USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 39
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
fell upon him in the days of his youth. and as the years advanced he made the most of his opportunities, so shaping his business career as to win very desirable prosperity.
WILLIAM ROBERT BIVENS.
William Robert Bivens, who is freight cash- ier on the Wabash Railroad at Litchfield, and is popular with the employes of that road as well as his fellow townsmen, was born in Milledge- ville, Georgia, on the 22d of June, 1850, his parents being William R. and Ann A. Bivens. William R. Bivens spent his early youth in his native state and attended school there, but his educational privileges were somewhat limited, as at an early age he began to earn his own livelihood. He was also a railroad agent in central Georgia. He entered the railroad ser- vice in April, 1863, as check clerk during the period of the Civil war. In 1811 he removed Trom that state to Texas, where he engaged in herding horses and cattle until 1842, going over the prairie to Denver, Colorado. In the latter city he spent the winter of 1872-23 and next went to Pueblo, but in the spring of 1822 he left Colorado for Kansas, where he remained until the succeeding autumn, going thence to Texas in the latter part of that year. In the Lone Star state he was engaged in farming for one year. and afterward engaged in freight- ing for six years, owning his teams and outfit. From 1882 until 1894 he was again in Georgia in the employ of the Central Georgia Railroad Company. with which he continued for eight years, and was also with Stevens Brothers & Company. extensive manufacturers of sewer pipe. tile and other elay work. With that com- pany he occupied the position of bookkeeper and cashier, and from the latter office he came to Litchfield, Illinois, arriving in this city on the 2d of September, 1894. He has since oc- enpied the position of freight cashier with the Wabash Railroad Company. and is one of the popular officials in that line, his uniform cour- tesy and obliging manner as well as capability in the performance of his duties winning him ine friendship and respect of the employers as well as the patrons of the road.
In 1824 Mr. Bivens was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A. Tomlinson, who was born near Rome, Georgia. They became the parents of six children: Nona, now the wife of H. B. Molyneaux, of Omaha, Nebraska, by whom she has one child ; Lonise, at home; Mary, the wife of John Hendrickson, of Litchfield : Joseph, a druggist residing in Holdridge, Nebraska; Henrietta, at home; and Annette, who is at- tending school.
While in Georgia Mr. Bivens was a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and in 1896 cast his ballot for MeKinley, but locally he votes independently of party ties. He was appointed a member of the school board of Litchfield, and in 1903 he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for alderman for the second ward of Litchfield. He was reared in the faith of the Methodist church and always took an active part in its work, and is still in- terested in everything pertaining to the moral development of his community, but his business cares are too great to allow him to become a very active factor in such work. He has led an extremely busy and useful life, and his present responsible position is due to his in- dustry and integrity.
ABNER SAMMONS.
Abner Sammons, well known in his neighbor- hood as a man trustworthy in business and en- ergetic in the conduct of his farming interests. is the owner of two hundred and forty acres of land in Butler Grove township. He was born in Morgan county, Illinois, near the city of Jacksonville, on the 4th of April, 1829. and there he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. When he had attained to man's estate he was married in that county to Miss Nancy Ketner, who was born on the 13th of Septem- ber, 1828, and gave her hand in marriage to him in 1850. He took his bride to his father's farm and continued the management of that property and the cultivation of the fields until 1853. after which he leased a farm in Morgan county and there resided until 1864. In the latter year he removed to the farm in Butler Grove township, Montgomery county. upon
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which he now resides and which has been his he assisted materially in the substantial devel- home for forty years. He has purchased one hundred and forty acres on section 2. Butler Chiove township, and he owns altogether two hundred and forty acres of land, on which he is carrying on general farming and stock-rais- ing, although he has passed the seventy-fifth milestone on life's journey. Such a record of activity and continued business usefulness should put to shame many a man of younger years, who. tired of the burdens and responsi- bilities of business life. would leave to others the tasks which he should perform for himself. Mr. Sammons has made all of the improve- ments upon his farm, and now has substantial Imildings upon the place, well tilled fields, modern farm machinery and, in fact, all of the equipments found upon a model place of the twentieth century.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Sammons have been born seven children: John, who carries on agricultural pursuits in the home neighbor- hood : Ellen, the wife of Thomas Briggs, a resident of Idaho: Mary and Albert, who are deceased : William, a stock-buyer of Litchfield ; James, a stock-buyer and farmer ; and Arthur. who is farming near the old home place. Mr. Sammons has served as a school director, but has never sought or desired publie office, pre- ferring to give his attention to his business affairs. He is a self-made man who, without fortunate environment or any inheritance in his youth, started out to make his own way in the world and has steadily progressed by reason of his determination and unfaltering purpose.
