USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 25
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one years. His wife passed away about 1855 at the age of forty-five years.
Marvin Thumb after attending the common schools became a student in Watertown Col- lege of New York, and later engaged in farm- ing with his father. He came to Montgomery county. Illinois, a few weeks after his father's arrival and engaged in the cultivation of the latter's land for a number of years. In 1869 he erected the house which he now occupies, a large and commodious brick residence, which is taste- fully furnished and makes a very comfortable and attractive home for his family. He now owns one hundred and fifty-four acres of land, which is well improved, being naturally arable and productive and responding quickly to the care and cultivation bestowed upon it by the owner.
On the 10th of March, 1853, Mr. Thumb was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah Cross, a daughter of James and Deborah (Slocum) Cross, also natives of New York. Her father died in 1860, at the age of sixty years, and her mother passed away in 1865, at the age of fifty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Thumb be- came the parents of five children: James, who was born November 29, 1853, and died in 1843; Mary, who was born May 14. 1855, and is the wife of Thomas Johnson, who resides west of Irving : Helen, who was born December 30, 1859, and is the wife of Irving Gregory of Oklahoma: Libby, who was born June 16, 1862, and is the wife of William Rausdell, of Witt township; and Ralph, who was born De- cember 23, 1871, and is living upon the home farm, which he is operating. He was married Jannary 4. 1898, to Emma Lipe, and they have two children, Mabel and Mary.
Mr. and Mrs. Thumb attend the Lutheran church and he became a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity at Chaumont, New York, in 1851. but has in recent years taken a dimit. Before the organization of the township he was appointed supervisor by the county judge. He has always given his political allegiance to the Democracy and has had firm faith in the principles of that party. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for troops in September, 1864, enlisting in Company D. Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry.
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He participated in the capture of Mobile and several other engagements and was discharged at Mobile, December 5, 1865. Ite is now a member of Knight Post, No. 266, G. A. R. Ilaving long made his home in this county he has a wide acquaintance and the sterling traits of his character are so many and so commenda- ble that his circle of friends has continually increased.
WILLIAM L. SEYMOUR.
Willian. L. Seymour is one of the prominent business men of Montgomery county, actively and successfully engaged in business in Ray- mond, where he has been located for sixteen years. lle was born near Hillsboro, November 16, 1865, and is a son of William D. Seymour, whose birth occurred in Lawrence county, South Carolina, in 1823. His paternal grand- father, Wesley Seymour, was born in 1798 and is of English ancestry. the family having been"" established in Alabama when the first represen- tatives of the name crossed the Atlantic to the new world. Wesley Seymour removed from the south to Illinois, becoming one of the earl- iest settlers of Montgomery county, casting in his lot with the pioneer residents about 1825. HIe opened up a farm in the vicinity of tills- boro and there resided for about fifty years, during which time he took an active and help- ful part in promoting the substantial improve- ment and upbuilding of the county. In 1815 he removed to Kansas and spent his last years at Columbus, where he died in 1891 at the ad- vanced age of ninety-two years.
William D. Seymour was reared to man- hood in Montgomery county upon the old fam- ily homestead and aided in the arduous task of developing the fields. His education was acquired in the Hillsboro Academy and with broad knowledge to aid him in the active af- fairs of life he entered upon his business career, wherein he won success by unremitting dili- gence and unfaltering perseverance. lle was married in this county to Elizabeth Christian, a native of Kentucky, who came to Illinois in early womanhood. Iler father, Thomas Chris- tian, was one of the pioneer residents in this
community. Mr. Seymour carried on farming in Montgomery county and here reared his fam- ily. He was respected among the prominent and substantial citizens, for he ever manifested a deep interest in general progress, co-operat- ing in many measures for public benefit, and in his business life was always straightforward and honorable. He served as school commis- sioner of the county and the cause of educa- tion found in him a warm friend. He died November 12. 1886, at the age of sixty-three years. In his family were eight children who reached adult age, while three sons and four daughters are yet living.
