USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 27
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Fow men of his years can claim Ilinois as the state of their nativity, but Mr. Ripley was born in St. Clair county on the 10th of Sep- tember, 1825, his parents being William and Elizabeth (Murray) Ripky. His paternal grandfather. James Ripley, was a native of Ireland and became the founder of the family in America, settling in Virginia. His son, William Ripley, was born in Boutetourt county, that state, and was married in the Old Domin- jon to Miss Elizabeth Murray, also a native of Virginia. They began their domestic life upon a farm which they occupied for a number of years and then removed to Ilinois, settling in Jackson county about 1820. Later they took up their abode in St. Clair county, where Mr. Ripley secured a tract of wild land, which he transformed into a good farm located just south of Belleville. There he reared his family and continued to make his home until his life's la- bors were ended in death. He had six daugh- ters and three sons, all of whom reached ma-
ture years, while a son and daughter in addi- tion to J. H. Ripley are now living, the former being our subject's twin brother.
The old family homestead in St. Clair county was the birthplace of James HI. Ripley, who also spent his boyhood days there, aiding in the cultivation of the fields throughout the greater part of the year. His educational privi- Jeges were quite limited as far as attendance at school was concerned, but through experience he mastered many valuable lessons and became a well informed man. He was married on the 27th of May, 1858, in the county of his na- tivity to Miss Susan Merrill, whose birth oc- eurred in St. Clair county, Ilinois. She is also a twin and her twin sister is still living. After his marriage Mr. Ripley engaged in farming in St. Clair county for seven years and he owned a good farm of eighty acres, to which he afterward added as his financial re- sources increased until the boundaries of his farm included one hundred acres. He sold that property in 1881 and took up his abode in Montgomery county, purchasing four hundred acres of land, constituting one of the largest improved places in Raymond township. Here he resumed agricultural pursuits and continued the further improvement and development of the place. le has since erected a large two story residence, a substantial barn and other outbuildings and has added all modern acces- sories. There is a good orchard upon the place, a grove of forest trees and many ornamental trees which add to the attractive appearance and value of the home. There have been great changes in farming methods since he entered upon his active business career. In his early manhood all the labor was done by hand, there being none of the improved machinery to re- lieve the farmer of his arduous toil. He worked with the seythe and the hand plow, but as the years advanced and the ingenuity of man brought forth many labor-saving devices Mr. Ripley utilized these improved conditions in his farming operations and as the result of his progressive methods and unfaltering diligence he accumulated a handsome competence.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ripley were born two children: Charles H., a lawyer of Chicago; and Susan, the wife of Samuel Sorrells, who
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is farming the Ripley place and by whom she has one child. Mr. and Mrs. Ripley are ear- nest and consistent members of the Baptist church and he is a Republican in his political belief, giving strong support to the party and its candidates. His has been an exemplary and honorable career and through a quarter of a century he has lived in Montgomery county. His life record proves the value and force of economy and industry in the active affairs of business and without pecuniary or family as- sistance to aid him at the outset of his career he gradually worked his way upward to the plane of affluence, gaining a handsome com- petence by his own labor. He is now largely leaving the hard labor and care of the farm to younger hands, while he is enjoying a rest which he has richly merited and truly deserves.
J. J. LIPE.
One of the rich agricultural districts of Illi- nois is the territory embraced within the boun- daries of Montgomery county and on one of the well improved farms of that district J. J. Lipe was born. The old home place on section 34, Rountree township, is still the place of his resi- dence. His natal day was September 19, 1870, and he is a representative of an old southern family. His father. John G. Lipe, was born on the 13th of October, 1827, in Cabarrus county, North Carolina, and with his father came to Illinois in 1831, the family home being established in Hillsboro. The grandfather turned his attention to farming and the father began in the same pursuit when he had attained years of maturity. He continued farming in this county until 1850, when he took his de- parture for California and for nine months he worked in the mines upon the Pacific coast. In the spring of 1851, however, he returned to Montgomery county and in 1852 he was married to Miss Annie Louisa Lingle, also a native of North Carolina. Her birth occurred June 16, 1829, and on the 3d of June, 1885, she passed away at the age of fifty-six years. Mr. Lipe survived his wife for about four years, dying on the 16th of July, 1889, at the age of sixty- two years.
