Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 92

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 92

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MADDOX, Dan Wilson, who, during his service as judge of the City court of Litchfield, was the youngest man on the bench in the state of Illi- nois, won that dignity through both native ability and sound knowledge of law. Ile was born in Fillmore Township, September 29, 1SS5, a son of Wilson and Amanda Jane (Brown) Maddox, natives of Indiana and of Montgomery County, Ill. The grandparents, Samuel L., and Elizabeth (Pool) Maddox, natives of North and South Carolina, respectively, moved from Ken- tucky to Indiana, where they resided until within a few years of the outbreak of the Civil War, when they came to Illinois, and lived in Marion County until the grandfather's death, when the grandmother moved to Montgomery County. The maternal grandparents were Alzare and Louisa (MeAdams) Brown, natives of Ohio and of Montgomery County, respectively. The McAdams were very early settlers of Mont- gomery County. After their marriage the parents of Judge Maddox located in Fillmore Township, where the father is still engaged in farming. Their children are as follows: Mary IS., who is Mrs. Shelby G. Fuller, of Fillmore Township; Edna L., who is at home; Sammel I., who lives at Fillmore, Ill .; Gladys A., who is Mrs. Taylor Joyce, of Fillmore Township ; and Dan Wilson.

Dan W. Maddox attended the public and high schools of Fillmore, 111., and the Normal school of Danville, Ind., and when only nineteen years old began teaching school in Montgomery County, so continuing for two years, and at the same time pursued his law studies in the office of I. V. Hill, of Hillsboro, Ill. In December, 190$, lie was admitted to the bar, and practiced at Hillsboro for a year, and then went to Chi- cago where he was associated with the firm of Winston, Payne. Strawn & Shaw. In October, 1910. he came to Litelifield and formed a part- nership with J. Earl Major, this connection being terminated in December, 1912, after which Judge Maddox continued alone. In March, 1914. he was elected judge of the City court of Litch- field and filled the office with entire efficiency, until November 1, 1917, when lie resigned upon being commissioned a first lieutenant in the United States Army, and is now located at Camp Lee, Va. Politically, Judge Maddox is active in the Republican party. He is a member of the Christian Church. He is identified frater- nally with the Masons, belonging to Chapter and Consistory, and is also a Shriner; and with the Odd Fellows and the Elks.

On December 25, 1917, Lieutenant Maddox was married to Ola B. Oller, daughter of the late Judge and Mrs. Amos Oller, who resided in Richmond, Va.

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MAJOR, James Earl, state's attorney of Mont- gomery County, and one of the most fearless prosecutors this section has ever possesed, as well as an able and forceful lawyer, is living at Hillsboro. He was born at Donnellson, this county, January 5, 1887, a son of Charles and Emma (Jones) Major, natives of Missouri and Minnesota, respectively. They had seven chil- dren, namely : James Earl, who lives at Hills- boro ; Edgar, who lives at Norman, Okla .; Joseph, who lives at Hillsboro; Russell, who lives at Donnellson and Mary, Charley and Samuel, all of whom are at home. The father was reared in Montgomery County, being brought here from Missouri when a child, by his parents, who located in East Fork Township, and there he grew to manhood, and has always followed farming, owning a farm of 140 acres; which he has improved, and on which he has reared his family, still making it his home. The mother died in 1906, aged forty-two years. He is a member of the Christian Church, and she was a member of the Methodist Church. A man of some importance he is serving his township as supervisor.

The paternal grandfather of State's Attorney Major was James Major, and his wife bore the first name of Catherine. They were natives of Kentucky, but moved to Missouri when young, and at the close of the Civil War came to Montgomery County, where they later died, he when about sixty-six years, and she at the age of eighty-two years. They had eight children, as follows : John, Allen, Joseph, Benjamin, Charles. Mary Dunham, and Hattie Major. The maternal grandfather was Joshua Jones and he married Mary Keel. They came to Montgomery County soon after the close of the Civil War, and located in Grisham Township, where they engaged in farming, and both died in this county at an advanced age. They had four children, namely : Stephen, Horace, Reuben and Emma.

