USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 38
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CLAUDE B. FOREMAN, M. D.
In this age where progress is rapid, where advancement continually character- izes all departments of industrial, commer- cial and professional activity. Dr. Claude B. Foreman, imbued with the spirit of the times, has in his practice kept in constant touch with advanced thought, experiment and experience in the line of his chosen call- ing and is uniformly accounty one of the most capable physicians and surgeons of Greene county. He is practicing in Kane and is a native son of the county, his birth
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having occurred in White Hall, February 20, 1875. his parents being Abner W. and Elizabeth R. ( Hayden ) Foreman. The father, a native of Indiana, is a very successful physician at White Hall. The mother was born in Pike county, Illinois.
Dr. Claude B. Foreman, having pursued his elementary education in the public schools of White Hall and completed his literary studies by graduation from the high school with the class of 1894, entered upon preparation for the practice of medicine as a student in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons, at St. Louis, Mis- souri. He was graduated in 1897 and well equipped by thorough preparation for his chosen life work, he located for practice in Kane, where he has since remained, build- ing up an extensive business. In the winter of 1903-4 he pursued post-graduate work in Rush Medical College of Chicago, and it is his intention to take post-graduate work from time to time, thus keeping in touch with the progress that is one of the essential features of the successful medical practi- tioners. Ile is a student, thorough and con- scientious in his work and in his practice he has made a specialty of the treatment of diseases of the eye. car and throat. Prompted by a laudable ambition, unfalter- ing energy and aided by careful preparation for his life work. he has already won success and has the confidence of the general public. Fraternally he is a member of the King Sol- omon lodge, No. 197. A. F. & .A. M., being made a Mason in Kane in March, 1902. Socially he is prominent and popular and has gained many friends in Kane during the period of his residence here. He was mar- ried October 4, 1904, to Miss Fay Greenc. a daughter of Robert W. Greene, whose sketch appears in this volume.
ROBERT PIERSON
The name of Pierson m the pubde molod stands for banking interests in Carroliten and Greene county, and the members of the family are widely recognized as leading rep- resentatives of financial interests in this part of the state. Robert Pierson, a son of David Pierson, was born in Carrollton, Ilinois. October 9. 1844. and after acquiring his education in the public schools of this city he entered his father's banking establishment then conducted under the name of Piers ar's Exchange Bank. He served as clerk for a time, during which period he gained an inti- mate and accurate knowledge of the business in many of its departments and later he he- came cashier, being taken into the business as a partner When the bank was merged into the Greene County National Bank he was continued as cashier and acted in that capac- ity until 1882, when owing to failing health he removed with his family to Minneapolis. Minnesota, arriving there in the month of June. There he gave his attention to the brokerage and real estate business, continu- ing operations along that line until his death. which occurred on the 9th of November. 1887.
Robert Pierson had a very wide circle of friends in Greene county, where the days of his boyhoood and youth had been passe.] and where for a number of years he had been closely associated with financial interests. He was a popular bank cashier, because of his unfailing courtesy as well as his busines, attitude. Those who knew him-and his acquaintance was wide-esteemed him for qualities which in every land and chime com- mand respect. He had a social nature, a genial temperament and a cordial mmer and endeared himself to many friends so that
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his death was deeply regretted in his native county as well as in Minneapolis, the place of his residence.
Robert Pierson married Julia Eldred, who was born October 26, 1844, on a farm about two miles west of Carrollton, a daugh- ter of Elon Eldred. Two children were born unto them: Stuart E. and Ettie May, now the wife of John R. Robertson of Jackson- ville, Illinois.
Stuart E. Pierson was born September 8. 1872, in Carrollton and went to Minne- apolis, Minnesota, with his parents when a lad of nine years. He continued his educa- tion in the public schools of that city and was graduated from the central high school with the class of 1891. He then entered Yale College and completed a full course in that institution with the class of 1895. His edu- cation having been completed he then re- turned to the city of his nativity. The family being interested in the Greene County National Bank he accepted a position in the institution and soon afterward was promoted to assistant cashier, in which capacity he has since served. Like the other members of the family he has made a creditable record as a business man and his social acquaintance is also extensive and favorable.
