Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 86

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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In February, 1867, Mr. Hodges went to Kansas and was engaged there in farming, but returned to Kentucky, and in 1872 came to Illinois, locating first at Virden, where he was interested along several lines. He was then engaged in farming, and in 1SSS, he came to Montgomery County. In 1897 he settled at Farmersville, and on July 26 of that year he was appointed postmaster by President McKin- ley, and held that position until 1907, when he resigned on account of ill health, but continued as assistant postmaster for three years more. Mr. Hodges belongs to the Baptist Church. in which he was a deacon. In politics he is a Republican, and for four years he served as constable, while still living in Kentucky. He belongs to the G. A. R. His experiences during the Civil War, in a state where the southern element was so strong. were very exciting and his loyalty to the Union was all the more praise- worthy in that it entailed so many personal sacrifices. With two of his brothers he was in the Union army and one brother was in the Con- federate army.

HOEHN, Bernard, a retired farmer of Witt, and formerly prominently identified with the agricultural development of Montgomery Coun-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ty, belongs to an old and honored family of this section. He was born in Germany, August 19, 1836, a son of Ambrose and Acadaugh Hoehn. They were all Germans by birth, and they re- mained in Germany until 1847, when Ambrose Hoehn decided to bring his family to the United States. Upon their arrival they located in Clin- ton County, Ill., where he bought eighty acres of land, and lived on it until his death at the age of seventy-five years. After his death, the mother disposed of the farm and came to Montgomery County and lived with her children until her death. There were three children in the family of Ambrose Hoehn, namely: Andrew who is a retired farmer of Nokomis, Ill .; Bernard and John.

Bernard Hoehn attended the German schools. and later those of Clinton County, and grew up to be useful to his parents. In 1862 he was married to Isabelle Olswath. and located on a farm of sixty acres of land, to which he added until he now owns 343 acres of land, having made all he owns himself. He and his first wife had two children, namely : Joseph who is a farmer of Montgomery County; and Mattie who is the wife of Henry Ernest of Witt. IIl. The first Mrs. Hoehn died in 1866. In 1867 lie was married (second) to Catherine Singler, who died October 21, 1917, and they were the parents of the following children : John. Fred, Anna, Elizabeth and Carrie. The family belong to St. Barbara's Catholic Church of Witt. In politics Mr. Hoehn is a Republican and he has been highway commissioner of Witt Town- ship. In addition to his farm land. Mr. Hoehn owns stock in the Oland National Bank, of which he was a director for seven years, and also an interest in the hardware, furniture and undertaking business conducted by Stauder & Iloehn at Witt. A man of strong character, he lias always upheld his opinions, and lived up to what he believed was right, and few men are as highly respected as he.

HOEHN, Fred, proprietor of the Hoehn garage at Witt, and distributor of the Studebaker car for this section. is one of substantial business men of Montgomery County. He was born near New Baden. Clinton County, Ill., January 11. 1578. a son of Bernard and Catherine (Singler) Hoehn. Bernard Hoehn was born in Germany, August 19. 1836. a son of Ambrose Hoehn. Ambrose Hoehn came with his family to the United States in 1847, locating in Clinton County, Ill .. where he bought eighty acres of land, and on it he died at the age of seventy- five years. After his death the mother made lier home with her children. two of whom are now living. namely : Andrew who resides at No- komis, Ill. : and Bernard. Bernard Hoehn was educated in Germany and the United States. In March, 1862. he was married to Isabelle Olswath, and they had two children. namely : Joseph who is living in Montgomery County : and Mattie who is the wife of Henry Ernest of Witt. Ill. She died in 1866, and Bernard Hoehn

was married (second) to Catherine Singler. and they had the following children : Jolin and Fred who are business men of Witt: and Anna. Elizabeth and Carrie.

Fred Hoehn was educated in the schools of Witt Township. He was married to Catherine Stauder and they became the parents of three children. namely : Anna who is living with her grandparents at Witt; William who is also with his grandparents: and Leo who died aged two years. The first Mrs. Hoehn died in 1903. In 1905 Mr. Hoehn was again married to Nellie Heitt and they have two sons, namely : Russell and Robert. both of whom are at hoine.

After growing up on the farm. Fred Hoehn came to Witt and operated a drug store for ten or eleven years. In 1913 he sold his property and went into the automobile business and has since been engaged in that line with consider- able success. He and his wife belong to St. Barbara's Catholic Church of Witt. He is a Republican in national matters, but locally is independent, preferring to make his own choice of a candidate.

