USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 38
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On the Ist of August, 1894, Mr. Neff was
united in marriage to Miss Lillian Ladd, a daughter of Noyes Ladd, a prominent farmer of Sharpsburg, Illinois. They now have one child, Venus, born June 19, 1899. In addi- tion to the practice of law Mr. Neff is in- terested in the raising of cattle and hogs and takes great delight in having fine stock. Both he and his wife are members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church and entertain broad views on religious questions, placing Chris- tianity before dogma. A man of strong temperance principles Mr. Neff does every- thing in his power to promote advancement in that direction and he uses his influence ever on the side of moral development and of progress in church work. He was formerly associated with the musical department of' the Christian church. Of literary taste, he possesses a fine library, covering a wide range of historical, educational and scien- tific works as well as fiction. A gentleman of scholarly attainments he has read broadly and assimilates what he reads. Few lawyers have made a more lasting impression upon the bar of the county both for legal ability of a high order and for the individuality of character which impresses itself upon a com- munity. He possesses broad legal learning, an analytical mind and readiness with which to grasp the points at issue. Earnest effort, close application and the exercise of his native talents have won him prestige as a lawyer in Christian county.
H. H. HERDMAN.
H. H. Herdman, formerly president of the First National Bank of Morrisonville, has done much to promote the commercial activity, advance the general welfare and secure the material development of the city and surrounding country. As a business man he has been enterprising, energetic and
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always abreast of the times and due success has been accorded him.
A native of New York state, Mr. Herd- man was born on the Hudson river. March 25. 1841, and during childhood removed with his parents. William J. and Jemima (Hunter ) Herdman, to Randolph county, Illinois. His father was born in Belfast, Ireland, of Puritan stock, his ancestors be- ing Scotch Presbyterians. His sons have all become successful business men and prominent in the affairs of life.
During his boyhood H. H. Herdman at- tended the common schools and on starting out in life for himself turned his attention to the mercantile business, but finding that too confining he embarked in the grain trade. Removing to Morrisonville in 1871. he and his brother. A. V., bought an elevator at this place with a capacity of twenty-five thou- sand bushels and began buying grain of the farmers living in the surrounding coun- try. A few years later they became inter- ested in the manufacture of flour but on ac- count of the exorbitant freight charges that venture did not prove a success and they have since turned the mill into a grain re- pository, so that they now have a storage capacity of seventy-five thousand bushels of grain. When they first started in business here wheat was the principal cereal raised and marketed but there is now more corn shipped. By fair dealing and close attention to business the firm has met with most ex- cellent success and to-day they rank among the leading grain merchants of this section of the state. They also handle coal, supply- ing a large mimber of customers with that commodity.
In 1903 H. H. Herdman became interested in the banking business and is to-day a di- rector of the First National Bank of Mor- risonville. This bank has a capital stock
of twenty-five thousand dollars and owing to its capable management it is now in a flourishing condition. The bank building is a modern structure with all the latest im- provements and occupies the best business corner in the city.
In 1871 Mr. Herdman was married at Brighton, Illinois, to Miss Gilson, who is descended from good old Revolutionary stock and is now a member of the Daughters of the Revolution, being connected with the chapter at St. Louis. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children, three sons and two daughters, but one son and one (laughter died in infancy and Marian G. died soon after her graduation at Monticello Sem- inary. Hugh H., Jr., the older son, is a graduate of Columbia College of New York and now occupies the chair of literature in Portland Academy at Portland, Oregon. Al- bert M. is attending Wabash College and will graduate in 1906.
In business circles Mr. Herdman occu- pies an enviable position and he has a wide reputation as a most capable financier. In manner he is pleasant and cordial, which, combined with his sterling worth, makes him one of the popular citizens of his adopted city.
