USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 19
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Henry Cress acquired his education in the district schools near his home. being reared to manhood upon the old farmstead. He assisted his father in its operation until twenty-five years of age, when he came to Hillsboro and began elerking, but in 1903 he began business for himself. He has prospered in his undertak- ings and is interested in the Hillsboro Electric Railway Company.
In 1898 Mr. Cress was united in marriage with Miss Julia Lohr, a daughter of William Lohr, who was a farmer by occupation. He was born in Germany and at an early day came to Montgomery county. Illinois, casting in his lot with its pioneer settlers. He soon became recognized as one of the leading and influential residents of this locality. Mrs. Cress was born in Witt township. Montgomery county, in 1873, and by her marriage has become the mother of one child, Foster, who was born in Hillsboro in 1899. Mrs. Cress holds membership in the
Presbyterian church. Mr. Cress gives his po- litical allegiance to the Democracy and while deeply interested in the success of his party has never sought or desired office. He and his family have a beautiful home in Hillsboro and enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends.
A. K. VANDEVER.
A. K. Vandever, the editor of the Irving Times and also proprietor of the Irving furni- ture store, was born in Moweaqua, Illinois, September 14, 1855. His parents were Aaron S. and Isabella Vandever, the former a prac- ticing physician at Oconce, Illinois. Ile was following his profession there when in response to his country's need he enlisted in Company I, Thirteenth Missouri Infantry, and was wound- ed at the battle of Fort Donelson. In 1863 he came to Irving, Illinois, but he never re- covered from his wound and ultimately it cansed his death in 1868. He was then but forty-four years of age. Ilis widow, long sur- viving him. departed this life in 1895, at the age of sixty-four years.
A. K. Vandever acquired his early educa- tion in the public schools and afterward at- tended the Central Normal College of Dan- vitle, Indiana. When twenty-seven years of age he began teaching school in Montgomery county and in 1900 he turned his attention to journalistic work in connection with S. J. Cottrell. ,A year later he purchased his part- ner's interest in the Irving Times, which is an excellent local newspaper that keeps apace with the progressive spirit of journalism and which is devoted to the best interests of the home locality. Mr. Vandever. however, has not con- fined his attention alone to this line, but is an active factor in the commercial interests of the town, conducting a good furniture store.
In 1884 Mr. Vandever was married to Miss Mamie ITaller. a daughter of E. L. Haller, of Illinois, and to them were born three children: A. E., who is eighteen years of age; Lester K., a youth of fourteen ; and Frankie, who died at the age of three months. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr.
LESTER K. VANDEVER
A. K. VANDEVER
MIRS. A. K. VANDEVER
A. EDWARD VANDEVER
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Vandever is now serving as a member of the builling committee for the erection of the new church. He belongs to Irving lodge. No. 455, A. F. & A. M., and to the Mutual Protective League, No. S, of which he is now secretary. He has been active in public life and has filled various offices, serving as police judge, as super- visor for two terms, as assessor, as a member of the school board and for two terms as justice of the peace, being elected to these positions on the Republican ticket. Ile advocates the prin- ciples of the party by active service in political campaigns and he is found as the champion of every measure which is dominated by a spir- it of progress and improvement in behalf of the community.
JOHN C. CRABTREE.
For almost sixty years- the entire period of his life-John C. Crabtree has been a resi- dent of Montgomery county. He was born November 1. 1842, in South Litchfield town- ship, upon the farm where John Simpson now resides. His father, John Crabtree, came from Kentucky to Illinois when a young man and was one of the honored pioncer settlers. He lived here when the greater part of the land was still unimproved and when the work of progress and development lay largely in the future. There were many hardships and trials to be borne in establishing homes in this lo- cality, but with resolute spirit he met all diffi- enlties and triumphed over many obstacles. He married Miss Nancy Griffith, and he car- ried his household goods across a footlog which spanned the Long branch. They lived in a little rail shack until a cabin could be erected, and Mr. Crabtree carried water from a spring a mile and three-quarters from his home, but both he and his wife bravely met the pioneer conditions and in course of time were enabled to enjoy many more of the com- forts and conveniences of life. As the years passed they became the parents of twelve chil- dren, seven sons and five daughters, all of whom reached adult ago and were married with the exception of the youngest two. The three eldest are now deceased. but eight of
the number are now living. Both parents, however, are deceased.
