USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 80
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 80
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BUTLER GROVE TOWNSHIP.
on the farm where he now resides, five miles north of Hillsboro. He was married, August 4, 1834, in New York, to Miss Mary Taft, who was born December 10, 1815, and is a daughter of William and Elizabeth (David- son) Taft, all of Ireland; Mr. and Mrs. Watson have had born to them the following children : William, Aaron, Margaret, John James, an infant (died without name), George W., Anna, Augusta, James, Eliza and Isabella. Mr. Watson is one of the stanch farmers of the county, who settled in it more than forty years ago; has grown up with it, advanced in prosperity, and has grown in wealth and importance; has become identified with it, in its growth and development, and is a part of its history; he has never sought office nor political preferment, but has always been an energetic friend of education, and a deter- mined advocate of all public improvements calculated to promote the welfare of his adopted county. Politically, he is a Demo- crat, and socially, a warm friend and pleas- ing companion. His wife is a woman of in- telligence, a helpmeet to her husband, and a zealous member of the Presbyterian Churelr. William Watson, Jr., deceased, the eldest son of the above, died from the accidental dis- charge of a pistol in his own hand, March 20, 1882; he was born in Genesee County, N. Y., November 20, 1835, and came with his par- ents to Illinois in 1839; he was never mar -. ried, but owned a fine farm some five miles north of Hillsboro, and his brother John, and sister Margaret (likewise unmarried), lived with him; he was a dutiful, son, and, to the day of his untimely death, never under- took any enterprise without consulting his parents, whose advice and more mature judg- ment he always heeded; he left to mourn his sad fate his aged parents and his brothers and sisters-Aaron. Margaret, John. George, James, Eliza and Isabella; though not a
member of any church, he was a moral man and a constant reader of the Bible; he never swore an oath, was temperate in all his habits, and a firm believer in Christianity; he lived nobly, prospered in wealth, won the confi- dence of all, and died an honest and upright man. Aaron Watson, the second son, was born also in New York, February 7, 1837, and brought by his parents to Illinois in 1839; he, was reared on the farm, and re- ceived his education in the common schools of the county, and began life for himself as a farmer; owns forty acres of excellent land, in a fine state of cultivation, and which joins the old homestead; politically, he is a Democrat, and socially, he is-unmarried. John Wat- son, Jr., was born in Montgomery County, III., January 28, 1840, and is the third son of William Watson, Sr .; he was brought up on the farm, and received such educational ad- vantages as the common schools afforded; he began life as a farmer, and purchased eighty acres of land, to which he has added since until he now owns an excellent farm in But- ler Grove Township; he is an energetic and industrious farmer, and, like his father, is a good Democrat. George W. Watson, the fourth son, was born in Montgomery County July 8, 1842; he attended the common schools, and afterward took a regular com- mercial course in a business college at Pough- keepsie, N. Y., from which he graduated in 1865; he then entered the telegraph office there, in the employ of the Hudson River Railroad, remaining two years, when his health gave way and he was obliged to return home, since which time he has engaged in farming; he lives in Rountree Township (this county), where he owns a farm of 360 acres of well-improved land. On the 23d of De- cember, 1869, he was married to Miss Lucy A. Peck, a daughter of William H. Peck, of Montgomery County; they have three chil-
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BIOGRAPHICAL:
dren living, viz., Estella, Lenna and Rolla; also have three children dead. Mr. Watson is Treasurer of Rountree Township James Watson. the youngest son, was born on the homestead, in Montgomery County, in 1849; he was brought up on the farm; educated in the common schools of the neighborhood, fin- ishing his education at Hillsboro Academy; he commenced his business career as a farmer and stock-raiser, which business he has suc- cessfully followed to the present time; his first purchase of land was twenty-three acres, to which he has since added until he now owns 188 acres of as fine land as any in But- ler Grove Township; he makes a specialty of raising and handling cattle, but gives more
or less attention to all kinds of stock; he is liberal in his views upon all matters of public enterprise, and contributes freely of his means to promote the prosperity and welfare of his town and county; he has always been identi- fied with the Democratic party, believing its principles to be the foundation stone of our free institutions; he still lives with his par- ents, and takes care of them in their old age, thereby winning the respect and approval of his neighbors and friends. The Watson fam- ily own about two thousand acres of land, well improved and well cultivated; they are noted far and wide for their enterprise, pub- lic spirit and generous hospitality.
RAYMOND TOWNSHIP.
209
RAYMOND TOWNSHIP.
