USA > Illinois > Christian County > Past and present of Christian County, Illinois > Part 40
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PAST AND PRESENT
iel S. and Samuel W .. all reside in this county. John married Caroline Cooner and resides near the old homestead farm. The father was killed January 18 , 1893. while at- tempting to cross the railroad tracks to look after some business. He was struck by a fast train near the crossing at the Stoning- ton station and instantly killed. His remains were interred in Grove City cemetery.
William E. Bollinger pursued his educa- tion in the district schools of this county and when but ten years of age started out to make his own way in the world. He was employed as a farm hand and early learned the value of indefatigable industry and un- tiring perserverance in the affairs of life. He worked for others until twenty-one years of age and then joining his father in his farming operations assisted him in paying for the home place. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits and now lives on section 14. Stonington township, where he has one hundred acres of land, which is highly cultivated and improved, the neat and thrifty appearance of the place being proof of his progressive spirit.
On January 8, 1901, Mr. Bollinger was united in marriage to Miss Maggie Salis- bury, a daughter of Enoch Salisbury and a native of Macon county, Illinois. They have a little son. Mr. Bollinger is a member of the Reformed church. At one time he served as a member of the drainage board, but has never been an aspirant for political office, preferring to devote his energies to his busi- ness affairs.
JOSEPH NUTT.
Ireland has furnished many worthy citi- zens to the new world. The sons of Erin are men of ready adaptability, progressive and versatile and they have become useful
factors in various walks of life. Mr. Nutt is a representative of this class. He was born in County Antrim in the north of Ire- land in 1836, a son of Lowry and Sarah Nutt, both of whom spent their entire lives in the Emerald Isle. Joseph Nutt remained there until twelve years of age and then in 1848 crossed the Atlantic to the United States. He had attended the Presbyterian schools of his native country. His mother died in early womanhood and because of this the family was broken up. Mr. Nutt's broth- ers and sisters came with him to the United States, an older brother sending them trans- portation in order to have them join him in the new world. On arriving at New York they made their way to Newburgh, in New York.
It was in the fall of 1856 that Mr. Nutt arrived in Illinois, establishing his home near Springfield in Sangamon county. In that county he attended school and after- ward worked as a farm hand until the in- auguration of the Civil war. He was deeply interested in the Union cause and in 1862 he enlisted in its defense, offering his services at Camp Butler in Springfield. He became a member of the One Hundred and Four- teenth Illinois Infantry under Colonel Judy, the regiment being attached to the command of General Sherman at a later date. Mr. Nutt participated in the battles of Vicksburg. Jackson and Guntown. At the last named he was captured and sent to Andersonville prison, where he was incarcerated for six months, at the end of which time he was paroled. He was then sent north to An- napolis, Maryland, where he obtained a thir- ty days furlough. This was spent in Illi- nois and on the expiration of that period he went to the parole camp at Benton Bar- ricks, Missouri. The war closed before he was permitted to again enter the army. He
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suffered great hardships while in Anderson- ville and yet bears the effects of his prison experience when in military life. After the cessation of hostilities he returned to Spring- field, where he- received an honorable dis- charge.
Mr. Nutt worked upon a farm in Sanga- mon county until his removal to Christian county in 1868. His first purchase of land comprised a tract in Taylorville township, of which he became the owner in 1874. He now owns two hundred and forty acres, con- stituting a very valuable farm, but he has retired from active farm life. In earlier years he gave particular attention to the raising of hogs and cattle for shipments and this business brought to him an excellent re- turn. He greatly improved his land, fenced his fields, erected substantial and commodi - ous buildings, planted trees and added al! modern equipments and accessories such as are found upon a model farm.
Mr. Nutt was married on the 18th of De- cember, 1866, to Miss Anna Eliza Bishop, who was a native of Lima, New York, and is a representative of one of the old Dutch families that settled on Manhattan island. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Nutt have been born five children : Hattie, who is now the wife of E. M. Piper, a farmer of Taylorville town- ship, by whom she has two children : J. H., who married Anna Melvin, by whom he has one child, and resides in Millersville, Illi- nois ; L. S., a resident farmer of South Fork township, who married Cora Gore and has three children; Emma, the wife of J. C. Potts, by whom she has one child; and H. I., who resides upon the old homestead farm in Taylorville township, and married Le- nore Nash. In 1902 Mr. Nutt was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in December of that year and since that time
he has made his home with his eldest daugh- ter, Mrs. E. M. Piper.