HOEHN, Henry F., cashier of the Oland National Bank of Witt, and one of the leading financiers of this section, whose sound advice and conser- vative policies have weight with business men, was born in Witt Township, October 10. 1SS5. a son of John and Catherine (Heinzmann) Hoehn, both of whom were born in Clinton County. IIl. They came to Montgomery County in 1SS2. locating on a farm in Witt Township. The father is now living retired from farm life. at Nokomis. Ill. He is a stockholder in the Oland National Bank.

Henry F. Hoelin was reared on his father's farm, and attended the schools in his district and the Central Normal school at Danville. Ind. Returning home he accepted a position in the Oland National Bank, and in 1909 was made its cashier. which position he still holds. The Oland National Bank was organized December 19. 1904, with a capital stock of $25.000. and was opened for business in February, 1905. On March 5. 1910. the capital stock was increased to $50.000. Its officials are : Robert Dixon. president : Dr. Charles H. Lockhart, vice presi- dent : H. F. Hoehn, cashier. Its board of direc- tors is composed of the following : Robert Dixon, Lnke C. Webber. J. W. Osborne, C. H. Lock- hart. J. E. Hitt. H. F. Hoehn, and Fred Mitchell.

On May 25. 1909 Mr. Hoehn was married to Elizabeth Vincent. a daughter of J. M. Vincent of Irving. Ill. Mrs. Hoehn attended the public schools. There are three sons. namely : Vincent H., Raymond M., and Bailey J. The family belongs to the Catholic Church at Witt. Fra- ternally Mr. Hoehn belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a Republican, and is a member of the Republican Central Committee of the county, and present city treasurer. For his years, Mr. Hoehn has many heavy responsibilities, but has proven himself able to discharge them in

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

a capable and efficient manner, and without doute the future holds higher honors in store for him.

HOEHN, John F., junior member of the mer- cantile firm of Stauder & Hoehn, dealers in hard- ware and furniture, and undertakers, of Witt, is one of the highly respected men of Montgomery County. Ile was born in Witt Township, Mont- gomery County. July 7. 1887. a son of Ben and Catherine (Singler) Hoehn. Ben Hoehn was born in Germany. but came to the United States when eleven years old with his father, Ambrose Hoehn, they locating in Clinton County, Ill. There his parents died. Ben Hoehn was married (first) to Isabelle Olswath and they had two children, namely : Joseph and Amelia. After her death in 1866. he was married (second) to Catherine Singler, and she was also born in Germany, came to Clinton County, Ill., with her parents. and was there reared to young woman- hood. She died October 21, 1917, at Witt, Ill.

After his second marriage, Ben Hoehn and wife came to Nokomis Township, Montgomery County, and bought land, on which they lived for a short period, then returning to Clinton County, although they retained their farmn. Once more they moved to Montgomery County, and located on the old Williams farm in Witt Township. In 1903 they retired, and moved to Witt, where they still reside. Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hoehn had five children, as follows: Anna, who is the widow of Frank Nieft, lives at Witt, Ill. ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Henry Stauder, of Witt, Ill. : Fred, who lives at Witt; Caroline, who is the wife of Philip Hartlieb. of Irving Township; and John F. By a former marriage, the mother of these children had two children, namely : Charles B., of Witt Township; and Mary, wife of John L. Huber, of Witt Town- ship. The family belongs to St. Barbara's Catholic Church of Witt Township.

John F. Hoehn was educated in the district schools and those of Irving. and the Dixon Business College. at Dixon. Ill. He has always lived with his father. On November 7, 1909, he was married to Minnie V. Griffith, who was born in West Virginia, but was brought to Montgomery County, Ill., when eleven years old, and she was here reared. and attended the schools of Witt. Mr. and Mrs. Hoehn belong to St. Barbara's Catholic Church of Witt. He is a Republican. In 1906 Mr. Hoehn took a course in the American School of Embalming at St. Louis, Mo., and is a licensed embalmer. His skill and experience make him a valuable addition to the firm, and the last rites to the (lead are given scientific attention when his services are called upon.

HOLBROOK, James L., now deceased, but for- merly one of the prosperous men of Litchfield, was born in Montgomery County. Ill., Septem- ber 27. 1836 and died March 16, 1910. He was a son of Jacob and Minerva (Cameron) Hol- brook, natives of North Georgia, who were among the earliest settlers of North Litchfield

Township, where he entered over 300 acres of land, and developed it over sixty years ago. James L. Holbrook was married (first) in 1852, to Eliza Robb, who was born in Mississippi, and died in Illinois in March, 1887. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Ilolbrook were engaged in farming in Montgomery County. On March 5, 1865. Mr. Holbrook enlisted in defense of his country during the Civil War in the Thirtieth Illinois Cavalry, and was discharged October 10, 1865, during the latter part of his service being the western frontier fighting Indians. He and his first wife had the follow- ing children : Martha, who is deceased; a son who died in infancy; Ida, who is Mrs. Jesse Driscol of Long Beach, Cal., and Luella, who died in infancy.

