USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 12
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WILLIAM COUNTON.
William Counton is numbered among the self-made men of Montgomery county whose prosperity is entirely attributable to their own efforts and because of what he has accomplished he deserves much credit. He resides in section 1. Irving township, where he has an excellent. farm well improved. His birth occurred in New York city. December 25, 1857. and he is a son of Thomas and Jane (Coudroy) Counton, both of whom were natives of Limerick, Ire- land, whence they came to the United States. locating in New York. The father was a tan- ner by trade and continued in active business until 1861, when his patriotie spirit being aroused by the attempt of the south to over-
throw the Union he enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth New York Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war. In 1864 his wife departed this life in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. In their family were four children: William; Martin, who is now living in Dodgeville, Massachusetts; Mary Jane, who died at the age of seventeen years; and Thomas, who is living in this county.
William Counton acquired his education in the public schools and in an academy at Mun- cio, Indiana. Owing to his mother's death he was, when ten years of age, placed in the New York Juvenile Orphan's Asylum and at the age of eleven years he was sent to make his home with Nelson Lipe in Irving township, Mont- gomery county. He arrived in this county February 25, 1869, and lived with Mr. Lipe until the age of sixteen years, when he began earning his living by working as a farm hand. He was thus employed until 1882 and his in- dustry and economy during that period enabled him in 1883 to become the purchaser of one hundred and twenty acres of land. This he conducted until June, 1903, when he sold bis farm. Ile had, however, a good tract of land well improved and he annually harvested rich crops as the reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon his place.
On the 3d of April, 1881, Mr. Counton was married to Miss Julia King, a daughter of John Wesley King and a granddaughter of Andrew and Hannah King. Her father was born near Chapel Hill, Orange county, North Carolina, September 29, 1814, and died near Irving. Illinois, January 2, 1881, at the age of sixty-six years, three months and eight days. John Wesley King was only a year old when his father removed to Lincoln county, Tennessee, where he lived for fifteen years. In November, 1830. when sixteen years of age he accom- panied his father and Noah Kelley from Ten- nessee to Montgomery county. Illinois, the trip being made on horseback. They settled near Irving, the first home of Mr. King being a log cabin. He was one of the honored pioneer residents of the locality and took an active and helpful part in promoting the early progress and development of this portion of the state.
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On the 3d of April. 1856, he married Mrs. Julia T. Ellis, and they became the parents of two children, one of whom, Frank King, is now living. The wife and mother died Sep- tember 29, 1859, and Mr. King afterward mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Grantham. on the 12th of July, 1860. They became the parents of six children, of whom two are living: Julia and Lula. The second wife died December 4, 1842, and on the 8th of May, 1813, Mr. King married Nancy Jane Nussman, who departed this life on the second of June, 1829. Mr. King was a man of more than ordinary ability, enterprising and progressive and took an inter- ested and helpful part in all that pertained to the advancement of his locality. He held va- rious county offices, was county school commis- sioner and was also deputy under lliram Greg- ory, county superintendent of schools. He flischarged his various duties with promptness and fidelity and he also practiced law in this county. In 1840 the first schoolhouse of Rountree township was built and Mr. King was employed as the first teacher. He also taught for a number of years in other parts of the county and was regarded as a most able educator. When a young man he united with the Lutheran church, with which he ever con- tinned a faithful member and he was thus ac- tively associated with the material. intellectual and moral progress of his community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Counton have been born two children, Elbert Wesley and Harold Ros- lyn. The former, born January 14, 1882, is married and resides in Irving, being a school teacher of Irving township. The younger son. born July 12. 1893, is at home. Mr. and Mrs. Counton are members of the Presbyterian church and he belongs to the Masonic lodge at Irving: Twin City lodge, No. 62, K. P .: and the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 1498. at Iry- ing. A stanch Republican in his political views he was elected supervisor in 1889 and served continuously in that office until 1895. He was also a delegate to the last Republican convention held in Springfield. He is recog- nized as one of the leaders of his party in his township and his loyalty in citizenship is mani- fest by an active co-operation in many measures which have contributed to the general good. As
the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and his life is exemplary in many respects, for he has molded his own character and shaped his own destiny and has won not only success, but also the high regard of his fellow men.
