USA > Illinois > Menard County > Past and present of Menard County, Illinois > Part 35
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Mr. Ott has been particularly prominent in community affairs in Petersburg and is a rec- ognized leader in the ranks of the Democratic party. Whether in or out of office he has la- bared earnestly and effectively for the promo- tion of the general welfare. He was elected police magistrate and held the office for eight years, when in 1891 he was chosen mayor of the city by popular suffrage. He served at that time by re-election for three consecutive term- and retired from office as he had entered it. with the confidence and good will of all con- corned. Again he was chosen mayor in 1903 and is now holding the position. His previous service was a guarantee of the business-like and progressive adunnistration and in the substan- tial improvement and progress of Petersburg alte seen many evidence of the co-operation and active support of Mr. Ott.
On the Isth of August. 1877. occurred the marriage of Mr. Out and Mis- Emma Craw-
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MR AND MRS. NIMROD OTT.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
ford, who was born in Menard county, was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Crawford. and died on the 16th of August. 1898. They had four children : Lester B., who is now bookkeeper in the First National Bank, of Pet- ersburg: Lyman E., a resident of Minnesota ; Nona P .. who is now in the office with her father ; and Jessie A .. deceased. On the 10th of October. 1899, Mr. Ott was again married, his second union being with Miss Emma Wol- dridge, also a native of Menard county, whose parents. Richard and A. M. Woldridge, are now residing in Petersburg. They have one child. Marion A.
Mr. Ott has passed through all of the chairs of the Knights of Pythias lodge and is also a member of the Modern Woodmen camp at Pe- tersburg. He owns a line residence in this city and also valuable real estate on the south side of the public square and farm property in Menard county. Entering upon his business career without friends or advantageous circum- stances to aid him he has placed his dependence upon indefatigable energy and labor, which are the sure and safe foundation of all prosperity and to-day he is accounted one of the sub- stantial as well as one of the most influential and representative men of Petersburg.
FRANK A. KING.
Frank A. King. who follows farming near Oakford, was born upon his present place Feb- ruary 24. 1867. He is a son of Marshall .J. and Eliza E. (Caldwell) King, who are rep- resented elsewhere in this volume. At the usual age he began his education by attend- ing the Oakford graded school, which he at- tended until about twenty-one years of age. It had been arranged that he was to pursue a college course, but his father thought that he had better return to the farm and he gave up his cherished plan. He now owns the old family homestead. comprising two hundred and eighty acre-, and in all of his farm work he has displayed a comprehensive. practical spirit which has been a resultant factor in bringing him a good financial return.
Mr. King was married to Miss Amelia E. Schoneweis. September 26, 1889. Her parents.
Chris and Sophia Schoneweis, are residents of Menard county. Both were born in Germany and came to America in childhood. They were married here and as the years have gone by her father has acquired considerable property. In recent years he has retired from farming, the income from his property being sufficient to supply him with all of the necessities and many of the comforts of life. He is a Re- publican in politics and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged. She died December 9. 1902.
In December, 1890, Mr. King removed to Missouri and secured a farm near Ethel, Ma- con county, along the Santa Fe Railroad. There he remained until 1893 when he re- turned to Illinois and took up his abode on the J. M. Johnston farm east of AAtterbery. there residing for a year. On the expiration of that period he purchased the old family homestead in 1895 and has continued to make it his place of residence since that time. He has placed many improvements thereon and has added to the original purchase another eighty acres, so that he has two hundred and eighty acres in one body. This land is well cultivated and the fields yield golden harvests in return for the care and lahor he bestows upon them. The buildings are kept in good repair and an air of neatness and thrift per- vades the place. I'nto Mr. and Mrs. King have been born six children: Elsio S. born June 2. 1891 : Marshall (., born July 28. 1893: Irving E., born June 11. 1896: Esther MI., born March 21. 1899: Carl F .. December 27, 1901 : and Norma M., born October 12. 1904. The three older children are attending school in Oakford.
Mr. King is a Republican in his political views and is the present county commissioner for a three years' term. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, of which his wife is also a member, and they take an active interest in the church work. Mr. King serving at the present time as one of its trustees. He also belongs to the Modern Woodman camp and to the Independent Order of Good Tem- plars and his affiliation therewith indicates his position in regard to the liquor traffic. lle is interested in all that tends to uplift humanity
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
ind to improve conditions of life for his fel- mu men and his example in this respect is certainly well worthy of emulation.
