USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 36
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MRS. MARY E. SORRELL.
Mrs. Mary E. Sorrell is living on section 9. Raymond township. The ladies of a com- munity usually figure loss prominently before the public than the fathers. husbands and brothers, but they perform a no less important part in the world's work in the management of the household affairs and the rearing of their families and in shaping social conditions, and when called upon they have displayed the same strong and commendable business charac- teristics that are usually accorded to the other sex. Mrs. Sorrell is residing upon a farm which has been her home for thirty-six years and in its control she displays excellent ability and keon business foresight. She is numbered among the carly settlers of Illinois. dating her residence in the state from 1839 and in Mont- gomery county from 1844. Few have so long remained within the borders of this county and
her memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past with its pioneer conditions and the progressive present with all of its in- dications of modern civilization.
Mrs. Sorrell was born in Cabarrus county, North Carolina, January 27, 1834. Her father, Lewis Carriker, was also born in North Caro- lina. was reared in that state and was married there to Miss Elizabeth Pitts, also a native of North Carolina. Mr. Carriker was a farmer by occupation and carried on agricultural pur- suits in the old North state for a number of years or until after the birth of eight of his children. In 1839 he removed with his family to the west, settling first in Fayette county, Illinois, where he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which a log cabin had been built. The town of Fillmore now stands upon a portion of the old family home- stead there. With characteristic energy Mr. Carriker began the development and improve- ment of his farm and continued to reside there- on for a number of years, but later sold that property and in 1844 came to Montgomery county. Here he bought a half section of land about nine miles north of the city of Hillsboro and opened up another farm, upon which he reared his family and remained until called to his final rest. Ilis wife survived him for a number of years and passed away in 1882. Thus the county lost two of its most respected pioneer citizens. but they are yet remembered by many of their carly friends and neighbors and their name should be enduringly inscribed upon the pages of Montgomery county's his- tory .
Mrs. Sorrell was reared in Montgomery county and was instructed in the usual honse- hold tasks. while in the public schools she acquired her education. In early womanhood she gave her hand in marriage in 1855 to New- ton Wiley, a native of this state. and they be- gan their domestic life upon a farm, Mr. Wiley continuing its cultivation and development un- til his death. which occurred in February. 1862. Ile was a grandson of Newton Coffey. one of the first settlers of Montgomery county, who came to Illinois from Kentucky. He was actively associated with the pioneer develop- ment of this portion of the state and he deeded
MR. AND MRS. HENRY SORRELL
11 19 ILLINOIS
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to the county the land upon which the present and by her sympathy has lightened many courthouse now stands. Unto Mr. and Mrs. sorrows. Wiley were born four children, but they lost their eldest. Mario, who died in infancy. The others are Alice, the wife of Hinton Whittaker, of Waggoner, Illinois: Charles B., who is mar- GEORGE C. FELLNER. ried and follows farming in Raymond town- ship; and Lewis, who is a farmer and resides with his mother, but operates a tract of land of his own. After losing her first husband Mrs. Wiley was again married in 1868, becom- ing the wife of llenry Sorrell, a native of In- diana. in which state he was reared, coming thence to Illinois in early manhood. Here he purchased a tract of raw land and improved the farm upon which his widow now resides. After his marriage he brought his wife to the home farm and here they lived in content and happi- ness until Mr. Sorrell was called to his final home. He owned eighty acres of rich land and the care and labor which he bestowed upon it brought to him a good annual income. Upon this place he reared his family and here he spent his remaining days, passing away on the 20th of March, 1901. Three daughters were born of this marriage: Kittie, who died at the age of thirteen years; Lydia, who died at the age of fifteen months; and Rosa, the wife of A. A. Kendall, a resident farmer of Raymond township.
