USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 22
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terested in all that pertains to the county's prog- ress and upbuilding and has given his aid and co-operation to many measures for the general good, so that for his value in citizenship as well as his estimable traits of character in private life he is held in high esteem by his many friends.
JOHN RUSSELL.
John Russell, the owner of a farm of three hundred and eighty acres in Audubon township. is one of the honored pioneer settlers, whose memory goes back to the time of the log cabins and uncleared fields in Montgomery county. He was born on the 25th of April, 1822, on the east fork of the creek northeast of Coffeen. His parents were John and Charlotte (Britt) Russell. The father was born in JJohnson county, North Carolina, in 1292. and removed thence to Kentucky, where he resided for two or three years. lle afterward spent one year on the Missouri river about two hundred miles above St. Louis, after which he decided to re- turn to Kentucky. lle procceded down the Missouri river, thence crossed the country of Montgomery county. Being pleased with this locality he decided to remain and in 1821 set- tled upon a tract of land near Coffeen. where he raised a crop. ITo did not purchase land for the settlers then believed that they would never need to, but speculators came in and made the purchases and Mr. Russell thus obtained no property from the government. These were early pioneer times when existing conditions were in marked contrast to those of the present day. There were many wolves in the county and the bark houses of the Indian were still standing during the boyhood days of John Russell. Jr. Large herds of deer were frequent- ly seen in forests or upon the prairie and there were many wild turkeys and other feathered game. When the prairie was burned over it was found to be thickly strewn with buffalo bones. There were no schoolhouses and no churches and, in fact, the privileges of the pio- neer settlers were very few. The clothing was made out of flax. wool and cotton. and thread spun and cloth woven by the women of the
household. John Russell, Sr., died upon the farm on which the subject of this review now resides.
His son, John Russell, assisted in cutting the logs and building the old house, which still stands upon the place. There was much timber in this district and Mr. Russell acquired a part of his present farm. At one time he owned two hundred acres of timber land and one hundred and sixty acres of prairie land. He still owns the latter tract and he has altogether three hundred and eighty acres at this writing. Hle was reared as were the other members of the family, numbering five brothers and four sis- ters. Those still living are Mrs. Martha Davis. eighty-four years of age, a resident of Decatur; and Joseph, also living in Decatur.
Mr. Russell has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth Beck. by whom he had two children, Susan and William P. Af- ter her death he was married on the 18th of July, 1858, to her sister, Miss Nancy Beck, who was born December 8, 1832, and pursued her education in a log schoolhouse such as was com- mon at that day. Her parents were John and Nancy ( Blair) Beck, both natives of Illinois, the former of German descent and the latter of English lineage. The children born of our subject's second marriage are: Belle. the wife of John Mover, of Pana. Illinois: Florence, the wife of Ed Betzel, of Pana: John: Lnzena. the wife of John Pacock, a resident of Audubon township: Ollie, the wife of Charles Sarles; Alice. at home: Edward : and Mabel, the wife of James Monaghan. of Audubon township.
Mr. Russell has always been a Democrat in his political affiliation and he cast his first vote for James K. Polk. His wife is a member of the Christian church. His entire life has been passed in Montgomery county and his memory forms a connecting link between the pioneer past and the progressive present. He has wit- nessed wonderful changes and the difference is no more marked in any line of life than in farming. for the old crude hand implements have been replaced by modern machinery. whereby a man's daily work is greatly increased in amount and lessened in actual manual labor. No longer are the log cabins seen. for they have been replaced by commodious and substantial
MR AND MRS. JOHN RUSSELL
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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modern dwellings and no more are the evidences of pioneer life seen. While Mr. Russell has many pleasant memories of the olden days he has rejoiced in the progress that has been made.
CHARLES E. MORGAN.
Charles E. Morgan, well known in financial circles in Montgomery county, is the capable cashier of the Litchfield Bank & Trust Com- pany. He was born in Springfield, Illinois, on the 2d of April, 1862, and is a son of Walter P. and Mary ( Brockman ) Morgan. His father was connected with the Wabash Railroad Com- pany for thirty-three years, occupying his po- sition up to the time of his death and two uneles of our subject were also identified with the operating department of railroad service.
