USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 33
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On the 22d of September, 1888, was cele- brated the marriage of John B. Turner and the widow of his brother William. They have two children : Adolphus K. and Frank. Mr. Turner is not a party man in politics, but votes as he thinks best, supporting the candi- dates whom he regards as best qualified for office and advocating the principles which he believes contains the best elements of good government. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. His ex- tensive interests. capably managed, return to him an excellent income, making him one of the substantial citizens of his adopted county.
J. M. CORLEW.
J. Morgan Corlew, who follows farming on section 23, Zanesville township, has spent his entire life in Montgomery county, his birth- having occurred within its borders on the 20th of March, 1852. Ilis father. Philip Corlew, was also a native of Illinois, born in 1822, and the family was established in the state at an early day. The grandfather, Philip Cor- lew, Sr .. was of French lineage and. becoming one of the pioneers of Illinois, established his home in Madison county when the work of im-
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
JOHN B. TURNER
WILLIAM TURNER
LIBRAHT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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provement and development seemed scarcely begun. He afterward took up his abode in Montgomery county and it was here that Philip Corlew, Jr., was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier. Ile was married in this county to Elizabeth Barlow, and, desirous of provid- ing a good home for his wife and family, he energetically carried on agricultural pursuits, developing a new tract of land into a good farm, upon which he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1855, when he was a comparatively young man of thirty-three years. His wife survived him for about four years and was married a second time. There were three children by the first marriage: J. Mor- gan C'orlew, of this review: Nancy Ann, the wife of Fletcher Beck, of Litchfield, Illinois ; and Emma Jane, deceased.
J. Morgan Corlew was reared in Montgomery county, spending his boyhood days on the old home farm, where he worked in the field and meadow when not engaged with the duties of the schoolroom. He was united in marriage, December 28, 1876, to Miss Susan E. Roberts, also a native of this county and a daughter of James Roberts, one of the carly settlers of this portion of the state.
After his marriage Mr. Corlew took up his abode upon a farm near Litchfield, where he owned a tract of eighty acres of land, which he improved, carrying on agricultural pursuits there for eight years. In 1884 he sold that property and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 23, Zanesville town- ship, where he now resides. He at once began the further improvement and development of this place and his farm is now valuable and equipped with modern conveniences. Mr. Cor- lew makes a business of raising good stock and annually makes shipments of fine cattle lo the city market, but is more especially engaged in the raising of hogs. His farm is one of the neatest in the township, everything being in good order and first class condition. He has a substantial residence and barns and other outbuildings, a bearing orchard and a nice va- ricty of other fruits. There is also a beautiful grove of forest trees, an avenue of these trees fronting the house. An air of thrift and com- fort pervades the home and everything about
the place indicates that Mr. Corlew is a suc- cessful farmer.
To Mr. and Mrs. Corlow have been born six children: Effie, who is the widow of Jacob File, of Coffeen, Ilinois; Fred, who is mar- ried and follows farming in this county ; Willis and Jesse, who assist in the operation of the home farm; Philip and Joseph. also at home. Mr. and Mrs. Corlew are worthy Christian people, the former holding membership in the Baptist church, while the latter is a member of the Free Methodist church.
Politically Mr. Corlew is a stanch Demoerat, giving unfaltering support to the party since casting his first presidential ballot for Samuel J. Tilden in 1876. He has filled several local positions of honor and trust, to which he has been called by the vote of his townsmen who recognized his ability and his loyalty in citi- zenship. He has, however, never been an as- pirant for office, caring little for political pre- ferment. At this writing he is a member of the school board and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. Hle has known no other home than Montgomery county. his entire life having been passed here and he has there- fore been a witness to much of its growth and development. He is well known in Hills- boro and Litchfield and throughout the north- ern and western sections of the county and he has the good will and esteem of those with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
DANIEL F. BROWN.
