USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 37
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On the 5th of December, 1867, Mr. Mc- Donald was united in marriage to Miss Har- riet V. Anderson, a daughter of Tavner B. Anderson, who came to this county in 1854. To our subject and his wife have been born the following children: John T., who is married and engaged in blacksmithing in Clarksdale, this county: Azalia, wife of J. W. Masters, a farmer of Johnson township ; Herschel V., at home; Nettie V., who died at the age of three and a half years : Enona C., who died at the age of three years ; Lin- nie May, who died at the age of fourteen years; Flora, who died at the age of eleven months : Hazel, who died at the age of eight
months : Theodore B., who died at the age of seven years ; and one who died in infancy. The family hold membership in the Baptist church and Mr. McDonald is a Republican in politics. He still takes an active interest in educational affairs and is now serving as school treasurer. He has also filled the office of township clerk.
H. MILO NEWKIRK, M.D.
Dr. H. Milo Newkirk, the village clerk of Owaneco and a practicing physician who has made his home in Christian county since January, 1900, was born in Shelby county, Illinois, in September, 1870, a son of Will- iam W. and Mary (Wamsley) Newkirk, the former a native of Indiana and the lat- ter of Ohio. They came to Illinois about 1855 and remained residents of this state until called to the home beyond, the mother passing away in 1895, while the father's death occurred in 1901.
Dr. Newkirk spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and acquired his early education in the public schools. He afterward spent one year as a student in Chaddock College, at Quincy, Illinois, and then entered the Illinois State Normal Uni- versity, in which he spent three years. Hav- ing obtained a good preparatory education to serve as a firm basis for professional knowledge he began preparing for the prac- tice of medicine and surgery by matriculat- ing in the Marion Sims Medical College. at St. Louis, Missouri, where he completed a course by graduation with the class of 1897. He then located for practice in War- rensburg, Illinois, where he remained for eighteen months, and on the expiration of that period he came to Owaneco, where he arrived in January, 1900. Here he has since made his home and in the practice he has
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won very desirable success. He is continu- ally advancing in efficiency and knowledge through study, reading and investigation and his efforts for the alleviation of human suffering have been attended with excellent results.
In 1902 the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Cannon, a daughter of Scott Cannon, a native of Illinois, and they now have one son, Bruce Cannon. Dr. and Mrs. Newkirk own their home in' Owaneco and delight to extend its hospitality to their many friends. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to Locust Lodge. No. 623. A. F. & A. M. of Owaneco. In politics he is a Republican and is now serving as village clerk. Well known in Christian county as an able mem- ber of the profession among its younger rep- resentatives, he is also a leading citizen in his advocacy of public affairs for the general good.
JULIUS BROEHIL.
The discovery of coal and the develop- ment of the mines' in Christian county have added materially to the wealth and prosper- ity of this section of the state. To-day one of the leading representatives of the coal in- terests of the locality is Julius Brochl, who as a partner in a company, is managing the business and in this capacity has control of a force of six hundred workmen. He was born in Atlanta, Illinois, in 1858, and is a son of Gottlieb and Anna Broehl. His father was a native of Saxony, Germany, and in 1851, bidding adieu to home and native land he sailed for America. He settled first in Galveston. Texas, and afterward came to the north, taking up his abode near Pekin, Illinois. In 1858 he removed to Atlanta. Illinois, where he first conducted a cabinet- making establishment, but later he turned
his attention to agricultural pursuits, locat- ing upon a farm. He is now living a retired life in York county, Nebraska.
Julius Broehl acquired his education in the public schools near Lincoln, Illinois, and then desirous of enjoying more advanced educational privileges he entered the Nor- mal University at Normal, Illinois, in 1876. In the scholastic year of 1878-9, he engaged in teaching and in the winter of 1880 he be- came a student in Johnson's Commercial College at St. Louis. In April, 1880, he ac- cepted the position of bookkeeper with the coal company at Lincoln, Illinois, and in 188I he was sent to Decatur, Illinois, to open up a set of books there in connection with the development of a new mine owned by the Lincoln Company. He remained in Decatur until the fall of 1884, when he was sent to Pana to take charge of the mine of the Pana Coal Company. In 1887 he was admitted to a partnership in the business, and in 1891 was made manager of the com- pany. His partners in this enterprise are Messrs. Puterbaugh, Harts & Frorer. This company owns the New Bent mine at Pana and employs six hundred workmen, a fact which indicates that the business is extensive and the output of the mines large.