W. J. JORDAN.
Few indeed are the residents of Pana whose connection with the city antedates that of Mr. Jordan, for he arrived in the year 1856, finding here but a small village with few modern improvements and yet capable of the development which is so char- acteristic of western towns. Establishing his home within its borders he became a most active and important factor in business circles, instituting many enterprises which have largely promoted commercial prosper- ity here. Far-sighted in behalf of his in-
W. J. JORDAN AND FAMILY
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dividual interests and of the public welfare, he has labored not alone for the present, but looking beyond the exigencies of the mo- ment has planned for the future and has co-operated with others in the movements which have resulted in the expansion and substantial upbuilding of his adopted city. Many business enterprises have felt the stimulus of his energy and labor, and now at the age of three score years and ten he is enjoying a well-earned rest.
Mr. Jordan was born in Virginia, Sep- tember 9, 1831, a son of Spotswood and Mary Jordan. His father, also a native of the Old Dominion, was a shoemaker by trade and after following that occupation for a time he turned his attention to farm- ing. He removed from Virginia to Ken- tucky, where he engaged in general agri- cultural pursuits until his death, which oc- curred in 1890. His wife passed away many years before, dying on the ist of Angust, 1836.
When five years of age W. J. Jordan ac- companied his parents on their removal to Shelby county, Kentucky, where he was reared and acquired his education. At the age of nineteen years he started out to make his own way in the world, first working as a farm hand in the employ of his father and afterward in the employ of his uncle. Since that time he has depended continuously upon his own resources and whatever success he has achieved is due entirely to his own ef- forts. At length leaving farm life he learned the plasterer's trade, which he followed for five years. In 1856 he arrived in Illinois. settling in Pana, so that he is now one of the oldest citizens here. He has throughout the intervening years been closely connected with the business development of the city and has also been prominent in public life, filling many offices, the duties of which he
has discharged with promptness and fidelity. In 1857 he was elected constable and deputy sheriff and served in that capacity for twen- ty-five years.' In the meantime he had turned his attention to the furniture business and conducted a store, which brought to him a good financial return. He likewise operated in real estate for some time and for a num- ber of years was associated in this with G. Ladd, the partnership proving mutually pleasant and profitable. For several years he was also in the livery business and while thus engaged carried the first surveyors through to Taylorville to make the survey for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In 1879 he began farming about two miles south of Pana, and placed his land under a high state of cultivation. so that the fields returned to him golden harvest. For four years he operated his land and then sold out. Again he took up farming in 1892, settling on a farm north of Pana, where he remained until 1901, when he returned to the city and has since lived a retired life.
In the meantime Mr. Jordan was called upon to serve in various offices. He was the first mayor of Pana, being chosen to the office on the 8th of March, 1867, under the provisions of a special charter. He was also the first tax collector of Pana township, was trustee of the schools for a number of years and was also president of the school board in 1902. He was supervisor for a number of years and has filled other county offices, having in 1879 been elected county treas- urer, which office he filled for three years. When the books were examined on the ex- piration of his terin it was found that the county was indebted to him to the amount of eleven dollars, an unusual occurrence, the indebtedness being generally on the other side of the ledger. After his retirement from that office he again resmed real estate oper-
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ations, and bought and sold considerable property and negotiated many important realty transfers. He was also president of the First National Bank of Pana for about three years and a director ten years, and his varied connection with trade interests shows him to be a man of resourceful business abil- ity, enterprising, resolute and progressive. the spirit of advancement being strongly marked within him.
Mr. Jordan has been married twice. On the ist of October, 1857, he was united in marriage to Miss Ursula Brockman, a daughter of William Brockman, of Ohio. She died in 1885 and Mr. Jordan was again married, his second umion being with Miss Clara E. Dunn : who was born in Greenwood township, Christian county, on the 25th of December, 1860, a daughter of James A. Dunn, who is still living in this city. Her uncle, Sanford Petty, was the first assessor of Christian county. Unto Mir. and Mrs. Jordan have been born two children : May- ella H. and Mary E., both students in the public schools of Pana.
The family are all members of the Bap- tist church and Mr. Jordan is one of the oldest members of the Masonic fraternity in Pana. When he arrived in this place it contained only a few houses and he has therefore witnessed almost its entire devel- opment, giving his support to all measures calculated to conserve the public good. His business grew and developed with the town. He had a capital of only eight dollars at the time of his arrival, but taking advantage of business opportunities, and utilizing his time and means to the best advantage, he has won for himself a place prominent among the substantial citizens of the com- munity. His life has been honorable, his actions manly and sincere and he has gained for himself a reputation as a careful.
straightforward business man who has well earned the rest which is now vouchsafed him.
