USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 92
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 92
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built after his own design, and does honor to him as an architect, and his residence is spoken of as one of the finest in the town- ship. He was married in Montgomery County, April 29, 1874, to Miss Martha J. Wilson, who was born in Montgomery County March 14, 1857. She is the mother of one child, Joseph C., born February 8, 1875. Mrs. McDavid is a daughter of Joshua H. and Sarah (Hutchison) Wilson, natives of Illinois, both deceased. Mrs. McDavid is connected with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. McDavid's sympathies are with the Democratic party.
HIRAM SHEPHERD, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery County, Ill., August 18, 1830, to Pleasant and Anna (Brown) Shepherd. He was born in North Carolina in 1803. When quite a young man he emigrated to Kentucky after a period of seven years; there married and removed to Illinois, and settled in Fillmore Township, Montgomery County. During his life he fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. In the fall of 1832, he sold his property in Mont- gomery County, and returned to Kentucky, Adair County, and in the spring of 1833, returned to Montgomery County and settled in North Litchfield Township. Here he re- mained to the time of his death, which oc- curred April 10, 1834; at the time of his death he owned a farm of 120 acres. His wife, and mother of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1804, and died in 1848. She was the mother of eight children, Hiram Shepherd being the fifth child. His early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of his day afforded, and in assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm. In his eighteenth year he was left an orphan, and at that age embarked on his career in life as a hired hand, which he followed for one year, when he worked a farm
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on shares. In 1852, he went to California, and there followed gold mining. In 1854, he returned to Montgomery County, Ill., and embarked in a saw-mill business, near Litch- field. In 1856, he bought eighty acres of land, but soon traded the same for a 100- acre tract of partially improved prairie. He remained upon his farm about three years, when he sold out and bought 100 acres of the same farm he is now residing on. By his energy and business habits, he has succeeded in accumulating 200 acres of well-improved land, upon which he raises all farm products, but makes wheat, corn and oats a specialty, and aims to keep his farm well stocked. On October 21, 1857, in Montgomery County, he married Miss Nancy A., daughter of James and Sarah (Beer) Williams. Mrs. Shepherd was born in Washington County, Ill., Decem- ber 10, 1832. She is the mother of nine children, viz., Anna E., Sarah E., Martha J., John P., Rosa A., Lillie L., Charles H., Hiram F. and Edward E. Politically, Mr. Shepherd is identified with the Democratic party.
JOEL C. TRAYLOR, farmer, P. O. Hills- boro, was born in Shelby County, Ky., Oeto- ber 6, 1814, to James and Nancy (Cardwell) Traylor. natives of Virginia. He died about 1850, aged about sixty-five; was a farmer by occupation. She died about 1822, aged about thirty years. She was the mother of four children, two of whom are still living, viz .. William and Joel. The subject was educated in the common schools of his native State. When ten years of age, he engaged to learn the trade of harness-making; came to Mont- gomery County in 1844, and settled upon his present place of residence, and has been en- gaged in merchandising. His farm consists of about three hundred acres, which are worked by his children under his management. In 1874. he was appointed Postmaster, the office
being in his house, and known as Ester Post Office. He was married in Kentucky to Julia Gibbs, a native of Kentucky, who died in 1845. His second marriage occurred April 3, 1846, to Sarah A. Ohmart, born in Ohio February 18, 1828. She is the mother of thirteen children, viz., Andrew J., George, Margaret, Joel C., Jr., Harriet, Mahlon, Jacob L., Robert J., Elva A., Bunyan H., Mary F., Clement A., infant son deceased. Seven of these children are now living. Mr. Traylor has served the people as Justice of the Peace about thirty years, and as Town- ship Treasurer about twenty years. Polit- ically, he is a Democrat; religiously, he is a Universalist.