In December, 1884, occurred the mar- riage of Mr. Broehl and Miss Louise Meis- ter. a daughter of John P. Meister, of Deca- tur, Illinois. Two children graced this union. Leland and Wayne. The former is now fifteen years of age and the latter a youth of ten years. The elder son is now in his second year in the high school of Pana and throughout his course has made the highest record of his class, of which his par- ents have every reason to be proud. Mrs. Broehl is a highly accomplished lady of more than ordinary musical accomplish- ments, a graduate of the Decatur, Illinois,
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high school, and a prominent worker in lit- erary clubs. She also belongs to the Pres- byterian church and is an active worker in charity.
Mr. Broehl holds membership relations with the Woodmen of America, with the Masons and the Royal Neighbors. He ex- ercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and upon that ticket he was elected to the office of city treasurer. He is now serv- ing as a member of the school board of Pana and has ever taken a deep interest in the cause of education, doing everything possi- ble to advance the standard of the schools and promote their efficiency. He is a self- made man who has worked his own way up- ward and has through hard labor secured his advancement in business life. He pos- sesses natural mechanical skill and ability and he has ever utilized his talents and time to the best advantage. The word failure forms no part in his life history for his de- termination and laudable ambition have en- abled him to overcome all obstacles and dif- ficulties in his path and gradually worked his way upward to success. To him there has come the attainment of a distinguished position in connection with the great ma- terial industries of the county and his efforts have been so wisely directed along well de- fined lines of labor that he seems to have realized at any one point of progress the full measures of his possibilities for accomplish- ment at that point. The successful men of the day are they who have planned their own advancement and have accomplished it in spite of many obstacles. This class certain- ly has a worthy representative in Mr. Broehl, who began his life under unfavor- able circumstances, but to-day stands among the distinguished representatives of indus- trial life in Christian county.
LANDALINE YOUNG.
Among the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to the new world may be num- bered Landaline Young, who has made his home in Christian county for the past ten years and is now successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits on section 23, Mosquito township. He was born in the fatherland January 29, 1853, and in 1860 came to the United States with his parents, Benedict and Cecelia Young, who were also natives of Germany. The family first located in Mont- gomery county, Illinois, but two years later removed to Macon county, where the father died in 1902, but the mother is still living and continues to reside in Macon county.
Landaline Young was reared in that county and was educated in its district schools. At the age of twenty-three years he started out in life for himself and has since devoted his time and energies to farm- ing. So successful was he that at the end of five years he was able to purchase one hun- dred and twenty acres of land in Macon county, where he continued to reside until 1893. when he sold that place and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Mosquito township, Christian county. Here he has steadily prospered. He purchased an additional forty acre tract and is now erect- ing a commodious and comfortable residence upon his place. The fields are well tilled and everything about the farm indicates the progressive spirit of the owner.
On the 8th of February. 1876. Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Putsch, a daughter of Frederick Putsch, who was also born in Germany. Eight children bless this union : Charles F., who is mar- ried and follows farming in Christian county : Benedict : Emma Augusta : Martha E .. who died at the age of three years ; Otto
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F .; Edward L .; Josephine L .; and John O. has since devoted his time and energies to The younger children are all at home. The farming and stock-raising. He owns a fine farm of five hundred and eighty acres in Bear Creek township, which he is now suc- cessfully operating, and besides this valuable property he has eleven lots, three residences and a store building in Clarksdale. family are communicants of the Catholic church of Stonington and Mr. Young is also a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. His political support is given the Democratic party and its principles and he has filled the office of school director in a most capable and satisfactory manner.
