Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 96

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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Monroe, who lives at Taylorville, Ill .; and Mrs. Mary Bering, whose home is in Decatur. The death of Mrs. Miller, which occurred December 1, 1899, brought grief to her household and deep regret to a very wide circle of attached friends. . She was a woman of beautiful character, kind, loving and sympathetic. When she was six years old she accompanied her parents to Hills- boro and about seven years were passed on a farm three miles southeast of Hillsboro, and a like period with her parents at Fort Madison, Iowa, but otherwise she was almost a continu- ous resident of Hillsboro, where, through her many neighborly kindnesses she won the affec- tion of all with whom she came in contact. Her memory is very precious to her children and grandchildren.

Every community, in order to progress, must have men of initiative and unselfish public spirit and such a man was William C. Miller at Hills- boro. With energy and enterprising spirit he founded many business concerns in this city and gave encouragement and financial assistance to others. He was always exceedingly public spirited and took interest in all the movements of which his judgment approved, that gave prom- ise of benefitting his city. He had a wider vi- sion of progress than many of his business asso- ciates and one of these was of the advantages that would accrue to this section through the construction of a north and south railroad from Springfield through Hillsboro, Greenville, Car- lyle and Nashville. He threw himself wholly into the enterprise and contributed liberally at a time when the project seemed likely to suc- ceed, and its failure was one of the disappoint- ments of his life. Nevertheless his name will always belong as one of the upbuilders of Hillsboro.

MILNOR, Frank Richmond, vice-president of the Sparks Milling Company, and one of the most prominent men of Litchfield where many of his interests are centered, was born at Alton, Ill., December 15, 1846, a son of Joshua C. and Hen- rietta (Platt) Milnor, natives of Bristol, Pa., and New York, respectively. They were married at Alton, Ill., where Joshua C. Milnor settled in 1835. A contractor, he became a large owner of real estate, and a man of means. Both he and wife are buried in the cemetery at Alton.

When he was nineteen years old, Frank Rich- mond Milnor, after attending the grammar and high schools at Alton, Lombard College, Gales- burg, and a business college in Cincinnati, Ohio, came to Litchfield and became a clerk for Dr. Grinsted, a druggist of this city, having had a two years' experience in this line at Alton. Mr. Milnor continued in the drug business with Dr. Grinsted until 1871, when he established himself in a drug business of his own, handling all kinds of drugs and merchandise. When he moved to the corner of State and Rider streets, he gave his store the name of the Corner Drug Store, which it always afterwards retained. In 1906 Mr. Milnor sold the business to a former clerk, Walter Holderread. In 1903 Mr. Milnor

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

became interested in the Litchfield Banking & Trust Company, as vice president and manager, D. O. Settlemore being president, who later re- signed and Mr. Milnor became the executive head. The bank has a capital stock of $100,000, the deposits being $450,000. At present R. F. Bennett is the first vice president; G. L. Settle- more is second vice president ; and C. E. Morgan is cashier.

On April 23, 1871, Mr. Milnor was married to Mary Sparks, born at Staunton, III., a daughter of David R. and Anna D. (Chapman) Sparks. Mr. Sparks is the founder and president of the Sparks Milling Company of Alton, Ill., of which Mr. Milnor has been vice president since 1890. This company is the largest of its kind in this section of the state, with a capacity of 3,000 bar- rels per day. The company also owns a mill at Terre Haute, Ind. Mr. and Mrs. Milnor have two children : Mabel, who is the wife of Major M. A. Reasoner, of the Army Medical School of Washington, D. C .; and George S., who is secre- tary of the Sparks Milling Company of Alton, Ill. Mr. Milnor attends the Unitarian Church of which his wife is a member. He is a Republican and served two years as alderman from his ward. In April, 1885, he was elected mayor of Litchfield, and was re-elected in 1892, serving two terms of one year each. A very prominent Mason, he has been eminent commander of the Litchfield Commandery, K. T., and belongs to Litchfield Lodge No. 654, B. P. O. E. Mr. Milnor was sent to represent District No. 3S, composed of Bond, Montgomery and Fayette counties. in the State Assembly, and in 1908 was a delegate to the national convention, and has been alter- nate delegate three times.

MITCHELL, Frederick, a retired farmer who is now residing on his valuable farm in Witt Town- ship, was at one time one of the leading agri- culturalists of Montgomery County. He was born in Somersetshire, England, August 4, 1844. a son of William and Ann (Simmons) Mitchell. William Mitchell was born in Eng- land, a son of William and Jane (Hockey) Mit- chell, and he was there reared, and attended the schools of his native land. After his marriage he and his wife located on a farm where they lived until the spring of 1869, when they came to the United States, their parents also coming to the United States and dying here. William Mit- chell and his wife settled on a farm in Macoupin County, Ill., and there spent the remainder of their useful lives.