On May 30, 1887, Mr. Holbrook was married (second) to Mrs. Glaphira (Spillman) Holbrook who was born in Allen County, Ky., Angust 14, 1841, a daughter of Thomas and Frances (Fer- gnson ) Spillinan, the former born near Lexing- ton, Ky., and the latter in Albermarle County, Va. She was the widow of William Holbrook. who was a son of Amos and Susan (Painter) Holbrook, born in Montgomery County, Ill. By her first marriage Mrs. Holbrook had three children, namely : Frances S., who is Mrs. P. G. Koese, her husband being a contractor and bilder of Litchfield; Laura, who died in infancy ; and Luealla who is Mrs. Frank C. Buck. of Los Angeles. Cal. By her second marriage Mrs. Holbrook had the following family: Effie C., who is Mrs. Tony Stuttle, of Kansas City, Mo .; Minerva I., who is MIrs. A. R. Stansifer, of Litchfield, Ill .; Nellie A., who is Mrs. J. E. Schuhardt of St. Louis, Mo .; Jessie, who is Mrs. Robert Ilodges. of Litch- field, Ill. ; Hattie, who is Mrs. Jule Swafford of Kansas City, Mo .; James L., who is in Bloom- ington. Ill. ; Nora, who is Mrs. Edward Wagner. of Bloomington, Ill. ; and Charles W., who died at the age of two years. Mr. Holbrook was a Republican and was a member of the Methodist Church.

Mrs. Holbrook has a fine residence at Litch- field. She attended the common schools in Ken- tncky, Missouri and Illinois, and is a member of the Christian Church.

HOLDERREAD, Fred, one of the substantial business men of Litchfield. is one of the leaders in the harness trade of Montgomery County. He was born at Hillsboro, Ill .. December 5. 1877, a son of Henry and Mary E. (Warren) Holder- read, natives of Lebanon. Pa .. and Hillsboro, Ill., respectively. The grandparents were Anthony Holderread who was born at Wurttemberg, Ger- many ; and George L. and Susan E. (Gaither) Warren. natives of Indiana. Mr. Warren was a very early settler at Hillsboro, Ill., building a house in that city, in which he resided for over half a century. He and his wife were married sixty-eight years ago. By trade he was a car- penter.

After the parents of Fred Holderread were married at Hillsboro. the father engaged in

MR. AND MRS. CONRAD WELLAR

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

work there at his trade of harnessmaking, being employed by Fred Weingand for fifteen years, and then for the subsequent three years they were partners. In 1887 he moved to Litch- field and bought the stock owned by William . Ellimier, a harnessmaker. Mr. Holderread con- tinued the business. carrying everything per- taining to the harness trade. and later added to the harness and saddlery line, poultry and stock remedies. He died February 27. 1914, his widow surviving him and making her home at Hills- boro, Ill.

Fred Holderread attended the grade and high schools of Litchfield, and when he was seven- teen years old he began working for his father, continuing with him until his death, following which he bought out the other heirs with the exception of his mother, who retains her interest in the business. On August 3. 1907. Mr. Holder- read was married to Mary C. Hughes, born at Staunton. Ill., a daughter of John J. and Mary (Motherway) Hughes, natives of Glasgow, Scot- land, and Litchfield, Ill., respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Holderread have four children: John Henry. Charles, Fred and an infant. A Demo- crat, he is one of the leaders of his party. He has served as tax collector of Litchfield Town- ship, and was city treasurer for one term, and for one term was a member of the Democratic County Central Committee. Fraternally he be- longs to the M. W. A. and L. F. U. A man of sound principles and business ability, he has made a success of his undertaking and stands high in public esteem.

HOLDERREAD, Henry, now deceased, but for many years one of the leading business men of Litchfield, and highly respected for his numer- ous excellent traits of character, was born in Lancaster County, Pa .. November 27, 1847. a son of Anthony and Frederika (Bauer) Holderread. natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respec. tively. They were married in Pennsylvania, and after the close of the Civil War they came to Hillsboro, Ill., where he was engaged working at his trade as a brick and stone mason.