J. J. Lipe pursued his education in the pub- lic schools of Montgomery county and at the age of nineteen years he began farming upon the old home place. After his father's death he assumed the management of the homestead, which he now owns, having here two hundred and fifty acres of valuable land, which is well improved and is highly cultivated.
On the 12th of February, 1890, Mr. Lipe was united in marriage to Miss Minnie A. Yeske, a daughter of C. II. and M. L. (Clabonda) Yeske. Her father; who was born December 27, 1833, died December 16, 1896, and the mother, who was born January 11. 1830, is now living near Irving at the age of seventy- four years. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lipe has been blessed with four children: Edna Frances, who was born July 24, 1892: Esther May, born May 15, 1897; Elizabeth Laura, February 10, 1901; and Godfrey Martin, born February 20, 1903.
Mr. Lipe votes with the Republican party and has served as trustee of his township. while at the present writing he is filling the position of school director. While always interested in everything pertaining to general progress and improvement and never remiss in performing the duties of citizenship he yet gives his at- tention chiefly to his business affairs and the practical training which he received in early boyhood has enabled him to carry forward his farming interests with excellent success, so that he is now a prosperous agriculturist of his native township.
W. W. ADAMS.
W. W. Adam> is the owner of a good farming property covering one hundred acres on section 32, Harvel township, and is accounted one of the enterprising business men, having success- fully conducted various business enterprises during the past sixteen years, having the force of character that enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he under- takes. One of Illinois' native sons, his birth oc- curred in Macoupin county on the 28th of Sep- tember, 1836. His father, Giles MI. Adams, was born in Kentucky, where he spent his early
W. W. ADAMS'
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youth, acquired his education and was after- ward married. He arrived in Illinois in 1829, only eleven years after the admission of the state into the Union. The central and north- ern portions were then largely wild and un- improved. He settled in Madison county, where he remained but one year. He then went to Macoupin county, where he has spent many years, but during the evening of his life he crossed the border line into Montgomery coun- ty and resided with his sons during his later years. His wife survived him for a few years, but has also passed away. He was familiar with the pioneer history of this section of the state, having arrived when much of the prairie was still in its primitive condition and when the forests were uncut. He performed the arduous task of developing a new farm and continued his labors, which resulted not only in benefit to himself, but also proved of value in the reclamation of a wild district for the purposes of civilization.
W. W. Adams was one of four children who reached mature years, and one brother and sis- ter are yet living. Ilis early youth was passed in Macoupin county upon the old home farm, and he had common school advantages, attend- ing school through the winter months, although he is largely self-educated. He came to Mont- gomery county in 1860 and purchased land in Harvel township, which was wild and un- cultivated, but he at once broke this and opened up a farm of four hundred acres. Carrying on the work of cultivation and improvement year after year. he became the owner of a well do- veloped property and harvested good erops. which annually brought to him a desirable in- come when placed upon the market. At length be sold out and purchased his present residence. having eighty acres in the home place and twenty acres in another tract. He farmed for a number of years, and about 1888 he turned his attention to the grain business in Harvel. He has since rebuilt the elevator and still car- ries on his operations in that line. He has now been a grain merchant of the town for six- teen years and is well known as a progressive business man whose commercial interests prove of value to the locality by furnishing a good inarket to the farmers for their products.
Politically Mr. Adams is a stanch Demo- erat, and his first ballot was cast for James Buchanan, while since that time he has sup- ported each presidential nominee of the party. Ile has served for four consecutive terms as supervisor and was a member of many of the important committees of the board. More than four decades have passed since he arrived in Montgomery county. He has killed deer and wolves in this county, living here at a time when its unsettled condition made it possible for the hunter to enjoy his sport with the gun. He broke the virgin soil and helped to make the county what it is to-day-one of the richest agricultural districts of this great state.
