USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 31
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
James R. Osborn, living upon the home farm in his early boyhood days. started out in life for himself in the fall of 1851, when nineteen years of age. He began to earn his living by teaching in a school which was conducted on the subscription plan, each scholar paying two and a half dollars per term. He continued his educational work at intervals until 1861. In the fall of 1862. his spirit of patriotism being aroused by the continued attempt of the south to overthrow the Union, he enlisted and he- came a corporal of Company F, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry.
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
JAMES R. OSBORN
MRS. JAMES R. OSBORN
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
3C1
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
The regiment did duty in Tennessee, being largely engaged in garrison duty and in guard- ing railroads. With this command Mr. Os- born served until the close of the war. after which he returned to Montgomery county and again engaged in teaching during the winter months until 1825. In the following year he located upon the farm which has since been his home, and in its conduct he has displayed good ability as an agriculturist. He owns one hun- dred and sixty acres of cultivable land in the home place and thirty-seven acres of timber in Irving township. He has good equipments upon his farm, including the latest improved machinery, and annually harvests fair crops as the reward for his labors,
On the 4th of April, 1828, Mr. Osborn was united in marriage to Miss Margaret L. Eppes, a native of North Carolina, who died April 24. 1881. Unto them were born two sons: John M. and James. both at home. The latter is now serving as township assessor. Mr. O-born of this review was the first township assessor of Butler Grove township, and in matters per- taining to public progress and improvement he has always been deeply interested and has borne a helpful part. He has been school director. and the cause of education has found in him a warm friend. His political support is given to the Republican party, and he is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church whose life has been honorable and upright and whose sterling worth is recognized by his many acquaintances, who give him their warm friend- ship and hold him in high esteem.
DANIEL WELLER.
Daniel Weller, a representative farmer of Raymond township, living on section 36. was at one time very actively engaged in agricul- tural pursuits, but is now largely leaving to others the work of the farm, while he is enjoy- ing a well earned rest. He has one hundred and ninety acres of land and the income from the property is sufficient to supply him with . all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. One of the old settlers of Illinois, his residence in the county dates from 1840 and
few of its citizens have longer been witnesses of its growth and upbuilding, while at all times he has borne his full share in the work of public progress.
Mr. Weller was born in Canton, Ohio, on the 28th of October, 1832. Il s father, John Weller, was a native of Maryland. born in 1288, and when his country became involved in the second war with England he joined the Amer- ican army and served as a sollier in the war of 1812. lle was married in Ohio to Miss Mary Linkefelter, a native of Maryland, and for several years thereafter he carried on farm- ing in Ohio. Nine children were born unto him and his wife in that state and in 1840 he came with his family to Ilinois, settling in Montgomery county in what is now Irving township. The work of improvement had scarcely been begun in this section of the state at that time. The homes of the early residents were largely log cabins situated in the edge of the forest. for it was not thought that the prairie- land was of much value. Mr. Weller purchased a farm of five hundred acres and began its cultivation, planting the seed that in due course of time brought forth rich crops. He carried on his farm work in a modern way until his life's labors were ended in death in the spring of 1843. His widow survived him for a long period and reared her family upon the old homestead, doing a mother's full part by her children. She died in 1886 at the age of eighty-four years, but her memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of her sons and daugh- ters and many friends who esteem her for her many excellent traits of character.
