USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 46
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HI. O. CLARK.
The livery business engages the attention of Hi. O. Clark, who formerly de- voted his energies to agricultural pursuits in which he met with success. He is one of Macoupin county's sons, his birth having occurred in Gillespie on the 9th of November, 1863, his parents being John J. and Melvina (Huddleston) Clark. When a lad of seven years the father migrated from Kentucky to Illinois with his parents, who located on a farm in the vicinity of Gillespie, in 1829. There the father devoted his attention to farming until his demise, which occurred before he had attained middle age. John J. Clark, who was the fourth in order of birth of the eight children born unto his parents grew to manhood on his father's farm, obtaining his education in the district schools. The other members of the family were as follows : Margaret, James, Robert, Benjamin, Joseph, Samuel and Susan, the wife of James Estabrook of Morrisonville, Illinois. When old enough to be- gin his independent career as an agriculturist, John J. Clark purchased forty acres of land and after clearing disposed of it and purchased an eighty acre tract. He was a successful farmer and at one time owned four hundred and sixty acres of land in Gillespie and Brushy Mound townships. During the latter years of his life he divided his holdings among his children and removed to Gillespie, where he passed away in 1903 at the age of eighty-one. The mother had died ten years previously. She was a daughter of John Huddleston and a native of Kentucky, whence she came to Illinois with her parents, who were among the pioneer set- tlers of Brushy Mound township. There the father acquired government land which he cleared and improved, he and the mother continuing to make their home on the farm until they passed away. at a ripe old age. Their family consisted of Samuel, Melvina, Lydia, Elizabeth, Melinda, Ellen and Robert. John J. Clark was one of the highly respected and esteemed citizens of Macoupin county. In matters of religion his views coincided with the principles of the Universalist church, with which denomination he is affiliated.
To Mr. and Mrs. John J. Clark were born six sons and three daughters : Lee, who is a resident of Kansas City, Missouri; Mark W., who is living in Gillespie township; Ariet, the wife of Eugene Crawford, of Gillespie ; Mc., who is living in St. Louis ; Cora B., the wife of George Wilson, of Brushy Mound township; Hi. O., our subject ; Schuyler C., a resident of Underwood, Washington; Nettie B., the wife of George Schmidt, of Gillespie ; and Meade, who is living in Fresno, California.
The early years in the life of Hi. O. Clark were spent on the farm where he was born, his education being pursued in the district schools of the vicinity. Just prior to his marriage his father gave him some financial assistance, enabling him to purchase eighty acres of partially improved land. Here he located and for eleven years successfully engaged in the operation of his farm. In 1903 he
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sold his place and removing to Gillespie went into the livery business with which he was identified for six years. Disposing of his interests there, he came to Car- linville, in August, 1909, where he has followed the same business. His stable is thoroughly equipped with a fine line of vehicles and a good grade of horses, which are well kept, enabling him to accommodate his patrons with attractive turnouts.
On the 24th of February, 1892, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Kate Combes, a daughter of Edwin S. and Julia (Snyder) Combes. Mrs. Clark was born in Hilyard township, this county, her parents being among the pioneer settlers of that vicinity. There were five children in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Combes : Mary, Kate, Grace, Lloyd and Carrie, all of whom are living, as are the parents. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Clark spent their latter years in Ma- coupin county, having attained a ripe old age at the time of their demise. They had two sons and a daughter: Edwin, Daniel and Carrie, the wife of Abraham Richards. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Clark has been blessed by the birth of one son, Lloyd O.
Mr. Clark is an ardent advocate of the principles of the republican party, and has served as road commissioner and school director. Although he has been con- nected with the business circles of Carlinville but for a brief period, it has been of sufficient length for him to manifest those qualities which will enable his busi- ness to develop and prosper.
WILLIAM FEELY.
The commercial fraternity of Scottville has long numbered among its miem- bers William Feely, who was born in Cole county, Missouri, on the 12th of March, 1849. His parents were Henry and Rebecca (Wade) Feely, the father, who was a farmer, passed away in Texas in 1911, while the mother died during the early childhood of our subject.
