USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 26
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Into Mr. and Mrs. Sedentop have been born eight children, who are yet living, two sons and six daughters, and with the exception of a young lady daughter now at home all are mar- ried. The parents were reared in the Catholic faith and are members of the church of that denomination at Farmersville. He has con- tributed most generously to the support of all churches and donated the land on which all the churches of Farmersville stand. He has never
sought or desired office, but consented to serve on the village board because of the urgent solicitation of his friends. He is a stanch advo- cate of the principles of Democracy and since casting his first presidential ballot for Stephen A. Douglas in 1860 he has supported each presi- dential nominee of the party. Coming to Amer- ica empty-handed, he has labored carnestly and persistently and to-day he stands among those who are the architects of their own fortunes and have builded wisely and well. For fifty- one years he has lived in Montgomery county and when judged by what he has accomplished his right to a first place among the representa- tive citizens of Farmersville and Montgomery county can not be questioned.
CAPTAIN JOHN F. GLENN.
Captain John F. Glenn, a veteran of the Civil war, figured prominently in business cir- eles in Montgomery county as the owner of an extensive and valuable ranch and as vice-presi- dent of the Montgomery County Loan & Trust Bank. He is living in Hillsboro and is a native of Ireland, his birth having occurred in County Tyrone on the 20th of September, 1836. The following year his parents, JJames R. and Cathe- rine J. ( Robinson) Glenn, came to America, settling in Louisville, Kentucky, where they lived for four years. In 1840 they established their home in Alton, where the father engaged in merchandising for one year, but, not long afterward coming to Illinois. he settled upon a farm near Brighton. His last days, however, were spent in Hillsboro, where he died in 1882, at the advanced age of eighty-two years, and his wife passed away in 1882, when eighty-two years of age. In their family were six chil- dren : Catherine J., the wife of Robert Stew- art : James R. : John F. ; William J., deceased ; Emma, the wife of Dr. Canine ; and Thomas S .. who died in 1864.
John F. Glenn attended the public schools until 1853, when he began earning his own liv- ing by working as a farm band by the month. Through the winter he attended school until the winter of 1856, when he began working in the woods near Duluth, Minnesota. He was
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employed in the lumber regions of that district for three years and then returned to Mont- gomery county. Desirous of attaining a better education he entered Shurtliff College, where he continued his studies until the outbreak of the Civil war. Studying the situation of the conn- try and feeling that his duty was to the Union, he responded to the call of the govern- ment on the 9th of August, 1861, and became a private of Company F, Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry. lle went to the front as second sergeant and participated in many important engagements, including the battles of Island No. 10, Farmington, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Dalton. Resaca, Mud Creek, Stonington, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek and the siege of Atlanta. His valor and meritorious conduct on the field of battle had won him promotion to the rank of captain and at the close of his three years' term of service he was honorably discharged on the 20th of September, 1864.
After the war Captain Glenn came to Hills- boro and was engaged in general merchandising for a year. He afterward joined his two broth- ers in the building and operation of the Ilills- boro flouring mill, and later he erected a mill at Morrisonville and also one at Carrollton, Missouri. He built a mill at East St. Louis and conducted each of these for a few years, after which he sold all with the exception of the Hillsboro mill, which he conducted for thir- ty years, it being one of the leading productive industries of the city. In this business he was associated with his brothers William and James Glenn. Owing to the excellent quality of the flour, the product of the mill found a ready sale on the market and the business continually grew until having reached profitable propor- tions it returned to the owners a very desirable annual income. As his financial resources in- creased Mr. Glenn also made judicious invest- ment in real estate and is now the owner of fourteen hundred acres of land in one body. constituting a fine orchard about two miles north of Hillsboro. When the Montgomery County Loan & Trust Company was organized he and his brothers took about one-third of the stock of the institution and for three years Captain Glenn has veen the vice president.
On the 6th of June, 1865, Captain Glenn was married to Miss Elizabeth Allen and they have five children : Allen R., who is a traveling salesman; Addie C., the wife of Charles E. McGowan, of Monmouth, Illinois; Fannie E., at home: Bessie, the wife of Frank O. John- son, of Monmouth, Illinois; and William L., who is associated with his father in the business of breeding Aberdeen and polled Angus cattle.
