USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 20
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It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the early history of Eli Nussman, the father of Mrs. Bost. He was the first white child born where the city of Hills- boro now stands. there opening his eyes to the light of day in a little cabin located not far from the Rountree spring, which furnishes the water for the present water works system of Hillsboro. His natal day was April 9, 1824. Two years after Illinois had been admitted to the Union as a state his father. John Nussman. left his home in Cabarrus county. North Caro- lina, and came with his family to Illinois, being the first white man to settle among the hills and primeval forests of Hillsboro. His rude cabin was the first building erected at the future county seat. When his son Eli was six years of age the father determined to better his fortunes by taking up some of the wild land that lay north of Hillsboro. There were few settlers in the entire county and the rich prairies of the
northern portion, which now sell for from sev- enty to one hundred dollars per acre, were then considered worthless lands. In his native state John Nussman had followed farming, but after his arrival in this county he conducted a wagon shop. He determined, however, to return to his former vocation and this led to his change in location. In 1830 he removed to what is now Rountree township and upon the farm which he there developed he reared his family of eleven children, of whom Eli Nussman was the youngest. The wife and mother, who bore the maiden name of Kathryn Fogleman, died August 13, 1846, while John Nussman survived until May 27. 1852, passing away when about seventy-five years of age. When he removed to his farm in 1830 he was the only white man in the county north of Irving township. There was much wild game and venison was a com- mon dish upon the family table, while wild turkey, prairie chickens and honey were also easily secured. Near the family home was a camping place for the Kickapoo Indians, who were friendly to their white neighbors, fre- quently making them presents of small trink- ets and trading them deer skins and venison for ammunition and bacon. Mrs. Nussman made all the wearing apparel for the family. manufacturing the cloth as well as the gar- ments. This consisted of thick, heavy jeans, linsey and a coarse cloth made from cotton grown on the place, for in those days cotton was raised to considerable extent by the pio- neers of this county. Eli Nussman received but limited educational advantages, for there were no schools worth mentioning in his locality and the knowledge he gained was received through contact with his fellow men and by observation and experience. In this way, how- ever. he has gained much valuable learning and has become a well informed man. In his youth he delighted in hunting and found great pleas- ure in the sport long after attaining man's estate. Ile has long been regarded as one of the best practical farmers of the county and at one time he owned four hundred acres of land, upon which he raised all kinds of stock to be found on a well regulated stock farm. When nearly four score years of age he planted and cultivated thirty-five aeres of corn. In
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his younger years he was remarkably strong and vigorous and boasts that he killed his two deer before breakfast and often as many as four a day. Ite also tells of making rails for twenty-five eents a hundred and regarded it as a good price.
Mr. Nussman married Miss Sarah Litieker, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arba Liticker, who were early settlers of Fillmore township. They were married May 6, 1858, when Mrs. Nuss- man was eighteen years of age, her birth hav- ing occurred April 6, 1840. They became the parents of six children, three of whom are liv- ing: Ilarriet Catharine, the wife of George Caulk; Mary Emeline, wife of Tom Bost; and Elizabeth Nora, the wife of Charles Bost. Mr. Nussman has never taken a very active interest in politics, but has always been identified with the Democracy. He has ever been known as a man of strong integrity, honest and honorable in all of his transactions and popular among those who knew him. He has always had the warm affection of his family and is numbered among the honored pioneers of Montgomery county.
