USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 39
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On the 9th of December, 1886, occurred the marriage of Mr. Rhodes and Miss Mary Kittle, a daughter of John and Sarah (Car- penter) Kittle. Her father was coroner of Christian county for four years. Mrs. Rhodes is one of a family of five children, namely: Millie, the wife of G. W. Long, of Beecher City, Illinois: Carrie L., who is living in Taylorville: Ella, the widow of John W. Hamer of Shelbyville, Illinois : Minnie, the wife of John C. Stamm of Pana; and Mary, the wife of our subject. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes has been blessed with four children : Aimee,
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born January 11, 1888; Stella M., born April 10, 1889; Dora S., December 1, 1891; and Haslemere, July 15, 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in Taylorville and occupy an enviable position in social circles. His social rela- tions connect him with Taylorville Lodge, No. 413, I. O. O. F. ; Birchwood Camp, No. 130, M. W. A .; Peerless Lodge, No. 42, A. O. U. W. ; the Royal Neighbors and the Red Men. He has served in all the ap- pointive and elective positions in the Odd Fellows lodge except that of Noble Grand. He is likewise a member of Phenix Club, a social organization of Taylorville. A man of pleasing personality, he is recognized as one of the' popular and valued citizens of Taylorville and enjoys in a high measure the regard, confidence and esteem of his fellow men1.
S. D. MOORE.
The business development of any town or city does not depend upon the efforts of a single individual, but results from the com- bined labors and enterprise of many. There is, however, usually a few who are leaders and who know best how to utilize not only their own energies but so direct the labors of others as to produce results of far-reach- ing importance in mercantile life. Such a one is S. D. Moore, a man of affairs, strong in his discrimination and sound in his judg- ment. He has been the promoter of many enterprises of vast importance to Assump- tion and is to-day a prominent representative of coal mining interests in central Illinois.
Mr. Moore is a native of Scott county, Illinois, born on the 28th of November, 1844. and is a son of Thomas and Lucy ( Hudson) Moore, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Kentucky. In their family were
three children. The brother of our subject was George Thomas Moore, who was killed in the Civil war in front of Atlanta. The sister Mary is now the wife of J. M. Israel, of Whitehall, Greene county," Illinois.
S. D. Moore acquired a public-school edu- cation, beginning his studies in a log school building which was furnished with slab seats. The greater part of his education, however, was acquired in the public schools of Whitehall. At the age of seventeen he responded to his country's call for aid, prompted by a spirit of patriotism that was manifested in loyal and effective service in behalf of the Union cause. He enlisted in Greene county, Illinois, as a member of Com- pany I, Ninety-first Illinois Volunteer Infan- try and served for almost three years under the command of Captain Dennis and Colonel H. F. Day. He participated in a number of important engagements, including the latter part of the siege of Vicksburg and the battle of Elizabethtown, Kentucky. He was there taken prisoner by John Morgan and was in the Red river expedition but did not par- ticipate in the fight. His company crossed the Gulf of Mexico and landed at the mouthi of the Rio Grande river and proceeded up that stream in order to capture Fort Brown at Brownsville, Texas. The men afterward went to Mobile, Alabama, and Mr. Moore participated in the siege of that city for thir- teen days. During the war, because of his excellent penmanship, he was given charge of the pay rolls and did much clerical work in connection with the army. After the close of hostilities he was mustered out at Mobile. Alabama, and received an honorable dis- charge at Camp Butler at Springfield, Illi- nois, in 1865.
Mr. Moore then returned to his home in Greene county and on the 28th of March, 1867, he was married and removed to Ma-
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con county, Illinois. There he purchased a farm north of the village of Macon and engaged in agricultural pursuits until about 1874, when he took up his abode in the vil- lage and purchased a lumberyard, which he conducted until 1883. In that year he came to Assumption and joined B. F. Hight in the organization of a private bank, which was conducted under the name of the Bank of Assumption by Hight & Moore. On the Ist of March, 1894, the Merchants' Bank was organized and on the Ist of July, 1897, these two institutions were consolidated un- der the name of the Illinois State Bank. At this time Mr. Moore's connection with the banking business ceased and he turned his attention to the management of a brick and tile factory, in which he had previously be- come interested. He devoted his entire time and attention to the operation of this enterprise until the incorporation of the Brick, Tile & Electric Light Company with C. C. Corzine as its president. Mr. Moore is now one of the leading stockholders of that company and is also one of its directors. IIe is now actively and extensively connected with the development of the coal interests of central Illinois.