J. Earl Major was brought up on his father's farm in Grisham Township. and attended the district schools. Later he took a commercial course at Brown's Business College, Decatur, Ill., and a law course in the Illinois College of Law. at Chicago. from which he was graduated in 1909, being admitted to the bar in December of that year. He began practicing early in 1910, at Hillsboro, and has been here ever since. A Democrat. he was elected state's attorney on his party ticket in 1912 and was re-elected in 1916.

On August 13. 1913. Mr. Major was married to Miss Ruth Wafer, a daughter of C. Lewis and Nettie (Ross) Wafer. They have one child. Dorthy Jean, a girl. born April 4. 1917. Mr. and Mrs. Major are members of the Presbyterian Church, in which he is a deacon. He belongs to Mount Moriah Lodge No. 51, A. F. & A. M., and to the Montgomery Lodge of Odd Fellows, and the Litchfield Lodge of Elks. Mrs. Major was born in Bond County. Ill .. near Donnellson, January 20. 1889. Her parents were natives of Bond County, Ill., and both are now living on a farm

in Bond County. They have four children, namely : Dwight, Clare, Ernest, and Ruth.

MANN, Robert H .- Perhaps there is no one . better known in Montgomery County nor more highly respected than Robert Hardin Mann, now living retired in his comfortable home at No. 413 West Dearborn Street, Hillsboro. He was born in East Fork Township, Montgomery County, Ill., two miles east of the courthouse in Hillsboro, January 1, 1831. His parents were John and Euphemia (Hancock) Mann. John Mann was born in North Carolina and removed to Kentucky with his father, Robert Mann, when twelve years old. He was married in April, 1824. Robert Mann, the grandfather of Robt. H. was born in North Carolina, came to Montgomery County in 1827 and died here in 1845 at the age of seventy-two. His wife, Rachel (McMullen) Mann, died in June, 1846, at the age of seventy-seven years. They had children as follows: John, Samuel, William, Nancy, wife of George H. Anderson, Elizabeth, wife of Zacharia Wiley, Jane, wife of George Lohr, and Susanna, wife of Wiliam Grantham.

John Mann accompanied his father to Mont- gomery County in 1827. They located in East Fork Township, the father entering nearly 300 acres of land, seventy of which was later sold to George W. Anderson. John Mann died on his home farm January 24, 1838, when aged but thirty-seven years. He married Euphemia Han- cock, who was born in Henderson County, Ky., in 1806, and and died October 18, 1867. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, while her husband rather leaned toward the Free Will Baptists. They had seven child- ren, namely : Samuel H., who died at Duval's Bluff during the Civil War; Henry Jackson, who died in 1902 ; Margaret Elizabeth, deceased, who was the wife of Isaiah Grantham; Robert Hardin; Mary J., who was the widow of Frank Houchens, died December, 1916; Rachel C., deceased, who was the wife of Edward S. Burns ; and Wiliam W., who died unmarried at the age of twenty-two years. The maternal grand- parents of Robert H. Mann were Micajah and Margaret (Hardin) Hancock, the latter being known all her life as "Peggy." She was an aunt of Officer John J. Hardin, who fell in the Mexican War, and her father, also John J. Hardin, was a great Indian fighter. The Han- cocks and Hardins were notable people in Kentucky. These grandparents of Mr. Mann died in 1837 just four weeks apart.

Robert H. Mann has lived in Montgomery County for eighty-seven years and has seen and taken part in its wonderful development. He grew up a farmer boy and spent about thirty-seven years in tilling the soil. He has been otherwise engaged however, for twelve years carrying on brickmaking on his farm, and later was in the mercantile business for six years at Hillsboro. He then returned to the farm but in April. 1867. came back to the town and has lived here ever since.