The mother of Charles E. Morgan died when he was but three years of age and he was reared by his paternal grandfather, Horace Morgan. In 1881 he entered the First National Bank of Springfield. Hlinois, as errand boy and col- lector, remaining in that institution for three and a half years, during which time he gained a practical knowledge of the banking business." Ile afterward went to work on the railroad as a brakeman on the passenger train and fol- lowing the death of his father he was made conductor on a dining car, running between Forty Wayne, Indiana, and Decatur, over the Wabash line. On the 1st of June. 1892. he ro- moved from Fort Wayne to Litchfield, Ilinois. and here he entered what was originally the Bank of Litchfield, then the property of Beach, Davis & Company. Later this firm was suc- ceeded by Beach, Martin & Company, and from 1892 until 1902 the business was conducted under the firm style of M. M. Martin & Com- pany. On the 4th of September. of the latter year. the present Litchfield Bank & Trust Com- pany was organized as an incorporated state bank and Charles E. Morgan has since served as cashier of the institution, a position which ho ably fills. He had become connected with this institution as assistant cashier and was promoted to cashier in 1897, succeeding Colonel Van Duzen, who had served in that capacity for a number of years. Mr. Morgan is popular
with the patrons of the bank because of his promptness and dispatch in discharging his business duties and also because of his obliging manner and unfailing courtesy.
On the 24 of September, 1890, occurred the marriage of Mr. Morgan and Miss Mattie A. Martin, a daughter of M. M. Martin, general superintendent of the car department of the Wabash Railroad Company at Decatur. Her father also hell numerous valuable properties in Litchfield, was the owner of the bank and was also the leading partner in the Litchfield Foundry & Machine Company. Mrs. Morgan is the oldest daughter and was educated in the Litchfield publie schools, and by her marriage has become the mother of two children, Harold and Mabel, aged respectively thirteen and nine years.
In his political views Mr. Morgan is a stal- wart Republican and has served as president of the school board, as member of the city council and as city treasurer. He is also treasurer of the Homestead Loan & Building Association. Fraternally he is connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and is serving as treasurer of the lodge in Litchfield. lle and his wife haye many warm friends in this city and the hospitality of the best homes is ex- tended to them, for they are people of genuine worth, enjoying in large measure the esteem of those with whom they have been associated.
JOHN T. SHINDLER.
John T. Shindler, yard and bill clerk with the Wabash Railroad Company at Litchfield. was born on the 3d of October. 1868 in Ma- coupin county, Illinois, and is a son of George C. and Elizabeth Shindler. His carly youth was spent upon a farm and his education was acquired in the district schools of the home neighborhood. He continued to assist in the cultivation and improvement of his father's land until twenty-one years, after which he re- moved to Litchfield and entered the employ of the American Express Company, with which he continued for a year. He next entered the dry-goods business, with which he was identi- fied for nine years as a clerk for Mr. Towey in
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the New York store. On the expiration of that period he entered the employ of the Big Four Railroad Company, with which he continued for a year and a half and on the 1st of Jan- uary, 1903, he became connected with the Wa- bash Railroad Company as yard clerk and bill clerk. He yet occupies these positions and the responsibility which devolves upon him is ably met, owing to his business activity, capacity and energy.
On the 1st of March, 1896, Mr. Shindler was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Allen, a native of Litchfield, who was born and reared in this city, where she has always made her home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Shindter have been born two children: Harold A., who was born February 13, 1897, and is now seven years of age ; and George Melvin, born June 4, 1902.
In his political views Mr. Shindler is a Democrat. Earnest in his advocacy of his party he believes firmly in its principles. Ile was township clerk of North Litchfield town- ship in 1901 and 1902 while with the Big Four Railroad Company. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Tribe of Ben Ilur, a beneficent insurance order. lIe belongs to the First Bap- tist church of Litchfield and while connected with mercantile interests served as a teacher in the Sunday-school, but the important and responsible duties which now devolve upon him leave him little opportunity for such work.
