USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 35
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
DAVID WARE. JR.
David Ware, Jr., who carries on general farming in Butler Grove township, was born August 2, 1860, upon the farm which is now his home. The common schools of the neigh- borhood afforded him his educational privileges and he received ample training in farm labor, working in the fields from the time of carly spring planting until after crops were har- vested in the late autumn. Ile assisted his father up to the time of his marriage, which occurred on the 17th of December, 1890, Miss Lottie Maek, a daughter of O. C. Mack, be- coming his wife. After their marriage they re- moved to the farm upon which they now reside,
constituting a part of the old home place. Here Mr. Ware owns two hundred acres on section 10. Butler Grove township, and is en- gaged in general farming and stock-raising. He keeps on hand good grades of cattle and hogs, and his farm is neat and attractive in appear- ance, indicating his careful supervision.
Mr. Ware served as school trustee for ten years and was conscientious and capable in the discharge of his duties, doing all in his power to secure good school privileges for the chil- dren of the neighborhood. In politics he is a Republican. and, as every true American citizen should do, keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day, thus being able to sup- port his position by intelligent argument. He is a member of the Ware Grove Lutheran church and fraternally is identified with the Modern Woodmen lodge at Butler. He repre- sents a family long connected with the county, widely and favorably known within its borders, and his record is in keeping with the family reputation for integrity, for activity and re- liability in business and for loyalty in citizen- ship.
HUGH HALL.
Hugh Hall, who is conducting a cigar store in Litchfield, is one of the active business men of the city, possessing the enterprise so char- actoristie of the middle west and while he has utilized his opportunities for business advance- ment he has also been mindful of his duties of citizenship and has aided in the material prog- ress of Litchfield and in the promotion of many interests which have contributed to the general good. He was born in Fremont. Ohio, in 1865. a son of John and Bridget Hall, who were na- tives of Ireland. In early life the father came to the United States, establishing his home in Fremont, where he followed the stone-mason's trade until his death. Hugh Hall was the only child of their marriage, but the mother had five children by a previous marriage.
In early life Mr. Hall was placed in St. Vincent's convent at Cleveland. Ohio. where he remained until eleven years of age. Ile then returned to Fremont and afterward attended
IIUGII IIALL
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
417
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
school through the winter seasons, while in the summer months his time was devoted to farm labor, at which he was engaged until twenty- one years of age. Ile then made his way west- ward to Kansas, where he pre-empted one hun- dred and sixty acres of land, spending eight months in that state in order to gain his title to the property. In 1882 he came to Litchfield and aided in the building of Rhodes' Opera House, where a few years later he became man- ager and held that position for several years. Hle also did an advertising business and for the past sixteen years has had the bill-posting privileges of the town. For the past three years he has conducted the largest distinct cigar and tobacco emporium in Litchfield, known as the Buzzards Roost. and of this he is still proprietor. having a profitable business, which he has developed to extensive proportions.
In June. 1899, Mr. Ilall was married to Miss Lulu M. Finley, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Finley and an adopted daughter of George W. Amsden. She was born in Indiana and they now have a little son. George. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are identified with the Catholic church and he is connected with the Knights of . Pythias fraternity and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. A Democrat in his political affiliation. he was elected to the of- fice of clerk of the city court at the establish- ment of the court in the city of Litchfield, and is still holding that position. In 1899 he was chosen city clerk and held that office for two years. He is a member of the Montgomery county central committee of the Democratic party and is its secretary. His interest in political questions is deep and he puts forth effective and earnest effort in behalf of the principles in which he believes.
FRANK J. SCHEFFEL.
Frank J. Scheffel, who is engaged in the butchering business and in the manufacture of sausage at Litchfield. was born in northern Germany. January 21. 1849. His father. also a native of Germany, remained a resident of that country until 1820, when he sailed with his wife for America. arriving in Illinois on the
t3th of May, accompanied by his sons. He located at Brighton, this state, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1896 at the age of seventy-three years. He had never been ill in all his life until his last sickness. llis widow still survives him at the age of eighty years and is living in a little cottage by herself. In their family were four sons.