In politics he is a stanch Republican and for many years he served as school director, but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking as he has preferred to give his energies and time to his business affairs. Whatever he has undertaken he has car- ried forward to successful completion and to-day he is numbered among the prosperous farmers of Taylorville township. He came to America a poor boy when but twelve years of age and almost continually since that time has been dependent upon his own labors for what he has had and enjoyed. His force of character has enabled him to overcome obstacles and difficulties in his path and to work his way steadily upward from a humble position to one of affluence.
CHARLES DWIGHT KIRK.
Charles Dwight Kirk is the proprietor of the Walnut Grove stock farm, comprising one hundred and eighty acres of land in Buckhart township. In his business affairs he is capable, energetic and reliable and has become well known as a stock dealer. He was born in Christian county on the 21st of April, 1858, at the family home, which joins the farm on which he now resides. His father, Henry Kirk, was a native of Akron, Ohio, and removed to Christian county about 1857. He first purchased a farm in Stonington township, which he afterward traded for the old homestead place of one hundred and sixty acres in Buckhart town- ship. Before leaving Akron, Ohio, he was , united in marriage to Miss Hannah B. Mc- Farland and they had six children, three of whom are now living: Thaddeus D., however, died at the age of twenty years;
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Charles D. is the second of the family ; Emma became the wife of Robert F. Oplinger of Taylorville and has two children: Arthur B. completes the family. In 1866 Mrs. Kirk died and in 1870 Mr. Kirk was again mar- ried, his second union being with Margaret Belle Orr, of Taylorville. They have three living children: Hattie, now the wife of Irvin Baughman of Edinburg: Grace, the wife of John G. Hill of Taylorville; and Pearl J., who married Curtis Baughman of Edinburg. Mr. Kirk, the father of our sub- ject, passed away in February. 1902.
After acquiring his preliminary education in the common schools Charles Dwight Kirk attended school in Taylorville, where he completed his education. F He then en- gaged in teaching in the district schools for three years and through the summer months he also worked on a farm. He was quite successful as an educator because of the readiness with which he imparted to others the knowledge that he had acquired. In about 1888 he purchased of his father one hundred acres of land adjoining the old homestead and has since resided thereon. Here he is engaged in the raising of stock and also of grain and his fields return to him golden harvests for the care and labor he has bestowed upon them.
In 1880 Mr. Kirk was united in marriage , business methods have ever been such as to Miss Addie Lindsley, a daughter of Jo- seph Lindsley, a resident farmer of Christian county, Illinois. They have two living chil- dren: Ethel C., born in 1883; and Claude. born in 1887. They also lost one daughter. Lorena, who died in September. 1894, at Mr. Tobias was born in Pickaway county. Ohio. July 1. 1840, a son of David Tobias. who was a miller of Pickaway county. The grandfather was a farmer by occupation and lived to be more than ninety years of age. while his wife reached the extreme old age of ninety-eight years. On coming to lili- the age of ten years. The wife and mother passed away in October of the same year. In November, 1895. Mr. Kirk was joined in wedlock to Miss Jennie Ladd, a daughter of Noyse Ladd, a resident fariner of Sharps- burg. Illinois, and one of the old pioneer
settlers of the county. Two children graced this marriage: Esther O., born July 30. 1807; and Glenn L., born in June, 1899.
Mr. Kirk is a leading and influential citi - zen and his fitness for office led to his ap- pointment as township treasurer, a position which he has now filled for about twenty- two years in a most acceptable manner. His father also held the same office for eighteen years. Mr. Kirk belongs to the Modern Woodmen Camp, and in former years he was a member of the Christian church but in 1892 he united with the Methodist church of Grove City. His life has ever been hon- orable and upright, his actions manly and sincere and his influence has always been given on the side of right. of truth and of justice.
HENRY HARRISON TOBIAS.