DANIEL E. ADAMS, baker and grocer, Raymond, was born in Macoupin County, Oc- tober 13, 1840. His early childhood was spent in attending the common schools of his native county, and in assisting his father upon the homestead farm. At the age of twenty years, he embarked upon his career in life as a farmer, in Macoupin County, where he remained two years, and then removed to Montgomery County, and purchased forty acres of wild prairie land, which he improved and eventually sold. He then moved to Zanesville Township and rented a farm, upon which he remained three years. He then re- turned to the same section where his last farm was located, and purchased sixty acres of prairie land, which was partly improved. Soon after he sold it, and purchased 110 acres near by, and lived upon it three years, at the end of which time he sold out again and returned to Zanesville Township, and bought eighty acres. He continued in the occupation of a farmer until 1880, when he again sold out and removed to Raymond, where he purchased twenty-eight acres of vil- lage property, and entered into a grocery, at which business he was more than ordinarily successful, and by his energy, business habits, and the pleasing manner in which he at- tended to the wants of his customers, he built up a large trade. He eventually sold his in- terest and entered into partnership in a gen- eral mercantile business with W. H. Wil- banks, with whom he continued about one year, when he bought his partner's interest and continued in the business by himself. In January, 1882, he sold his business, and
at present is engaged in conducting a bakery, grocery and restaurant, where, for the short time he has been in the trade, he has suc- ceeded in building up a large and steadily increasing trade. He was married, October 24, 1860, to Elizabeth Jane Wagner, who was born in Washington County, Ill., No- vember 14, 1840. She is the mother of eight children-Emma Elnora, born in Ma- coupin County, August 19, 1861, wife of P. B. Burgo, now living in Nebraska; Anna Nevada, born August 2, 1863; Jacob L., born January 20, 1867; Charles W., born March 16, 1871; William H., born February 23. 1874; Viola Jane, born March 16, 1879, and two infants, deceased. Mrs. Adams is a daughter of Jacob D. and Lucinda (McDon- ald) Adams, he born in Illinois, and one of the early settlers of Macoupin County, and still living; she, born in Tennessee, deceased. William C. Adams, the father of our subject, was born in West Virginia; moved from there to Tennessee, but eventually to Macou- pin County, in 1827, a farmer by occupation. His death occurred January 21, 1853. His wife, Margaret Ward, was a native of Ten- nessee, and is still living. She is the mother of twelve children, of whom Daniel was the ninth child. He was elected Constable in 1873, and served one year. In 1874, he was elected a Highway Commissioner of Zanesville Township, and served three years. He has been an active member of the I. O. O. F. order for a number of years. Politically, his sympathies are with the Democratic party. Religiously, himself and wife are connected with the Christian Church.
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PETER BERRIE, retired farmer, P. O. 15, 1864: Aurelius, born August 14, 1845, Raymond, is a son of Thomas Berrie, who was and died November 11, 1871; Isabelle, born July 7, 1848, and died February 25. 1853; Clarence, born November 17, 1850, and is still living; Florence, born March 8, 1553. and died January 26, 1875; Lockwood. born September 23, 1855, and died November 12. 1868; Mary, born May 14, 1859, and died in infancy; Chester, born December 17, 1861, and is still living. Mr. Berrie was married again June 22. 1869, to Mary J. Guthrie, who was born in Charleston, Coles Co., Ill., November 16, 1843. She is the mother of one child, Fannie, born November 11, 1870, and died July 4, 1871. Mrs. Berrie was a daughter of Green J. and Mary J. (Van De- ren) Guthrie, natives of Kentucky. He died in 1850; was a prominent merchant of Charleston, Ill .; she still living, at the age of sixty-one. She is the mother of five children, of whom Mrs. Berrie was the second child. She is a lady possessing all the womanly graces. Mr. Berrie is not a poli- tician, but has always been identified with the Republican party. Although possessing all the energy and enterprise that has char- acterized all his efforts, he has retired from farm life, and is now enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. born in Pennsylvania, of English descent. He was a farmer by occupation. His wife, Susan, Lark, was also a native of Pennsylvania; she died in 1823. The result of their union was twelve children, of whom Peter, the subject of this sketch, was the seventh child. As educational privileges were very much lim- ited at that early day, his education was nec- essarily limited. His early life was spent in assisting his father in his agricultural pur- suits. He remained at home until he reached the age of nineteen years. when he entered upon the battle of life with all the energy of a young man bound to make his way in the world. He engaged as a farm hand, near home, receiving but a small compensation for his labor. He soon tired of that oocupation, and tried river life for a few months, but soon concluded that a farm life was preferable, and he again took upon himself the duties of a farm life, following in that occupation in different localities, and eventually came to Montgomery County, Ill., where he has since resided. In 1841, he purchased his first real estate, consisting of eiglity acres of unim- proved prairie land, to which he has continu- ally added, until his farm now consists of about two hundred and twenty-five acres of IRA BARTON, physician, Raymond, was born in Grant County, Wis., April 17, 1844. where he received his early education. the foundation of his subsequent learning. The years between fourteen and twenty-one were employed in assisting his father in his agri- cultural pursuits. He then entered the serv- ice in Company I, One Hundred and Fifty- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with Capt. J. W. Brown; regiment commanded by Col. Stephenson. He remained in the service about seven months, and soon after his dis- charge he began the study of medicine, read- ing with Dr. A. B. Penniman, at Woodburn, choice farm and timber land. He has made all the improvements necessary for comfort and convenience, and has placed his farm in a high state of cultivation, and it will com- pare with any of the best improved farms in the county, and he is proud of the fact that, having started upon his career a poor boy. his present possessions represent the dollars earned by himself. He was married. Decem- ber 15, 1841, to Mary J. Cass, who was born January 27, 1821, and died November 13, 1865. She bore him eight children, viz .: Adolphus, born May 26, 1843, and died July
211
RAYMOND TOWNSHIP.
