USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
159
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
sympathetic assistant in all church work as in other walks of life and Mr. Toberman at- tributos his success in no small degree to her encouragement and hearty co-operation. They have now reached the ages of seventy-two and seventy years, respectively, but they are well preserved people, Mrs. Toberman doing her own housework, while Mr. Toberman daily su- perintends his varied business interests. They have residence property in Fillmore and in addition he owns four hundred acres of land, which he has acquired through his earnest toil. Throughout his business career he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has undertaken and his example should servo as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. The Toberman household has al- ways been noted for its hospitality and many there are who have found in Mr. and Mrs. To- berman warm friends and on many occasions there have been those who have received from them substantial assistance.
WASHINGTON ALEXANDER WHITE.
Washington Alexander White, whose intense and well directed activity has made him one of the foremost factors in community affairs in Hillsboro, entered upon the active duties of life unaided by influential friends or advan- tageous circumstances. He has been the sole architect of his own fortune, molding his own character and shaping his own destiny, lle has come to be a merchant and a man of affairs in his adopted state, yet his labors have not been restricted to the advancement of his personal interests, for he has extended his effort to various fields, in which he has championed the highest interests of the municipality and of the people at large.
Mr. White was born in North Carolina, as were his parents, Robert R. and Rebecca ( Bark- ley ) White. The father was a farmer by occu- pation and at the time of the Civil war espoused the cause of the south and died in the hospi- tal at Richmond, Virginia, in 1864, when thirty-five years of age. His political allegiance was given to the Democracy and he was a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church.
llis wife, who was also born in North Caro- lina, was a daughter of Robert R. and Rebecca D. (Cathey) Barkley. Mrs. White died in 1875 at the age of forty-two years. She was also a member of the Reformed Presbyterian church and was a most estimable lady who had the warm regard of many friends. In the family were five children : Mary Roberta, now deceased ; Nancy E., who became the wife of Frank Eagle, a resident of North Carolina; Anna Delilah, the widow of Weshy Bailey, of North Carolina; Washington .1 .; and Bobbie, deceased.
Washington 1. White began his education in the common schools of his native state and continued his studies in East Fork township, Montgomery county. He came to this county in 1876 with his unele. Pink White, who located at Hillsboro. Mr. White was then fifteen years of age and he worked by the month on a farm in summer, while in the winter seasons he attended school for two years. Hle afterward drove a de- livery wagon for John C. Barkley for two years and at the expiration of that period he entered the store of A. A. K. Sawyer as a clerk in the grocery department. Afterward he was em- ployed in the dry-goods department, where he remained for five years. Subsequently he en- gaged in selling dry goods as a traveling sales- man, beginning in that line in 1886 as a repre- sentative of a St. Louis house. He was thus engaged until 1897 and during the two last years he was in charge of the traveling men of that house upon the road. The firm, however, retired from business in August, 1897, and Mr. White again came to Hillsboro and began busi- ness on his own account as a dealer in dry goods, clothing, hats and caps at Hillsboro. He still carries on business in this line and has secured a liberal patronage which has made the enterprise a profitable one. IIe is likewise interested in the new Kortkamp Mining Com- pany and is a member of the Hillsboro Building & Improvement Company.
Mr. White was married in 1892 to Miss Win- nie P. Brown, a daughter of George W. and Henrietta Brown, who was born in Butler in 1869. They had two children: Ruth H. and Marjorie R.
In his political affiliation Mr. White is a Republican, keeping well informed on the ques-
160
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
tions and issues of the day and giving earnest support to every movement that he believes will contribute to the success of the party. He be- longs to the Modern Woodmen camp and in Masonry has attained the Knight Templar de- grec. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his fam- ily and friends. Ile is always courteous, kind- ly and affable, and those who know him per- sonally have for him warm regard. A man of great natural ability, his success in business from the beginning of his residence in Hillsboro has been uniform and rapid. 1- has been truly remarked. after all that may be done for a man in the way of giving him early oppor- tunities for obtaining the requirements which are sought in the schools and in books, he must essentially formulate, determine and give shape to his own character; and this is what Mr. White has done. He has persevered in the pur- suit of a persistent purpose and gained the most satisfactory reward.