Daniel Weller is one of the two sons and two daughters of the family, who are yet living. He was a lad of only about eight years when brought by his parents to Ilinois and on the home farm his youth was passed. He had few advantages and privileges during that period. To some extent he attended the public schools, but his labors wore largely needed in carrying on the farm work and he early became familiar with all the duties that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. After attaining his majority he desired to establish a home of his own and was married in Montgomery county, March 29, 1860. to Miss Lydia Hefley, who was born and
312
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
reared in this county and is a daughter of Til- man Hetley. The young couple began their domestic life upon the farm which he yet owns, but which at that time comprised only eight acres of land, which was raw and unimproved. This he began to break and when the plowing was done he planted his seed and in due course of time garnered rich crops. These carly years and fraught with unremitting toil, but he possessed the determinat on to persevere in his work and as the years passed by his finan- cial resources increased. enabling him to buy land from time to time until he became the owner of four hundred acres. Upon his farm he erected a large two-story residence of pleas- ing appearance and he also built two substan- tial barns. He likewise put out orchards, one of which is now in excellent bearing condition and he planted maple and evergreen trees, which are a pleasing feature of the home. As his children have grown he has divided his land and possessions with them, but still retains possession of one hundred and ninety acres of the old home place, constituting a very val- uable farm, which would bring a high market price.
In 1902 Mr. Weller lost his wife, who de- parted this life on the 2nd of January of that year. Eleven of their children are living, namely: Emma, the wife of Rolla Rolf. of Logan county ; Mrs. Ellen Wilson, a widow re- siding in Irving; Lewis, of Irving township; John and George, who are living in St. Louis; Noah, a resident farmer of Raymond town- ship; Mrs. Maggie Frame, who is living near Hillsboro: Mrs. Mollie Fricke, wife of Wil- liam Fricke, who is represented elsewhere in this work; Herbert, Otto and Ross, all at home.
In his political alliliation Mr. Weller is a Republican. He cast his first presidential vote for Fremont in 1856. and in 1860 supported Lincoln. He has voted the national ticket at each presidential election since that time, while at local elections he supports the candi- date whom he thinks best qualified for office. regardless of party affiliation. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, but was reared in the Lutheran faith. Long years have come and gone since he became a resident of
Montgomery county in his early boyhood days and he has watched with interest its growth and development as the county has merged from the swamp and the wilderness to take its place with the most productive agricul- tural district of this great grain-growing state. His mind bears many pictures of early pioneer conditions and of the progress that has been wrought as the years have gone by and no one takes more pride in what has been accomplished than Daniel Weller, who has at all times favored substantial and practical development.
WILLIAM II. MCLEAN.
A rich and productive farm of four hun- dred and ten acres adjoining the village of Farmersville is the property of William H. MeLean. It is located on seetion 33, Bois Dare township, and the cultivation and improvement which he bestowed upon it has made it a valu- able property, notable even in a district famous for its fine farms. Mr. MeLean has been a resi- dent of Illinois since 1864. coming to this state when a youth of about fourteen years. His birth occurred in Middlesex county, New Jersey. July 10, 1850.
llis father, Martin McLean, was born in Ireland and came to America. the family home being established in New Jersey, where he re- sided until 1864. Having in the meantime mar- ried and become the father of three children he removed with his family in that year to Montgomery county, Illinois, where he pur- chased the land upon which his son William II. now resides. There he carried on general farming and stock-raising, meeting with excel- lent success in his undertakings so that he was enabled to add to his landed possessions and eventually became the owner of eight hundred acres, He spent his last years upon this farm, passing away about 1898. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Carey, died some years prior to his demise. In their family were three children: J. J., who is now a resident of St. Louis, was at one time county treasurer of Montgomery county, served for two terms as circuit clerk and was a prominent and in- fluential citizen of Hillsboro and this portion
373
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
of the state; William H. is the second of the family; and Margaret is the wife of Charles MeAnamry, of Farmersville.
William II. McLean came to Illinois when in his fourteenth year and was reared upon the old homestead farm, continuing in the public schools of the neighborhood his education which had been begun in New Jersey, He remained with his father until about twenty-nine years of age and received manual training at farm la- bor, beginning work in the fields in early youth. Ile was taught how to plant the seed, cultivate the crops and gather the harvests and also drilled in the best methods of caring for the stock, so that when he began business on his own account he had ample experience to aid Inn. After his marriage he located upon a part of the old home farm and subsequent to his father's death he became the owner of a larger portion of this by purchasing the interests of the other heirs. He has since continued the work of further development and improvement here and he now has broad fields giving promise of excellent erops. He has intimate knowledge of the best methods of tilling the soil so as to produce good harvests and in connection with the raising of grain he is successfully engaged in the raising of good grades of stock. He fat- tens several carloads of western sheep annually and also fattens some cattle and hogs, which he ships to the city markets.
