USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 44
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bitious and industrious agriculturists. Mr. Bass secured forty acres and at once began the development of a farm. Throughout the greater part of his life he carried on agricul- tural pursuits, although he had learned the cooper's trade in early life. Ile served his country in the war of 1812, participating in the battle of New Orleans on the 8th of Janu- ary, 1815, and he was never wounded nor cap- tured during the second war with England. He died in 1844, and his wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1823 and was buried in the Tennessee cemetery southwest of Oconce. while Mr. Bass was laid to rest in the cemetery on the old family homestead in Fayette county. They were the parents of twelve children, ten sons and two daughters: John died in Marion county, where he had followed farming and reared his family of two children. Jacob, who was a farmer and had a family of eleven chil- dren, died and was buried near Kinmundy, Illinois. William, who was the owner of land in Clinton and Bond counties and had a fam- ily of five children, who are yet living. made his home in Wisetown, Illinois. James W., who was married and had six children, lived in Montgomery county and was also the owner of farm property in Shelby county. David, who had a family of nine children, was a farmer by ocenpation and died in St. Louis, Missouri. Henry, whose family numbered ten children, resided in Bond county and his Te- mains were interred at Camp Ground. Gnil- ford is the next of the family. Elijah, who follows farming in Shelby county, Illinois, has a family of five children, four sons and a daughter. Francis, who follows farming in Newton county, near Grangeville. Missouri, has a family of six children. Josiah, now de- ceased, was a resident of Montgomery county and his remains were interred in Tennessee cemetery. He had a family of nine children. Mary died when thirteen years of age. and Martha died when eight years of age, being buried in the old homestead cemetery in Fay- ette county.
Guilford Bass was reared in the usual man- ner of farmer lads and was early trained to habits of industry and integrity. Ile was married October 4. 1855. to Keziah Jane Hill,
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a daughter of Thomas and Nancy ( Massey) Hill, natives of North Carolina, who removed to Illinois prior to the birth of their daughter and settled in Shelby county, their home being on a farm cast of Oconee. They had ten chil- dren : Henry, who served under General Scott and died in the Mexican war: Sarah, the de- ceased wife of Lewis Scribner, a farmer of Shelby county; Joel Ilill, a farmer residing north of Bingham, in Fayette county, Illinois; John, deceased, who resided southwest of Ram- sey and had a wife and one child : Elizabeth, who is now Mrs. Seago and is living in Audu- bon ; Jackson Hill, a stock-dealer of Irving, who has eight children; Thomas, a farmer of this county, who has one child; Mrs. Bass; Amanda, who is the widow of Basil Prater, of Edinburg, and has six children ; and William F .. who died in infancy.
Guilford Bass has at different times pur- chased land in Montgomery county. He tirst bought forty acres of William Smith in 1856 and his next forty was purchased from the father of Joseph Whitmore. Itis third forty acre tract was bought at twelve dollars and a half per acre, and he next purchased eighty acres at sixteen dollars per acre. Later he bought another forty acre tract and at other times made purchases until his landed posses- sions now aggregate three hundred and six- teen and a half acres. As he had no assist- ance in starting out in life, his success indi- cates clearly that he has worked industriously and persistently to acquire a competence. overcoming all difficulties and obstacles in his path by determined purpose. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bass has been blessed with twelve children : William Franklin, the oldest. died in infancy. Henry M. married Susan MeNichols and has one child living, Roy S. Amanda F. is the wife of Jacob Layman and has one son, Edgar. Joseph M. married Flora Riddle and has one daughter, Mabel. Mary is the wife of Oscar Thompson and has four children : Vernon, Burleigh, Eulalia and Veda, Martha is the wife of Emmet Whitmer. Nancy L. and Ella are at home. Emma is the wife of Edward Walker and has one child, Veda. Albert died September 22, 1903. Nettie is the wife of Samuel Jolly and has three living
children : Ruth, Carl and Paul. Edgar married Clara Neathery.
Mr. and Mrs. Bass are members of the Bap- tist church and are people of the highest re- spectability, commanding the warm regard of many friends. In politics he has ever been a stanch Democrat since casting his first presi- dential ballot for James Buchanan. but he has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs, and by reason of his close application and un- faltering diligence he has become the possessor of a farm which is extensive and valuable.
HENRY HAYNES.
Henry Haynes, who is a representative of the farming interests of Pitman township, where he owns and operates a tract of land of one hundred and sixty aeres, was born upon this farm, July 12. 1854. He is a son of John and Harriet (Seymour) Haynes and a grand- son of William Haynes, who was one of the pioneer settlers of Illinois, establishing his home in Cass county when the work of improve- ment and progress had scarcely been begun in that part of the state.
