USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume II > Part 51
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mother survived until 1890. To Mr. and Mrs. Grove have been born five children : Walter, who lives at Gas City, Indiana ; Charles A., who is in business with his father; Nellie F., who married Steven Young, of Springfield, Illinois ; Earl I., who has just completed four years of service in the United States navy ; and Willis R., who was killed on the railroad on the 15th of June, 191I.
Mr. Grove has met with excellent success in his business endeavors and now owns a valuable residence property in Carlinville; he did have an eighty acre farm in this county but has disposed of it. He votes the republican ticket and in religious faith he and his family are Methodist, in accordance with principles of which denomination they strive to guide their lives.
ELBRIDGE BENEDICT TATE.
There is no doubt that persistent application is at the foundation of success in all lines of activity. Especially is this true when it is backed by sound judgment. The two, combined, are irresistible and it is largely through the important ele- ments here named that Elbridge B. Tate gained the position he now holds as one of the prosperous farmers of Girard township. He is a native of Erie county, Pennsylvania, born October 28, 1856, a son of James and Martha (Kennedy) Tate, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania and the latter in Ireland.
In the common schools of the Keystone state, Elbridge B. Tate received a lim- ited education, his attendance being only for a few years, as he began applying himself to farming at the age of twelve. He continued in his native state until 1877, when he came to Illinois and spent ten years in Polk township, Macoupin county. In 1887, having acquired the necessary capital he purchased a farm in Girard township, east of Girard, where he has since made his home. Applying himself diligently, he has in the course of twenty-four years very largely im- proved his place. He has erected buildings and fences and added many modern accessories, including machinery for facilitating the labors of the farm. His in- dustry and thoughtful attention to details have met with deserved reward and the fields yield abundant harvests.
On the 24th of January, 1884, Mr. Tate was married in Erie county, Pennsyl- vania, to Miss Mary Hill, a daughter of Arthur and Mary (Hale) Hill, the for- mer of whom was born in New Hampshire and the latter in New York state. The family on the paternal side has long been known in America, the name having
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been prominent in the Colonies before the Revolutionary war. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tate : Chester Arthur, Florence Lola and Everett Truman, all of whom are living at home.
In politics, Mr. Tate is in hearty sympathy with the republican party but not through any desire for the emoluments of office. He served as a member of the school board for twenty years and it is greatly to his credit that the school in his district was awarded the first diploma in the county as a standard district school. He is a member of Girard Council, Mutual Protective League. Having acquired a competency for himself and family, he now enjoys the fruits of his labors and also the respect of his neighbors and acquaintances. A public-spirited and pro- gressive man, he is ever willing to give his support to any enterprise that he be- lieves will advance the general welfare.
JOHN M. TOSTBERG.
John M. Tostberg, engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Carlinville township, was born in the township where he now resides on the 17th of September, 1866, his parents being Charles and Minnie (Cramer) Tostberg, natives of Ger- many. His father emigrated to the United States in his early manhood, locating in southern Illinois during the pioneer days. There he worked as a farm hand, care- fully saving a portion of his meager earnings each month, until at the expiration of three years he had acquired sufficient capital to enable him to purchase forty acres of land, five of which were cleared, in Carlinville township, this county. He applied himself so successfully to the cultivation of his holdings that he later added to his tract at one time twenty and at another one hundred acres, making an aggregate of one hundred and sixty acres. This land he had improved from the time of his original purchase, until at the time of his death on the 8th of May, 1900, he owned one of the fine homesteads of the community. He was survived by his wife who passed away in 1906.
Reared on the farm where he was born, John M. Tostberg passed the un- eventful life of the country youth. He attended the district schools of the vicin- ity until he had a good knowledge of the common branches, after which he de- voted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He had already acquired a very good understanding of the best practical methods of tilling the fields and caring for the stock, as, in common with the majority of country lads, he had been called upon to assist in the work of the farm from his early boyhood. When he was thirty he took unto himself a wife and left the parental roof in order to estab- lish a home of his own. During the first ten years of his domestic life he farmed as a renter. then bought eighty acres in Carlinville township, upon which he has wrought extensive improvements. Not only general farming but stock-raising engages the attention of Mr. Tostberg, who keeps seventeen head of cattle, four horses and annually raises twenty hogs.