Daniel F. Brown, county treasurer of Mont- gomery county, who since the fall of 1902 has made his home in Hillsboro in order to better discharge his official duties, was born in Harvel township, Montgomery county, in 1870. His father, Martin Brown, was born in Ireland, and is now living in Harvel township, at the age of seventy-four years. He came to the United States in 1856, locating in Greene county, Illinois, where he worked on the farm for eight dollars per month. Two years after his arrival he purchased a tract of land which was practi- cally in the swamps, but he made the most of
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his opportunities and by draining and cultiva- tion placed his farm in excellent bearing condi- tion. When his labors brought to him increased financial resources he made added investments in real estate and he is now the owner of one thousand acres, the greater part of which is in Ilarvel township, although three hundred and sixty acres is in Pitman township. He was a pioneer, strong, sturdy and persevering and he has made all that he has through his own industry. He dealt extensively in stock and as the years have advanced he has become one of the wealthy men of the county. Upon his home he has a comfortable farm residence and is now enabled to enjoy not only the necessi- ties but many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Brown is a communicant of the Catholic church and in his political views is a stalwart Demo- crat, upon which ticket he has been elected and re-elected township treasurer until his in- cumbeney in the office covers twenty-four years. lle married Annie M. Hoistead, who was born in Ireland and is now sixty-three years of age. She came to the United States in 1863 with her widowed mother and brother, who lo- cated in Missouri. She, too, is a member of the Catholic church and by her marriage she has become the mother of seven children, of whom two are now deceased. Those living are: Daniel F .; James W., who is living on the home farm; Cornelia, who is the wife of John Whelan, a farmer of Pitman township; Sarah, the wife of James Leonard. a farmer of Harvel township; and Rose, the wife of Edward Whelan, a farmer.
Daniel F. Brown, in early boyhood days, at- tended the district schools and in 1890 was graduated from the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He afterward attended Bryant & Stratton Business College in St. Louis, Missouri, and then entered upon his business career in Farmersville as a dealer in grain and agricultural implements. Hle re- mained at that place for five years, at the end of which time he sold out and was thereafter identified with educational interests as
a teacher until 1902. In the latter year he was elected county treasurer and is now serving as the custodian of the public funds of Mont- gomery county. He had formerly been col-
lector of taxes in Bois Dare township for three years.
On the 30th of September, 1896. Daniel F. Brown was married to Catherine AAherin. She was born in Girard, Illinois, in 1821. and there is one child of this marriage, Martin Harold. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are members of the Cath- olie church and he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees, while politically he is a Democrat. His official record is one which will bear close investigation and scrutiny and he has given entire satisfaction to people of all parties by his capability and prompt discharge of duty.
ROBERT WOLTERS.
Robert Wolters, who is serving as township assessor and who follows farming on section 1, Rountree township, is a native son of Ohio, his birth having occurred in Cincinnati, on the 2nd of June, 1855. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wolters, residents of Hills- boro, who are represented elsewhere in this volume. Robert Wolters attended the common schools of Montgomery county and also the Fairview shcool. He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the tasks incident to the development of the fields. He lived at home until twenty-six years of age and then began farming for himself on the place which is now his home. He has one hundred and sixty acres of fine land under cultivation, consti- tuting an excellent property. which he has ac- quired as the result of his business sagacity, kren discrimination and unfaltering industry. He has labored earnestly year by year and is widely known in the community as a represen- tative farmer.
In January. 1881, Mr. Wolters was married to Miss Minnie Ahrens, a danghter of Henry Ahrens. She was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, in 1851. Her father is now living with her at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wolters have been born eight children, but their eldest, Henry, died at the age of six weeks. Those still living are Louisa, Anna. Hulda. Irena. Robert. Albert and Lester. all of whom are at home.
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The parents are identified through member- ship relations with the German Lutheran church and Mr. Wolters is a Republican in his political views and allegiance. He has served as supervisor of his township for six years, has been assessor for four terms and is now filling the latter office. Ile was likewise collector for two years, was justice of the peace for twelve years and during a long period has been a mem- ber of the school board. Every duty of a pub- lic nature devolving upon him has been faith- fully met and his active co-operation in meas- ures for the public good has been a valued fac- tor in promoting general progress and im- provement.