Macoupin County. He attended three courses of lectures in the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, from which institu- tion he graduated in 1869, receiving his diplo- ma as an M. D. He did not enter regularly upon the duties of his profession until June of the following year, when he located at Raymond, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession, with the exception of one year, when he took the place and practice of his old preceptor, at Wood- burn. He has, by his thorough knowledge of, and strict attention to. the duties of his calling, succeeded in building up a reasonably good practice, which is steadily on the in- crease, and socially has gained the highest esteem of the community. He was married, December 17, 1871, to Miss Mary H. Scott, who was born in Steuben County, Ind., Aug. ust 15, 1845. She is the mother of three children, viz .: John H .. Sarah and infant, the latter dying in early infancy. Mrs. Bar- ton was a daughter of Joseph H. and Mercy (Kinsman) Scott, natives of New York, he living, she deceased. John H. Barton, the father of our subject, was born in Massachu- setts in October, 1805, and is still living. At the age of twenty one, he sought a home in the then far West. and located near Jack- sonville, Ill., where he remained several years, but eventually resided in Wisconsin and Min- nesota, and has engaged in several occupations during his life, such as lead mining, farming. merchandising, etc., and now, at an advanced age, he is enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. His wife, Mary N. Reid, was born in Lexington, Ky., in 1812, and is also living. They have lived together as man and wife fifty-three years, and the result of their union was seven children, three of whom have reached manhood and womanhood, viz .: Sarah, wife of A. B. Penniman; Mary, wife of
this sketch. He has always been identified with the Republican party. Religiously, he is in connection with the Presbyterian Church, and was one of the six members who organ- ized the church at Raymond; has always taken a prominent part in all temperance movements.
A. BRYAN, humber dealer, Raymond, was born in Arkansas March 20, 1850; received his education principally in the common schools of that State; came to Montgomery County, Ill., in 1864. His first enterprise for himself was school teaching, but event- ually took upon himself the duties of a farm life. Since 1873. he has been working at the carpentering and joiner trade, and in Jan- uary, 1882, bought the lumber yard and bus- iness of D. J. Parratt & Co., located at Ray- mond. On the 29th of March, he entered in- to partnership with D. C. Kelley, in the same business. They are enterprising and ener- getic business men, and have built up a large and steadily increasing trade. Mr. Bryan has just completed a fine frame residence on one of the principal streets of Raymond. He has done most of the work himself, and the house does honor to the town and to Mr. Bryan as a competent workman. He was married in Pulaski County, Ark., February 18, 1872, to Miss Matilda Powers, daughter of Oliver and Margaret (Hustin) Powers. They have three children living, viz .: Letha, William and Claudie May; Ira died in in- fancy. The father of the subject, Darius Bryan, was a native of North Carolina, and was one of the early settlers of Arkansas. He was a farmer by occupation; his death occurred in 1876. His wife, Susan Eliza- beth Hamilton, was a native of Illinois, and died on the same day as her husband, and both of small-pox. He is a Democrat.