The country schools qualified William Feely educationally for the practical responsibilities of life, while his father's farm gave him ample opportunity for acquiring a thorough knowledge of agriculture. In the early '6os he came to Ma- coupin county and went to work on the farm of Sergeant Gobble, in whose em- ployment he remained for three or four years. He subsequently withdrew from agricultural pursuits and went into a store with the intention of fitting himself for a mercantile career. After clerking for twelve years he decided to go into business for himself. He was associated in this venture first with F. G. Ogg, who later sold his interest to Albert Ogg. The latter after being identified with the enterprise for five or six years disposed of his share of the business to Mr. Feely, who now for more than twenty years has been the only person interested in the establishment. He has a very good stand being located about one block east of their original site, and conducts his business very similar to a general store, but his stock consists only of drugs, groceries, hardware, queensware and boots and shoes.
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For his wife Mr. Feely chose Miss Delia Gobble, a daughter of Sergeant Gobble, and to them were born two children: O. W., who is in the Modesto bank; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Feely later married Miss Emma Jackson, a daughter of John Jackson of Scottsville, and they had two children: Lela, who died in infancy ; and H. D., who married Jane Dowland, a daughter of W. Dow- land, and is in the store with his father.
Mr. and Mrs. Feely affiliate with the Christian church, while fraternally he is connected with the Masonic order, being a member of Scottville Lodge, No. 426, A. F. & A. M., and of the Order of the Eastern Star; he is a charter mem- ber of the Modern Woodmen of America, Scottville Camp, No. 506. . He has been treasurer of the Masonic order for thirteen years and he is banker of the Woodmen. In matters politic Mr. Feely is a democrat, but his business has al- ways absorbed too much of his time to enable him to participate in municipal activities further than to cast a ballot on election day. He is a registered phar- macist and so is able to maintain a prescription department in his store, of which he has sole charge. Mr. Feely is one of the self-made men of the county, hav- ing come here in his youth with practically no capital and through his own ef- forts has attained the position he holds today.
CHRISTOPHER R. ADEN.
Christopher R. Aden, for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Macoupin county, but now engaged in the grain business in Carlinville, was born in St. Francois county, Missouri, on the 25th of June, 1849. His parents were Christopher and Elizabeth (Philips) Aden, natives of North Carolina, but in the paternal line he is of German extraction, his grandfather having emigrated to the United States from the fatherland in colonial days. He located on a farm in North Carolina, ever proving a loyal citizen to the country of his adoption whose interests he defended during the Revolutionary war. Christo- pher Aden came to Missouri from his native state in the pioneer days, settling on a farm in the vicinity of Farmington, St. Francois county, where for many years he was identified with agricultural pursuits. There the mother passed away about 1871, at the age of fifty years, the father, however, survived until 1908, his de- mise occurring after he had passed the ninetieth milestone on life's journey. Both were earnest members of the Baptist church and he was prominently connected with the political life of the township and held various minor offices. He took up arms in defense of his country in the second war with Great Britain, at which time he was still a resident of North Carolina. To Mr. and Mrs. Aden were born five children, two of whom survive: John, who is a resident of Chadwick, Missouri ; and Christopher, our subject. The mother was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Philips, the latter, prior to her marriage having been a Miss Parks, both of whom passed their latter days in St. Francois county. He was a veteran of the war of 1812.
Until he had attained the age of fifteen years Christopher R. Aden was a member of the parental household, attending the district schools of the vicinity
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in the acquirement of his education, at the same time giving much assistance in the cultivation of the home farm. In 1864 he left home and 'coming to Illinois obtained employment on a farm north of Greenfield. He became a resident of this state in the month of March and for several years thereafter worked as a farm hand, during which time he managed to save enough from his meager salary to enable him to buy forty acres of land in Western Mound township, which he im- proved and cultivated with excellent success. As time passed he was able to ex- tend the boundaries of his farm until he owned one hundred and sixty-four acres of productive land, all in a high state of cultivation. He continued to reside there until 1892 when he disposed of his holdings and removed to Carlinville, following business of teaming for a time. In 1904 he embarked in the grain business with which he has ever since been identified. His efforts have been rewarded in a most substantial manner and in addition to his home and elevator, he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Bird township.
