Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 84

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 84

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HARWOOD, Howel Alexander, one of the retired residents of Litchfield, was for many years a successful farmer of Montgomery County. He was born in Stanley County, N. C., June 5, 1862, a son of William and Martha (Harkey) Har- wood, natives of North Carolina. The father was a soldier in the Confederate army during the war between the states, and after he was killed in the service, the mother married (second) William Sides, who came to Hillsboro, Ill., in 1869.

Howel Alexander Harwood attended the dis- trict schools of his native county, and when he was seven years old he came with the family to Montgomery County, Ill., after his mother's death or when he was twelve years of age going to live with Israel Fogelman for two years. He was then with Joel Fogelman of North Liteli- field Township for some years. On March 11, 1885, he was married to Florence E. Shepherd, born in North Litchfield Township, March S, 1865, a daughter of Preston and Sarah (Thomp- son) Shepherd, natives of Kentucky and of Greene County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Harwood be- came the parents of two children: Oscar, who lives at Clinton, Ill. ; and Preston, who lives at Glenwood, Pa. After his marriage, Mr. Har- wood rented land in North Litchfield Township for about three years, and then moved on fifty- three acres of land his wife inherited from her parents, in North Litchfield Township. The

place was partly improved, but he further de- veloped it and made it very valuable. To this he kept on adding until he had 160 acres of land which was iu prairie and also twenty acres in timber. On it Mr. Harwood carried on general farming until March, 1908, when he moved to Litchfield and bought property, now renting out his farm. Mrs. Harwood attended the Litchfield public schools. She belongs to the Primitive Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat, and served for three terms as a school director.

HAUSER, Otto, M. D., a successful physician and surgeon of Walshville, who has been here in practice practically since 1899, is one of the leading practitioners of Montgomery County. Ife was born in the village of Walshville, Jan- uary 6, 1873, a son of Christian and Regina (Guenther) Hauser. Christian Hauser was born in Germany in 1827, and there was reared, learning the harnessmaking trade. While still unmarried he came in young manhood to the I'nited States, in 1853, and after a short stop in New York City, came on west to St. Louis Mo., where he worked at this trade, until 1864 or 1865. While in New York City he was mar- ried, luis wite having been born in Germany in 1827. Leaving St. Louis, he and his wife came to Walshville, Ill., when the village was in its infancy. Upon his arrival Christian Hauser embarked in the harness business, and lived in the village until about 1881 or 1882 when he moved on his farm one and one-half miles north- west of the village, and there he resided until 1891, when he retired and returned to Walsh- ville, and there died in February, 1908, aged eighty-one years; his wife died November 4, 1904, aged seventy-seven years. The father made a success of his life work, and died own- ing 300 acres of land, all in Walshville Town- ship, that he had acquired through his own ef- forts. A Republican and German Lutheran, he was a well known man. He and his wife had seven children, five of whom grew to maturity, namely : Christian, who lives at Wichita, Kas. ; Louis, who lives at Litchfield, Ill .; Katie, who is the wife of Charles A. Tolle, of Litchfield, Ill. ; Otto; and Julia who is the wife of M. E. Garrison of Kansas.

Otto Hauser was reared in Walshville, and attended its schools, and the Northern Illinois Normal School at Dixon, Ill., after which he entered the medical department of the Washing- ton University at St. Louis, Mo., from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D., April 18. 1899. Immediately thereafter he came to Walshville where he has since been continuous- ly engaged in a general practice, with the ex- ception of the two years between 1910 and 1912, when he was at Litchfield, Ill., but he returned to Walshiville and resumed his practice. In 1904 he was elected coroner of Montgomery County and held that office for four years.

On September 10, 1901, Dr. Hauser was mar- ried to Emma Kenne, a daughter of Charles and Minnie Schneppe Kenne, botlı natives of Ger-

WILMA M. WELLAR

H.N. Gillar + Shift

HENRY W. WELLAR EVELYN R. WELIAR

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

many. Mr. Kenne came to the United States when eighteen years old, and Mrs. Kenne when she was eight years old, and they settled at St. Louis, Mo. Dr. and Mrs. Hauser have had three children, two of whom died in infancy,. the other being : Mildred E., who is attending school. Dr. Hauser belongs to Litchfield Lodge B. P. O. E. No. 654, Walshville Camp, M. W. A. and takes much interest in both orders. He is a Republican. Dr. Hauser belongs to the Presbyterian Church, while Mrs. Hauser is a Lutheran. In addition to his practice Dr. Hauser owns 300 acres of valuable land in Walshville Township. An excellent physician, he has built np a large practice and stands very high in public esteem.