The Assumption Coal & Mining Company owes its origin to a suggestion made by Joseph Edmunds of the company who men- tioned the idea while Mr. Moore was in the bank. Entering that institution he made a remark about sinking a shaft. Mr. Moore and Mr. Hight afterward discussed the sug- gestion and Mr. Hight drew up the papers in order to get the enterprise in working or- ler, while Mr. Moore took upon himself the task of securing subscribers, who would pur- chase stock. He was very successful in the undertaking and a short time afterward the company was incorporated with a capital of forty thousand dollars. After the business
was placed in operation T. J. Armstrong, a most thorough and competent man, was em- ployed as superintendent and he remained with the company for four years. Upon his suggestion Mr. Moore went out upon the road, selling the product of the mine in car- load lots. This was entirely new business to him, but he was very successful in placing orders in the small towns all along the line of the Illinois Central Railroad. In Feb- ruary, 1899, in company with his son, J. D. Moore, of Decatur, and E. G. Rasbach, of Chicago, he purchased land in William- son county near Johnston City for mining purposes ånd commenced sinking a shaft there in June, 1900. There is now a hoist- ing and air shaft. The company was organ- ized and incorporated under the state laws as the New Virginia Coal Company, with Mr. Moore as the president, his son as vice president and E. G. Rashbach as secretary and treasurer. The output of this company is now about five hundred tons daily. The same company with Mr. Moore as president ; Judge W. T. Hart, of Benton, Illinois, as vice president ; E. G. Rashbach as secretary ; and W. W. Williams as treasurer; is now sinking a shaft in the town of Frankfort, Franklin county, Illinois, in which they have recently struck the vein' of coal, and this promises to yield an excellent output. Mr. Moore has also dealt in real estate for a number of years, purchasing and selling considerable property in and around Eagle Grove, Wright county, Iowa. He now de- votes his time and attention, however, to his mining operations.
Mr. Moore has been three times married. In Greene county, Illinois, he wedded Mary Doyle, a member of an old family of that locality, her parents being J. M. and Henri - etta (Shanklin) Doyle. Unto this union were born two children: J. D. Moore, now
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a leading dentist of Decatur, Illinois, who married Gertrude McGill, of Clinton, this state; and Mary H., who is a student in Millikin University at Decatur. The wife and mother died in August, 1883, and in 1885 Mr. Moore was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Emily H. Johnson, the widow of Edward Johnson. She bore the maiden name of Corzine and her people were early settlers of Christian county. By this marriage there were also two children: . Lloyd, born October 23, 1888: and Emily H., born January 1, 1890. Mrs. Emily Moore died January 9, 1890, and in 1892 Mr. Moore wedded Mrs. Martha (Corzine) Burdick, the widow of Charles Burdick, and a cousin of his second wife.
Mr. Moore and his present wife are mem- bers of the Methodist church. He has served as supervisor for two years, has been a mem- ber of the town board for several years and for a long period has served on the board of education in Assumption. While political honors and emoluments have had little at-' traction for him he is, nevertheless, always willing to perform his duties of citizenship and many public measures have benefited by his active co-operation. He belongs to the Grand Army Post at Assumption, Illinois ; to Bromwell Lodge. A. F. & A. M., while in Masonic circles he has attained to the Knight Templar degree.
Mr. Moore is not indebted to fortunate pecuniary or family advantages received in boyhood, but owes his success to the fact that he fully realized that the present and not the future holds his opportunity-that the successful man is he who utilizes his ad- vantages as the hour brings them and does not wait for greater opportunities at a later date. He is, however, always wide-awake, has quickly recognized business openings and as the years have advanced has so directed
his labors and also the work of those whom he has employed that success in large meas- ure has come to him. His business methods have ever been honorable and straightfor- ward and will bear the closest investigation and his record as a man and citizen are alike above reproach.
CHARLES H. HILL.