Upon the old homestead farm John C. Crabtree spent the days of his boyhood and youth and assisted in the arduous task of de- veloping new fields. He attended the com- mon schools in the winter months and in the summer seasons gave his father the benefit of his labors. In 1868 he was united in mar- riage to Miss Esther Witmer, and they be- came the parents of five children: Fanny, the wife of Charles Wethers; Hettie, the wife of Rufus Gamble, a resident of Seattle, Wash- ington : Chris, who is located at Great Falls, Montana ; John Q., who is engaged in the ope- ration of a sawmill in California ; and David, who is in the Treadwell mines in Alaska.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Crabtree received from his father a gift of forty acres of land near Litchfield and resided thereon for a year. He then purchased a farm on see- tion 28. Ilillsboro township, and has since : made it his home. It comprises one hundred and nineteen acres of land, about five and a half miles sonthwest of Hillsboro, and the fields are under a high state of cultivation, while in the pastures are found good grades of stock. He raises cattle and hogs and his sales bring to him a good profit on his in- vestment. His is a well equipped farm, and with the exception of the assistance which he received from his father at time of his mar- riago Mr. Crabtree has made his way unaided in the business world and deserves considerable credit for what he has accomplished. In politics he is a Democrat, and while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, as every true American citizen should do. Ile has no ambition for public office, pre- ferring to devote his undivided attention to his business interests, in which he is meeting with well merited success.
ROY A. RHINE.
Roy A. Rhine, who was born June 28, 1880, upon the farm where he now resides, is a rep- resentative of one of the old families of Illinois. ITis paternal grandfather was born in this
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state and was a farmer by occupation. His children were Charles, William, Gardner, Riley, Jesse, Arthur. George T., Mrs. Lillie Hupp and Mrs. Aliee Ilupp. The sisters are yet living. His father, George T. Rhine, is also a native of Illinois, born in Macoupin county, Septem- ber 16, 1847, and of German lineage. He wed- ded Mary Spear, a native of New Jersey and of English lineage, her birth occurring October 26, 1850. The father developed his farm from the raw prairie and made all of the improve- ments thereon, transforming it from a tract of wild land into a place of rich fertility, the fields yielding good harvests. He died April 16, 1899, and his wife on the 24th of March, of the same year. They had four children, but Frank died in infancy. Charles died in April, 1899, at the age of twenty-four years; Luther died March 31, 1899, and thus the parents and the two sons passed away within a month, the physicians being unable to determine the disease which caused their deaths.
Roy A. Rhine spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and acquired his education in the Walker school in Nokomis. He has always carried on agricultural pursuits from the time when he was trained to farm labor by work- ing in his father's fields. He began farming on his own account upon the place where he now resides, having here eighty acres of land. He is the only survivor of his father's family. In his farming operations he has been energetic and purposeful and by means of his untiring industry he has won a fair measure of success.
On the 12th of July, 1901, Mr. Rhine was married to Miss Flora Eddington. a daughter of Wesley and Ella Eddington, of Macoupin county. Illinois. She is of English descent and her parents were early settlers of Macoupin county, Mr. and Mrs. Rhine now have two sons: George Wesley, who was born in Jan- uary. 1902; and Benjamin, born February 1, 1904. Mrs. Rhine acquired her literary eduea- tion in the town schools of Macoupin county, has been liberally educated in music and is an excellent performer on the piano. Mr. Rhine votes with the Democracy, but while he keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day so as to cast an intelligent ballot he has never sought or desired othice, preferring to
give his undivided attention to his business atfairs.
WILLIAM T. QUAARTLEY.