On the 8th of June, 1898, Stuart Pierson was married to Miss Mary Thomas, of Corrollton, Illinois, a daughter of W. D. Thomas. They now have one daughter, Julia. Mr. Pierson is prominent in Ma- sonry, being made a Mason in Carrollton in 1897. Hle belongs to Carrollton lodge, No. 50. . A. F. & .\. M. : Carrollton chapter. No. 77. R. A. M .: Hugh De Payens com- mandery. K. T., of Carrollton. He is a republican in politics and is a member of the county republican central committee, the board of education and the library board.
LEVI T. WHITESIDE.
Levi T. Whiteside, who for many years was a resident of Greene county, was num- bered among the honored pioneer settlers of 1831 and as the years advanced his success as a business man and his usefulness as a citizen increased. While capably controlling farming and other interests, he also found time to assist in promoting public measures and movements that had for their object the general good, and in a number of local offices, he proved himself most loyal to the general welfare.
Judge Whiteside-for by that title he was known throughout the county-was born in St. Louis county. Missouri, August 4. 18II, his parents being James H. and Sarah Whiteside, in whose family were six children. The father was a native of Ruth- erford county, North Carolina, and the mother, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Tanzey, was of French descent and also a native of North Carolina. Removing to the middle west James H. Whiteside settled in St. Louis county, Missouri, before that land was acquired by the United States through the Louisiana purchase. He was a saddler and harness-maker by trade, but in the latter part of his life he followed the occupation of farming. He settled in Illinois in the spring of 1820, four miles from the present site of Jerseyville, where he lived for three years, when he moved to what is now Scott county. but was then a part of Morgan county. There he resided until 1831. when he came to Greene county, locating in White Hall township, near Apple Creek Prairie, four miles southwest of the site of White Hall. There he resided until his death, May 13. 1863. he being then in his eighty-first year. llis widow then went to live with her daugh-
PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY
ter Catherine aud chie 1 at her home. James H. Wimeside was a cousin of General Samuel Whiteside and both did active serv- ice in the war of 1812.
Levi T. Whiteside acquired his early education in the schools of Morgan and Greene counties, was reared to farm life and while always interested in agricultural pur- suits he also extended his efforts into other lines of activity, bec ming one of the lead- ing representatives of business interests in Greene county. For twenty years he en- gaged in merchandising in White Hall, con- ducting one of the leading commercial enter- prises of the city and enjoying a large patronage. He made judicious purchases and sales of real estate, and through the capable conduct of his varied business inter- ests amassed a fortune and acquired a great deal of property. In his later years he re- tired from active business life and enjoyed a well merited rest upon his farm near White Hall, enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
On the 13th of August, 1837. Judge Whiteside was united in marriage to Miss Jane Smith, a daughter of Jacob and Rachel Smith, of Morgan county. They had two children, but Cordelia is deceased. The liv- ing daughter is Henrietta, the wife of Seth N. Griswold, of White Hall.
Judge Whiteside wielded a wide influ- ence in public affairs and his deep interest in the general good and the personal efforts he put forth to foster progressive measures well fitted him for leadership and to mold public thought and action. He filled several offices of trust and responsibility, was justice of the peace for several years and postmaster of Breese for several years. lle was elected associate justice of the county court for one term and was a member of the state board of equalization. With a just appreciation of
always taanlift & the pubbe trust and Ine course at off toires and ne all loes menons was that of a lich minded. Youprale 10:11. His name certainly deserves it be curly inscribe I on the roll of Greene county's the. ored pioneers.