William L. Seymour was reared upon the old home farm in the usual manner of lads of the period, having perhaps better advantages than some and less than others. After attend- ing the country schools he became a student in the Ilillsboro high school. He remained with his father until the latter's death and when niñoteen years of age he began teaching, which profession he followed for three years. In 1888 he came to Raymond with his brother Dr. J. R. Seymour and purchased a drug store, which they conducted together until February, 1893, when W. L. Seymour purchased his brother's interest and continued the business until 1894, when he sold out. Later, how- ever, he again purchased a drug store and has since continued in this line of trade, building up a good establishment and enjoying a liberal share of the public patronage.
In community affairs Mr. Seymour has ex- erted considerable influence and is recognized as an important factor in public progress here. He cast his first presidential ballot for Ben- jamin Harrison and has always been deeply in- terested in the success and growth of the Re- publican party. He served on the Republican central committee for a number of years and during two years of that time was its chair- man. He was elected tax collector for 1891 and 1892 and in 1894 was chosen by popular sutfrage for the position of county clerk, which position he capably filled for four years. Dur- ing that period he resided in Hillsboro. He then returned to Raymond and, purchasing a drug store, resumed business as one of the enterprising merchants of the town. He has
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W. L. SEYMOUR
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM D. SEYMOUR
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since served as a member of the school board here and was its president for two years. He is now a member of the village board and in 1902 he was appointed postmaster, which posi- tion he still holds. No publie trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest de- gree, his loyalty in citizenship being one of the salient features in his career.
On the 29th of January, 1890, Mr. Seymour was married in Raymond to Miss Cora A. Parrott, a daughter of D. J. Parrott. one of the early settlers of Montgomery county, re- moving from Kentucky. Mrs. Seymour was born, reared and educated in Raymond and by her marriage has become the mother of four living sons: Robert HI., W. Burress. Kenneth L. and Ilarold R. They also lost two children in infancy, Bernice and Ilubert.
Mr. Seymour is a member of the Inde- pendent Orler of Odd Fellows, has filled all of the chairs in Raymond lodge and is a past grand. Ile is also connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. is a charter member and is now master of the excheequer: Ilis entire life has been passed in Montgomery county and he deserves mention not only as a representative of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families, but also because of the active and helpful part which he has taken in community affairs along business and financial lines. He is thoroughly identified with the interests of the people and the ma- terial, social and intellectual progress have been promoted through his co-operation.
HARRY WILTON.
As the progress or prosperity of a nation is the result of the aggregate endeavor of its in- dividual citizens, so the history of a nation is the record of the aggregate achievements of its people. Biography thus becomes the very foundation upon which must rest all general history of mankind. The importance of mak- ing permanent record of the life work of men who are worthy such distinction can not be overestimated. No record of Montgomery county would be complete without mention of Harry Wilton, who was for many years identi-
fied with agricultural interests but was more widely known as a Democratic leader, his labors and counsel largely shaping the policy of the party in Illinois. He was the friend and as- sociate of many of the most distinguished po- litical leaders of the state and he left the im- press of his individuality upon public progress. A native of Cambridgeshire, England, he was born on the 4th of July, 1994, at Stapleford, about five miles from the famous Cambridge University. His father, Ilenry Wilton, was a farmer owning a tract of land there which he sold when his son Harry was but three years of age. He then emigrated with his family to the new world, settling in Delaware coun- ty. New York, where he purchased a farm, suc- cessfully continuing its cultivation for some time. Later he sold there and started for Illi- nois with the intention of settling in Kaskaskia, but journeyed no further than Shawneetown. It was in May, 1811, that the family started from New York, but an accident delayed their arrival until fall of that year, when the mother died.
