History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 85

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758

USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 85
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 85

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HARVEL TOWNSHIP.

of James E. Willis, a native of Kentucky, born July 23, 1820, came to White County, Ill., with his parents when a boy. In 1841, he went to Cape Girardeau, Mo., and in Sep- tember, 1845, was married to Miss J. Rosanna Short, a native of North Carolina. Father of our subject was born in New Hampshire, in 1802, and died in November, 1867. He was a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Macoupin County. He was a Republican, and a very resolute man in all of his busi- ness undertakings. Mother was born in 1505, in New Hampshire, and is now enjoying good health in Sheldon, Iowa. She is the mother of six children, four daughters and two boys, subject being the fifth child. He is an active member of the A., F & A. M. order: has been a member since 1863. Polit- ically, he is identified with the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have had two children, one of whom is living. Charley Willis died in infancy; Florence Rosana was born April 5, 1881.

HENRY AULL, retired farmer, Har- vel, was born in St. Clair County, Ill., Decem- ber 2, 1838, to Frederick and Elizabeth (Schrag) Aull. His education was limited to such as the common schools afforded. He remained at home to the age of twenty, when he left his home, at that time in Bond County, and returned to his native county, where he embarked on his career in life as a farm hand, but eventually settled in Montgomery County in May, 1862, and settled in Pittman Town- ship. By his industry and business habits, he succeeded in gaining a good property. His first purchase of land in Montgomery County was forty acres, and has at the pres- ent time about three hundred acres. Father was born in Germany in 1813, and during his life followed the occupation of a farmer; he died in 1858. His wife, and mother of subject, was born in Germany in IS19, and

died in 1857. She was the mother of eleven children, subject being the second child. Politically, independent.

FRANCIS M. COX, M. D., Harvel, was born in Montgomery County, Ill., November 18, 1853. His father, Tipton Cox, was born in Monroe County, Tenn., April 24, 1825. He was a farmer by occupation; came to Montgomery County in 1852, and settled near Donnellson, where his death occurred Febru- ary 12, 1880. He was in the Mexican war, and held a prominent position among the practical farmers of the county. His wife. Eliza Wilson, was also a native of Tennessee, born in [827, and died in 1869. She was the mother of eight children, of whom Fran- cis was the second child. His early educa- tion was received in the common schools of the county, and while out of school, he as- sisted his father upon the farm, where he re- mained until of age, when he began farming for himself, following in that occupation about five years, and two years of which, in addition to the duties of farming, he read medicine, and at the end of which time he entered the American Medical College, at St. Louis, where he graduated June 2, 1881, and received his degree as M. D. He located at Walshville, where he immediately entered upon the practice of his profession, and where he was very successful, and had a large ride. Six months later, he disposed of his practice, and located at Harvel, where he is successor to Dr. Matney, and where he is highly respected, not on account of his pro- fessional abilities alone, but owing to social qualities. He was married in his native county, January 28, 1875, to Miss Malissa Buzan, who was born in the same county De- cember 4, 1854. She has borne him two chil- dren, viz .: Norma D. and Walter E. Mrs. Cox is a daughter of Thomas and Mary A. (Moss) Buzan; he deceased in 1854; slie liv-

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ing. The Doctor has held the office of Town- ship Clerk of Grisham Township. Polit- ically, he is identified with the Republican party.

HENRY HAUPTMANN, hotel keeper and merchant, Harvel, was born in Germany April 3, 1833. He remained in Germany with his parents, receiving such an educa- tion as the common schools afforded. and learned the trade of a tailor with his father. In 1854, he emigrated to America and settled in New Orleans for a period of eight months; worked at his trade, and then removed to St. Louis, where he worked at his trade for one year and a half, and then removed to Morgan County, Ill., at Jacksonville, and there worked as a farm hand for three years, and then rented a farm and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits on his own account, and after renting there for seven years re- moved to Montgomery County in 1864, where he bought a farm of eighty acres of wild prairie, and by his energy and business habits, succeeded in accumulating over three hundred acres, and has been the owner of five different large tracts of land, being one of the men who has done much for the improve- ment of the county. In the fall of 1878, he started a hotel at Harvel. which he still con- tinnes in connection with his grain dealing, merchandising and meat market. In 1880, he sold out his land, his business in Harvel increasing to such proportions that he was compelled to retire from farming. In 1880, he built the large and commodious hotel he now occupies. In 1853, in Germany, he married Louisa Hilgenbaeumer; she died in 1873, aged fifty-six years. She bore him four children-Mary, Henry, George and Lizzie. In March, 1876, in Montgomery County, he married Mrs. Sophia Kalkhorst, born November 12, 1845; she has borne him three children-Lena, Charlie and Nettie.

