USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 29
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Mr. Rhodes was born in Kentucky. April 1. 1844. and is of Irish lineage. His paternal grandfather, George Rhodes, was also born in Kentucky, where the family was established at a very carly day. He was there reared and married, and among his children was Hillery Rhodes, also a native of Kentucky. The last named spent his youth in the usual manner of
MR. AND MRS. W. M. RHODES
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farmer lads of that period and when he had attained to man's estate he was married to Miss Louisa Mattingly, a native of Kentucky. They became the parents of ten children, all of whom were born in that state. Mrs. Rhodes died there about 1864 and Mr. Rhodes after- ward came to Illinois, joining his son, William M. Rhodes, who had located here in 1862. The father spent his remaining days in this state and was again married here, after which he became a resident of Macoupin county, where he remained until called to his final rest.
William M. Rhodes was a resident of Ken- tueky until twenty years of age. His advan- tages and opportunities in youth were very meager. lle attended school to only a limited extent and his time was largely devoted to farm work, which gave him little chance for self-culture at home. However, experience has taught him many valuable lessons and reading and observation have also added to his knowl- edge. so that he is now a well developed man and he has kept well informed on many of the questions and issues of the day. Leaving Ken- tucky in 1862. he located in Macoupin county, Illinois, when a young man of twenty years, and there began working as a farm hand by the month. Having been employed in that capacity for several years, he afterward rented land, which he cultivated for some time. He worked earnestly, saved his earnings, and when his financial resources had sufficiently accum- lated he purchased a tract of timber land. Clearing ten acres of this, he built a house thereon and later he cleared and cultivated sixty acres more, continuing the work of im- provement there until he had a very desirable property. Afterward, however, he sold that farm and bought another tract of eighty acres, on which he lived for eight years. He has bought and sold several farms, making sub- stantial improvements on all. and in 1885 he came to Montgomery county, where he in- vested in eighty acres of land in Raymond township. About a year later he bought an adjoining tract of eighty acres and began lo farm his land. He afterward added another (ighty-acre tract and now has two hundred and forty acres, on which he has erected a good residence and substantial outbuildings for the
shelter of grain and stock. He has also plant- ed an orchard, has secured the latest improved machinery to facilitate farm work. and has carried on his labors along progressive lines, which have resulted in making him one of the prosperous agriculturists of his community. Around his farm are nearly three miles of good hedge fence. and fences also divide the place into fields of convenient size. Two sets of farm buildings, the two orchards, the well tilled fields and the high grades of stock raised thereon all constitute this one of the best farms of the community. In addition to the enltiva- tion of cereals best adapted to soil and climate, Mr. Rhodes engaged in the raising and feed- ing of stock and found that a profitable source of income. He continued his labors there un- til 1903, when he left his two sons upon that place and purchased a tract of land of sixty- nine acres nearer the town. He then took up his abode thereon and has made this a well improved property.
.On the 3d of December. 1868, Mr. Rhodes was mited in marriage to Miss Ambrosia Smith, a native of Scott county, Illinois. where she was reared and educated. She died upon the old homestead, March 23. 1903. deeply regretted by many friends who had learned to love her for her many excellent traits of character. There were nine children born of this marriage, six sons and three daughters, namely: Fletcher, a resident farmer of Montgomery county: William, who is mar- ried and lives upon the old homestead ; Archie, who is married and resides upon the old home farm: Frank, who is married and is a resident farmer of Raymond township: Henry, who is living with his father upon the old home place: Shelby, who is married and is farming his father's land; Flora, the wife of Charles Vincent, of Rountree township, by whom she has four children, Laura, Edward, Arthur and Floyd : Mary, the wife of Robert Moore, of Raymond township: and Sadie, who is acting as her father's housekeeper.
