Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 81

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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Albert Fisher was reared in North Litchfield, and Zanesville townships and attended school. After the death of his stepfather, he continued to live with his mother until October 12, 1871, when he was married to Martha Hughes, born in Jersey County, Ill. Following his marriage he moved to forty acres he had inherited from his father, to which he added another forty acres by purchase, and he lived on it, in a one- room house until 1S80. He then traded his farm for another of 160 acres in Zanesville Township, and operated it for about three years, when once more he sold and bought his present farm of 15S acres along the Illinois Central Railroad in Zanesville Township. In 1894 he bought 160 acres which he sold in 1903 and bought 400 acres in Minnesota in 1903. That land he sold in 1911. In 1912 he bought another eighty acres in Zanesville Township and now owns 238 acres, all in Zanesville Township. On February 25, 1905, he had a sale of his stock and equipment, rented his farms, bought a residence at Litchfield and has since lived there in retirement.

On March 6, 1893, Mr. Fisher lost his first wife who had borne him the following children : Elmer, who died at the age of six years; Hattie, who is Mrs. Arthur Hudspeth of Texhoma, Okla .; Harry, who lives at Lockhart, Minn .; Fred, who lives on the home farm; and Flora, who is Mrs. J. L. Fizell of Kansas City, Mo. On November 20, 1895, Mr. Fisher was married (second) to Emma F. Osborn, born in Kenosha County, Kas., a daughter of James and Mary E. (Moore) Osborn, natives of Indiana and

Columbus, Tenn. By his second marriage Mr. Fisher has three children, all of whom are at home, namely : Ferris E., Zula Fern and Albert Francis. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he is a Republican and he has served on the board of education of Litchfield since the spring of 1916. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and Mrs. Fisher is a member of the Royal Neighbors and they are popular in these orders as they are in the social life of the neighborhood, where they are well and favorably known.

FISHER, George H., cashier of the National Bank of Hillsboro, and one of the representa- tive bankers of Montgomery County, has proven his worth in many ways and is held in the highest esteem by his fellow townsmen. He was born in Hillsboro, Ill., December 30, 1878, a son of George W. and Hattie L. (Abbot) Fisher, natives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively. George H. Fisher, was the only child born to his parents.

George W. Fisher, was born near Trenton, N. J., and was reared in Chester County, Pa. The paternal grandfather was Joseph Fisher, and he and his wife were both natives of Pennsylvania where they died, having had a large family. The maternal grandfather, Stephen Abbot, was married to Martha Gutter- son, he being born in Milford, N. H., and she at Andover, Mass. They were among the early settlers of Montgomery County, where he worked at his trade of a carpenter and bridge-builder. They lived into a good old age, he dying at seventy-eight and she at fifty-six years. Among their many children were : Abiel, Morton, George, Maria, William and Harriett.

George H. Fisher was reared at Hillsboro where he attended the public schools. When he was fourteen years old he began clerking in a grocery store for Goad & McDavid, and later was in the employ of the Penwell-Klar Dry Goods Company. In 1902 he associated himself with the Hillsboro National Bank as bookkeeper, and after two years was made assistant cashier. In 1912 he was made cashier, and still holds that important position. This bank was organized in 1SS2 with a capital stock of $50,000, which has since been increased to $60,000 and later to $100,000. It has a surplus fund of $60,000. Its total resources are over one million dollars ($1,000.000). Mr. Fisher is a Demcorat and was city treasurer for two terms.

·FITE, Charles E., whose fine farm of 120 acres on Sections 1S and 19 is one of the well developed one's of Pitman Township, is a sub- stantial farmer of Montgomery County. He was born in Zanesville Township, November 20, 1864, a son of B. F. and Alcy (Thomas) Fite. B. F. Fite was born at Nashville, in Knox County, Tenn., January 22, 1839, and as a lad was brought by his parents to Illinois, finally settling near old Zanesville, in Montgomery County, Ill. There he grew to manhood and was

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married to Alcy Thomas, who was born near the county line in Macoupin County, November 28, 1841. After marriage the parents settled near old Zanesville, and at first they rented land, but later bought a farm which the father operated, and on which he died, December 21, 1909, and the mother November 4, 1913. They had five children, two of whom died in infancy, those to grow up being as follows: C. E .; Ben- jamin F., Jr., who lives in Zanesville Town- ship; and Joseph E., who lives at Litchfield, Ill. The father was a very staunch Republican, but never sought office. Strong in his convic- tions he lived up to them and was not afraid to give them expression.