Father was Henry Hauptmann, born in Ger- many in 1812, and during his life followed tailoring, and died about 1864. Mother died when he was only two weeks old. They were the parents of two children; subject the youngest child. Self and wife are religious- ly connected with the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Democrat.

WILLIAM F. JORDAN, farmer. P. O. Harvel, was born in Maryland September 1, 1825, and when ten years of age his parents went to Trumbull County, Ohio, where he received his education, and assisted his father upon the homestead until he was twenty-one years of age, when he came to Greene County, and eight years later removed to Montgomery County, and settled upon the farm where he now resides, and which was at that time un- broken prairie, and the house built at that time was the first in that portion of the county. He has since made all the improve- ments necessary for comfort, and which are usually found upon a well-regulated farm. His father, William Jordan, was born in Maryland April 11, 1796, and died May 23, 1870. His wife, Catharine Rummel, was also a native of Maryland, born April 6, 1797, and is still living. She is the mother of ten children, viz .: William F., our subject; Hiram W., born February 3, 1827, and died August 5, 1831; Mary A., born December 9, 1828; Elizabeth J., born February 1, 1830, and died November 8, 1854; Cyrus H., born August 3, 1831; Lewis W., born April 28, 1833; Catharine E., born June 28, 1834; Montgomery P., born October 11, 1836, and died November 15, 1838; Al- pheus C., born January 10, 1841; Emily A., born November 20, 1842, and died August 3, 1864. William, the eldest son, was married May 24, 1860, to Weltha Winn, who was born in Greene County. Ill., in 1840, in April. She is the mother of nine children living, viz .: Josephine, Henry, William, Charles,

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Marion, Cora, Birdie, George and Hardan. Politically, Mr. J. has been identified with the Republican party, but now his sympa- thios are with the Greenback party. Although he grows all the crops usually raised upon a farm, he makes a specialty of grain.

JOHN R. LEIGH, farmer, P. O. Raymond, was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., Jan- nary 28, 1846, to Samnel and Annie (Case) Leigh. He received his education from the common schools of his native county. His early days were spent upon the homestead farm. At the age of nineteen he left his home and removed to Jersey County, Ill., where he embarked on his career in life as a farm hand, and continued the same in that county for a period of seven years. In 1872, he bought 160 acres of unimproved land in Montgomery County, and removed to the same in the spring of 1873, where he has since remained engaged in agricultural pur- snits. He has, by his studied economy and business habits, succeeded in accumulating 240 acres of land, all of which are under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Leigh com- menced his life very poor, and, by his hard work, succeeded in accumulating a good property, and a name and reputation which is beyond reproach. He was married in 1869, in Jersey County, to Miss Carrie M. Davis, a daughter of Wilson Davis, a native of North Carolina, and among the first settlers of Jer- sey County. Mrs. Leigh was born in Jersey County, Ill., June 5, 1849. Subject's father was born in Hunterdon County, N. J., in 1804, and is now residing in New Jersey, where he has always been engaged as farmer and drover. His wife, and mother of our sub- ject, was born in New Jersey in 1806, and died April 16, 1882. She was the mother of six children, subject being the youngest child. He has held the offices of Road Commissioner and School Trustee. Politically, he is like

his father, his sympathies being with the Democratic party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Leigh is worthy of much credit for the interest he takes in all public improvements. He has met all the ups and downs of a business career, and now stands high in the estimation of his friends. Upon his farm he makes raising gram and hogs a specialty.