Frank J. Scheffel was reared and educated in his native country, and, crossing the Atlantic to America, arrived in Ilinois on the 26th of April, 1820. Hle resided in Alton until 1873, when he took up his abode at Medora, Macou- pin county, where he spent six years. In 1882 he arrived in Litchfield and purchased a meat market from MeReynolds on Kirkham street. He afterward conducted business on State street for fifteen years, and in 1904 he removed to his present location on Kirkham street, where he is conducting business as proprietor of a meat market and as a sausage manufacturer. The good quality of meats which he carries has insured him a liberal patronage, and a ens- tomer once secured is always retained by him because of his honorable business methods.
Mr. Scheffel was married at Brighton, Illi- nois. on the 26th of April, 1814, to Miss Mary . Thole, a daughter of John Thole. Mrs. Scheffel was born May 5. 1854, at Brighton, Illinois, and by her marriage has become the mother of the following children: Emma died at the age of four weeks. Edward A. was born November 30. 1836, and died February 9, 1904, at the age of twenty-eight years. He was en- gaged in the butchering business at Alton at that time. He had married in that city and left a widow and two children. Walter William. born in Medora, Illinois, June 2, 1880, is as- sociated with his father in business. Annie died in Medora at the age of twenty-two months and was buried at Sommerfield. Macoupin county. Godfred died May 11. 1882, at the age of five months. Louisa, born in 1883, is at home. Mary died at the age of three months. Harry, born in 1882. is with his parents. John died at the age of eight months. Dolly passed away at the age of twelve years. Paul died at the age of nine months. Francis is now nine years of age. One child died when but five or six weeks old.
418
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Mr. Scheffel is a Democrat in his political views and he took an active part in politics in Jerseyville, Illinois. the is a Lutheran in his religious faith, having been reared in that church by his parents, who were also members. Coming to America in early manhood, his busi- ness life has here been passed, and whatever suc- cess he has achieved has come as the direct re- ward of his honest labor. In addition to his business in Litchfield he owns a farm about a mile from the town.
ALBERT R. LEWEY.
The attractiveness of Montgomery county as a place of residence is indicated by the fact that so many of her native sons still make their homes within her borders and are closely identified with her business interests and pub- lic affairs. AAmong this number is Albert R. Lewey. who first opened his eyes to the light of day October 2, 1850, upon the farm where he now lives. Ite is indebted to the public, school system for the educational privileges he enjoyed while under the parental roof; les- sons of industry, economy and integrity were instilled into his mind and have borne fruit in his active and honorable career.
On the 24th of March, 1842, Mr. Lewey was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lavina Boeler. Her father, William Beeler, came to Montgomery county in 1863, but after residing here for one year he returned to Ohio. In 1871, however, he again came to this county and took up his abode in Hillsboro township, where he followed farming for some time. Eventually he removed to Indiana, and both he and his wife died in that state. In their family were ten children: George, Mary, Hannah. Enos, Joseph, Sarah Lavina, Daniel, Anna, Samuel and Martha.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Lewey was about twenty-two years of age, and he then took charge of the old home farm, which he has since operated, placing it under a high stale of cultivation and making many fine and mod- ern improvements upon it, until it is now con- sidered one of the best equipped farming prop- erties in Hillsboro township. It is situated
on section 28, about five miles south and one mile west of Hillsboro, and comprises ninety acres of land, which is very rich and arable and therefore responds readily to the modern farming methods which he employs in the cul- tivation of his crops. Ile is a man of deter- mined purpose and carries forward to suc- cessful completion whatever he undertakes, and he hears an unassailable business record.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lewey have been born seven children : Oliver, who lives in Bozeman. Montana ; Charley, who is conducting a meat market at Coffeen, this county: Millie, who has engaged in teaching school for a few years ; Laura, at home; Everett E., a school teacher of this county; Jessie and Daniel, also with their parents. Mr. Lewey is a Democrat as the result of his study of the questions and issues of the day, but the honors and emolu- ments of office have little attraction for him, although he is never remiss in the duties of citizenship and co-operates in many public "measures for the general good. His life has been : honorable and upright, his actions manly and sincere, and he has a wide and favorable acquaintance in his native county.