The business interests of Captain Glenn have been such as have contributed to the general prosperity of the country as well as to his individual success and he is, therefore, one of the valued representative men of this portion of the state. He has also taken an active and helpful interest in community affairs, serving as an alderman of Hillsboro and also as mayor of the city for two years. Ile was likewise supervisor for eight years and was prominent in local political circles as a leader of the Re- publican party. He was a delegate to the state convention in 1904 and chairman of the Yates delegation. Hle belongs to F. D. Huddle Post, G. A. R., of Hillsboro, of which he was formerly commander. His unswerving purpose, his un- questioned fidelity, his unfaltering interest and his unchanging will have commanded the high- est respect of all. lle has been a leader in the canse of labor, of freedom and of progress and his hearty co-operation has ever been given to that which tends to advance the best interests of his adopted county.
FRED A. RACHOW.
Fred A. Rachow, proprietor of a livery barn and feed and sale stable in Litchfield, was born in Bond county. Illinois, near the county seat, in March, 1870, his parents being Frederick and Mary ( Stafford) Rachow. The father died February 2, 1876, at the age of twenty-eight years, leaving six children, of whom Fred A. is the youngest. The mother still survives and now makes her home near Greenville, Bond countv.
Fred A. Rachow was reared to agricultural pursuits and has followed farming during the greater part of his life, continuing in that occu- pation until the beginning of 1903, when he
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FRED A. RACHOW
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came to Litchfield, arriving here on the 20th of January. He established his present tivery barn and has since conducted the business. He keeps a good line of carriages, huggies and horses, having about fourteen head of horses. which he rents out. He also ferds and sells horses and this branch of his business has proved to him a fair source of income, though his great specialty is in his fine line of driving and saddle horses. Horseback riding has come to be quite a fad in Litchfield and to this par- ticular trade ho successfully caters.
On the 24th of April, 1854, Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage to Miss Camilla Burnap. who was born on this farm in 1832, a daugh- ter of George and Martha (Seward) Burnap, the former a native of New York and the latter of New Jersey. They were married in Ohio and in 1836 came to Illinois, purchasinig the In 1898 Mr. Rachow was united in marriage to Miss Bertha M. Biekel and unto them were born two children: Ursula and Opal, aged re- spectively six and four years. In his political views Mr. Rachow is a Republican, and though interested in the success and growth of his party has had neither time nor inclination to seek public office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. although he being identified with that denomination. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Court of TIonor and the Order of Eagles. He has also recently joined the North American Accident Insurance Company. farm upon which Mrs. Jenkins now lives, of her mother's brother, who had entered the land from the government. Upon this farm was the first bearing orchard in the county. Mr. Bur- nap died upon the old homestead here in 1874 at the advanced age of eighty-four years and his wife, who was born in 1800, passed away in 1865. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins were born seven children : Mary, the deceased wife of was reared in the Lutheran faith, his parents . W. H. Hamilton; Camilla, at home; Frances. the wife of J. D. Chisholm : Roland B., who is superintending the home place: Emma, the deceased wife of E. George Franklin, a teacher of Minnesota ; Frederick A .. who is a teacher in the military schools of Minnesota; and Maria. the wife of J. J. Ludeman, of Nebraska.
CHARLES W. JENKINS.
Charles W. Jenkins. deceased, formerly fol- lowed farming in Montgomery county. He was born in Darlington, South Carolina, May 29, 1827, and was left an orphan when five years of age. after which he lived with relatives. In 1837 his auni, Mrs. Thomas Woods, sent her son to South Carolina to bring Mr. Jenkins, his brother and two sisters to Illinois. Ile was the youngest of the four children and the jour- ney was made in a wagon. Mr. Jenkins was then reared by his aunt and uncle and remained upon the Woods farm until 1844, during which time he acquired his education by attending the country schools. In 1846 he went to Spring- field and for six years was employed in the postoffice there. after which he accepted the position of mail clerk on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, entering upon the duties of that of- fice about 1853. Later he returned to the post-
office at Springfield, where he remained until 1857. In that year he came to Butler township and turned his attention to agricultural pur- suits by renting a farm which belonged to his father-in-law.