LOUIS WELGE.
Among those who have come from foreign lands to become active in business circles of Hillsboro is Louis Welge, who for many years has contributed in large measure to its com- mercial prosperity. His success in all his un- dertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world. He has based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which gov- ern industry, economy and strict. unswerving integrity. ITis enterprise and progressive spirit has made him a typical American in every sense of the word and he well deserves mention in her history. What he is to-day he has made himself, for he begun in the world with nothing but his own energy and willing hands to aid him.
Mr. Welge is a native of the province of Hanover, Germany, where his birth occurred on the 23d of October. 1826. His father vas the owner of a large sheep ranch there and it was upon this ranch that the son spent his early boyhood days, devoting his time largely to the care of the sheep and gaining the expe- rience which proved of great profit to him when he conducted a similar industry in this county. At the age of twenty-seven years he resolved to try his fortune in America and accompanied by a sister he sailed for the new world, being nine weeks upon the voyage, which was made in one of the old time sail- ing vessels common in the middle of the nine- teenth century. His love of freedom was also one of the elements that proved most strong in his removal and while he has never ceased to cherish an affection for the fatherland he feels the strongest love for the country over which flows the stars and stripes and has ever been most loyal to its interests.
It was on the 10th of November. 1853. when accompanied by his sister. now Mrs. Henry
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llaake, of Fillmore township. he landed at New Orleans, but he did not tarry in that city. Ile made his way at once to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there accepted any employment which he could secure that wouldl yield him an honest living. When a number of months had passed he went to Springfield. Illinois, and secured employ- ment on the sheep ranch of a man named Me- Condle. In the succeeding year he was joined in Springfield by his brother. Fred Welge, and they determined to engage in the raising of sheep. Removing then to Montgomery county they purchased land east of Hillsboro and es- tablished a ranch which they conducted with excellent success for fourteen years. They were proprietors of the farms now owned by Louis. Walter and William Welge and there is no more productive soil to be found in East Fork township. The brothers prospered in their undertaking and their annual sales of sheep brought to them a very desirable financial refurn. When they disposed of this business they took up their abode in the city of llills- boro and purchased the old furniture factory. Mr. Welge was then engaged in the manufac- ture of furniture for several years. employing as many as twenty-five men. The product of the factory was shipped to all of the large cities and for a time found ready market but Mr. Welge was eventually compelled to quit business on account of the competition of the larger manufacturers. He erected the build- ing that was afterward occupied as a mill and which stood on the site of the Hillsboro Pro- duce Company and in this he conducted a ro- tail furniture business until he bought the bust- ness block of the Bryce estate and therein opened a furniture store, which he carried on with excellent success until about 1902. when his son Fred became his successor in this enter- prise and he retired to private life.
Mr. Welge has been married twice. Ho first wedded Miss Augusta Carsten and unto them were born two children, namely: Mrs. Lena Dammann, who resides in Hillsboro : and Mrs. Bieler, who makes her home in Raymond. Illi- nois. The wife and mother passed away in December, 1822, and in 1873 Mr. Welge was again married. his second union being with Miss Mena Shorlimer. Their children are five
in number and all reside with their father in Jlillsboro. namely: Bertha, who is the libra- rian of the city; Fred, who is conducting the furniture store; Dora, a teacher in the public schools : and Lula and Lynn, at home.
When Mr. Welge came to Hillsboro he found here a small village with little business enter- prise and has lived to see a great transforma- tion both in the appearance of the county seat and in commercial methods which are now in vogue here. Ile contributed in substantial measure to the mercantile activity of Hills- boro and as a citizen has been the champion of many measures for the general good. His life has been one of exceptional activity and useful- ness and has been characterized by the most unswerving integrity and honor. He began life in America with little capital and his financial valuation at present represent- a large figure. His competence has been won through judicious investment and capable management and throughout his entire career there has been no action on his part to call forth adverse erit- icism. In the midst of pleasant conditions with many friends around him he is spending the evening of life in comfort. enjoying the fruits of his former toil.