Mr. Rhodes is a member of the Baptist church and his life has been an exemplification of his Christian faith and belief. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen and
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politically he is a Democrat, giving continu- ous support to the party since casting his first presidential ballot for General George B. Me- Clellan. Ilis life has been characterized by truth and steady progression. When he en- tered upon his business career he had no capi- tal, but he placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of energy, strong deter- mination and capable management. To-day he is the possessor of two valuable farms, and certainly as the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well.
WILLIAM M. ATTEBERY.
William M. Attebery, deceased, was for many years a well known resident of Montgomery county and helped to drive the first stake in laying out the city of Litchfield. A native of Illinois, he was born in Macoupin county, Au- gust 22, 1835, was reared upon a farm and when a young man removed to the vicinity of Litchfield. He started out in life a poor boy, " with no financial resources, but a strong and determined spirit stood him instead of capital, and as the years advanced he prospered in his undertakings.
Seeking a companion and helpmate on the journey of life, Mr. Attebery was married. Jan- uary 1, 1857, to Miss Mary J. Beeler. a daugh- ter of Jacob Beeler, who was one of the early settlers of Montgomery county and assisted in its pioneer development. The daughter was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, and came to this county when eighteen years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Attebery were born ten children, namely: Luella E., who is residing in Hills- boro : William J., a farmer of Hillsboro town- ship; David P., a resident of Grisham town- ship: Sarah M., the wife of George Rainey, of Hillsboro township: Lavina, wife of John Loucks, of the same township: Charles B., who is living near Dexter, Missouri: Eva B., wife of Edwin Thompson, a school teacher of Illi- nois ; Mamie, who died in 1868 at the age of twenty-one years; and two that died in in- fancy.
Soon after his marriage Mr. Attehery took his young wife to Hillsboro township and pur- chased one hundred acres of land now owned
by the Ault estate. After a few years .there passed he sold that property and removed to the farm which is now the property of his son, William J., taking up his abode thereon in 1865. When three years had passed he settled on the Zimmerman farm, where George Rainey is now living, and improved that property, making it his place of residence for twenty- eight years, during which time he placed the land under a very high state of cultivation and also added good buildings to the farm. At length he retired from active agricultural pur- suits and removed to Litchfield, where his death occurred November 13, 1895. His wife, surviving him a few years, died January 19, 1901.
Mr. Attebery was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he united in 1869. In matters of citizenship he was publie spirited and loyal, and at the time of the Civil war he esponsed the Union cause, enlisting, in 1862. as a private. He served for one year and was then honorably discharged on account of disability. Viewed from a busi- ness standpoint also, his life is worthy of emulation, for through honorable methods and persisteney of purpose he gained prosperity and at the time of his death was the owner of about one thousand acres of land.
WILLIAM J. ATTEBERY.
Among the representative and progressive farmers of Hillsboro township is numbered William J. Attebery. a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the state. He was born in the township which is still his home, his natal day being March 18, 1861. ITis father was William M. Attebery. represented elsewhere in this work.
Well known in Montgomery county, where he has spent his entire life, William J. Atte- bery deserves mention in this volume as one of the leading agriculturists and a reliable business man. Ile was reared to farm life, and the occupation which claimed his time and energies in youth has also demanded his at- tention since he attained man's estate. The public schools afforded him his educational
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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privileges, and in the period of vacation he continued to assist his father in the operation of the old home place, remaining under the parental roof until his marriage.
On the 12th of March, 1887, Mr. Attebery was married to Miss Lula Bailey, and they have five children: Clara, Charles, Homer, Hazel and Edgar. Mr. Attebery removed with his bride to a farm which he purchased of his father, comprising one hundred and eight acres of land, and upon that he lived until 1901, when he took up his abode on the place he now occupies, comprising three hundred and fifty- four acres of rich and arable land. He also owns another farm of one hundred and twenty aeres, so that his landed possessions aggregate four hundred and seventy-four acres, consti- tuting a very desirable and valuable property. He engaged in general farming and utilizes modern methods. this place is equipped with the latest improved machinery, and everything about the place indicates the careful supervision of a progressive owner.