Frederick Mitchell was reared and educated in England, and there he was married on Jan- uary 1. 1869, to Elizabeth Durston. They came to the United States and remained for a year in New York state. In 1870 they came to Ma- coupin County, Ill., later went to Kansas, but returned to Macoupin County, and subsequently they came to Montgomery County and spent two years within its confines, and then went back to Macoupin County. In 1882 Mr. Mitchell l'ented a farm in Witt Township, Montgomery County, one-half mile north of his present farın, but later bought eighty acres of this farm, to

which he added forty acres, and the town of Witt was laid out on this farm. His first wife died in 1896. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell had no children of their own but they adopted a girl and boy. The former is now Mrs. Fred Addler and the latter is Joseph Mitchell, both of Witt. Ill. He was later married to Rebecca Vermilion Armentrout, the widow of John Armentrout, and they had three children, namely : Clarence. Ger- trude and Lee. The family belong to the Meth- odist Episcopal Church at Witt, of which Mr. Mitchell is a trustee, and Mrs. Mitchell is a teacher in the Sunday School, and very promin- ent in church work.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Mitchell confines his public activities to casting his vote for the candidates of his party. In addition to his other interests, Mr. Mitchell is one of the di- rectors of the Oland National Bank of Witt. and he was the founder of the Oland Brick and Tile Company, in 1906, the concern manufacturing drain tile and building brick. Mr. Mitchell built the Witt Hotel and still owns it. as well as several other business houses, and is one of the wealthy men of his community. In spite of lris ample means he is a very unassuming man. Ile and Mrs. Mitchell command universal respect and have many warm friends at Witt and in the surrounding county.

MITCHELL, Walter W., who is profitably engaged in conducting a general merchandise business at Panama, is one of the substantial men of Montgomery County. He was born in Perry County, Mo., April 20, 1864. a son of David W. and Mary (Walker) Mitchell, David W. Mitchell was born in Perry County, Mo., in 1827, a son of Archibald Mitchell who was a veteran of the War of 1812, who was born in Kentucky, and migrated to Missouri at an early day. sometime during the early twenties. Ile married Mary Walker, who was born in Perry County, Mo., her parents having come to that locality from North Carolina. In March, 1865. the Mitchell family came to Bond County, Ill., where Mr. Mitchell bought a farm located in La Grange Township, prior to which time he had been a merchant. There they lived for some years. but subsequently he moved to Sorento, Ill., where he died. Ten children were born to David W. Mitchell and wife, of whom nine survive, namely: E. E., who lives at Greenville, Ill .; G. W., who lives at Covina, Cal .; Walter W .: H. B., who lives in La Grange Township. Bond County ; A. W., who lives at Nezperce, Idaho; John, who lives in Bond County ; Hon. Perry W., who also lives at Nezperce, Idaho. is an attorney and state senator; Lillie B., who married John Ifall. lives at Midland, Tex .; and L. N., who lives at Wichita, Kas. The parents belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and he was a Democrat in politics.

Walter W. Mitchell was reared on the home- stead and attended the district schools, and Valparaiso University from which he was grad- uated in 188S. Following that he taught school In Bond County for three terms. Going then to

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Sorento, Ill., he entered into a partnership, and for five years was engaged in a general mer- chandise business, when he sold, and conducted a merchandise business by himself during the subsequent eleven years. Disposing of it, in 1907 he came to Panama, where he has been very successful as a general merchant.

On May 4, 1892, Mr. Mitchell was married to Florence Whitworth, who died in 1901. On January 4, 1903, he was married (second) to Althea Killefer. He belongs to Sorento Lodge No. 318. K. of P., and is past C. C. of that lodge. He also is a member of Donnellson Lodge No. 470, A. F. & A. M. A Democrat, he has served on the village boards of both Sorento and Pan- ama. Not only is he a member of the Methodist Church, but is also one of its trustees. In addi- tion to his business interests, he is president and a member of the board of directors of the Bank of Panama.

