USA > Illinois > Greene County > Past and present of Greene County, Illinois > Part 57
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over the mounted passes, the party hoy no trouble with the Indians. General les raid lu- umele. J. D. Fry, who had gone to cah- forma in 1849, Opened a store in the mamy districts and General Fry assiste l m the conduct of this commercial enterprise Sub- sequently, however, they disposed of their Store there and removed to Sacramento. where they opened a general mercantile es tablishment, which they conducted for sale time. In 1856 the father and son returned to Illinois and for two years General Fry re- sided in Ottawa, LaSalle county, but Captain Fry returned at once to his home in Greene county in 1856, locating on the old Fry homestead, six miles south of Carrollton. where he was joined by his father m 1858.
Theirs was an elegant residence. well built, and it is now occupied by Thomas S. Parker. It continued to be the home of General Fry, however, until his death Cap- tain Fry remained there until 1870, when he removed to Carrollton, which has since been the place of bisabode, and he now occupies a nice residence in the north part of the town. Ilewwns a farm of eighty acres, which yields him a good meome.
During the period of the Civil war Cap- tai Fry served as provost marshal for the tenth congressional district Hle hul pre vously filled the office of deputy sheriff and in publie matters he has ever been loyal 11 e tizenship and progressive in promoting all mesures which he has deeined would prove of benefit to his community Hle beleidigst the Masovic fraterinty, having been made a Mason at Ottawa, Illinois, m 1854. anders today core of the honored promeer restent- of the county_ the history of which is fanshar to him thươngh almost the entire Derin 00 Its existence
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
DANIEL T. OZBUN.
The attractiveness of Greene county as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that many of its native sons have continued to remain as its citizens after reaching man- hood. Among this number is Mr. Ozbun, who is now successfully carrying on farm- ing near Carrollton. He was born in Rood- house township, Greene county, on the 7th of October, 1839, and is a son of Benjamin F. Ozbun. The family is of Scotch and Welsh lineage and was established in Amer- ica in early colonial days. Representatives of the name removing to Tennessee became owners of large plantations there. The grandfather, Bartholomew Ozbun, who was born in North Carolina on the Ioth of March, 1776, went to Tennessee, where he remained for a number of years and some of his brothers became residents of Indiana. The grandfather, however, accompanied by his son Benjamin F., came to Illinois in 1834, his son Daniel having previously lo- cated in Greene county. In 1816 the grand- father had made a trip to the southern por- tion of Illinois, where he remained for a year, but later returned to Tennessee and afterward spent a short time in Indiana. In 1832, however, he again went to Indiana and located in Greene county, where he re- mained until 1834, when he came to Greene county, Illinois. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Abbott, who was born November 16. 1785.
.Among their children was Benjamin Oz- buin, the father of our subject, whose birth occurred in Sumner county, Tennessee, No- vember 18. 1810. With his father he came to Illinois in the fall of 1834, becoming a res- ident of Greene county. At that time he had a cash capital of fifty cents and he also owned
a horse, which he had ridden from Tennes- see to Indiana and afterward to this state. He began work for Samuel Thomas for twelve dollars per month and was employed in the neighborhood as a farm hand for about two years. He was then married on the 9th of July, 1837, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy McCool, a native of Polk county, Tennessee. They became the parents of ten children, of whom four are now living. After their marriage the young couple set- tled on a tract of land which he had entered from the government in the northwestern part of the county and he at once began to cultivate and improve what hitherto had been raw prairie. He resided thereon until 1854, when he sold the property and for a few years rented land from Samuel Thomas. In 1857, however, he purchased one hundred and twenty acres in the northwestern part of Kane township and continued to make his home thereon throughout his remaining days. As his financial resources increased he added to this from time to time until he became the owner of two hundred and forty acres. He was there engaged in general farming and his enterprise and business ac- tivity were salient characteristics in his life. He was also a good citizen and kind and de- voted husband and father. He passed away July 18, 1885, amid the deep regret of many friends. His son Robert then took up the management of the farm for his mother, who resided upon the old homestead until her death, which occurred on the 7th of March, 1895.