Mrs. Sorrell resides upon the old homestead and rents the land to her son. She formerly belonged to the Lutheran church, which she joined when eighteen years of age, but she is now a member of the Baptist church. For sixty-five years she has made her home in Illi- nois and through sixty years has lived in Mont- gomery county, being one of few remaining early settlers who has witnessed the growth and development of this section of the state as it has emerged from primitive conditions and pioneer surroundings. She has done well her part in the labor of establishing a home and like others she endured the hardships and trials of frontier life. She is much beloved by those who know her and her friendship is prized hy those with whom she has been associated. for her life has been characterized by kind words and deeds. She has helped to lift the burdens from the weak, has shared the troubles of others
Success is always the result of untiring ef- fort, close application. and the life record which the American people hold in greatest es- teem is that of individual accomplishment where prosperity results from personal lahor, capable management and close conformity to commercial ethies. These qualities have been manifest in the career of Mr. Fellner, now well known as a contractor and builder of Litch- feld, his native city. lle was born in 1866, a son of Frederick and Margaret (Grassel) Fellner. The father was born in Bavaria, Ger- many, and when eighteen years of age came to the United States, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade of cabinetmaking until 1863. In that year he removed to Litch- field, where he began business as a carpenter and contractor, being thus identified with build- ing operations in this city until 1886. He then removed to Los Angeles, California, where he continued in business up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1900. Through his activity and energy he had accumulated a comfortable competence. At the time of the Civil war he responded to the first call for troops and became one of Fremont's bodyguard. At the organization of the Republican party he had indorsed its principles because it was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery-an institution io which Mr. Fellner was strongly opposed. He belonged to the Odd Fellows society and to the English Lutheran church and took an active part in church work, serving for some time as an officer. His wife, a daughter of George and Catherine Grassel, was born in Kentucky and died in 1880 at the age of thirty-six years. She, too, was a member of the Lutheran church. In their family were four children: Charles, deceased: George C .; William, who has passed away; and Katie. the wife of Hugo Theobald, of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia.
In the public schools of Litchfield and in Cincinnati George C. Fellner acquired his edu-
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cation. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade with his father, with whom he worked for three years. Ile then went to Los Angeles, California, but for the past fourteen years has been numbered among the contractors and builders of Litchfield, for he has erected a number of the best buildings, being very suc- cessful in his labors here. He executes a contract with promptness and fidelity, is true to the terms of an agreement, and by reason of his reliable methods and enterprise has won ereditable success.
On the 1st of October, 1900, Mr. Fellner was married to Josie Allen, a daughter of Charles and Lucretia Allen, who was born in Litchfield in 1870. The father was a painter and a resident of this city. Mr. Fellner and his wife are members of the Lutheran church, and fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Odd Fellows society. His study of political issues has led him to give his support to the Republican par- ty, but the honors and emoluments of office have little attraction for him, as he prefers to give his undivided attention to his business affairs.
LYMAN WARE.
One of the old families of Montgomery coun- ty is that of which Lyman Ware is a repre- sontative, and his birthplace was the farm upon which he now resides. He was born Feb- ruary 15, 1865, and in his youth attended the public schools. In 1893 his father removed to the town of llillshoro and Lyman Ware then took charge of the old home place-a work for which he was well qualified by his previous training and experience in the fields. From early boyhood he assisted in the task of plow- ing. planting and harvesting and to this work he has devoted his energies throughout his en- tire life. His home place comprises one hundred and eighty acres, and he is also engaged in the management and operation of a farm of two hundred acres in Irving township. He carries on general agricultural pursuits, raising the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. and
he is also successfully engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of shorthorn cattle.
On the 22d of November, 1895, Mr. Ware was united in marriage to Miss Ida Linger, and they have one child, Jennie L., who is now seven years of age. The parents are members of the Ware Grove Lutheran church and Mr. Ware is a Republican in his political affiliation, having supported the party since attaining his majority. His entire life has been passed in Montgomery county, so that he is well known, and with its agricultural in- terests he has been closely connected through- out his entire life.
DEWITT C. BURRIS.