C. H. TIFFIN.
C. H. Tiffin is numbered among the honored veterans of the Civil war, having proven his loyalty to the Union canse by service upon the battle-fields of the south during that long and sanguinary conflict. A native of Ohio, he was born in Pickaway county on the 17th of No- vember, 1843, his parents being Madison and Abigail (Crabill) Tiflin. Ilis father was a nephew of Hon. Edward Tiffin. the first gov- ernor of Ohio, who came from England to America and settled in the Buckeye state when it was considered to be upon the far western frontier. Madison Tiffin removed from Ohio to Moultrie county, Illinois, in 1847 and there remained for about seven years, or until 1854, when he came to Montgomery county. After a short period had passed, however, he went to Madison county, Illinois, where he lived until 1866. in that year he returned to Montgomery county, settling in Walshville, where he be- came identified with farming interests.
C. H. Tiffin of this review accompanied his parents on their various removals until after the outbreak of the Civil war. lle was eighteen years of age when in response to his country's call for troops to crush out the re- bellion in the south he enlisted on the 12th of August, 1862. becoming corporal of Company I. One Hundred and Twenty-second Illinois Infantry. IIe remained with the army for three years and was in many important battles. The
first engagement in which he participated was at Tupelo, Mississippi. and later he was at Nashville, Tennessee, and in the battle of Fort Blakeley. He was the second man in his brig- ade inside the garrison after the capture of the fort and he was detailed as color guard. lIe served until the close of the war and from Fort Blakeley went to Montgomery, Alabama, and thence to Mobile. Proceeding northward after the close of hostilities he was honorably dis- charged at Springfield in August, 1865.
When the country no longer needed his ser- vices Mr. Tiffin returned to Madison county, Illinois, and resumed the pursuits of civil life. After a short time, however, he came to Mont- gomery county, moving to this locality at the time of his father's return here. He settled in Walshville and on the 3rd of October, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma J. Garland, a daughter of Dr. Garland. At this time he purchased a farm in Walshville town- ship, to which he took his bride and they re- sided there for fifteen consecutive years, or until 1882, when they removed to Hillsboro township and Mr. Tillin rented a farm for two years. He then took up his abode upon his present farm in August, 1886, and has since carried on agricultural pursuits here with good success.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Tiffin was blessed with three sons: Frank M., Charlie C. and Joseph W. In 1900 Mr. Tiffin was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 19th of October of that year. He has since mar- ried Gertrude Edwards and they now occupy the farm in Hillsboro township which com- prises one hundred and forty acres of rich and arable land. Mr. Tiffin is a member of the Free Methodist church and has lived an upright. honorable life and now does everything in his power to advance the cause of Christianity in the community where he makes his home.
OTTO FUNK.
Otto Funk has perhaps done more than any other individual to promote musical culture in Montgomery county, having for a number of years engaged in teaching musie in East Fork
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township. He was born in St. Louis, Mis- in one consignment he received two hundred souri, October 6, 1868, a son of Benjamin and thousand tish. Ite also operates the second largest ice plant in the county and this is com- -plete in every detail. In his business he dis- plays marked ability, enterprise, sound judg- ment and unfaltering diligence and he is justly accounted one of the most progressive men of Montgomery county. Caroline (Krause) Funk, both of whom are natives of Germany. They became residents of Montgomery county in isst, at which the they settled upon the Jackson farm of four hundred acres, Mr. Funk continuing in its cul- tivation with good success until 1892, when he removed to Hillsboro, since which time his son Otto has been operating the farm, while the father is now living a retired life in the county seat.