C. A. LEWEY.
C. A. Lewey, interested in business affairs in Coffeen as proprietor of a meat market. was born in Hillsboro in 1826. His father, Albert Lewey, is also a native of that city. born in 1851. lle now follows farming in Hillsboro township, where he owns ninety acres of land. Unto him and his wife, Sarah Lewey, have been born seven children. six of whom were born in Montgomery county. Albert Lewey is num- bered among the carly settlers of this part of the state and has been an interested witness of the progress that has been made in promoting agricultural and commercial development of his locality. llis political support is given to the Democracy.
At the usual age (. A. Lewey entered school and for a time was a student in Hillsboro town- ship. He afterward devoted his attention to farm work upon his father's land and later turned his attention to engineering, operating a sawmill until he was twenty-five years of age. He then went to Hillsboro, where he remained for three months and in 1901 he came to Cof- feen. Here he worked for a year in a butcher shop owned by Frank Canaday and on the ex- piration of that period he purchased the busi- ness which he has since been conducting. It is the only meat market in the town and he has a good patronage. which he deserves by reason of his honorable business methods and by his carnest desire to please his patrons.
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
On the 12th of June, 1901, Mr. Lewey was married to Miss May Hamilton, a daughter of Thomas Hamilton, of Hillsboro township. He votes with the Democracy and socially is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 362. of Coffeen. Ile is a representative of one ox' the old families of Montgomery county and as one of the enterprising young business men of Coffeen he is well known and certainly de- serves representation in this volume.
JABEZ BLACKBURN.
For over fifty years this gentleman made his home in Montgomery county and was num- bered among its honored and highly respected citizens. lle was a native of England, where he spent the first eight years of his life, and then accompanied his parents on their emi- gration to America. The greater part of this youth was passed in the vicinity of Alton, Illinois, and, after arriving at years of ma- turity, he was there married to Mrs. Mary A. Hook, whose maiden name was Smith.
In 1851 Mr. Blackburn came to Montgom- ery county, settling in South Litchfield town- ship. This was more than a half century ago, when the work of improvement and progress that have marked the rapid advance and up- building of the county had scarcely been be- gun and for many years he witnessed the changes which occurred here and bore his share in the work of upbuilding. He con- tinned to engage in farming in South Litch- field township until 1866, when he came to Hillsboro township and settled upon a farm which is now the property of his son James R. There he lived for seventeen years or until 1883, when he took up his abode in Litchfield. but a year and a half later he removed to Hills- boro, where he spent his remaining days, his death there occurring on the 5th of January, 1895, when he was seventy-one years of age. His widow still survives him and now makes her home with her children. As pioneer people they were well known and Mr. Blackburn was regarded as a reliable business man, energetie, enterprising and trustworthy.
JAMES R. BLACKBURN.
James R. Blackburn. who carries on general farming with good suecess in Hillsboro town- ship. was born in South Litchfield township, Montgomery county, on the 15th of October, 1856, and is a son of Jabez Blackburn. He was a lad of ten years when he took up his abode upon the farm which is now his home. He was educated in the district schools, which he attended when not engaged with the duties of the farm. In 1883 he took active charge of the farm, his father moving away at that time, and in this he was associated with his brother J. Frank Blackburn for about a year, when James R. Blackburn became sole man- ager of the place. lle is to-day the owner of one hundred and seventy-nine acres of valu- able land of which one hundred and nineteen acres is located on his homestead about three miles west and a half mile south of Hillsboro. There he carries on general farming and he has placed his fields under a high state of cul- tivation, while in his pastures are seen good grades of stock. lle raises the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. and as he follows modern farming methods he secures good crops. which annually return to him a desirable in- eome.