Dewitt C. Burris, now deceased, was born in Jackson county, Ohio, on the 3d of April, 1826, and was reared upon a farm. Ilis educational privileges were those afforded by the early schools of his native state, which was then a frontier region ent off from the advantages and improvements of the older west by the moun- tain ranges of Pennsylvania. When twenty- one years of age he began earning his own liv- ing, and, thinking that he might have better chances to gain a start in a still more western region, he went from Ohio to Indiana and aft- erward came to illinois, settling in Montgom- ery county when a young man during the early
As a companion and helpmate for life's jour- ney Mr. Burris chose Miss Rosehmna Mack, who was born in New Hampshire and was a daugh- ter of Calvin Mack, who came with his family to Montgomery county, Illinois, at a very early period in its development. traveling by wagon. He had two wagons, in which the family jour- neyed and carried their household effects. The Mack home was established in Butler Grove township, and under the parental roof the daughter Roselma remained until she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Burris on the 4th of April, 1857. Not long after this the young couple removed to Christian county, Illinois, where he operated a sawmill for a year. They then returned to Montgomery county and he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits in
UNIVER . C. ILINOIS
DEWITT C. BURRIS
MRS. DEWITT C. BURRIS
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Butler Grove township, improving a good farm. In 1863 he removed to the farm upon which his widow now resides and made that place his home for nineteen years, or until the time of his death. Ile prospered in his undertaking, becoming one of the well-to-do citizens of this part of the state. As his financial resources increased he added to his land until he was the owner of six hundred acres. representing a large investment, which made him one of the substantial residents of his locality. ile de- served much credit for what he accomplished because all that he possessed was acquired through his own efforts, guided by sound judg- ment and prompted by laudable ambition.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Burris were born four children who are still living: Carrie A., the wife of A. C. Sammons; Elzina, the wife of W. E. Kendall, of Oklahoma; Charles, who is living upon the home farm; and Wesley, also at home. Those who have passed away are George, Emma. Ilaftie and Willie.
Mr. Burris died January 4, 1879, and many who know him mourn his loss, for they had found in him a faithful friend and a straight- forward business man. while in his family he was a devoted husband and father. lle held office in his township and gave his political allegiance to the Democracy. Mrs. Burris, who still survives her husband and yet re- sides upon the old homestead, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
E. HARRIS.
Among the most energetic, wide-awake and representative business men of Montgomery county is numbered E. Harris, of Coffeen, who is engaged in the conduct of a furniture store and is also manager for the Mutual Telephone System, which operates eight hundred and fifty telephones. He was born in Fillmore township, Montgomery county, in 1867, his parents being William M. and Lourana J. (Sears ) Harris. The paternal grandfather, William B. Harris, arrived in Montgomery county in 1822. being one of its first settlers. The greater part of the land was still unclaimed and uncultivated,
and where are now scen flourishing towns and villages there was only unbroken prairie. His father was born in Bond county, Illinois, in 1828, and in early life followed agricultural pursuits, fle also engaged in merchandising in Fayette county, Illinois, and became one of the active factors in the business life of his community. In 1849 he was united in mar- riage to Miss Lourana J. Scars, also a repre- sentative of one of the oldest families of this part of the state. At the time of his mar- riage Mr. Harris located in Montgomery coun- ty, where he resided continuously until 1872, but is now a resident of Bingham, Fayette county. Ento him and his wife have been born seven children, of whom four are now living.
E. Harris acquired his education in the schools of Fayette county, illinois, where he spent the early part of his life. In 1891 he came to Coffeen and established a furniture store, which he has since conducted. In addi- tion he carries on an undertaking establishment, holding state embalmer's license No. 555, and both branches of his business have proved remunerative. He carries a large and well se- lected line of furniture calculated to meet the varied demands of the town and country trade, and his reasonable prices, fair dealing and un- faltering determination to win an honorable success have been the potent elements in his prosperity. He is to-day the oldest merchant in continued business in Coffeen. Ile is also the manager of the Mutual Telephone System, which has proven of much value to the county, being a source of great convenience, not only in business, but in social life. Eight hundred and fifty telephones are in operation under the management of this company. Mr. Harris is to-day considered the most prosperous business man of Coffeen, and he certainly deserves his success, as it has come to him as the direct re- ward of his unfaltering diligence. capable man- agement and recognition of opportunity.