WILLIAM L. BATEMAN, lawyer, Ray- William P. Hamilton, and Ira, the subject of . mond, was born in Knox County, Ohio, Oc-
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BIOGRAPHICAL:
tober 13, 1858; son of Luther and Mary Jane (Shurtliff) Bateman. Luther, born in the same house in which his son William L. was born, June 7, 1833; is a farmer by occu- pation. He moved to Montgomery County in March, 1867, and located on a farm near Raymond, where he remained until the spring of 1870, when he moved to Walshville, and there engaged in the carriage and wagon painting business. In the spring of 1873, he left Walshville and moved to Litchfield, where he continued the same business; also doing house painting and sign writing; left Litchfield in 1877, and returned to Walsh- ville, where he remained but a short time; then moved to Hillsboro, where, in addition to painting, he carried on the manufacture of carriages and wagons. In 1880, he re- moved to Raymond, where he carried on bus- iness until 1882, when he sold out to Isaac Dudson, and is now engaged as traveling salesman for J. S. Culver, Taylorville, Chris. tian Co., Ill. His wife, born in Hebron, N. Y., October 20. 1835, is the mother of two children-Nettie and William L. Subject attended school in his native town, in Knox County, Ohio, and finished at Litchfield, Ill. After the completion of his education, he commenced the study of law under the in- struction of Judge Jesse J. Phillips; was ad- mitted to the bar at Mt. Vernon, Ill., in Feb- ruary, ISSO, and entered upon the practice of his profession at Raymond. He is a sup- porter of the Republican party, and is cor- respondent for a number of newspapers.
WINFIELD P. CARTER, stock dealer, Raymond, was born in Madison County, Ill., November 11, 1843. His father, Henry T. Carter, was born at Knoxville, Tenn., in 1811. He remained in his native State until he was eighteen years of age, when he entered upon his career in life, and sought a home in the then far West, locating at Alton, Ill.,
and entered 320 acres of wild prairie land. a large portion of which he eventually im- proved and resided upon until his death, which occurred July 21, 1844. He was mar- ried in 1832, in Madison County, to Miss Hannah Davis, who was born at Trenton, N. J., July 12, 1815, who was brought to Illi- nois by her parents when but seven years of age. She was the mother of five children, viz .: Harriett, wife of J. H. Stahl, of Madison County; Louisa. wife of Edward Sanders, of Macoupin County; Henry D., now living on the old homestead; Julia A., wife of M. V. McKinney, of Madison County, and Winfield, the subject of this sketch, all of whom were small children at the death of their father. Mrs. Carter continued upon the farm, which was managed by herself until the children were able to take the duties upon themselves, and to assist in the support of the family. She is still living and resides upon the homestead with her son Henry. Winfield remained at home until he was seventeen years of age, assisting in the labor of the farm, and attending the common schools, to which his educational privileges were limited. In 1862, when he left home, he entered into the service in Company B, Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with Capt. A. F. Rogers, in the regiment commanded by Col. Allen. He remained in the service twenty-two months, receiving his discharge on account of injuries received from a bayonet, and being otherwise injured while removing a battery; was taken a prisoner by John Morgan, but was paroled soon after. Upon his return home, he again took upon himself the duties of a farm life, remaining at home about one year, at the end of which time, in company with two others, he turned his face westward, to try his fortune in California, where he engaged in mining and farming. At the expiration of two years, he returned to his native State,
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RAYMOND TOWNSHIP.
and continued in the occupation of a farmer. On January 25, 186S, he was married to Miss Anna H. Mayhew, who was born at Shiloh, N. J., September 26, 1849. They have five children, viz. : Philip Henry, born October 25, 1869; Mary Louisa, born June 1, 1871; Edward B., born September 20, 1872; Maud E., born August 1, 1874; Ernest M., born June 25, 1876, and died June 3, 1877; Clyde W., born August 6, 1878. Mrs. Carter is a daughter of James and Sarah (Howe) May- hew. natives of New Jersey. He was a farm- er by occupation, born at Shiloh, N. J., in 1809, and died in 1858; she born in 1814, and is still living. Mr. Carter remained in Madison County, upon the farm, until 1870, when he removed to Raymond and opened a lumber yard, which was the first enterprise of the kind in the town. He continued in the business until the fall of 1872, when he sold out and entered into partnership with C. M. Davis in a general merchandising store. Two years later, he purchased his partner's interest, and continued in the business until 1878, when he disposed of his stock, since which time he has been engaged more or less extensively in dealing in stock. He has a small tract of land in the outskirts of the town of Raymond, upon which he has erected a fine dwelling, surrounded by a fine grove of maple trees, planted by himself. The prospects for Mr. Carter's residence becoming the finest place in Raymond are very flatter- ing. Mr. Carter has taken a great interest in the growth and prosperity of the town, and to him is aseribed the honor of having been the first Treasurer. He has also served upon the Town Board two years, and was Deputy Postmaster for about six years, at an early date in the town history. Politically, Mr. Carter has always been an exponent of the Democratic party. He is an energetic and enterprising business man, and socially
enjoys the highest esteem of the community. Upon his return from California, his trip was anything but pleasant, as he was called upon to pass through several perils. He purchased a ticket from San Francisco to New York. upon the steamer Daniel Webster: but, be- fore sailing, met a friend about to sail upon the steamer Moses Taylor. He disposed of his ticket, and took passage upon the Moses Taylor. Both steamers left the wharf the same day, and were caught in a storm in which the Daniel Webster was lost with all on board. The Moses Taylor, however, reached San Juan del Norte, although badly damaged. They erossed Lake Nicaragua in a terrible storm, and, while passing down Nicaragua River, ran on a shoal. The steam- er then had to be abandoned, and, after be- ing exposed eleven days to storms and hard- ships, with a scarcity of food, part of the time walking and part of the time in skiff's, reached Greytown, on the Atlantic shore, from which place he embarked upon the Santiago de Cuba, for New York; but again they were doomed to pass through a storm, which disabled the steamer, which was towed into port at Charleston, S. C. Having passed safely through the perils of the deep, he determined to finish his journey by rail, and the train upon which he was carried, while running at a high rate of speed, was thrown from the traek, killing four persons. Having escaped injury in all of these misfort- unes. he at last arrived home safely, after forty-nine days dangerous travel, the recol- lections of which trip are still fresh in his memory.