Assumption owes much of its develop- ment, improvement and upbuilding to Henry Harrison Tobias, the senior member of the firm of Tobias & Sons, contractors and builders, and also manufacturers of sash. doors and blinds. Honored and respected by all, there is no man in Assumption who occupies a more enviable position in public regard, not alone because he has achieved most enviable success but also because his would bear the most rigid investigation and scrutiny. He bears an untarnished name and what he has done for the county makes him well worthy of mention among its rep- resentative citizens.
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CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
mois, David Tobias first located in Clark He served for three years and two months county, whence he afterward removed to and was honorably discharged October II, 1864. Tazewell county. There he purchased an im- proved farm and engaged in its further culti- vation until he retired from active business life and took up his abode in Washington, Illinois, where his death occurred in 1885. when he was seventy-eight years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Culp, survived him for many years and passed away in El Paso, Illinois, at the age of eighty-four years, after which her re- mains were brought back and interred by the side of her husband in the cemetery of Washington. By her marriage she had ten children, four sons and six daughters : Daniel, sixty-nine years of age, is a widower
with two children and lives in El Paso, Illi- nois. John, who is married and has six children, resides in Washington, Illinois. Elizabeth is the wife of Peter Shull, of Fort Scott, Kansas, and they have three children. Henry H. is the next of the family. Mrs. Henrietta Zaneis resides in Chicago and has three children. Susie, deceased, was the wife of W. Daniels. Rebecca is the wife of Will- iam King, of Fort Scott, Kansas. William, the eldest of the family, and Martha are. both deceased, and one died in infancy.
H. H. Tobias acquired his education in the public schools of Washington, Illinois, and leaving school shortly after attaining his majority, he enlisted in his country's serv- ice, joining Company B, Forty-seventh Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain D. L. Miles and Colonel Bryner of Peoria. The date of his enlistment was August 16, 1861, and the first winter was spent at Jefferson City, Missouri. Although he participated in twenty-one engagements, some of which were hotly contested, he never received a wound, although his hat was pierced by a bullet which grazed the skin of his head.
On his return to Washington, Illinois, Mr. Tobias learned the carriage making trade with his oldest brother Daniel. He was married in 1865 and then turned his at- tention to farming, after which he removed to El Paso, Illinois. In October, 1873, he arrived in Christian county, Illinois. Set- tling in Assumption he opened a small car- riage shop in connection with a partner, John Hildebrand, who is now deceased. In 1885 he turned his attention to contracting and building and has since gained a fore- most place in the ranks of those who are identified with building operations in this county. Many of the substantial business blocks and the residences in Assumption and the surrounding country stand as monu- ments to his skill and enterprise. About 1893 he established a mill for the purpose of manufacturing sash, doors and blinds and other material used in their construction work. At the time the mill was put in oper- ation Mr. Tobias admitted his sons, E. A. and 1. L. Tobias, to a partnership under the firm style of Tobias & Sons and theirs is to- day one of the leading business enterprises in the county.
On the 26th of October, 1865. Mr. To- bias was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth Gosney, the wedding taking place in Washington, Illinois. The lady was born in Kentucky in 1839, and when a child was brought to this state by an older sister, being reared and educated in Tazewell county. Unto this marriage have been born five chil- dren, but twins died in infancy. The living are as follows: E. A., who is a member of the firm of Tobias & Sons, married Della Howard and with his wife and five children resides in Assumption. Stella is the wife of
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William MeKnight, of Clay county, Illinois. and they have five children. I. L., the youngest member of the firm, is a natural architect. After completing his public- school course he pursued a five years course of study through the corresponding school of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in Septem- ber, 1903. received his diploma. making a very high record in his work. He draws all of the plans of the firm and is largely asso- ciated with M. G. Patterson, an architect of Decatur. They were associated in the draw- ing of the plans for the high school building of Decatur and other evidences of his abil- ity are seen in many fine structures in As- sumption and other parts of the county. The firm erected St. Mary's Academy, a Catholic school, and other public buildings in Assumption and their business is exten- sive and profitable. The younger son was married in 1807 to Miss Maggie Lavigne. and to them were born two children.
