Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 182

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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Mr. Robertson was twice married. On December 18, 1844, he was united with Mary Ann Drinkwater, who was born November 3, 1824, of an old family of Cass County, Ill., and died May 10, 1867. They became the parents of the following named children: Eliza- beth, born September 25, 1845, and died October 6, 1846; John Wesley, born December 1, 1846; John T., August 19, 1848; Mary J., April 23, 1850; Frank, January 17, 1852; Martha, Janu- ary 8, 1854; Cassandra, November 4, 1855; Richard, September 16, 1857; and William L., September 25, 1860.

Mr. Robertson's second marriage occurred October 6, 1870, when he was united with Kate Rawlings, daughter of Greenbury and Eliza- beth Rawlings, of Cass County, Ill., who sur- vives him. Their children are as follows: John Rawlings, of Jacksonville; Kathryn, wife of Preston R. Smith, of Buffalo, N. Y .; and Elizabeth, who resides at home. Mr. Rob- ertson's death occurred December 5, 1895.

John Robertson was a representative of that rare type of men who combine in their person- ality great force of character and fixity of purpose with generosity of heart, wide mental vision and a spirit of good-fellowship and hu- manitarianism. His life was one of great prac- tical utility and broad usefulness. It has been said of him that, had he been so situ-

ated as to devote his talents to a commercial or financial career in a great city, he inevitably would have become a national figure. Few men have lived in Illinois, who, as private citi- zens, have made records which have left such an indelible impress upon the communities in which they have been factors. He was es- sentially "a big man," in the common accept- ance of the term, whose limitations were pre- scribed not through lack of opportunity so much as through his own desire to live a quiet, unostentatious life, free from the turmoil and strife so characteristic of the career of the modern successful man of affairs.

ROBERTSON, John R., the well known and efficient Cashier of the Jacksonville National Bank, was born in Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., July 10, 1872, a son of John and Kate (Rawlings) Robertson, natives of Illinois, the former born near Orleans, Morgan County, Feb- urary 2, 1823, and the latter, on August 2, 1842, near Beardstown, Cass County. (See sketch of father preceding.) His paternal grandpar- ents, Alexander and Elizabeth Robertson, were natives of Perthshire, Scotland, while his grand- parents on the maternal side, Greenbury and Elizabeth Rawlings, were born in Lancaster, Pa.

John R. Robertson received his early mental training in his native city, and after his school days were over, became Assistant Cashier of the Farmers' National Bank, serving in this posi- tion until 1895, when he was elected Assistant Cashier of the Jacksonville National Bank, from which, on July 1, 1896, he was promoted to the position of Cashier of the same institution.

On December 24, 1902, Mr. Robertson was united in marriage with Ettie May Pierson, who was born in Boston, Mass, where she received her education. One child, John Robert Robert- son, has resulted from this union.

Politically, Mr. Robertson is an active and influential Republican. He served as Chairman of the Morgan County Republican Central Com- mittee from 1900 to 1903, was a member of the Governor's staff, and at present is on the Board of Trustees of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, in Jacksonville. Religiously, he is a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church, in which he officiates as a Trustee. In fraternal circles, he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M., having passed the 32d degree at Peoria, Ill. He belongs to the Mystic Shrine, of Peoria,

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and is a Knight Templar and a member of the Chapter, Council and Blue Lodge. He is also identified with the M. W. A., K. of P., I. O. O. F. and B. P. O. E. Mr. Robertson is one of the most capable, favorably known and popular of the younger business men in Morgan County.

RODGERS, Henry J., Sheriff of Morgan County, Ill., was born in Waddington, N. Y., August 17, 1862, a son of James A. and Margaret W. (Com- mon) Rodgers, the former a native of Scotland. James A. Rodgers was brought to this country by his parents, who settled in Waverly, Ill., in 1867. He became a contractor and carpen- ter, and followed that occupation in Waverly until his death in 1893. His widow, who sur- vives him, is still a resident of that place.

In youth Henry J. Rodgers received his men- tal training in the public schools of Waverly, and on reaching maturity became connected with a saw-mill, where he remained for three years. Then in partnership with others, he op- erated the first steam threshing machine in that section, and in 1886 purchased the Waverly Machine and Blacksmith Shop. This he still owns, having added to it an implement and carriage department. In 1895, with others, he established an electric-light plant of which he has been the sole owner since 1899. In the winter of 1898, he sold the implement and car- riage business. In addition to holding the above mentioned interests, Mr. Rodgers is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Wa- verly.