Pleasantly situated as regards his home life, Mr. MeLean was married on the 4th of July, 1880, to Miss Mary Gaul, who was born in Jersey county, Illinois, but spent her girlhood days in Montgomery county. Six children have graced this union : Martin F., at home : Katie, the wife of John Gillman. a merchant of Far- m rsville; J. J .. William T., Allen and Ella, who are yet with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. McLean were reared in the Catholic faith and are members of the church of that denomination in Farmersville. For forty years he has lived upon the same farm in Montgomery county. during which time he has witnessed much of the growth and development of this part of the state. TIe has seen its wild lands reclaimed and transformed into productive fields, has seen the growth of towns and villages and the introduc- tion of all improvements known to the older
east. He takes quite an active interest in local political affairs, as an advocate of the Democracy, and was elected and served for three terms as supervisor and was chairman of the finance and poor claims committees. He has also served on the village school board for a number of years, has been a member of the town board, of which he was president, and has been selected as a delegate to the county and congressional conventions. In all of these posi- tions he has discharged his duties faithfully, promptly and capably and his public record, like his private life, is above reproach.
WILLIAM J. YESKE.
William J. Yeske, who is engaged in general farming on section 2, Irving township. was born in Germany, August 1. 1860, and is a son of Christlich and Minnie ( Clabonda) Yeske, both of whom were natives of Germany, whence they came to the United States in 1822, locating in Ilillsboro, Illinois. The father engaged in farming and remained a resident of Montgomery county until his death in 1898. when he was sixty-four years of age. His widow still re- sides upon the old homestead at the age of seventy-four years.
William J. Yeske was a youth of twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States. IIe contin- ued his education begun in Germany as a stn- dent in the common schools of Irving township and lived at home until twenty-five years of age, during which time he received practical training in farm work by assisting in the labors of fields and meadow. On leaving home he began farming on his own account by renting a tract of land of George W. Paisley. IIe lived upon this for six years and then removed to southwestern Minnesota, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. Ile there resided for six years, after which he sold that property in 1892 and bought one hundred and forty aeres in section 2. Irving township. This has since been his place of abode and he has extended the boundaries of his farm by the pur- chase of an additional tract of forty acres, mak- ing now altogether one hundred and eighty
314
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
acres. His farm is well equipped with modern machinery and accessories and his land is richly cultivated so that the fields annually return to him a good harvest, making him one of the substantial citizens of his community.
On the 16th of May, 1894, Mr. Yeske was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Heffley, a daughter of D. T. and Myra Heffley. early set- tlers of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Yeske have been born three children: Verna, eight years old: Shurley, born August 14, 1898; and Vera, born July 29, 1900. The wife and mother died March 23, 1903, at the age of twen- ty-nine years and two days. Mr. Yeske is a member of St. John's Lutheran church and of the Modern Woodmen camp at Irving. In polities he is a Republican and will have served as a member of the school board for six years when his present term expires. He takes a deep interest in the cause of education, believ- ing it to be the bulwark of the nation and he does everything in his power to secure good schools and competent teachers in his district. He has a patriotic interest in all that pertains to publie progress and improvement and while capably managing his private business affairs he has yet found time to aid in the advancement of measures which have for their object the general good.
EMERY WRIGHT.