JOSEPH HACKNEY.
Joseph Hackney, who owns and occupies a part of the old homestead farm on section 31, Pitman township, is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred near Delhi City in Jer- sey county on the 6th day of January, 1849. His father. William Hackney, was born in Troy. New York. June 30. 1820, and was a son of William Hackney. Sr .. a native of Scot- land, who in the year 1836 removed from the Empire state to the Mississippi, there taking up his home in Jersey county. Illinois, where
opment of the locality in which he made his home. Ilis son, William Hackney, Jr., was then a youth of sixteen years. He aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm and after arriving at man's estate he was married in Delhi to Miss Caroline Wilkins, whose birth occurred in Jersey county, Illinois. They set- tled upon a farm in that county and during the years of their residence there several chil- dren were born unto them. In 1823 they re- moved to Montgomery county, where Mr. Hackney purchased a tract of land upon which his son Joseph now resides. He became the owner of two hundred and fifty acres, which he cultivated and further improved, cultivating the soil year after year and keeping everything about his place in good repair. lle also kept apace with the progressive spirit of the times. using modern agricultural methods in his work and thus gaining sneers in his well-managed affairs. Ile resided upon the old homestead here until his death, which occurred JJuly 22. 1895, while his wife passed away in January, 1896. In their family were nine children, as follows: Margaret, the wife of J. D. Kendall, of Zanesville township, who is serving as town supervisor and is mentioned elsewhere in this volume: Sarah J .. the wife of W. L. King, of Irving, Illinois: Joseph, of this review ; Ma- thew, who died in 1814 in early manhood ; John W .. who resides with his brother Joseph ; Carrie, the wife of E. P. Michaels, of Carbon- dale, Illinois: Henry D., a farmer of Pitman township; Udolpho, who died when twenty- eight years of age; and Kate Gracia, the wife of F. O. Rogers, a substantial farmer. who owns a well improved tract of land, adjoining the Hackney homestead.
Joseph Hackney spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads, living on the old homestead and attending the public schools of the neighborhood. He remained with his father until about thirty years of age and as- sisted in the cultivation of the farm. but in 1818 he went to Nebraska, where he purchased land and carried on agricultural pursuits for two years. He next went to Colorado, and he spent two years in Idaho. Returning to Mont- gomery county in 1883 he took charge of the
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home fam. hore inherited a part of the tract and, by purchasing the interest of the other heirs, succeeded in the ownership of the home farm, which has since been his place of resi- dence. Ile is an active, energetic farmer, con- ducting his business affairs in a capable man- ner and deriving therefrom a good income. In polities he is a stanch Democrat. He displays in his life many of the sterling characteristics of his Scotch ancestry, including the persever- ance. activity and business integrity.
W. SCOTT ROMINE.
W. Scott Romine. interested in farming and stock-raising on sertion 35, Irving township. was born in Hamilton county, Illinois, May 26. 1861, his parents being James M. and Catherine (Shaw) Romine, the former a na- tive of Ohio and the latter of Indiana. They became residents of Illinois in 1856, and in 1865 removed to Montgomery county, locating in Irving township, where the father carried on agricultural pursuits until his death, own- ing one hundred and forty acres, lle died in 1882, when he was fifty-four years of age, and his wife passed away September 6, 1904. at the age of seventy-four years.
W. Scott Romine began his education in the public schools of Irving and remained at home with his mother until twenty-four years of age, when he removed to his present home in Irving township. where he now owns a valu- able farm of two hundred and twenty acres. The land is rich and productive, and. being carefully cultivated by him. returns to him large harvests. He labors earnestly for the improvement of his farm, and upon his place are good buildings and modern equipments, which indicate to the passerby that the owner is a man of progressive spirit.