AARON C. WILLIAMS, music teacher and farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Orange, Essex Co., N. J., August 13, 1830, to Ebenezer and Abigail (Crane) Williams. This family is of Welsh descent, amd emi- grated to America early in the sixteenth century. Matthew Williams, the first, was born in 1651; supposed to have been born at Branford, Conn .; died in 1732. His wife, Ruth, died July 27, 1724, aged sixty- seven years. Matthew, the second, was born in Newark, N. J., in 1694, and died in 1772. His wife was Abby Brown, daughter of Thomas Brown. Isaac Williams was the oldest son of their six children, born Novem- ber 6, 1722, and was the paternal great- grandfather of our subject. His wife was Eunice Pierson; they had eight children; Aaron was the fifth child; he was born July 5, 1759; married Mary Dodd, by whom he had five children, three of whom lived to be over eighty years of age. Ebenezer, the father of our subject, was the second son. born January 7, 1792. He was a carpenter by occupation, and served his apprenticeship in the city of New York. He died February 14, 1874. Two brothers and one sister of
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his were born, and lived to a good old age, and eventually died in the same house. His wife, Abigail B. Crane, was born in 1795, and is still living. She is the mother of nine children, only four of whom are now living, and of whom Aaron, the subject of this sketch, is next to the youngest child living. His early childhood was employed in attend- ing the public schools of his native county, and in working with his father at his trade. At the age of eighteen he commenced the study of music, and soon after began to teach the same in the city of New York, where he remained until ill health compelled him to give up that occupation. In 1854, he turned his face toward the setting sun, and located in Jacksonville, III., where he again began to teach music, at which occupation he continued until 1871, in many of the principal cities of the East and West, viz., New York, Chicago, St. Louis, Quincy, Springfield and Jacksonville. In the spring of 1871, he went to Montgom- ery, Ill., where he purchased 160 acres of land, and in connection with the duties of his profession, he engaged in farming. He has now in his possession a farm consisting of 233 acres of choice farm land, located about two miles east of Hillsboro. In the spring of 1882, he erected a large and com- modious farm residence, which is an honor to him as an architect, and is spoken of as one of the finest farmhouses in the county. He was married in Hillsboro, November 25, 1864, to Miss Jane Elizabeth Brown, a native of Montgomery County, born January 8, 1837. They have four children living, viz., Edward E., Margaret A., Mary G., Alfred A. and Elizabeth Jeanette, who died in infancy. Mrs Williams was a daughter of Maj. Will- iam and Elizabeth (Craig) Brown, natives of North Carolina, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Presby- terian Church. Politically, Mr. Williams is
identified with the Republican party. He is one of those men who always take part in all progressive movements favoring the im- provement of the county, and especially in the advancement of religious and educational privileges, and is a warm advocate of the cause of temperance.
ROBERT A. WILLIAMSON, farmer, P. O. Hillsboro, was born in Montgomery County, Ill., March 12, 1837. This family are of Irish descent, and emigrated to America at a very early day in this country's history. The paternal grandfather of our subject was born in Virginia, where he carried on farming, and raised a family of nine children, with whom he removed to Montgomery County, Ill., in the year 1835, where he died Septem- ber 20, 1861, aged about seventy years. His wife, Jane Davidson, is of Welsh descent. and was born March 15, 1797, and is still living, enjoying as good, if not better, health, than persons usually do who have attained her age. Of her once large family six are still living, and of whom John, the father of our subject, was the oldest child, and was born December 15, 1814, and since he came to Montgomery County with his parents has continued in the county, engaged more or less extensively in farming, and was at one time considered one of the leading men of the county, but has, to a certain extent, re- tired from active labor and given way to younger men, who may never be able to dis- play more energy, enterprise and general ac- tivity than has Mr. Williamson, who, at the present time, is enjoying good health, and bids fair to live still many years, surrounded by his children, and enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life and successful career. His wife, Nancy G. Card, was born in Kentucky February 14, 1819, is still living, and is also hale and hearty. She is the mother of eleven children, of whom five are still living, viz.,
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Robert A., our subject; Otis M. (see history); Cynthia J., wife of H. M. Ludewick; William C., a farmer living in Butler Township; Arra E., wife of W. C. Woodward, living on the homestead. Robert A., the oldest child and subject of this sketch, remained upon the homestead farm until he reached the age of twenty years, assisting his father in his agri- cultural pursuits, and in attending school in the neighboring log schoolhouse, to which his educational privileges were limited. He has, however, by contact with the world, close ob- servation and reading, succeeded in obtaining more than an ordinary practical education. He entered upon his career in life as a house builder, comparatively a poor man; but, hav- ing a stout heart and an energetic spirit, he determined to make his own way in the world. He remained engaged in house building in different localities for abont twelve years, and then went to Colorado, where he remained two years engaged in mining. He then entered the service during the rebellion in Company H, One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with Capt. James G. Seward; regiment com- manded by Col. D. C. Smith. He remained in the service until the close of the war, when
he returned home, and took upon himself the duties of a farm life, at which he has since remained engaged. He has sixty-nine acres of choice farm and timber land under a high state of cultivation, which shows Mr. Will- iamson to be a practical farmer. Although he grows all the usual farm crops, he makes a specialty of grain, and raising stock in a small way. He was married in Montgomery County, September 20, 1866, to Mary E. (Cress) Ludewick, who was born August 18, 1838. She is the mother of two living chil- dren, viz., Della Heed and Katy Hays; four children died in infancy. Mrs. Williamson is a daughter of Absalom C. and and Katy (Fogleman) Cress, natives of North Carolina, deceased. Religiously, Mr. and Mrs. Will- iamson are connected with the Lutheran Church. He is also a member of the A., F. & A. M. at Irving. Politically, he is identified with the Republican party. He is an energetic and enterprising man, and socially enjoys the highest esteem of the en- tire community. He is a public-spirited man, always interested in any county or pub- lic enterprise, and for the advancement of religious and educational privileges.