Daniel T. Ozbun, spending his boyhood days under the parental roof, was sent to the subscription schools at an early day and when he had put aside his text-books he learned the carpenter's trade, living at home up to the time of his marriage, which im-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
portant event in his life was celebrated on the 7th of April, 1875. Ile wedded Susan J. Summers, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Tun- nell) Summers, also natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Ozbun had five children : Charles U., who is now living on the old homestead; Alice E., now the wife of ]I. W. Forman, clerk of Carrollton township, and a resident of Carrollton : Jackson L., who was born February 6, 1881, and died July 30, 1903 : Allen Tunnell, who was born November 6, 1885. and died July 8, 1886; and Elmer, who was born September 3. 1889, and is at home with his parents.
.At the time of his marriage Mr. Ozbun purchased eighty acres of land, upon which he now resides. It was a timber tract and. clearing away the trees, he plowed the fields, planted his erops and in due course of time developed rich tracts. He inherited forty acres of the homestead property and he pur- chased sixty acres in addition to the home- stead. He has altogether at the pres- ent time one hundred and eighty acres of land, which is very arable and productive and he is now successfully carrying on general farming. He also raises cattle and hogs and has added to his income in this way. There are good buildings on his place, well located, and there is also ex- cellent bearing orchards. Mr. Ozbun has served as a school director and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend, for he realizes the value of instruction as a prepara- tion for the practical and responsible duties of life. He and his family have long been connected with the Methodist Episcopal church as faithful and helpful members, and he gives his political allegiance to the De- mocracy. He is a man of firm convictions,
of strong purposes and honorable motives, and his life record is in many respects well worthy of commendation.
JOHN E. WYATT.
John E. Wyatt, who is engaged in the livery business in White Hall, was born on the 2d of February, 1862, in Morgan county, Illinois. Ilis paternal grandparents were Veddie and Martha Wyatt, the former a na- tive of Todd county, Kentucky, and the lat- ter of the same state. Their son, James L. Wyatt, father of our subject, was also born in Kentucky and twice served his country as a soldier. He was with Grant in the Mexi- can war and afterward became captain of Company F of the One Hundred and First Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the period of hostilities between the north and the south. He enlisted as a private and meritor- jous conduct on the field of battle won him promotion to the rank of second lieutenant. He was afterward commissioned first lieu- tenant and later captain and he served con- tinuously from 1861 until 1865. participat- ing in a number of important engagements. including the battle of Lookout Mountain, Peachtree Creek and others. Making his home in Morgan county, Illinois, he there carried on farming for many years and his death occurred in 188t. when he was sixty- five years of age. He married Jane S. Tun- nell, who died in 1894. She had one brother, R. M. Tunnell, a graduate of Illinois College.
John E. Wyatt was reared under the parental roof end is indebted to the public- school system of Illinois for the educational
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
privileges which he enjoyed. He engaged in farming on the old homestead in Morgan county until 1900, when he turned his atten- tion to his present business, purchasing the lot and building and also the livery stock of P. Brantzell, at White Hall. Here he has since remained, conducting a well equipped livery barn, and he now has a very desir- able patronage, owing to his earnest desire to please his customers and his straightfor- ward business methods.
On the 8th of November, 1882, Mr. Wyatt was united in marriage to Miss Mag- gie B. Strang, a daughter of C. F. Strang, of Morgan county, Illinois. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows society and the Knights of Pythias lodge, and he also be- longs to the Sons of Veterans camp at Jack- sonville. His political views are in harmony with the principles of the Democratic plat- form, but he has never been active in search of public office, preferring to concentrate his energies upon his business affairs.
DEACON ROBERT R. COOPER.
Sixty-eight years have come and gone since Robert R. Cooper located in Illinois and this covers the greater part of the period of the progress and development of the state, so that Mr. Cooper may well be classed with the pioncer residents, living to see the for- ests and the swamp give way before the cul- formed the wild tracts of land into richly tivation of the husbandman, who has trans- cultivated fields. Mr. Cooper was closely as- sociated with agricultural interests in Greene and Macoupin counties and now having ac- quired a handsome competence he is living a retired life.
