USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 37
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JOEL C. TRAYLOR.
The subject of this sketch was born in Shel- by county. Kentucky, October 6, 1814. He was the second of a family of four sons born to James and Nancy ( Cardwell) Trastor, who had emigrated to that section from Virginia about the year 1810. The Traylor family are of French Huguenot ancestry. As early as 1641 William Trounillard. a Huguenot, fled before the perseention of Catholic fanaticism, which at that time raged in France, and sought an asylum in the wildls of America. He set- tled near Petersburg and afterward married Judith Archer, a Virginia girl, and the records show that Peter Jones, the founder of Peters- lurg, was surety on his marriage bond. James
Traylor married Nancy Cardwell, daughter of George Cardwell and a sister to Wyatt and Peter Cardwell, men well known in Virginia history. Wyatt Cardwell, a first cousin to John Randolph, of Roanoke. was administrator of that famous statesman and carried out the peculiar provisions of his will. The sons of James Traylor were Caleb, Joel Cozens, Wil- liam and John. Caleb, the elder son, accom- panied by his father, removed from Kentucky to Illinois about 1835. John and William came abont 1840 and Joel in 1844.
Previous to this time the last named had been in business in a small way in the city of Louisville, Kentucky. When he came to Illinois he at once embarked in merchandising in the south part of Montgomery county. Within a few years he had established a very wide trade, as his was the only store kept within a radius of eight or ten miles, From his early youth Joel C. Traylor had been se- verely crippled by disease, and through all his life was compelled to walk with the assistance of crutches and a cane, yet he possessed a spirit of such independence that physical ailment did not stand between him and a desire to succeed in the world. Few men in Montgomery coun- ty have influenced the community in which they lived in an educational and moral way more than has the subject of this sketch.
Itis first wife was a Miss Jinlith Gibbs, by whom he had three children, two having died in infancy: the elder, James, accompanied his parents to lllinois. In the autumn of 1844, when Mr. Traylor had been but a few months in his new home, his wife died, leaving the father and little son alone in a home some- what separated from neighbors and friends. In 1816 Mr. Traylor took for a second wife Sarah A. Ohmart, a Pennsylvania German girl of nineteen summers. To this helpmcet Mr. Traylor owed much of his success. By his wife Sarah he reared a large family of children, seven of whom lived to reach man- hood and womanhood. The oldest boy, men- tioned as a child by his first wife, was drowned in Menard county while visiting with his grandfather. The oldest by his wife Sarah was Margaret E., wife of the late Thomas H. Wilson. She was a very popular girl and for
MR. AND MRS. JOEL C. TRAYLOR.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA
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many years was chief clerk in her father's store. In this way her acquaintance was as wide as the extensive business which he carried on. She died about ten years ago, leaving a son and daughter. fna M. and Frank E. Wilson, of Coffeen. Illinois. The second daughter, Harriet E., lives with her widowed mother in the same village. M. B. Traylor, the oldest son and formerly a merchant of Coffeen, is at present residing in the city of Denver, Colo- rado. Ile has a family consisting of a wife, Dora, nee MeDavid. and three sons. Joel. Frank and Edward. Jacob L., second son. is a resident of Coffeen. The greater part of his life since a boy of seventeen has been spent in the work of teaching. In 1890 he was eleet- ed county superintendent of schools, in which capacity he served until 1894. In 1895-9; he was superintendent of the village schools of Coffeen. In 1898 he established the Coffeen Normal School and Academy and was proprie- tor of that institution until 1900. He has been engaged during the last three years in selling life assurance for the Equitable Life Assu- rance Society of New York. Jacob L. Tray- lor was married in 1828 to Miss Mary F Hicks, and to them three sons and five daughters have been born. The eldest, Lew Randolph, is en- gaged in real estate business in Coffeen. Ly- man E .. second son, is a clerk in the store of 0. A. Edwards. Paul, the third boy, is a lad of twelve. at present in the public school. Claire, the eldest daughter, died March 5. 1904. She was a girl of unusual prominence, a thorough scholar in the academie branches and as a musician had few equals. She was Latin teacher during the last year of the Coffeen Normal School and Academy. after which she gave private lessons in music to some of her near relatives and friends. Her death was not only a loss to her immediate family, but to the entire community in which she lived. The second daughter, Jessie, is at present a teacher in the public schools, and Alma. the third daughter, will complete the high school course in the village schools this year. Ruth. a girl of twelve and twin to Paul, before mentioned. is a pupil with him in the intermediate depart- ment of the school. Blanch. the baby girl, entered school this session for the first time.