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FILLMORE TOWNSHIP.
JOSEPH T. ALEXANDER, farmer, P. | been Commissioner six years, and filled other O. Fillmore, was born in this county Sep- offices of township. He belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, and is identified with the Democratic party. tember 17, 1834, and was raised to a life of farming; was educated in the common schools of the county, and commenced busi- LYMAN C. ALLEN, Fillmore, was born in New Hampshire in the year 1836; worked with his parents until twenty-one years of age, and entered on his business career as a school teacher, and followed that profession for several years. He went to Minnesota in 1860, and pre-empted 160 acres of land, im- proved it, and remained there five years, at the expiration of which time he came back to Montgomery County, Ill., and settled on the 1 farm on which he now resides, on which he has erected a good dwelling and barn, with all other buildings necessary for comfort and convenience. His farm contains 330 acres of good, tillable land; he also owns 400 acres of good farming and stock land in Minne- sota. He married in Montgomery County in 1864, Miss Alice D. Bliss. She was born in this State in March, 1843, and was the mother of four children; she died in June. 1879. Her father, a native of Vermont, her mother born in New Hampshire are now living in this State. His second wife, Emeline Rus- sell, was born in this State in February, 1846; was married in January, 1881. Her father, William Russell, was a farmer by oc- cupation; her mother is still living in Mont- gomery County. Winslow Allen, the father of subject, was born in New Hampshire in the year 1800; was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1859. His wife, Nancy (Grout) Allen, was also born in New Hampshire in the year 1803, and died in 1856. She was. ness for himself as a farmer, and inherited sixty acres of land, unimproved, on which he built all necessary improvements, and re- mained there sixteen years, and added to that forty acres, making one hundred acres in the tract; sold, and bought the place on which he now resides, and has erected a very ele- gant dwelling with all the necessary out- buildings, and has a beautiful location, the land being rolling enough to drain well, which makes it valuable, and was married in Fayette, May 3, 1859, to Miss Irene Wright. She was born in this State July 23, 1839, to Joseph Wright. Her father was born in Kentucky in 1813; was a farmer by occupa- tion, and died November 27, 1873. Rebecca Kirk, her mother, was born in Tennessee in the year 1810, and died in the year 1876. They reared a family of six children, all liv- ing. Richard Alexander, the father of sub- ject, was born in Tennessee Jannary 10, 1810, and was a farmer by occupation. He came to this State when quite a boy, and en- listed in a company of rangers against the Indians, and lived and died on the place now owned by subject. His death occurred about May 12, 1874. Sarah Whitten was the mother of six children, the subject being the oldest child. and he has a family of four children, whose names are as follows: Eveline C., Easton W., Sarah R. and Homer L .; was elected Assessor and served one year, and has
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the mother of eleven children, the subject being the sixth child, and he has a family of three children (one deceased), named as follows: Ned B., Jesse A. and Carlos E. Mr. Allen has been Supervisor for two years; he is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Lutheran Church.