On August 23, 1882, Mr. Rodgers was united in marriage with Fannie Belle Holtzclaw, of Versailles, Ill., and their union has resulted in three children, namely: Fay Louise, Henry Jay, and Edith Georgia.

In politics, Mr. Rodgers Is an earnest, active and influential Democrat. He was for three years a member of the Waverly Board of Educa- tion, and from 1895 to 1899, served as Mayor of the city. In the fall of 1898 he was elected County Treasurer and Assessor and continued in this position until 1902. He was then elected Sheriff of Morgan County, and in January, 1899, removed to Jacksonville. Fraternally, Mr. Rodgers is affiliated with Waverly Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Jacksonville Encampment and Jacksonville Chapter, R. A. M. He is a charter member of the K. of P., of Waverly, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. there. He is identified also

with the M. W. A. Religiously, he Is connected with Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, of Jack- sonville. In view of the facts stated, it will readily be inferred that Mr. Rodgers is one of the most prominent and popular citizens of Morgan County.

ROHRER, Albert, retired farmer, residing in Waverly, Morgan County, Ill., and ex-President of the Bank of Waverly, was born March 16, 1830, the son of Jonathan and Mary (Traugh- ber) Rohrer, natives of Logan County, Ky. In the fall of 1827, Jonathan Rohrer removed from Kentucky to Illinois, and located on 240 acres of Government land, which cost him $1.25 per acre. His signal success as a farmer is manifest in the fact that previous to his decease, he was the owner of 1,400 acres of very product- ive land, which he divided among his children, besides leaving them $45,000 in money. At the age of fourteen years Jonathan Rohrer learned the trade of a coppersmith, but never engaged in that occupation. His life was devoted to farming and stock-raising. He was the father of seven children, as follows: Elizabeth, wife of M. S. Kennedy; Albert, Milton S., and John Wesley, deceased; Mary C., widow of Bartley G. Pugh; and Louisa, wife of William Fletcher. The father of this family united with the Meth- odist Church while living in Kentucky, and al- though not connected with any religious denom- ination after settling in Illinois, led an exemp- lary Christian life. He died on February 17, 1879, and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Traughber, passed away March 25, 1879.

In his early youth Albert Rohrer received hls mental training in the country schools and the public schools of Waverly, Ill. He began life for himself on a farm of 120 acres, which was a gift from his father, and through the same in- dustry, steadfastness of purpose, economy, pre- severance and integrity which dominated the life of that honored parent, accumulated 1,260 acres of land, divided into four farms. This is the outcome of thirty years of diligent and successful effort as a farmer and stock-feeder. Mr. Rohrer was one of the original stockhold- ers on the Jacksonville & St. Louis and the East- ern & Bluff Line Rallroads, and he has been active in the promotion of all worthy enterprises In hls section of the county. He was also one of the founders of the Bank of Waverly, organ- ized in 1877, serving for several years as one

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

of its Directors, and was its President when the institution was compelled to suspend, through losses occasioned in connection with some of its most important investments. The bank was sponsor for a mill at Waverly, which became heavily involved on account of mismanagement of its affairs, and when its doors were closed, August 11, 1898, Mr. Rohrer, together with sev- eral others interested in the institution, found themselves on the verge of financial ruin.

On October 18, 1855, Mr. Rohrer was united in marriage with Jane C. Knowles, a daughter of Burton Knowles, and a native of Indiana. At the age of fourteen years she was brought by her parents to Menard County, Ill. Three children have resulted from this union, namely: Albert Lee, who died in infancy; Newton B., of Waverly, Ill .; and Mary Emma, wife of James E. Hutchinson, of Kansas City, Mo., Su- perintendent of a division of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad.

In politics, Mr. Rohrer is a firm Democrat, but, although attending strictly to his duties as a citizen, has never sought political prefer- ment. For many years, however, he served his township as School Director. Religiously, he has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for more than fifty-seven years. He donated the land on which Rohrer Chapel is located, and contributed $700 toward its construction. He has also assisted financially in the erection of several other churches in his section. He has lived a busy, useful and duti- ful life, and his declining years are solaced by the consciousness that he transmits to his pos- terity an unblemished name.