Henry Holderread attended the common schools in his native county, and came to Illinois with his parents, commencing to work on a farm east of Irving, owned by Levi Thum. After a few years he moved to Hillsboro, and worked for several years in the printing office of E. J. C. Alexander. He then learned the harnessmaking trade from Fritz Weindgan, at Hillsboro, remaining with him until January, 1SS5, on which date he moved to Litchfield, and established himself in a harness-making, sad- dlery and repair business, continuing it with marked success until his death on February 27, 1914, since which time his son Fred has con- tinued the enterprise.

On January 21, 1874. Mr. Holderread was married to Mary Elizabeth Warren, born in Putman County. Ind., January 22, 1854, a daughter of George L. and Susan Ellen (Gaither) Warren, natives of Putnam County, Ind., where he was born April 1, 1831, and she

March 31, 1835. She survives and lives at East Hillsboro, but Mr. Warren died January 9, 1917. The Warrens came to Montgomery County in 1857. and for several years there- after, Mr. Warren was engaged in farming, and he then worked as a carpenter as long as he was able to do so. The residence now occu- pied by Mrs. Warren was built by him in 1866. They had six children, four of whom lived to maturity, namely : Mary E., Robert H., John A., who is now deceased; and Edgar R. When the Warrens located in East Hillsboro there were a number of early settlers there, but three only now survive. Mrs. Holderread's father served his country as a soldier during the Civil War, having enlisted in Company E, under Paul Walters, First Illinois Cavalry, at Hillsboro, and he continued in the army until he was captured at Lexington, Mo. Within a short time he was paroled and. returned home, and did not again enter the service. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Holderread was a Revolu- tionary soldier who died April 14, 1832.

Mr. and Mrs. Holderread became the parents of the following children : Walter and Fred, who reside at Litchfield ; Nellie, who is Mrs. J. R. Buell of Sterling, Kas. ; Helen, who is Mrs. F. L. Maxey of Detroit, Mich .; Clara, who lives at St. Louis, Mo., was married to Austin Doyle; and George W .. who is a licensed pharmacist of Litchfield. There was one more who died in infancy. Mr. Holderread attended the Lutheran Church and Sunday school, but his widow is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics he was a Democrat, and served in the city council as alderman from his ward.

HOOD, Humphrey H., M. D., now deceased, was for many years one of the efficient and beloved physicians of Litchfield, where he is still grate- fully remembered by the older residents who were his patients. Dr. Hood was born at Philadelphia, Pa., September 19, 1823. a son of Lambert and Sarah (Evans) Hood, natives of Pennsylvania and Wales, respectively. Lambert Hood was a shoemaker in Philadelphia and in that vicinity he spent his entire life.

Humphrey H. Hood was graduated from Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia, and then came to Illinois, starting in practice at Jerseyville, but soon moved to Hardinsburg, now Litchfield, where he remained in active practice for many years, although during the latter part of his life he retired from his pro- fession, keeping active however, as secretary of the Oil City Building and Loan association. During the Civil War he enlisted for service in defense of the Union, in Company I, One Hun- (red and Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, as surgeon, being later promoted to be division surgeon, and had charge of the mili- tary hospital at Memphis, Tenn., until the close of the war. Returning to Litchfield he resumed his general practice.

Dr. Hood was married at Jerseyville, Ill., about 1855. to Matilda Woodhouse Jackson, born at Philadelphia, Pa., and died in 1867. Their

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IIISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

children were as follows: Charles, who died in infancy; George P., who lives at Grand Rapids, Mich. ; and Sarah Frances and Annie Hughes, who live at home. On July 7, 1869, Dr. Hood was married to Abigail Elvira (Tor- rey) Paden, born at Millbury, Mass., a daughter of Joseph and Abigail (Sibley) Torrey. Mr. Torrey came to Springfield, Ill., from Sutton, Mass .. at an early day and was a trader. Mrs. Paden was the widow of Sylvester F. Paden, a merchant of Springfiell, who died in 1860, leaving no children. Dr. and Mrs. Hood had two children : Harold II., who was born May 27, 1872. lives at Litchfield; Abigail Louise, who was born April 4, 1877, is Mrs. Bernard F. Rah- meyer, of Seattle, Wash.

Mrs. Hood's father was a strong Abolitionist and temperance man. Iler maternal grand- father, Reuben Sibley, was a captain in the American Revolution, and his oldest son, Reu- ben Sibley, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Elijah Torrey, Mrs. Hood's grandfather on her father's side, was also a Revolutionary soldier. Through these ancestors. Mrs. Hood is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Springfield Chapter. She is a charter men- ber of the Woman's Chib at Litchfield, and served it as president for two years, and she also belongs to the Illinois State Historical Society. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church as was Dr. Hood. In politics a zealons Republican, he was an early leader and attended the convention that nominated Abraham Lincoln the first time. and wrote a most interesting account of the same which was published in Publication No. 9 of the Illinois State Histori- cal Library, Transactions for year 1904, fifth annual meeting of the society. During later years he was often called upon to hold import- ant offices, served as alderman, and always took a deep and abiding interest in local affairs. Ilis death occurred February 22, 1903, and in his passing Litchfield lost one of its most rep- resentative men.