In his political views Mr. Attebery is a Democrat, and while he keeps well in- formed on the questions and issues of the day has never sought office, preferring to give undivided attention to his business in- terests. He belongs to the Modern Wood- men camp at Hillsboro, and his place is pleasantly located about four miles south and one mile west of the city.
OTTO HAAKE.
Otto Haake, numbered among the substan- tial and intelligent farmers of Fillmore town- ship, is the owner of a rich and productive tract of land on which is a fine residence and mod- ern equipments. He was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, in 1860. his parents being Henry and Hannah (Welge) Hlaake, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume in conec- tion with the history of Solomon Haake. He was only four years old when brought by his parents to Montgomery county and here he pursued his education in a log schoolhouse, gaining a knowledge of the branches of Eng- lish learning usually taught in the public
schools. llis training at farm labor was not meager, for at an early age he assisted in the development of the fields and the care of the stock. After attaining his majority he resided for five years upon the farm which is now oc- cupied by his brother, Solomon Haake, and on the expiration of that period he removed to the place which he now occupies and operates on section 15, Fillmore township. His father resided with him until his death. Otto Haake now has a splendid farm upon which is a fine residence which was built by the father just prior to his demise. The farm comprises two hundred and fifty acres of land and much of it is under a high state of cultivation, re- turning to the owner golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor he bestows upon his place. lle also gives some attention to the raising of cattle and hogs and this adds to his income. He has made an excellent reputation as an enterprising agriculturist and his farm- ing methods are in many respects most com- mendable.
7% in 189: Mr. flaake was united in marriage to Miss Ulreke Yoske, who was born in Germany and crossed the Atlantic ocean with her parents when four years of age, the family home being established near Hillsboro, Illinois. Two chil- dren have been born of this union, of whom Merrill is now living. Mr. Haake votes with the Democracy, having supported the party since attaining his majority and like every true American citizen should do he keeps well informed on the questions of the day and is thus able to uphold his political position by intelli- gent argument. The years pass quickly and happily for him and his life is a busy and hon- orable one. Through consecutive labor, sup- plemented by sound business judgment he has gained prosperity in his undertakings and is well known as one of the leading farmers of Filhore township.
SAMUEL SHOEMAKER.
In taking up the personal history of Samuel Shoemaker we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely known in Nokomis township, where he owns and operates a val-
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uable farm on seetion 26. His birth occurred in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1843, his parents being Adam and Elizabeth Shoemaker. The father was born in Bedford county, Pennsyl- vania, where he was reared until ten or twelve years of age, when he went with his parents to Ohio, the family becoming early settlers in that locality. Adam Shoemaker followed the occupation of farming and was numbered among the prominent men of his community, esteemed not only for his success but for his absolute honesty, his name becoming a syno- nym for integrity in both word and deed. Al- most his entire life was passed in Ohio, save for the brief period of ten years in his early boyhood.
Samuel Shoemaker was reared in the Buck- eye state and attended school there. He began earning his living as a school teacher of Ohio. Later he came to Ill nois. setlling upon the prairie in Montgomery county, east of Noko- mis, in the spring of 1867. That summer he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land and at once began its improvement. As a farmer he has been very successful and he continued to cultivate his tields until 1879, when he removed to Nokomis, although he still retained the ownership of his farm. He had twenty-six aeres of land in the town and he resided there for ten years, at the end of which time he traded his town property for forty acres of land, upon which he now lives. this coming into his possession in 1889. He has made splendid improvements upon the home place, has planted orchards and now has a valuable fruit farm. He is also con- ducting a dairy and finds this a profitable source of income. Ile likewise owns a quarter section of land in Ford county, Kansas, and he is actively interested in mining.