On the 16th of October, 1895. Mr. Tostberg married Miss Katie Schwertfeger, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Ship) Schwertfeger, both natives of Germany. Mr. Schwertfeger came to Carlinville during the early days, working by the
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
month until he had accumulated sufficient capital to buy forty acres of land in Shaws Point township, which he immediately set about to improve. The culti- vation of his land proved so lucrative that he later augmented his holdings by the addition of another one hundred and twenty acres. He continued to operate his farm until his demise in February, 1905. The mother, now seventy-five, con- tinues to make her home in Carlinville. Five children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Tostberg: Perry, who is fourteen years of age; Henry, a youth of twelve; William, who is ten; Charles, now eight ; and Everett, a little lad of two.
In politics a democrat, Mr. Tostberg is one of the township commissioners, and while a resident of Honey Point township he served for three years as road supervisor and he also acted as election judge. In religious faith the family are loyal to the creed of the Evangelical church. A good citizen, loyal friend and accommodating neighbor, Mr. Tostberg is held in high esteem among the citizens of his township, many of whom have known him from boyhood.
JOHN BALL.
A descendant of good Welsh ancestry, John Ball, of Farmersville, inherited traits of mind and character that have materially assisted him in the attain- ment of the responsible position he holds in the community. As a farmer, banker and business man he has won unquestioned standing, his success being due to his indomitable energy and will. At an early age, he was imbued with a laudable ambition to win an honorable place among his fellow men. He was born in South Wales, October 19, 1842, a son of Richard McLothlin and Maria (Evans) Ball. The father came to Virden, Macoupin county, Illinois, with his family, in 1855, and entered the meat business but died the year following, leaving a widow, thirteen children and one adopted child.
John Ball was educated in his native country and arrived in Illinois at the age of thirteen. In 1858, three years after the death of his father, he came with his mother and other members of the family to the old Thomas farm, east of Virden, where he continued until 1867. He then took up his residence on a farm in Girard township, three miles east of Girard, which was his home for forty years. He applied himself so diligently that, as the years passed, he ac- quired six hundred acres of land in this and Montgomery counties. He engaged in general farming upon a large scale, making a specialty of stock-raising, hand- ling horses. cattle and sheep for the market, in which he was unusually suc- cessful. In 1907, he moved to Farmersville where he has since resided. In 1892, he organized the bank of John Ball & Company at Farmersville, of which he has since been president. This is a well established institution which under able and conservative management has flourished from the start. He was also interested in the banking business with Hamilton Metcalf of Girard. He was president of the Grange store at Girard and from the time of its organization, thirty-five years ago, has been treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Com- pany, being also president of the Dairy Association of Girard. He has displayed
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
excellent judgment in business and financial affairs, and his advice is often sought by persons desiring to make safe investments.
In 1867, in Greene county, Mr. Ball was married to Miss Jane E. Witt, a daughter of Randolph and Polly (Tunnell) Witt, the former of whom was born in Tennessee and the latter in Greene county. Mrs. Witt was the first white child born north of Macoupin Creek in that county. Mrs. Ball is also a grand- daughter of Eli Witt and Calvin Tunnell, both of whom were natives of Ten- nessee. Mr. and Mrs. Ball are the parents of five children: Clarence Henry, a resident of Arkansas; Elbert Witt, who makes his home in Farmersville and is cashier of the Farmersville Bank; Agnes, who married C. M. Simonson, of Farmersville ; Allen Jackson, of Girard township; and Amy Jane, who is living at home. They also have seven grandchildren of whom they are justly proud.
Religiously, Mr. Ball is identified with the Episcopal church; politically, he adheres to the republican party, being a stanch believer in its principles as es- sential to the perpetuity of the country. He has never aspired to public office, but served as supervisor of Girard township and also as member of the school board. He belongs to Lodge No. 171, A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of Chapter No. 131, R. A. M. Socially, he is identified with the Sangamon: Club of Springfield. A man of striking personality and of recognized ability, he has wisely utilized his talents and has been an important factor in the development of this section. Of him it may be said that he has helped others not only by his advice and material assistance but by the potent influence of a noble example. He richly deserves the prosperity he now enjoys.