William T. Quartley, one of the early set- tlers of Montgomery county, whose residence here dates from 1821, is living on section 32, Raymond township, where he has a well im- proved and valuable farming property of two hundred acres. He was born in Somerset- shire, England, July 4. 1853. His father, Thomas Quartley, was descended from a long line of English ancestors, and in his native land was married to Miss Harriet Hooper, also born on the "merrie isle." Mr. Quartley reared his family in England and continued a resident of that country until called to his final rest.
William T. Quartley was there reared, at- tending public schools, and in early manhood became imbued with the desire to seek a home and fortune in the new world, having heard favorable reports concerning the opportunities here afforded. Ile was twenty-three years of age when, in 1877, he crossed the Atlantic and located in Montgomery county, Illinois. Hav- ing no capital with which to purchase land, he began work as a farm hand and was thus em- ployed for two years, after which he rented a farın for several years. Subsequently he pur- chased a part of his present farm, becoming the owner of an improved place of one hun- dred and sixty acres, and with characteristic energy he began its further cultivation and de- velopment. At a later date he extended its boundaries by the purchase of an additional tract of forty aeres. He has been raising good graded shorthorn cattle. hogs and horses, and as a stock-raiser and dealer he has met with gratifying and well merited suecess. He con- tinned his labors uninterruptedly until 1889, when he returned to his native country and visited his parents and friends, remaining for one year in the Old World. He also went to Scotland and Ireland, visiting the important eities of those countries and other points of historie and modern interest. and also spent two weeks in the city of London. In 1890
MR. AND MRS. W. T. QUARTLEY
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
he again came to America, and in 189? he born June 28, 1852, in Montgomery county, made a second visit to England, where he re- newed the friendships of his youth.
Mr. Quartley married while abroad, having for fourteen years been in corespondence with the lady whom he made his wife. It was on the 4th of February, 1893. that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Marian Fish, who was born in England, but was of Scotch lineage. Her father was a farmer of England, and they were married in the old church in her native town. She was born in Elworthy and had remained under the parental roof until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Quartley. They sailed from Liverpool on the 8th of February, and on the steamship Majestic they arrived in the New York harbor on the 16th of that month. They then went south on a wedding trip and afterward came to Illinois, where a reception was held for them on the 26th of February by a half-brother at his home in Macoupin county.
Politically Mr. Quartley is a stanch Repub- lican where national questions and issues are involved, but at local elections he votes inde- pendently. He has never sought or desired office for himself. but has given his undivided attention to his business affairs, in which he has prospered. lle was reared in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was reared in the Episcopal faith, but since coming to America has joined the Methodist church with her husband. Mr. Quartley is an industrious and successful farmer and has made for himself an honored name in the land of his adoption. He has many sterling traits of character, being of kindly spirit, of gener- ous disposition and of strong manhood and honorable purpose. He and his estimable wife are much esteemed in the community, and with pleasure we present the record of their careers to the readers of this volume.
THOMAS H. WOOD.
Thomas II. Wood, the efficient police magis- trate of Litchfield, who is also extensively ope- rating in real estate, carrying on business as a member of the firm of Wood Brothers, was
his parents being John and Elizabeth ( Wil- liams) Wood. He remained upon the home farm until twenty-six years of age and in 1885 he became a resident of Raymond, where he began business as a contractor and builder, erecting many buiklings there and elsewhere. In 1893 he became actively and extensively en- gaged in real estate operations by building an addition to Raymond and purchasing the land, which he divided and sold as town lots or in small tracts of about a quarter of a block each. IFe also traded for the Park View addition to the town and closed out that subdivision. He has owned various kinds of property including unimproved swamp land, coal mines, farm lands and business property and he has prob- ably bought and sold more property than any other one man in the county. Realizing the dis- advantages attending the conduct of his busi- ness in a small town, Raymond having only a population of about fifteen hundred, he re- moved to Litchfield in order that he might have better railroad and other facilities, taking up his abode here March 12, 1901.
In connection with his real estate interests Mr. Wood has conducted an insurance business as agent for different fire, life and accident in- surance companies, representing the John Han- cock, the Mutual Life, the Aetna Accident and also large fire insurance companies.