In January, 1869, Mr. Shoemaker was mar- ried to Miss Mary Elizabeth Swaney, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Rev. D. D. Swaney. They had ten children. of whom eight are living: Minnie E., wife of Dr. George Wilson. of Nokomis: Jennie I .. wife of Will McAfce: Alice M., the wife of Andrew Van Buren. of Cooperstown. New York: Olin, who died at the age of twenty-seven years ; Bruce O. and Mary, at home: Samuel, who
is attending the Indiana Dental College; Ed- gar A, Elmer P. and Ilomer, triplets, who were born August 20, 1880, but the last named died at the age of nine months.
In his political affiliations Mr. Shoemaker is a Democrat and has served as collector of Audubon township. He is the secretary of the Home Insurance Company doing business in this township. This furn shes protection against fires and lightning and is a reliable, trustworthy organization. During the Civil war ho enlisted May 2. 1864, in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-seventh Ohio National Guards, and was on duty at Columbus, Ohio, for four months. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Nokomis and their children are also identi- fied with that denomination. He is numbered among the early settlers of that town, whic'. was a mere village when he took up his abode there and the surrounding district was nearly all wild prairie. He has aided in the agricul- tural development of the county and through his labors has won a comfortable competence.
ALBERT M. PADEN.
Albert Milton Paden, who owns and operates a farm of eighty acres of section 16, Hillsboro township, was born in this township, April 27, 1864, and is a son of James M. and Mary ( MeLean) Paden. The father, a native of Kentucky, came to Montgomery county at an carly day and settled upon a farm in Hillsboro township. carrying on agricultural pursuits and at the same time aiding in the advance- ment and upbuilding of the county by per- forming faithfully the duties of citizenship until his death in 1868.
Until about seventeen years of age Albert M. Paden pursued his education in the district schools near his father's home and later he spent one year in the high school at Hillsboro and for one term was a student in Brown's Business College, at Jacksonville, Illinois. He then resumed farm work. in which he had re- ceived ample training in the cultivation and improvement of the old homestead. He re- mained at home until twenty years of age and
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was then married, on the 14th of May, 1884, to Miss Dora Emery, a daughter of Robert and Ruth ( Wilson) Emery. Her father was born near Fillmore, Illinois, and was a carpenter by occupation, following that pursuit as a life work. He died about the year 1868 but his widow is still living, making her home in Hillsboro township. In their family were two children, the son being Sebron Emery, who is now living in Hillsboro.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Paden have been born three children : James Carl. born January 31 1885; Albert Roy. born October 7, 1886; and Bertha, born December 11, 1891. The parents attend the Presbyterian church and in his politieal views Mr. Paden is an earnest Re- publican. Hle held the office of assessor for one term, but has never been an aspirant for politi- val honors, preferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests. He is now the owner of eighty acres of land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. and his farm, on section 16, Hillsboro town- ship, is a well improved property, supplied with all modern farm equipments.
WILLIAM FRICKE.
In a record of the agricultural development of Raymond township, William Fricke should find mention for he is one of the most progres- sive, enterprising and intelligent young farm- ers of his locality. He lives on section 25 and is the owner of a well improved farm of two hundred acres equipped with all modern con- venienees. Ile was born in Madison county, Illinois, September 18, 1865, and is of Ger- man lineage. Ilis father, Christian Fricke, a native of Germany, came to the I'nited States when a young man, attracted by the business opportunities and advantages of the new world. He made his way to St. Louis, Missouri, and while there residing was married to Dorothea Eppers, also a native of Germany. Mr. Fricke engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi for a number of years and also worked at railroad construction. He afterward established his home in Madison county. Illinois, where he carried on farming for a few years and during the residence of the family there four chil-
dren were added to the household. In 186% he came to Montgomery county, purchasing eighty acres of land, and began the develop- ment of a farm. That he prospered in his un- dertaking is indicated by the fact that he grad- ually extended the boundaries of his place and eventually he had eight hundred and fifty acres included within five tracts. He was a very prominent, successful and capable agricultur- ist and his life demonstrated the possibilities of accomplishment when one has strong de- termination and is willing to work earnestly and persistently in order to win prosperity. He spent his last years in Montgomery county, de- parting this life on the 19th of April, 1893. llis wife survives him and now resides in Nokomis. Unto this worthy couple were born four sons and two daughters, all of whom are now living and are heads of families.