ROHRER, 'Newton Bell, a retired farmer of high standing, whose home is in Waverly, Mor- gan County, Ill., was born on his father's farm in that county, August 16, 1856, the son of Al- bert and Jane C. (Knowles) Rohrer, natives of Illinois and Indiana, respectively. (See sketch of Albert and Jonathan Rohrer, father and grandfather of Newton B., preceding, in this volume. )

In boyhood Newton B. Rohrer received his elementary mental training in the public schools and supplemented this by a subsequent course in the Jacksonville Business College, from which he was graduated in 1878. Shortly af- terward he bought a farm situated about a mile northeast of Waverly, on which he carried on

farming with profitable results for sixteen years. This property he still owns, but since 1896 has resided in Waverly, his sight having become impaired to such an extent as to ne- cessitate his withdrawal from active busi- ness. For about fifteen months he served as clerk for the Waverly Milling Company. Since his retirement from agricultural pursuits he has devoted considerable attention to the real es- tate and mortgage loan business.

On March 17, 1880, Mr. Rohrer was united in marriage with Ella Summerfield Crain, a daugh- ter of the late John A. Crain, of Waverly. On political issues, Mr. Rohrer's opinions are in harmony with the policies of the Democratic party. His religious connection is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he offi- ciates on the Board of Trustees. In fraternal circles, he is identified with the A. F. & A. M., being a member of Waverly Lodge, No. 118, and of Hospitaler Commandery, No. 31, K. T., Jack- sonville; is also affiliated with Linton Lodge, No. 401, K. of P. He is a man of strict probity, and as a member of the community is enter- prising, public spirited and progressive.

ROTTGER, John, (deceased), for many years a prominent and successful business man of Jacksonville, Morgan County, Ill., was a native of Minden, Germany, where he was born on February 6, 1840. In 1852 he came with his parents to the United States, and spent one year in St. Louis, Mo., whence the family moved to Morgan County, Ill., locating on a farm near . the village of Franklin. His father being in poor circumstances, John Rottger enjoyed slender advantages for mental improvement. He spent his evenings in attendance at a night school, where he acquired a meager knowledge of a few elementary branches. After he at- tained manhood he was employed for some years as a nurseryman by Prof. J. B. Turner, of Jacksonville, and later learned the trade of cab- inet-making. When he had mastered this he pur- chased his employer's business and combined that line with undertaking. Thus he continued until the time of his death, at which period he was one of the oldest business men in Jackson- ville, having been a resident of the city from 1856.

On November 27, 1873, Mr. Rottger was united in marriage with Anna M., a daughter of Ed- win H. and Anna M. (Cooper) Carlile. This

SAMUEL H. LARIMORE

MRS. SAMUEL H. LARIMORE

WILLIAM C. CLEARY

WILLIAM HI. CLAMPIT

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

union resulted in six children, as follows: Maude (Mrs. Thos. W. Sweeney) ; John Fred- erick, undertaker and embalmer; Anna Wil- helmina, who is now Mrs. Spelman, of Texas; Uria Beatrice, actress and soloist; Jessie Carlile, a student in the High School; and Lucille Amelia, who attends public school in Jackson- ville. Mrs. Rottger's father was of English and Scotch extraction and her mother was born in Chester County, Pa., of German descent. The parents settled in Illinois in 1852, locating on a farm ten miles from Jacksonville, and both dying at the age of eighty-four years-the father in 1883, and the mother in 1898. By a former marriage Mr. Rottger was the parent of two children, viz .: C. H. Rottger, now District Man- ager of the Bell Telephone, Springfield, and Mary E. Pierson, of Jacksonville.

Mr. Rottger was a consistent member of the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church of Jack- sonville, and was in fraternal affiliation with the A. F. & A. M. order, in which he was a Knight Templar. In the I. O. O. F., he had passed all the chairs of the Jacksonville Lodge, of which he was a member for forty-two years, having represented it in the Grand Lodge. He was a diligent and conscientious worker, faith- ful to all his obligations, a man of dutiful spirit and pure life, and all who knew him were his stanch friends and admirers.