DELOS VAN DEUSEN.
Delos Van Deuson has figured prominently in financial circles and has aided in fostering various enterprises which have for their object the city's benefit and it is, therefore. imperative that definite consideration be granted to Mr. Van Deusen in connection with the history of Montgomery county, where he has been con- nected with various business affairs and has so ordered his life as to gain and retain the confidence and esteem of his fellow mon. He has now passed the eightieth milestone on life's journey and is living in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
A native of Allegany county. New York, Mr. Van Deusen was born on the 9th of December. 1823. a son of Joshua B. and Lucia ( Gros- venor) Van Deusen, who were of Dutch and English descent, respectively. When their son was three years of age they removed to James- town, New York, and in that city he was reared and educated. In 1846 he went to Dayton. Ohio, where he began business as a dealer in boots, shoes and leather. This proved a re- munerative enterprise with which he was con-
nected until 1852. In that year he made a trip through the state of Illinois and decided to become a resident of Montgomery county. Litchfield was then a very small place, but he recognized its possibilities and opportuni- ties and resolved to cast in his lot with its early settlers. From that time forward he has been loyal to its interests and his labors have proved a resultant factor in securing its up- building and improvement.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Van Deusen, aronsed by a spirit of patriotism, felt that his first duty was toward his country and became a member of the Sixth Missouri Volunteer In- fantry. Ile raised a company, of which he be- came captain, the enlistment taking place at the arsenal in St. Louis in June, 1861. The regiment was then sent south and was kept at Pilot Knob until the fall of that year, when it was ordered to Tipton, Missouri, where Fre- mont was in command. It was then sent to Springfield in November, 1861. and afterward returned to guard the Pacific Railroad until the succeeding spring. Later the regiment was ordered to proceed to Pittsburg Landing in May, 1862, at which time it was assigned to General Sherman's division and from that time on until the close of the war was in active duty under the intrepid Ohio leader. Mr. Van Deusen was mustered out of service in St. Louis in September. 1865. He had been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1864 and with that rank served in all of the campaigns, commanding the regiment in active service during the entire succeeding year. After the close of the war he was made colonel by Gov- ernor Fletcher. His services covered more than four years and during that entire time he was never wounded, although his clothing was ser- vral times pierced by bullets.
After his return to the pursuits of civil life Mr. Van Deusen was made city magistrate of Litchfield, occupying that position for four Years. In 1821 he entered the bank of Beach, Davis & Company, who were later succeeded by M. M. Martin & Company. Mr. Van Deuson was cashier of this institution and held the position until 1898, when the bank again changed its name. For some time he was the oldest bank cashier of Litchfield and was a
DELOS VAN DEUSEN
+
,
,
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
163
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
member of the firm. He was also a director of the Oil City Building & Savings Association, which was capitalized for one million dollars, and as its president he capably managed the affairs of the company to the entire satisfaction of its stockholders. He was likewise one of the organizers of the Litchfield Homestead & Loan Association and was its president. Ilo is now practically living a retired life, although he has financial interests in several leading business concerns of the city.
While residing in Dayton, Ohio, Mr. Van Deusen was united in marriage to Miss Hon- rietta M. Snyder, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Snyder, the wedding being cele- brated on the 19th of February, 1852. Mr. Van Deusen is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic at Litchfield and in his politi- val views is a Republican. It is said of an eminent man of old that he has done things worthy to be written ; that he has written things worthy to be read ; and by his life has con- tributed to the welfare of the republic and the' happiness of mankind. He on whom this transcendant eulogy can be pronounced with even partial truth is entitled to the gratitude of his race. Nowhere within the broad limits of the commonwealth of Illinois has there lived a man about whom this might more truthfully be said than Delos Van Densen.
DANIEL POPE.
resided in that county for more than a year, working as a farm hand by the month. and in August, 1868, he came to Montgomery county, where he improved a farm, breaking wild land and developing a good property. Ile continued to engage in general agricultural pursuits upon the first place for several years and the farm is still occupied by his brother Richard.