Mr. Wood was elected police magistrate on the 19th of April. 1904, and in this capacity he has charge of all criminal business in the city and manages the civil business. He has made a most enviable record in office, having had jurisdiction over one hundred and thirty cases in a month. He was elected for a term of four years and his course has been entirely satis- factory to the public. In his political affilia- tion he is a stalwart Democrat and was very active in politics until about five years ago. since which time his attention has been given more largely to his business affairs. In Ray- mond he served as deputy sheriff and was also constable and assessor of the township. He made a new set of books for Raymond under the new law, which was taken as the basis of equalization for the entire county. Three mem-
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bers of the board of review appointed by the county judge never made a change in the books of assessment which were gotten up by Mr. Wood while assessor of Raymond in 1896, and he was the only one of eighteen assessors who performed a work of this character so that his book was taken as a basis by the board of equalization for the entire county. He was a candidate for the office on the Democratie ticket and was the only one of his party on the entire eity ticket that was elected. In both his business and political career he has dis- played marked ability and rare capacity for successful effort and has made for himself an enviable record.
JOHN HENRY BREMER.
John Henry Bremer, of Hillsboro, is well known in industrial and agricultural circles of Montgomery county. lle possesses untiring en- ergy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution; and his elose application to business and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is to-day his It is true that he breame interested in a busi- ness already established, but in controlling and enlarging such an enterprise many a man of even considerable resolute purpose, courage and industry would have failed ; and he has demon- strated the truth of the saying that success is not the result of genins, but the outcome of a clear judgment and experience.
Mr. Bremer was born in Hanover, Germany, on the 9th of November, 1850, and came to the United States in June, 1852, with his par- ents. William H. and Mary ( Bartoff) Bremer. llis father was born in Hanover and in 185; made arrangements whereby he left his native country and brought his family to the new world, locating upon a farm a half mile north of lhillsboro. There he carried on agricultural pursuits for many years and was a resident of the same locality until his death, which occurred in 1899, when he was seventy-four years of age. He held membership in the Lutheran church and belonged to the church council for a quarter of a century. He took
a very active and helpful part in religious work and did everything in his power to promote the cause of Christianity and extend its influence in Montgomery county. His study of the political issues and questions of the day led him to give earnest allegiance to the Republican party. IIis wife, also a native of Hanover, and a consistent member of the Lutheran church, died in 1861 at the age of thirty-two years. They were the parents of five children: Johanna, the wife of Herman Wiegand, a shoemaker residing in Mor- risonville : John Henry, of this review ; Minnie and Ida, both deceased ; and Sophia.
John Henry Bremer was a student in the distriet schools and entered the public schools of Ilillsboro in his boyhood days, but his edu- cational privileges were somewhat limited, as his services were needed upon the home farm. In 1895 he came into possession of the Hills- boro roller mills and has since been engaged in the manufacture of flour in connection with the operation of his farm. The mill has been re- cently remodeled and supplied with the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of high grade flour, of breakfast foods and of meal. This is one of the large mills of the county, having a capacity of one hundred and fifty bar- rels per day, and the business is successfully conducted under the able supervision of Mr. Bremer. In the spring of 1904 he extended bis activities into other fields of labor and formed a partnership with Daniel Tee and engaged in the lumbering business, establishing a yard on the east side of the mill on South Main street. There the firm handles all kinds of dressed and undressed lumber and its patronage is now extensive. The farm which Mr. Bremer owns comprises three hundred acres of very highly improved land. Upon the place are mod- ern buildings, ineluding a handsome residence equipped with all modern conveniences. The land is splendidly drained. the fields are under a high state of cultivation and the place is stocked with high grades of cattle.
In 1828 occurred the marriage of Mr. Bremer and Miss Minnie Brinker, who was born in Ger- many in 1856 and came to the United States when but seven years of age with her parents, Louis and Minnie Brinker, who located in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Bremer was a carpenter
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
J. H. BREMER
WILLIAM H. BREMER
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by trade, but subsequently purchased a farm in Butler Grove township. Montgomery county. where he carried on agricultural pursuits until 1899. Ile then retired from business and has since made his home with his daughter. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bremer were born nine children : Mamie, George, Ida. Henriette, Minnie, Otto, Henry, Louis and Frederick. The last named is now deceased and the mother passed away in July, 1892. In 1901 Mr. Bremer was again married, his second union being with Miss Alice Currier, a daughter of August Currier, an archi- tect. Both of her parents are now deceased. Mrs. Bremer was born in Hillsboro in 1864 and has two children. Jesse and Lawrence.