AARON G. BUTLER, farmer, P. O. Fill- more, was born in Tennessee January 1, 1838; was raised,on a farm; educated in the common schools of the country, and remained with his father until twenty-one years of age. He began business for himself as a farmer, in this State. in 1860, with an uncle in Fayette County, with whom he remained about two years; then came to Montgomery County, and settled on the farm on which he now lives, which contains about six hundred and forty acres of land, four hundred of which are under cultivation, and has all necessary improvements. He also owns seventy acres of land in Fayette County, also improved. He married in Montgomery County in 1863. Miss Jane Casey, born in that county in the year 1847. Her father, John Casey, born in Kentucky November 26, 1825, a farmer by occupation, died August 5, 1863. His wife, Louisa McCaslin, was born in Tennessee November 29, 1825, and died in September, 1868. Calvin J. Butler, the father of subject, a farmer, born in Tennessee, died about 1872. Martha J. Hix, subject's mother, also a native of Tennessee, died about the year 1868. She was the mother of eight children, the subject being the second child, and he has a family of three children, viz., Charlie L., Ora and J. L. S. Mr. Butler was elected Sheriff in 1878, and served one term; has also been Supervisor two terms. He is a hospitable, genial and accommodating gen- tleman, and has a high social standing in his community. He is a Democrat, and a member of the A., F. & A. M. His wife is a Methodist.
LEVI HILL, farmer, P. O. Fillmore, was born in this county and State in the year 1825, and commenced life as a farmer. His father gave him 100 acres of land, and he has added to that until he has reached the handsome estate of 290 acres, on which he has erected a good and comfortable dwelling and barn, with all necessary improvements, and was married in this county in the year 1848, to Miss Wilmoth (Landers) Hill. She was born in this State in the year 1831. Henry Landers, her father, was born in Ken- tucky, and died in 1842. Elizabeth Hinton, her mother, was born in North Carolina, and died about 1868. She was the mother of six children, one deceased. Henry Hill em- igrated to this State from Kentucky in 1816; he was a farmer by occupation; he entered quite a large tract of land; died April 5. 1855. Mary Prater, his mother, was born November 6, 1803; she died April 16, 1842. She was the mother of twelve children, the subject being the third of the family, and he has a family of seven children, three deceased; names as follows: Mary Hill, December 8, 1849; Henry E. Hill, July 11, 1851; Simeon M., December 15, 1852; Martha, January 22, 1857; Sarah, June 23, 1858; Orlena. Feb- ruary 10, 1860; Illinois, November 17, 1861; Layfayette, August 21, 1863; Celeste, July 9, 1868; Theodore Hill, born Angust 13, 1869.
SQUIRE HILL, farmer, P. O. Fillmore, was born in Montgomery County, Ill., Janu- ary 17, 1844, and inherited 160 acres of land, located in Fillmore Township, on which were no improvements. This he sold and bought a place containing 160 acres of unimproved land, which he improved and lived upon about four years; sold out and bought the place on which he now resides, which con- tains 160 acres of good, fertile land, on which he has erected a fine dwelling and barn, with all necessary ontbuildings. The farm is lo-
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cated on Section 33, Town S, Range 2, about twelve miles east and sonth of Hillsboro. He was married in Fayette County October 22, 1868, to Miss Mary L. Bost, born in Fayette County in 1849. Her father, Henry Bost, was born in North Carolina about 1826; was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1876. Her mother, Elizabeth (Harris) Bost, was born in Illinois. Henry Hill, the father of subject, was born in Kentucky; his wife was born in North Carolina. She was the mother of six children, the subject being the youngest child. He has a family of three children, one deceased, named as follows: Ollie O., born September 5, 1869; Henry C., born October 29, 1873; Anna E., deceased, born February 28, 1876, died August 26, 1876; Mary E. was born April 19, 1878. He has been Supervisor of this township for two terms. He enlisted in Company E, First Illinois Cavalry, in 1862, Capt. Paul Walters; principally on escort duty, and served a short time. He has been always identified with the Democratic party; has taken great interest in public improvements, and the advancement of agricultural interests.