Among the pleasant rural homes of Chris- tian county is that of Charles H. Hill on section 23, Rosamond township, the culture and artistic taste of its occupants being re- flected in its appointments, while a gracious hospitality adds a charm to its material com- forts. Here Mr. Hill is now living retired in the midst of all that goes to make life worth the living.
A native of New Hampshire, he was born in Northwood, July 10, 1826, and is a de- scendant of one of three brothers who emi- grated from England to America in 1680 and established the Hill family in the colo- nies. One of these. Samuel Hill, held a grant from King George III for the entire site of the city of Boston. From a genealog- ical history of the Hill family, compiled and published by Edmund J. Lane, of Dover, New Hampshire, we learn that the Hill name runs back to John Rogers, the martyr.
Benjamin Hill, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Brentwood, New Hampshire, and in early life married Betsey Dudley, of Stratham, New Hampshire, by whom he had eight children. On the 18th of March, 1752. he removed with his fam- ily to Northwood. New Hampshire, taking up land which has ever since been occupied by the Hill family, its present occupant be- ing Frank R. Hill, a lineal descendant of Benjamin and of the fifth generation from him. During the Revolutionary war Ben-
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jamin Hill was drafted for service and, not wishing him to go alone, his son, Nicholas Dudley, also enlisted. The former was killed at Ticonderoga and the son then returned home, being his mother's main dependence.
Nicholas Dudley Hill was born at Brent- wood. New Hampshire, and was the eldest in his father's family. He married Mary Crockett and to them were born eight chil- dren, of whom John, the father of our sub- ject, was the second in order of birth and was born at Northwood, New Hampshire. March 21. 1785. He wedded Miss Susan Pearl, who was born in Farmington, the same state. March 31. 1785. Her father, Ichabod Pearl. was also a native of the Granite state and was of English lineage. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Young, was born in the same locality as her husband and her ancestors came from the same family. The Pearl family was descended from the Earl of Northumberland, who was the father of Lady Jane Grey, who made claim to the throne of England. In early life the parents of our subject both engaged in school teach- ing but during the war of 1812 the father abandoned that profession and removed to Middleton, New Hampshire, where he opened a store and tavern. They were the parents of eight children, four sons and four daughters. all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, namely : Mary E. wedded James Wild and died June 17, 1886; John C. died in 1843: Caroline G. became the wife of Timothy Vibbard and died January 23. 1886. Susan L. married Stephen Ridg- ley, who willed one hundred thousand dol- lars to build a public library in St. Louis and it was named in honor of his wife, Susan Lucretia Ridgley, who died in that city March 1. 1879. Sophronia E. died in Cam- bridge. Massachusetts, November 5. 1857 David C. died August 24, 18-19, while a
member of the senior class at Dartmouth College, New Hampshire. George W .- and Charles H. were twins. The former married Hattie Gibson and died at Proctor, Vermont, in April, 1900, leaving a widow and one son. George W. C. Hill, an orthodox preach- er of Proctor. Charles H., our subject, is the only survivor of this large family. When he was quite young the family removed to Great Falls, New Hampshire, where the father died when our subject was only five years of age, leaving the mother with eight children to support.
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At the early age of nine Charles H. Hill began earning his own livelihood by work- ing for William Shaw, of North Berwick, Maine, with whom he remained for two years. He then went to Farmington, New Hampshire, where he spent two years in the employ of Benjamin Wingate and on the expiration of that period went to Milton, the same state, to make his home with his uncle Joseph Pearl, with whom he remained until he reached the age of twenty. His place of residence then changed and we find him at Natick, Massachusetts, in the family of Vice President Henry Wilson, who was reared by an aunt of our subject. Mrs. Tem- perance Knight. of Farmington. He lived there from 1846 until 1849 and in Septem- ber of that latter year entered Gilmanton Academy, where he was a student for three years. In the winter of 1849-50, however, he taught school at Strafford. New Hamp- shire, returning to the academy the follow- ing spring.