William Fricke was reared in Montgomery county and is indebted to the public-school system for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. lle attended the Union Brick school and when he had mastered the clemen- tary branches of learning therein he entered the school of experience, in which he has also learned many valuable lessons. tle continued to assist his father in the operation of the old home place until the latter's death and then
succeeded to the ownership of one hundred and twenty acres of the home farm. He also bought eighty acres additional and he now has a well improved and valuable property. He raises good stock and also feeds some stock for the market. He is known throughout this section of the county as a successful farmer and he has won his reputation by hard, per- sistent labor. His entire life has been charac- terized by unfaltering diligence and industry, for he realizes that this is the basis of all sub- stantial success and advancement in the busi- ness world.
Mr. Fricke was married in Raymond town- ship on the 19th of January, 1898. to Miss Mollie Weller, the youngest daughter of Daniel Weller. one of the early settlers of this county and township, owning and operating a farm adjoining the Fricke place. Three children grace this marriage : Lydia. Louise and Helen.
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Mr. Fricke was reared in the Lutheran faith, his wife in the Methodist church, and both now attend the services of the Methodist de- nomination. Although he has never sought or desired publie office he takes a publie-spir- ited interest in political questions and has served as a delegate to the county conventions of the Republican party. His life history is well known to many of his friends for he has long resided in Montgomery county. There have been no exciting chapters in his life rec- ord that he wishes to cover up. but all has been open and above board, and his straightforward dealings have made him a respected and valued resident of Raymond township.
HARRY C. STUTTLE.
AAmong the younger lawyers practicing at the Montgomery county bar is Harry C. Stut- tle. of Litchfield, who has followed his profes- sion in his native city and with good success. Ife was born February 25, 1879. His father. Joseph Stuttle, was born in Edwardsville. Illi- nois, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state, his parents hav- ing come from Austria at an early day and es- tablished their home upon a farm in Madison county. When their son Joseph was but ten years of age they removed to Montgomery county, settling in Fillmore township, where Joseph Stuttle continued to reside until about thirty years of age. He then took up his abode in Litchfield. where he is now living at the age of fifty-two years. He was a poor boy, en- joying but few advantages, and at the outset of his career he had no pecuniary assistance, but through perseverance and energy he has accumulated a competence and is now the owner of four hundred and fifty acres of land adjoining Litchfield. together with city prop- erty. TIe is likewise a stockholder in the Litchfield Bank & Trust Company and is one of the ostermed citizens of Montgomery coun- ty. where he has so directed his labors as to win honorable prosperity. He votes with the Democracy. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Hannah Beeler. died in 1884, in the faith of the Lutheran church. in which she
held membership. Her father, Jacob Beeler, was a large property holler and capitalist wlio became one of the early residents of Litchfield and was one of its promoters and upbuilders. Mr. and Mrs. Stuttle became the parents of three children: Harry C .; Joseph S., who is residing upon the old home farm ; and Charles P., a practicing dentist of St. Louis, Mis- souri.
Mr. Stuttle of this review pursued his early education in the old Beacon schoolhouse near Litchfield and is a graduate of the high school of this city of the class of 1898. He afterward engaged in teaching for a year and then en- tered the University of Illinois at Urbana in the fall of 1899. Ile spent one year there and subsequently entered the law office of Zink & Kinder at Litchfieldl. but completed his law studies in the office of M. M. Creighton. In the fall of 1903 he was admitted to the bar and has since been practicing in Litchfield with good success. having already obtained a client- age that many an older practitioner might well envy. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. the Mutual Protective League, and in his political views is a Democrat. He is well known in the city of his nativity and is popular with a large circle of friends.
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