C. E. Fite attended the schools of his neigh- borhood and remained at home until January S. 1890, when he was married to Carrie Morris, who died January 12, 1902, having had two children, namely : Alcy Frances, who was mar- ried to Ora Specht, lives in Pitman Township; and Morris E., who is at home with his father. On September 17, 1913, Mr. Fite was married (second) to Dora Parrott, who was born in Macoupin County, Ill., close to Boston Chapel. She was reared in that neighborhood. After his first marriage Mr. Fite located on his present farm which was a portion of the old John llaynes property. After renting this farm for two years he went into Macoupin County and rented for two years the old Joseph Thomas place, when he bought eighty acres of his present farm to which he later added forty acres. He belongs to Waggoner Lodge No. 404, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican, and for the past fifteen years has served as school auditor.

FITZJERRELL, Cyrus, president of the First National Bank at Raymond, and one of the sound financiers of Montgomery County, has long held an enviable position among the busi- ness men of this section. He was born Novem- ber 6, 1846, a son of William and Elizabeth (Courtney) Fitzjerrell, natives of Ohio and of Madison County, Ill. In 1830 William Fitzjerrell came to Illinois with his parents, who located in the western part of Macoupin County, where he was reared. He was married in Greene County, Ill., and later came back to Macoupin County, and in 1856 settled in Zanesville Town- ship. Montgomery County. This continued the family home until 1SS1, when removal was made to Raymond, and there the father of Cyrus Fitzjerrell died in May. 1900, and the mother in 1883. He was a minister of the Primitive Baptist Church. He became reasonably well off before he died. In addition to preaching for over forty years, he was associate judge of Montgomery County, being elected on the Den- ocratie ticket. Six children were born to him and his wife, of whom three survive, namely : Cyrus; Naomi, who is the widow of Frank Law- ler ; and Merideth, who is a farmer in Arkansas.

Cyrus Fitzjerrell spent his boyhood on a farm, and attended the country schools. Until his marriage, in 1867, he remained at home, but then rented land and remained upon it until

1877 when he bought a farm of 165 acres of land in Zanesville Township, and added to it until he owned 410 acres operating it as a grain and stock farm, living upon this property until 1903. when he came to Raymond, Ill. In that year the First National Bank was organized. and he was one of the organizers and the lead- ing stockholder and a director and vice presi- dent from the beginning until in 1905, when he was made president and has continued to hold that office ever since.

On September 12, 1867, he was married to Eliza A. Greenwood, who was born in Kentucky, but came to Illinois in childhood and was reared in Macoupin County, where she attended the district schools. Mr. and Mrs. Fitzjerrell have three children: Etta, who is the wife of Dr. William Waggoner, of Greene County, Ill .. was educated in the grade and high schools of Montgomery County ; Dr. H. B., who is a physi- cian of Henry County, Ill .. was graduated from the Chicago School of Medicine; and W. R., who lives at Walla Walla, Wash. Mr. Fitzjerrell and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Fraternally Mr. Fitzjerrell belongs to Raymond Lodge No. 692, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a Democrat, and while living in Zanesville Township, served as supervisor for four years.

FOOKS, George, one of the retired residents of Waggoner, was at one time a very prominent farmer of Montgomery County and he is still recognized as an authority upon agricultural matters. He was born in the village of Bunker Hill. Macoupin County, Ill., June 9, 1861. a son of William and Jane (Taggert) Fooks. William Fooks was born in England where he was reared, coming to the United States in 1848. and he was accompanied by his first wife and two children. A year after their arrival. the wife and children were stricken with cholera and all died within forty-eight hours. These tragedies were only too frequent among the pioneers, whole families being thus wiped out within a couple of days.

In his native land he had learned the trade of a cabinetmaker. but after his arrival in Illinois he entered land near Bunker Hill. in Macoupin County, Ill., and lived upon it as a farmer until 1864. In that year he came to Montgomery County, buying eighty acres in Zanesville Township, on which he and his second wife, Jane Taggert, both passed away. They had three children, namely: George; Fannie E., who died unmarried ; and Mary Jane. who is the wife of Edward Gerlach, a general merchant of Waggoner.