Otto Funk was reared in St. Louis and re- ceived four years' training in music there and four years at Konigsburg, Germany, under such distinguished musical educators as Max Brodi, Robert Goldbeck and Theodore Oesten. After studying for some time abroad Mr. Funk re- turned to the United States and spent two years as a teacher and concert player in St. Louis. Ile it was who laid the foundation for the love of classical music in Montgomery county. He was instrumental in having the famous quin- tette club of St. Louis give high class musical entertainments here. The leading members of the club were George Herrick and Alfred G. Robyn. Mr. Funk realized that he could not derive financial benefit from this, but for the love of music and because of a public-spirited desire to educate the people he made a financial sacrifice in order to bring superior musical tal- ent to Montgomery county. At one time he had a very large class of pupils in music, giving as many as two hundred lessons in a month, but he now has only a few scholars as his at- tention is given to his farming interests. He teaches seven branches of music and is widely recognized as one of the famous representatives of the art in this part of the state, having de- veloped his native powers and talents until he is a superior performer. He plays three hun- dred selections from memory and when studying he practiced ten hours a day. flis income is derived principally from his farm and he is prepared to shelter three hundred head of stock. One winter ho sheltered Pawnee Bill's entire wild west show. He has a fish lake upon his farm covering six acres and the water is eight feet deep. It is his ambition to create a fine summer resort and fishery second to none and
On the 20th of May, 1891, Mr. Funk was united in marriage to Miss Della Edwards, a daughter of C. Il. Edwards, of Donnellson, and they had four children: Viola, Olga. Rosa and Benjamin. Mr. Funk is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp. also the Mutual Pro- tective League, the Bankers Life Association, the Washington Life Association. Ilis politi- cal support is given to the Prohibition party and he is a stanch advocate of the cause of temperance. In fact, he favors every move- ment that tends to elevate mankind and to promote the best character development.
ANTON C. GEES.
Anton C. Gees, a veterinary surgeon of Ray- mond, Illinois, whose well known ability in this profession has brought to him an extensive and profitable business during the thirty years of his practice in Montgomery and adjoining counties, has been a resident of Illinois since September, 1820. He was born across the water, however, his birth having occurred in Westphalia, Germany, on the 20th of Septem- ber, 1845. llis parents were Henry and Mary ( Broeckling) Gees, who spent their entire lives in that country, the father dying in 1861 and the mother in 1815.
The boyhood and youth of our subject were passed in Germany and he studied veterinary surgery in his native land. The Favorable re- ports which he heard. however, concerning the opportunities of the new world led him to seek a home in America and on the 16th of May, 1820, he arrived in St. Louis, Missouri. The same year he went to lowa and afterward to Minnesota, where he worked at harvesting and baying and in the autumn of 1840 he came to Montgomery county. Illinois, where he secured employment as a farm hand. being thus en-
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MR. AND MRS. ANTON C. GEES
LIBRARY OF THE UNMICROITY OF ILLINOIS
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gaged for two years in the service of Henry Friedmeyer. He then entered upon the prae- tice of his profession and as a veterinary sur- geon he has won ereditable success. He is now one of the oldest practitioners in this line in the county and his business has constantly grown in volume and importance, bringing to him very desirable financial return. Purchas- ing land, he located upon a farm which he continued to cultivate for several years, but during the past twenty years he has resided in the town of Raymond, where he erected a neat residence. He also owns a nice piece of land and has a well improved place in addi- tion to his farm property which he has in this county. His financial resources were limited when he emigrated to America, but his busi- ness ability, his capable management and his landable ambition have been the foundation upon which he has reared the superstructure of success.
In January. 1880, Mr. Gees was united in marriage in Montgomery county to Mrs. llar- riet Trott. a native of England, born in Som- ersetshire, where her girlhood days were passed. She came to the new world in 1879. joining her fathers' family here. Her parents were both natives of England and on coming to America in 1871 first located in Wisconsin, but four years later came to Montgomery county. Illinois, settling upon a tract of land in Zanes- ville township, where they made their home un- til death. Both died in 1886, the mother on the 13th of April, and the father on the 27th of December. Mr. and Mrs. Gees have two living children : Sophia, who is a fine musician and is a leader of the choir in the Catholic church in Raymond; and Frank. They also lost two children. Ben Adolphus and Henry. who died in childhood.