H. H. Tobias was reared in the faith of the Democratic party, but is now a Repub- lican. He belongs to the Grand Army Post at Assumption and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. As an early citizen of the county he has been a witness of its development since the country was largely covered with sloughs and ponds and has been deeply interested in its im- provement. Along substantial lines he has contributed to its upbuilding and to-day he is one of the prominent factors in industrial circles. The reputation of the firm is unas- sailable and their business is a potent factor in the commercial activity wherein the pros- perity and continued well-being of every community depends,
W. E. AALLISON.
W. E. Allison, passenger and freight agent for the Illinois Central Railroad Com-
pany at Assumption, is one of the progressive citizens of the town and has twice served as mayor. In public affairs he has been most active in behalf of general progress and improvement and his administration as chief executive of Assumption was most business-like. He was born on the 9th of February, 1860, a son of C. W. and Sarah J. (Jones) Allison. His mother was a rep- resentative of an old American family of Kentucky. Unto C. W. and Susan Allison were born three children, of whom W. E. is the eldest. His brother, Frank A., is now telegraph operator at Assumption, and J. E. Allison is agent for the Illinois Central Railroad Company at Vandalia, Illinois.
In the public schools of Aetna, Illinois. W. E. Allison acquired his preliminary edu- cation, which was supplemented by study in a private school in Loxa, Illinois. He after- ward engaged in teaching for four terms in AAetna and was also identified with educa- tional interests in Loxa and in Janesville. In 1883, however, he put aside the work of the schoolroom and entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company at Kappa, Illinois, where he remained for two years. In July, 1885. he came to his pres- ent position in Assumption and has since been passenger and freight agent at this place. He learned telegraphy and has made his services of much value to the corpor- ation which he represents. He is a popular agent, always courteous to the patrons of the road and his obliging manner and busi- ness-like methods have gained for him the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, through the exercise of his official duties. He has also become inter- ested in business enterprises of importance and is now one of the stockholders in the National Manufacturing & Electric Light Company of Assumption. As his financial
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CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
resources have increased he has also invested in real estate and to-day owns eleven hun- dred acres of good farming land in Texas, together with one of the best residences in Assumption.
On the 7th of October, 1885. Mr. Allison was united in marriage to Miss Louisa E. Yerion, a daughter of George A. and M. E. Yerion of Kappa, Ilinois. She is one of a family of eight children and is the second in order of birth of those now living. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children : Cleo and George Edward.
Mr. Allison affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and gives his political support to the Republican party. He is a recognized leader in local political ranks and has been honored with several positions. He served as a member of the town board for two terms, has been mayor of Assumption and has been a member of the school board for several years. He was serving on the town board at the time the ordinance was passed providing for the lighting of Assump- tion by electricity. He has witnessed the development of this place from a small vil- lage and with a recognition of its possibil- ities and a desire for its future permanent development he has labored so that his ef- forts in co-operation with others have pro- duced excellent results. He and his family are members of the First Presbyterian church and are well known people of the commun- ity held in high esteem by reason of their genuine worth.
JOSEPH WAREHAM.
Joseph Warcham, the proprietor of a liv- ery stable in Taylorville, was born June 4. 1824, in Dorsetshire, England, a son of Daniel and Emma Wareham. His father was a woodman of England. The son was
reared in that country, where he remained until twenty-four years of age, and in 1848 he bade adieu to friends and native land and sailed for America, arriving at New Or- leans after a voyage of six weeks and one day. He had pursued his education in the schools of England and he also engaged in teaching there. After arriving in this coun try, however, he secured employment as a farm hand and also engaged in making hoops for hay presses, at which he earned four dollars and a half per day. He fol- lowed this pursuit for one year and then re- turned to England for his wife. In 1851 he again came to this country and secured a position as foreman on a farm in Jersey county, Illinois, in the employ of a Mr. Tri- ble. That he gave excellent satisfaction and enjoyed the entire confidence and trust of his employer is indicated by the fact that he occupied that position for nineteen years. At the end of that time, having invested his earnings in real estate, he was the owner of two good farms and he then began working for himself. One farm was located in South Fork township, Christian county, and upou this he took up his abode. Later be pur- chased an entire section of land and began raising stock-mules, horses and sheep. On the 15th of August, 1899, he removed to Taylorville and established the livery stable which he still conducts. He also huys and ships mules and horses. In his business af- fairs he has been very successful and to-day owns about four hundred acres of valuable land in Christian county. He has always been interested in the raising of stock and in this branch of his business has been par- ticularly successful.