William Fooks was a quiet, unassuming man who attended to his farm and took no active part in politics or church affairs.

George Fooks was reared in his native place where he attended school. On October 14, 1886. he was married to Ella E. Sullivan, who died January 14, 1895. On April 19, 1899, Mr. Fooks was married (second) to Ruth McRaynolds, who died November 27, 1913, having borne him two

Mrs. arthur Hare

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

sons. namely : George Leland, who was born May 1, 1901, is attending the high school; and William D., who was born September 5, 1912. After his first marriage Mr. Fooks located ou his father's homestead and lived there until 1896, when he worked in Raymond Township, two seasons. In 1897 he settled at Waggoner, aud embarked in a grain and elevator business. later adding the haudling of lumber. In 1903 he sold his grain interests, but continued his lumber business until 1914, when he retired. During all of this period he has dealt in land and owns 160 acres in Zanesville Township that is the family homestead; eighty acres in Pit- man Townsnip, and 326 acres in Lincoln County, Mo. Fraternally he belongs to Waggouer Lodge No. 464. I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republi- can aud has served on the village school board for four years. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Fooks is a stockholder in the Waggoner Bank, and is a man of ample means, and one who holds the coufidence and respect of his community.

FOSTER, John F., who is residing on his 160- acre farm on Section 26, Raymond Township, is one of the most progressive agriculturalists of Montgomery County. He was born at Foster- burg, in Madison County, Ill., March 31, 1871, a son of William H. and Maria L. (Fleming) Foster. William Foster was born in Madison County, Ill., a son of Oliver Foster, a pioneer of Madison County, who came here from Pennsylvania. Maria L. Fleming was born in Macoupin County. Ill., and her father, who was a native of Ireland. came to the United States in young manhood, settling in Macoupin County, Ill., where he was married. After their mar- riage, William H. Foster and his wife located iu Madison County. Ill., but about 1SS4 they came to Butler Grove Township. Montgomery County, and after two years moved to Zanesville Township. Four years later they moved back to . Butler Grove Township, and there Mr. Fos. ter died March 5. 1891. They had four children, namely : Oscar, who lives at East St. Louis. Ill .; John F .; Edward H., who lives in Butler Grove Township; and Albert P., who is in the govern- ment service at Butler, Ill.

After the father's death, the sons remained at home until they were married. On Febru- ary 17. 1897, John F. Foster was united in marriage with Lucy A. Steward, a daughter of John Butler and Elzema (Briggs) Seward, aud they became the parents of two children. namely : Ada M., who is now attending the Raymond High school; and Lester S., who is attending the district school. After marriage. Mr. Foster located in North Litchfield, on 160 acres of land, eighty acres of which his wife had inherited, and eighty acres of which he bought from the other heirs, and lived upon this farm two years, when he went on the old Judge Rice farm in Raymond Township. After four years operation of it, about 1903 he came to his present farm of 160 acres of land, and for the past eight years he has been breeding registered

Holstein cattle until he now has a herd of forty- five head, with a bull Admiral Prilly Pontiac. He is raising dairy and fancy cattle and has some remarkable specimens. One of his cows, Beaucoup Lenola Partheuea has a record of twenty-one pounds of butter in seven days, and eighty-five pouuds of milk in one day, as a three year old. Mercedes Rauward DeKole, another registered cow, records for 151 days after freshening, fourteen pounds of butter, 413 pounds of milk in seven days, as a two-year old, and fifty-nine pounds of milk in one day. The first named cow is a grauddaughter of King Segis, the champion bull at one time. Politi- cally Mr. Foster is a Republican, and in 1916 he was elected road commissioner of Raymond Township, which office he is still holding.

FREY, Jacob J., has been for many years num- bered among the prominent and progressive men of Hillsboro, for he has been the promotor of many leading business enterprises, and the growth and development of a city depend upon its commercial and industrial activities. His connection with any uudertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the . same. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, aud iu his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved confideuce of his fellow men.