J. S. WALLACE.
Among the citizens of Bear Creek town- ship none is more deserving of representa- tion in this volume than J. S. Wallace, who has for years been connected with the mer- cantile and agricultural interests of the com- munity and who has, through well directed efforts, gained a handsome competence that numbers him among the substantial men of his township. Keen discrimination, unflag- ging industry and resolute purpose are num- bered among his salient characteristics and thus he has won that prosperity which is the merited reward of honest effort.
Mr. Wallace was born in Delaware on the 15th of January, 1841, and is a son of Thomas and Rebecca (Seaman) Wallace. The mother died in 1852 and the father sub- sequently came west, locating in Christian county, Illinois, in 1875. Here he passed away in 1881. Our subject was educated in the schools of Delaware and New York and at the age of seventeen years commenced teaching, which profession he followed for eight years before coming west. In 1863 he became a resident of Adams county, Illinois. where he taught school for seven years, and then removed to Taylorville and embarked in mercantile pursuits, conducting a store there until 1881. He was next engaged in the same line of business at Clarksdale until August, 1902, when he sold his store and
Mr. Wallace was married October 26. 1871, to Miss Olive Hewitt, a daughter of William T. and Andromache (Gibson) Hewitt. Her father was a native of Vir- ginia and in early life followed farming and stock-raising in Kentucky and in 1851 he migrated to Illinois and located in Christian county on land now comprised within John- son township. There he entered and pur- chased land to the extent of six hundred acres and lived in that locality until the death of his wife in 1857, when he removed to the old Vincent place, where his remaining days were passed. He died in 1890, at the age of seventy-five years, owning at that time nearly four thousand acres. By his first marriage he had three sons and three daugh- ters, namely: Francis M .: Olive, wife of our subject : Aurelius M .; James B .; Laura J. : and Hannah L. The mother of these children was a most lovable and noble lady and was a consistent member of the Chris- tian church. For his second wife Mr. Hew- itt married Miss Mary R. Wilcoxson, by whom he had three sons, William T., Lee Davidson and Omer B.
The children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Wal- lace are as follows : Roy C., the eldest, was killed on a railroad crossing at the age of twenty-four years and eighteen days. Will- iam G. died at the age of six years. Cloyd H. married Sophia J. Bates and was killed on the Wabash Railroad March 14, 1902, when twenty-five years of age. His son, Cloyd Perry, was born the following Au- gust. Thus within six years our subject
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lost two sons by being killed by the cars. his boyhood days attended the public Glenn, the next of the family, is now with the Koken Iron Works of St. Louis. Wanita Olive and Joseph S. are both at home.
Mrs. Wallace is an earnest member of the Christian church and is a most estimable lady. Fraternally our subject is connected with Mound Lodge, No. 122, A. F. & A. M. : and also belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America and the Fraternal Army of America. His political support is given the Democratic party and he has filled the of- fices of deputy sheriff and postmaster of Clarksdale, serving in the latter capacity for twenty years. A public-spirited and pro- gressive citizen, he has done much to ad- vance the interests of his township and county and he justly merits the esteem in which he is uniformly held by his fellow men.
EDWARD FORRESTER.
One of the worthy citizens that Ireland has furnished to the new world is Edward Forrester and in his life he exemplifies the sterling traits of character of the people of the Emerald Isle. His birth occurred in Roscommon county, on the 17th of March, 1831. his parents being Matthew and Mary Forrester. They came to the United States about 1838. locating in Laporte, Indiana. where the father gave his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. He and his wife spent their remaining days in that locality, the former passing away in 1860, while Mrs. Forrester, long surviving her husband, died in the year 1888.
Edward Forrester was a resident of the Emerald Isle for only about seven years and then accompanied his parents on their re- moval to the new world. He was reared under the parental roof in Indiana and in
schools, there acquiring his early education. He worked for his father until twenty years of age and then he, his brother and two other young men rigged up a team, went to St. Joseph, Missouri, whence they drove across the country to Placerville. California. On the 17th of August, 1850, they arrived at Placerville and Mr. Forrester was there two years, engaged in mining. He then turned his attention to farming, which he followed for three consecutive years. The return trip was made by boat to New York city and thence across the continent to the Mississippi valley.