In 1846 Mr. Wareham was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Simms, a native of England, and unto them were born eleven children, of whom two are living: Fred-
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erick J. is now married and resided upon his father's farm until January 1, 1904, when he moved to Taylorville and assumed charge of his father's livery stable. Emily is now the wife of Charles Lockwood, a resident of Riverside, California.
In 1893 Mr. Wareham removed with his family to California, where he owned and operated a ranch. He made all of the im- provements upon it and continued to con- duct the place until 1895, when his wife (lied. He then gave the ranch to his daugh- ter and came to Taylorville, where he has since made his home. Mrs. Wareham was a most estimable lady and a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Wareham also belongs to that church and his life has ever been in consistent harmony with its teachings. In politics he is an ear- nest Republican and his fellow townsmen have honored him with a number of local positions, recognizing his worth and ability. He served as supervisor for fifteen years in Macoupin county and was the justice of the peace in South Fork township. As a self- made man he has worked his way steadily upward, his life demonstrating that oppor- timity is always open to the young man of determination and energy who is not afraid of hard work. He had only ten cents in money when he and his wife landed in this country, but he possessed a strong heart and willing hands and scorned no honest em- ployment that would yield him a living. Gradually he added to his possessions and as the years have passed he has gained a place among the substantial residents of his adopted county, being now the possessor of valuable property interests.
D. T. DAVIS.
Through the years of his identification with Christian county D. T. Davis enjoyed
the highest respect of his fellow citizens and his death, which occurred January 5, 1803. was deeply mourned. He was born in War- ren, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of January, 1818, and was a son of John S. Davis, in whose family were seven children, six sons and one daughter. Of this number only one is now living. A. L. Davis, a prominent business man of Princeton, Bureau county. Illinois, now in California.
Our subject received a good practical ed- unication in the common schools of Warren county, Pennsylvania, and the knowledge there acquired was greatly supplemented by reading and study in later years. He was fond of good literature and in his readings kept up with the times. This made him a good conversationalist and an entertaining companion. During his boyhood he learned the pattern-maker's trade in the east and became a skilled mechanic, perfecting sev- eral good paying patents on machinery.
Leaving Pennsylvania, Mr. Davis re- moved to Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, at an early day. and after working at the carpenter's trade for a time engaged in the planing mill business with his brother .A. L. Davis until his removal to Christian county about the close of the Civil war in 1866. Locating in Pana he continued to carry on contracting and building for some years, having previously followed that occupation in Bureau county and here he erected many residences and some school houses. He owned two carpenter shops, one of which was blown away by a cyclone. For some years he was connected with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Gales- burg. Later he was in the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company as a pattern-maker in their shops at Pana for a number of years and then opened a planing mill, which he conducted until his retirement
D. T. DAVIS
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CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
from active business about 1888. In search of health he visited Florida and other places in company with his wife but spent his last days in Pana.
At Galesburg, Illinois, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Frances A. Dud- ley, and they began their married life at Ottumwa, Iowa. Mrs. Davis was born in Wyoming county, Pennsylvania, and was educated at Galesburg, this state. Her father, J. A. Dudley, was born in Vermont and on reaching manhood married Feoda Dimmock, a daughter of Elder Dimmock, who was an old time circuit rider of Medina, Ohio, and was well known throughout that part of the country. On her father's side Mrs. Davis had an aunt, Mrs. Martha True, who made her home in Janesville, Wiscon- sin, and died leaving a large family, of whom Mrs. Davis is now trying to find some trace. In the Dudley family were nine children. namely : Edward, who was a pas- senger conductor on the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy Railroad for thirty-five years and was retired from service on account of old age, makes his home in Galesburg: Mrs. Affa Slatter died in Bennington, New York : Davis was a soldier of the Civil war and died in Chicago; William H. is a resident of Los Angeles, California: Frances A. is the widow of our subject; Martha, who was named for Mrs. True, is the wife of Dan Chenney, of Brookfield, Missouri, who is in the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad; Mrs. Ella Emery also makes her home in Brookfield; Solomon, a soldier of the Civil war, was killed in the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad yards at Galesburg ; and a daughter died in the east before the emigration of the family to Illinois.
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