PETER P. GROSBOLL.
Peter P. Grosbøll, a representative and pros- peron- agrienturist of Menard county. resides upon a farm which has become historie from the fact that it was upon this place. in an oid frame building that Abraham Lincoln tried his first lawsuit. Mr. Grosboll is a na- tive of Denmark, his birth having occurred in North Schleswig (now a part of Germany ) on the Bed of November, 1855. His father was a dairy farmer and stock-raiser and owned a good tract of land in his native country, where he spent his entire life. He married Magrady Rosenbaum, also a native of North Schleswig. and. like her husband, she spent her entire life in that country. The father was twice married and had nine children by the list union and live by the second. Three sons of the first marriage are now living in the United States: Jep P. Grosbøll, who came to Amer ica in 18;2. when nineteen years of age, and i- now living in Menard county : Peter P .: and Martin, who crossed the Atlantic at the age of eighteen years and is also a resident of Menard county.
Peter P. Grosboll acquired his education n the land of his nativity. attending school between the ages of six and sixteen years, and the following year, 18;3. he came to the new world, making his way direct to Petersburg. He began to work by the month as a farm hand and was employed in that way for two or three years, at the end of which time he had gotten enough money ahead to enable him to rent a farm and begin agricultural pursuits on his own account. Later, when his industry and economy had brought to him sufficient capital. he purchased two hundred acres of land, west of where he now resides, known - the old Hatfield farm. and after conduct- ing it for a time be sold that property and might two hundred and eighty acres of rich land in township Is, range 2. on which he is How ling. He a stock-raiser and cattle-
fonder and he has bred many fine animals. He always has high grades of stock upon his place and his farm is splendidly improved with modern equipments. His business has grown to extensive and profitable proportions and ne is now classed with the well-to-do riti- ans of Menard county.
It was npon his farm, in an old house which has since been torn down. that Abraham Lin- com pleaded his first law suit. The snit grew out of some trouble over a woman's misfor- inne. Lincoln was surveying at the time upon the place and the woman's friends asked him to plead the case and he did so. A lawyer from Beardstown was on the defence and re- zarded Lincoln as an opponent whom he could readily conquer. Lincoln, in his opening ad- dress to the jury, pointed to the man and said. "I will compare him to a white dress which can be soiled but made white again." and then. pointing to the woman. he said. "she is like a glass bottle, which, crushed against a stone. i- ruined forever." Lincoln won the shit. Ann Rutledge was buried upon this farm Int her remains were afterward interred in the cemetery at Petersburg.
On the 3d of August. Isso. Mr. Grosholl married Christina Kjar, a native of Denmark. whom he wedded while on a visit to his native country. They had been schoolmates in youth. Unto them have been born five children : Anna M .. born May 16. ISS], was educated in the district schools and was married De- Pember 15. 1903. to Harry Shirding. They reside in Petersburg and he has large farm- ing interest- near the city. Ella R. born July 21. ISSN, was also educated in the public schools and is at home with her parents. Matha Marie, born February 2. 1885, was grad- mated at the high school of Petersburg in 1903. Henry Cyrus, born Jannary 5. 1882. attended the district schools and is now assist- ing his father in the cultivation of the home farm. Paul Harry. born May 23, 1891. is still a public school student.
In ISSS Mr. Grosholl and his family re- turned to Germany on a visit, but because he had refused to serve in the German army. or rather preferred leaving that country for- wer than become a soldier, he was notified by
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
the government officials upon his return that he must leave the country within twenty-four hours. Being now a naturalized American citizen. he appealed to the American legation and Uncle Sam took up the case with the result that within a few hours he received notification that the German government re- called the order and he could remain until the following January. He still has in his possession the letters from the American lega- tion and his passport.
Mr. and Mrs. Grosboll are members of the Lutheran church. Since becoming an Amer- ican citizen he has given his political sup- port to the Republican party. and for nine years he has served as a school director. His Insine>> career has been one of steady progres- sion. Hoping that he might improve his finan- cial condition in the new world with its su- perior business opportunities, he came to the United States, and his native energy, strong purpose and laudable ambition have enabled hin to gain a fair measure of success. while his example proves conclusively that prosperity may be won through persistent labor. directed by the valuable quality of common sense.
