USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 15
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Steven N. Grimes was reared in Macoupin county, followed the occupation of farming in his boyhood under his father's instruction and in 1822 removed to Christian county, illinois, where he took possession of a farm belonging to his father. He afterward acquired landed possessions to the extent of ten or eleven hun- dred acres, lying in Rosemond and Greenwood townships. Christian county, and a part in Nokomis township, Montgomery county. He had two sisters who were long residents of cen- tral Illinois, Mrs. E. K. Adams, now living on a farm at Gillespie, and Mrs. Mary E. Boggan, who died in Gillespie in 1901. Mrs. Grimes has two sisters who are yet living. Mrs. Robert Huddleston. of Gillespie. and Mrs. Mary Hal- pin, who is living on a farm in that locality. Steven N. Grimes departed this life in 1896, but his wife is still living. making her home with her brother. JJohn Cavender, upon a farm near Gillespie. She is now fifty-one years of age. By her marriage she became the mother of five sons and two daughers, of whom Walter M. was the third in order of birth. The mem- bers of this family are William N .. who re- sides upon the old home farm and is a success-
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ful breeder of Hereford cattle; Nannie J., who died at the age of fifteen years; Walter M .; Jessie and Stephen, who died in infancy ; Ira, who died at the age of one year, and Ruth May, who is living with her mother m Gillespie.
Walter M. Grimes acquired his early educa- tion in the district schools and afterward attended the graded schools of Rosemond, Illinois, and later Blackburn University at Carlinville. Illi- nois, but while a student there in 1894 he was taken ill and did not get to complete the course. He has since taken some correspondence work and thus supplemented his school training. Since putting aside his text books he has de- voted his entire time and energies to agri- cultural pursuits. For six years he has re- sided upon his present farm, which he calls the Pine Tree place. He owns altogether eight hundred acres, some of which he inherited, while the remainder he purchased. Of this he has three quarter sections rented and the ren- tal therefrom brings him a good income. His own home place is splendidly improved and equipped with modern facilities for carrying on the farm work and with splendid buildings. His life has been characterized by unfaltering energy and perseverance and in the control of his property interests he displays excellent busi- ness management.
In 1901 Mr. Grimes was married to Marcia D. Clark, who was born in Cahokia township. Macoupin county, March 2, 1828, and is a daughter of M. W. and Carrie T. (Boosinger) Clark, of Gillespie, Illinois. both natives of Macoupin county, this state. Mrs. Grimes at- tended the country schools in her early girl- hood and later became a student in the public schools of Carlinville. She had three brothers, but the eldest died in infancy and Harvey M. is also deceased. Frank R. Clark, who was born in Gillespie township, is living with his parents at the age of twenty-one years. John Clark, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Grimes, died at the age of eighty years. Her maternal grandparents, George F. and Marie 1. Boo- singer, however, are still living in Macoupin county and they have celebrated their golden wedding.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Grimes has been blessed with two children. Harry M., born
March 2, 1903, and M. Melvina, born October 10, 1904. The young couple are widely and favorably known in Montgomery county, where they have many warm friends and the hospi- tality of many of the best homes is freely ac- corded them. In politics he has always been a Democrat and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp.
ANTON W. GOBY.
Anton W. Goby, living on section 2, Zanes- ville township, where he owns and operates a farm of two hundred and ten acres, was born in East Friesland, Germany, on the 22d of November, 1850. His youth was there passed and in early life he worked at farm labor in his native country. He came to the new world in 18:1, being then a young man of twenty- one years, and he located in Greene county, Illinois, where he had a cousin living. He was employed there by the month as a farm hand for a year or two and it was during his resi- dence in that county that he was married on the 14th of February, 1823, to Miss Sarah Jones, a native of Illinois and of English lineage.