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JAMES W. CLOTFELTER.
James Washington Clotfelter, one of the re- spected and reliable citizens of Hillsboro, is still interested in the stock business, although he has passed the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey. His has been an eventful career, full of many interesting incidents. He is familiar with the pioncer experiences of Mis- souri. Illinois and of California. has known what it is to meet the hardships and trials inci- dent to frontier life, to undergo hunger and to face danger. He is now spending the evening of his life amid the comforts which have been won through capable business management and unfaltering energy and in Hillsboro and Mont-
gomery county the circle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
Mr. Clotfelter was born in fredell county. North Carolina, May 25, 1825, and on the 1st of March, 1833, started with his parents from that state to Missouri, but during the first week of the journey the father died. The widowed mother, with her nine children, continued on their way and at length settled at Cape Girar- deau, Missouri, but in the autumn of the same year they removed to Hillsboro. making an overland trip to this city. While enroute they camped one night on Silver creek and the mem- bers of the family with the exception of Mr. Clotfelter of this review, who was sleeping, witnessed one of the most remarkable phenome- nons that nature has displayed-the shower of falling meteors, in which it seemed that the heavens were falling. Mr. Clotfelter and others of the family spent their first night in Montgomery county in the house now owned by Charles Baxter on the street in Hillsboro leading to Cress Hill.
Soon after their arrival the mother moved into a cabin on the Charles Miller farm. There were then two cabins there connected by a shed and Mrs. Clotfelter and her nine children oc- cupied one of these, while a family almost as numerous lived in the other. When two years had passed the Clotfelter family removed to the old Andrew Burk farm south of the city. and purchased the cabin and improvements for one hundred and fifteen dollars. As the years passed the children married and moved to homes of their own until there were left only the mother, one sister, who is now Mrs. William Frame. and James W., of this review. In 1846 the mother died and the household being thus broken up James W. Clotfelter started out in life on his own account. He was then twenty- one years of age. In the autumn of that year he went with his brother to Missouri, but soon returned to Montgomery county and entered the employ of a Mr. Haller. In company with others, he then started for Wisconsin, driving five hundred head of cattle to that state. Two months were consumed in making the trip and for his services Mr. Clotfelter was paid nine dollars per month. He accomplished the re- turn journey on horseback in fifteen days and
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
MRS. JAMES W. CLOTFELTER
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JAMES W. CLOTFELTER
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF LINOIS
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on the way he stopped at Sycamore, where he worked for two weeks in a brickyard, receiving his board in compensation for his services. The following year he purchased nine horses, which he took to Chicago, Milwaukee and other cities, endeavoring to effect a sale, but in those days horses were not in demand and prices were low, most farmers preferring to use oxen in the tilling of the soil. Had the price of feed been anything like it is today he would have lost money in this venture, but he states that he spent one night in Chicago and that the bill for sheltering his horses and himself was one dollar and a half. After visiting two or three cities he at length succeeded in selling seven of his horses and the remaining two he traded for two yoke of oxen, which he sold for eighty dollars, and the price that he asked was so low that the purchaser thought he had stolen them, Mr. Clotfelter having a hard time in convincing him that he had traded for them. At length he arrived in Hillsboro with an old buggy and a part of the money which he had received in payment for the horses.