In 1870 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Aden and Miss Susan Chisam, a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Johnson) Chisam. Of this union there were born two children, Arthur and Myrtle. The son, who chose for his wife Miss Emma Riefenberg, is engaged in business with his father, while the daughter be- came the wife of Ellsworth Williams. Mrs. Aden was born in Macoupin county, but her parents were natives of Tennessee, whence they came in the pioneer days to Illinois, both spending their latter days in this county, where the paternal grandfather, James Chisam located in 1831. Both the Johnson and the Chisam families were early settlers of Macoupin county, Mrs. Aden's grandparents all having located here, continuing to make it their home until they passed away.
The Christian church holds the membership of Mr. and Mrs. Alden, and politi- cally he is a republican. His interest in municipal affairs has always been active and helpful, and for twelve years he was justice of the peace and a school director for sixteen, while he once served as highway commissioner. Mr. Aden has always invested his time and energy in the best possible manner and as the result he is now one of the prosperous and affluent citizens of Carlinville, which fact brings him the greater satisfaction because of the realization that his means have all been acquired through his own independent and intelligently directed efforts.
LEWIS JUDD.
One of the pioneer settlers of Carlinville, who was a prominent factor in the commercial and industrial development of the town, was the late Lewis Judd. He was born in Fulton, New York, on the 3d of March, 1825, and was a son of Merritt R. and Sallie (Rush) Judd, the father being a native of Connecticut and the mother of the state of New York. They were the parents of four sons: Lewis, George, James and Theodore. The latter, now the only surviving member of the family, is a resident of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Merritt R. Judd was a local Methodist preacher. He came to Macoupin county about 1850 and for many years thereafter conducted services in the old Methodist church here as well as in the surrounding country. While preaching in Brighton, he acquired
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a farm near by in the cultivation of which he engaged for many years. He finally removed to Carlinville, engaging in the lumber business with his son Lewis, and there he was residing at the time of his demise in 1886, at the age of eighty-six years. His wife passed away in 1863, when she was sixty-five years old. Mr. Judd always took an active interest in all political affairs, giving his support to the democratic party. The family is of English extraction and dates back to Colonial days, its various members always having been loyal, patriotic citizens.
Lewis Judd was reared in Fulton county, New York, obtaining his education in the seminary at Cazenovia, that state. After his marriage he came to Illinois, locating in Edwardsville, where he studied medicine under Dr. Edward Weer, who at that time was a well known and prominent physician in that section. Later he practiced with Dr. Weer for a time, meeting with very good success, his pro- fessional future appearing to be quite promising, when at the earnest solicitation of his brother George he gave up his career as a physician to engage in business. Mr. George Judd, formerly superintendent of construction of the Chicago & Al- ton Railroad, by which company Lewis Judd had also at one time been employed, was then freight and ticket agent at. Carlinville, being the first person to fill that position here. Recognizing the commercial possibilities the town afforded, he was most anxious to avail himself of them and was desirous to have his brother join him. They started the first lumber yard in Carlinville in 1855, but after operat- ing it for a time George Judd disposed of his interest to his father, the business being continued under the firm name of Lewis & M. R. Judd. In 1873 the father retired, selling his holdings to his son Lewis, who was identified with the busi- ness for twenty years thereafter. Owing to the state of his health in 1893 Mr. Judd was forced to withdraw from commercial activities and sold his lumber yard to Daniel MacNett. In less than a year thereafter he passed away on the 3d of February, 1894, at the age of sixty-nine years.