Jacob J. Frey was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, February 16, 1866, a son of George A. Frey, also a native of Cincinnati, where he died in his thirty-eighth year. George A. Frey conducted a cigar manufactory, and was also a trunk manu- facturer. In 1860 he moved from Ohio to St. Louis, Mo., and shortly thereafter he enlisted in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry as a member of Company I, thus serving uutil the close of the Civil War. He enlisted as a private, but was successively promoted until he was major of his regimeut. He took part in the battle of Missionary Ridge, and other important engage- inents, and was mustered out at the close of the war at St. Louis. In one battle he received a gunshot wound which caused him to lose part of his hand. In 1864 he was captured by the enemy, and he speut eleven months at Ander- sonville prison, aud came out almost a physical wreck, but by careful uursing he finally recov- ered his health. Returuing to St. Louis, he engaged in the manufacture of cigars until 1866, and then went back to Cincinnati, Ohio. where he spent a year. In 1870 he came to Hillsboro. Ill., and established a cigar factory. and conducted it with marked success until his death, which occurred in 1876. In his fraternal relations he was an Odd Fellow, aud politically he was a Republican. He was mar- ried to Miss Clara Renkler, a daughter of John Renkler, a native of Germany, in which country he served as a judge. Both he and his wife died in Germany. Mrs. Frey was born in Bre- men, Germany, in 1839. She was a most devoted wife and mother, and made many sacrifices for her children after her husband's death.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

She was a member of the Lutheran Church, and her life was always in consistent harmony with her religious professions. George A. Frey and wife had four children: Jacob J .; Katie, who is the wife of Jolin O. Miller ; George, who was a member of Company E, Fifth Illinois Infantry, and served in the Spanish-American War, after which he returned home and re- enlisted for service in the Philippines, where his death occurred in August, 1902, when he was twenty-four years of age, his remains how- ever, being interred in the cemetery at Hills- boro. Ida F. is the youngest, and her husband. George Dunn, is a partner in the abstract and loan business conducted by him and Jacob J. Frey.

Jacob J. Frey was brought to Hillsboro by his parents in 1870, and his early education was acquired in the public schools of this city. He was only ten years old when his father died, and his mother afterwards met with finan- cial reverses which made it very difficult for her to provide suitably for her children, of whom Jacob J. is the eldest. She found it necessary to do laundry work in order to keep the larder supplied, and in all her undertakings was assisted to the fullest extent by her son, Jacob J., who did every honest bit of work he could find in order to help his mother, a com- mendable attitude of which he may feel proud. At one time the school board passed a rule that children having no books should be prohibited from attending school. A kind friend, knowing that Jacob J. Frey had to leave school because of this measure, told him to get what he needed, and if ever able to pay him, he could do so. The years passed and Mr. Frey, because of his unflagging industry and perseverance, prospered, and long since discharged the ill- debtedness to his benefactor, and also he was able to assist the latter at a time when busi- ness difficulties pressed him hard. This instance is another proof that "bread cast upon the waters will return after many days." Mr. Frey was very desirous of obtaining an education, realizing its value as a preparation for life's practical responsibilities, and after leaving the public schools, he and three other young men employed a teacher, who instructed them for two years. In the meantime he clerked for C. B. Rhoades in a dry goods store, and on leaving that he accepted a position as salesman in the hardware store of Stewart & Linxwiler. continuing there for about a year, but the work proved too severe a strain upon his health and he returned to the employ of Mr. Rhoades, remaining there until 1885. He then concluded that he would learn the real estate business. and obtained a leave of ab- sence from the store for a year with the privi- lege of returning at the end of that time if he so desired. He then went to Topeka, Kas., where he spent a year, and was employed as a clerk in a real estate office in that city. On the expiration of that period he returned to Hillsboro, where he opened an office. He had been quite successful in Kansas, but sickness

compelled him to use the most of his money, and had therefore but a small capital when he opened his office, but did possess the determin- ation and enterprise which have been notice- able among his strongest characteristics from his early boyhood, and his labors as a real estate agent have met with marked success. In fact, he is now doing the largest business of the kind in the county. He opened his office under the name of J. J. Frey, and in 1912 when he took into partnership his three oldest clerks, H. M. Beckwith, J. R. Harkey and George Dunn, the name became J. J. Frey & Company. In 1915 the company was incor- porated, with a capital stock of $100,000. Since October, 1916, the main office has been moved from Ilillsboro to St. Louis. The com- pany handles real estate, loans and insurance. In all of his career, Mr. Frey has not closed a single mortgage except under a friendly snit.