HOOG, Kasper, one of the retired farmers of Litchfield, is enjoying the fruits of his labors as a farmer in this county for many years. He was born in Baden, Germany, January 1, 1836. a son of Plausns and Lena Hoog. who in 1850 Came in a sailing vessel to New York City, and thence by rail to Pittsburgh, Pa. They then took a river boat to Alton, Ill .. and settled near Mt. Olive. Ill., on land entered from the government. For some years they lived under the most primi- tive conditions, having few implements and no Inxnries. The grain was threshed by the feet of the horses, home-made tallow-dip candles fur- nished the light at night. Two miles south of Litchfield there was a carding machine for cot- ton that was first operated by hand, but later a horse-wheel was attached to this machine. To it cotton in bulk was taken to be carded and the thread was spun by the women and later woven into cloth.

Kasper Hoog attended the public schools in Germany, but was too busy to do so after com-

ing to this country. He lived with his parents until about 1854 when he went to the present site of Edwardsville, and entered forty acres of land for which he paid $1.25 per aere, from the gov- erment, and later bought forty aeres more for which he paid $2.50 per acre to $3.00 per acre, improving the property and living on it for forty years. His father died in Maconpin County, IN .. about 1886. His mother had bought prop- erty in Montgomery County and lived among her children until her death abont 1902.

On April 24, 1864, Kasper Hoog was married to Rosalia Cushman, whose parents died in Ger- many, and they have had the following children : Edward. Emil and Otto, who live with their father; Mary, who was Mrs. Litchuh, of Litchi- field. now deceased ; Alice, who lives at Litch- field: and Rosa, who is Mrs. Edward Knetzer, lives on her father's farm.

AAfter marriage, Mr. Hoog lived near Mt. Olive, in Montgomery County, on land which he had bought in partnership with his parents and brothers in 1862. The land was improved ac- cording to the standards of those days. Ile then bought a farm of 200 acres on Section 31 of North Litchfield Township. and he also owns twenty acres of timber land in Maconpin County. From 1886 to 1904 Mr. Hoog was engaged in operating his farm, and then in March of the latter year he rented it, bought property at Litchfield to which he moved, and here he has since lived in retirement. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and in his political views he is independent of party lines. A man of sound ideas and upright life, he is a good citi- zen and worthy addition to his community.

HOOPER, John, one of the retired farmers of Litchfield, was for many years very industrious and worked and saved with such good results that he can now live in leisure and enjoy life. Ile was born in Somerset. England, Jannary 9. 1836, and his father, who was an officer in the English army, was killed in China before his birth. In 1845 the mother was married (second) to Thomas Quarterly.

When he was sixteen years old John Hooper came to the United States and was apprenticed to the carpenter trade, working at it until March. 1866, when he came to Macoupin County Ill. For a time after his arrival he worked as a carpenter, and then bought 160 acres in Honey Point Township, which was well im- proved, and he lived on it until 1902, when he retired from his farm and moved to Litchfield. where he bought a residence. and has there lived retired ever since but still has his farm.

On February 14, 1861, he was married in England to Annie Burnell. of England, a daugh- ter of James and Elizabeth (Cain) Burnell. Mr. Burnell died in England, but Mrs. Burnell came to the T'nited States in 1865, and died at the home of Mr. Hooper at Litchfield. Mr. and Mrs. Hooper became the parents of the follow- ing children : Mark B., who lives at Litchfield ; Eva A., who is Mrs. Fred Groves, of Los Ange- les, Cal .; Fred J., who is at home; Stella K.,

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

who is Mrs. William H. Fuller, of Macoupin generous and kindly spirit led him to give freely his professional services in the cause of charity and benevolence. He was an earnest Republi- can in his political views but desired no politi- County ; Lucy M., who is Mrs. R. H. Nell of Hillsboro, Ill .; Henry J. who lives at Litchfield ; Frank, who died in July, 1915, aged thirty-six years; Edwin Robert, who lives at Milwaukee, . cal offices. He was honored and respected and Wis., and two died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Hooper are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he has served on the local board ot his church since 1866, and held all of the other church offices. He is a Republican in politics and has served for a number of years as a school director. He has always been a man of business capacity and he worked to good pur- pose. His present financial independence is well deserved.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 86

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