WILLIAM D. MATNEY, M. D., Harvel, was born in Shelby County, Ill., January 26, 1840. His early life was spent in assisting upon the homestead farm in the summer, and in winter attending the common schools of the county, where he received the foundation of his subsequent learning. He remained at home until twenty-one years of age, when he entered the service at the commencement of the rebellion, in Company K, Fifty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with Capt. T. C. Rodrig; regiment commanded by Col. Harris. He remained in the service until the close of the war, when he again took upon himself the duties of a farm life, following in that occupation about two years, when he began the study of medicine, and shortly after en- tered a drug store at Oconee Shelby County, where, in addition to the duties of the store, he continued the study of his profession. He remained in the drug business about five years, practicing a portion of the time. In August, 1875, he located at Harvel, Mont- gomery County; went before the State Board of Health, where he successful y passed ex- amination and received a license. Owing to his perfect knowledge of and the thorough manner in which he attended to his calling, he has been very successful and built up a large practice, the duties of which would fall heavily upon the shoulders of a man many years his senior. He has been twice married. His first marriage occurred in 1867, in Shel- by County, to Sarah E. Lowe, who was born

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in Johnson County, Ind,, January 28, 1840. | In the fall of 1875, he entered upon his ca- Her death occurred October 16, 1876, at Harvel. She was the mother of six children, all deceased except the oldest child, viz., Mary Ellen, born August 2, 1867. The Doctor was again married September 30, 1878, to Miss Drucilla C. Scott, who was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, April 23, 1854, to Jere- miah and Sarah (Davis) Scott, he deceased, she still living. The father of William D., our subject, Leonard Matney, was a native of Tennessee, born in 1811, a farmer by occu- pation, and was in the Mexican war. He died in September, 1847. His wife, Mary Burris, was a native of Kentucky, born in March, 1821, and still living, and is the mother of six children, of whom William D. was the second and the oldest living. He has held the office of Postmaster at Oconee for five years, and is the present Clerk of Harvel. Politically, his sympathies are with the Republican party; has been an active member of the Masonic order at Oconee for a number of years. The Doctor has also be- come a successful inventor, and at present holds a patent upon a burglar alarm, which is operated by means of electricity.

reer in life by embarking in the grain busi- ness, in partnership with Mr. Henry Niehaus, and conducted a successful business in the copartnership until 1879, when he bought out the interest of his partner, and has since conducted it alone. Although large at first, his business has steadily increased until the present time. It assumed large proportions, extending far into Christian and Montgomery Counties. They found markets at St. Louis and Toledo, and for the last few years at the latter place. In 1876, in Montgomery County, he married Miss Margaret Martindale, born March 1, 1858, a native of Indiana. They have two children-Henry F. and Roy. In politics, he is independent. His father was born in France, in 1809, and is now a resi- dent of Harvel. He has during his life fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. His wife, also, was a native of France, born in IS15. and is the mother of three children, two of whom are living. Stephen is a prominent far- mer of Christian County, and Augustus, who was murdered in 1866 by the Indians; served through the last rebellion, and entered as a volunteer soldier, and was mustered out as Second Lieutenant at the close of and in the year of 1866 removed to Kansas, where he was murdered by the Indians, in the same year. Our subject expects to remodel his large elevator, and embark in the milling business. Subject's father came first to America in 1830, and settled in Northern New York for two years, and then returned to France; married and came back to America in 1854.

H. C. MILLOT, grain dealer, Harvel, was born in France September 13, 1850. to Peter F. and Justine (Cary) Millot. He was brought to this country by his parents when but about four years of age. His parents first settled in the northern part of New York, in Jefferson County, where he received his common school education. In 1864, he came with his parents to Montgomery County. Here he attended the Blackburn University. at Carlinville, and afterward the Illinois In- ANDREW J. NASH, farmer and Justice of the Peace, was born in Edmonson County, Ky., February 29, 1832, to Lewis C. and Mil- le (Oller) Nash. He was born in Pulaski County, Ky., in April, 1807, and died in dustrial University, at Champaign, and Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, at Fort Edward, N. Y. Here he graduated in 1872, and then returned to the Blackburn University, where he attended for two terms, and left in 1874. . Harvel, Ill., February 17, 18S1. He was by