HAYNES, Henry, although living at Waggoner, owns a fine farm on Section 31, Pitman Town- ship, and is one of the successful agriculturists of Montgomery County. He was born on the farm he owns. July 12, 1857. a son of John and Harriet (Seymour) Haynes. The father was born in Indiana in 1817, but in his boyhood came to Cass County, Ill., and from there went to Morgan County, Ill., where he grew to man- hood. He was a son of William and Annie (Hinty) Haynes, and a grandson of John Haynes, who was born in England and came to the United States, settling in Kentucky, where William Haynes was born. Later, removal was made to Indiana. Harriet Seymour, mother of Henry Haynes, was born in North Carolina Oc- tober 7, 1810. When she was eleven years old, in 1830, the family came to Morgan County, Ill., probably in an ox-cart, and there she grew to young womanhood, being there married on October 1S, 1842, to John Haynes. In 1855 John Haynes and his wife came to Pitman Township, buying 120 acres of land, now be- longing to Henry Haynes. It had been culti- vated to a certain extent, but they made many improvements upon it and there lived until they died, he passing away in 1890, and she in April, 1911. He was a Democrat in politics, but declined public office. A member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he took an active interest in church work, and was connected with the old Providence congregation. He and his wife had seven children, namely : James, who is deceased ; Sarah, who married W. L. King, is deceased; Greene, who lives with his brother Henry ; Mary, who is deceased, was the wife of S. T. Caldwell of Edgar, Neb .; Alex- ander, who lives at Hoxie, Kas. ; and John, who lives at Holtville, Cal., and Henry.

Henry Haynes lived at home and was sent to the local schools. On April 3, 1879, he was married to Ella Seymour, a daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth Seymour. of Macoupin County. Mrs. Haynes was born in Morgan County, Ill., but was taken to Macoupin County in her girl- hood by her parents. For eight or nine years following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Haynes rented land, and then bought the Haynes home- stead, living on it until December, 1909, when they moved to Waggoner, where they have since

resided. They have two children, namely : Wil- liam Hedmann, who was born August 2S, 1883, lives at Elgin, Ill., where he is secretary of the Y. M. C. A., having been secretary of that or- ganization at St. Paul, Winnipeg, Chicago and Dallas, Tex., going from the latter city to El- gin. He was educated at Hamline University, St. Paul, Minn., from which he was graduated. The second child is Hattie Evelyn, who was born Decemeber 22, 1895, and is living at home. Mr. Haynes is a Democrat.

HAYES, Karl L., M. D., one of the able and prosperous physicians and surgeons of Mont- gomery County, is engaged in an active practice at Farmersville, where he is universally respected. He was born at Pleasant Plains, Sangamon County. Ill., May 3, 1882, a son of Joseph W. and Fannie M. (Pierce) Hayes. The father was born in the same house as his son Dr. Hayes, but the mother was born in Con- necticut, and was brought during her girlhood by her parents to Sangamon County, Ill., and there she grew to young womanhood and was married. Following marriage the parents lo- cated on the home farm, where they resided until death claimed them, the father passing away February 14, 1915. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and belonged to Pleas- ant Plains Lodge No. 700. A. F. & A. M. He and his wife had eight children, seven of whom survive, namely : Harry, who is an electrician in California, is a graduate in electrical engi- neering ; Augusta W., who is a graduate of the University of Illinois, is a soil expert, and is soil inspector of Indiana; Oliver, who is a stu- dent in the Illinois State University ; and Maude M .. Zella and Rose, all of whom are at home; and Karl L.

Karl L. Hayes was reared on the homestead farm, and sent to the common and high schools in his native county. He then took a scientific course at the University of Illinois. following which he matriculated in the medical depart- ment of Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., attending two years. He returned then to the medical department of University of Ill., from which he was graduated June 5, 1906, with the degree of M. D., he having secured the degree of B. S. with his scientific course. Immediately following the completion of his medical course, Dr. Hayes located at Farmersville where he has since remained. Professionally he belongs to the Montgomery County Medical Society, the II- linois State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. His fraternal affiliations are with Pleasant Plains Lodge No. 700, A. F. & A. M., and the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Republican.