MITTS, Clifford C., a prosperous farmer of Raymond Township, owns and operates forty acres of land on Section 33, very profitably owing to his excellent management and knowl- edge of his work. He was born at Blue Grass, in Raymond Township, this county, June 22, 1857, a son of Harry and Augusta (Cass) Mitts. Harry Mitts was born in Kentucky, and came with his parents as a child, to Sangamon County, Ill., and there he was reared. When his parents died, he came to Raymond Town- ship, entering land to the extent of eighty acres, to which he later added by purchase eighty acres more in prairie, and forty acres in tim- berland, and was recognized as a well-to-do man. He lived on his property until the death of his wife in 1903. when he moved to the village of Raymond, which has continued his home. Harry Mitts and wife became the parents of the following children : Clifford C .; Frank, who lives at Columbia, Kas .; Louise, who is the wife of Adelphus Klemine, of Butler Grove Town- ship; Margaret, who is the wife of Charles Scherer, of Raymond Township; and Guy, who lives at Mulberry Grove, Bond County, Ill. Harry Mitts is a Democrat, and has taken an active interest in politics, and he belongs to Raymond Lodge No. 476, A. F. & A. M.

Clifford C. Mitts was reared on his father's farm and educated in the local schools, remain- ing at home until his marriage which occurred December 4, 1878. when he was united with Nettie Miller, a daughter of James and Eliza (Kirby) Miller. James Miller was born in Greene County, Ill .. August 1, 1826, and lived there until 1874 when he moved to Raymond Township, and lived there for twelve years, moving in 1882 to Dallas. Tex., where he died in January, 1913, Mrs. Miller having passed away December 30, 1900. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had twelve children, of whom eight grew to maturity. these being: William ; Emma, who is Mrs. William Fox, both of whom live at Dallas, Tex .; Mrs. Mitts, James, who lives at Carroll- ton, Tex. ; George, who is deceased ; Caleb, who lives at Carrollton. Tex .; Minnie, who married Harrison Nix, lives at Carrollton, Tex .; and

Lillie, who is deceased. Mrs. Mitts attended the East St. Louis High school, and lived in that city until her marriage, and she and her hus- band then made that city their home until 1882, when they went to Carrollton, Tex., and spent two and one-half years. In 1885 they returned to Illinois and have lived on their present farm ever since. They have two children, namely : Kirby, who is on a farm in Raymond Township; and Florence, who is teaching the Blue Grass school. She is a graduate of the Raymond High school and the Charleston Normal school. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church at Raymond. He is a Democrat in politics, and nas been a member of the school board of the Blue Grass district for many years.

MITTS, John W., a retired farmer of Raymond Township, and formerly one of the leading agri- culturalists of Montgomery County, was born in Sangamon County, Ill., August 29, 1843, a son of William and Sarah (Woods) Mitts. The father was born in Kentucky and the mother in Tennessee, and they came to Illinois, both locat- ing in Sangamon County where they were married. About 1848 they came to Montgomery County, and bought land in Raymond Township, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was an important factor in the Baptist Church, and in politics he was a Demo- crat. His death occurred about 1876. Of his four children, only John W. survives.

John W. Mitts was about five years old when the family came to Montgomery County, and here he has since remained, growing up on his father's farm, and attending the district schools, remaining at home until he began working for others by the month. After some years of employment by farmers, Mr. Mitts bought eighty acres of land on Section 25, Raymond Township, and here he carried on general farming until his retirement. Although he no longer takes an active part in the operating activities, he still resides on the farm.

Mr. Mitts was married (first) to Emma Crane, and they had three children, namely : Emma, who is the wife of Dr. Barton of Cali- fornia, George, who is a farmer ot Montgomery . County, was married to Lula Hose, and they have two children, May and Norris; and Henry, who was married (first) to Jennie Hugg, and (sec- ond) to Ida McClean, is a Montgomery County farmer. After the death of his first wife. Mr. Mitts was married (second) to Elizabeth Hodges, and they had two children, one of whom survives, Emma, who is the wife of J. O. King of Raymond Township, who operates Mr. Mitts' farm. They have had two children: Ollie, who is at home; and Margaret, who is deceased. Mrs. Mitts belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally Mr. Mitts belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Republican, and while he has never entered public life. he has always taken an intelligent interest in civic affairs.

MITTS, Kirby C., one of the successful young farmers of Raymond Township, owns and oper-

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IIISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ates a fine farmi of eiglity acres on Section 21. Hle was born in this township, August 1, 1SSO, a son of Clifford and Nettie (Miller) Mitts, and a grandson of Harry Mitts, who now lives in retirement at Raymond. Harry Mitts was brought by his parents from the east to Sanga- mon County, Ill., and a little later to Mont- gomery County. Clifford Mitts was born in Montgomery County. where he was married, and he and his wife became the parents of two children, namely: Kirby C .; and Florence, a highly educated lady and a teacher who lives at home. Clifford Mitts and his wife survive and make their home in Raymond Township. In politics, he is a Democrat.