Mr. Mann was married August 1, 1854, to Miss

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Emeline C. Brown, a daughter of James and Martha (Blair) Brown. Mrs. Mann died May 25, 1856. His second marriage took place Febru- ary 25, 1861, to Miss Sarah D. Brown, a daughter of John and Sarah (Craig) Brown. Seven children were born to this marriage as follows: Emma, Robert E., Mollie E., Ella F., Albert Henry, Illinois Euphemia and Jessie Hardin Mann. Emma married Robert J. Schoenebaum and they lived and died at East St. Louis, Ill., leaving two children, Jessie and Charles. Robert E. resides at San Antonio, Tex. Mollie E. married Jacob Young and they live in East Fork Township and have four children : Blanche. Esther, Frank and Evelyn. Ella F. and Illinois Euphemia reside with their father. Jessie Hardin is the wife of George Hawkins and they live at Springfield, Ill. Mrs. Robert Mann was born in East Fork Township, Montgomery County, February 8, 1837. Her parents came from Kentucky in 1830 and spent the rest of their lives here. They had the following child- ren : Oliver C .; Artimesia, who married Asa Prater, and died in East Fork Township, Ill .; Fannie, who married Martin Kinsley and both died in Colorado; Sarah D., who is the wife of Robert H. Mann; Elisha M., who died at Fort Worth, Tex .; Elizabeth, who married George B. Linxwiler ; and John and Anna, twins, the latter being the wife of Thomas Card living at Lemore. Cal. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Mann were Richard and Sarah Brown, and thelr children were: John, Elisha, Daniel. Hiram, Harrison, Elizabeth and Charlotte. The mater- nal grandparents were Larkin and Frances (Brown) Craig, and their children were: Jesse. Larkin, James, Sarah, Elizabeth and Mildred. Mrs. Mann died January 26, 1917.

Mr. and Mrs. Mann were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Mann is a staunch Demoerat. He served several years as school director and as trustee of East Fork Township, and for three years was a mem- ber of the city council at Hillsboro, was also city marshal for one year and for a protracted period was constable. Always a man of temper- ate habits he has been a good influence and for a number of years was a member of the organi- zation known as the Sons of Temperanee.

MANNING, Joseph L., president of the Nokomis State Bank, and one of the most efficient and substantial of Montgomery County's financiers, is held in the highest esteem at Nokomis. He was born near Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, April 18, 1857. a son of Lawrence and Sarah (Smith) Manning, the former of whom was born in Devonshire, England. in 1829. He came to Canada, and in 1859 left the Dominion for the United States, locating at St. Louis, Mo., where he was employed by a manufacturer of brick. Feeling that he owed his adopted country mili- tary service he enlisted in the Third Missouri Cavalry. and for eighteen months fought for the preservation of the Union during the Civil War. After his honorable discharge, he returned to St. Louis, and resumed brickmaking, so continu- ing to work until 1868, when he came to Noko-

mis, Ill .. and was engaged in brickmaking here, until 1885, when he retired. A Republi- can and active in his party, he was a strong factor in local politics. He and his wife had nine children, of whom seven survive. namely : William and Luther, who are in the poultry and grain business at Morrisonville, Ill. ; Robert, whose wife is deceased; Margaret, who is the wife of W. J. Durham, of Salem, Ore .; Maude, who is the wife of Wells M. Tooley of Walla Walla, Wash .; Joseph L., and Amanda, who is the wife of Millard Willoughby of Alton, Kas.

Joseph L. Manning attended the public schools of Nokomis, and a business college at Keokuk. Iowa, where he remained for two terms. In 1887 he took a position as bookkeeper and assistant eashier in the Nokomis National Bank, holding these offices until January 1, 1914, when he organized the Nokomis State Bank, of which he was elected president. His associates in the bank are: C. H. Kerr, vice president: V. C. Single, cashier ; B. F. Zimmermann, assistant cashier. The board of directors is composed of the following capitalists: J. L. Manning. V. C. Single. C. H. Kerr. P. A. Kennedy, O. Braken- hoff. W. Redeker, J. H. Row. W. G. Webster and S. A. D. Hall.