Dr. Hayes was married September 14, 1916, to Amy J. Ball, a daughter of John Ball of Mont- gomery County. A scholarly man, carefully trained, Dr. Hayes has risen high in his pro- fession and fully merits the consideration he receives at the hands of his fellow citizens.

HEBENSTREIT, Joseph P., superintendent of the Nokomis Coal Company of Nokomis, and

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

one of the experienced men in his line, is held in high esteem by his associates. He was born in Germany, June 29, 1849, a son of Jacob and Catherine (Deitrich) Ilebenstreit, born, reared and married in Germany, which country they left in 1852, for the United States, destined for Belleville Illinois. The mother died three days after their arrival from the cholera epidemic which was raging at Belleville at that time. The father was one of the first miners in Belle- ville and was engaged in mining until 18SS and died in 1898.

Of the six children born to him, four are still living although Joseph P. is the only sur- vivor of the children of the first marriage.

Joseph P. Hebenstreit was less than three years old when he was brought to this country, and from the time he was six until he was twelve years old, he attended the subscription schools. At the age of thirteen he entered the mines with his father, he worked in the day-time and went to school at night. He was engaged at different positions at the mines at Belleville until 1876, when he went to Staunton, Illinois, and engaged to Henry Voge as a miner; a year later he took charge of the Voge Mine. In April 1880 he left Staunton and went to Colorado and engaged in mining. In September 1SS1 he returned to Staunton and again engaged to Henry Voge to take charge of his new mine. later known as No. 6 mine and continued in charge of the mine after it changed hands to the Ellsworth Coal Company in 1882. In 1884 this company was changed to the Consolidated Coal Company. Mr. Hebenstreit continued as mine manager at No. 6 mine until November 1, 1889, when he was appointed superintendent of the No. 6 and No. 7 mines of Staunton and No. S and No. 10 mines at Mt. Olive, Illinois. During 1901 to 1903 he sunk and equipped No. 14 mine at Staunton. In September 1904 he left the Con- solidated Coal Company and engaged to J. E. Rutledge to sink his new New Staunton mine at Livingston. Ill. In September, 1905, he left that mine in charge of his two sons, T. G. Heb- enstreit ( Superintendent) and J. A. Hebenstreit (Ass't Sup't) and went to Zeigler. Ill., to take charge of the Joseph Leiter mine. just after a serious gas explosion had killed 58 men. After getting this mine in normal condition, withont having an accident for which this mine is famons, there being four serious explosions since he left in 1907. he then engaged to W. S. Wilson, President of the Bessemer Wash Coal Company, also President of the Carterville Coal Company as superintendent of the six mines of tlie Bessemer Wash Coal Company and two inines of the Carterville Coal Company at Her- ring, Illinois. In 1910 he engaged to J. D. Peters. President of the Chicago-Carterville Coal Company to take charge of mines A and B after mine A had a very serious gas explosion which killed eight men. After those two mines were in good conditions he again engaged to J. E. Rut- ledge. May 1912, getting his Security mine at DuQuoin. Illinois, in working conditions, which was a new mine. In November, 1912, J. E.

Rutledge, who also is President of the Nokomis Coal Company mine at Nokomis, Illinois asked J. P. Hebenstreit to sink and equip that mine. After the sinking equipment was put up in January, 1913, the sinking commenced. Coal was struck at a depth of 642 feet on July 4, 1913. This mine is one of the most modern equipped mines in the State. At this writing it has 600 employes and is a producer of 4,300 tons per day and will increase its production consider- ably before 1919. Mr. Hebenstreit was married to Frances Keeter and they had three sons. Thomas G. who is superintendent of the Liv- ingston mine, Joseph A. who is assistant super- intendent of the Livingston mine, also ex-mayor of Livingston, Illinois and Edward H. who is the mine manager at the Nokomis mine. Mrs. He- benstreit died Jan. 5th, 1881. Later Mr. He- benstreit was married (second) to Mary E. Carleton, a widow who had two children. Mr. and Mrs. Hebenstreit have the following child- ren : Carrie, who is the wife of Dr. H. A. Hun- ter of Staunton, Illinois; William who is prac- ticing law at Freeport, Illinois; and Harry C. who is the chief electrician of the Nokomis mine; and Robert who is deceased. Mr. Hebenstreit belongs to the Masons and the Modern Wood- inen of America. In politics he is a Republican.