Harry Wilton received but limited educa- tional privileges. He attended school, how- ever, for three months in Kaskaskia, where he was the guest of Samuel Pope, then secretary to the territory of illinois. In his youth he was engaged in cutting wood for thirty-seven cents per cord, and when nineteen years of age he carried the mail on horseback between St. Gene- vieve, Missouri, and Morganfield, Kentucky, being thus engaged for two and a half years. Hle then conducted the store owned by Hon. Leonard White, who was then agent for the United States Salt Works at Equality, Galatin county. In 1817 he removed to Carlisle, pur- chased an old French right and subsequently entered two sections of land, npon which he set- tled, carrying on farming operations for eight years. His deep interest in public affairs and his fitness for leadership caused him to be ealled from the retirement of the farm to pub- lie life and in 1818 he was elected first sheriff of Washington county. In 1825 he was appointed deputy cirenit clerk and in 1827 was appointed circuit clerk, which position ho filled for several years. At the same time he was postmaster of Carlisle, was justice of the peace
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and postmaster of the Clinton county militia. He tilled the office of recorder of deeds, was United States deputy marshal and judge of the county court, serving upon the bench in all for four years. tle then resigned for two reasons, one that the salary was not sufficient to support his family, the fees amount.ng only to about two hundred dollars a year. while secondly he did not consider himself competent to discharge the duties of the office in setting judgment upon his fellow men. He was entirely without self-conceit and while always willing to do his duty he never wished to hold an office if he felt that others were better qualified to discharge the duties thereof. In 1833, entirely without his solicitation, his friends secured for him from President Andrew Jackson the appointment to the position of United States marshal of the state of Illinois and his splendid record in that office won him re-appointment under the same administration and also from Martin Van Bu- ren and Franklin Pierce. lle resigned about the middle of the administration of President Pierce after an incumbency that covered four- teen years. He was prompted to this step by his repugnanee to the fugitive slave law, which at times he was called upon to enforce. One aet of his service while filling the position of United States marshal won him national fame. He was instructed by the secretary of war. Jef- ferson Davis, to call out the United States troops to remove the squatters and trespassers from Rock Island, which was a government reservation. The trespassers were employes of the state of Illinois engaged in constructing a bridge across the Mississippi river at that point. Mr. Wilton refused to obey orders vi et armis. believing it to be not only unconstitutional. but a harsh and irritating measure. Caleb Cushing, who was then attorney general. gave the opinion that he had the legal right to use force. Instead of acting upon this opinion Mr. Wilton persuaded the secretary of war to bring suit on ejectment and received instructions for this course. The case was finally taken to Washington. Reverdy Johnson representing the Rock Island Railroad Company. who were vir- tually the defendants, while Caleb Cushing con- ducted the suit for the government. The case went for the defendants and was then looked
upon as a triumph of state rights. In the meantime the squatters had left Rock Island. Mr. Wilton's common sense and moderation in this instance saved the government thou- sands of dollars and many lives, and his fame and wisdom spread through the land.
It was during this period in his life that Mr. Wilton became a very prominent and in- tluential factor in Illinois politics. Simul- taneously with the visit of President Van Bu- ren to Springfield in 1842 occurred the death of the Democratic nom.nee for governor- Adam W. Snyder-and a meeting to choose his successor was held. Mr. Wilton was the unanimous choice for chairman of the meet- ing and on motion of Murray McConnell he was empowered to secure a committee to nominate a new candidate. Having appointed the com- mittee his own name was by unanimous vote added to it and finally the choice of the eandi- date was left entirely to him. He named Thomas Ford, who was elected. Mr. Wilton also virtually nominated Governor French and it was through his influence that Stephen A. Douglas was appointed to the first public office which he held-that of district attorney for the judicial district which included Morgan, San- gamon and other counties. Mr. Wilton was also the first to suggest the name of the Little Giant of Illinois for United States senator and was mainly instrumental in securing his elec- tion. lle afterward received letters from the distinguished statesman thankfully acknowledg- ing his aid and expressing the deepest obliga- tion for his active friendship. Mr. Wilton was on terms of intimacy with the leading statesmen of his time, covering the period from the ad- ministration of Andrew Jackson to that of James Buchanan. In the latter he served as United States pension examiner for the state of Illinois, but while he held many positions h's effort was probably most strongly felt through his influence in molding public policy and shaping public opinion.
Mr. Wilton was married on the 24th of Au- unst. 1818. to Miss Elizabeth Allen. a daughter of Benjamin Allen, who was a noted wood ranger during the war of 1812. They became the parents of twelve children, of whom Benja- m'n and Thomas are residents of Hillsboro and
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the former is the father of R. L. Wilton, a well known and leading business man of Hillsboro, who is represented elsewhere in this volume.