In March, 1856, Mr. Forrester came to Illinois and for two years thereafter was employed as a farm hand by the month. He then engaged in clerking in the store of Mr. Garwood at Moweaqua, where he resided for three years. When his industry and economy had brought to him sufficient cap- ital to enable him to purchase land he be- came the owner of a tract of one hundred and sixty acres, which is still in his posses- sion. This formed the nucleus of his present fine farm, for as opportunity has offered he has added to his first farm from time to time until he is now the owner of four hun- dred acres. This was raw prairie land when it came into his possession, but it is now well improved and the farm is one charac- terized by rich fields that yield good harvests in return for the care and labor of the owner.
On February 10, 1864. Mr. Forrester was united in marriage to Miss Mary Desire Brown, a daughter of John D. Brown, of Stonington. Unto them have been born six children, four of whom are now de- ceased. Catherine, deceased. was the wife of Jacob Corzine of Taylorville ; James H .. is now county judge, making his home in
EDWARD FORRESTER
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Taylorville ; and Clara Augusta is the wife of Dr. Maley, of Galesburg, Illinois.
Mr. Forrester is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, while his wife be- longs to the Baptist church. They have a nice home in Taylorville, where they reside, but he is still operating his farm in Prairie- ton township and there spends much of his time. In politics he is an earnest Repub- lican and was filling the position of township supervisor at the time of his removal to Tay- lorville. There is in his life record much that is worthy of commendation, for he had no special family or pecuniary advantages to aid him at the outset of his career, placing his dependence upon the more substantial qualities of earnest purpose, diligence and determination. These salient characteristics have made him a leading resident of Chris- tian county, his prosperity being the merited reward of his well-directed labor and busi- ness capacity.
DANIEL SYLVESTER BOLLINGER.
One of the leading citizens of Stonington township is Daniel S. Bollinger, who owns and operates a good farm on section 14. He was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, not far from the city of Baltimore, on the 16th of December, 1863, and is a son of Ephraim and Mary Ann (Strewig) Bol- linger, also natives of that county, where they continued to make their home until our subject was about six years of age. There our subject's grandparents, who were of German descent. spent their entire lives. Farming has been the principal occupation of the family.
It was in 1869 that Daniel S. Bollinger was brought by his parents to Christian county, Illinois, and here he was reared and
educated, pursuing his studies in the Ire- land school during the winter months, while through the summer season he aided in the work of the home farm and thus early be- came familiar with the occupation he has chosen as a life work. He remained with his father until the latter's death. which oc- curred on the 18th of January, 1893, and subsequently the farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, was divided be- tween them, they having purchased the in- terests of the other heirs. Our subject now operates his tract of eighty acres and in partnership with his brother is successfully engaged in the raising of stock of all kinds. Besides his farm he also has some town property in Stonington.
At Petersburg, Illinois. September 24. 1902, Mr. Bollinger married Miss Christina Jennetta Blome, who was born on the 22d of April, 1876, in Menard county, eight miles north of Petersburg. Her parents, George and Anna (Morrell) Blome, were both natives of Germany and coming to America during childhood settled near Pe- tersburg, Illinois, where the father is now engaged in farming. He is a Democrat in politics and a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. In his family are nine chil- dren, all living, namely: Lizzie, wife of Lewis Braner, who is engaged in farming near Oakford, Illinois; Henry, who married Mary Neel and resides in Stonington town- ship; Mary, wife of Amiel Gephardt, now living in Nebraska; Rosa, wife of Henry Gebhart, of Stonington township, this coun- ty: Charles, who wedded Mary Stahl and resides in Menard county, Illinois ; Tildie. wife of Jacob Stalil, of Stonington township; Christine, wife of our subject : George, who married Mattie Caldwell and lives in Iowa ; and Emma, at home with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bollinger have one child, Verne E.,
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born June 28. 1903. By his ballot Mr. Bol- he was killed by a log falling upon him in linger supports the Republican party and is a member of the Reformed church.
ROSCOE C. NEFF.