Z. V. KIMBALL, M. D.
Dr. Z. V. Kimball, engaged in the practice of medicine in Hillsboro, where he has given substantial proof of ability and knowledge that have enabled him to cope successfully with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician, was born in North Carolina on the 26th of October, 1879. He is a representa- tive of one of the old and prominent families of his native state, tracing his ancestry back to Major Buckner Kimball, who came from the north of Ireland about 1250 and served in the Revolutionary war with the rank that his title indicates. Itis children were Naney, Betsy, Patsy, Eddie and Harris, all natives of Randolph county. North Carolina. Harris Kimball, the youngest, married Miss Dorcas Wood, of North Carolina, and they had ten children : Joel, Colya, Harris, William, Elihu, Sarah, Patsy, Naney, Petty and Polly. Of this family Joel, son of Harris Kimball, was the
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
MIR. AND MRS. A. R. LEWEY
3.2
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM BEELER
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
423
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
grandfather of Dr. Kimball of this review. Hle was born in North Carolina, August 11, 1999, and died May 28, 1883. Hle was married first to Nancy Kearns, who was born July 12, 1801, and was married in 1818 at the age of seven- teen. They had six children : Thomas II., who was born November 19, 1819, and died Janu- ary 15, 1890: Wiley J., who was born April 2. 1821, and died in 1900; John A., who was born May 15, 1823, and died July 11, 1824; Martha A., who was born April 2, 1825, and died November 11, 1891: Mary L., who was born March 1, 1828, and lives in Moorsville, North Carolina; and Eliza. born August 4, 1830, and now living in Mount Gilead. North Carolina. Soon after the birth of the last named the mother died, and on the Ist of March. 1831. Joel Kimball married Sarah Lentz, by whom he had ten children : Henry I., who was born December 5. 1831, and died March, 1900: Nancy L., born April 8. 1833; Dorcas A .. born April 4, 1835; David Hoyl, who was born January 29, 1837, and died in August, 1840; John Calvin, born September
Dr. Z. V. Kimball was a student in the pub- lie schools of North Carolina and of Hillsboro and afterward attended the Marion-Sims- Beaumont College of Medicine at St. Louis, Missouri, where he was graduated on the 1st of May, 1902. He entered the office of Dr. M. L. Mover in June of that year and has since engaged in practice, winning for himself a creditable position in the ranks of the medical fraternity of Hillsboro, his years being no har 5, 1839; Chrissie A .. August 29, 1842; Sarah " 'to his ability and success, although he is one of S., October 8. 1844 : William IT., September: 28. 1850; Laura W., March 2, 1847 : and Joel L., October 5, 1854. Sarah Kimball, mother of the last ten children. died March 16, 1902. aged ninety-four years, eight months and eight days.
John Cale'n Kimball, fifth child of Joel and Sarah ( Lentz) Kimball, and father of Dr. Kimball, of Hillsboro, was born in North Caro- lina. September 5, 1839, and throughout his entire life has followed the occupation of farmi- ing. He has recently removed from his native state to Ilillsboro, although at a former date he had lived here for ten years. He was mar- ried to Lucretia Ann Gheen and they became the parents of twelve children: George H., born April 6. 1865, died April 29. 1866: Charles W .. born November 18. 1866, died February 22, 1890; Mary Bell, born May 8. 1869, was married December 29, 1886. to J. P. Barkley, and they had one child. Gordon Kim- ball Barkley, born in 1888. In 1900 she be- came the wife of Dr. G. AAven. of Bristol. Ten- nessee. Joel L., born January 29. 1811, was married in 1900 to Lula Rolfing. Major F ..
born January 13, 1823, died November 15, 1824. Edward H., born January 11, 1876, died June 12. 1894. Mattie F., born February 16, 1811. was married to R. L. Snyder, October 19. 1896. She died August 15. 1903, leaving two children, Lois and Cathline. Z. V. Kim- ball is the eighth of the family. Clarence MI. was born November 3, 1881. Daisy L .. horn November 16, 1883, was married in 1901 to Ode R. Snyder, and they have twins, Hazel and Helen, born in March, 1904. Sarah L. was born February 21. 1886, and married B. F. Rolfing. March. 1904. Pearl G. was born April 15. 1892.
the youngermembers of the medical fraternity here. He is thoroughly conversant with modern ideas and the improved methods of medical practice, and by reading and study is con- stantly broaden'ng his knowledge.
GEORGE W. BROWN, JR.