Harry Wilton deserved and received the re- spect and confidence of the men of all political parties. His honesty was proverbial and he was generous to a fault. Notwithstanding the many responsible offices which he held he did not save a dollar and he retired to private life a poor man. Finally he returned to the farm and in his agricultural pursuits was more suc- cessful. at one time being worth about fifty thousand dollars. He endorsed papers for his friends, however, and thirty thousand dollars of his fortune went in payments of security debts and in return he never received a cent. In religious belief he was a Methodist and his Christian faith was exemplified in his daily life. lle never gambled nor used intoxicants nor to- bacco. He lived a blameless life. character- ized by lofty patriotism and by devotion to high ideals, and he regarded his self-respect and the confidence of his friends as infinitely more to be desired than wealth or national reputation.
DANIEL BOST.
One of the honored pioneers and venerable citizens of Montgomery county is Daniel Bost, who is now living retired in Nokomis. He was born in Rowan county, North Carolina, De- cember 31. 1815. His parents. John and Rachel Bost, also natives of the Old North state, have passed ayaw. His education was acquired in the schools of North Carolina and he came to Montgomery county by team in 1837, when about twenty-one years of age. Here he engaged in working by the month. There were no farmers at that time on the prairie land which was considered unfit for cultivation, but a few farms had been estab- lished in the midst of the forest tracts. About 1847 Mr. Bost purchased his first land from the government-a tract of forty acres-and later he added an additional tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres from the government. Ilis third purchase made him the owner of forty acres more and again he bought eighty acres. For many years he successfully car-
ried on agricultural pursuits, keeping apace with the progress made in the methods of farm- ing and in the improved machinery. As time passed he prospered in his undertakings, ac- cumulating a comfortable competence. Event- ually, however, he sold his farm land and bought two lots and a house, where he now lives, in Nokomis. He removed to this place in De- cember, 1899, and has since lived a retired life, enjoying a well merited rest.
On the 5th of March, 1840, Mr. Bost was married to Miss Ellen Lipp, and unto them were born six children, of whom two died in infancy. The living are Peter Francis, who is engaged in farming in Texas; Rachel, the wife of Thomas Lipp, of Texas; and Joshna, a car- penter of Alton, Illinois. One daughter, Eliza, died at the age of forty-two years. The mother passed away February 25, 1865, when forty- nine years of age. On the 26th of May, 1865, Mr. Bost was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Amanda Cooper. The chil- dren of this marriage are Charles A,, who is represented elsewhere in this work: Artellisa, the wife of Noah Leffe, of Rountree town- ship; Ella, the wife of Joseph Cruze, of Roun- tree township: Thomas, of the same township; George, who is a mail carrier of Nokomis; Gertrude, the wife of Claude Davidson. of Ilillsboro; and Fred, who is a mail carrier in the rural free delivery from Nokomis.
Mr. Bost is a member of the Lutheran church, with which he has been identified for sixty-five years, living an upright life in con- sistent harmony with his professions. In poli- ties he is a Republican and has voted sixteen times for president.
THOMAS K. WESTCOTT.
Thomas K. Westcott, whose farming and stockraising interests in Butler Grove township are valuable and profitable, was born in North Scituate, Rhode Island, on the 20th of Sep- tember. 1862, his parents being Charles M. and Elizabeth ( Ware) Westcott. the latter a daugh- ter of Obediah Ware. Charles M. Westcott came to Montgomery county when a young man, and. having previously learned the car-
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penter's trade, was well fitted to enter upon a business carrer here. Ile was married in this county, but afterward returned to the east, where occurred the birth of Thomas K. West- cott. Later, however, the father returned to Montgomery county and became a contractor and builder of Butler. In 1869 he removed to a farm in Butler Grove township and in 1870 took up his abode upon the farm on which his son Thomas now resides. There he spent his remaining days and his work, long con- tinued. practically transformed his land into productive fields, constituting one of the best farming properties of this portion of the state. He died there in 1889 at the age of sixty- six years. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also be- longed. In their family were four children : Thomas K .: Eliza, who died in 1883: Lillie. the deceased wife of R. J. Stout; and Grace, the wife of Robert Grantham, of Butler Grove township.