ROBERT CHISM, proprietor of the Ray- mond House, Raymond, was born in Grayson County, Ky., June 24, 1831, and was brought to Macoupin County, Ill., when one and a half years of age, and his education was re- ceived in the common schools of that county, N
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and his early childhood was spent upon the homestead farm, assisting his father in his agricultural pursuits. When he attained the age of twenty years, he entered upon the bat- tle of life for himself, continuing in the same occupation he had followed at home. until 1857, when he opened a hotel at Litchfield, Ill., where he remained one year: sold out, and again took upon himself the duties of a farm life, this time in Greene County, where guests and where he has succeeded in build- ing up a large and steadily increasing trade. He was married in Macoupin County, June 24, 1852, to Catharine Skaggs, a native of Kentucky, born in 1530. and died July 4, 1869, leaving to the care of her husband six children, viz .: Lizzie, Edward. Sophronia, Mally, Laura and Robert. Mr. Chism was again married in the same county, March 21, 1871, to Helen (Eubank) Reed, widow of A. he remained two years, and removed to Ma- | H. Reed, and daughter of Stephen G. and eoupin: remained there two years, then re- Sarah (Waggoner) Eubank, he a native of Tennessee. and died in 1972; she, born in Sangamon County, Ill., and is still living. Mrs. Chism was born in Menard County. Ill., August 31, 1846: she is the mother of three children, viz .: Alice Beryl, Bessie May and Sarah Grace. Although Mr. Chism does not take much interest in polities, he is identified with the Democratic party. He has been a member of the A., F. & A. M. for a number of years. turned to Montgomery County, where he re- mained three years. He then purchased a farin consisting of eighty acres of prairie and timber land, in Macoupin County, part of which was improved. and the balance of which was improved by himself. He re- mained upon this farm about twelve years, when he sold his property, and followed in the stream of emigrants westward, and event- nally located in Kansas, where he located 320 acres of land, and again opened a hotel. WILLIAM CHAPMAN, farmer. P. O. Raymond, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in England March 23. 1517. His father, Luke Chapman, was a native " of England. born in 1790, and was a me- chanie by occupation. Soon after the birth of William, he emigrated with his family to Virginia, where his death occurred in Janu- ary, 1939. His wife, Grace Reynolds, was also a native of England, born May 28. 1796. She died in Greene County. Ill., Au nist 20, 1871. She was the mother of six children, of whom William was the oldest child. His early life was spent in rendering what assis- tance he could to his parents, and attending school in the neighboring log schoolhouse, common at that early day, and to which his early educational privileges were limited. At the age of twenty years he had virtually reached his manhood, possessed with all the He remained in Kansas only two years, and then removed to Missouri, and found employ- ment in a machine shop, operated by the Missouri. Kansas & Texas Railroad Company. He remained in the employ of the company two years, at the end of which time he re- turned to Macoupin County, Ill., and again took up agricultural pursuits, Four years later, he removed to Raymond. and entered a hotel upon the 22d day of August, and on the same night the building was destroyed by fire with its contents, the inmates barely escaping. However, being an energetic and enterprising man. and possessing a stout heart, he did not give up to despair. but im- mediately commenced the erection of the building he now occupies, which he moved into about three months after the fire, and where he is now performing the duties of mine host in a manner pleasing to all his energy and enterprise of a man bound to
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