JOHN E. POND.
John E. Pond, a representative of the agri- cultural interests of Greenview township for many years, was born in Menard county, An- gust 1. 1851. and is therefore by birth as well as training and preference a western man. possessing the spirit of enterprise and progress which have been so characteristic of the mid- dle west. His father was David B. Pond and his paternal grandfather was Rev. Billions Pond, whose birth occurred at Plymouth. Con- nectient. JJune 26. 1281. He was married Octo- ber 11. 1801. at Camden, Oneida county. Now York, to Miss Rhoda Orton, and for his see- ond wife he chose Mrs. Melissa Moore. In early life he determined to devote his energies and talents to the work of the ministry and was ordained in the Presbyterian church at Camden, New York. In 183; he removed to Illinois, settling eight miles west of Spring- field. His ministerial lahors wore mostly in
connection with the Bible and Tract Societies and he did much good as a pioneer preacher in the promotion of the moral development of central Illinois. He lived to the advanced age of ninety-three years, live months and twelve days. passing away December S. 1811.
David B. Pond. the father of John E. Pond. was born July 5. 1822, in Camden. New York. and accompanied his parents to Ilinois when fifteen years of age. Hle acquired a common- school education, remained under the parental roof and assisted in the work of the home farm until his marriage, which was celebrated on the 25th of March. 1815. Miss Susan A. Moore becoming his wife. Throughout his entire business career he carried on general farming and stock-raising in Sangamon and Menard counties and he died in Los Angeles. California. December 31. 1892. He had taken an active and helpful interest in community affairs, his labors proving effective in pro- mating the general welfare. For many years he was a member of the school board and the cause of education found in him a warm friend. An active member of the Presbyterian church. he served as one of its elders for twenty years. His political allegiance was given to the Re- publican party. Unto him and his wife wore born two children : Tryphenia and John E. The former. born August 2. 1819, was married November 25. 1811. to Cornelius Lyman. and is now living in Dayton. Washington. After losing his first wife. David B. Pond wedded Mary E. Watson, who is now living in C'ali- fornia.
No special event of importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for John E. Pond in his youth. He worked in the fields when not engaged with the duties of the schoolroom and remained at home until twenty-three years of age, when he was married. He wedded Miss Alice Buchanan, a daughter of James (. and Louisa (Obourn) Buchanan. Her father was born at Williamsport. Pennsylvania. March 20. 1831. and was married at Warrensville. Lycom- ing county. Pennsylvania. August 1. 1852. to Louisa Obourn, whose birth occurred in 1535. and who was a daughter of Thomas Obouru. Her mother bore the maiden name of Mi- Reeder and. like her husband, was a native
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
At the time of the (wil June 2. 1211. He was twice married and by war Games ( Buchanan responded to the centry's and for an, enlisting in hume. Il. is a member of Company (. Eighth Pennsyl- vana Volunteer Cavalry. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and while in this service bir died in October, 1863, at Washington, D. C .. and his remains were in- terred in Arlington cemetery. His widow sur- vived him for a number of years and passed away March 16, 18;2. They had two children. Mes. Pond, who was born September 27. 1855 ; and Mrs. Clara Pond, born October 23. 1851.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. John E. Pond has been blessed with three children: Nellie E .. Mabel S. and Clara 1. At the time of their marriage they came to Menard county and Mr. Pond began farming on the place where he now Ines, the land having been given to him by his father. He has since successfully carried on general farming and stock-raising and he has a well improved property and raises high grades of stock, which annually find a ready sale upon the market. In all of his business undertakings he is reliable and he carries for- ward to successful completion whatever he he- gins. lli- business affairs claim nich of his at- temtion and yet he has found opportunity to aid in the promotion of public enterprises, with- holding his support from no movement which he believes will contribute to the general good. He served as clerk of the school board for twenty-one years, which included seven coll- seenthe terms and in his political views he i- a stanch Republican. He and his wife and their children are members of the Presbyterian church and he has served as one of its deacons. The Pond household is noted for its warm- bearted hospitality and the members of the family recente the respect and confidence of ; with whom they have been associated.