Mr. Judd was married in Cleveland, Oswego county, New York, in July, 1852, to Miss Sarahette Elizabeth Martin, a daughter of Christopher and Martha (John- son) Martin. The father, a veteran of the war of 1812, was a native of Vermont whence he came by private conveyance to the state of New York in the early part of the century. He was a local Methodist preacher and built the first church of that denomination in Cleveland, New York, where he resided for many years. He passed away at the age of eighty-four years, while the mother reached an age of eighty-two years. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin were born five children, one son and four daughters. The former, Otis Martin, was unmarried when he died in his early manhood. The daughters of the family were: Martha, Sarahette Eliza- beth, Mary Elvira and Sophia. The second in order of birth, who later became Mrs. Lewis Judd, was born and reared in Cleveland, New York, where, after the completion of her education, she very successfully engaged in the millinery business until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Judd came west on their wed- ding tour; taking the boat at Buffalo they came to Chicago by way of the lakes, thence by stage to Brighton, where they visited his parents. They subsequently went to Alton and later to Edwardsville, where they continued to reside until they came to Carlinville. Mr. and Mrs. Judd were the parents of two daughters, Martha Elvira and Elizabeth M., both of whom grew up at Carlinville. After the completion of the public school course they attended Blackburn University.
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Miss Martha, later going to the Wesleyan Female College at Cincinnati, and Miss Elizabeth to the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois. They had the misfortune to lose their mother while yet in their early womanhood, her demise occurring in 1872, at the age of forty-six. .
Miss Martha Judd is an active member of the American Women's League, having been one of the organizers of the Carlinville chapter, of which she is a charter member. When they were ready to erect their building, she donated the land for the purpose, it being a portion of the old family homestead. She is also an earnest and helpful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the work of which organization she always assists in forwarding.
In matters religious both Mr. and Mrs. Judd affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, in the faith of which denomination they had been reared. The Carlinville of today bears little resemblance to the village they located in during the '50s. When Mr. Judd built his family residence on East Main street, it was in a section from which the timber had been cleared but two or three years pre- viously, and he built the first sidewalk from there down to the courthouse square. Mr. Judd lived to witness many of the changes that he had helped to bring about, seeing the old frame business buildings give way to substantial, modern struc- tures, beautiful churches erected and attractive residences built. Probably his greatest delight was in witnessing the inauguration of an excellent public school system. He had always been a great student and took an active interest in educa- tional matters, having served for some years during the pioneer days as school commissioner, in which capacity he handled large sums of money. He was a man of modest manner, quiet and unobtrusive; yet in his unassuming way he did much for the public welfare; his high ideals, business standards and incor- ruptible integrity assured him to be held in high esteem and he is mourned sin- cerely.
JACOB KLOOS.
Jacob Kloos has been identified with the shoe business in Carlinville, in the capacity of either shoemaker or dealer, for forty-three years. He was born in Darmstadt, Hessen, Germany, on the 22d of September, 1846, and is a son of George and Katharine (Schwatz) Kloos. The father was a wagon maker and later a farmer in the old country, where he spent his entire life, his death oc- curring in Rosbach, Germany, in 1898, at about the age of eighty years. The mother had passed away seven or eight years previously, being at the time about seventy. Both were members of the Lutheran church. Little is known of the grandparents on either side save that they were engaged in agricultural pursuits and always lived in the fatherland. Six children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. George Kloos, as follows: George; Wilhelm; Katherina, the widow of August Kratz; Anna, the wife of George Frink; Jacob, our subject, and Christian, who died at the age of seven years.
Jacob Kloos was reared in the parental home, acquiring his education in the common schools of the old country. When he was fifteen years old, it was deemed that he had sufficient knowledge to qualify him for the heavier re-
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sponsibilities of life, so laying aside his text-books he apprenticed himself to a shoemaker. He was most anxious to become a citizen of the United States and carefully saved his money until he had acquired the amount necessary to pay for his passage. Upon his arrival in this country in 1866, he first located in New Jersey, where he resided for nearly two years, then came to Carlinville and here he has ever since continuously lived. In July, 1880, he extended the scope of his activities by putting in a stock of boots and shoes, but in connection with this he continues his repairing and shoemaking departments.
It was on the 2d of October, 1872, that Mr. Kloos was married to Miss Anna Lavorer, a daughter of Matthias Lavorer. Mrs. Kloos is a native of Bo- hemia, Austria, her birth having there occurred on the 21st of May, 1854. She emigrated to the United States when a child of six years with her parents, who located on a farm near Carlinville and there they passed away, the mother at the age of sixty-six and the father when about eighty. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lavorer there were born three sons and four daughters : Joseph ; Matthias ; Anna, now Mrs. Kloos; Katherina, the wife of Jacob Hoehn; Ella, who has never mar- ried; Agnes, who is deceased, the wife of Henry Paul; and one son who died in infancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Kloos affiliate with the German Evangelical church, and fra- ternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Ever since granted the right of franchise by naturalization Mr. Kloos has cast his ballot in support of the candidates of the republican party. He has never aspired to public honors, always having devoted his attention to his business in the development of which he has met with a gratifying degree of success.