A. E. Traylor, the third son of Joel C. Tray- lor, lives on a farm near the old homestead. He married Miss Ollie Ilill and to them have come two sons and two daughters. Chloe and Maud are young girls, just budding into wom- anhood. Ross and Guy, his two boys, are fine little fellows. just beginning school life. A. E. Traylor was for some years a teacher in the public schools of Montgomery county, but he has given his entire attention of late to farm- ing and stock-raising. Flora, the third daugh- ter of Joel C. Traylor. is the wife of Charles Laws, whose biography and portrait appear in this volume. They have one son, Joel, who is a boy of ten, and four daughters. The eldest, Miss Effie, is a young lady of seventeen ; Lena, the second girl. is about twelve years old, and Camilla is a little tot of eight, while Marian is the baby. Clement A. Traylor, the young- est son of Joel C. Traylor. is at present en- gaged in the hardware business in the village of Coffeen. He is the youngest member of his father's family and is at present thirty-five years old. Some eight years ago he was mar- ried to Miss Ione Sperry, of Nokomis, and to them have been born two sons, George and Elmer. George, the elder, is taking his first lessons in the public school. Ebner, a bright little follow, wonders why he can't go. too. Both C. A. Traylor and his wife were for some years engaged in teaching in the public schools of the county. By strict adherence to business methods Mr. Traylor is regarded to-day in business circles as a safe and con- servative man. He enjoys a large patronage, and by fair dealing his patrons have become his friends.
JOHN K. BEAL.
John K. Beal, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, conducting his busi- ness along modern lines which lead to success, was born in Butler county. Ohio, near Hamil- ton, February 6, 1865, and there spent the first seven years of his life, after which he came to Montgomery county. Ilinois, with his par- ents, the family home being established in North Litchfield township in 1872. After
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three years there passed, the family removed to Ilillsboro township, where the father began farming, and upon the old homestead there John K. Beal was reared to manhood in the usual manner of farmer lads of the period. He attended the common schools and assisted in the labors of field and meadow, continuing with his father until twenty-four years of age, when he began farming for himself. He purchased forty acres of land in 1892 and still owns that property. To his original purchase he has added. however, until he now has a valuable farm of one hundred and seventy-three acres, of which eighty acres is bottom land. In addi- tion to the production of the cereals best adapt- ed to soil and climate, he is engaged in the raising of horses, mules and cattle, and has some fine animals upon his place.
On the 15th of December. 1898. Mr. Beal was united in marriage to Miss Jennie MeAdams. They had two children, but one died at the age of two and a half years, the other when four years of age. Mr. Boal takes quite an active and helpful interest in community atfairs, sup- porting every movement which he believes will contribute to the public good and the general progress. He is a Democrat in his political affiliation and has served as highway commis- sioner in Hillsboro township. He is a valued member of Montgomery lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F .. of Hillsboro, and his standing among his brethren of the fraternity is indicated by the fact that he has been called to fill all the chairs in the lodge. A resident of the county through almost a third of a century, he is well known here and has been a witness of much of the modern growth and progress. His many friends know him as a reliable business man and one worthy their regard and confidence.
ZENO J. RIVES.
Zeno J. Rives, lawyer and congressman, was born in Hancock county, Indiana, on the 22nd of February. 1844. His father, Alfred J. Rives, who is now living in Litchfield at the age of fifty-four years, was a native of North Carolina and came to Montgomery county in 1880. ITe located in the city which is still
his home and for a time carried on a general contracting business. He has taken an active and helpful part in community interests ; serv- ing as superintendent of streets and also as superintendent of waterworks and in these capacities has labored for the best interests of his city. His political views are in accord with the principles of the Republican party and in his fraternal relations he is a Woodman. He married Lettice S. Heath, who was born in North Carolina and is now living at the age of sixty-one years. She is a member of the Baptist church and an estimable lady whose good qualities of heart and mind have endeared her to many friends. In the family were four children. of whom William T. and Sarah I. are now deceased. The others are Perry and Zeno J .. both residents of Litchfield.