DR. JOHN T. HENDRIX, Fillmore, was born in Tennessee in 1845. Har- rison Hendrix, his father, a merchant, was born in Tennessee. Editha Taylor, his mother, was a descendant of President Tay- lor, and was the mother of four children, the subject being the second child. He was raised near Elizabethton, Tenn., and re- mained with his father until sixteen years of age. He then entered the Confederate army, in Company C, First Regiment Ten- nessee Artillery; was taken prisoner at the siege of Vicksburg; had taken part in several previous engagements; was sent to St. Louis prison, but, through the influence of Presi- dent Johnson, was released in a short time. He remained in St. Louis six months after
being released from prison; then came to Montgomery County, and settled in East Fork Township. He was married in 1865 to Miss Clotilda B. Coffeen, born in Jefferson County, N. Y., in the year 1850. She was the mother of five children, all living. She died March 9, 1875. His second wife, Dorcas F. Bost, was born in Illinois in the year 1857. Her father, Martin Bost, born in North Carolina. died about the year 1872. Hannah J. Bost, her mother, born in New Hampshire, is still living. Subject commenced the study of medicine in 1873, with Drs. Hanes & Wash- burn, of Hillsboro; remained with them three years; then attended Medical College in St. Louis, Mo .. in 1877, and graduated at Keo- kuk, Iowa, in 1878. He first settled at Fair- view, in June, 1879, and remained there un- til October; then removed to the place where he now resides, and bought fifteen acres of land, and has it well improved with all con- veniences necessary. He is highly esteemed as a man, as well as a physician; has a good practice.
G. W. ISBELL, farmer, P. O. Hurricane. was born in Fayette County, in the year I833, and has a good practical education. He commenced business as a farmer. and took charge of his father's farm at the age of fifteen years (his father being an invalid), and remained in charge until twenty-three years of age. He then married and moved to Montgomery County, where he now re- sides. His first purchase of land was sixty acres, which were partially improved, to which he has added until he has reached the hand- some estate of 235 acres of good, tillable land, on which he has erected a fine house, barn and outbuildings. It is considered one among the best improved places in the vicin- ity. He also owns, in Fayette County, 440 acres of land, the most of which is in a good state of cultivation. He was married in
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Fayette County, in 1856, to Miss Mahala Hill. She was born in Kentucky; is the mother of six children, four of whom are liv- ing. She died in May. 1873. Her mother, a native of Kentucky, is still living in Fayette County, Ill. His second wife, Theresa (Elam) (Mason) Isabell, was born in Bond County, Ill .. in 1848; married in Bond County in 1973. Her parents were natives of North Carolina, and both are now living in Bond County. James Elam, her father, is a minister of the Gospel. Paschal Isbell, the father of subject, was born in Kentucky in 1807. a farmer by occupation, and emigrated to this State in 1828 or 1829; settled in Fayette County, Ill., and died there in April, 1879. Clarissa (Seers) Elam, the mother of subject, was born in Kentucky in 1809, and is the mother of fourteen children, the subject being the fourth child. He has a family of seven children, five living, viz .: Diana, Melvina. William Jackson, Lewis, Jasper (de- ceased). Jennie; one died in infancy. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church; he is a Democrat. He has always been an advocate in favor of public improvements and agricult- ural interests. He started out to battle with the world without anything, but, being pos- sessed of a stout heart and an indomitable energy, he has accumulated quite a fortune.
JOHN H. KNOWLES, farmer, P. O. Fill- more, born in Piermont, Grafton Co., N. H., March 16, 1822: raised on the farm. His boyhood days were spent in assisting his father; educated in the common schools of the country; entered on his business career as a farmer; brought to this county by his parents in 1838; settled near Fillmore Town- ship, his father having bought land there, when subject commenced farming; stayed about three years; sold out and went to Vera; bought a half-interest in a mill, and operated that four years; sold out and bought a farm
about a mile from the mill, containing 280 acres of land; remained there two years; and bought the place where he now lives, con- taining 260 acres of land. He has all nec- essary improvements on the farm, and which is in a good state of cultivation. Subject was married at Vandalia, Ill., December 27, 1843, to Miss Sarah A. Casebeer, born in New Philadelphia, Ohio, March 1, 1827. Her father, Christian Casebeer, a farmer and mill- wright, born in Somerset County, Penn .. February 1, 1803, and died October 8, 1849. His wife, Rosanna (Willson) Casebeer, still living, was born near Pittsburgh, Penn., May 17, 1807. The father of subject, Joseph Knowles, born in New Hampshire April 1, 1783, a farmer by occupation, died February 15, 1860. His mother, Hannah (Haines) Knowles, also a native of New Hampshire, born July 12, 1787, died October 31, 1845; was the mother of eight children, the subject being the fifth child. He has a family of four children, Dianna J., Lillie G. and Adel G., and one child deceased. He has been Deputy Sheriff and Constable for five years; also School Trustee for a number of years; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a Mason and a Democrat; grandfather was in the Revolutionary war.
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