For many years Mr. Jenkins actively and suc- cessfully carried on agricultural pursuits and became the owner of a valuable tract of land of four hundred acres. He carried on general farming and stock-raising and the sale of his crops and of his stock brought him a good financial return each year. Indolence and idleness were utterly foreign to his nature and whatever he undertook he carried forward to completion. llis interest in the public wel- fare was deep and sincere and took tangible form in his efforts in behalf of publie progress. He was elected circuit clerk in 1868 for a term of four years, served as township supervisor of Butler Grove township and held other positions. to which he was elected upon the Democratic ticket. Hle was a member of the Masonic order for many years and his life exemplified its teachings. He died August 22. 1882, respected by all who knew him. for throughout the long years of his residence in Montgomery county he had so lived as to merit the warm regard, good
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will and trust of those with whom he has been associated.
HENRY NOBBE.
ITenry Nobbe, who has been engaged in the grain and flour business at Farmersville for a number of years in connection with his brother Charles H. Nobbe, has developed a commercial enterprise of considerable extent and impor- tance. the volume of their trade having reached a large figure. He is also deeply interested in community affairs to the extent that he gives his hearty support and co-operation to all measures which he deems of practical value in promoting the welfare and progress of the town and county. Mr. Nobbe was born in South Litchfield township. April 9. 1865, and is of German lineage, his father, Charles Nobbe, hav- ing been a native of Germany, whence he came to the new world and cast his lot among the early settlers of Montgomery county. He took up the occupation of farming as a life work and for a number of years successfully carried on agricultural pursuits. In 1881, however, he retired from farm life and removed to Litch- field. where in connection with his son Henry he owned an elevator and engaged in the grain business. He came to Farmersville in 1887 and here erected the elevator which is now operated by his sons. He also built the first residence in Farmersville and has helped to make the town what it is to-day. Ile owns sey- eral business houses and residences here and possesses excellent financial ability, keen fore- sight and unfaltering enterprise. Ile also owns farm land to the amount of two hundred and eighty acres and is one of the substantial resi- dents of this part of the state. ITis life is indicative of the fact that success is not a mat- ter of genius, but is rather the outcome of ex- perience and sound judgment and has as its basic element untiring effort.
Henry Nobbe in his boyhood days lived upon the home farm and early became familiar with the work involved in caring for the fields and raising the stock. He was educated in the com- mon schools and in Bryant & Stratton Business College at St. Louis, Missouri. and early in his
business carcer he became identified with the hardware and lumber trades, conducting a store and yard in Farmersville for two years. He sold ont at the end of that time and took charge of the elevator on the north side of the road, which he controlled one year. He had previous- ly been engaged in the grain business with his father at Litchfield as mentioned above. In partnership with his father and brother he subsequently bought the south elevator at Farm- ersville and together they carried on the busi- ness for two years. The sons then had control of the elevators, which the father deeded to them later. They now handle large quantities of grain, including corn, oats and wheat, and are also doing a retail business in flour, which they handle on an extensive scale. They have ever been watchful of opportunities and in- dications pointing to success, have carefully made their purchases, and because of their large sales they acquired a comfortable competence, resulting from careful business management. In February, 1903, Henry Nobbe extended the field of his business activity by entering into a partnership in the ownership and conduct of a general store. Later his father, Charles Nobbe, Sr., purchased his partner's interest and became a member of the firm with his son Henry. This was continued for a time and then Henry Nobbe bought his father's interest and now controls the business alone. He carries a large and carefully selected stock of general merchandise and has built up a good trade be- cause of his reasonable prices and earnest desire to please his patrons.