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occupation a blacksmith. She was born in Illinois in 1814, and is now a resident of Harvel. They were the parents of thirteen children, of whom Andrew J. was the second child. His early life was spent in receiving an education and assisting his father in the blacksmith shop. In 1848, with his parents, removed to Grayson County, Ky. In 1849, he embarked on his career in life as a farmer. In the fall of 1851, removed to Wayne County, Ill .; in June, 1854, removed to Ma- coupin County, Ill .; in 1869, removed to Christian County, and there remained en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until Febru- ary, 1879, when he removed to his present residence, where he has since remained en- gaged in farming in connection with his official duties, In Christian County, in May, 1877. he was elected Constable, and at the same time was appointed Deputy Sheriff, which offices he held for two years. In Har- vel he is now holding the office of Justice of the Peace, in connection with several minor offices. In Grayson County, Ky., April 4, 1849, he married Miss Sarah Haynes, a na- tive of the same county, born March 1, 1830. They are the parents of nine children, three of whom are now living-George W., born July 22. 1851, and died August 18, 1874; Paradine, now the wife of John A. Tosh, and residing near Grayville, Ill .; Lucinda, now the wife of Charles A. Varner, and residing in the county; Franklin E., at home; and Millie J., James M., Mary E., Arthur B. and Herchel, who are dead. Mr. Nash is an ac tive member of the I. O. O. F., at Har- vel Lodge, No. 607. In politics, he is iden- tified with the Democrat party. Mr. Nash is regarded as an honest, fair-minded, liberal in his views, genial and gentlemanly in his so- cial relations and an industrious, public spirited citizen.

ROBERT S. NELSON, grain and produce

dealer, Harvel, was born near Brighton, Ma- coupin Co., Ill., March 9, 1837, to Robert S. and E. (Kelsey) Nelson. He was a native of New Hampshire, and was one of the early settlers of Macoupin County, having settled there long before a railroad intersected that part of the State. His death occurred in 1857. She was also a native of New Hamp- shire. Her death occurred in 1857. She was the mother of six children, of whom Robert S., our subject, was the youngest child. He spent his boyhood days in assisting his father in farming, and receiving such an ed- ucation as the common schools of the neigh- borhood afforded. His first enterprise for himself was at Irving, Ill., where he entered upon his business career in the grain and ag- ricultural business. He remained there two years, and then sold his interest to William Chamberlin and removed to Litchfield, where he engaged in the same business, but re- mained only one year, when he removed to Harvel and erected a large grain elevator, and continued as a grain and produce dealer. His business, although large at the start, has been steadily increasing until now it has as- sumed very large proportions, and his custom extends far into Montgomery and Christian Counties. In 1879, he entered into partner- ship in the agricultural implement business with Mr. C. H. Adams, which he continues in connection with his other business. Mr. Nelson was married in Litchfield, Ill., April 4, 1872, to Miss Harriet A. Jones, who was born in Carrollton, Greene Co., Ill., May 23, 1850. They have but one child, R. S. Kent Nelson. Mr. Nelson in social life is one of the most genial of men, liberal in his views, and gentlemanly in his social relations. As a citizen, he is enterprising and public- spirited, and has ever taken a leading part in all matters calculated to advance the material interests of his town and county.

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HENRY NIEHAUS, retired farmer, P. O. Harvel, was born in Germany in April, 1814. Henry Niehaus, the father of this gentleman, was also born in Germany, in 1776, and died in 1836. During his life, he followed the occupation of a farmer. His wife, and mother of Henry, was named Miss Slater. She was born in Germany in 1799, and died in 1854. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Henry Niehans was the second child. He received his education from the common schools of his native country, and began life by working as a farm hand in Germany, which he there continued until 1855, when he emigrated to America, and first settled at St. Louis, Mo., for a period of three months, and then re- moved to Morgan County, Ill., rented a farm, and began farming on his own account, and continued the same for eight years. In 1863, he removed to Montgomery County, where he bought a small farm. By his energy and business habits, he succeeded in accumulating over seven hundred and sixty acres of land, upon which he made all necessary improve- ments. In 1877, in connection with his farm duties, built a large elevator at Harvel, and embarked in the grain business in partnership with Mr. Millot, but in the year 1879 sold ont to his partner and retired from active labor, he having disposed of all his real es- tate at that time. In 1839, in Germany, he married Miss Katharine Hieselman. She died in 1868, aged sixty years. The result of this union was three children, of whom Mena and Katharine are living, and residents of Montgomery County. Mr. Niehaus has lived a blameless life, and, as he sits down at nightfall, around the domestic hearth, he has the proud consciousness of knowing that he has wronged no one (at least intentionally), and that his peace is made with the Great King of kings beyond the shores of time.

Thus does he live, and thus he awaits the last great change, which his locks, now whitened by the frosts of nearly seventy winters, indicate is not far distant.