Politically Mr. Goes is an earnest Demo- crat, well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and since casting his presidential ballot for Samuel J. Tilden in 1826 he has never faltered in his allegiance to the party. He was elected and served for one term on the town board. but he otherwise has never sought or held office, preferring to give his undivided attention to his professional duties and Imisiness interests. He and his wife were
reared in the Catholic faith and are members of the church of that denomination at Ray- mond. For more than one-third of a century he has been a resident of Montgomery county, witnessing the changes which have marked its progress toward an advanced civilization. As the years have passed the circle of his friends has been extended with the growth of the circle of his acquaintances and he enjoys in high measure the good will and regard of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
ROBERT JJ. POTTS.
Robert J. Potts is the owner of two valuable and well improved farms, comprising three hundred and twenty-nine acres of land, which is productive, owing to the care and cultivation which he bestows upon his tields. His home is on section 22. Zanesville township, and he ranks among the substantial agriculturists of his community. He was born October 29, 1872. a son of Richard D. and Mary A. E. (Leverly) Potts. The father's birth occurred in Macoupin county, this state, in the year 1835. The paternal grandfather. W. B. Potts, was one of the early residents of Illinois, es- tablishing his home in Macoupin county when its land was largely unclaimed and much of it was still in its primitive condition, awaiting the cultivation of the white man to become arable and valuable. Richard D. Potts was brought to Montgomery county in his early youth, was reared here, and when he had arrived at years of maturity was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Leyerly, who was also a native of Ma- coupin county. They took up their abode upon a tract of new and undeveloped land, but he soon placed the farm under cultivation and worked persistently day after day and year after year until prosperity crowned his efforts and he became the owner of nearly five hun- dred acres of land having a high market value. Upon his place he remained until called to his final rest on the 28th of December, 1902. Ilis widow, now surviving him, is enjoying good health at the age of sixty-three years.
Robert J. Potts is their only living child, al- though two of their children reached mature
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years. At the usual age he entered the public schools, wherein he mastered the elementary branches of learning and later he became a student in Blackburn University at Carlinville. When not occupied with his studies or the pleas- ures of the playground he worked in the fields as his age and strength permitted and remained with his father until after he had attained his majority, carrying on the home farm work for a number of years.
On the 18th of June, 1900. occurred the marriage of Mr. Potts and Miss Caroline Hart- mann, who was born and reared in St. Louis, Missouri, and is a daughter of William Henry and Eleanor Hartmann, of that city, whose birth occurred in Germany. Mr. Potts began opening up the farm upon which he now lives, and he took his bride to his new home, con- tinning the work of further development and improvement there until he has now a very valuable property, his landed possessions ag- gregating three hundred and twenty-nine acres. He has three barns upon his place, has set out an orchard and has a great variety of fruit, which furnishes many an attractive dish for the table. fle now rents considerable of his land, but is still actively engaged in farming, and cach springtime gives promise of golden har- vests in the autumn in return for the plowing and planting in which he is engaged in the early days of the season. In addition to agri- cultural interests he is a stockholder and direc- tor in the Raymond National Bank, and he assisted in the organization of the People's Mutual Telephone Company and is likewise a stockholder in the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Potts has been blessed with one son, James Garrett. The par- ents have many friends among the younger peo- ple of Zanesville township, as well as the older residents, and the hospitality of many of the best homes of this section of the county is freely accorded them. In his political views Mr. Potts is an earnest Democrat where national issues are involved, but at local elections he votes independently. Ile has served for two terms as township assessor, and as a eitizen is public-spirited and progressive, being deeply in- terested in everything that pertains to the wel-
fare and substantial upbuilding of this part of the state. A young man of good business ability and strict integrity, of exemplary habits and upright life, all who know him give him their confidence and regard, and he well deserves mention in this volume.
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