George W. Brown, Jr., is the owner of one hundred and forty acres of land just outside the corporation limits of Butler, and upon this farm he resides. le was born near Hills- boro. Montgomery county, on the 30th of May. 1843. Ilis father, George W. Brown, Sr., came to this county abont 1836 in company with his father. Nicodemus Brown, who with his family settled near Hillsboro upon the farm now owned by Professor Williams. George W. Brown, Sr., was born in Ohio, and after arriv- ing at years of maturity be married Sarah 1. Jenkins. Unto them were born six children : George W. and Charles O., residents of But- ler : James .A., of Mattoon, Illinois : Camilla, of Thillsboro: 1. Y., who is agent for the Big
124
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Four Railroad Company at Litchfield; and Al- a dry-goods merchant at Weatherford, Okla- bert Il .. who is with the same railroad com- homa ; Frank Il., at Hillsboro: Louis S., a practicing physician of St. Louis; and Roland O., who is in the store with his father at But- ler pany at Hillsboro. The father died December 20. 1903, in the eighty-fifth year of his age, and the mother passed away May 25, 1902, in her eighty-third year.
George W. Brown, Jr., spent his youth on a farm until ten years of age, when the father removed with his family to Hillsboro, and he there had the privilege of attending the Hills- boro Academy. In 1861, however, when eighteen years of age, he started upon his business career as an employe of the firm of Glenn & Pinkney. dealers in merchandise and grain. He con- tinued with these gentlemen until 1864 and afterward spent a year in the service of the firm of Clotfelter & Barnett. In March, 1865, he came to Butler, where he worked for Joseph Baum & Company in a general mercantile es- tablishment for two years, and in 186% he began business on his own account as a grocer. Not long afterward his brother, C. O. Brown, joined him in business and the partnership was continued until 1881. when they sold ont to Hoes Brothers. In 1886, however, he once more turned his attention to general merchan- dising, opening a store in Butler. He has also continued to buy grain here since 1879 and now conduets a business which is constantly growing in volume and becoming more remunerative. In 1894 he purchased the stock of the Me- llenry Hardware Company at Hillsboro, and he now conducts one of the largest business en- terprises of the kind in this section of the country. In 1898 he bought the implement stock of the firm of Paden & Wilson, of Hills- boro, and in 1900 he purchased the J. R. Chal- lacombe implement stock. His son. James P., manages the hardware department and Frank II. manages the implement business, while Mr. Brown gives his personal supervision to the other branches and is carrying on a very de- sirable business.
On the 4th of January, 1865, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Henrietta M. Judson, a native of New Jersey, who was educated in the Ilillsboro Academy. They have six children : James P., who is residing in Hillsboro; Winnie, the wife of W. A. White, of the same city: Charles .J ..
Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic or- der of Hillsboro, having been initiated into the lodge in December, 1864. After coming to Butler he dimitted to the lodge at this place and has held many positions therein, also serv- ing as representative to the grand lodge. Mr. Brown is a man of keen business foresight, and his ready recognition and utilization of busi- ness opportunities have been one of the force- ful elements in his success. Mr. Brown's ac- tions have, during his life, been such as to distinctively entitle him to a place in this pub- lication, and although his career has not been filled with thrilling incidents, probably no biography published in this book can serve as a better illustration to young men of the power of honesty and integrity in insuring success.
FRANCIS MARION SAWYER.
Francis Marion Sawyer, who is engaged in the transfer and express business in Nokomis and is serving as supervisor of Nokomis town- ship, has been a resident of Montgomery coun- ty for thirty-six years, having located within its borders in 1868. He was then a young man, his birth having occurred in Macoupin county, Illinois, near Staunton, January 17, 1840. His parents were Valentine and Mary Ann (Spence) Sawyer, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, whence they came to Illinois in 1832. The father was & farmer by occupation and established his home in Ma- coupin county, where for many years he ear- ried on agricultural pursuits. In 1866, how- ever, he removed to Bell county, Texas, where his remaining days were passed, his death there occurring on the 1st of January, 1873, when he was seventy-nine years of age. His wife died in 1853 in Macoupin county at the age of fifty- one years.