G. A. RICHMOND.
G. A. Richmond, a well known cattle-raiser and one of the substantial citizens of Fill- more township, was born upon the place where he now resides, his natal day being October 8, 1851. His parents were Gideon and Ilarriet ( Knowles) Richmond. His father, now deceased, was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1820, and was a son of Henry and Eliza F. Richmond, the former born in Mas- sachusetts and the latter in New Jersey. Gideon Richmond was reared in the state of his nativity and afterward followed the occu- pation of farming there until 1845, when he came to Montgomery county and settled upon the hill in Fillmore township. Ile was one of the early residents of that locality. Ile purchased the old homestead at the time of his arrival, began transforming the wild land into richly cultivated fields, and in due course of time, owing to the success which he achieved through his own efforts, he became known as
an extensive farmer. Ile gave particular at- tention to the raising of wheat and to some extent produced corn. He also engaged in stock-raising, and whatever he undertook he carried forward to successful completion. Ile possessed, moreover, good business ability and sound judgment, and he carefully considered every advance move. At the time of his death he owned over five hundred acres of land. He was respected by all for his many good quali- ties, and his example is well worthy of emu- lation, proving what can be accomplished by strong and determined purpose when supple- mented by honorable business methods. LIe was married in 1848 to Miss Harriet Knowles, who was born in New Hampshire and came to Montgomery county, Illinois, when eight years of age with her parents, Joseph and Hannah Knowles. There were only a few houses within the borders of the county at the time of her arrival, and the town of Fillmore had not been established. There were only three dwellings within a mile of this place, and al- most the entire country was a section of wild prairie, upon which not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Richmond were born four children, but only two are living: G. A., of this review; and Dora. the widow of Ora E. Lane, of Fill- more. Mr. Richmond was always a Demo- crat in his political views, and he never fal- tered in support of the party in which he be- lieved. Ile died as the result of a stroke of paralysis in 1895, and since that time his widow has made her home with her son. G. 1. Richmond. Her youngest son, Ernest, died in 1903.
(. A. Richmond pursued his education in the district school near his father's home. and in his boyhood and youth worked upon the home farm, assisting in the various labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When twenty-five years of age he began operating his father's land on his own account. and that he has prospered in his business undertakings as the years have gone by is shown by the fact that he is now the owner of three hundred acres of valuable land, well improved and equipped with all modern conveniences. Upon his place is a good house and substantial barn.
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He is devoting the greater part of his time and attention to the raising of cattle and owns a thoroughbred shorthorn bull. All the cattle which he sells are raised upon his farm, and his business interests have become extensive, so that he is now one of the prosperous men of his community. Hle has placed his de- pendence, not upon any fortunate combina- tion of circumstances, but with a realization that labor is the basis of all prosperity he has worked earnestly and indomitably, and is now one of the well known and substantial stock- dealers of his community.
G. A. Richmond was married about twenty- five years ago to Miss Ada Bost, a daughter of John J. Bost. She spent her girlhood days in Montgomery county and has become the mother of three children : Nellie, now the wife of R. Sanders, of Fillmore: Zella, who married Frank Wolcott; and Kent, who resides at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have a wide and favorable acquaintance in Montgomery coun- ty. Both hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, take an active interest in its work and delight in its growth and the ex- tension of its influence. Mr. Richmond also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, being made a Mason in 1886 at Fillmore lodge, No. 610. and he is also connected with the Woodmen camp and the Court of Honor, and his political views are in accord with the principles of the Democracy. Those who have known him from boyhood and have been daily witnesses of his life are numbered among his stanchest friends. a fact which indicates that his career has ever been guided by upright principles, and while he has won prosperity he has also gained an untarnished name.
CHARLES B. MCKINNEY.
Charles B. MeKinney, a representative of the business interests of Irving as a dealer in general merchandise, was born in Center coun- ty, Pennsylvania, January 2, 1856. his parents being Edward C. and Eliza A. ( Brown) Me- Kinney, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, the father born in Mifflin
county and the mother in Dauphin county. They became residents of Montgomery county, Illinois, in November, 1883, and subsequently removed to Decatur, this state, where the fa- ther's death occurred in July, 1885. His widow removed to Chicago, where she now makes her home.
Charles B. MeKinney was educated in the common schools of Pennsylvania and in Penn HIall Academy. He later engaged in teach- ing through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he continued his studies. In May, 1878, he went to Kansas. where he taught school for two years and on the 31st of May, 1880. he arrived in Montgomery county, locating at Irving. Here he resumed teaching and he also worked at carpentering and farm- ing. In November, 1882, however, he became a factor in the commercial life of the town by entering into partnership with James L. Me- David under the firm name of MeDavid & MeKinney, proprietors of a general mercantile store. This relationship was maintained until July. 1892. when Mr. MeDavid sold his interest to James S. Kelly, and they were partners until the 1st of March, 1895, when Mr. Mckinney bonght out Mr. Kelly's interest. He now has the largest stock of goods in the town and is doing a very profitable business. his trade still increasing. His methods recommend him to the potronage of the public and the support of a customer, when once secured. is always re- tained, because of his honorable treatment of his customers and his earnest desire to please.