ROUTT, Charles Louis, (deceased), Jackson- ville, was born in Woodford County, Ky., Sep- tember 13, 1825, a son of Harvey and Catherinc Maria (Springer) Routt, both natives of Ken- tucky. Charles L. Routt was educated in the Catholic College at Cincinnati, Ohio, at the age of seventeen completing a course which included a mastery of the dead languages, as well as French and German. Throughout his life he remained a great student, and was an ex- tensive general reader. Upon the completion of his college course he returned to Morgan County, where his parents had located in 1834, and at once began assisting in the operation of the home farm, cight miles southeast pf Jacksonville. His father died in that city in 1872, and the son continucd farming upon prop- erty inherited from the paternal estate. A short time prior to his father's death, he also removed to Jacksonville, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away November 26, 1894. In- dividually, he possessed over 1,000 acres of good

farming land in Morgan and Sangamon Coun- ties, and he and his brother, William R. Routt, held a large amount of land in partnership. He also owned several store buildings in Jackson- ville, and a third interest in the Grand Opera House. Though a stanch Democrat, he never cared for political honors.

Mr. Routt will be best remembered by reason of his multifold munificences to the Church of Our Savior, of Jacksonville, and to the founda- tion of Our Savior's Hospital of that city. He also made large gifts to the Catholic Convent, at Springfield, Ill., and to the support of the Catholic Church and its auxiliary institutions. Upon his death it was found he had devised the sum of $75,000 to be devoted to the furtherance of the church work of the diocese, under the direction of the Bishop. His name will always be held in most loving remembrance by those interested in the welfare of the church, and also by many needy persons who were in no man- ner identified with Catholicism. He was a man of a quiet, retiring disposition and of profound philanthropic and humanitarian instincts. His numerous splendid traits of character endeared him closely to a large proportion of the popula- tion of Jacksonville and vicinity. Mr. Routt inherited a portion of the great estate of Reu- ben Springer, of Cincinnati, and this he re- garded as a trust fund to be devoted to the ele- vation of the educational, moral and religious status of the community. The Routt Club, of Jacksonville, was named in his honor. Mr. Routt never married.

ROUTT, William Reuben, Jacksonville, one of the most widely known and highly esteemed citizens of Morgan County, was born in Wood- ford County, Ky .. April 1. 1832, a son of Harvey and Catherine Maria (Springer) Routt, who came to Illinois in 1834 and settled on a farm eight miles southeast of Jacksonville. He was reared on this farm, attending the common schools of the neighborhood. Early in manhood he bought a tract of land located near his father's home, to which he added by purchase and inheritance from his father and his brother, Charles L. Routt-a sketch of whose life will be found in an adjoining part of this work. Though he has made large gifts to charity, edu- cation and religion, he is still regarded as one of the wealthy men of Morgan County. In 1886 he relinquished the active operation of his ex-

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

tensive farming interests and removed to Jack- sonville, where he has since lived in practical retirement, though still, in conjunction with his son, Harvey J. Routt, retaining a general supervision of his properties. He owns consid- erable real estate in Jacksonville, principally in the business portion of the city, is a Director in the Hockenhull-Elliott Bank, and in the Jacksonville Gas & Electric Light Company. He is a Democrat in politics, but has always de- clined to accept nominations to public office.

Mr. Routt was originally a member of the Christian Church, in which he was reared by his parents, and which he entered at the age of sixteen years. For many years he served as Elder and Deacon. But he was for a long time unsettled in his belief and finally, in 1896, two years after the death of his brother, embraced the Roman Catholic faith and entered the Church of Our Savior at Jacksonville. Like his brother, he has been extremely liberal in his gifts to that church and its dependencies. The magnificent pipe organ in the church was do- nated by him. The old Routt Club House on East State Street he transferred to the parish for educational purposes, and also built the ad- dition to Our Savior's Hospital. His most note- worthy gift in late years has been the sum of $15,000 and the ground for the foundation of Routt College, which is named in his honor, and which he endowed with $50,000 on the day of its dedication.

In 1870 Mr. Routt was united in marriage with Martha Ann Ransdell, a native of Morgan County, and they have one son, Harvey John Routt, who is preparing to carry on the work undertaken by his father. . Harvey J. Routt, who is their only child, gave $10,000 toward the founding of Routt College and is a pro- fessor in that institution. He is young man of a literary turn of mind, and a most ardent lover of truth for its own sake. High-minded, fearless and uncompromising in the things that make for lasting peace, he is recognized as a potent factor in the community and will cer- tainly sustain with dignity the honorable name bequeathed him by his ancestors.