On the 9th of March, 1887. Mr. Blackburn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hart- groves and they have two sons, Frederick and Earl, both of whom are at home. The parents are consistent and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Blackburn is serving as trustee and steward. lle contributes generously to the support of the church and does all in his power to pro- mote the growth and extend the influence of his denomination. Ilis study of the politieal issues and questions of the day has led him to give earnest allegianee to the Republican party, for he believes that its principles contain the best elements of good government. Ilaving spent his entire life in Montgomery county he is well known here and he possesses many ex- cellent traits of eharaeter, which have won him a large eirele of friends. He is kindly in manner, soeial in disposition, charitable in thought and shows ready and courteous defer- ence for the opinions of others.
LIBRARY OF THE "NIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
MR. AND MRS. JABEZ BLACKBURN
MR. AND MRS. JAMES R. BLACKBURN
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J. H. CRICKENBERGER.
J. H. Crickenberger, one of Montgomery county's self-made men, is part owner of the electric light plant of Nokomis and in connee- tion therewith has developed a business that has now reached profitable and gratifying propor- tions. Ile was born in Augusta county, Vir- ginia, in 1852, and is a son of Daniel and Sarah Crickenberger. The father was born in Roek- ingham county, Virginia, was there reared to the occupation of farming and followed that pursuit throughout his entire life in the county of his nativity. His wife, who was also born in Virginia, passed away in 1862. There were six children in the family, of whom tive are now living, but J. II. Criekenberger is the only one in Illinois.
Under the parental roof Mr. Crickenberger of this review spent the days of his childhood and in the schools of the neighborhood he ac- quired his education. In early manhood he was connected with the operation of a thresh- ing machine and was afterward engaged in the sawmill business for about six years. He then went to Texas, where he spent six weeks and in October, 184%, he came to Illinois, settling in Nokomis township, Montgomery county. upon a farm which he rented for five or six years. On the expiration of that period he purchased eighty acres of land and he also continued to rent land for sixteen years. As a farmer he was progressive, following advanced ideas of agriculture and his labors resulted in the ac- quirement of fair success. In February. 1894, he came to Nokomis and has since been con- nected with the operation of the electric light plant. He was engineer for about six months. at the end of which time in connection with B. F. McGrue he purchased the business which they conducted together for about two years. .At the end of that time Mr. Crickenberger be- came sole proprietor and continued the busi- ness alone for four years. at the end of which time he sold a half interest to W. II. Cassel- berry. This business association has since been maintained and the business is growing steadily. they now having the best plant in this part of the country for excellent service. The ma- chinery has been in continuous operation for five years with the execption of a brief inter-
val of fifteen minutes, and few companies can show as creditable a record. In addition to his business here Mr. Crickenberger now owns three hundred and twenty acres of wild land in Min- nesota and he is general agent for the Pioneer Land & Loan Company of that state.
In 1882 occurred the marriage of Mr. Crick- enberger and Miss Laura Wells, a daughter of John Wells of this county. He and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he also belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity and the Odd Fellows lodge at Nokomis, while in his political affiliation he is a Prohibi- tionist. He has taken quite an active interest in the affairs of his party in this county and all matters pertaining to the general welfare are of concern to him, for he is a publie-spirited citizen, desiring the best and most substantial development of the county. His own history is in many respects worthy of emulation. Ile in- hcrited: from his father five hundred and forty .dollars and with this exception all that he pos- sesses has been won through his own labor, so that he is a self-made man. His life proves the business possibilities that Montgomery county affords to its residents and while he has profited by its advantages he has also contributed in no small degree to the upbuilding and progress of his community by his generous support of and co-operation in every movement, calculated to benefit the town and county.
WILLIAM VAWTER.