On the 10th of April. 1881. Mr. MeKinney was united in marriage to Idella W. Kelley, a daughter of Harvey M. Kelley. They had two children : Darwin Ray. who is a elerk in his father's store; and Owen LaMar, also in the store. Mrs. McKinney died September 12, 1889. and on the 21st of January. 1891, Mr. MeKinney married Mrs. Jennie Townsend, of Staunton, Illinois. Their children are Harold Verne, who was born AAngust 1. 1893: and Claude Leland, born December 24, 1895.
Mr. MeKinney is an adherent of Democratic principles and served as a member of the school board of his town for six years. while at the present time he is serving as a member of the council. He belongs to the Mutual Pro-
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tective League : the Court of Honor, No. 333; the Modern Woodmen Camp, No. 1498; the Irving lodge, No. 455, A. F. & A. AL. of which he has been master for a number of years ; and to the Presbyterian church. He is well known in fraternal circles, where his close adherence to the helpful and benevolent spirit of the dif- ferent orders has made him widely known as a representative member.
SAMUEL A. MERIWETHER.
Samuel A. Meriwether, who follows farm- ing and stock-raising on seetion 30, Harvel township, has a good tract of land of one hun- dred and sixty acres, constituting a valuable farm, which is pleasantly located within four miles of Raymond. Harvel and Waggoner, so that the advantages of town lite are easily ob- tained, while he is at the same time enjoy- ing the liberty of a country home. Born in Illinois, Mr. Meriwether is a native of Greene county, the date of his birth being February 5, 1843. He represents an old family of the south, his father. Henry W. Meriwether. hav- ing been born in Jefferson county. Kentucky, in 1191. soon after the admission of that state into the Union and not long after the close of the Revolutionary war. He was reared amid frontier scenes in Kentucky, and be- cause of the responsibilities that devolved upon him and the labor that he performed he de- veloped a self-reliant character. Having ar- rived at years of maturity. he married Jane Meriwether, March 12. 1811. She died Au- gust 18, 1828, and on October 22. 1829, he was again married, his second union being with Miss Dorothea Lewis Ilill, who was the mother of our subjeet. She was born in Virginia, but was largely reared in Kentucky. Mr. Meri- wether became a prominent and successful business man of Jefferson county and took an active interest in public affairs, serving at one time as sheriff of his county. Hle re- moved to Illinois in 1835, settling in Greene county, where he purchased land and ultimate- ly became the owner of two farms, which he developed and improved. In 1844 he removed
to Macoupin county, where he also became the owner of a farm. making it his home until his life's labors were ended in death, April 2, 1856, when he was sixty-six years of age. Ilis wife, surviving him some time, passed away September 2, 1860.
In retrospect one can see Samuel A. Meri- wether as a farm boy of Macoupin county working in the fields through the summer months, while in the winter seasons he attend- ed the public schools. After completing the course of instruction in the district schools he entered the high school at Carrollton, Greene county. In 1864 he went to the west. spend- ing a year in mining in Montana and Hlaho. after which he returned to this state.