ROWE, Fred H .- The early idea that the law- yer was the best educated as to the rights of man and the limitations of government, both of them prescribed by law, still prevails to an appreciable extent. Thus law and politics ever

were akin, and many who desire the largest compensations for their calling, gravitate irre- sistibly toward this combination of opportuni- ties. In this dual role Fred H. Rowe has been prominently identified with Jacksonville ever since his admission to the bar of Illinois in 1888. Mr. Rowe's youth had, as surroundings, the rugged hills of Vermont, among which he was born December 20, 1857. His parents were Harvey and Annie (Lyon) Rowe, both natives of the Green Mountain State, the former born in 1831, and the latter in 1830. The elder Rowe, who was a marble and granite dealer, broadened his activities to include a keen interest in poli- tics, and served in the Legislature of Vermont, and otherwise contributed to the well-being of his community until his removal to Jackson- . ville, Ill., in 1886. An appreciation of scholar- ship, and a firm determination to brush away all obstacles to success, seem to have been dis- tinguishing traits of the early, as they are of. the later life of Fred H. Rowe. Having insuffi- cient means to pursue his studies beyond the high school, he created his own opportunity for a college education by working in the post- office at Poultney, Vt., while preparing for col- lege at Troy Conference Academy, from which he was graduated in 1876. He thus earned his tuition at Williams College, from which he graduated with honor in 1880. He was President of his class, and took honors for oratory and de- bating. During the following year he taught in the St. John's School, at Poultney, and in 1882 came to Jacksonville, where he became identi- fied with business affairs for six years. In the meantime he began to read law in the offices of Morrison & Whitlock and Judge Thompson, of Jacksonville, and was admitted to the bar in 1888.

Mr. Rowe cast his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield in 1880. In 1889, the year after his admission to the bar, he was elected Attorney of the city of Jacksonville, and was reelected to the same office for a second two years' term in 1891. In 1898 he was a candi- date for County Judge. During the 'nineties be developed excellent campaigning ability, drew large and interested throngs throughout the State, and served as Chairman of the committee which resulted in the nomination of Richard Yates, Jr., for Governor of Illinois, at Peoria, in 1900. During 1901 he was private secretary for Governor Yates, and from 1901 until 1905

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

was State Insurance Attorney. He has served on county, State, eity and Congressional eom- mittees, was Chairman of the Republican State Committee from 1900 to 1905, and has been prominent in the local deliberations of his party ever since coming to Illinois. Mr. Rowe is eminently social in his tendencies, and is iden- tified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Masonic fraternity, of the local lodge of the latter order being Master during 1896-97.

The wife of Mr. Rowe, whose maiden name was Marietta Mathers, was born in Jackson- ville, in 1857, the daughter of Wesley and Milli- cent (Yates) Mathers, the former a brother- in-law of the first Gov. Richard Yates, and for a time a hardware merchant of Jackson- ville, and Mayor of the city in 1875. Mrs. Rowe is a graduate of the Illinois Woman's College, and has been a Trustee and Presi- dent of the Alumnæ Association of that in- stitution. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe are the parents of three children: Cole Y., who was born June 16, 1886; Richard Yates, born December 12, 1889; and Millicent Emily, born August 17, 1891. Mr. Rowe is the personification of twen- tieth century energy and resource, and with his extended and many sided experience, broad knowledge of men and affairs, and excellent professional equipment, would seem destined to fill an even more important place in the future than he has in the past.

RUTLEDGE, (Rev.) George, (deceased), for- mer Methodist Episcopal clergyman of Morgan County, Ill., was born in Augusta County, Va., November 11, 1811, the son of George and Mary (Galbraith) Rutledge, both natives of Augusta County, Va., the former dying in that State in 1825. Three brothers of the Rutledge family, who were natives of England, eame to America, one of whom, John Rutledge, became a Chief Justice; John became Governor of South Calo- lina, and the third, William R., became a planter in Virginia. The latter was the grand- father of Rev. George Rutledge, the subject of this sketch. At the age of twenty years George Rutledge, Jr., was converted and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His father having died seven years previous, and being the eldest child, the care and main- tenance of the family devolved largely upon him and assisted to develop those sturdy quali-

ties which, in after life, were prominent traits of his character.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 182

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286