ROBERT MARSHALL.
This gentleman is one of the highly es- teemed citizens of Mount Auburn now liv- ing retired from active labor. He was born on the 21st of June, 1829, in County Down. Ireland, of which county his parents. James and Sarah ( Brom) Marshall, were also na- tives. About 1851 they took passage on a sailing vessel and after a voyage of several weeks' duration they landed in New York city. The father worked at the stone-ma- son's trade in the Empire state for a few years and in 1858 came to Christian county. Illinois, where he made his home with our subject in Mosquito township throughout the remainder of his life, dying there Octo- ber II, 1859. His wife had passed away on the 18th of December, 1854. Both were consistent and faithful members of the Pres- byterian church and Mr. Marshall was also connected with the Masonic fraternity. In politics he was a Republican. His family consisted of three sons and seven daughters, all of whom reached maturity and married, but only three of the number are now living. these being Robert. of this review; Mary, wife of John Marshall, a resident of County Down, Ireland,; and Agnes, wife of James Long, of Mosquito township, this county. The oldest son. James, came to America in 1847 and located on a farm in New York state, where he made his home until his death. The other son, William, took part in the Civil war and died in Mosquito town- ship, this county. Our subject's grand- parents spent their entire lives in County Down, Ireland.
During his boyhood and youth Robert
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Marshall attended the public schools of his native land and assisted his father in the work of the home farm. In 1849 he emi- grated to the United States, joining his brother in New York, where he spent about four years, and then went to California, where he was engaged in gold mining for the same length of time. On his return east he took up his residence in Mosquito town- ship, Christian county, Illinois, where he purchased forty acres of partially improved land for seventeen dollars per acre. To the cultivation and further improvement of his place he devoted his energies for many years, and added to his property, so that he now owns a good farm of one hundred and sixty acres on sections 17 and 20, Mos- quito township. There he resided until Feb- ruary, 1903, when he put aside business cares and removed to Mount Auburn, where he is now enjoying a well earned rest ..
On the 2d of October, 1861, in Mount Au- burn township, Mr. Marshall was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Wilcock, who was born in Yorkshire, England, October 25, 1842, and is a daughter of George and Mary Ann Wilcock, natives of Derbyshire and Doncaster, respectively. In 1843 she was brought by her parents to America, the family locating in Mount Auburn township. this county, where Mr. Wilcock purchased a farm of one hundred acres. There he died September 5, 1844, and his wife de- parted this life on the 25th of September, 1888. They were buried in Mount Auburn cemetery as were the parents of our subject. In religious belief they were Methodist and in politics Mr. Wilcock was first a Whig and later a Republican. Of their four chil- dren only Mrs. Marshall is now living.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have been born ten children, namely: George B., now assistant chief of police at Decatur, Illinois,
married Belle Auger and has two children, Glenn and Fay. Margaret Ann died Sep- tember 8, 1877, at the age of thirteen years. Clara Jane is the wife of Harden Tankers- ley, a farmer of Mosquito township, and they have three children, Grace, Chester and Bes- sie. Mary Florence is the wife of Philip Schempf, living near Oberon, Benson coun- ty, North Dakota, and they have one child, Frank. William James, a resident of Ed- mond, Oklahoma married Della Young and has one child Fern. Alice Caroline is the wife of Bruce Bramel, who lives on the old homestead farm in Mosquito township, and they have three children : Homer, Eva and Hazel. Sarah Etta is the wife of Otis Hofer and resides in Mount Auburn. Charles Francis and John Edward are still under the parental roof. Myrtle Agnes is the wife of George Richard Hardy, a farmer of Mos- quito township.
By his ballot Mr. Marshall supports the men and measures of the Republican party but has never cared for office. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity and both he and his wife are earnest and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Mount Auburn, of which he is now one of the trus- tees. They are widely and favorably known throughout the county where they have so long made their home and their circle of friends is extensive.
JOHN C. MONTGOMERY.