Three times Mr. Clotfelter has journeyed to' California, making the first trip in 1850 in company with William and Ben Wilton. The tales of fiction can hardly rival the story of the hardships and trials which he endured. The three men started with others, but had gone only a short distance when William Wilton was taken ill and they were compelled to wait for two weeks until he had recovered sufficiently to resume the journey. The food supply also became low and Mr. Clotfelter and Mr. Han- kerson determined that they would travel on alone, hoping that fate would be kind enough to assist them in getting through. Leaving their companions they started on foot for Cali- fornia. The first half of their trip was made in good time with few hardships for game was plentiful and furnished them a good supply of food, but the farther they went the scarcer the game beeame. After traveling some time they were joined by another man, from Springfield, Illinois. When they arrived at the desert they were nearly without food and had it not been for the berries that they occasionally found along the way they would have starved to death. When they had succeeded in crossing the desert
Mr. Clotfelter's companions were almost ex- hausted and it was decided that he should go on alone and wait for them at a place where they could secure something to eat. After a lonely trip he arrived one night at a wayside inn and. applying for something to eat, he was informed that he could get something if he was able to pay for it. He possessed only a five dollar bill, which he gave in exchange for two biscuits and a place to spend the night. The next morning he asked for work and was given a job at carrying hay. There he awaited his companions, who on their arrival were also given employment and the three stayed there about a day until they had rested. When they were ready to leave the proprietor told them that they could easily make plenty of money in California and as they had no money to pay their hoard he agreed to take their notes. While Mr. Hankerson was making out a note for forty dollars Mr. Clotfelter succeeded in getting possession of sixteen biscuits through the kind- ness of the cook and they once more resumed their journey, but as his companions were too weak to keep it up. it was decided that each should shift for himself and they parted com- pany to meet again in California. On leaving the inn they had a wagon and three yoke of oxen but when afterward seen the oxen had disappeared, being consumed as food. and the wagon left behind. Mr. Clotfelter traveled night and day without a gun to protect himself. from the wild animals or the Indians, and it was a desolate, lonely trip. One night, while traveling along the Carson river, he stopped near the seventeen mile desert and laid down to sleep. In the morning he found that he had used as a couch the hollow between two newly made graves.
After arriving at Weaverville, California, he began prospecting for gold and succeeded in making enough with which to return to Illi- nois. In 1853 he again made a trip to Cali- fornia and once more visited the Golden state in 1859. During the years of his residence in Montgomery county he has been engaged in the stock business and few dealers of this part of the state are better known. He is still en- gaged with his son Ralph in buying and selling stock and has conducted an extensive and pro-
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titable business. in all trade transactions he is alert and enterprising, yet has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any business dealing.
In 1854 occurred the marriage of Mr. Clot- felter and Miss Dorcas Bost, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bost. They became the parents of ten children, eight of whom are now living. namely: Mrs. Thomas Williams; Mrs. Abner Cress, Mrs. Thomas M. Jett. Mrs. James P. Brown. Lizzie, Minnie, Ralph and Mrs. Dr. William A. Allen. The mother died in 1892 and Mr. Clotfelter has since resided with one of his daughters in Hillsboro. He is one of its oldest citizens and has watched its develop- ment from a little village situated in a wild and desolate district to one of the best residence towns of the state. fle has been deeply in- terested in all that has been accomplished here and has borne his full share in the work of progress. Ilis has, indeed, been an eventful career and his life history, if written in detail, would constitute a thrilling story. He can re- late many interesting incidents of carly pioneer experience in Illinois as well as of his mining life in California. His business career has been characterized by unflagging perseverance and indefatigable energy and today be stands as one of the substantial residents of Mont- gomery county because of his capable manage- ment and unfaltering effort.
J. R. CHAPMAN.
J. R. Chapman, who is a representative farmer of Raymond township living on section 9, is also classed with the public-spirited and prominent men of his community, where he is now serving for the second term as justice of the peace. Ilis life record began in Greene county. Illinois, where he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 1st of August, 1843. Descended from English ancestry, he is a grandson of Luke Chapman, who was born in England and emigrated to the United States in 1824, settling in West Virginia near Wheel- ing, although the state had not at that time been divided from the Old Dominion. He reared his family there and died about 1832.