Success depends upon the individual and not upon environment, fortunate circum- stances or inheritance. In this land where op- portunity is open to all. the great majority of our successful men are those who have been dependent upon their own resources and capa- bilities from early age and it is to this class that Emery Wright, now a successful general merchant. belongs. lle was born in Fillmore township, May 8, 1853, and is a son of Jarrett and Mary ( Whitten) Wright. His father, also a native of Fillmore township, was born March 10, 1819, and represented one of the oldest pioneer families of Montgomery county. The grandfather. Joseph Wright, settled in this county when there were few residents within its borders and when the work of improvement
and progress lay largely in the future. Reared to manhood amid the wild scenes of the fron- tier, Jarrett Wright began farming on attain- ing his majority and through a long period successfully carried on agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the extensive farmers of this community. As his financial resources in- creased he invested in land, becoming the owner of over eight hundred aeres, of which more than six hundred aeres was in Mont- gomery county. Ile was also prominent in public affairs and exerted strong influence in behalf of upbuilding and substantial improve- ment. He served in the war with Mexico and his political support was given to the Democ- racy. lle was married in 1849 to Miss Mary Whitten, a daughter of Easton Whitten, one of the oldest pioneer families of the county. HIer father served in the Black Hawk war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett Wright were born six children, five of whom are now living in Fillmore township. Mr. Wright passed away on the 2d of March, 1890, and his wife sur- vived him until 1892. He was a self-made man, whose unfaltering industry and strong purpose proved the basis of his success, and throughout an active and useful career he was always found to be honorable and straightfor- ward, never taking advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transaction.
Emery Wright began his education in the public schools of Fillmore township and after- ward continued his studies in Hillsboro, thus acquiring a good practical education. Ile taught school for one term and then turned his attention to the cultivation of his father's farm, which he continued to operate and im- prove until 1884, devoting his attention mostly to the cultivation of grain. In that year he went to Serento and spent a year and a half in general merchandising, after which he re- turned home and again began farming. In the fall of 1886 he was appointed to the position of deputy county clerk and served in that ca- pacity until June. 1891. He then remained upon the home farm until 1892. when he was elected to the position of circuit clerk and re- sided in Hillsboro through the succeeding four years or until 1896, when his term of office expired, and he returned to the old homestead.
EMERY WRIGHT
MR. AND MRS. JARRETT WRIGHT
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
In 1900 he opened a general store, which he conducted with fair success for about twenty months. Ile then sold out, but afterward again engaged in merchandising and he now con- duets a well equipped general mercantile estab- lishment, carrying a well selected line of goods such as are demanded by the country trade.
Mr. Wright is a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Hillsboro. He en- dorses the principles of the Democracy and always takes an active interest in politics, do- ing everything in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party. In the positions which he has filled he has ever been found true to the trust reposed in him and in all relations of life he has faithfully met every obligation and duty.
CALVIN H. MACK.
One of the younger representative farmers and progressive stock-raisers of Raymond town- ship is Calvin II. Mack, whose property of two. . Jane, the wife of Lewis AA. Wiley, of Raymond hundred and eighty aeres is located on section township; Fannie, the wife of Chester Berry. of Raymond township; Charlotte, the wife of Da- vid Ware of Butler Grove township; and Mary Roselina, who died when but six years of age. 35. It forms one of the pleasing features in the landscape because of the well tilled fields, the substantial buildings and the air of neat- ness and thrift which pervades the place. Mr. Maek is a native son of the county and was born upon the farm where he now resides January 12, 1861. He is a son of Oscar C. Mack, whose birth occurred at Gilson. New Hampshire, in 1829.