John C. Montgomery, who resides on sec- tion 26, Mount Auburn township, owns and operates a valuable farm of three hundred and twenty acres, whose neat and thrifty appearance well indicates his careful super- vision. Substantial improvements are sur- rounded by well tilled fields and all the ac-
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cessories and conveniences of a model farm are there found.
Mr. Montgomery was born on the 9th of August, 1849, in Sangamon county, Illi- nois, and is a son of John and Sarah (Sni- der) Montgomery. On the paternal side our subject is of Irish descent, his great- grandfather, J. R. Montgomery, having been born in Ireland in 1790. Having served un- der the British crown in the English army and growing tired of army life and also hav- ing heard of the splendid possibilities for a young man in America, he deserted and came to this country. John Montgomery, our subject's father, was born in Pennsyl- vania, May 24, 1817, and in early manhood married Sarah Snider, whose birth occurred in Maryland, January 26, 1821. It was in 1848 that they came to Illinois, and after living in Sangamon county for some years they took up their residence in Christian county in 1860.
The subject of this sketch was principally educated in the Montgomery district school of this county and he remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age. Since starting out in life for himself he has engaged in farming. His first purchase of land consisted of a tract of eighty acres in Mosquito township, which he operated for eight years and then sold, removing to his present location in Mount Auburn township at the end of that time. He rented the place until 1895, when he purchased one hundred and sixty acres and has since bought one hundred and sixty acres more. This he has under excellent cultivation and improved with good and substantial buildings.
In 1874 Mr. Montgomery married Miss Mattie J. Pettus and to them have been born five children but Birdie died at the age of four years, and James at the age of fifteen months. Those still living are Leonard,
Harold and John, all at home with their parents. Mrs. Montgomery is a daughter of George and Margaret Pettus, both natives of Virginia, whence they came to Illinois about 1840. Her father was born July 10, 1826, and died August 5, 1865, and her mother was born December 14, 1823, and died December 22, 1899. The former was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Jones) Pettus, born March 30, 1790, and February 17, 1795. Thomas Pettis died April 2. 1852. He was a son of William Pettus, whose death occurred on the 15th of Octo- ber, 1824.
The Republican party finds in Mr. Mont- gomery a stanch supporter of its principles and he takes a deep interest in public affairs. In his farming operations he has met with the success that usually follows the industri- ous and enterprising man and he is held in high regard by all who know him.
JOHN S. BILYEU.
Among the leading citizens of Christian county none is more deserving of repre- sentation in this volume than the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is one of the most extensive landowners of Prairieton township and in his farming operations is meeting with excellent success. Throughout life he has engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, and now makes his home on section 9, Prairieton township, the neat and thrifty appearance of his place giving evi- dence of his careful supervision. He has been a resident of this county since 1841 and has therefore seen almost its entire growth and development.
Mr. Bilyen was born in Miller county, Missouri, on the 21st of January, 1834, but was only three years of age when his parents returned to Illinois. His father, John H.
MR. AND MRS. JOHN S. BILYEU
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Bilyeu, was a native of Kentucky and from that state removed to Tennessee with his father, Peter Bilyeu, who was of French descent. There his youth was passed and on arriving at a suitable age he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Workman, who was also a native of Kentucky. The young couple came to Illinois and settled in Sangamon county, where Mr. Bilyeu car- ried on farming for several years. They then removed to Miller county, Missouri, but after living in that state for four years they removed to Sangamon county in 1837, and a few years later Mr. Bilyeu entered and bought land on Flat Branch, now con- prised within the limits of Prairieton town- ship, Christian county. Here he opened up a farm of over twelve hundred acres and to its improvement and cultivation devoted the remainder of his life, passing away on the 15th of May, 1867. His wife, who long survived him, died on the 21st of Septem- ber, 1900. In their family were nine sons and three daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity, but three sons and two daughters are now deceased.