FRANK B. HUBER.
Frank B. Huber, cashier of the Nilwood State Bank, was born in Clark county, Ohio, on the 6th of November, 1862, being a son of John and Anna (Snell) Huber, the father a native of Pennsylvania and the mother of Ohio. The paternal grandfather was Henry Huber, also a native of Pennsylvania. John Huber came to Macoupin county with his wife and family in 1875. When he first located here, he settled upon a rented farm in Virden township which he cultivated for three years and then purchased two hundred and twenty acres, one mile north of Nilwood in Nilwood township. He was engaged in the opera- this farm when he died in 1883.
A lad of thirteen years when his parents brought him to Illinois, Frank B. Huber completed in the public schools of Macoupin county the educational course which he had begun in his native state. In common with the majority of lads reared on a farm he was early assigned chores about the fields and barns that were increased with the development of his strength. At the age of twenty he became associated with his father in the cultivation of the home farm and after the latter's death continued the work alone until 1887. In the latter year he removed to South Otter township, there continuing his agricultural pursuits disposed of his business interests in January, 1911, and immediately thereafter
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
became cashier of the Nilwood State Bank, in which capacity he continues to serve.
Mr. Huber married Miss Ida B. Cole, of South Otter township, in Mexico, Missouri, October, 1899. Mrs. Huber is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Hawk) Cole, natives of Tennessee.
Fraternally he is affiliated with the Modern Woodmen of America, being identified with Nilwood Camp, and he is chairman of the Nilwood Gun Club. Mr. Huber votes with the republican party, and although he never very actively participates in political affairs he served as school director in South Otter town- ship for six years, discharging the responsibilities of his office efficiently. He also served as supervisor of Nilwood township for eight years.
JACOB KLEIN.
Jacob Klein, local agent for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co., was born in the Rhein Pfalz, Germany, on the 22d of June, 1855, and is a son of John and Char- lotte (Keck) Klein. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and being a skilful and capable workman met with success in his work. He served through the German war of 1848 and there sustained wounds that eventually caused his death. The mother with her sons and two daughters, Mary and Anna, subsequently emi- grated to the United States, locating in the vicinity of Belleville, Illinois. There she later married Julius Reichenstein and removed to Waterloo, Illinois, where her death occurred in 1869.
Jacob Klein, who was a very young lad when he emigrated with his mother and sisters to this country was only fourteen when his remaining parent died. He was self-supporting, however, having begun his wage-earning career some time previously as a farm hand. Later he obtained a clerkship in a store in Belleville, where he remained for two years, then drove a team for a short time. Eventually he returned to farm work, engaging in this work until his marriage, while the succeeding eight years were devoted to various occupations, in mines, breweries and machine shops, his position being changed whenever he found something that promised better remuneration. In 1883 he began driving a wagon for the Western Brewery in Belleville, and two years later the firm offered him the agency for their company at Mount Olive. He readily accepted and immediately came here, where he has ever since resided. Until December, 1891, he represented the Western Brewery, but resigned their agency at that date to take charge of that of the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co. Mr. Klein has proven to be a very capable salesman and since becoming identified with the latter company has increased their sales here until monthly shipments now amount to five cars.
On the 21st of June, 1875, Mr. Klein was united in marriage to Miss Mar- garet Rehg, and to them have been born twelve children, ten of whom survive: William, who is with the Klausmann Brewery of St. Louis; Julia, who is at home ; Anna, the wife of Henry Longknecht, of St. Louis ; Louis, who is living at Staun- ton; Gunda, who is at home: Tillie, employed in St. Louis: Minnie at home;
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Walter, who is a bookkeeper in the C. J. Keiser & Co. bank, Mount Olive; and Adelia and Josephine, both of whom are at home.