JOHN T. ILALL ..
John T. Hall. owner of a good farm in townSup 10, range 5 west. was Born August 21. Isal. n Menand county and is a repre- sont il se o get the old pioneer families. I- fator. Week Hol, was born in Virginia.
his first wife. Elizabeth, he had two sons: Amos, who was born March 25, 1836. and died July 25. 1512; and Augustus, who was born November 5. 1832. and died about ISS1. The mother died March 12. 1839. For his second wife Wesley Hall chose Miss Nancy Ferguson. who was born in Kentucky, February 9. 1821. and they became the parents of the following named: Charles W .. who was born June 26. 1512. and is now living in St. Clair, Missouri : Bethena ... who was born July 21. 1815, and died March 20. 1:20: John T .: Amanda L ... who was born June 19, 1853, and died Sep- tomber 2. ISCC : Ann E .. who was born March 16. 1:56, and is now the wife of Dr. C. F. Whitney. of Washington. D. C .: Thomas Il .. who was born December 25. Is5 ;. and is now living in Scranton. lowa : and Laura F., whose birth ocenrred July 26, 1860. and who is now the wife of I. Il. Piper. of Mount Zion. Illi- nois. Her father, on leaving his old home in Virginia. made his way westward to Indiana. and locating at South Bend was employed by the Studebaker- of that city. He hauled wheat to the Chicago market before the city was in- corporated and he lived in the middle west when it was a great frontier region in which the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun. On leaving Indiana he came to Menard county at an early epoch in its devel- opment, when the land was all wild prairie or was covered with dense timber. From Pekin. Illinois, he hauled the lumber with which to build his first house and amid frontier en- vironments he began his life here. sharing with other early sellers in the hardships. trials and privations which fall to the lot of the pioneer. He was one of the founders of the county and he took an active part in promol- ing the legal status of the community as well a> in advancing its material improvement through his agricultural interests. His death occurred on the 20th of November. 1893, and his second wife, surviving him for about eleven years passed away on the 23d of January. 1901.
John T. Hall has spent his entire life in Menard county, and his education was acquired in the public schools, such as were found at
MRS. NANCY HALL.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
that day. Farm work largely occupied his at- tention during the period of his youth. for he assisted in the cultivation of the old home place. remaining on his father's farm until twenty- eight years of age, when he was united in mar- riage on the 30th of December, 1880. to Miss Lottie E. Norton. daughter of Curtis J. and Mary E. ( Wiley) Norton, the former born in the state of New York, April 21. 1831. while the latter was born in Wells, Pennsylvania. September 5. 1836. They were married in the Empire state and came to Menard county about 1863. For fourteen years, or until March, 18:1. they resided in Logan county. just across the line from Menard county, where Mr. Norton carried on general farming. Ho afterward removed to Larned. Kansas, where he now makes his home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Norton were born eleven children, of whom nine are living : Mrs. flall, whose birth of- curred April 1. 185%: William JJ. who was born November 12. 1859, and is now living in Ottawa. Kansas: John T .. who was born Octo- her 1, 1863, and is a civil engineer, residing in the city of Mexico: Curtis H., who was born September 12. 1865. and resides in Larned : Henry IL .. whose birth occurred February 19. 1868, and who is also a resident of Larned : Grace L .. who was born May 13. 1822. and is living in Larned : Mary A., who was born May 3. 1811, and was married Iuna 5. 1901. 10 William Tomlinson and is living in Ottawa. Kansas: George F .. who was born March 22. 1816. and was married September 15, 1901. his home being now in Colorado City. Colo- rado: and Lawy T, who was born July 26. 1528. and resides in Larned. The members of the family now deceased are Franklin T ... the third child. who was born November 11. 1861. and died August 2. 1865; and Charles G .. the seventh child, who was born March 21. 1820. and died October 2, 1895.
Mr. and Mrs. Itall have one child. Mary E .. horn December 1. 1889. They reside upon a good farm in township 19. Mr. Hall purchas- ing at the time of his marriage sixty-eight acres of land, to which he has since added a ten acre tract. He now carries on general ag- rieultural pursuits and stock-raising and has well tilled fields and high grades of horses.
cattle and hogs. In his business he is energetic and persevering and what he possesses has been gained through his earnest labors. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party.