After his marriage Mr. Goby rented a tract of land on which he carried on general farm- ing for several years and on the expiration of that period he purchased a part of his present farm, becoming the owner of eighty acres. This he at once began to cultivate and improve, and when his capital had sufficiently increased to enable him to make further purchase he ex- tended the boundaries of his farm and has added to it from time to time until he is now the owner of two hundred and ten acres of valuable land. Ile has also another tract so that his landed possessions now aggregate two hundred and ninety acres. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Goby were born nine children, six of whom are yet with their parents, while three have started out in life for themselves. Mr. Goby is a stanch Republican and has never yet faltered in his allegiance to the party, although political preferment and public office have no attraction for him. He was reared in the Lutheran faith
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and his life has been characterized by honesty in business and straightforward dealing with his fellow men at all times. A resident of Illi- nois for a third of a century he is now num- bered among the prosperous farmers of Zanes- ville township, but when he came to this state he had no capital, possessing only a courageous spirit, stout heart and willing hands. He was then a young man of twenty-one years and now in the prime of life he is possessed of very de- sirable farming interests as the reward of his capable management and diligence.
SAMUEL E. O'BANNON.
Sammel E. O'Bannon is a representative of one of the old and honored families of Mont- gomery county. He was born at Locust Grove, ten miles cast of Alton, Madison county, Illi- nois. April 1, 1843, his parents being Richard W. and Matilda ( Dorsey) O'Bannon. His fa- ther was born near Fairfax Courthouse, in Far- quier county, Virginia, November 1, 1808, and on the 29th of July, 1830, was married to Matilda Dorsey, whose birth occurred in Jef- ferson county, Kentucky, on the 23d of No- vember, 1811. He erected the first building in the city of Litchfield, in March, 1854, it being used as a dry-goods store, and later built his dwelling, and in November, following, was joined by his family, the home being thus es- tablished in a pioneer district. with the sub- stantial improvement and permanent develop- ment of which he became closely connected. so that his name is inscribed high on the roll of the real builders and promoters of the coun- ty. Hle carried on merchandising for many years and had a wide acquaintance in the county, while his business integrity and per- sonal worth gained him the favorable regard of all with whom he was associated. He died November 14, 1883, and his wife passed away January 23, 1893, and the county thus lost two of its representative pioneer people.
Samuel E. O'Bannon pursued his education in the schools of Litchfield and at Eureka. Woodford county, Illinois. When he was a lad of fourteen years his father placed him behind the counter in his store to sell goods
and thus he entered upon his business career. Eventually he became proprietor of a dry-goods store and he continued as a merchant in that line for twenty-five years, when, desiring to retire from commercial pursuits, he turned his attention to farming in Zanesville township. In 1844, however, he re-entered mercantile life and was again a factor in the trade circles of Litchfield for ten years, conducting a prosper- ous business. On the expiration of that period he resumed farming and in 1896 he purchased his present farm of A. B. Browning. He owns one hundred and six and a half aeres of land, constituting a well developed property, and his energies and capable management have transformed this into a productive tract which annually yields good harvests.
On the 15th of February, 1866, in the city of Litchfield, Mr. O'Bannon was married to Miss Helen Quisenberry, who was reared in Co- lumbus, Missouri, and educated at Christian College. They have four children living: Dr. Richard W. O'Bannon, of Hollister, Cali- fornia. who is married and now practices his profession there: Edward H., a resident of St. Louis; Mary Bessie, now the wife of Dr. C. M. Ament, of St. Louis: and Nellie Q., now at home.
Mr. O'Bannon belongs to the Woodmen eamp at Litchfield and in his political views is a Demoerat. IIe has held the office of township collector twice, but otherwise has held no po- litieal office, his interest centering more largely in his business affairs, which, capably managed, have been resultant factors in bringing him the success which is to-day his.