CHARLEY GILLMAN.
Charley Gillman, whose demise occurred in Carlinville on the 17th of April, 1903, was successfully engaged in business as a dry goods merchant throughout his active career. His birth occurred in Germany on the 5th of May, 1843, his parents being Andrew and Mary Elsie Gillman, who were likewise natives of that country. The father, who was a shepherd in Germany, emigrated to the United States about 1849, locating five miles north of Carlinville, where he engaged in farming and also devoted considerable attention to the raising of sheep. The last few years of his life were spent in Carlinville. He passed away when more than sixty years of age and the demise of his wife occurred several years later. Both were Lutherans in religious faith. Unto them were born eight children, as follows: Henrietta, Henry, Christina, Wilhelmina, Frank, Charley and Dina, all of whom grew to maturity and reared families; and a son who died in early life.
Charley Gillman was brought to this country when about six years of age and spent the remainder of his life in Macoupin county. He was reared on his father's farm and obtained his early education in the district schools, subse- quently attending Blackburn University. After putting aside his text-books he embarked in the dry-goods business, with which he was identified until called
.
CHARLEY GILLMAN
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
to his final rest, his store being located on the east side of the square. He was first associated in business with Henry Johnson and later became a partner of Henry Chipeno. In the conduct of his mercantile interests he won a gratifying measure of prosperity, being widely recognized as one of the substantial and representative business men and citizens of the community.
Mr. Gillman was twice married, his first wife bearing the maiden name of Mary Hauer, by whom he had five children, three of whom reached mature years. Charley acts as traveling salesman for a shoe house in Houston, Texas, where he makes his home. He wedded Miss Anna Brockmeier and has three sons : Charley, Brock and Francis. Wilhelmina Gillman lives with her step- mother. Louis is employed as a bookkeeper in St. Joseph, Michigan. He wedded Miss Thelia Anderson and has one daughter, Lucile. Mrs. Mary (Hauer) Gillman passed away in December, 1887, and on the 6th of February, 1889, Mr. Gillman was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Breymann, a native of Carlinville and a daughter of William and Louise (Linde- mann) Breymann, who were born in Germany and took up their abode among the early settlers of Carlinville, Illinois. William Breymann, who was a carpenter by trade, there passed away when more than forty years of age. His wife, who survived him, was called to her final rest on the 5th of April, 1911, at the age of eighty-seven years. Their children were six in number, namely: William, Augusta, Frederick, Carolina, Emma and Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Gillman had four children: Marie, who gave her hand in marriage to Richard Dunn, of Carlinville ; and Flora, Lieda and Lambert, all at home.
In politics Mr. Gillman was a democrat. He acted as mayor of Carlinville for one term and for several terms served as a member of the school board. His religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church, to which his widow also belongs. He passed away on the 17th of April, 1903, one month prior to his sixtieth birthday. Mrs. Gillman, who resides at No. 706 E. Main street in Carlinville, is well known and highly esteemed throughout the community in which her entire life has been spent.
J. D. ALDERSON.
Although J. D. Alderson, one of the highly respected citizens of Virden, is a native of Morgan county, he has spent nearly his entire life in Macoupin county, having been brought by his parents to Elm Grove when he was nine months old. He comes of good Southern stock and was born December 18, 1835, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Clack) Alderson, the former of whom was born in Ten- nessee and the latter in Kentucky. The father came to Illinois in the '20s, riding in a two-wheeled cart which was drawn by a blind mare, and stopped for a time in Morgan county, Illinois, where he made rails at twenty-five cents per hundred. In 1835 he settled at Elm Grove, Macoupin county, where he entered forty acres of government land, to which he added as his resources permitted until he owned one hundred and sixty acres. When he located here deer and wild game of all
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