On the 26th of December. 1854. in Gil- manton, New Hampshire, Mr. Hill was united in marriage to Miss Mary Frances Morgan, who was born September 1, 1831, at that place, and was the youngest in a family of four sons and three daughters. Her parents were Jeremiah and Elizabeth
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(Smith ) Morgan, the former a native of Brentwood. New Hampshire, and the latter of Ipswich, Massachusetts. Both were of English descent. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hill were born four children: George C. is a highly educated and well read man, as well as a deep student and a natural mechanic : Charles R. died leaving a wife and two chil- dren, George R. and Bessie W. ; Minnie W. is the wife of Henry P. Denbow, of Flora, Illinois, by whom she has a daughter, Pearl I. ; and Susan E. is the wife of Howard A. Koogle, of Pana.
For about ten years after his marriage Mr. Hill was in the employ of the firm of A. G. Farwell & Company, wholesale flour merchants, and in December, 1863, was ap- pointed paymaster of the United States navy, with headquarters on the steamer Saco for three years. On the 15th of April, 1866. he left that position and was appointed con -. stable in Massachusetts, serving as such un- til 1868, when he came to Rosemond, Illi- nois, where he has since resided and is now living retired. He has one of the best homes in the town, it being built for solid comfort and supplied with all modern conveniences, including a furnace for heating. It is beau- tifully situated off the main road on section 23. Rosamond township, where he owns sixty-one acres of land, and being on a hill it overlooks a large portion of the surround- ing country, affording a picturesque view One of the attractive features of the home is its library, which is very complete and con- tains many works not commonly found in private libraries.
Mr. Hill has ever taken a deep interest in public affairs and has filled the office of jus- tice of the peace for four years and notary public many years, resigning the latter posi- tion only recently. He is an honored mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic and
is also a Royal Arch Mason, while religious- ly both he and his estimable wife are active members of the Congregational church and stand high in the community where they have so long made their home. As a citizen, friend and neighbor Mr. Hill has always been found true to every duty and justly merits the esteem in which he is held.
SAMUEL J. SNYDER.
One of the enterprising citizens of the village of Edinburg is Samuel J. Snyder, who is conducting an undertaking estab- lishment and furniture store there. He was born in Bartholomew county, Indiana, on the 13th of September, 1854. His father. Samuel B. Snyder, was a native of Cham- bersburg, Pennsylvania, born in the year 1827, and his death occurred in the year 1896. He wedded Miss Mary Staefer, who was also a native of Chambersburg, and they became the parents of eight children, four of whom are now living: Simon, who resides upon the old homestead in Indiana ; Hannah, the wife of James Lane of Edin- burg : Barbara, the wife of John Hayes, of Columbus, Indiana ; and Samuel J.
The last named was reared upon the old family homestead and in the district schools pursued his education through the winter months while in the summer seasons he as- sisted in the operation of the home place. When he was about fourteen years of age, however. he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade in Columbus, Indiana, and followed that pursuit for four years. He then engaged in the carriage and wagon- making business near Taylorville, Indiana, and conducted his work in that line for about two years. In 1874 he removed to Grove City, Illinois, where he established a carriage shop which he conducted until 1899, when
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he purchased the furniture store and under- taking business of R. K. Johnson in Edin- burg, Illinois. This he has since conducted with good success and during the period has had a substantial increase in trade. From 1876 until the present time he has carried on the undertaking business in connection with his other interests and has made a care- ful study of the profession. He attended Professor Sullivan's embalming school at St. Louis, also the school of Professor Dodge of Chicago and of Clark of Indianapolis and later he was graduated from Professor Sul- livan's school of Springfield. He has also attended the instruction school at Peoria. where he received his certificate on passing the examinations and he is now prepared to conduct funerals in a manner most satisfac- tory to his patrons. He is a licensed em- balmer and now holds a license No. 1104.
In 1876 Mr. Snyder was united in mar- riage to Miss Luella Burdge, a daughter of John S. Burdge, a native of Scotland, who was born in April. 1808. Her father is now a resident of North Vernon, Indiana. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snyder have been born three children: Florence, born April 5, 1878, is the wife of Arthur Barret, a resident farmer of Mount Auburn township, Christian coun- ty, Illinois, and they have two children-Er- sel and Murlin ; Mabel, born June 1, 1881,' is the wife of Sylvester Smith, a school teacher of Edinburg; Charles A. R., born June 28, 1884, is assisting his father in busi- ness.
Mr. Snyder has served as town clerk of Mount Auburn for ten or more years and he is identified with the Modern Woodmen. In the county where he lives he has gained a large circle of friends, his genial manner. kindly spirit and deference for the opinions of others, making him popular with his fel- low men.