John S. Bilyeu remained under the par- ental roof until twenty-one years of age, early becoming familiar with the labors of the farm, while his literary education was obtained in the schools of the neighborhood. On starting out in life for himself he located upon a part of the old homestead, it being a tract of raw prairie land about one hun- dred acres in extent, and he at once pro- ceeded to convert it into a well cultivated farm. He was a young man of industrious habits, and his diligence, good management and excellent business ability soon brought him success. He fenced and tiled his land and made many other improvements there- on, and as time passed he added to his prop- erty until he now owns seven hundred acres
and has one of the best homes in the town- ship.
On the 22d of January, 1854, Mr. Bilyeu married Miss Melinda Workman, a native of Illinois and a daughter of Stephen Work- man, who was one of the carly settlers of Christian county. By this union the follow- ing children have been born: John H. J., who is married and follows farming in this county ; Mary Ann, wife of David Work- man, of this county; Josiah, who is also married and follows farming in Christian county ; Elizabeth and Peter, both deceased; Lydia, wife of William O. Workman, a farmer of this county ; Hiram and Edmund, who are married and engaged in farming in this county ; Isaac, at home with his parents ; and six others now deceased. The family hold membership in the Christian church and are people of prominence in the com- munity where they reside. By his ballot Mr. Bilyen supports the men and measures of the Democratic party, and for three terms served as road commissioner. In all the relations of life he has been found true to every trust reposed in him and he justly de- serves the high regard in which he is held. In business affairs he is prompt, energetic and notably reliable and to these qualities may be attributed his success.
EDWARD J. RHODES.
On the roster of county officials in Chris- tian county appears the name of Edward J. Rhodes, who is serving for the second term of four years as circuit clerk. He is a capable official, prompt and reliable in the discharge of his duties and ever meeting every obliga- tion which devolves upon him. A native son of Illinois, his birth occurred in Pana on the 6th of November, 1865, his parents being Amos A. and Dora (Jageman) Rhodes.
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Back to an early epoch in colonial history in America can the ancestry of the family be traced. A great- great-grandfather of our subject was Hezekiah Rhodes, who fought for the inde- pendence of the colonies in the Revolutionary war. He was of Scotch-Irish lineage. Jesse Rhodes, the great-grandfather of our sub- ject, was a native of North Carolina, but be- came one of the pioneer settlers of Shelby county, Illinois, and was actively interested in the early development and progress of that portion of the state. He left the im- press of his individuality for good upon the work of advancement, his labors being prac- tical and beneficial. He was one of the com- missioners appointed by the governor to se- lect a site for the county seat of Macon county and chose the site of Decatur for this purpose. A Democrat in his political views, he was honored with a number of pub- lic positions, the duties of which he fully discharged most capably. His son James M. Rhodes, the grandfather of our subject. was born in Wilson county. Tennessee, and Amos A. Rhodes, the father of our subject. was a native of Shelby county, Illinois, born on the 23d of May, 1841. Well worthy of mention as a valued citizen of Illinois Amos A. Rhodes is represented on another page of this volume.
In the public schools of Pana. Edward J. Rhodes acquired his education and after putting aside his text books he accepted a position as deputy circuit clerk under his father, who was then filling the office in Christian county, Illinois. This was in 18844 and he served for four years under his father and for one year under Joseph R. Edmonds, his father's successor. On the expiration of his present term Mr. Rhodes will have been connected with the office for twenty years with the exception of a period of three
years when his time was spent as a book- keeper for the Taylorville Coal Company. On leaving that employ he became deputy clerk under W. B. Cashin, with whom he re- mained for four years and on the expiration of that period he was elected to the office, in which he has served continuously since. After four years spent in the office he was re-elected, so that his present term will con- tinue until December, 1904. Mr. Rhodes has long been recognized as a very active, prominent and influential factor in political circles. He has always given his allegiance to the Democracy, taking an active part in local politics, laboring for the success of his party and exerting his influence in its con- ventions for the nomination of men best qualified for office. He has been a delegate to the county and judicial conventions and his opinions carry weight in their councils. In 1888-9 Mr. Rhodes served as city clerk of Taylorville and his official career has always been attended by the highest measure of success, owing to his unfaltering fidelity to duty. He is systematic and methodical in his work and has performed all public service in a manner that has won him the commendation of the opposition as well as of his own political party.
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