On the 5th of July. 1891. Mr. Nobbe was married to Miss Anna Stelter, a native of Montgomery county, and they now have one child. Dora Nobbe. Politically Mr. Nobbe is a Republican and his first presidential ballot was cast for Benjamin Harrison, while each candidate at the head of the national ticket has since received his support, save that he voted once for Grover Cleveland. He has never voted for a president but the one who has been elected. Ile takes an active part in local poli- ties, but has never been an aspirant for office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He has, however, never neglected any duty of citizenship and has given
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MR. AND MRS. CHARLES NOBBE, SR.
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loyal support to many progressive publie meas- reared in the Lutheran faith and are now mem- ures. The success of his life is due to no in- herited fortune or to any happy succession of advantageous circumstances, but to his own sturdy will, steady application, tireless industry and sterling integrity.
CHARLES H. NOBBE.
Charles H. Nobbe, well known in trade cir- cles as a member of the firm of Nobbe Broth- ers, dealers in grain and flour, was born in Litchfield, July 22. 1811. He attended the public schools, acquiring a fair knowledge of the English branches that fit one to meet the dnties of a business career. When a young man he assisted his father in the store and un- der his direction received good business train- ing, gaining practical knowledge of the methods in vogue in commercial circles. He has been identified with various commercial and indus- trial concerns that have contributed to the
business development of his town, tle was a .his son, George O., now lives. Stanford Rob- partner in the Farmersville Brick & Tile Fac- tory, an important industry here, and his sound judgment and enterprise were valued factors in the successful control of the plant for a num- ber of years. At length, however, he sold out and he is now associated with his brother. Henry Nobbe, in the flour and grain trade. They own a good elevator, make extensive ship- ments of corn, oats and wheat and also han- dle a large amount of flour annually. He like- wise owns several business houses and rosi- dences in Farmersville and is thoroughly identi- tied with the development and upbuilding of the place.
On the 11th of December. 1898, was cele- brated the marriage of Charles H. Nobbe and Miss Minnie Broekmeyer, a daughter of All- gust Brockmeyer, a farmer of Pitman township. She was born and reared in llinois. There is one daughter by this union, Vera Nobbe. Like his brother, Charles H. Nobbe is a true blue Republican, taking an active part in local poli- ties and deeply interested in the national sur- cess of the party. He served for two years on the village board and has been city treasurer for three or four years. The brothers were
bers of the church of that denomination in Farmersville. An earnest, persevering young man who has the courage of his convictions at all times he is carving out an honorable name for himself and also an enviable position in the business world of this community.
MICHAEL L. ROBERTSON.
Michael L. Robertson, residing in Hillsboro. is identified with stock-raising interests in Montgomery county, where he formerly owned and occupied an extensive farm. He was born in Carroll county, Tennessee, near Memphis, on the 14th of September, 1851, and in the fall of 1863, when a youth of but twelve years, ac- companied his father's family on their removal to Montgomery county. For three years the father, Stanford Robertson, rented land in East Fork township and then removed to Butler Grove township, settling on section 13, where ertson served as colonel of the state militia in the early days and while living in the south served as county judge. He was likewise promi- nent in community affairs in Montgomery county and gave hearty co-operation to many movements which have for their object the wel- fan of this portion of the state. He died in 1893 at the age of eighty-three years and his wife also passed away on the okl homestead in 1882 at the age of sixty-eight years. They were the parents of nine children. three sons and six daughters.
Michael 1. Robertson acquired a common- school education and remained upon the home farm until twenty-one years of age, being trained there to habits of industry and economy. Farm work in every department became fa- miliar to him and the practical experience which he there gained proved of much value to him when he started out for himself at a later date. On the 31st of October, 1822. he married Julia 1. llarris and they took up their ahode upon her father's farm, she being the only daughter of Thomas E. Harris, a prominent and influential citizen, who was at one time county superintendent of the schools of Mont-
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gomery county. Mr. Robertson lived upon that farm until December, 1889, when he removed to Hillsboro, and he was engaged in stock- raising. Ile became the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of land, which, like most of the other Montgomery county farms, was very valuable and productive. When he removed to Hillsboro a year later he engaged in the implement business, which he conducted for two years and then sold his store to Il. C. Latham. On the 20th of June, 1904. he pur- chased a grain and feed establishment in Ilills- boro, which he now carries in connection with his son William E., in addition to his stock- raising interests.