C. W. HOLNBACK.
C. M. Hlolback, living on section ro, Rockbridge township. Greene county, is the owner and proprietor of the Southside stock farm, a well improved and valuable tract of land adjacent to the village of Rockbridge. His place comprises altogether fifteen hun dred acres lying in the southern part of Greene county and the northern part of Jersey county. He has lived in Greene county only since 1886, but the extent of his operations as a stock dealer has made him well known. He was born in the city of St. Louis, Missouri .. June 14, 1855. His father. Adolph Holnback, of Jerseyville. Illi- nois, was for many years an active business man there but is now living retired. He had two sons, one being George Holnback, who is engaged in the butchering business in Greenfield.
In his childhood days C. W. Homback was brought to Illinois by his parents, arriv - ing in this state in 1863. He was then reared and educated in Jerseyville, and in his youth he asssisted his father in the butcher shop and meat market, being thus engaged musl twenty-seven years of age. Following Is marriage he continued in the butchermg business in Jerseyville for four years, but. thinking that he would found a better fied of labor along other lines, he began forming
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in 1880 upon a tract of land where he now resides. In addition to the cultivation of the fields he also turned his attention to stock- raising. He commenced here with about six hundred acres of land, but from time to time he has added to his property until his pos- sessions now aggregate fifteen hundred acres. All is well improved and valuable land. Mr. Holnback has built a large, sub- stantial residence, barns and outbuildings and has added all modern accessories until his place is fully equipped with every con- venience known to the progressive agricul- turist of the present time. In connection with the production of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he is engaged in the raising, feeding and fattening of stock for the market, fattening on an average of two hundred and forty head of cattle an- nually in addition to several carloads of hogs and sheep. He is regarded as one of the suc- cessful farmers and stock-raisers and dealers of the county, being an excellent judge of farm animals, so that he is enabled to make his purchases wisely and sell at good profit.
In September, 1862, in Greene county, Mr. Holnback was married to Miss Bena Achenbach, a daughter of Peter Achenbach, who was one of the early settlers, large land- owners and successful farmers of Greene county. Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children: Nellie, who is now a student in the Jacksonville Female College : Peter, who is breeding and dealing in Poland China hogs and who is now a student in the Culver Military Institute at Culver, Indiana ; and Bessie, at home.
Politically Mr. Holnback is independent, supporting the man whom he thinks best qualified for office without regard for party affiliation. 1le has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his time and atten-
tion to his extensive business interests which have constantly grown in volume and im- portance. He has, however, been identified with movements that have resulted to the public good. He was one of the men who reorganized the Greene County Fair Asso- ciation and for four consecutive years served as its president. Interested in the cause of public education he is a believer in good schools and competent teachers and for eleven years he has served on the Rockbridge school board and is now president of the dis- trict. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, interested and active in its work and he served for ten years as Sunday-school superintendent, while for two years he was president of the Greene County Sunday-school Association. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belong- ing to the lodge at Greenfield. He has a wide and favorable acquaintance through this and adjoining counties and is a thor- ough business man, alert and enterprising, understanding the business situation and the markets and so directing his efforts that he has gained a competence that classes him with the most substantial citizens of central Illinois.
SAMUEL M. CUNNINGHAM.
History records the name of Samuel M. Cunningham as that of one of the pioneer settlers of Greene county, who through suc- cceding years was closely identified with the agricultural interests of this part of the state, his labors contributing to the material devel- opment and upbuilding of the county as well as to his individual success. Quiet was his life in some respects, for he cared naught for
den
SAMUEL M. CUNNINGHAM.
MRS. E. E. CUNNINGHAM.
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public notoriety, yet his influence proved a potent element for good, while his personal qualities drew to him the regard and friend- ship of men.
Mr. Cunningham was born in Marion county, Kentucky, February 16. 1818, his parents being Robert and Nancy Cunning- ham, who in early life resided in Virginia, whence they removed to the Blue Grass state. In the state of his nativity Samuel M. Cun- ningham was reared, acquiring his education in the public schools, and becoming familiar with the best methods of farming, as known at that day. He came to Illinois in 1850, set- tling in Greene county, and in December of that year he was united in marriage to Miss Emeline E. Cooper, who was born in Ken- tucky. August 23, 1829. a daughter of Judge E. L. and Mary M. Cooper, who came to Greene county in 1836, their daughter being at that time six years of age. She was a young lady of twenty-one when she gave her hand in marriage to Samuel Cunningham. and almost immediately afterward they re- turned to Kentucky, where they spent the two succeeding years and then came again to Greene county. Here they took up their permanent abode.