William Vawter, who has won an enviable position in business circles in Hillsboro. was born in Monroe county, Kentucky, November 24, 1842. a son of Thomas S, and Nancy ( Chap- man) Vawter, both of whom were natives of Virginia, the latter having been born near Hali- fax, that state. The father, whose birth oc- eurred in 1815, removed with his family from Kentucky to Montgomery county, Illinois, in 1851. making the journey by ox team and bring- ing with him his household goods. He located four miles southwest of Hillsboro upon a farm and there carried on agricultural pursuits. This portion of the state was still wild and unim- proved and deer and other wild game was plen- tiful. In fact, he had to gather corn early in
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order to keep the deer from devouring it. In He was also a charter member of the Oil City his political views he was an old line Whig and Building & Loan Association of Litchfield and served as one of its directors for twelve years. He is a member of the Hillsboro Building & Loan Association and has been both its presi- dent and vice-president, while for the past nine years he has been one of its directors. He is likewise a stockholder in the Hillsboro Hotel Company and is now president of its board of directors. Thus he is identified with many business enterprises of the city and county and his wise counsel is an important element in the successful conduct of various institutions. was bitterly opposed to slavery. Hle ranked high in the estimation of friends and neighbors and his death, which occurred in 1854, when he was thirty-six years of age, was deeply re- gretted by those who knew him. His wife passed away in 1814, when about fifty years of age. She was a daughter of William and Polly (Mathis) Chapman, who came here about 1830. Her father was one of the heroes of the Revo- lutionary war and received two land warrants in compensation for his services, With one of these he made claim to eighty aeres of land in South Litchfield township, Montgomery coun- ty, and the other he sold to his son-in-law. Throughout his business career he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vawter were born two children. the daughter being Martha, who became the wife of Matthew Alman and died in 1861.
William Vawter spent the first eight years of his life in the state of his nativity and then accompanied his parents on their removal to Montgomery county, Illinois, where he acquired a common-school education. Ilis privileges in that direction were somewhat limited. however, owing to his father's early death. His mother removed with her children to Hillsboro in 1857 and Mr. Vawtor, then a youth of fifteen, se- cured employment in the Watson mill in 1862, where he remained for seven years. On the ex- piration of that period he purchased a team and worked for the agent of the American Express Company, delivering goods. He was thus em- ployed for thirteen years. After hauling ex- press for two years he purchased in 1822 the omnibus business of T. S. Whitesides and has been running the business for the past thirty- two years with practically no opposition. He has carried the United States mail all that time and has been asked but once by the government for a statement. No fault has ever been found with him because of his services and he is prob- ably the oldest mail carrier of Illinois to-day when viewed from point of continuous service. Through careful management and the husband- ing of his resources Mr. Vawter has gained con- siderable property and now owns a valuable business building and other realty in Hillsboro.
On the 10th of January, 1864, Mr. Vawter was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Jane Burke, a daughter of Riky and Margaret (Me- Phail) Burke. The father, a farmer by occupa- tion, was numbered among the pioneer settlers of Montgomery county, removing to this por- tion of Illinois from Tennessee at a very early day. Mrs. Vawter was born near Walshville, Illinois, in 1846. There were six children born of this marriage, three of whom are now living : Ida, the wife of Eugene Smith, who is a mail carrier upon a rural route from Hillsboro; Emma, the wife of Charles Baxter, a coal dealer and farmer of Hillsboro: and John W., who has charge of the bus line. As each one of the chil- dren have married Mr. Vawter has deeded to them a house and lot and all are now living in homes adjoining his own.
In political and public affairs Mr. Vawter has been somewhat prominent, having been three times elected to the board of aldermen from the first ward of Hillsboro, so that he has served for six years. He was also supervisor of Hills- boro township for one term and to these posi- tions was elected upon the Republican ticket. He has long been a supporter of the party and its principles, believing that its platform con- tains the best elements of good government. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic lodge and both he and his wife are connected with the Order of the Eastern Star. They hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church and receive friendly recognition and regard in many of the best homes in Hillsboro. On the list of the prominent business men of this city ap- pears the name of Mr. Vawter because he has bren closely identified with its interests, has
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