Francis M. Sawyer was educated in the com- mon schools and a subscription school of Ma- coupin county. When fourteen years of age
425
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
he began breaking prairie with an ox team, and after five years he devoted the winter seasons to hauling logs to a sawmill. He then had work at teaming from Bethel, Bond county, to St. Louis, carrying butter and eggs to the city market and bringing back goods to the store. After one year he rented a farm and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits on his own account in Macoupin county. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the country's call for aid and enlisted for three years' service in the Third Illinois Cavalry, but during the time that he was waiting to be called to the front he cut his foot while chopping wood, and this so disabled him that he was unable to work or to engage in military service for two years. For a year after his recovery he was connected with farming interests in Illinois, and in 1866 he went to Texas with his father, remaining in that state through the succeed- ing winter. In the spring he returned to Ma- coupin county, where he engaged in farming for two years. and the next year he herded eat- tle in Montgomery county. Illinois. In Janu- ary, 1868, he removed to this county, locating about nine miles south of Nokomis, in Irving township, where he carried on general farm- ing for several years. In 1825 he removed to a farm near Ohlman, but after one year took up his abode in Nokomis in 1876. Since that time he has been engaged in the transfer and express business in the town, and in 1882 he also began dealing in coal, operating in that commodity for fifteen years. He also conduct- ed a farm a part of the time. He owns a business block in Nokomis and several houses which he rents, and also has a nice modern home which he occupies, and a farm of two hundred acres in Bell county, Texas. llis property and business interests in Nokomis are valuable and somewhat extensive. Mr. Sawyer was elected tax collector for three terms. being chosen to the office about 1885. About 1890 he was elected supervisor for one year, and in 1902 and again in 1904 he was chosen for that office, which position he is now filling. No public trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, and all know him as a loyal citizen, interested in everything pertaining to general progress.
On the 20th of January, 1861, Mr. Sawyer was married to Miss Elizabeth Bissel, a daugh- ter of William Bissel, who is a brother of Gov- ernor Bissel. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer were: Francis 1., a policeman of Nokomis: William L., a druggist of Chicago; Ida A., the wife of Thomas Kinney, of No- komis; and Andrew Jackson, who died in 1878 at the age of seven years. Mrs. Sawyer died in 1812 at the age of thirty-two years, and on the 11th of September, 1823, Mr. Sawyer was again married, his second union being with Sena I. Birt, a daughter of John Birt, of Montgomery county, who was born in Ohio. By the second marriage of Mr. Sawyer there are three chil- dren : Eva, the wife of Harry Powers, a fore- man of the Waukegan Wire Works, of that place : Ethel and Lester, both at home. Mrs. Sawyer is a member of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Sawyer belongs to the Masonic lodge. His political allegiance is given to the Democ- racy and he is recognized as one of the local party leaders.
ARTHUR WARE.
Arthur Ware, born on the old Ware home- stead in Butler Grove township, is a son of David Ware, of Hillsboro, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. The old home farm is now occupied by Lyman Ware, his brother, and it was there, on the 18th of November, 1858, that Arthur Ware was born. He carly became familiar with farm work there, and in the public school of the neighborhood acquired his education. When twenty-three years of age he was married to Addie Aten, of the same neighborhood, who had been a schoolmate of his in her girlhood days. She was a daughter of T. C. Aten, who came to Montgomery coun- ty in the '60s. Not long after their marriage the young couple removed to the farm upon which they have since resided, and this is now one of the best improved and most productive traets of land in Butler Grove township. Mr. Ware has two hundred and forty aeres in the home place on section 10. about two miles north and one mile east of the village of But- ler. He is engaged in general farming, in the
426
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
raising of Holstein cattle and in the dairy busi- ness. Ile feeds both hogs and cattle, and he has the finest thoroughbred registered Holstein cat- tle to be found in the county. Ilis business is well managed and his careful supervision, un- tiring diligence and laudable ambition consti- tute the basis of his success. Whatever he un- deretakes he carries forward to successful com- pletion, forms his plans readily and will brook no obstacle that can be overcome by persistent and honorable effort.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ware have been born four children : Frank, Roy, Mabel and Wilma. The sons have attended college and expect to enter the Agricultural College at Champaign. Mr. Ware has been president of the Montgomery County Farmers' Institute and is now one of its directors. Ilis political support is given to the Republican party. but the honors and emoluments of office have had no attraction for him. He is a member of the Ware Grove Lu- theran church, in which he is now serving as an elder. His interest in everything pertain- ing to the social, intellectual, material and moral welfare of his community is deep and sin- cere and is manifest by hearty co-operation in many movements for the general good.
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.