In March, 1813, Daniel Pope was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Corn, a native of Illinois, and here they began their domestic life upon a traet of rented land, which he con- tinned to cultivate for four years. This was located near his brother's farm. He afterward rented another farm for twelve years and on the expiration of that period he purchased the property upon which he now resides, buying forty aeres in 1888. Later he bought eighty acres and subsequently an additional tract of eighty aeres, but afterward sold forty acres of this. "He has also purchased ninety-nine aeres of land in Jersey county. His attention has been given to the development and further im- provement of the home place and to the eulti- vation of other tracts and as before said he not only operates his home farm of a quarter sec- tion, but also cultivates the adjoining one hun- dred and seventy acres. He is a snecessful farmer, ever practical in his methods. follow- ing progressive ideas and laboring earnestly and persistently in his efforts to accumulate a competency. He now owns two valuable farms, one in Jersey and one in Montgomery counties, and his properties are the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry.
Daniel Pope, who follows farming on section 4, Raymond township, where he owns and cul- Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pope have been born nine children: Olivia L., the wife of John Hitch- ings, a farmer of Montgomery county ; William G .. who is married and follows farming with his father-in-law, Henry Hitchings; Etta, the wife of Ori Thompson, a resident farmer of Jersey county, living upon her father's land ; Nellie, Bertha, Joseph, Ralla, Geneva and Maude, all at home. The parents hold mem- bership in the Baptist church and in his fra- ternal relations Mr. Pope is an Odd Fellow, connected with Harvel lodge, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is now past grand. Ile was also deputy for sixteen or seventeen tivates one hundred and sixty acres of land and also operates an adjoining farm of one hundred and seventy acres, has been a resident of Mont- gomery county since August, 1868, and has lived in Illinois since 1866, at which time he settled in Jersey county. He was born in Devonshire. England. April 2. 1848. and re- mained in that country until eighteen years of age. He also spent seven years in Wales and he had fair school advantages in his youth. He came to America in 1866, when a young man of nincteen years, and made his way at once to Illinois, settling in Jersey county. where he joined an older brother, Richard Pope. He years and represented his local lodge in the
161
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
grand lodge of the state for six terms, serving for five consecutive terms. Ile belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity. of Raymond, of the Court of Honor and the Modern Woodmen camp and in the last named has filled all of the offices. Ile strongly endorses Republican principles and has filled the offices of highway commissioner and township treasurer, acting in the latter capacity for six years. Ile was a member of the school board for fifteen years; during which time he served for several years as its president. He has likewise been a dele- gate to the county conventions and takes a deep and active interest in the success of his party and the extension of its influence. There is no more loyal citizen in Montgomery county than this adopted son of America, for during his long residence in Illinois he has always been faithful and true to its interests and at the same time he lias so controlled his business affairs as to win the success which is the reward of honesty and concentrated labor when guided by sound judgment.
MARTIN LUTHER MOYER. M. D.
Dr. Martin Luther Mover, successfully en- gaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in Hillsboro, was born in Iredell county. North Carolina, March 19, 1850. llis father, John M. Moyer, was also a native of North Carolina and was descended from German ancestry, the family having been founded in Pennsylvania at an early day. while later generations of the fam- ily became residents of the Old North state. John M. Mover was a farmer by occupation and during the Civil war he made saltpeter for the Confederacy. In 1866 he removed with his family to Montgomery county, Ilinois, locat- ing on a farm near Coffeen. He married Mar- tha A. Kimball. who bas born in Cabarrus county. North Carolina, in 1825, and was of Irish parentage, tracing her ancestry back to Major Buckner Kimball, who came from the north of Ireland about 1250, and served in the Revolutionary war with the rank that his title indicates. His children were Nancy. Betsy. Patsy, Eddie and Harris, all natives of Ran- dolph county, North Carolina.