THOMAS SCOTT.
Thomas Scott, who is engaged in the livery business in Greenview. was born in Canada on the 19th of May. 1867, his parents being Wil- liam and Margaret (Smith) Scott. The fa- ther was a native of Canada and the mother of Scotland and when six years of age she was brought to America by her parents, the voy- age covering six weeks and four days in a sailing vessel. William Scott is a farmer by occupation and has spent his entire life in C'anada, where he is still living at the age of sixty-eight years, while his wife died July 31. 1901.
In the country schools of Canada Thomas Scott was educated and he remained at home until twenty-two years of age. during which time he gained practical and intimate know]- edge of farming methods through the assist- ance which he rendered to his father. After attaining his majority he started out in life on his own account. He worked by the month in connection with race horses until he came to Greenview and in 1898 he entered the om- ploy of Il. J. Marbold, having charge of his noted racer. Grand Baron, until 1900. llc then entered the services of Lewis Pierson. with whom he continued for a year. when he purchased a livery barn. formerly owned by Reed & MeDonald. This he has since conduct- ed and now has a good patronage. Earnestly desiring to please his customers he has pros- pored in the business, owing to his straight- forward dealing and because of the excellent accommodations which he can afford the pub- lie in the line of line carriages and good horses.
On the 9th of December, 1896, Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Bessie Palmer. a daughter of Montgomery and Belle Palmer. who were natives of Illinois and are now rosj-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MENARD COUNTY
deut- f lowa Mrs. Scott is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Scott - connected with Loyalty lodge, No. 151. K. 1. In his political views he is a Democrat. but he never socks nor desires office, for he wishes to devote his entire time and energies to kos business allaire.
DAVID NEFF.
One of the most attractive farm residences of Menard county is the home of David Neif. situated on section 9. township 18. 11 was erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. contains twelve rooms. is built in modern style of architecture and is supplied with the latest conveniences. Around the house are stone walks, and shade tree- dot the well kept lawn. Altogether the home presents a most pleasing appearance and within an air of com- fort and of hospitality abounds.
Mr. Neff. a native of Rockingham county. Virginia, was horn August 25. 1852, his pa- rent- being Martin and Helena ( Bowers) Neff. both of whom were natives of the Old Dominion. The Neff family is of German lin- cage and was established in America at an early day. Martin Neff. born in 1811. turned his attention to farming on attaining man's estate and in 1854 ho removed westward to Illinois, settling in Petersburg township. where he purchased land. His farm of two hundred acres soon gave evidence of his careful super- visjon and cultivation, and yielded to him good crops. He reached the advanced age of eighty-six years ore his earthly pilgrimage was ended, and his wife died in 1871. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters : John, who resides two and one-half miles east of Petersburg. in Indian Creek township: Hannah J .. who died when abont forty-five years of age : Barbara, who married John Garde, and now lives with her brother John. while her husband lives in the Soldiers' Home in Quines, Ilinois: David : William Il .. who mar- ried Si-a Jackson and since her death has mar- Find again: and Ladia V .. who resides with her unde. John Tre, in Petersburg.
David Neff was less than two years of age when brought by Fis parents to THlinois and
he was educated in the schools of the old town of Salem. He has always been a farmer. Ile was reared to this occupation and has made it his life work. He first farmed south and west of Petersburg. and he was enabled to purchase his land by hewing wood. He made his last purchase in 1899 and he now owns two hundred and eighty acres of rich land, all of which he has placed under a high state of cul- tivation, so that it is now a well developed property. He has also added substantial build- ings, including his fine residence, and the place is a monmment to his thrift and enterprise.
On October 16, 1819. Mr. Nett was married in Petersburg to Margaret V. Park, a daughter of Matthew and Ellen (Vonfelden ) Park. Her father came from Paisley, Scotland. to America in early manhood and. settling in Menard county. he purchased land and began the development of the farm upon which Mr. Neff now resides. Mrs. Park was a native of Germany and came with her parents to the I'mited State- at the age of fourteen years. the family home being established in Mason county. Illinois. Mr. Park died April 1. 18:3. and his wife's death occurred December 9. 1580. They were well known people of this locality and enjoyed the warm regard of many friend -.
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