Kirby C. Mitts attended the schools of his dis- triet, and was graduated from the Raymond High school. For three or four years he taught school in Raymond Township, and began farm- ing on land owned by his father on Section 31. A year later he moved to his present farin where he has since resided. He is gradually building up a herd of pure bred Holstein cattle, and intends to specialize on cattle raising. On

March 15, 1903, Mr. Mitts was married to Murta C. Jacobs, born September 7, 1SS4, a daughter of R. I. Jacobs of Shelby County, Ill., and they have three children: Mildred, born January 15, 1905; Dorothy, born January 25, 1910; and Virginia, born April 30. 1915. They belong to the Blue Mound Baptist Church, in which he is a deacon. In politics he is a Democrat and was elected highway commissioner in 1915. Mr. Mitts is well liked both as a public official and private citizen, and his success has come from his industry and business capacity.

MOLOHON, Walter, whose activities are not only directed toward the conduct of a modern grocery. but are also engaged as an efficient member of the school board of Raymond, was born in Sangamon County, Ill., near Springfield, January 10. 1878, a son of James A. and Saralı (Baker) Molohon, natives of Hardin County, Ky., and Macon County, Ill., both sides of the family having been in Montgomery County for many years, and all the members of the two families have at one time or the other been engaged in farming. James A. Molohon formerly engaged in operating 200 acres of land and now resides on a small tract of land near Raymond.

Of the eleven children born to his parents, Walter Molohon was the second in order of birth. and he was reared on the homestead, and sent to the district schools. On December 7, 1902 Mr. Molohon was married to Mary E. McAtee of Waggoner. Ill., and they have one child, Bernice J., who was born January 21, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Molohon are members of the Presbyterian Church. In fraternal matters he belongs to Raymond Lodge No. 476. I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand, and he also be- longs to the grand lodge. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been a member of the village board in past years, and is now on the school board. In 1913 he founded his present business which he has developed into a paying concern, and he has a fine patronage. Mr. Molohon is

one of the leading men of Raymond, whose con- ception of his civic duties is high, and he can always be counted upon to do his full duty when- ever called upon, as he has proven many times in the past.

MONROE, George S., one of the successful far- mers of Ilillsboro Township, residing on Section 34, is a native son of Montgomery County, as he was born in Grisham Township, December 11, 1861. His parents were Thomas C. and Mary E. (Kessinger) Monroe, natives of Missouri. They had nine children, namely : George S .; Joseph- ine, who is the wife of J. II. Klutts of Terrill, Tex. ; Laura ; Sarah M., who is deceased, was the wife of William Taylor; William L., who is deceased ; Martha, who lives at Fate, Tex .; Olive, who is the wife of Ollie Hogg, of Fate, Tex .; and two who died in infancy.

Thomas C. Monroe was reared at St. Louis, Mo., where he was married in 1857, moving afterwards to Grisham Township, Montgomery County, Ill., and soon thereafter bought forty acres of land, just over the line in IHillsboro Township, on which he lived the remainder of his life, passing away in 1879, when forty-four years old. His wife died six weeks prior to him, aged thirty-nine years. She was a Methodist. During the Civil War the father enlisted in re- sponse to President Lincoln's first call for troops, and was one of the first to leave Grisham Township, but he contracted the measles, and this attack was followed with a severe cold, from which he never fully recovered, and so he did not get away from the barracks, but was discharged on account of disability. In politics he was a Republican. The paternal grandfather was Lockwood Monroe, and he married Anna James, they both being natives of St. Louis, Mo., and farming people who died in their native state, he at the age of eighty-six years, and she somewhat younger. They had the following children : William, James, John, Thomas C., llenry, George and Anna. The maternal grand- father was Silas Kessinger, and he married a Miss Fenwick. both being natives of Kentucky who went to Missouri where the grandmother died, leaving two children, namely: Joseph E. and Mary E. Silas Kessinger was married (second) to a Miss Rupert, and they reared a good sized family, namely : Jonathan, Ruth, Margaret, Angeline, Thomas and Rose.