It was in Kentucky, however, that Mr. Meri- wether was married, the wedding ceremony be- ing performed in Cumberland county on the 20th of January, 1820, on which occasion Miss Sarah Baker became his wife. She was born and reared in Kentucky and was a daughter of Daniel and Lucy (Chetham) Baker.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Meri- wether located in Auburn, Kentucky, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for one year and on the expiration of that period he re- turned to Illinois, settling in Macoupin coun- ty, where he carried on farming with good sue- cess for four years. His unfaltering indus- try and capable management during that pe- riod brought to him the capital that enabled him to purchase the farm upon which he now resides on section 30, Harvel township. Upon that place at that time was an old house, but he has since replaced it by a large, substantial and modern residence. He located here in 1878 and began to farm and improve this place, the rich, productive soil yielding to him good harvests. He has also other outbuild- ings and he has five acres in an orchard. He has also tilled some of his land and fenced a part of it, and now has a good place, the rich fields promising golden harvests in the late autumn. In connection with general farm- ing he raises good stock, making a specialty of pure-blooded Cottswold sheep. He is well known as a breeder and dealer in sheep in Mont- gomery county, and has some very fine ani- mals, while his annual sales return to him
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
good income. He is also a director of the Vir- den Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
Mr. and Mrs. Meriwether have five children : Arthur, who is married and is a farmer of Pitman township; Dorothea, who is success- fully engaged in teaching in this county and resides at home; Luey, who is with her par- ents; Elizabeth, who is engaged in teaching music and is at home; and Owen W., who as- sists in the operation of the farm.
Mr. Meriwether cast his first presidential vote for Peter Cooper and is a stalwart Demo- erat, being now in sympathy with the princi- ples and policy of that party. He has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs. He is, however, a believer in good schools and in the employment of competent teachers, and for nine years he has served on the school board, during which time he has put forth effective effort in behalf of the cause of edu- eation. lle and his wife and all of their family are members of the Presbyterian church, in the work of which they take a very active and helpful part. Mr. Meriwether is serving as an elder in the church and is also a very active and helpful Sunday school worker, having served as superintendent for twenty years, while for two years he has been president of the County Sunday School Asso- ciation. His influence is ever on the side of right. of truth and justice, and he does every- thing in his power to promote the moral de- velopment of the county.
C. W. JOHNSON. M. D.
Dr. C. W. Johnson, of Litchfield, now en- gaged in the practice of medicine, has made his work of great value to his fellow men. He was born in Hong Kong. China, in 1848. his parents being Rev. John W. and Anna (Stephens) Johnson. The father was a Bap- list minister, born in New Hampshire in 1820. Ile completed his education in Dartmouth College and afterward went as missionary of the Baptist church to China, where he lived and labored for many years, his efforts proving a potent influence in the Christianizing of the
heathen races of that country. His wife, who was born in Eastport. Maine, died when her son Dr. Johnson was but three weeks old, but the father survived until 1822. He was a see- ond time married in 1859 and afterward re- turned to China, where he lived until 1863, when he again came to America. His death, however, occurred at Swatow, China, where he was engaged in missionary work, and flags in that place were lowered at half-mast because he was beloved by all. llis son afterward formed the acquaintance of Captain Lowell, who was commander of a ship and who at- tended the funeral of Rev. Johnson. The home of Rov. Johnson was the headquarters of all Americans visiting or residing in Hong Kong for any length of time.
Dr. Johnson came from China to the United States in order to pursue his education in the schools of this country. The ship on which he sailed was attacked by the Confederate pirate ship Florida on the 12th of February, 1863. The passengers and crew were put to every inconvenience and after everything of value was taken a torch was applied and the vessel burned to the water's edge. Dr. John- son pursued his preliminary education in Philips College at Exeter. New Hampshire. Hle afterward went to Providence, Rhode Island, where he completed a course in the University grammar school, and he afterward attended Scofield Business College, from which he won a diploma on the 11th of Novem- ber, 1862. Determining to engage in the prac- tice of medicine as his life work, he entered Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was graduated with the class of 1852. He was afterward appointed a trustee of the insane hospital at Augusta, Maine, where he remained from 1880 to 1883, after which he was offered a position as assist- ant superintendent, but declined. Entering upon the active practice of medicine, he there engaged in the prosecution of his profession for a number of years. He was appointed a justice of the peace in Maine by Governor Davis on the 5th of January, 1881, and on the 13th of April. 1882, he was appointed examin- ing surgeon as a member of the pension board. He located in Litchfield April 22. 1886, and
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has since been a member of the profession here. active in practice and laboring with success in the alleviation of human suffering. The pub- lie and the medical fraternity accord him high rank and his acknowledged skill has won him a very liberal patronage.