HECKEL, Jacob, now deceased, was for a num- ber of years a substantial man and successful farmer of Grisham Township. Montgomery County, Ill. He was born in Alsace-Lorraine. France, August 18, 1840, a son of Jacob and Louise Ileckel. both natives of Germany. The family came to the United States when Jacob Heckel was eleven years old. and located in St. Clair County. Ill., where the parents bought land and established themselves as farmers.

Until the outbreak of the Civil War. Jacob Ileckel remained on the home farm. but in August, 1862, enlisted in defense of his adopted country, and served three years, being honor- ably discharged August 5, 1865. Following his military service, Mr. Heckel worked for several years at Belleville, Ill .. and then in 1865 came to Grisham Township, where he bought forty acres of land. As time went on, he added 140 acres more land. and put it all in a high state of cultivation. and made many improve- ments, so that it is today a very valuable prop- erty. Here he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred August 29. 1917.

Mr. Heckel was married to Minnie Helpers. a daughter of John and Louise Helpers. The Helpers family came from Hanover. Germany. to the United States when Mrs. Heckel was seven years old, and lived at St. Louis, Mo .. for some years, but later moved to St. Clair County. Ill. In 1871 Mr. and Mrs. Helpers moved to Montgomery County and bought a farm adjoin- ing that of Mr. Heckel, and there Mr. Helpers died in 1908, and Mrs. Helpers in 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Heckel had seven children, four of whom survive, namely : Louise, who is Mrs. Will Schluckebier. of Donnellson. Ill .: Lottie. who is Mrs. Fred Krummel, of Grisham Town-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ship: John, who after marriage to Louise Krummel, located in Grisham Township; and Bertha, who is with her mother. Mr. Heckel was a member of the Lutheran Church. In his political views, he was a Republican. During . the many years he lived in Grisham Township, lie won the respect and confidence of his neigh- bors and when he died his community lost an estimable man.

HEIM, John A., one of the enterprising farmers of Montgomery County, is operating a fine prop- erty on Section S. Harvel Township. He was born in Christian County, Ill., August 12, 1884. a son of William and Mellissa M. (May) Heim. both of whom are deceased, she passing away in 1900. and he in February, 1911. They were the parents of three children: Ida, who is the wife of Robert Redman, of Sangamon County, living in the vicinity of Springfield; Bertie, who is the wife of Christian Specht, of Harvel Town- ship : and John A.

John A. Hein was reared on a farm in Christian County, and attended the schools of his neighborhood in the winter months. assist- ing his father in the summer seasons, and later he took a commercial course in Brown's Busi- ness College at Decatur, Ill. For six months he was engaged in farming in Harvel Township on rented land. and tlien he inherited his pres- ent farm of eighty acres. on which he has since been farming intelligently and profitably.

On October 24, 1906. Mr. Heim was married to Alma W. Jordan, born in Harvel Township. April 26. 1883. a daughter of Lewis W. Jordan. Mrs. Heim attended the country schools. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hein. namely : Inez, born July 9, 1907 : Russell W., born September 2S. 1910. died October 3. 1912: and Lucille D., born November 17. 1913. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. III politics he is a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Heim are pleasant. amiable young people and prom- inent in their neighborhood, where they are deservedly popular.

HEISE, John H., whose operations as a painting contractor are important enough to entitle him to a foremost place among men in his line not only at Litchfield which city is his headquar- ters, but throughout Montgomery County, was born at St. Louis, Mo., February 15, 1857. He is a son of Carl and Fredericka (Freiner) Heise. natives of Germany who came from their own land to America in an old sailing vessel which landed them at New Orleans. La., from whence they came up the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Mo., where the father worked at his trade of tailoring. There he died February 15, 1869.

After the death of his father. John H. Heise had to make his own way in the world, and he did whatever honest work came to his hand. In 1870 the widowed mother with her eight children came to Litchfield. Ill .. and John H. Heise the eldest continued to help her as far as he was able. He learned house painting. for some years worked in that line and then en-

gaged with the Litchfield Car Manufacturing Company as a painter, remaining with this con- cern until 1893, when he began doing business for himself as a painting contractor, and he has since been thus engaged and has been con- nected with some of the most important con- tract work in this line in the county, and his volume of business is the largest of any similar concerns.