On February 26, 1887, Mr. Manning was married to Sarah G. May. They have no child- ren. They belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Fraternally Mr. Manning is a member of Nokomis Lodge No. 456. A. F. & A. M., which he joined twenty-seven years ago, and for twenty-four years he has served it as secretary. Ile has been city treasurer of Nokomis for a number of years and also has been on the board of education. A man of broad outlook and unusual capabilities, he has made excellent use of his opportunities. and stands very high among his associates and fellow-townsmen.

MANSFIELD, Charles C., cashier of the State Bank of Donnellson, and one of the reliable and conservative bankers of Montgomery County, was born near Hillsboro, Ill., April 3, 1862, a son of George W. and Harriet (Mc- Adams) Mansfield, the former of whom was born near Hillsboro, and the latter in Mont- gomery County, in 1833. The McAdams family was the first to settle in Montgomery County. and the first court was held in the home of Josephi MeAdams. George W. Mansfield and Ilarriet MeAdams were reared in Montgomery Connty. where they were married. She survives. and lives on the homestead which was entered from the government by the great-great-grand- father of C. C. Mansfield and has never been out of the Mansfield family, She and her lius- band had seven children. five of whom survive, namely: J. B., who lives at Ardmore, Okla .: Illinoi, who is living with her widowed mother : C. C .; George M., who lives at Columbia Falls, Mont. ; and Clara A., who is the wife of a Mr. Holmes and lives at Fort Smith, Ark.

Charles C. Mansfield was reared on the Mans- field homestead. and attended the schools of his district, and for three years was a student at Dixon College, a year at the Hillsboro

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Academy, and one term in the English depart- ment at Jacksonville, Ill. For fourteen years he was a teacher in Montgomery County, and four years of this period he was in the graded schools of Donnellson, and for one year taught in Wisconsin. In 1903 he embarked in a bank- ing business at Donnellson, Ill., operating a private bank at that point. In May, 1913, the bank was reorganized as a state bank with a capital stock of $30,000. Mr. Mansfield has been the cashier since its re-organization, and his associates are: Dr. W. A. Allen, president ; Charles L. Laws, vice president ; and W. D. Boon, and John H. Shutt, directors.

On August 23, 1894, Mr. Mansfield was mar- ried to Jessie C. Scott, and they have seven children, namely : Ruth I. who was graduated from the Donnellson High school, and from Hardin College, Mexico, Mo., became the wife of L. R. Staffelbach ; Frank S., who was gradu- ated from the Donnellson High school, and then commenced a course in commercial finance at James Millikin University, but on March 26, 1917, was called from school to the service of his country, and is now stationed at Houston, Texas; Charles W., who is a graduate of the Donnellson High school; and La Vern, Kenneth, Paul and George. The family belongs to the Lutheran Church. Mr. Mansfield is a member of Donnellson Lodge No. 655, A. F. & A. M., and Montgomery Lodge, I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Democrat.

MARBURGER, Edward C., a prosperous general farmer of Walshville Township, was born in this township, October 11, 1865, a son of Jacob and Sophia (Ernest) Marburger, natives of Prussia-Germany, and Wurttemberg, Germany. The father came to the United States on a sailing vessel and landed at New Orleans, and was. married in Macoupin County, Ill., in 1850. He settled first near Mt. Olive, Ill., and after a few years moved to Section 6 Walshville Township where he bought thirty-five acres of land, adding thirty-five acres more located in Sections 6 and 5. Still later he bought eighty acres on Section 31 South Litchfield Township, to which he added eighty acres on Section 31. He improved all of this land and his property was considered a model farm in his day. On May 7, 1895, he moved to Mt. Olive where he died June 27, 1895. The mother has continued to live with her son Edward C. since the death of the father.