In 1902 Mr. Robertson was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 29th of June of that year. They had become the parents of seven children: William E., who is in business with his father; Mary E .. the wife of W. S. Perkins, of the same town- ship : George O., who is living in Butler Grove township: Hattie L .; Zelia E .; Cora E .; and Fred W.
Mr. Robertson, whose ability and loyalty in citizenship have been recognized by his fellow townsmen, has been called to several public positions. In 1903 he was elected alderman of Hillsboro and while living in Butler Grove township he served as school director for eigh- teen years. lle was also highway commissioner for nine years, was supervisor for four years and was filling that position at the time of his removal from his farm to the city. He has given his political allegiance to the Republi- can party since attaining his majority. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Modern Wood- men. In former years Mr. Robertson so con- ducted his business affairs that he won a gratify- ing competence that now enables him largely to live a retired life.
ROBERT A MCPHERON.
Robert A. MePheron, who is engaged in the business of raising flowers and vegetable plants at Litchfield, was born in Carrollton, Illinois. in 1863. Hs father, James A. McPheron, a native of Tennessee, is now living in Carroll- ton at the advanced age of seventy-seven years.
At an early day he accompanied his father on his removal from Tennessee to Greene county, Illinois, and he, too, became a florist and gar- dener and has always followed that business as a life work, being still connected with the trade in Carrollton. He married Amanda C. Cato, a daughter of William and Euphemia Cato. The former was a farmer and settled near Carrollton, entering land from the gov- ernment there in pioneer times, his place being located about eight miles east of Carrollton. Ilis sons were soldiers of the southern army and one died a prisoner of war at Alton, Illi- nois. Mrs. McPherson was born near Nashville, Tennessee, and has now reached the age of seventy-five years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Pheron hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he gives his political sup- port to the Democracy. In their family were six children: Edwin N., who is a jeweler of Greenfield, Illinois; Ella. the wife of John Scruby, a harness-maker at Roodhouse, Illi- nois; Anna, the deceased wife of L. W. Loomis, a jeweler, who has also passed away; Laura, the wife of John Clough. a farmer and stockman of Carrollton: Robert A .; and James C., a florist of Carrollton.
Robert A. McPheron acquired his education in the public schools of Carrollton and after- ward learned the florist business with his father. IIe put aside his text books when seventeen years of age and later built a greenhouse on his father's place. There he conducted busi- ness on his own account for about five years, on the expiration of which period he went to St. Louis and was associated with L. Arm- strong, a leading florist of that city. Subse- quently he came to Litchfield and purchased the place that he now owns in 1889. Hle has since been engaged in a business here as a florist and is the only representative of this line of trade in or near the city. He has a large plant and does an extensive business, shipping flowers and vegetable plants to many different cities throughout the country. His place of business is at 1101 I'nion avenue and a constantly grow- ing trade has made him one of the successful business men of the city.
In 1885 Mr. McPheron was married to Miss Maggie E. Camp. She was born in Greene
HENRY NOBBE AND FAMILY
CHARLES H. NOBBE AND FAMILY
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county, Illinois, and died in 1890 at the age of twenty-three years. For his second wife Mr. McPheron chose Miss Julia B. Wilton, a daugh- ter of James Wilton, a farmer. Mrs. McPheron was born west of Litchfield and the marriage was celebrated in 1892. There are two chil- dren by this union: J. Wilton, born in 1893; and Ruth, born in 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Pheron hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he belongs to the Mutual Protective League. He is a Democrat in his political views, but has never had time or in- clination to seek publie oflice, preferring to de- vote his attention and energy to his business affairs.
JAMES H. RIPLEY.
Numbered among the substantial farmers of Raymond township, James H. Ripley owns and cultivates two hundred and forty acres of land" on scetion 22. He has now passed the seventy- ninth milestone on life's journey, but is yet actively interested in business affairs, super- vising his farm, which has become a valuable property owing to the excellent improvements which he has placed upon it.
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