In 1889 Mr. Harris was married to Miss Victoria Hicks, of East Fork township, and they have two children. Ruby M. and Frank C. Mr. Harris belongs to the Woodmen fraternity and in his political views he is a Democrat. Upon his party ticket he was elected assessor and supervisor, discharging his duties with
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capability and promptness. Hle belongs to that They were the parents of three sons and one daughter.
class of representative American men who, while promoting their individual interests, also advance the general welfare, and Coffeen classes him among its valued citizens, in that he is deeply interested in her welfare and that his co-operation may be counted upon to advance every measure for the general good.
ROBERT J. RICE.
Robert Jefferson Rice, whose business energy and activity are important factors in the com- mercial life of Waggoner, is conducting a hardware and implement store, of which he has been proprietor for five years. Ile is also well known in connection with the hotel business, which he has conducted for ten years, and a genial, pleasant manner and unfaltering courtesy, combined with his sagacity, perse- verance and business foresight, have led to his success and made him one of the popular resi- dents of this community.
Mr. Rice was born in Macoupin county, Illi- nois, May 1, 1856. His father, William A. Rice, was a native of Green county, Kentucky, born on the 24th of April, 1826, and the grand- father was George Rice, who was a native of Virginia and a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He followed farming in Kentucky after his removal to the Old Dominion, and subse- quently he took up his abode in Illinois, about 1829. He opened a farm in Macoupin county. near Palmira, and upon the old homestead there, in the midst of the scenes of frontier life, William 1. Rice was reared. The hardships and difficulties which confront the pioneer be- came familiar to him and he also enjoyed pleas- ures which are known only in the new settle- ments of the west. He was married in that county to Cynthia Patton, a native of Ten- nessee and a daughter of Robert Patton, whose wife was an own cousin of Henry Clay. Mr. Rice became a farmer of Macoupin county. where he resided for many years, rearing his family upon the old homestead there. He died, however. in Nebraska at the home of his daugh- ter in 1892 and his wife passed away in 1890.
Robert J. Rice spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads of that pe- riod, working in the fields through the sum- mer months and attending school in the winter seasons. He afterward enjoyed the advantages of a course in the Northern Indiana Normal school at Valparaiso and in a business college at. Jacksonville and later he became a teacher in Macoupin county. Illinois, where he fol- lowed that profession for three years. while for five years he was thus connected with the schools of Morgan county. He afterward en- gaged in farming in Macoupin county, where he owned and operated a good tract of land for about seven or eight years. lle then sold out and in the spring of 1895 removed to Waggoner. where he purchased a hotel and livery stable, entering upon that business here. In 1899 he sold the livery stable, but still continues as proprietor of a hotel and in this same year he extended his efforts to other lines of busi- ness activity by the purchase of a hardware store on the 4th of July. He has since been numbered among the active and successful merchants of the town, having built up a good trade by fair dealing, earnest desire to please his customers and reasonable prices.
Mr. Rice was married in Morgan county, Illinois. August 18, 1886, to Miss Cora Belle Copley, who was born in Greene county. Illi- nois, but was reared in Morgan county near Waverly. Her father, Napoleon Copley, was a native of England, born in Berkshire on the 2d of February, 1835. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Rice has been blessed with five children : Verna, Ward. Benton, Clinton and Robert .1. The members of the family occupy an enviable position in social circles and their home is noted for a generous and attractive hospitality. Mr. Rice proudly cast his first presidential vote for James A. Garfield and has supported cach nominee at the head of the national Republican ticket since that time. His fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability and his deep interest in the welfare of his community have elected him to public office. He has served as president of the village board of Waggoner for four years, was assessor in 1896 and in the
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spring of 1903 was elected county supervisor, and now gives his entire attention to the grain so that he is now serving on the county board. and hay business, being a member of the firm of Metzger, Hill Company, a commission firm of Cincinnati, Ohio, of which he is the vice president. Hle belongs to the Masonie lodge at Raymond, having joined the fraternity at Waverly. Illi- nois, in 1883. He exercises strong influence in local political and public affairs and his publie career is most commendable, having been marked by the faithful performance of every duty devolving upon him.