On the 3d of May. 1885, Mr. Romine was united in marriage to Miss Laura J. Neisler, a daughter of Henry Milton and Elizabeth (Lipe) Neisler. The father was a native of North Carolina and came to Illinois at an early day. flis wife was a daughter of John Lipe, also a native of North Carolina, who removed to Montgomery county in 1832. Here IIenry
Milton Neisler and Elizabeth Lipe were mar- ried in 1839. They had little with which to commence housekeeping, but they possessed courage and determination. Their first home was a log cabin of two rooms that stood upon the site of the present home of our subject. Their neighbors were separated from them by long distances and all around were pioneer con- ditions and environments. Mr. Neisler was a millwright by trade, but he turned his atten- tion to farming and entered forty acres of land. He also hought eighty aeres on the installment plan, and as the years passed he prospered in his undertakings and made investment in prop- erty until at the time of his death he owned nine hundred acres of land, though at one time he owned over twelve hundred acres. Unto him and his wife were born fifteen children. Mr. Neisler departed this life in 1881 at the age of sixty-four years, and in 1893 Mrs. Neis- ler became the wife of Joseph Davis, who d.ed in 1899. She is now living at the age of eighty-one years and is enjoying remarkably good health for one of her age.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Romine have been born two children : Doy L. and Guy E. Mr. Romine is a member of the Presbyterian church, and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp. No. 1498, and to the Mutual Protective League, No. 8. He was a member of the Irving town board for two years and is a Republican in his political views. In his business affairs he is loyal and enterprising: watchful of opportunity and making the most of his advantages, so that as a farmer and stock-raiser he has met with a fair measure of success.
WILLIAM T. THORP.
William T. Thorp, who is serving for the second term as postmaster of Litchfield, was born in this city in 1869. His father, Edwin C. Thorp, was born near Woodburn. Macoupin county. Illinois, and is now living in Litchfield in his sixty-first year. He was identified with merchandising for a long period, served as postmaster under President Harrison's admin- istration and is now acting as an assistant to his son in the Litchfield postoffice. At the time
W. S. ROMINE AND FAMILY
UNIVERS. 00 7.1.1015
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of the Civil war he proved his loyalty to the government by enlisting in defense of the Union cause as a member of Company D. Eightieth Illinois Infantry, at Alton. He served for two years and ten months and par- ticipated in twenty-three important engage- ments, including the battles of Missionary Ridge, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Perry- ville. Milton, Franklin, Rosaca, the siege of Atlanta and Jonesboro. He was captured near Rome, Georgia, at which time his command was two hundred and fifty miles from the main line in the heart of the Confederacy and was surrounded by the troops under General Forest, General Edmundson and others. Mr. Thorp was taken to Rome and thence to Belle Isle. but after a few days spent at the latter place he was paroled. Thirty days after receiving the parole he was exchanged and then went back to the front, after which he continued in active service until mustered out after the close of the war in Tennessee in June. 1865. In early manhood he married Rachel L. Tyler. a daughter of Ezra and Maria (Conway) Tyler, the former a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Thorp was born in Indiana in September. 1842, and by her marriage became the mother of six chil- dren, of whom four are now living: Addison C., who is in the postoffice in Litchfield; Wil- liam T .: Edwin G., also in the postotlice; and Bertha A., who is assistant postmaster.
William T. Thorp, the subject of this sketch, was a student in the public schools of Litchfield from the age of six years until he put aside his text-books to become a clerk in his father's store. He was thus employed for five or six years and for some time he has been prominent in official life in the city, carefully caring for the interests of his constituents and of the pub- lie in general. He was for one year city clerk. Later he was appointed to a clerical position in the office of the roadmaster of the Big Four Railroad Company, and in 1899 he was chosen postmaster at Litchfield, to which position he has since been reappointed, so that he is now serving for his second term. His administra- tion of the office is characterized by business- like methods, by promptness and fidelity. Mr. Thorp is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally is connected with the
Masons and the Elks, while his political aflilia- tion is indicated by his appointment to oflice under Republican administrations.
TIENRY P. KAASTIEN.