HENRY Q. WAGGONER.
Henry Q. Waggoner is one of the extensive landowners of Pitman township and for years has been classed with the thrifty farmers of Montgomery county. His life record is credit- able to this county which is the place of his na- tivity, his birth having occurred upon the old family homestead near the village of Wag- goner on the 24th of November. 1861. Ilis father was George Waggoner. a prominent early settler and extensive and prosperous farmer of this county. He was respected by all because of his activity and success in busi- ness affairs and his hearty co-operation in all measures for the general good.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Henry Q. Waggoner in his youth. He had perhaps more advantages than some and less than others. He received good home training and his education
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was acquired in the public schools nearby. In 1883 he was married, being then a young man of twenty-one years of age. The lady of his choice was Miss Virginia Street, a native of Montgomery county and a daughter of Squire Street, one of the prominent farmers of Zanes- ville township.
The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm which he continued to operate with good success for a number of years. In 1894, however, he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away in that year, leaving three children : Florence I., who is now the wife of Park C. Pettit, a resident of Waggoner; Estella B., at home; and Henr' Wing, who is also with his father. In Sep- tember, 1902, Mr. Waggoner was again mar- ried in Montgomery county, his second union being with Miss Freela D. Shires. whose birth occurred in Rock Island county, Illinois. .. who is a daughter of D. F. Shires. Her child- hood was passed in Montgomery county and to its public school system she is indebted to the educational privileges which she enjoyed.
Some years ago Mr. Waggoner located in the village which bears his name and there erected a large, attractive and substantial resi- dence, which is one of the best homes of the town. He now occupies it and is living retired from the more active duties of a business ca- reer. He yet gives personal supervision to his farm and other business affairs, owning a val- table tract of land of five hundred acres near the town. This is kept in excellent condition. it well improved with modern equipments and returns to him a good annual income. In the establishment of the bank at Waggoner he he- came interested as one of the original stock- holders, being associated in this enterprise with his brother, Horace G. Waggoner. Although never an office seeker he has always kept well informed on the political questions of the day as every true American citizen should do and his political belief is manifest in the stalwart support which he gives to the Republican party. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and though he does not he- long to any religious organization he is a liberal contributor to different churches. His entire life has been passed in Montgomery
county and he has witnessed much of its prog- ress and development. He has been particu- larly helpful in improving Waggoner and mak- ing it the enterprising village that it is to- day and his support of any measure insures for it a good following. because he is known as a public-spirited man with clear sound judgment and of unquestioned loyalty in matters of cit- izenship.
WILLIAM A. LEWEY.
William A. Lewey, whose farm on section 17, Ilillsboro township, acquired through his own industry, is well developed and highly im- proved, devotes his attention to general agri- cultural pursuits, and in his business career displays traits of character which everywhere command respect and confidence. Interested in community affairs, he does all he can to promote the welfare of his township, and is especially active along the line of its moral development.
Mr. Lewey was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, September 25. 1835, and was one of a family of fourteen children. two of whom died in infancy and twelve came to Illi- nois and settled in Montgomery county. Wil- liam A. Lewey arrived in 1855 and began working as a farm hand by the month. being employed principally by his brothers. He early learned the value of industry and energy as a foundation upon which to build success, and his life has ever been characterized by diligence and perseverance. lle was employed at farm labor until after the breaking out of the Civil war, when, responding to his coun- try's call for troops to preserve the Union, he enlisted on the 18th of August, 1862. as a private of Company D. One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. with which he served for three years. After reaching Tennessee he was taken ill and was sent to the hospital at La Grange, Tennessee. and afterward to Jacksonville, almost a year having passed before he was able to resume active duty. He was promoted corporal at Jacksonville in 1863. 1Ie served on guard duty at the supply post for some time, was also
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engaged in guarding railroads, and in Au- gust, 1865, he was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service.