ALEXANDER C. DURDY.
Alexander C. Durdy, who is justly classed with the leading business men of Ohlman, where he is engaged in dealing in grain and hay, was born in St. Louis, Missouri. October 3, 1864, his parents being Alexander C. and Josephine ( Burbach ) Durdy. The father, who was born in Hagerstown. Maryland, was of Scotch-Irish descent and his wife was of German lineage. lle removed to St. Louis, Missouri, about 1854, and there reared his family. There were nine children: Mrs. William Schaper, of Indianap- olis, Indiana; Alexander C .: Mrs. Ed Rice, of Litchfield, Illinois, whose husband is represent- ing his district in the state legislature; Mrs. Edl Umpley, of Nokomis, whose husband con- duets a machine shop: Mrs. Ed Sanders, who lives in Chicago: Mrs. Charles Laws, of No- komis ; Mrs. Charles Singer, of Nokomis ; Louis, who married Louise Waggoner, of Pana. and lives in Ohlman; and Leon, a resident of In- dianapolis, Indiana.
Alexander C. Durdy was for a time a pupil of the schools of St. Louis. He afterward at- tended the schools of Montgomery county, sub- sequent to his parents' removal to this locality. pursuing his studies in Ohlman. When but sixteen years of age he put aside his text books and gave his entire attention to the grain trade, having begun the purchase of grain in the previous year. For almost a quarter of a con- tury he has been identified with this business in Ohlman, purchasing grain and baled hay, which is shipped to the city markets. Hle first instituted the planters' compress business and was general superintendent of the compresses at Pana, Nokomis and Ohlman. After occupy- ing that position for some time he resigned
In 1890 Mr. Durdy wedded Miss Anna Best, a daughter of H. A. and Margaret ( Powers) Best, who resided in Palmer, Illinois. Mrs. Dardy was educated in Nokomis and is now well known in the social circles of Ohlman, she and her husband receiving hearty welcome in the best homes of the town. They have become the parents of five children: Harry B., who was born September 13, 1891, and at- tends school in Ohlman; Merrill, born June 10, 1893; Vivian O., born January 3, 1895; La Vonne, born April 23, 1896; and Alexander C., born March 13, 1899.
Mr. Durdy is a valued member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp. His po- litical views are in accord with the principles of Democracy and he has served as supervisor, having been appointed to fill out an unex- pired term of his father. He is well known in Montgomery county, where he has spent the greater part of his life and where he has so directed his efforts as not only to win a com- petence, but also gain the good will and trust of his fellow men.
CILARLES II. LOCKHART, M. D.
Among the younger representatives of the medical fraternity in Montgomery county is numbered Charles H. Lockhart, whose success would seem to indicate that he had advanced further on life's journey than the thirty-third milestone. He was born, however, in Butler on the 31st of August, 1811, and in his practice in Witt he has secured the support of many of its leading citizens. Itis parents were Henry A. and Elizabeth ( Dunbar) Lockhart, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Missouri. The father came to this state in the early '40s and was engaged in merchandising. He was also one of the first residents of Butler and was well known in Montgomery county as the promoter of business activity and of the substantial
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growth of the community. His death occurred in Alaska about 1823.
Dr. Charles H. Lockhart was educated in Hillsboro and entered upon his business career in a drug store in that city owned by Dr. E. Douglas. He was thus employed for eight years, during which time he had become in- terested in the science of medicine and resolved to make its practice his life work. Accordingly he entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis and was graduated from that institution in March, 1898. On the 10th of May of the same year he located for practice in Witt. He has a modern office, carries his own line of drugs and has built up an excellent practice, which comes from the best people of the town and surrounding district. In 1902 he took a post-graduate course in the New York Poly- clinic, in New York city, and he has always read and studied in order to keep in touch with the advanced thought of the profession, which has made him a well informed and capable physician. Ile is a member of the Montgomery County Medical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society. the District Medical Society of Central Illinois and the American Association. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp. No. 5628, belongs to the Mutual Protective League, No. 90. and is ex- amining physician for a number of the old-line and fraternal insurance companies.
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