Mr. Cunningham entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government and at once began to transform the wild tract into productive fields, while, as his financial resources increased. he extended his landed holdings until he was the possessor, at the time of his death, of six hundred and sixty acres of very valuable land. The home farm near Greenfield, which he operated, com- prised three hundred and twenty acres. He was energetic and through the performance of each day's work and duty as it came to him. he was enabled to add year by year to
his property until he was numbered aning the men of affluence in this part of the state. He had a wide acquaintance among the early settlers of this and adjoining counties and he belonged to that class of resolute pioneer people who faced the dangers and difficulties of establishing homes in a frontier district and laid the foundation for the present progress and prosperity of the county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham nine children were born, of whom three are still living : Robert L., a resident of White HIall; George W., who is living a retired life in Greenfield and is represented on another page of this work; and L. E., a traveling salesman residing in Carrollton. One son, 11. C. Cunningham, who was interested with his brother George in the stock business for a number of years, died October 15, 1894.
Mr. Cunningham was a republican, be- ing the one member of the family to sup- port that party. Political preferment, how ever, had no attraction for him, as he pre- ferred to do his public service as a private citizen, and he was never found remiss in the performance of any duty or labor that would benefit his community and promote its welfare. He favored reform and prog- ress, material improvement and educational advancement and it was known that his sup port could be counted upon to further any beneficial measure or movement. He was a loyal member of the Cumberland Presby- terian church, yet gave liberally to the up- building of all the churches of his locality. There was nothing narrow or contracted in his religion nor in his nature. Ile possessed a broad humanitarian spirit and appreciated the good in all men and all things. He die 1 in 1880, at the age of sixty-two years, while living upon the farm near Greenfield. which
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had long been his home, having for almost a third of a century-the period of his resi- dence in Greene county-occupied a most honorable and enviable position in the re- gard of his fellow citizens.
Mrs. Cunningham, still surviving her husband, remained upon the home farm until October 15, 1893, when she removed with her father to Greenfield, where she has since resided. From early girlhood she has been a consistent member of the Baptist church and has taken an active and helpful part in its work, largely promoting the various de- partments of church activity. With the ex- ception of a brief period of two years spent with her husband in Kentucky immediately after her marriage, she has resided continu- ously in Greene county from her sixth year, and she has now passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey. Ever faithful to the duties of wifehood and motherhood and of that circle in which woman reigns supreme, she has promoted happiness and shed around her much of life's sunshine.
GEORGE W. WITT.
George W. Witt is one of the extensive landowners of Greene county and a business man of marked energy and enterprise, suc- cessfully controlling his farming and stock- raising interests. He was born in Kane township, this county, on the 21st of April, 1841, and is descended from one of the old families of Virginia. Ilis great-grandfather Witt, and his grandfather, John Witt, were natives of that state and were planters there. The latter removed from the Old Dominion to Tennessee, where he remained for a num- ler of years. From that state he came to
Illinois and first located in Pope county, but in 1830 came to Greene county. He lived for a time in Carrollton township and from there removed to a farm in Rockbridge township. In 1845 he left Illinois and went to Texas.