George S. Monroe was reared in Hillsboro Township until about seventeen years old, and he attended the district schools. the Litchfield High school, and the St. Lonis Law school, but on account of his wife's health moved back to his old neighborhood, where he has since been engaged in farming. He is attending to three farms. 250 acres in all. On August 14, 1887, Mr. Monroe was married to Miss Illinois F. Mansfield, a daughter of George W. and Harriet (McAdams) Mansfield. His grandmother was a Montgomery and she was a cousin to General Montgomery of Revolutionary fame. There were two children born to this union, namely : Carl Thurman. who died at the age of three years nine months and nine days; and G.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Stuart, who is attending the State University at Champaign, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Monroe are mem- bers of the Baptist Church, in which he is an ordained preacher. In politics he is a Re- publican.

Mrs. Monroe was born on the place where she now lives. Her parents were born in Hillsboro Township, where her father died in 1906, aged seventy-two years. Her mother survives. Their children were as follows: Frank H .; James B .; Charles C .; George N .; Illinois F .; Rosalee ; Clara A .; Laura A .; Thomas L., deceased, and an infant. The paternal grandfather was Hor- ace Mansfield and his wife Sarah Loving. He was a native of Ohio, but at a very early day came to Montgomery County where he met his wife. a native of South Carolina. They lived to old age. and had children as follows : George W .; Ward A .; William; Francis and Mary. Larcenna and Sarah. The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Monroe was Thomas Mc- Adams and he married Mary Hunt. He was born in Kentucky, and she in Tennessee, came to Illinois where they were married, and settled on the farm owned by W. J. Atterbury, in Hills- boro Township. They were thrifty farming people and lived to a good old age. Their chil- dren were as follows : Louisa, Harriet, Margaret A .. Samuel. John and Thomas Milton. Frances, John. Nancy. Mary, Sarah and James all are deceased.

MOORE, Edgar J., one of the progressive farm- mers of Raymond Township, owns and operates eighty acres of land on Section 10. He was born in the house in which he now lives, June 4. 1884. a son of John K. and Mary (Guthrie) Moore. John K. Moore was born in Greene County. Ill., and there was reared, and in time was married, his wife having been born and l'eared in Greene County, Ill. Soon after their marriage they came to Montgomery County, buy- ing 160 acres of land in Raymond Township on which they lived until they died, he passing away in 1900, and she about 1905. Fraternally he belonged to Harvel Camp, M. W. A. The parents had the following children : Robert M., who is a farmer of Hereford, Tex .; Edgar J., and one who died in infancy. Edgar J. has a half brother, George K.

Edgar J. Moore grew up on the homestead and attended the schools of the district. He has always lived on his present farm, inheriting one-half of the homestead, and he is making a success of his farming. On June 13, 1903, he was married to Ella Martin, born December 28, 1880. in Bond County, Ill., a daughter of John E. and Maranda (Stout) Martin, both of whom reside in Raymond. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have had four children : Verona M., born April 1, 1906: and Bernard L., born December 21, 1916; and two who died in infancy.

MORGAN, Charles E., cashier of the Litchfield Banking and Trust Company, and a man of wide connections and high commercial rating, was born at Springfield. Ill .. April 2, 1862, a son of Walter P. and Mary (Brockman) Morgan, na-

tives of Plainfield, Conn., and Sangamon County, Ill., respectively. The grandparents, Horace and Nancy (Button) Morgan, were born in Connec- ticut. In 1839 a colony came from Connecticut down the Ohio River on a flatboat, and up the Mississippi River, and located at old Stonington, Ill., and the Morgans were among the number. William Brockman, the maternal grandfather, was born in Illinois. Walter P. Morgan was a passenger conductor on the Wabash Railroad for thirty-three years. He died at Decatur, Ill., in 1890, his wife haviug died in 1865 at Spring- field, Ill.

After his mother's death, Charles E. Morgan was reared by his paternal grandparents at Springfield, and by them was sent to the grade and high schools. In 1SS1 he entered the First National Bank of Springfield as a clerk, and in 1884 became a conductor on a dining car on the Wabash Railroad, which position he held for five years. In 1892 he came to Litchfield to as- sume the duties of assistant cashier to Col. Delos Van Deusen, the latter having become cashier of the bank of M. M. Martin & Company. In 1903 the bank was reorganized as the Litchfield Banking & Trust Company, and in 1901 Mr. Morgan was made cashier of the concern, and still holds that position. He is also president of the Litchfield Foundry & Machine Company, and in 1904 the company was made a stock com- pany. In addition Mr. Morgan is treasurer of the Elmwood Cemetery Association, and treas- urer of the Cooperative Savings and Loan Com- pany.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Montgomery County, Volume II, Part 96

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