Thomas K. Westcott was reared upon the old farm, being eight years of age when his father removed to the property which he now owns and occupies. HEis early education was sup- plemented by study in the Friends boarding school of Providence, Rhode Island, where he spent four years, and after his education was completed he returned to the old homestead. assisting his father until the latter's death and then taking charge of the farm. IIe has worked earnestly and persistently, concentrat- ing his efforts to agricultural pursuits and thus pointing his energies in one direction he has won success through careful management and diligence. Ilis home farm comprises one hun- dred and sixty acres on section 14. Butler Grove township, and he also has another farm of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 2 and 3 of the same township. He carries on general farming. stock-raising and feeding and has met with very creditable and desirable sue- cess.
In 1891 occurred the marriage of Mi. West- cott and Miss Amelia Dale, of Hillsboro, and they have five children: Nathan HI .. Faith, Charlie M., Mary J., and Lucy. Mr. West- cott is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and is serving as its treasurer. He is
not a party man in politics, voting independ- ently as he thinks best. Ile is, however, a man true to his honest convictions, loyal in defense of what he believes to be right and reliable in his business transactions.
LOUIS SEDENTOP.
Louis Sedentop, who is now living a retired life in Farmersville, where he owns a well im- proved tract of land of three hundred and twenty acres adjoining the corporation limits of the village, is the oldest settler in Bois Darc township, having resided within its borders since 1853. Great have been the changes that have occurred since that time, for primitive conditions existed here then. He laid out the town in the spring of 1887 and has watched with interest the growth of the village, the de- velopment of the farming and commercial in- terests, and in as far as possible he has borne his share in the work of development and public progress.
A native of Germany. he was born in Bruns- wick on the 4th of May. 1835. and remained in the fatherland until seventeen years of age, during which time he received good educational privileges in the public schools there. He is, however, ahnost entirely self-educated in Eng- lish since coming to the United States. the year 1852 witnessing the emigration of Mr. Seden- top to the new world. He located first in St. Lonis, but soon afterward made his way to Montgomery county and began work on a farm by the month in Zanesville township. being thus employed for seven years.
In 1859 Mr. Sedentop was married in Springfield. Illinois, to Miss Honora Leonard, who was born in Ireland, but came to the new world when a child and was reared in Illinois from the age of sixteen years. After his mar- riage Mr. Sedentop rented land near Zanes- ville, which he cultivated for three years and then with the capital he had acquired through his earnest labor and economy he purchased eighty acres of land, which he also farmed for three years. On the expiration of that period he sold his property and bought near where he now resides, investing in a traet of eighty aeres.
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In the fall of 1869, however, he again sold out and then bought his present farm, comprising three hundred and twenty acres, on which he located the following spring. This had many years before been placed under the plow, but had become much run down. Mr. Sedentop be- gan its further cultivation and improvement, erecting the buildings and continuing the task of tilling the fields until he now has one of the neatest, best arranged and well improved farms in this part of the county. He has added to and remodeled the house until it is now a comfortable and attractive residence and he has also built a large barn and other good outbuild- ings. He has likewise planted an orchard and shade trees, has fenced the place and has made many other substantial improvements until his farm is splendidly equipped. In addition to this he owns an adjoining farm of one hun- dred and sixty aeres and another tract of a quarter section elsewhere in the county. All are valuable and his property holdings make him one of the substantial residents of the community. Tle laid out a town site of sixty aeres about 1886, erected business houses and residences, gave a little park to the town and through his energy, enterprise and liberality has made the village of Farmersville and it to-day stands as a monument to his en- terprise and progressive spirit. He is indeed the father of the town and is justly accounted one of its most active and public-spirited citi- zens, co-operating in all measures for its publie good. His home is just inside the corporation limits and his interests center in the village as well as in the county at large. An accident which he sustained in the winter of 1903-4 has prevented his active participation in public affairs to the extent to which he was formerly engaged.
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