Kentucky has furnished many worthy citizens to Illinois and among this number is Robert R. Cooper, whose birth occurred in Christian county of the former state on the 22d of January, 1828. His father, Judge E. L. Cooper, was born in Virginia, September 24. 1799, and was there reared. He re- moved to Kentucky, locating in Christian county and there he opened up a farm, clear- ing a tract of land and making it a very pro- ductive place. He was married in Christian county to Miss Mary M. Perry, whose birth occurred in Virginia, August 28, 1793. The young couple began their domestic life in Kentucky but in 1836 came to Illinois, set- tling in Greene county, where Mr. Cooper purchased a farm. Later he entered and bought other land until he became the owner of more than four hundred acres, all in one body near Wrightsville. Upon that place he reared his family, continuing there until about 1856, when he removed to Greenfield. Later he lived in the country with a widowed daughter, Mrs. E. E. Cunningham, but in 1893 returned to Greenfield, where he re- sided until his death in 1900, when he had reached the very venerable age of one hun- dred years and six months lacking two days. His wife had died about twelve years prior to his death and although she was not a cen- tenarian she was almost ninety-four years of age at the time of her demise. Mr. Cooper was one of the prominent men of his locality and he served in various positions of honor and trust, wielding a wide influence in public affairs and at the same time assisting in the material development of his county. His family numbered four sons and two daughters, all of whom reached years of ma- turity, while three are still living. The eld- est. Mildred. became the wife of Clark Stephens and is now deceased: W. T. died
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
on the old homestead; Robert R. is the third of the family: Emeline E. became the wife of Samuel M. Cunningham and the mother of George W. Cunningham, who is repre- sented elsewhere in this work ; Edmund M. is living in Girard, Illinois; and Adrian 1. died in Kansas City, Missouri.
Robert R. Cooper was reared upon the old family homestead and in his youth re- ceived but meager school privileges, so that the knowledge that has made him a well in- formed man has been largely acquired since he attained adult age. He remained with his father until he had reached his majority and during that period received ample train- ing in farm labor. Following his marriage he began farming on his own account in Greene county and after three or four years he removed to Macoupin county, where he purchased a farm of three hundred and twenty acres. This he cultivated and im- proved, erecting thereon good buildings and he developed a valuable property. In all of his farm labors he was progressive, continu ing his active farming operations until 1898. lle likewise engages in the raising and feed ing of stock and was classed with the well to-do agriculturists of his community. He was one of the promoters of two railroads in the county and has been deeply interested in all that has pertained to its material upbuild- ing. lle continued to reside upon his farm until 1808, when he rented the property and removed to Greenfield, where he purchased the residence that he now occupies.
In 1850 Mr. Cooper was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy A. Parks and they trav eled life's journey together until 1868, when Mrs. Cooper was called to her final rest. There were seven children by that mar- riage, of whom two are living : Herny F . a
resident farmer of Greene county; and Adrian E., who is living upon the old fam- ily homestead. For his second wife Deacon Cooper chose Elizabeth Ridings and they had two children, of whom one is yet living : Frank, a resident farmer of Macoupin county. The wife and mother died in 1871. In Macoupin county Mr. Cooper was again married, having in 1871 wedded Mary J. Bacon, a native of Tennessee, who was brought to Ilinois during her girlhood days and was reared in Macoupin county. There are six children by this marriage : Dora, the wife of John A. Ross, of Hettick, Illinois ; Fred and Edgar, who are resident farmers of Macoupin county ; Charles L., who is liv- ing in Virden, Illinois: Hattie, the wife of George W. Shane, a farmer of Macoupin county ; and Pearl, a young lady at home.
Politically Mr. Cooper was originally an old line Whig, casting his first presidential ballot for General Winfield Scott in 1852. His first Republican vote supported -Abra- ham Lincoln in 1860 and he has since voted for each Republican presidential nominee. lle is deeply interested in the cause of public education and he has served for a number of years on the school board and as school di- rector and has also been township trustee. Ile belongs to the Baptist church, has filled various church offices and for some years has been a deacon. Residing continuously in 11 linois from 1836 there is little that concerns its material progress and improvement that is unknown to him, his knowledge coming not as a matter of history, but because he has witnessed the events that have shaped its policy and mobled its destiny. He has lived the quiet honor ble life of the farmer, taking from the sail the competence which many men win through the labors of others and by
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
his straightforward career gained the good will, trust and high regard of those with whom he has been associated.