On February 12, 1893, Edward C. Marburger moved to his present farm of 141 acres, seventy acres of which are in Walshville Township, and seventy acres are in South Litchfield Township. He also owns forty acres on Section 31 South Litchfield Township and carries on general farming. His residence is a very handsome and modern one, and kept in fine repair. His mar- riage occurred February 12, 1893, to Minnie Uchtmann, born in Macoupin County, Ill., a daughter of William and Minnie (Grosenhider) Uchtmann, natives of Germany. Mrs. Mar- burger died February 12. 1903. having had three children, namely : Matilda, born October 9, 1894;

and Harry, born September S, 189S, both of whom are living with their father, and Henry who is deceased. Mr. Marburger is a Lutheran. He has served as a road commissioner for two terms, or six years in all, and is a Republican in politics.

MARTIN, Frank, one of the progressive farmers of Pitman Township, owns and operates eighty acres of land on Section 1. He was born in Hanover, Germany, January 4, 1857, a son of Richard and Rebecca (Johnson) Martin, born, reared and married in Germany. The father was a farmer by occupation, but he and his wife never left Germany, and both died there.

Frank Martin-came to the United States by himself when eighteen years old, and located in Montgomery County, Ill. At first he worked for farmers. and then rented land in Harvel Township for four years. Going to Greenwood Township, Christian County, Ill., he continued to rent land for a time, later returning to Har- vel Township, where he remained until he bought his present farm, on which he has since resided, with the exception of eighteen months spent at Farmersville. Mr. Martin specializes in raising good grades of stock. In addition to his farm, he owns stock in the First National Bank of Farmersville, of which he is a director.

On February 27. 1SS1. Mr. Martin was mar- ried to Margaret Wilson, a daughter of William Wilson, who was reared by an aunt in Bois D'Arc Township. Mr. and Mrs. Martin became the parents of eight children, seven of whom survive, namely : Mary, who is Mrs. Nicholas Bohler of Pitman Township; Anna, who is Mrs. Art Clark, of Bois D'Arc Township; Maggie, who is Mrs. Frank Flegel of Morrisonville, Ill .; Rebecca, who is the wife of Joe Bohler of Zanes- ville Township; Ella, who is the wife of Patrick Whealon of Macoupin County, Ill .; Carrie, who is Mrs. William Biddinghaus of Bois D'Arc Township ; and Leo who is with his father. He married Jane Coen and they have three chil- dren, James, Ruth and an infant. The family belongs to St. Mary's Catholic Church of Farm- ersville. Mr. Martin belongs to Farmersville Council No. 1152, K. C. In politics he is a Democrat. An excellent farmer and good citi- zen, Mr. Martin stands high in public favor.

MATTIX, Prof. Jacob H., principal of the Wag- goner public schools, and a man of scholarly at- tainments. was born at LaFayette, Ind., July 25, 18SS, a son of Thomas and Mary (Brugh) Mattix. The father was born in Butler County, Ohio, December 7. 1828. and the mother was born near LaFayette, Ind., September 14, 1846. During the Civil War, the father enlisted for service at the first call in the Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Eightieth Indiana Volunteer In- fantry, serving in all five years. After its or- ganization, he was a member of John A. Logan Post. G. A. R., at LaFayette. Ind. In politics he was a Republican and served Fairfield Town- ship, Tippecanoe County, Ind., as a trustee. Of the nine children born to him, three are now

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

surviving. namely: Hannah. who is the wife of Joseph Passnadt. of Freeland Point, Ind. ; Jolin J., who is a farmer ; and Jacob H.