On the 4th of June, 1814, in Lubec, Maine, Dr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Allie Ryerson, and unto them were born two children. Simeon Ryerson, the elder, is a practicing physician at Divernon. Illinois, and was named in honor of his maternal grand- father. He is a graduate of DePauw Uni- versity of Indiana, where he completed his course in 1895, and also of the University of Illinois, completing a course in the medical department with the class of 1898. The younger child, a daughter, died when seventeen months old.
In his political views Dr. Johnson is a stal- wart Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He has in his possession his father's library, which contains three vol- umes concerning the United States expedition of Commodore M. C. Perry, published in 1856. Dr. JJohnson has made his home in Litchfield for eighteen years and is well known here as a representative member of the profession.
JAMES W. KIRKPATRICK.
James W. Kirkpatrick. superintendent of the plant of the Illinois Brick & Tile Company at Litchfield, was born in Alton, this state, in 1858. and his ancestry, both lineal and col- lateral, for many generations has been dis- finetively American. Ile is a great-grandson of James Kirkpatrick, who served as a cap- tain in the Revolutionary war and was killed while the troops were engaged in skirmishing with the British. He was shot while at his dinner table with nine of his children around him. His son. Thomas Kirkpatrick, was the first settler of Madison county, Ilinois, and assisted in the erection of the first fort in the county which was built to protect the pioneer residents against the Indians. He had ro- moved from Tennessee to Madison county in 1802 and was very prominent and influential
in molding its policy and shaping its pioneer history. He served as the first judge of the county and was one of the thirty-six delegates that went to Kaskaskia, Illinois-then the capital of the territory-to formulate plans for the admission of the state into the Union. Ho accumulated a large property for those days, and the town of Edwardsville has been built upon the land which he at one time owned.
Samuel D. Kirkpatrick, father of James W. Kirkpatrick, was born near Edwardsville, Illi- nois, and is now living in Portland, Oregon, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. He was a lumber merchant and soon after the close of the Civil war came to Litchfield, where he remained until 18:9. when he removed to Oregon, where he has since made his home. fle belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years has been one of its active and helpful workers. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Masonie lodge and with the A. K. T. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Jane Elsworthy, was born near London, England, and is now sixty- nine years of age. She came to the United States with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Elsworthy, when a little maiden of five sum- mers, the family home being established in Alton. Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick be- came the parents of six children: Carrie, de- ceased : Annie, the wife of Rev. M. G. Cole- man, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Paris, Ilinois: James W .: Edward. de- ceased ; and Myrtle, the wife of Edward laz- zard, who is cashier of the bank at Lake Charles, Louisiana,
To the public-school system of Litchfield James W. Kirkpatrick is indebted for the odn- eational privileges which he enjoyed. lle afterward began learning the trade of brick- making and has since followed that pursuit as a life occupation. For five years he was as- sociated with George Matthews, in the manu- facture of brick and on the expiration of that. period they sold out to J. W. Chamberlain & Son, while Mr. Kirkpatrick accepted the posi- tion as superintendent with the Litchfield Brick & Tile Company, with which he remained for four years. On the expiration of that period he was made superintendent of the brick and
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tile works of Monticello, Piatt County, where he continued for four years and in 1896 he returned to Litchfieldl to accept the superin- tendency of the brick works owned by David Davis, Sr. He is still identified in the same capacity with that productive industry. In 1902, however, the concern was incorporated under the name of the Illinois Brick & Tile Company, with David Davis, Jr., as president, Mrs. Blanche K. Davis as treasurer, Regina Davis as secretary and James W. Kirkpatrick as superintendent. The company was capital- ized for twenty thousand dollars and employ- ment is furnished to from twenty to twenty- five men. The product of the factory is both building and paving brick and drain tile and the capacity is twenty thousand brick per day. The plant is well equipped with modern ap- pliances and machinery and the output is now extensive and of such excellent quality that it finds a ready sale on the market.
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