THOMAS P. THAXTON.
Thomas P. Thaxton, living on section 9, Rubicon township, where his farm of one hundred and thirty-eight acres gives evi- dence in its well cultivated appearance of his careful supervision and practical methods, was born in Wrights township, Greene county, September 13, 1858. His father, P. J. Thaxton, was born October 29, 1832, on the farm on which he still resides in Wright township, the family having been established here in pioneer times. The grandfather, Dr. Clay Thaxton, was born in Halifax county, Virginia, in 1797, was reared there and after arriving at years of maturity came to Illinois, casting in his lot with the early set- tlers of Greene county. He entered the land from the government and developed the farm upon which his son P. J. Thaxton now resides, and there he reared a large family. He died. September 19, 1890, at the age of ninety-two years.
P. J. Thaxton was reared and married here, Miss Mary Davidson becoming his wife. She was born in Wrights township. and her father. John Davidson, died when she was a child. Mr. Thaxton succeeded to the ownership of the family residence and a part of the land which his father had entered from the government. He has resided upon this place throughout his entire life, devoting his time and energies to agricultural pur- suits, and he is now a hale and hearty man of seventy-two years, respected by all be- cause of his fidelity to principles and right.
His wife is also well preserved, and they are much respected in the community where they make their home.
Thomas P. Thaxton, one of a family of three sons, was educated in the public schools and remained upon the home farm until nineteen years of age, when he made prepar- ations for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Mary Flowers, a native of Johnson county, Missouri, and a daughter of Garrett Flowers, who was a soldier of the Union army and died in the service. Mrs. Flowers then returned with her family to Illinois, settling in Greene county. Mrs. Thaxton was therefore reared in this county. Following their marriage the young couple removed to Johnson county, Missouri, where Mr. Thaxton engaged in farming until 1880. In March, 1881, he returned to Greene county and began farming on a tract of land of one hundred acres. This he began to farm and improve and later he bought more land, having now one hundred and thirty- eight and a half acres of land. He has re- modeled and made additions to his house. has built a large barn and other outbuild- ings, and an orchard of his own planting affords a liberal supply of fruits for the win- ter's use. He raises good crops and also feeds stock, and he deserves much credit for the success he has achieved because he started out empty-handed, without financial assistance from any one. What he has gained has come as the direct result of his own labors, and he is now one of the sub- stantial agriculturists of his community, having a rich tract of land under a high state of cultivation.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Thaxton has been blessed with four sons and four daugh- ters :. George F., Cora, Viola. Lucy, Bessie, Charles C., Ira B. and Perry G. The parents
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY
are members of the Pleasant Point Baptist church and Mr. Thaxton belongs to Gar- field camp, M. W. A. He has always sup- ported the Democratic party, as his father did before him, his first presidential ballot being cast for Grover Cleveland. He was elected and served as constable, has been a mem- ber of the school board for a number of years, and is now acting as its president. 1le puts forth earnest effort in behalf of the improvement of the schools and is the cham- pion of all community interests which are of a beneficial character. His long residence in Rubicon township and his devotion to the general good have made him a valued citi- zen, while his unflagging and well directed industry have won him a comfortable com petence.
THEODORE DILL.
Hon. Theodore Dill, serving for the third term as mayor of Roodhouse, engaged in the grocery business and in the development of the coal regions of this part of the state, is a man whose intense and well directed activity makes him one of the leading citizens of his adopted town, contributing through his bus- iness affairs not only to its material up- building but also giving tangible support to many progressive public measures whose ef fect on the general welfare has been far reaching and beneficial.