Jacob H. Mattix attended the grade and high schools of LaFayette. Ind .. and later the State Normal school, from which he was graduated in 1905. Since then he has taken post-graduate courses in the University of Washington. For three years he was a teacher in the public schools of Perry Township. Tippecanoe County, Ind .. and then was instructor of history in the Romney High school. and was principal of the Abraham Lincoln school, Utah. Ind. In 1914 he came to Illinois, and was an instructor of history in the Morrisonville schools, and in 1916 was appointed principal of the schools of War- goner. Believing firmly in the value of mannal training. he has exerted himself to have this course introduced in the schools with which he has been connected. Ho belongs to the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a Republican.

MAXEY, John P., whose large operations as a merchant. at Witt. entitle him to a place among the worth while men of Montgomery County. was born in Witte Township, this county. Octo- ber 13. 1870. a son of Wilson M. and Sarah A. (Batsley) Maxey. Wilson M. Maxey was born in Kentucky in 1829. and was brought by his parents to Montgomery County. Ill .. in 1836, and here he was reared, living in Witt Town- ship until his death. He married Sarah A. Batsley, who was born in Virginia, and came first to Ohio, and later to Illinois. Her death occurred in 1913. They were the parents of four children : Della, who is the wife of R. R. Calleson, of Springfield. Mo .; Charles W., who lives at Springfield. III. : John P., who lives in Witt Township: and Jessie, who is the wife of John Calleson of Witt Township.

John P. Maxey was reared on his father's farm. and he attended the local schools, living at home until he was twenty-three years old. He then moved to Witt and learned the car- menter trade and followed it for three years. following which he was engaged along different lines until his marriage, which oceurred June 1. 1900. when he was united with Lnella Dixon. horn August 1. 1872. a daughter of Robert Dixon of Witt. Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Maxey have two children : Nina B., who was born Sep- tember 27. 1905; and Buford W., who was born June 1. 1909. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is on the official board. and served as chairman of the building eommittee of that congregation. dur- ing 1916. Fraternally he belongs to the Twin City Lodge No. 661. K. P.

After his marriage Mr. Maxey worked for Robert Dixon in his grain and lumber bnsi- ness for four years, and then embarked in his present undertaking. forming a partnership in February. 1905. the firm being Carriker & Maxey. dealers in groceries and hardware. The stock and display rooms occupy two floors. 40x80 feet, and a warehouse. 45x50 feet. and a very fine trade is enjoyed. Mr. Maxey is a

Demoerat, but not an office holder. In addition to his Witt business interests, he owns land in Montana.

McCULLOCH, Samuel R., a prosperous farmer of Grisham Township, living on Section 13. and one of the substantial men of Montgomery County, was born in the house where he now lives. March 3. 1867. a son of William J. and Ilarriet (Young) MeCullough. William .I. Me- ('nllongh was born in Montgomery County, and his wife was born in Grisham Township. Mont- gomery County. Both are now deceased, but during their lifetime they owned 250 acres of land and always lived. after their marriage, on the farm now owned by Samnel R. Mccullough. Mr. MeCullough belonged to the Grange, and was a Democrat. in politics. Hle acted as the first supervisor of Grisham Township. He and his wife had five children, namely : Jennie, who is the wife of Dr. Nelson A. Wright of Manito, Ill. : Sammel R., and three who died in infaney.

Samuel R. McCullongh was reared on his present farm and attended the local schools, and those of Donnellson. Returning to the homestead, he took charge of affairs for his mother. and at her death in 1904, he became its owner. Mr. MeCnllough belongs to Donnell- sou Lodge No. 255. A. F. & A. M., and has served it for four years as treasurer. A Demo- crat in politics, he has however. never cared for public office. Mr. Mccullough owns 264 acres of land in Grisham Township and seventy acres in East Fork Township. He is a breeder of double standard Polled-Durham cattle, and his herd is headed by Victor No. 468414. Short- horn. and Durham No. 12994. Ile is also a breeder of O. I. C. swine, his herd being headed by Bill Cleo No. 4765. His Merino sheep are also considered very fine and he markets all his stock at private sales. His success as a stock breeder comes of experienced operations, and his advice is often songht as he is a recog- nized authority upon snch matters.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 92

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