Harris, the youngest, married Dorcas Wood, of North Carolina, and they had ten children : Joel, Calya, Harris, William, Lihugh, Sarah, Patsy, Nancy, Betty and Polly. Of this family Joel. son of Harris Kimball, was the grand- father of Dr. Mover of this review. Ile was born in North Carolina. August 11. 1299. and died May 28, 1883. He was married first to Nancy Kearns, who was born July 12. 1801, and was married in 1818 at the age of seven- teen. They had six children : Thomas II .. who was born November 19, 1819, and died Janu- ary 15. 1890: Wiley J., who was born April 1. 1821. and died in 1900: John A., who was born May 15, 1823, and died July 12. 1824; Martha A., who was born April 2, 1825, and died November 11, 1891: Mary L., who was born March 1, 1828, and lives in Moorsville, North Carolina: Eliza C., who was born Au- gust 4, 1830, and now lives in Mt. Gilead. North C'arolina. Soon after the last named was born the mother died.
- On March 1. 1831. Joel Kimball was mar- ried a second time to Miss Sarah Lentz. by whom he had ten children: Henry 1 .. born December 5, 1831. now deceased : Nancy L .. born April 4. 1835: David Hoyl. born January 29. 1831, and died in August. 1840: John Cal- vin, born September 5, 1839 : Chrissie A .. born August 29. 1842: Sarah S .. born October 8. 1844. and died April 24. 1874; Lanra W., born March 1. 1842: William H., born September 28, 1850 : Joel L., born October 5. 1854. Sarah Kimball. the mother of the last ten children. died March 16. 1902. aged ninety-four years. right months and eight days.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Moyer were members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Moyer was a Democrat in his political faith. They had four children. of whom two died in infancy. The surviving daughter. Mary E., a resident of But- ler. Illinois, is the widow of Robert Hogsett. who died in Kansas in 1895, leaving four chil- dren. Mattie B .. Maude C., Bertha G. and Ada E. John M. Moyer died December 27. 1891. and his wife passed away November 11. 1892.
Dr. Moyer pursued his literary education in the public schools and engaged in teaching for one winter. Ho read medicine in the office of Dr. T. J. Whitten, then of Irving and now of
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
DR. M. L. MOYER AND SON
MR. AND MRS. JOHN M. MOYER
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
169
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Nokomis. Later he attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Iowa, and was graduated on the completion of the regu- lar course, March 2, 1880. Hle located for practice in Butler, where he remained for sev- enteen years, and in the fall of 1896 came to Hillsboro, where he has remained since. lle has a large patronage and although a general practitioner, also makes a specialty of the dis- eases of women and children, having studied largely along these lines, so that his proficiency in that direction is above the average.
In 1882 Dr. Mover wa- married to Miss Emma AA. Gray, a daughter of Alexander and Amanda Gray, of Butler Grove township. She died December 31, 1885, at the age of twenty- three years, and in 1882 Dr. Moyer married Miss Susie L. Gray, a sister of his first wife. They had two children, Leland Gray and Har, old 1., but the former is now deceased.
Dr. and Mrs. Mover are members of the Lutheran church, and he belongs to the Knighis of Pythias fraternity and to a number of in- surance orders. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as county coroner and in town- ship offices, his publie-spirited citizenship being manifest by faithful service. He belongs to the American. State, Central. District and County Medical Societies and in professional ranks he occupies a position that indicates a studious, careful preparation and a conscientious devo- tion to the demands of a large practice.
ALBERT M. HOWELL.
Albert M. Howell, promoter of many busi- ness interests which have important bearing upon the substantial development and progress of Hillsboro and Montgomery county, was born at Bunker Hill. Macoupin county. Illinois, June 23, 1854. The family is of Welsh lincage and Mr. Howell, the grandfather, was a farmer of New Jersey. The ancestors of our subject had located in the new world at an early period in its colonization and Richard Howell, who was an uncle of Ebenczer Howell. was governor of New Jersey during the Revolutionary war. while another representative of the family was a general in the Colonial army.