All of the family affiliate with the Evangelical Lutheran church, while fra- ternally Mr. Klein is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Acme Lodge, No. 707, of Mount Olive ; he is also a member of Mount Olive Lodge, No. 606, K. of P .; the Knights of Honor ; and of the Knights and Ladies, Freund- schafts Lodge, No. 1215. In addition to these he is affiliated with the Treu Bund, No. 86, of Mount Olive. His political support Mr. Klein accords the democratic party, and has served as a member of the board of supervisors of Mount Olive township, while for six years he was a member of the school board, during two of which he was president of the board. He is one of the enterprising and ener- getic business men of Mount Olive as well as a prosperous citizen.
M. M. BROWN.
A well cultivated farm of two hundred acres on section 7, Bunker Hill town- ship, is a credit to the efforts of M. M. Brown, whose birth occurred on a farm across the road from his homestead on the 15th of October, 1861. He is a son of Daniel and Sarah (Olmstead) Brown, natives of New York, where they were reared and married. In the early days of their domestic life they migrated to Illinois with a wagon and ox team, being among the pioneer settlers. The father preempted some government land, which he immediately began to break, making such improvements upon it as he could from time to time. He had one dollar and twenty-five cents when he settled in Macoupin county but became one of the most extensive landowners and successful agriculturists in Bunker Hill township. His holdings aggregated five hundred acres at the time of his demise, all of which was in a high state of cultivation. He built a comfortable brick residence on his home- stead, one of the most valuable and attractive properties in the community. Here he engaged in general farming and stock-raising, both pursuits proving very lucra- tive. He passed away on the 27th of May, 1872, and was laid to rest in Bunker Hill cemetery as was also his wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born four sons and five daughters: Stephen Henry, a resident of Benton county, Arkansas ; Hul- dah C., the wife of Frank Hamilton, of Cedarvale, Kansas; M. M., our subject ; and Charlotte, Jennie, Martin, Martha, Zelma and Kate, all of whom are de- ceased.
M. M. Brown was reared on the farm where he was born and when he had become old enough entered the district school where he obtained his elementary education. Later this was supplemented by a course in the academy at Bunker Hill. After finishing his education he assisted his mother in the cultivation of their large homestead until he was twenty-four years of age. He then removed to his present farm, where he has ever since resided. Mr. Brown is a capable agri- culturist and business man and has met with pronounced success in his under- takings. In connection with the cultivation of his fields he raises stock.
In 1885 Mr. Brown established a home for himself by his marriage to Miss Hattie Sewell and they have become the parents of four children : Marshall, who
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
is running an automobile garage at Cairo, Illinois ; Halton, Elmo and Vivian, all of whom are at home.
The family affiliates with the Congregational church, of which the parents are both members, and fraternally Mr. Brown is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. His political support is given to the democratic party. He is one of the progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Bunker Hill town- ship to the interests of which he has ever been loyal, giving his support and co- operation to every movement that will advance its development.
MARSHALL B. WHEELER.
A well known business man of Scottville is Marshall B. Wheeler, whose birth occurred in the Sacramento Valley, California, on the 16th of December, 1865, his parents being M. L. and Hannah (Beohm) Wheeler. The mother was a native of Pennsylvania and the father of Kentucky, but the Wheeler family orig- inally came from Tennessee, the paternal grandparents, Josiah and Sarah (Owen) Wheeler, both having been natives of that state. M. L. Wheeler came from his native state to Illinois with his father in his early manhood. Here he resided until 1850, when he went to California, where he remained until April, 1867, when he returned to Macoupin county. On the 22d of the following May he opened a general store in Scottville, which he thereafter conducted in connec- tion with his agricultural pursuits until two years prior to his death, when he retired from active life. He passed away on the 26th of February, 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years. The mother, however, survived until the 30th of March, 1892. Both were residing in Scottville at the time of their death.