Zeno J. Rives was but six years of age at the time of his removal to Litchfield and obtained his education in the public schools of this city. After putting aside his text books he worked at any labor that would yield him an honest living, but soon after took up the reading of law. He was admitted to the bar on the 12th of October. 1901, and then entered into part- nership with the late P. A. Wilhite, since which time he has been practicing with success. In March. 1904, his partner died and Mr. Rives has since been alone in the practice. He was appointed to fill the office of city clerk in Au- gust, 1903. and served in that position with satisfaction to all concerned.
For the practice of law Mr. Rives is well fitted by reason of bis natural attributes and his thorough preparation and research. Real- izing that in this calling more than in almost any other. success depends upon the efforts of the individual, and also in an unusual degree to keenness, power of analysis and logical sum- marizing of the chief points in a case are essen- tial, he has attained a credible position which he now holds as a representative of the Mont- gomery county bar. He entered upon practice in 1901 and his success eame soon because his equipments were unusually good, he having been a close and earnest student of the funda- mental principles of law. Nature endowed him with strong mentality and he has acquired that persistent energy and close application with-
geno & Rires
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out which there is no success. Along with these qualities he also possesses the rare gift of ora- tory. His advancement has been continuons and he is recognized as one of the leaders in his chosen calling.
In the summer of 1904, without solicitation, Mr. Rives was nominated to represent the twenty-first district in congress. The district was supposed to be hopelessly Democratic. The Democrats nominated the strongest man they had in the district, llon. Ben F. Cald- well, who had been elected to the same office by a plurality of three thousand seven hundred and seventy-six in the same district two years before. The morning of November 9th showed the wisdom of the nomination and that Mr. Rives had been elected by the decided majority of one thousand and seventy-seven over his strong Democratie opponent. His great popu- larity at home was manifested a few days after the election by a splendid meeting at the opera house in Litchfield in which the whole people met, irrespective of politics. to offer Mr. Rives their congratulations.
Mr. Rives is a member of the Knights of Pythias and is also a very active and consistent member of the Presbyterian church; in fact his labors in this direction have been far-reach- ing and effective in the various departments of church work; in the Sunday-school and else- where the results of his efforts are conspicuous.
JACOB E. ILALLER.
Jacob E. Haller, who is interested in general farming and stock-raising, finding in this de- partment of business activity opportunity for successful accomplishment, was born September 16, 1868, in Audubon township. Montgomery county. The family is of German lineage and his parents, Jacob and Annie ( Abrahamson) llaller, are still living.
Jacob E. Haller pursued his education in the schools of Audubon township and Oak Grove, south of Nokomis, and also spent three years in the high school at Nokomis. He was reared upon the home farm in the usnal manner of lads of the period, gaining practical knowledge of the work of field and meadow through the
assistance which he rendered his father. In the fall, when he was twenty years of age, he went to Sacramento and to San Francisco, Cali- fornia, greatly enjoying his visit upon the Pa- cifie coast. Ile then returned home and en- gaged in the operation of the home farm for two years, after which his father returned to the old homestead, but Jacob E. Haller continued to operate the place for two years longer. He then removed to what is known as the Best farm, west of Nokomis, comprising two hun- dred and forty acres, which his father owned. He afterward spent two years upon the farm that is now occupied by his father, later lived upon the James Scott place for two years, and then removed to the Casselberry farm, where he has now resided for three years. This place comprises two hundred and eighty acres, but in connection with general agricultural pur- suits he is engaging successfully and extensive- ly in the raising of stock. He makes a spe- cialty of thoroughbred Duroe hogs, having thir- ty head. He and his brother-in-law purchased a very tine hog in lowa, which they will keep for breeding purposes. They held a sale of fine bogs on the 28th of September. 1903, and also sold a mumber of horses. Mr. HIaller is equally successful as a raiser of thoroughbred Jersey cattle, with Pedro at the head of his herd. The sire of Pedro was a very valuable animal, which sold for fifteen hundred dollars. Mr. Haller's farm is well equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories, and every- thing about the place indicates his careful su- pervision and progressive spirit.