Mr. Lewey has been thrice married. In 1867 he wedded Miss Rachel Griffith, who died in March, 1848, and he later married Rebecca Chamberlin, who died in 1888. On the 23d of October. 1891, he was united in marriage to Miss Leuvenna Thacker, a daugh- ter of T. A. Thacker and a native of this county.
In the fall of 1866 Mr. Lewey purchased his present farm, upon which he took up has abode the following year, and has since made it his home. He has here eighty acres of arable land on section 17, Hillsboro township, and he has made all of the improvements upon the place. It is now well equipped with mod- ern facilities and its neat and attractive ap- pearance is due to his untiring energy. strong determination and laudable ambition. Mr. Lewey maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in Hubbell post. G. A. R. His views on the tem- perance question are indicated by his support of the Prohibition party and he is found as the advocate of all movements which he he- lieves will elevate mankind and prove of real benefit to his community. He is an active and influential member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Woodsboro, has served as church trustee and has been a class leader for many years. His life, honorable and upright, is in many respects worthy of emulation and his friends and neighbors have naught to say against his good name. Ile has lived in this county for almost a half century, and has, therefore, witnessed much of its growth and development, while in the work of improvement he has felt a deep interest.
EDWARD C. RICHARDS.
Edward C. Richards, residing in Hillsboro township, is a man of good business ability and executive force, carrying on agricultural pursuits along progressive lines on his farm of one hundred and seventy-nine acres, which is well equipped with modern improvements and
accessories. He was born in Boston, Massa- chusetts, on the 14th of May, 1852, and is a son of George Il. Richards, whose birth oc- curred in the same city, May 5, 1816. He was a representative of Puritan ancestors, who lo- cated in Massachusetts during the carly de- velopment of the colony. In his youth George H. Richards learned the carpenter's trade, serv- ing a seven years' apprenticeship in Boston, but believing that the west furnished better business opportunities he came to Illinois in 1839 and established his home in Hillsboro, where he soon became actively identified with industrial interests as a partner of the late Amos Clotfelter in the conduct of a sawmill. He had carried on business here for about three years, when he returned to the east and was married on the 220 of December, 1842, to Miss Irene HI. Lincoln, a daughter of Bradford Lin- coln, of Jamaica Plains, Massachusetts. He then brought his bride to Hillsboro and they began their domestic life in the home which he had built for her and which is now owned by B. F. Boyd. Unto this marriage were born six children : Henry, who was born April 25, 1843. and died in infancy ; Susan, who resides in Hillsboro township; Lucy E., who was born March 15, 1848, and died in infancy ; Alice, the wife of Amos Barry, of Hillsboro town- ship: Edward C., of this review ; and Frederick W .. who was born March 5. 1856, and also died in infancy. Mrs. Irene Richards passed away in 1855 and the following year Mr. Rich- ards again sought a home in the west, coming to Montgomery county with his family. He settled upon the farm which he had purchased during his previous residence here. While in the east he had become an importer and whole- sale dealer in structural iron and hardware, but after bringing his family to Illinois he turned his attention to general farming and continued to reside upon the old family home- stead up to the time of his demise. He first purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, to which he afterward added sixty acres and upon his farm he placed many excellent improvements, erecting substantial buildings, cultivating his fields along modern progressive lines and carrying on stock-raising with equal success. In all of his business dealings he was
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strictly fair and honorable and his name came to be a synonym for enterprise and integrity in trade transactions. He never cared for po- litical honors or office, and would never allow his name to be used in connection with the candidacy for any political position. He served. however, as school director, took an ac- tive interest in educational matters and was a stalwart champion of the public-school sys- tem. In early days he was a member of and leader in the home guards. A man of fine physique, he was about six feet in height and weighed about one hundred and ninety pounds when in his prime. Mr. Richards possessed much natural ability as a mathematician and improved his talents in this direction as op- portunity afforded. He took great delight in discussing with Edmund Fish and A. H. Bell the great mathematical principles and in this connection the trio became known throughout the country. Mr. Richards reached the ad- vanced age of eighty-six years, five months and nineteen days, passing away at his home in Montgomery county on the 31st of Jan- mary. 1903. To the county he left the record of loyal citizenship. to his acquaintances the memory of faithful and considerate friendship and to his family he left not only a good prop- erty, but also an untarnished name. He com- manded the respect of all with whom he was associated. manifesting throughout his entire life sterling traits of character.