J. Il. ROBERTS.
.J. Il. Roberts, a representative of the real estate interests of Montgomery county. was born in 1882 in Grisham township, a son of N. J. and Margaret Roberts. The father was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina, November 10. 1848, his parents being Richard and Mary Roberts. The grandfather, also a native of North Carolina. made farming his life work and died in his native state. N. J. Roberts came to Montgomery county. Illinois,
S. E. O'BANNON
LIBRARY 8: THE UNIVERSITY OF RUNGIS
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in 1869 and attended school for two winters young man, having many sterling character- isties which have gained him many friends. here. He was employed as a farm laborer for one year and then began farming on his own account. an occupation which he followed with good success until 1903, when he removed to Coffeen. He worked earnestly and persistently PHILIP STAUDER. in former years and justly earned the rest Philip Stauder, who is engaged in general farming on section 13, Irving township, and who has served as game warden of Montgomery county, was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, January 13, 1862. Ile is a son of Joseph and Catherine ( Heilman ) Stauder, both of whom were natives of Illinois. The mother died dur- ing the infancy of her son Philip, and the father passed away November 4, 1896, at the age of fifty-six years. which is now accorded him. In 18t1 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Beck, a native of Grisham township, and they became the parents of seven children: Jessie, who married P. D. Smith. of Coffeen; Walter E., who is the publisher of the Mount Vernon Times: Lola, who is the wife of O. M. Ilamp- ton. of Hillsboro: and J. IL .. Charles R .. Chloe and Owen, all at home. The parents hold men- bership in the Cumberland Presbyterian church and are well known and highly respected pen- ple of the community, interested in many meas- ures for the general good. In his political af- filiation Mr. Roberts is a Democrat and fra- ternally he is connected with the Modern Wood- men and with the Mutual Protective League, the Simmons Hardware Company, of St. Louis,
J. 11. Roberts was reared under the parental roof and acquired his early education in the schools of Grisham township. He afterward continued his studies in Coffeen and was gradu- ated hore. Later he was a student in the law department of Cumberland University at Loba- non. Tennessee. but has never engaged in prac- tice. Removing to Coffeen. he began operating in real estate and later he purchased the Mont- gomery Demoerat from his brother W. E. Rob- erts. This was the only newspaper published in the township and it had a good circulation among the people of the community. It was established in 1892 and conducted along modern newspaper lines, being an enterprising journal devoted to the interests of the locality as well as to the dissemination of general news. Mr. Roberts sold his interest in the paper June 1. 1904. and has opened a real estate office in Cotfeen. Having been for about one year in that business before he bought the newspaper his success in this enterprise is assured.
Mr. Roberts is a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and of the Modern Ameri- can. His political support is given to the Democracy. In the county where his entire life has been passed he is known as a popular
Philip Stander received good educational privileges. Ile attended the public schools and afterward became a student in MeKendree Col- lege at Lebanon, Illinois, and when he put aside his text books he entered upon his business career, accepting a clerkship in the employ of Missouri. He also worked for different news- paper houses of that city and later learned the blacksmith's trade. After two years, however, he came to Montgomery county in August, 1881, and began farming. In 1893 he removed to his present home where he now owns one hundred and fourteen acres of good land. all of which he has improved. His farm is at- traetive in appearance because of the good build- ings upon it and the highly cultivated condition of the fields. lle is thoroughly conversant with the most improved and modern methods of farming and that his efforts are practical is indicated by the good financial return which comes to him. He was appointed the first game warden in Montgomery county and filled that position for four years. His political allegiance was given to the Democratic party, which he has supported since attaining his majority.
On the 12th of February, 1888, Mr. Stauder was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Meyer, a daughter of John and Mary Meyer, of Cof- feen. They are the parents of four children : Arthur Harry, Eugene Louis, Isabella Gene- vieve and Lawrence Leo. Mr. and Mrs. Stau- der are members of the Catholic church of Hillsboro and he also has membership relations
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with the Modern Woodmen camp at Irving. He has worked earnestly and persistently to gain a comfortable competence and as the years have passed his labors have been crowned with a fair measure of success.
J. S. MOODY.
J. S. Moody, now deceased, was a citizen of Montgomery county, whose value was recog- nized by all who knew him and whose loss was therefore deeply regretted throughout the entire community in which he lived. Ile was born in Franklin county, Indiana. April 19, 1836, his parents being John D. and Jane Moody. His father was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit in early life, but later purchased a farm at Salem, Illinois, and there carried on agricultural pursuits, assisted by his son J. S. The latter was reared in this state. spend- ing his early youth at Monticello. When ten years of age he accompanied his parents on. . their removal to Salem, Marion county, and there he assisted in the improvement of the home farm. He never followed any other occu- pation than that to which he was reared and lived a quiet but useful. active and honorable career.
In 1858 .J. S. Moody was united in marriage to Miss Eliza A. Bliss, a daughter of Alfred and Direxia ( Knowles) Bliss. They became the parents of nine chillren: Katie, deceased wife of Dr. William H. Harris, of Kiola. Kansas; Ida, a resident of Effingham, Illinois; Jennie, the wife of Edward Killian. of St. Louis; Alice, the wife of C. B. llicks: Charles, who married Florence Card and is engaged in farm- ing for his mother, though he also owns three hundred and forty acres: Margaret, at home; Blanche, who is engaged in teaching in Noko- mis; Dora, the wife of Berton Holloway, of Fillmore; and Leila, formerly a teacher in county schools, now at home.