On the 23d of February, 1898, was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Haller and Miss Maude Harkey, a daughter of Jacob Harkey, of Witt township. Her father was born May 5. 1850, in Montgomery county, while her mother's birth occurred near Fairfield. St. Clair county. September 23. 1855. They have one hundred and twenty acres of land in Witt township and are well known farming people of that locality. Mrs. Haller was born Decem- ber 10, 18:1, and is the second in order of birth in a family of six children. The others are Charlie, who married Rosy Nelson, of Win- side, Nebraska, where he now makes his home; Nellie May, who was born March 27, 1881,
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and is with her parents; Edna Grace, born January 1, 1883; Mattie Blanche, born Octo- ber 11, 1885; and Glenn Martin, born June 18, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Haller have one child, Jacob, born January 8, 1901.
In his political views Mr. Haller is a Demo- crat and filled the office of highway commis- sioner for six years, while in 1903 he was elect- ed collector, although his district usually has a strong Republican majority. He has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1890, belonging now to lodge No. 456, and he also has membership relations with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. With a full realization that labor is the only safe foundation upon which to build success, he has worked perseveringly and untiringly in the conduct of his farming interests and has re- ceived a good financial reward.
ELI CRESS.
Eli Cress, deceased. who was a respected farmer of Montgomery county, living a quiet, uneventful but honorable life, which won the esteem of all, was born February 25, 1838, in what is now Fillmore township. His father. Peter Cress, came to this country at an carly day and settled in Fillmore township, where he reared his family. In 1836 he married Miss Catherine Nusman, theirs being the first re- corded marriage in Rountree township, and her father, John Nusman. was the first white man to establish his home within the limits of that township. Mrs. Cress died about 1860. She was the mother of four children: Eli. Harriet. Jane and one that died in infancy.
In the public schools near his home Eli Cress acquired his education, and under his father's direction he gained intimate knowl- edge of farm work in all its departments, so that practical experience qualified him to man- age his affairs when he began farming on his own account. He continued on the old home- stead until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, in response to his country's call. he donned the blue uniform and went forth to defend the nation's starry banner and the eause it represented. He beeame a member of Com-
pany B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illi- nois infantry, enlisting at Hillsboro in Au- gust, 1862. He went with his command to Meridian and back to Vicksburg, Mississippi, in February. 1864, this being General Sher- man's first "grand march." In the Red River campaign he was under General A. J. Smith, of the Sixteenth Army Corps, in March, April and May of 1864; was in Arkansas and Tennessee in June, 1864; in the Tupelo cam- paign in August of the same year; in the Price campaign in Missouri in September, Oc- tober and November : against llood in middle Tennessee in December. 1864. and January, 1865: in the Mobile campaign in March and early April, 1865; and thence to Montgomery, Alabama, on the 24th of April, 1865, the regi- ment being stationed there at the time of the close of the war. He carried the colors in the following battles: Fort de Russey, March 14, 1864; Pleasant Hill. April 9; Tupelo, July 14; Nashville. December 15-16. 1864; Blake- ley and Mobile, Alabama, April 9, 1865; and thirty-three skirmishes. During its term of serv- ice the regiment marched twenty-three hun- dred and seven miles, traveled by rail seven hundred and seventy-eight miles, by water sixty-one hundred and ninety-one miles, mak- ing a total distance of nine thousand two hun- dred and seventy-six miles. They captured two stands of colors, four hundred and forty- two prisoners and eight pieces of artillery. At the close of the war Mr. Cress was mustered out at Camp Butler, August 6, 1865. He was a faithful soldier, never faltering in the per- formance of any task assigned him and on more than one occasion helped carry the colors forward to victory.
Returning home when the country no longer needed his aid, Mr. Cress again took up the work of the farm, which he continued to carry on throughout his remaining days. He made further preparation for having a home of his own by marriage, on the 24th of May, 1866, to Miss Sophronia C. MeNitt, a daughter of Thomas B. and Sarah ( Cress) MeNitt. Mrs. Cress was born on the old home farm Septem- ber 12. 1842. Her father died in 1860. but her mother is still living and makes her home with her daughter at the advanced age of
ELI CRESS
MRS. ELI CRESS
PETER CRESS
MRS. SARAH (McNITT) CHAMBERS
THOMAS B. McNITT
H. E. CRESS AND FAMILY
UMb . I BF ILLINOIS
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eighty-four years. She is a woman of remark- able energy for one of her years, and in 1903 made a trip to California alone. She is the eldest native daughter now living in Mont- gomery county. She is the mother of eleven children, of whom seven died in infancy. Those still living are: Francis T .. who is living in C'entralia. Washington ; Helen, wife of J. P. Price : Jennie, wife of J. C. Jackson, of Gar- nett. Kansas; and Mrs. Cress.