Edward C. Richards was reared upon the old home farm in this county, to which he was brought by his father when about five years of age. His early educational privileges. ac- quired in the common schools, were supple- mented by study in the Hillsboro Academy. His training at farm labor was of a practical character and acquainted him with the best methods of caring for the fields and raising stock. As he advanced in ago, experience and capability, he became more and more closely as- sociated with his father in business and in his father's later years he took entire charge of the home place, which he has since conducted in a most capable manner. He now owns one hundred and seventy-nine acres of rich land devoted to diversified farming and a glance at his place with its highly cultivated fields and
splendid improvements indicates to the passer- by the careful supervision of a progressive owner.
On the 6th of November, 1879, Mr. Rich- ards was united in marriage to Miss Atelia M. Wharton, who was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, a daughter of Jesse Wharton, who came to Montgomery county in 1858. Both Mr. and Mrs. Richards are devoted and consistent members of the Presbyterian church. being deeply interested in the various church activities and for ten years he has served as one of its elders. In 1895 he assisted in or- ganizing the Farmers' Institute, with which he has since been connected, serving as secretary six years and president two years. Almost his entire life has been passed in this county and with the work of substantial improvement he has been closely associated. He stands to- day as a typical representative of the business men of the west, who recognizes and improves his opportunities, conducting his interests along lines that gain him a desirable compe- tence and an honored name simultaneously.
COLUMBUS ELLIOT.
One of the more progressive agriculturists of Audubon township is Columbus Elliot who is numbered among the native sons of this locality his birth having occurred in North Litchfield, December 20, 1855. His parents were Robert M. and Elizabeth ( Meyers) Elliot, who re- moved from Kentucky to Illinois. The father purchased the home farm from the original set- tler and owned one hundred and twenty acres of cultivable land and twenty acres of timber land. He always carried on agricultural pur- suits, following that calling until his death in 1864, when he was fifty-four years of age. His wife, surviving him for several years, departed this life in 1811 and was laid to rest by his side in the Lutheran cemetery of North Litchfield. The family, however, were identi- fied with the Methodist church at the time of the father's death. Ile and another man were associated in the ownership of the Methodist church property at Litchfield. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy and he
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voted for Stephen A. Douglas for president. In the family were six children, three sons and three daughters : Pamelia married M. L. Blackwelder, who resides in Oklahoma City. Both she and her husband were school teach- ers and taught in Butler Grove township, Montgomery county. They afterward re- moved to Itaddam, Washington county, Kansas, where Mr. Blackwelder continued teaching, and subsequently they took up their abode in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he is now engaged in the real es- tate business. They had two sons and two daughters, but lost their eldest child at the age of eighteen years. Matilda Helen, the second member of the Elliot family, became the wife of Thomas Heffley and died in 1879, leav- ing a son, who died at the age of fifteen years. Mr. Heffley has also departed this life. Kate married John M. Blackwelder and is living near Witt, in Witt township, where he follows farming. They have three living children and lost two, their eldest, a son. dying in infancy. while the second died at the age of twenty-one years. Guy is a carpenter residing in Los An -.. geles, California. Columbus is the fifth of the family. James Milton died in childhood. .James Wesley was a farmer, who died at the age of twenty-four years.
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