JOHN W. PETRIE, M. D., Harvel, was born in North Carolina November 7, 1832. His early life was spent upon his father's farm and in receiving his early education, the foundation of his subsequent learning. At the age of twenty-two years, he began the study of medicine, but soon after entered upon an extended tour through Central America, Great Britain, New Mexico, and eventually located in California, where he re- mained about five years, engaged at different times in mining, surveying, and upon a ranch. In the fall of 1860, he came to Mont- gomery County. Ill., near Hillsboro, where he entered upon the practice of his profession four years later, having spent most of the time in study at the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated in 1866 and received his diploma. In Febru- ary, 1866, he went to Taylorville, remained two years, and then removed to Palmer, where he entered upon the practice of his profes- sion, and remained twelve years, and during the time was very successful, having built up a large practice, the result of his knowledge of and his close attention to his calling. In the fall of 1881, he removed to Harvel, where his success has followed him, and where he has gained the highest esteem, socially. of the people, and professionally the good-will of all. His father, John Petrie, was a native of North Carolina, where he was born in the year 1778, and where he followed the occu- pation of blacksmithing and farming to the time of his death, which occurred April 4, 1872. His wife, Elizabeth Jordan, was also a native of North Carolina, born May 1, 1792, and died in 1864. They were the parents of eight children, of whom John W. was the

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seventh child. He was married in Montgom- ery County June 16, 1861, to Miss Mournen Franklin, who died in 1863. She was the mother of one child, whe died in infancy. The Doctor was married again in October, 1869, to Anna O'Rourke, a native of Ireland, and who has borne him seven children, viz., Ulysses S., David A., Henderson C., Scott T., Elery E., Margaret E. and Albert R, all of whom are living. The Doctor has been a member of the I. O. O. F., and the Encamp- ment and Grand Lodge.

HERMAN POGGENPOHL, farmer. P. O. Harvel. was born in Prussia, Germany, March 7, 1833, where his early life was spent in at- tending the common schools of his native country and assisting his father upon the farm. At the age of eighteen, his father sent him to America to view the New World. His expectations were more than realized, and two years later his parents followed him and entered 160 acres of land in Montgomery County, where they were among the first to break and improve the wild prairie. Francis Poggenpohl, the father of Harmon, was born in Prussia, Germany. and died soon after his arrival in America. His wife, Maggie Gunka, was also a native of Germany, and died in 1874. She was the mother of six children, of whom Herman was the oldest child. After the death of his father, he bought the in- terests of the balance of the family, and en- tered upon his career in life as a farmer, at which he has since continued, and at which he has been more than ordinarily successful, making all the improvements himself, and has by his energy and industry accumulated about seven hundred acres of land, nearly all under cultivation. All the surroundings on Mr. Poggenpohl's property show him to be a practical farmer, and well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held by the community socially. In 1973, he returned to his native

country upon a visit, remaining there two months. In 1855, he was married to Dena Brokamp, who was born in Germany and brought to America when a child. She died in 1872, leaving to his care six children, viz., Henry, deceased at the age of eighteen years; Mary, wife of L. Young; John, at home; Lizzie, at home; Tony, at home; Maggie, at home. Mr. P. was again married in 1871 to Ragena Musshafer, also a native of Germany, born June 7, 1852. She has borne him six children, viz., Frankie, Christina, Lena, Anna, Kattie and Charles. Politically. Mr. P. is identified with the Democratic party. Himself and family are connected with the Catholic Church.

GEORGE J. RAMSEY, druggist and hard- ware, Harvel. William Hamilton Ramsey, the father of this gentleman, was a native of Pennsylvania. During his life has been engaged in agricultural pursuits; is now a resident of Milroy, Penn. His wife, and mother of George J., was Mary Rarer, a na- tive of Pennsylvania; she is the mother of nine children, of whom George J. Ramsey is the fourth child. He was born in Pennsylvania September 17, 1849. He was raised upon a farm, and remained upon the old homestead with his parents during his school days. At the age of twenty-five, he entered a drug store at Irving, Ill., as clerk, where he remained two years, and then removed to Harvel and engaged in the same business on his own ac- count, and has by his energy and close atten- tion to business succeeded in building up a large and increasing trade. In 1880, he added to his business a full line of hardware and agricultural implements, taking into partnership a year later Mr. Clisby Sims, in the agricultural department. Mr. Ramsey has a thorough knowledge of business, and possesses the faculty of making himself agree- able to the public, and socially enjoys the

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History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 85

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 758

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758