Charles A. Bost, representing agricultural and horticultural interests of Montgomery county, is living on section 28, Rountree town- ship. His birth occurred within the corporation limits of this township, on the old family home- stead, October ?, 1866, his parents being Daniel and Amanda S. (Ridenhour) Bost, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, whence they came to Montgomery county in 1833, lo- eating in Rountree township among its earliest settlers. As there were no good roads at that time the journey was made on horseback and for a number of years they lived in true pio- neer style, performing the ardnous task of es- tablishing a new home upon the frontier. Sub- sequently they resided in Butler for a short
period and about eight years ago they took up their abode in Nokomis, where Mr. Bost is now living retired at the advanced age of eighty- eight years. His wife is now sixty-five years of age.
Charles A. Bost pursued his education in the schools of Butler Grove township and after- ward accompanied his parents on their removal to Butler. He remained at home until eighteen years of age, when he began earning his own livelihood by working by the month as a farm hand, being thus employed until 1888. Hle then went to Missouri and in the following year he removed to Kansas and afterward to Okla- homa. lle secured a lot at Crescent City and Both Mr. and Mrs. Bremer are members of the Lutheran church and in politics he is a Republican. He has served as highway commis- assisted in laying out the town. Hle was also assistant postmaster there and took an active and helpful part in the carly development of sioner for nine years and has also been a church " that place, but in March, 1890, he sold his in- official, acting as trustee and a member of the church council. He takes a very active and help- ful interest in church affairs, contributing gen- erously to the support of the organization and doing all in his power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Almost his entire life has been passed in Montgomery county, where he has so directed his labors as to win good results, while his integrity as well as his industry stands as an unquestioned fact in his business carcer. terests there and returned to Montgomery coun- ty. llere he followed farming for a year, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade for about five years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode at his present place of residence on section 28, Rountree township. At first ho rented a tract of land here, but he now owns one hundred and twenty acres. When he took up his abode at this place he at once began the improvement and development of tho property and he now has a good house, a com- modious and substantial barn and many mod- ern equipments. Shade trees add to the value CHARLES A. BOST. and attractive appearance of the place and the land is divided into fields of convenient size by well kept fences. He was entirely without capital when he took up his abode upon this farm and he had no stock, but upon the place are now seen good grades of cattle, horses and hogs and his fields annually return to him good harvests, while among his other possessions is a fine young orchard of one thousand trees.
While Mr. Bost has led a very busy and use- ful life in his efforts to accumulate a comfor- table compelence for his family he has also found time and opportunity to serve his fel- low townsmen in positions of public trust. He was elected town clerk in 1900 and is now filling that position and also the office of school director. He is likewise a member of the cen- tral committee of his township and has given
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unfaltering support to the principles of the Republican party since attaining his majority.
On the 23d of October, 1890, Mr. Bost was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Nussman, a daughter of Eli and Sarah E. (Litieker) Nuss- man, who are residents of Rountree township. Mr. and Mrs. Bost are the parents of tive chil- dren : Florence Elmira, born June 25, 1887; Edna P., November 18, 1891; Warner G., No- vember 14, 1892; Hazel L., January 18, 1895; and Archibald, who was born February 11, 1896, and died on the 20th of July of the same year. The parents attend the Lutheran church and Mr. Bost belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Nokomis and Rountree Council No. 131, M. P. L .. which was organ- ized in Rountree township. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and he was the father of the mail route of this locality. He also wrote the first hunting license of his township. Hav- ing spent his entire life here he has been deeply interested in what has been accomplished, in the progress that has been made and in the development which has marked the transition of the county from pioneer conditions to a state of advanced modern civilization. In his business he has prospered as the result of his untiring diligence and enterprise and well mer- its the success that has come to him
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