and M. J. Brown, the firm being Lane. Dryer and Brown. and this association still continues, the firm being recog- nized as a very strong and efficient one that has been connected with some of the most im- portant jurisprudence in this part of the state.

On October 31, 1904. Judge Dryer was married to Miss Mae Brookman, a daughter of William and Laura A. (Steer) Brookinan, and they have one daughter, Doris K. Judge and 'Mrs. Dryer are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. He belongs to Mount Moriah Lodge No. 51. A. F. & A. M .; Hillsboro Chapter No. 97. R. A. M. ; and Sullivan Council. R. & S. M. He is also a member of Hillsboro Lodge. I. O. O. F. One of the most prominent Republicans in the county, he was a member of the board of education for nine years, and while living in Butler Grove Township he served as township clerk. and was also clerk of the village of Butler. Judge Dryer is a director of the Peoples National Bank of Hillsboro, and his connection with this institution gives it added prestige and financial strength. Mrs. Dryer was born at Butler. Ill. Her parents were natives of Ohio and Illinois. In 1912 her

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

mother died, aged seventy-six years, but her father survives, and makes his home with her. Their children who grew to maturity were : William, Harry E., Agnes and Mae. The mother had been married previously and had one child, Minnie.

DUDE, William, an undertaker and graduated embalmer at Nokomis is a man thoroughly qualified in the vocation to which he applies his best efforts, and his professional services are rendered carefully, expeditiously and skillfully. William Dude was born in Madison County, Ill., March 31, 1867, a son of Charles and Catherine (Scholl) Dude, the former of whom was born in Germany, and came to the United States after his marriage, locating in Madison County, Ill. Here he bought a farm, and added to the original small purchase until he had 180 acres. He was a Methodist in religion and a Republican in politics. Both lie and his wife died in Madison County. They had the follow- ing children : Charles, who is a retired farmer of Nokomis, Ill .; Louise, who is the wife of Christ Schaake of Lawrence, Kas .; Henry, who lives at Conway Springs, Kas .; William; and Edward, who lives at Edwardsville, Ill.

William Dude spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and attended the district schools, remaining at home until he attained his major- ity. On March 19, 1889, Mr. Dude was married at Edwardsville, Ill., to Sofia Kaeser, of Pitts- field, Ill., and they became the parents of two children, namely : Albert, who married Lovia Randles, and they have two sons,, operates a draying business at Nokomis, William K., and Albert C .; and Dora who married Charles Nicol and they live in Nokomis. The family are Methodists, and Mr. Dude is one of the trustees of the church, and very active in church and Sunday school work, serving for four years as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is a member of Nokomis Lodge No. 456, A. F. & A. M., and of Sherman Lodge, I. O. O. F. of which he is past grand, and he and his wife belong to the Order of the Eastern Star and the Rebekahs, of which she was mad> vice grand for 1916. In politics Mr. Dude is a Republican. In addition to his residence, Mr. Dude owns the building he occupies with his undertaking business, and is the only one of his calling at Nokomis. Sympa- thetic, capable and skilled, Mr. Dude ministers to those who need his services in a manner that wins esteem as well as respect.

DURSTON, Joseph J., a successful farmer of Section 18, Witt Township, owns eighty acres of land in Witt Township and forty acres in Irving Township. He was born in Macoupin County, Ill., November 27, 1873, a son of John and Mary (Lee) Durston. John Durston was born in England. June 24, 1850, and died August 24. 1909. His wife was born October 24, 1855, and died August 9, 1891. She was a daughter of Joseph and Caroline (Combs) Lee, both of whom were born in Somersetshire, England, June 26, 1890. They were reared there and

married June 17, 1848. They came to the United States, locating first on a farm in the vicinity of Godfrey Ill., but later moved into the village of Brighton where both died, Mr. Lee on Febru- ary 27, 1915 and Mrs. Lee April 21, 1826.

Jolın Durston was seventeen years old when he came to the United States, and he worked by the month for farmers in Macoupin County. Joseph Lee, January 15, 1826, and Mrs. Lee After his marriage in 1872 he rented land in Macoupin County for a time, and then came to Montgomery County, and bought land west of Witt. Seven years prior to his death he moved to Witt, where he passed away. When he died he owned 240 acres of valuable land. A Repub- lican. he served as highway commissioner of Rountree Township. He and his wife had seven children, namely: J. J. who was born Novem- ber 27, 1873; Caroline J. who was born Decem- ber 7, 1875, is the wife of Joseph Nelson ; Ellen M. who was born February 8, 1878, was the wife of William P. Detrich, later married Henry Thalman; Fannie E. who was born February 22. 1880, dicd in February 20, 1881; Albert E. who was born December 29, 1881; Martha J. who was born January 29, 1884, died January 16. 1SS8; and Chester A. who was born April 23. 1891.

Joseph J. Durston was reared on his father's homestead in Rountree Township, and attended the local schools remaining at home until he was twenty-four years old. On March 6, 1898, he was married to Theresa E. Adler, who was born in Madison County, Ill., February 26, 1871, a daughter of C. F. Adler, who was born in Germany April 1, 1835, and died at Witt Ill., December 23, 1915. On October 12, 1867 he came to the United States, and was married soon thereafter to Louisa Opel, who was born in Germany February 25, 1842, and died at Witt, Ill., August 18, 1916. She came to the United States in 1867. On February 26, 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Adler located at Witt, after some years spent in farming in Madison County. Mr. and Mrs. Durston have one son, Harlan J., who was born July 6, 1905. He is attending the public school. In 1908 Mr. and Mrs. Durston came to Witt Township, locating on their present farm. A Republican, Mr. Durston belongs to the school board of his township, and is held in high esteem by all who know him.

ECKHOFF, Andrew J., postmaster of Nokomis, was appointed to this office by President Wilson in November, 1913, in recognition of his services to the Democratic party, and in response to the voice of the majority of his fellow citizens. He was born at Nokomis, August 28, 1874, a son of Gerhard Eckhoff. The father was born in Ger- many, but came to Montgomery County in young manhood, where he met and was married to Antje Woltman, also born in Germany. After their marriage they located in Nokomis Town- ship where the fatlier engaged in farming and later established himself as a merchant at Nokomis, where he spent some years. Still later he went to Iowa, but after three or four years

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 79

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