Eli Cress continued to follow farming on the old family homestead until his death, which occurred January 28, 1821. his remains being interred at Bost Hill. He was a Ro- publican in polities and a loyal citizen. being as true to his country in days of peace as when he valiantly followed the old flag on southern battlefields. Men respected him because he was true to his honest conviction, because of his freedom from self-praise and ostentation. and because he was honorable in all his rela- tions with his fellow men.
He is survived by his widow, who yet re- sides on the homestead farm, and their son, Howard E. Cress, who was born October 2. 1867. He was educated in the common schools and has always carried on agricultural pursuits, having charge of the home farm. comprising two hundred and seventy acres of land, located in Fillmore and East Fork townships. HIe was married on the 18th of September, 1896, to Miss Nora E. Upchurch, a daughter of A. E. Upchurch, who has been a resident of Mont- gomery county for forty-six years. His wife bore the maiden name of Mary Yenny and is a native of this county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Howard E. Cress have been born two children : Estelle and Orin, both attending school. How- ard Cress is a Republican and a progressive and public-spirited citizen, interested in affairs of moment to the community, and he likewise enjoys the confidence of the business commu- nitv.
JESSE W. OSBORN.
Jesse W. Osborn, through his connection with the Hillsboro Creamery, is identified with one of the leading productive industries of Mont-
gomery county. He was born on the farm on which he now resides on section 14, Butler Grove township, his natal day being November 19, 1865. He is a son of Samuel C. Osborn, who settled upon this farm in the carly 60s and who was a native of Montgomery county. The grandfather. Levi Osborn, located in this coun- try at a very early day, arriving here about 1830 from Kentucky. He was accompanied by his wife and one child. making the journey on horseback. His wife, with a baby in her arms, rode one horse and upon another horse carried her household goods-as much as they brought with them. Mr. Osborn walked the entire dis- tance and at length the journey was completed and he undertook the task of establishing a home in this wild region, where pioneer con- ditions existed and where the work of im- provement and progress had been scarcely be- gun. From the government S. C. Osborn se- cured a claim covering eighty acres of land on section 14. Butler Grove township, and on this he built a log cabin, containing one room .. Many hardships and trials were to be borne in those early days and with characteristic en- ergy he persevered in his work and in due course of time his farm returned to him a good living. His wife bore the maiden name of Lydia Kendrick and they were the parents of eight children : L. D .. who is conducting the creamery at Butler : Charles J., a stockman re- siding in Nebraska: Josse W .: Mary E., the wife of George Robinson, who is residing near his brother in Butler Grove township; Etta, the wife of Leslie N. Smith, who is conducting the Hillsboro creamery; Bertie. Hattie and Sarah, all deceased. At the time of the Civil war S. C. Osborn enlisted in 1863. serving as a private for about a year. Ile then returned to his family and farm in Montgomery county and continued to carry on agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred in 1876. His wife died many years later, passing away on the 1st of August. 1901, when sixty years of age.
Upon the old family homestead Jesse W. Os- born spent the days of his boyhood and youth and in the public schools acquired his education. He took charge of his father's farm when eigh- teen years of age and subsequent to his mother's
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death he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the old homestead. lle now owns one hundred acres of land and farms altogether three hundred aeres, raising general crops and buying and selling hay, corn, cattle and hogs. In 1901 he established the Hillsboro creamery and in 1902 established the creamery in Butler, while the following year he put in operation the creamery at Witt. All of these are under his supervision. He receives each month abont twenty thousand pounds of milk daily and ships cream to the value of about five thousand dol- lars monthly. Ilis business interests are ex- tensive and important and, owing to his capable control, have made him one of the prosperous men of his community. In all of his business interests he is practical. far-sighted and ener- getic and upon these qualities he has builded his snecess.
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