As he was only a child of two years when his parents returned to Illinois, in the acquirement of his education Marshall B. Wheeler attended the public schools of Scottville. After discarding his text-books he entered his father's store, where he obtained an early business training. When old enough to begin for himself he engaged in the fancy groceries and hardware business, in which he was first associated with Mr. Hayes. Later he disposed of his interest to his partner and went in partnership with Mr. Drake, who retired seven years later ; since the Ist of April, 1911, Mr. Wheeler has been alone in the business. In ad- dition to hardware, he carries an extensive stock of farm implements and ma- chinery, in both of which lines he is favored with an excellent patronage.
On the 27th of April, 1887, Mr. Wheeler married Miss Mary S. Walker, a daughter of Isaac and Parmelia A. (Holloway) Walker, the mother a native of Illinois and the father of Kentucky, while the paternal grandparents came from Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler were the parents of four children: Forrest A., who married H. L. Catlett, a banker of Scottsville, and has one child, Mar- garet ; Elmer Guy, who is in business with his father; Clyde I. and Edward M.
Fraternally Mr. Wheeler is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, being identified with Scottville Lodge, No. 226; and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America, Scottville Camp, No. 506. His political alle- giance he accords to the democratic party, and has been assessor and collector as
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
well as clerk of the township, village clerk and president of the village board. He is very public spirited and always takes an active interest in all community affairs, striving to forward every movement that will promote the development of the village.
JULIUS A. ELDRED.
Among the natives of Illinois still living who can claim a personal acquaint- ance with Abraham Lincoln is Julius A. Eldred, a highly respected citizen of Macoupin county. He has passed his entire life of eighty years in this state and his stories of pioneer experiences would make a volume of unsurpassing interest.
Born in Greene county, Illinois, March 22, 1831, he is a son of Moses and Clarissa (Brace) Eldred, both of whom were natives of Herkimer county, New York. The father was reared on a farm in the Empire state and after arriving at manhood joined in the movement westward, settling in Greene county, Illi- nois, in 1826, when a large part of the state was a wilderness and the few settle- ments were limited to the water courses, being located principally on the Missis- sippi and Ohio rivers. He purchased two hundred and forty acres of land, which he cultivated until his death in 1834. The mother again married, becom- ing Mrs. C. L. Corbin. She moved with her second husband to Macoupin county and spent the remainder of her life here. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Eldred were five children, four sons and one daughter, the latter dying in infancy. Three of the sons survive: Julius, of this review; and Moses and Addison, both of whom are retired from active labors and make their home at Carlinville. Our subject also has a half-brother, L. B. Corbin, a resident of Polk township.
Julius A. Eldred attended the pioneer schools of his neighborhood and as a boy worked on the home farm, thus preparing himself for responsibility later in life. In 1852 he came to Macoupin county and continued working for wages until 1854, when he started to cultivate his own farm in Bird township. He purchased the place he now occupies in Polk township in 1888. He improved his farm by the erection of buildings and by industry and good management be- came numbered among the substantial and prosperous residents of his district. In his business affairs he has displayed sound judgment, becoming known as one of the progressive men of the community. He is now living retired, the work of the farm having devolved upon younger shoulders.
On the 8th of April, 1856, Mr. Eldred was married to Miss Eliza Jane Hub- bard, who was born in Macoupin county, August 20, 1840, a daughter of Joel and Middy (Bridges) Hubbard. The parents were both born in Tennessee and came to Illinois in the pioneer days, settling in the western part of Greene county, where Mr. Hubbard applied himself to farming. He spent his declining years at Chesterfield. In his family were six children, all of whom are now deceased except one son, John B. To Mr. and Mrs. Eldred two children were born, James E. and Flora. James E. married Miss Isabel Hunter, of Jersey county, Illinois, and they have three children, Laura K., Moses and Lloyd. Moses Eldred married Bertha Otwell, a daughter of W. B. Otwell, of Carlinville.
JULIUS A. ELDRED
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
Flora, the daughter of our subject, became the wife of C. H. Skinner and died leaving three children, Addison, Birdie and Florence. Florence married George Richardson, of Chesterfield, and they have one child, Mildred. Mrs. Eliza Jane Eldred died in 1861 and Birdie E. Skinner, a granddaughter of our subject, makes her home with Mr. Eldred and presides over his household.
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