Henry P. Kastien, who for eighteen years has been engaged in merchandising in Harvel, has made his home in Montgomery county since the spring of 1883, but his residence in Illi- nois dates from 1865, at which time he took up his abode in Madison county, so that he has long been familiar with this portion of the state. He is a native of Germany, where his birth occurred September 13. 1849. His father, Frank J. Kastien, also born in that country, was married there to Louisa Schreve, a native of Germany. They became the parents of four sons and four daughters, who reached mature years, and three sons and four daughters are vet living. The second oldest son came to the new world. locating first in St. Louis. The father spent his last years in Madison county, Illinois, where he died in 1901 at the age of eighty-seven years, while his wife passed away in 1844 at the age of sixty years.
Henry P. Kastien spent the first seven years of his life in his native country. He had but limited school privileges there and. aside from a short course at a private German school in St. Louis, he is largely a self-educated as well as self-made man. He crossed the Atlantic to the new world in 1855, arriving in St. Louis, Missouri, on the 31st of December of that year. Subsequently he went to Madison county, Illi- nois, where he began work as a farm hand, con- tinuing his residence in that locality until 1883, when he came to Rountree township, Mont- gomery county. Here he continued to engage in agricultural pursuits for four years, at the end of which time he purchased a mercantile establishment in Harvel, containing a line of dry goods and groceries. This he afterward traded for a stock of hardware, and is now engaged in the hardware and implement busi- ness, in which he has built up a good trade, which is constantly increasing. He is well known in Harvel and the surrounding com- munity. is thoroughly identified with its pro-
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gressive interests, and in his business career displays the sterling traits which command con- fidence and respect.
Mr. Kastien was married in Madison county, Illinois, July 8, 1824. to Miss Emma Krums- sik, who was born in Madison county. Illinois, and is of German lineage. They have three children : Della, the wife of E. W. Boekewitz, of Harvel: Frank, who follows the painter's trade ; and Celia, at home.
Politically Mr. Kastien is independent in his voting at local elections. but where national issues are involved he supports the Democratic party. He has been elected and served as president of the village board. has also been alderman and tax collector, and for four con- seentive years filled the latter office. He be- longs to Harvel Lodge, I. O. O. F., in which he has tilled all the offices and is a past grand, and is likewise a member of the Woodmen Camp at Litchfield and the Mutual Protective League. His residence in Harvel now covers more than twenty years, during which time he has made here a good home. developed an excellent busi- ness and won an honored name.
MOSES BERRY.
Starting out in life for himself as a farm hand and working at ten dollars per month. Moses Berry has in the course of years gradu- ally advanced in financial circles until he is to-day one of the substantial citizens of the village of Butler, possessing a handsome com- petence which has been acquired through his own labors. He was born in Hamilton county. Ohio, March 11. 1823. and when three years of age was taken by his father to Springdale in the same county. He is a son of Thomas and Susan Berry and the latter died when her son Moses was only seven months old. In their family were eleven children. After the death of his first wife the father married again and there were four children by that marriage.
Moses Berry was reared upon a farm. He remained in the services of one family for three years and then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he secured employment in a pork pack- ing establishment. Ile was thus engaged dur-
ing four winter seasons, while in the summer months he was employed at farm labor. On the expiration of that period he purchased teams and began draying in Cincinnati, follow- ing that pursuit for ten years. In 1855 he came by way of the river to Illinois, landing at Alton. He there purchased four horses and two wagons and continued his journey io But- ler. Montgomery county. Ile then purchased his farm, at first becoming the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land adjoining his present farm. There he engaged in general agricultural pursuits and also bought stock and fed cattle. In the course of time he sold the original property but made investment in other land and now owns three hundred acres. constituting one of the valuable farms of the county. upon which he made fine improvements. The place is now thoroughly equipped with all modern accessories and the income from his property enables him to live in partial retire- ment from labor.
On September 20. 1846, Mr. Berry was unit- ed in marriage to Miss Eliza Van Sant. a native of Kentucky, and they have now traveled life's journey together for over fifty-eight years. I'mto them have been born four children who are yet living: M. E .. who resides upon the home farm: P. Illinois, the wife of William Cannon. of Butler : Ida B., the wife of Alonzo Beatty, a resident of Paisley: and Ann. the wife of Jacob Guller, of Raymond. They also lost two sons. William and George.