Theodore Dill was born in Johnson county, Indiana. December 15, 1854. a son of R. M. and Matilda ( Lang ) Dill. The Dills are of Holland Dutch and Welsh de- scent. Peter Dill. the grandfather, was a native of Holland and coming to America became the founder of the family in the neu world. He died at a very advanced age He
married a Miss Patton, a Native of Wales Their son. R. M Dil, was born in Butler county, Ohne. August 24, 1833. ind remol - ing to Indiana settled at Morgantown, where for many years he engaged in milling He devoted lus attention to farming for several years and then retired from busmess lite and during the past few years has enjoyel a well earned rest from further labor. lle was the first one to operate a steam muil in southern Indiana. He has been very prom- inent and influential in public affairs in his community, especially in political circle- as a supporter of the Democracy. He has served as justice of the peace for more than thirty years and his decisions have ever been strictly fair and impartial, and he has ever been prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties-a fact indicated by his long mn- cumbency. Hle married Miss Matilda Lang. who was born in Indiana, in 1835, a daugh ter of William Lang. Mr. and Mrs. R. M. Dill became the parents of five sons and four daughters, all of whom are living with the exception of one who was killed in a rail- road collision.
Reared in Morgantown. Indiana, Theo- dore Dill acquired his education in the pub lie schools and afterward learned the mill- er's trudde with his father. He came te Rood house as a journeyman miller. June 10. 1885, and on the 5th of August, of that same year, he purchasedl an interest m the grocery business of Heaton & King. sue ceeding the lutter in forming the firm of Heaton & Dill His relation was noun- tomed for three years, when Mr Dill became sole proprietor by buying Is partner's in terest. and he has since dealt in groceries and provision and queensware Heowns the large double store, a two-story builling on the west side of the squire. also the large
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PAST AND PRESENT OF GREENE COUNTY.
Dill Hotel building on the southwest corner of the square. In January, 1903, he pur- chased the Campbell coal pockets of block coal and organized the Dill Coal Company, which operates in the fall and winter in order to supply the local trade. Before com- ing to Illinois he was with the American Ex- press Company, as special messenger in In- dianapolis, for several months, and also at other places, thus serving until his removal to Roodhouse. Here he has prospered in his business undertaking. Energetic, prompt and notably reliable, he has carried forward his mercantile and industrial interests with growing success, and is to-day one of the substantial citizens of Roodhouse.
Mr. Dill was married, November 15, 1876, to Miss Harriet C. Foster, a native of Lake county, Indiana, and a daughter of Al- fred D. Foster, of that state, whose wife, in her maidenhood was a Miss Hathaway. Mr. and Mrs. Dill have become the parents of three children : Cloyd C., who was born No- vember 16, 1877, and conducts the Dill Hotel, one of the best two dollar per day houses in Illinois; Edna Ora, who was born October 8, 1881, and is the wife of Alfred H. Barnes; and Rae Foster, who was born October 9. 1884, and is with his father in the store.
Mrs. Dill is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Mr. Dill belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to the Mutual Protective League, an insurance or- ganization of Litchfield, Illinois. In politics he is a stalwart Democrat, and since April, 1889, he has served continuous, through re- election, as mayor of Roodhouse, now filling the position for the third term, a fact which is highly complimentary, being indicative of hi- ability and his fidelity to the interests of The city, to which he has given a public-spir-
ited, progressive and practical administra- tion. His business interests and his public service have made him a valued citizen of Roodhouse.
FRANK FRECH.
This is an age of great business progress and the leading men of a community are those who are in control of its industrial, commercial and professional enterprises. Frank Frech is therefore classed with the prominent citizens of White Hall, where as the senior, member of the firm of Frech & Johnson he is extensively and successfully engaged in the milling business. His birth occurred in St. Clair county, Illinois, on the 26th of September, 1857, his parents being Jacob and Catherine ( Reddick) Frech, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to America in the year 1850, settling in St. Louis, Missouri, where he resided for fourteen years. He then re- moved to St. Clair, Illinois, where he spent one year, and in 1865 he came to Greene county, locating at Jalappa on Macoupin creek. He was a shoemaker by trade and long followed that pursuit, but during his last twenty-five years devoted his energies to the occupation of farming. He finally lo- cated on a farm near Kane, Greene county, where he has a valuable tract of land of two hundred acres. He was but nine years of age when he came to America and through- out his entire life he has always been most loyal to the institutions of his adopted land. llis home is about three miles northeast of Kane and he is one of the respected agricul- turists of his locality. Losing his first wife, he was married again in 1892 and there are
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