J. S. Moody endorsed the principles of the Republican party and supported its men and measures by his ballot. Hle belonged to the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association and was deeply interested in all that pertained to the agricultural development of the county. In
his business relations he was trustworthy and he owed his success to his indefatigable energy and strong purpose. His death occurred April 5. 1894, and was the occasion of sincere and deep regret to many of his friends, because he had always displayed in his life record the qualities of upright manhood. llis widow be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
Charles Moody, since his father's death, has been operating the home farm, comprising two hundred and forty acres of land. Upon the place is a good residence and modern equip- ments and the home was erected by Mrs. Moody. who was born in Bradford, Vermont, and was brought to Ilinois by her parents when only four years of age, the family home being estab- lished in Fillmore township. They lived in a log cabin until a more modern residence could be built. Mrs. Moody was reared in Fillmore township amid the conditions and environments of pioneer life and attended school in the home neighborhood. Iler first teacher was Lowell .. Fairbanks and the school building was an old fashioned structure built of logs with a punch- eon floor and seated with slab benches hav- ing no backs. She afterward became a student in the college at Salem, Illinois, and was grad- uated with the class of 1858. Few of the resi- dents of Montgomery county have so long been witnesses of its development as has Mrs. Moody. whose mind pictures forth many events and conditions of those early days. She relates many interesting incidents concerning early life here and she certainly deserves mention among the worthy pioneer women. She still resides upon the old home farm, which is now being operated by her son, both grain and stock being raised thercon.
SINGLETON D. CAVE.
Singleton D. Cave, whose genial manner. cordial disposition and unfailing courtesy have made him popular in Litchfield and Mont- gomery county, was born on his father's farm in this county, on the 26th of February, 1835, his parents being Thomas and Lucinda (Dar- nielle) Cave. The father was of English lineage and claimed Sir Edward Cave as a remote an-
LIBRARY OF THE 'ESSITY OF ILLINOIS
MR. AND MRS. J. S. MOODY
MR. AND MRS. ALFRED BLISS
LIBRARY OF THE BIMUSERS TY OF ILLINOIS
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cestor. Ile was born in 1804. became an at- torney and engaged in the practice of law at Mount Sterling, Montgomery county, Kon- tucky. On leaving that state in 1841, he re- moved to Madison county, Illinois, settling near Edwardsville upon a farm. Later he en- gaged in law practice in Memphis, Scotland county, Missouri, until 1848, when he took up his abode in Jersey county, Illinois, living with his children until his death, which occurred July 16, 1849. His wife was born in Washing- ton county, Kentucky, January 14, 1808. and was a daughter of Archibald Darmelle, a farmer and landowner. She died in Litchfield, August 5, 1900, at the age of ninety-two years and six months.
In 1866 Mr. Cave returned to visit his mother, who lived in Litchfield. In 1823 he became a dry-goods merchant of Litchfield as a partner of a Mr. Little. They opened stores in several towns and would then sell and re- move to another town, but in 1814 they failed in business. Mr. Cave also engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business. but that also proved unprofitable. In 1890 he went to Indianapolis. Indiana, where he opened a café, entrusting the management to his partner.
J. W. Litth., and again he lost all he had, in 1892. He then retired from business enter- prises and has since confined his attention to speculation, in which he is much more success- ful than in the conduet of mercantile interests. Hle has made profitable investments in this way and has secured a good financial return.