Mr. Berry now has in his possession an anvil upon which seythes were sharpened and which was used by his father and grandfather in the days before grinding stands were to be had for that purpose. He started out in life a poor hoy, but has worked his way upward undeterred by obstacles and difficulties. That he has pros- pered is shown by the fact that he has now a very valuable farm property in addition to . his home in Butler. Ile contributed gener- ously to the building of the Methodist Episeo- pal church in Butler. to which he belongs and in which he is serving as a trustee. In polities he is a Prohibitionist. taking a deep interest in the temperance question. He has held the office of supervisor and was school director for thirty-six years. Mr. Berry has now passed
LISTARY UNIVER 1 . WINOIS
MOSES BERRY
MRS. MOSES BERRY
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the eighty-first milestone on the journey of life and has, therefore, been a witness of many of the changes which have occurred and have shaped the history of the country. He receives the veneration and respect wich should ever be accorded to advanced age and which is due him because of his upright, honorable life.
EARL BLACK MAN TREITT, D. V. S.
Dr. Earl Blackman Truitt is engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery in Hillsboro and is also proprietor of the leading livery barn of the city. Ile is well known as a representative of an old and prominent family and as one of the native sons of the city, his birth having here occurred in 1815. His father, James M. Truitt, was a distinguished lawyer, a man of rare attainments and a citizen of state-wide reputation. He was born in Trimble county. Kentucky, on the 28th of February. 1842. and was a son of Samuel and Cynthia A. (Carr) Truitt, the former born in Henry county, Kon- tucky, in 1818. while the latter was born in In- diana in the same year. Samuel Truitt was of English lineage, while his wife was supposed to be of Scotch descent. He followed the occu- pation of farming with excellent success and was thus enabled to provide a comfortable home for his family, numbering a wife and seven children.
James M. Truitt. the second in order of birth, was but three years of age when his par- ents removed to Greene county. Illinois, and he began his education in the old time subserip- tion school at Fayette, that county. He re- mained upon the home farm, assisting his fa- ther in its development and cultivation until 1862. when he enlisted in defense of the old flag, being a stanch supporter of the Union cause. He was assigned to duty with the boys in blue of Company B. One hundred and Key- enteenth Illinois Infantry, and shortly after- ward was promoted from the ranks to the posi- tion of orderly sergeant. Two years later he was commissioned second lientenant and served in that capacity until the close of the war. He participated in many severe battles, including the engagements at Fort Blakeley. and he was mustered out of service at Springfield. Illinois.
on the 5th of Angust, 1865. Subsequently he spent some time in MeKendree College at Lebanon, Illinois, and in 1866 he came to Hillsboro, where he entered upon the study of law in the office of Judge Jesse J. Phillips, with whom he remained until 1822. in the mean- time gaining comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and demonstrating his ability to successfully cope with the in- tricate problems of the law. Ho practiced his profession up to the time of his death and in the trial of a case he was strong and was recog- nized as possessing the qualities which go to make up the successful advocate. In manner he was forceful. in speech was eloquent and with his strong personality and strength of character he won friends among the prominent members of the bar of Illinois. lle was logical in reason, in debate forceful and in statement decisive. Ilis marked ability for leadership led to his selection for positions of prominence in connection with state affairs. In 1822 he was elected to the twenty-eighth general assembly and served as a member of the house for two years. He then returned to Hillsboro, where he continued in the practice of law up to the time of his death, having a distinctively repre- sentative clientage that connected him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts in central Illinois. He was the owner of one of the finest libraries in the state and his studious habits made him largely familiar with its contents. He did much toward molding the policy of the Republican party in Hlinois, but sought not the rewards of office in recognition of party fealty. In 1876 he was one of the electors of the Republican party and in 1880 was a Republican elector at large of the state. while in the same year and again in 1884 he was a delegate to the Republican national con- vention. Mr. Truitt was also one of the oldest members of the Grand Army of Illinois, belong- ing to F. D. ITubbell Post. No. 403. of which he served as commander. He likewise held membership relations with Hillsboro Lodge, No. 51. A. F. & .A. M.
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