Franklin Witt, the father of our subject, was born in Tennessee and accompanied the family on their removal to Pope county, Illinois. In 1826 he settled near Beards- town in Cass county, and a year later became a resident of Carrollton township, Greene county. He afterward removed to Kane township, where he lived until his death in 1851. In his farming operations he was very successful and as his financial resources increased he added to his property until he was the owner of about one thousand acres of land at the time of his death. His busi- ness affairs were capably conducted, justice, enterprise and keen discrimination charac- terizing all his dealings. In matters of citi- zenship he was progressive and public- spirited, his influence ever being on the s.de substantial improvement and advancement. His qualities well fitted him for leadership and he aided in molding public thought and action in his locality. For a number of years he served as justice of the peace and he was twice elected to the state legislature as a member of the house, while three times he represented his district in the state senate. He did not seek to figure as an orator of pyrotechnic brilliance, but was deeply inter- ested in constructive legislation, and many measures which have proven of benefit in the state were largely fostered by him. He was still serving in the upper house of the Illinois assembly at the time of his death. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Me- linda Perry, was a native of Kentucky, and they became the parents of ten children.
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George W. Witt. the ninth in order of birth, began his education at the usual age in a subscription school. When his father died the mill which he had operated for a number of years, was sold in accordance with his request that they should sell that property and remove to the farm upon which our subject now resides. George W. Witt was then only ten years of age. He was reared upon the old home farm and early hecame familiar with the labors of field and meadow. After attaining his majority he purchased the interests of the other heirs and continued to operate the farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. When he found opportunity he also added to the place from time to time until his realty holdings have become extensive. aggregating eleven hundred acres of valuable farming land situ- ated in Kane township. On this he has erected an elegant farm residence and other substantial buildings, so that the farm is well equipped for the care of the grain and stock raised. He is extensively engaged in rais- ing hogs, making a specialty of the Poland- China hogs, and he also feeds large numbers of catttle, having usually from two hundred to three hundred head. He annually raises large quantities of corn, which he uses for feeding purposes, and in all of his farm work he is most progressive, so that his labors have been resultant, bringing to him richly merited success. Ile has labored continu- ously for the improvement of conditions affecting the welfare of the farmer, doing effective work as a member of the county agricultural board, with which he has been connected for forty years. He has been one of its directors the greater part of the time and for three years was its president. Ile has also frequently been a delegate to the state board of agriculture.
In April. 1800. Alr. Wir was mited in marriage to Miss Eliza Jane More, a native of Greene county, who died in 1873. Their daughter, Tomette, is now Mrs. Cory. of Kane township. In 1874 Mr. Witt was again married, his second union being with Miss Margaret Gardmer, als , Forn in Greene county, a daughter of C. J. Gardiner. Her death occurred in 1879. There was one son by this marriage. Fred T., who is farming about a mile and a half eist of the old homestead farm. In 1880 Mr. Witt was married to Miss Louisa Ann Williams. of Jersey county, Illinois, a daughter of William P. Williams, of that county. The children of the third union are: Thomas Kyle, who is living on the old homestead : Alta M .: Rachel J .: Adaline E .: William Paxton : Edna L .; and an infant, deceased. The family is one of prominence in the comm- munity, the members of the household occu- pying an enviable position in social circles.
Mr. Witt has long been a recognized leader in public affairs, and his efforts in be- half of his county have been far-reaching and beneficial. For thirty-seven years he has served as school director; was justice of the peace for eight years : sheriff for two years ; and in 1900 was elected to the state legis- lature. Ile received the endorsement of the clistrict for a second nomination but owing to the redistricting of the state his county had no show to secure the representative. for the senator from the district was a Greene county man and other counties in the district felt that the representation should be more equally distributed. Mr. Witt, however, re- ceived the endorsement of his county on three separate occasions. He takes an active interest in politic il matters, has ever becht a stanch advocate of the principles of the dem- ecratic party and has been a delegate to
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many congressional and state conventions, his opinions carrying weight in the party councils. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and is a Mason, belonging to the blue lodge at Kane and the com- mandery at Carrollton.
Viewed from any standpoint his life may be said to be a success ; and it is the success not merely of the man who prosecutes a prosperous agricultural life, intent only on winning wealth, but that of the man who advances public good in promoting indi- vidual prosperity. The study of the char- acter of the representative American never fails to offer much of pleasing interest and valuable instruction, and the life of Mr. Witt certainly furnishes food for deep and prof- itable thought.
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