The grandfather, Calvin Mack, who for many vears resided in the Old Granite stato, came to Illinois in 1838, settling in Montgomery county. lte established his home in Butler Grove town- ship near Ware's Grove, where he transformed a tract of wild land into richly cultivated fields, opening up a farm on which his son Oscar C. Mack grew to mature years. When manhood had been attained the latter was married in Montgomery county to Miss Elizabeth Hugg. a native of New Jersey, whose girlhood days. however, were passed in Illinois, the family arriving here about 1844. tler father was Squire Itugg, one of the honored pioneer resi- dents of the state. Oscar C. Mack purchased land and located upon the farm which is now
the home of his son Calvin. This became his residence property in 1860 and his labors wrought a great transformation in the appear- ance of the farm, which was in a primitive con- dition when it came into his possession. The work of plowing, planting and harvesting was carried on year after year and in due course of time the fields became very productive, so that the sales of his crops brought to him a good income and enabled him to add to his place until he had four hundred aeres. Upon his farm he reared his family, but in later years he removed to Raymond, where in 1892 he pur- chased a home, in which he spent his remaining days, passing away there in 1902. Ilis wife survives him and still resides in Raymond. one of the worthy business women of Montgomery county whose mind is a connecting link between the primitive conditions of the past and the progressive prosent with its advanced modern civilization. In the family of this worthy couple were five children, of whom Calvin Il. is the eldest and the only son. The others are: Alice
C'alvin H. Mack spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period, enjoying some advantages and pleasures, and at the same time sharing with the family in the hard work of the farm. He attended the common schools and in the summer months worked in field and meadow. He has never desired to engage in other occupation than that to which he was reared and he succeeded to the ownership of the old homestead partly by inheri- tance and partly by purchase of the interests of the other heirs. He now carries on general farming and stock-raising and also feeds some stock for the market. His place covers two hun- dred and eighty acres of the rich and arable land of Raymond township. The soil is very productive and responds readily to the cultiva- tion which he bestows upon it and therefore he annually harvests good crops.
In Butler township in 1882 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mack and Miss Laura M. Wiley, who was born near Hillsboro and spent
318
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
her girlhood days in Butler Grove and Raymond townships, her parents being John and Sophia Wiley, who were residents of this state. The mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter Mrs. Mack. Three children grace this marriage, of whom two are living. Beulah and Roscoe, while Mary died in infancy.
Interested in the political sentiment of the country and desiring all that is best for the nation Mr. Mack gives his political support to the Democracy, believing that its principles con- tain the best elements of good government. His first presidential ballot was cast for Grover Cleveland. He was elected and served as com- missioner of highways for seven consecutive years and as a member of the school board for ten years he had opportunity to set forth his progressive ideas concerning education and the advantages which should be afforded to children for advancement in this direction. He is now president of the district school board. He has served as a delegate to the county and district. conventions of his party and is recognized as a local leader of the Democracy. He and his wife are faithful members of the Lutheran church and he belongs to the Odd Fellows society, which he joined in Butler. IIe has filled many of its positions and is now a past grand. Born on the farm where he now resides, his entire life has here been spent and he is deeply at- tached to the place, because of its pioneer as- sociations as well as because of its later-day interests. It has been the scene of his manhood activity and has yielded to him a good income as the result of his carefully managed and pro- gressive farming methods and straightforward business dealings. Ile stands high as a business man. is equally prominent in the regard of his fellow citizens socially, and in all life's rela- tions he has been found true to the trust reposed in him.
CHARLES L. LAWS.
Charles L. Laws, living on section 20, East Fork township, is identified with general farming and stock-raising interests, making a specialty, however, of the breeding of fine farm animals. He was born in Montgomery county
upon the farm which is now his home, Septem- ber 6, 1862, his parents being William and Mary ( McCaslin) Laws. His father was born in Kentucky, in November, 1826, and when three years of age he came to Illinois with his parents, the family home being established in what is now called Jett Prairie in Bond county. When a young man William Laws began work- ing upon a farm and throughout his entire life he has carried on agricultural pursuits. He had nothing to aid him as he started out upon an independent business career, and all that he possesses has been acquired through his own efforts. In his farming operations, however, he has been quite successful, has added to his place from time to time, and is now extensively engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. being now the owner of a good property of this character, about three hun- dred acres, but the management of the place and the active work is largely left to others, while he is enjoying a well merited rest. He has long been regarded as one of the leading men in his township, interested in its welfare and active in support of all enterprises for the general good. ITis political allegiance is given to the Republican party. In 1854 he was unit- ed in marriage to Miss Mary McCaslin, and un- to them were born nine children, of whom five are now living. The mother died May 30, 1903.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.