Mr. Cave was married October 10, 1866, to Miss Ilattie Ellen Porter, a daughter of Isaac Newton Porter, who was born in Ohio and spent the later years of his life in Macoupin county, Illinois, his death occurring in Gillespie, in 1857, when he was thirty-six years of age. He was a blacksmith and wagonmaker. He mar- ried a Miss Alexander, a daughter of Andrew and Esther ( McGill) Alexander, all of Scotch Singleton D. Cave acquired his education in Illinois and Missouri, being given special ad- vantages by his father, who took great interest in educating his son. He did not, however, at- tend an academy or college, and through travel, through experience, reading and observation he has greatly broadened his knowledge. When he was seventeen years of age he ran away from descent. Mr. Alexander was a merchant of Alton, at the time of the assassination of Owen Lovejoy. The family were Presbyterians in re- ligious faith. Mrs. Porter died in Jerseyville, Illinois, February 2, 1900. Mrs. Cave was born in Woodburn, Macoupin county, Illinois, Janu- ary 20, 1850, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children: Chauncey Lee, home, being attracted by the discovery of gold-" who was born February 6, 1869, and is a stenog- in California. He walked acress the plains. as "raphier; and Blanche, the wife of J. Frank Jacobs, of Chicago, Illinois. the driver of a six-bull team, and it required one hundred and fifty days to cover the dis- Mr. Cave has traveled over much of this country and can relate many interesting inci- dents concerning his experiences in the far west. He is of genial manner and social dispo- sition-qualities which have rendered him popu- lar in many communities. tance between Memphis, Missouri, and Sacra- mento. He became a prospector and dug out nine hundred dollars in gold dust. Becoming homesick he conchided to return and went to San Francisco, but circumstances caused him to change his plans and he remained for thir- teen years or until 1866, mining and farming. sometimes successfully and again meeting with financial reverses. In one business deal he CHARLES MAST. made eighty thousand dollars, but this was lost in other transactions.
Charles Mast, who is engaged in general farm- ing on section 23, Witt township, was born in Baden, Germany, May 12, 1842, his parents being John T. and Magdalene (Zeigler) Mast. who in the year 1852 came to the United States, locating in St. Clair county, Ilinois. Both parents, however, are now deceased. The son, Charles Mast, was a little lad of only five sum- mers at the time of the emigration to the new world and was reared in St. Clair county, where he acquired his education. He remained at home until twenty-seven years of age and in 186; came to Montgomery county, Illinois,
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where he has since made his home, covering a period of thirty-seven years. In 1813 he pur- chased his present farm and took up his abode thereon. He has made all of the improvements upon the place, including the erection of a fine residence and a commodious barn. He has two hundred acres of good land, rich and arable, and in his work has followed the most progres- sive farming methods and utilized the modern implements and improved machinery. He is well known for his industry and also for his reliability in business affairs, and he deserves and receives the respect and confidence of his fellow men.
On the 10th of February, 18:4, Mr. Mast was united in marriage with Miss Katie Cabrick, a daughter of Jacob Cabrick, of Coffeen, Illinois. They now have five children: Mary, the wife of Frank A. Spinner, of this county ; Paulina, the wife of Louis Spinner, also of this county ; Francis, at home : Matilda. also at home; and Katie, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Mast are communicants of the Catholic church in Nokomis. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do. be- ing thus able to give an intelligent reason for the political faith which he entertains. ITis farm, now extensive and well improved, is the visible evidence of a well spent life and an active and honorable business career.
M. F. TOBERMAN.
M. F. Toberman, who is dealing extensively in hay and grain, was born July 15, 1861, in the township which is still his home. His parents were Isaialı and Mary Toberman, who in 1898 removed to Fillmore. where they are now living. Mr. Toberman was for many years identified with agricultural pursuits and is now interested with his son in the hay and grain business.
M. F. Toberman was reared upon the old family homestead in Fillmore township. five miles northwest of the village of Fillmore. He attended school there and in his youth also assisted in the labors of field and meadow.
About twenty-one years ago he began the grain business in connection with his father at Chap- man, Hlinois, and has continued to engage in the purchase and sale of grain at that point up to the present. In November, 1891, however, he removed to Fillmore, where he began deal- ing in grain, while B. E. Toberman aets as man- ager of the business at Chapman. Few grain dealers along the line of the Illinois Central Railroad handle more hay than do Mr. Tober- man and his father. In 1903 they shipped one hundred and forty-five carloads in five weeks. Their business is continually growing in volume and importance and the extent of their trade has scoured to them a good patronage. The company owns an elevator and hay barn at Chapman. In 1901 they had the misfortune to have the hay barn at Fillmore destroyed by fire, causing a total loss of fifty-three hundred dollars, but they now have the best hay barn in this part of the country and one of the best in the state.
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