T. F. RUSSELL.
When politics is regarded as a profession and public positions are no longer considered a prize to be won for party fealty regardless of capability then will more men of marked ability and worth erter upon the discharge of official duties. There is, however, no field that is more inviting to a man of ability nor one in which his activity can be more productive of results of far-reaching im- portance than that of politics and the com- munity is to be congratulated on account of having in its midst one who gives his best energies and efforts to promoting the cause of the party with which he is affiliated. Since he was first old enough to vote Mr. Russell has been one of the most industrious and consistent Democrats in Christian coun- ty and his efforts have been of great value in advancing public welfare.
. He is a native of Pana, Illinois, born August 2, 1862. His grandfather emigrated from North Carolina to Kentucky and thence to Illinois, in 1818, locating near Hillsboro, this state. Both the father and mother of our subject were born in Illinois. In the common schools of Pana. T. F. Rus- sell pursued his early education, which was supplemented by a course in the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana, in which he was graduated with the class of 1881. Being of a studious nature he displayed spe- cial aptitude in the different branches of learning to which he gave his attention and was especially fond of history. ancient. medieval and modern. In his early man- hood Mr. Russell engaged in teaching school for one term and then entered the office of the county clerk of Christian county as a deputy on the 4th of August, 1884. Since attaining his majority he has been an active factor in political circles and was chairman of the county organization of Democratic
T. F. RUSSELL
CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
clubs in 1888. He was also chairman of every effort in his power to advance the gen- the Democratic county central committee during the campaign of 1892 and he studied law while deputy county clerk, being ad- mitted to practice at Mount Vernon in August, 1890. He, however, never entered upon active practice, but has given his entire WILLIAM E. BOLLINGER. time and energies to the discharge of of- ficial duties. On the Both of January, 1893. he entered the office of the secretary of state as assistant corporation clerk and was pro- moted to corporation clerk in the month of April. In April, 1894, he was made assist- ant secretary of state with full charge of the office and occupied that responsible posi- tion until September, 1897. On the Ist of December, 1898, he was appointed private secretary to Congressman Caldwell and held that position until December 1, 1902. In November of that year he was elected to the office of county treasurer of Christian county for a term of four years so that he is now filling the position at the present time. His official -service has been most commendable, characterized by unfaltering fidelity to duty, his work being systemati- cally performed and also with promptness and dispatch. In April, 1903, he assisted in the organization of the Pana National Bank of which he is the vice president and he still maintains his residence in the city of his birth.
On the 16th of December, 1885. in Tay- lorville, Illinois, Mr. Russell was imited in marriage to Miss Jennie Lewis and unto them have been born two children : Wilvan and Lewis. His political career has been honorable, honest and above suspicion of evil or hostile criticism and he has won high encomiums from those whom he has served in the public positions to which he has been chosen by election. He well merits the honors that he has won for he has put forth
355 eral good through the faithful discharge of the duties devolving upon him.
William E. Bollinger, who follows farm- ing on section 14, Stonington township, has spent the greater part of his life in Chris- tian county, arriving here when a little lad of only nine years. He was born in Mary- land, fourteen miles from Baltimore, in 1860. a son of Ephraim Bollinger, who was also a native of Baltimore county, Maryland, in which place his birth occurred on the 24th of October, 1832. The family is of Ger- man lineage, although the grandparents of our subject were likewise born and reared in Baltimore county. Near the place of his birth Ephraim Bollinger spent the days of his boyhood and youth and in early life he learned the millwright's trade, which he con- tinued to follow until after the outbreak of the Civil war. During that struggle he was employed as a teamster in and around Balti- more and he continued to reside in that state until 1869, when he brought his family to Illinois, establishing his home in Christian county. Here he secured a tract of land and gave his entire time to farming. He had started out in life empty handed and at the time of his marriage possessed very little. but as the result of his farming operation in this state he won a very comfortable com- petence. In the county of his nativity he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Ann Strewig, who was born in that county An- gust 23, 1832. They became the parents of eight children, of whom Oliver and James W. are now deceased. . The daughter, Mary E., passed away in Christian county. The others, Henry C., John T., William E., Dan-
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