ILis son, Judge William Chapman, who was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1817, was only about seven years of age at the time the fam- ily crossed the Atlantic to the new world. He remained in West Virginia until 1833, when in early manhood he sought a home in the west. believing that this less thickly settled dis- triet would afford better business opportunities. Hle made his way to Greene county, Illinois, where he was employed as a civil engineer in connection with the construction of the Great Western Railroad, now a part of the Wabash Railroad system. He was also a teacher and in this connection was actively identified with the educational development of his community. In Greene county he was married to Miss Ann M. Alverson, who was born and reared in Ken- tucky, and in 1852 they removed to Mont- gomery county, locating near Raymond, where the father entered land from the government. securing a claim of three hundred and sixty acres. Although not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made upon that place he at once began its development and continued its cultivation until it had become a productive tract. He also extended the boundaries of his farm until it comprised more than six hundred acres. lle reared his family and spent his life there, being called to the home beyond in January, 1896. Hle was one of the promi- nent men of the county, serving as township treasurer for twenty years, also as supervisor and for four years as associate judge. His public duties were discharged with the utmost fidelity and capability and he took an active and helpful part in shaping the early policy of the county and in promoting its substantial upbuilding. Hle had a wide acquaintance and, moreover, received the respect and confidence of the entire community by reason of his up- right life and general usefulness,
J. R. Chapman spent the days of his youth in Montgomery county upon the old family homestead and shared in the hardships and pri- vations of pioneer life, assisted in the arduous task of developing a new farm and also enjoyed to the fullest extent the pleasures that were common among the pioneer people at a time when hospitality reigned supreme in every frontier home. His educational advantages
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were somewhat limited, but reading, experience and observation have added greatly to his knowledge in later years and have made him a well informed man. He remained with his father until he had attained his majority and then offered his services to the government, en- listing in May, 1864, when twenty years of age as a member of Company H, One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Infantry for one hundred days. He went south and participated in sev- eral skirmishes in Arkansas and Tennessee, but was largely engaged in guard and garrison duty. He continued with the regiment until honorably discharged in January, 1864, and then returned to his home. Farming has been his life work and in his business career he has displayed unfaltering perseverence as well as keen business sagacity and energy. Le broke the land upon which he lives and developed his present fine farm, comprising two hundred acres of very rich and productive land, situated within two miles of Raymond.
In 1861 Mr. Chapman was united in mar- riage to Miss Catherine Hendrickson, a native of Ohio, who was reared in that state. She died July 22, 1878, leaving three sons, Robert If. Chapman, who is now a resident of Denver, Colorado; Professor Gideon P. Chapman, who is principal of the high school at Divernon. Ilinois; and Byron Chapman, who is engaged in the machinist business in Omaha, Nebraska. Prior to his marriage Mr. Chapman had pur- chased the farm and had also rented land there for a few years. At the time of his marriage he took his bride to the home which he had prepared and they lived happily to gether there for about fourteen years. In July. 1880, Mr. Chapman was again married, his second union being with Isabella Rogers, who was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, but was reared in Montgomery county. She passed away on the 15th of March, 1903. By this marriage there were the following children : Grace, at home: Ethel, the wife of Archibald Rhodes. a farmer of Raymond township: George, who assists in the operation of the home farm : Mary, Benjamin. Joseph R., John, Emma. Ann and Jessie, all with their father.
In matters of citizenship Mr. Chapman is publie-spirited and progressive and in 1864 as
a supporter of the Republican party he proudly cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He has since been unfaltering in his devotion to the party and upon that ticket he was elected a member of the school board, serv- ing for eighteen consecutive years. He is now serving his third term as justice of the peace, having been first elected in 1900 and in the dis- charge of his duties he displays unbiased judg- ment. strict equity and unfaltering devotion to the trust reposed in him. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge in which he has tilled all of the offices and is now a past chancellor, while in the grand lodge he has represented the subordinate organiza- tion. He is also a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and the Grand Army post. and in the latter has filled many positions, is also a past commander and has been a representa- tive to the national encampment. His ac- quaintance throughout the county is extensive, for almost his entire life has been passed within its borders and his activity in business and pub- lic affairs has been such as to extend his ac- quaintance and win for him the highest regard and esteem.
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