One of the members of the Christian county bar is Roscoe C. Neff, who as a practitioner of Taylorville has in recent years been connected with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of this district. He is also a leading member of the Re- publican party of this portion of the state and his influence has been widely felt in political as well as professional circles. Born in Sangamon county, Illinois, on the 14th of December. 1870, he is a son of Sardine W. and Amanda ( Parish) Neff. The Neff fam- ily is of German ancestry, while the Parish family comes of Scotch-Irish descent. The paternal grandfather. Christopher Neff, came from Germany about 1835 and settled near Olney. Illinois, while James Parish. the ma- ternal grandfather. located in Indiana. whence he removed to Illinois prior to the Civil war. In this state he engaged in farm- ing near Athens and there died in 1875.
The father of our subject was born near Olney, Illinois, and during his early busi- ness career resided in Iowa, but spent the last twenty-five years of his life in Sanga- mon county. Prior to the Civil war Mr. Neff was a stanch Abolitionist and was as- sociated with Abraham Lincoln during the campaign of 1861. He was strong in argu- ment and a most able debater and he took a lively interest in discussing political ques. tions. His forceful logic and his earnest utterances never failed to carry conviction to the minds of his hearers and his labors in behalf of the party were not without good results. Throughout his business career he carried on agricultural pursuits and at length
1876. His widow, who yet survives him, now resides in Sharpsburg, where she re- moved with her family of seven children the year after her husband's death. The mem- bers of the family are as follows: Frank E .. now of Athens, Illinois; Rev. John S., a minister of the southern Wisconsin con- ference of the Methodist Episcopal church and located at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin ; George H., a teacher of Christian county; Roscoe C .: Luella, the wife of Charles Eikle- berry, who resides near Taylorville; Ada, the wife of Charles Phillips, a ranchman in Kansas : and Anna N., of Sharpsburg.
Roscoe C. Neff received but limited school privileges and is therefore largely a self- educated as well as a self-made man. At the early age of nine years he began work- ing on a farm, where he did chores for his board during the winter months. He was allowed to attend school to some extent un- til eighteen years of age. but a few months each winter in the course of these years. However, he displayed special aptitude in his studies, made the most of his opportu- nities and in 1892, having qualified for a teacher, began teaching in Mount Zion school near Stonington. Illinois. For five years, from 1892 until 1897, he followed that profession with success and during the last two years he also conducted a farm in addition to his labors in the schoolroom. He began as a teacher at a salary of forty dol- lars per month and each year his wages were increased five dollars per month. He soon won rank with the leading educators of this part of the state and one year his pupils carried off prize No. I and at other times won prizes Nos. 2. 5 and 6 in a class of over two hundred. Mr. Neff did much hard work to accomplish this and his zeal and interest in educational matters inspired
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
and encouraged those under his direction. About 1897, desirous of promoting his own education, he went to Valparaiso. Indiana, where he attended the Northern Normal school, completing the work of the junior and senior years in eighteen monthis. On the expiration of that period he returned to Taylorville and began reading law under the direction of Joseph B. Colegrove, with whom he was associated in practice under the firm name of Colegrove & Neff until November 1, 1903. On the 5th of March, 1899, he passed a suc- cessful examination at La Salle and was admitted to practice that year. He first lo- cated in Oklahoma City, but after a short time there spent returned to Taylorville and entered into a partnership with his former preceptor, on the Ist of August, 1899.
Mr. Neff is a stalwart Republican in poli- tics and because of his oratorical ability he is frequently sought to address campaign meetings. He is likewise the orator of the day on occasions of picnics and other public gatherings. Greatly opposed to misrule in municipal affairs or to any trickery in po- litical work, he has labored for honesty in politics and has been largely instrumental in securing the candidacy of capable men for office. He is prominent in the conven- tions of his party and has frequently served as the delegate to the county, state and con- gressional conventions, where his opinions carry weight in political councils. Often has he been chosen to act as chairman of different committees or to make the non- inating speech before such conventions. His oratorical ability is indicated by the fact that he was selected as class orator by a vote of one hundred and sixty-six; while attending Indiana State Normal, his opponent receiv- ing one hundred and thirteen votes.
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