Mr. Frey has been very active along other lines, having been mainly instrumental in se- curing the establishment of the Hillsboro Hos- pital, and is now a member of its executive committee, and a member of its board of trus- tees. Ile was president of the Commercial Club for a number of years. For a long time he has been actively connected with the Chautauqua Association of the state. He was also promi- ment in the work of securing city paving and sewerage for Hillsboro, and has opened a num- ber of tracts of land for city lots, and has built more houses than any other man in the city, they aggregating about 300. He has been a director of the Hillsboro National Bank for many years and at the present time is a direc- tor and a member of the Central National Bank of St. Louis. He is president of the Common- wealth Utility Company, located at St. Louis, which has five properties in Arkansas, one in Tennessee, and one in Texas, being capitalized for $1,000,000. J. J. Frey, Charles A, Rainey and W. A. Howett were the prime movers in incorporating what is known as the Hillsboro Electric Light and Power Company, capitalized then at $10,000, which has increased until it is now $1.350,000. The first year's income was $3.300. The present year's income is something like $786,000. This company furnishes the power and light for forty-two towns in Illinois. Since 1893, the company has been under the same management. Mr. Frey took an active part in laying out Prairie Heights, and he has been an important factor in the mpbuilding, progress and improvement of Hillsboro and of this portion of the state. He was one of the incorporators of the Hillsboro Brick and Tile Company, and in connection with C. A. Rainey, he incorporated the Montgomery County Tele- phone Company. In 1904 he secured a franchise for an electric light plant in Raymond, and rebuilt the plant there. He also received a franchise from Montgomery County for the use of the roads and streets for stringing wires with the intention of furnishing light and power for the county from one central station. In connection with others he laid out lots in

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

the vicinity of the radiator plant at Litchfield and was one of the incorporators of the electric light company at Litchfield. He is one of the incorporators of the Hillsboro Hotel, and was one of the promotors of the Kortkamp Coal Com- pany and helped to lay out the village of Kortkamp.

Mr. Frey was married June 27, 1891, to Miss Minnie B. Witherspoon, a daughter of William and Sarah J. Witherspoon, who was born at Hillsboro in 1866. Her father was a merchant of this place and died during the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Frey have one daughter, Aldine. They are members of the Lutheran Church and take an active part in church work, Mr. Frey having served as deacon and treasurer. He was also a member and treasurer of the build- ing committee at the time of the erection of the new house of worship. Socially he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, and in politics he is a Republican. His suc- cess in all his undertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the com- mercial world. He has based his business prin- ciples upon strict adherence to the rules which govern industry and economy and strict, un- swerving integrity. His enterprise and pro- gressive spirit have made him a typical Ameri- can in every sense of the word. and he well deserves mention in history. What he is today lie has made himself, for he began in the world with nothing but his own energy and willing hands to aid him. By constant exertion, as- sociated with good judgment, he has raised hin- self to the prominent position which he now holds, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him.

The paternal grandfather of J. J. Frey was George William Frey, and he was married to Ann Elizabeth Brandt, both of whom were na- tives of Germany. They came to America and settled at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he carried on trunk manufacturing. Both died at Cincinnati. They had the following children : Louisa, Catherine. George Adam, Frederick. Jacob. William and Anna. The maternal grandfather of J. J. Frey was John Renkler, and his wife bore the first name of Mary. They were also natives of Germany, who came to the United States about 1840, and located at St. Louis. Two of their children were Joseph and Clara.

FRICKE, Gustav C., one of the prosperous farmers of Rountree Township, owns and oper- ates a fine farm of 160 acres on Section 2. He was born in Raymond Township. this county, November 22, 1872, a son of Christian and Dorothea (Eppers) Fricke. Christian Fricke was born in Brunswick, Germany. He came to the United States when about twenty years of age, landing at St. Louis, Mo., and he followed firing on Mississippi River steamboats for a few years. As soon as he had amassed suffi- cient money. he returned to Germany after his bride, and following their marriage, they resided at St. Louis for a time, he continuing on the steamboats. Still later he worked on the

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 81

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