Dr. Ebenezer Howell, father of Albert M. Howell, was born in New Jersey, and in the year 1835 emigrated westward, settling at Bun- ker Itill, Macoupin county, Illinois, where he engaged in the practice of medicine for fifty years, becoming one of the best known and suc- cessful physicians of that part of the state. He removed to Hillsboro in 1893 and died here the following year when in the eighty-fifth year of his age. He obtained a competency by reason of his professional skill and the careful hus- banding of his resources. He had a very large practice and was a loved family physician in many a household. Ilis benevolent and kindly spirit led him to give his professional services where he knew that there was no hope of re- muneration and it is said that he had not an enemy on earth. In his political views he was an earnest Republican. Honored and respected by all his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him. In early manhood he married Almira Cake, who was born in Deer- field, New Jersey, and died at the age of sev- enty-six years. Her parents were David and Margaret Cake and the former was a farmer by occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Howell became the parents of four children : George. deceased. who was the first white child born at Bunker Hill, illinois ; Frank and Alfred, both deceased ; and Albert M.
Reared under the parental roof Albert MI. Howell spent the days of his boyhood at Bun- ker Hill and after completing the course in the public schools there he attended Blackburn University at Carlinville, Illinois. Subsequent- ly he continued his studies at Notre Dame and after leaving school accepted the position of bookkeeper in a wholesale house in St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained for a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to his home and engaged in elerking in a dry goods store. A year later he went south and was lumber inspector in a sawmill for six months. He next went to Jersey City, New Jer- sey, where he opened a wholesale lumberyard as a dealer in yellow pine, continuing in that business for four years. He then again came to the west and entered the employ of D. P. Woodman, a lumber merchant of Litchfield, as bookkeeper. He acted in that capacity for four
120
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
years and from Litchfield went to New Doug- tas, Illinois, where he established a retail lumber vard in 1883. He had conducted the business for about two years, when in 1885 he sold out and removed to Florence, Kansas, where he was proprietor of a lumberyard for two years, conducting this under the firm name of Dean & Howell. He then sold out and returned to McLean, Illinois. There he purchased a lum- beryard, which he conducted for six years and once more he sold his business and bought an interest in the lumberyard owned by Ed Rice, of Litchfield. The Rice-Howell Lumber Con- pany was thus organized and the business was carried on successfully until 1893, when Mr. Howell sold out and purchased the lumber busi- ness of E. Y. MeKnown at Hillsboro. Ilere he has since carried on business and in February, 1904, he sold a half interest in his yard to Howell M. Dorsey of Gillespie, Illinois. The firm name is now Howell & Dorsey. They carry a stock of lumber valued at fifteen thousand dol- lars. This is both dressed and undressed Imnber and their sales have reached a large figure, the business now being very profitable.
While Mr. Howell has won snecess as a lun- ber merchant he has also been the promoter of various enterprises, contributing in direct meas- ure to the commercial and industrial activity of the county and to its prosperity. In 1895 he was one of the four organizers of the Mont- gomery County Telephone Company and has been its secretary and manager since 1898. lle is also the largest stockholder. In 1901 he was instrumental in forming the Commercial ('lub. an organization that has been pre-eminent in the upbuilding of Hillsboro, and from the be- ginning he has been its president. He is one of the largest stockholders in the Hillsboro Hotel and is one of the promoters of the Kort- kamp Coal Company.
In 1886 Mr. Howell was united in marriage to Miss Carrie S. Macknett. a daughter of Dan- iel S. and Rhoda ( Clark) Macknett, the for- mer a lumber dealer of Girard and Carlinville. Illinois. Mrs. Ilowell was born in Girard in 1865 and has become the mother of three chil- dren : Almira R .. Alberta M. and Annell C. Mr. Howell belongs to the Masonie fraternity and to the Modern Woodmen camp at Hills-
boro and in his political views he is a Republi- ean. He is a man of excellent business ability, executive force and keen discernment and car- ries forward to snecesstul compktion whatever he undertakes, and while he has promoted his individual prosperity he also belongs to that class of representative American citizens who while controlling business affairs also add to the general prosperity.
WALTER M. GRIMES.
Walter M. Grimes, proprietor of the Pine Tree place on section 33, Nokomis township. was born October 2. 1828, in Rosemond town- ship, Christian county, his parents being Ste- ven N. and Lucy E. (Cavender) Grimes, who were natives of Macoupin county, Illinois. The father was of English descent, while the mother's people were Canadians. The mater- mal grandfather lived to be eighty-two years of age. and his wife seventy-nine years of age. their last days being spent in Macoupin county. and they celebrated their golden wedding.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.