On June 17, 1885 Mr. Heise was married to Margaret Corrigan, born at Litchfield, Ill .. Jan- uary 1. 1864, a daughter of Dennis and Mar- tha (Flynn) Corrigan, natives of Ireland, and they became the parents of the following chil- dren : Stella, who is deceased: Elizabeth, who is at home ; Mary, who is Mrs. Samuel Edwards, of Detroit, Mich .; Josephine, who is Mrs. Har- ry Pricket of Decatur. Ill., has one son, Rus- sell E .: Ruth, who is Mrs. William Coatney of Beardstown. Ill .. has two children, Harold and Catherine : Charles Dennis, who lives at De- troit, Mich. ; Frederick, who lives at Decatur, Ill. ; and Thomas, Edward, Margaret and Isabel who are all at home.

Mr. Heise never had many educational advan- tages as his school days closed when twelve years old. Politically he is a Democrat. He served one term on the school board, and one term as alderman of the Second Ward of Litch- field. Fraternally he belongs to the M. W. A., the M. P. L., and Mrs. Heise is a member of the Lady Foresters. He joined the Litchfield Fire Department. in 1876, and has been an active member ever since. and was elected chief in 1892. which position he held for one year and, has been secretary of the Rescue Hose Com- pany since 1890. He also belongs to the Paint- ers' Union and has held all the offices in it including that of president. A man of strong personality, he uses his influence to good pur- pose, and stands very high in his community. Mrs. Heise belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.

HELSTON, John Joseph .- For a number of years the late John Joseph Helston was a prominent and successful business man at Hillsboro. to which place he came after honorable service in the Civil War, which service he entered when but fourteen years of age. Although born in another land, he was identified in every way with the American Union, even to the extent of shedding his blood to assist in its preservation.

John Joseph Helston was born at White- church. Shropshire. England. June 23. 1847, and was one year old when his parents brought him to the United States. He was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Beckett) Helston, or Helstone, as the name was written in England. They had three children : Elizabeth, who was born in Eng- land and died in Mississippi, was the wife of William Coleman: John Joseph ; and William, who was born in the United States. The pater- nal grandparents were William and Sarah Hel- ston. natives of England and parents of five children : John, Thomas, Matthew, Harriet and a Mrs. Wilkinson. The maternal grandfather

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

was John Beckett and he and wife died in England leaving two daughters: Elizabeth and Jane.

Thomas Helston, father of John Joseph. was a carpenter by trade and was considered an excellent workman. In 1848 he emigrated to America with his first wife and two children, locating first at Woburn, Mass. Later he moved to Ohio and still later to Urbana, Ill., from which place he enlisted for service in the Civil War and after its close returned to Urbana. In following work at his trade he found it ex- pedient to remove from Urbana to Duquoin, Ill., and later worked for a time in the South but returned to Dnquoin and continued there until 1874, when he came to Montgomery County. At this time his son John Joseph Helston was engaged in the hardware business at Hillsboro and the father gave assistance in his son's store. His death occurred in December, 1886. His first wife died early and his second marriage took place in Ohio and the second wife died in 1879.

John Joseph Helston was a self-made man. He had Int few advantages in his youth but no one could ever deny that he was possessed of more courage and decision than an ordinary boy of fourteen years, for that was his age when he became attached to the Second Illinois Cavalry, commanded by Colonel Marsh, for ser- vice in the Civil War. Ilis age prevented his being mnstered into the service and given a place on the pay roll, but it did not prevent his facing danger by the side of his comrades in every engagement and proving by his valorous deeds that the conrage of a man dwelt in the body of a boy. At one time he was taken prisoner by the enemy and was severely wounded in the leg. As he had never been for- mally mustered into the government service, when the war terminated he could not lawfully lay claim to a pension, but this injustice was subsequently remedied in a measure and through special Act of Congress, Mrs. Helston receives a pension of $12 per month.

In 1866 Mr. Helston came to Hillsboro and learned the tinner's trade imder Robert H. Stewart. Afterward he worked at this trade for the firm of Walsh & Hutton and later was engaged in the hardware and furniture business. in 1872 purchasing Mr. Hntton's store interest and in 1873 Mr. Walsh's hardware stock, the latter then taking over the furniture business. Subsequently Mr. Ilelston purchased and moved into the commodious business honse in the Union block where he was engaged in business at the time of his death, February 18, 1885. Mr. Helston. after the death of Robert H. Stewart, purchased the latter's hardware stock, the style of that firm being Linxwiler & Co. Mr. Hel- ston was a director of the Hillsboro National Bank, having been elected to fill the vacancy cansed by the death of George M. Raymond. He was possessed of business qualities far be- yond ordinary and had practically built up a substantial fortune from nothing. He was a valued member of the Baptist Church.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 84

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