John Haynes was born in Indiana and was reared in Cass county, Illinois. Later he re- moved to Morgan county, where he met and married Miss Harriet Seymour, a native of North Carolina. Subsequently they removed to Montgomery county, establishing their home within its borders about 1854. Mr. Haynes purchased the land upon which his son Henry now resides and at once began to clear the place. which was then largely covered with timber and brush. He also fenced the fields and when the plowing was done he planted the seed which in due time produced good erops. He also put good buildings upon the place and other sub- stantial improvements and there he roared his family, spending his last years upon the old homestead. His death occurred January 16. 1891. ITis wife still survives him and is now keeping house for her son Greene, enjoying good health at the age of eighty-five years and doing all her own house work. In their family were seven children, as follows: Greene, who owns
INOIS
HENRY HAYNES AND FAMILY
MR. AND MRS. JOHN HAYNES
L'T- ARY
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and operates a part of the old home farm; Mary, the wife of S. T. Caldwell, of Edgar, Nebraska ; Alexander, who is living near Hoxie, Kansas; Henry, of this review : John, of Colo- rado; James, who died in March, 1893; and Sarah, who was the wife of W. L. King and died January 30, 1823.
Ilenry Haynes was reared upon the old homestead and continued to assist his father in its cultivation and improvement until he at- tained his majority. lle attended the common schools in early life and no event of special it- portance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his youth. He was married in Maconpin county. April 3, 1879. to Miss Ella Seymour. a daughter of W. B. and Elizabeth (Bull) Seymour. She was born in Morgan county, Illinois, July 1, 1858, and spent her girlhood days in that county and in Macoupin county.
The young couple began housekeeping upon a rented farm, which he continued to culti- vate for a few years. After his father's death Mr. Haynes purchased the interest of some of the other heirs of the family and succeeded to a part of the old farm, including that portion upon which stands the family residence. To the further development and cultivation of the place he has devoted his time and energies. He has repaired and remodeled the house and now has a neat and comfortable residence, while in the rear stand good barns and outbuildings. giving ample shelter for grain and stock. There is an orchard with a large variety of fruit, and modern farm machinery facilitate his work in the fields. In connection with the raising of grain he makes a business of raising good graded stock and is successful in his production of both grain and stock.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Haynes has been blessed with two children: William Terman. born August 28, 1883 ; and Hattie Evelyn, born December 22, 1895. The parents are well known in this county and the hospitality of many of the best homes of Pitman township Is extended to them. Mr. Haynes exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Democracy. He is accounted one of the leaders of his party in this locality and has been honored with several positions of
political preferment, having served for three terms as highway commissioner, being now in the seventh year of his incumbency in that office. He has also been school director for a number of years and he believes in the em- ployment of capable teachers and the establish- ment of good schools. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias lodge at Raymond. He has always lived within the bor- ders of Montgomery county and the old home- stead, which was the place of his birth. is still the place of his residence, so that it is endeared to him through the association of his boyhood as well as of later years.
HENRY ABSALOM CRESS.
Ilenry Absalom Cress, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Hillsboro township, was born on the farm where he now resides, the date of his birth being AAugust 12, 1859. "His father, George II. Cress, was also born in Butler Grove township. where his father located at an early day. George H. Cress was married to Miss Jane E. Corey and Henry A. Cress was the only child of that mar- riage. From the government the father entered the homestead farm and at once began trans- forming the wild and uncultivated prairie into productive fields. He continued to make that place his home from the time of his marriage until his death, and passed away at a compara- tively early age of twenty-four years. Ilis widow afterward became the wife of William W. Keeley, and now resides in Pueblo, Colo- rado.
Henry A. Cress spent the days of his boy- hood and youth in the county of his nativity and attended the public schools. thus laying the foundation for his successful career by pre- paration that fitted him to cope with the re- sponsible duties that came in later life. He was married on the 19th of March, 1882, to Miss Annie Clotfelter, a daughter of J. W. (Totfelter, and they have three children, Henry A., Jr., Hubert and James W. The family reside in Hillsboro township, where the farm now owned by Henry A. Cress comprises a valuable traet of land of four hundred and
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forty aeres, all in one body, about a mile from Hillsboro. Ile carries on general farming. feeds both cattle and hogs and engages in the dairy business, having a herd of Hereford eat- tle for that purpose. The various branches of his business have brought to him a good in- come and his life of intense and well directed activity has made him one of the representa- tive agriculturists of his community. He is a director of the Hillsboro Farmers' Insurance Company. He has held the office of school director for fifteen years. has been highway commissioner, and in polities is a Democrat, Mr. Cress is widely and favorably known in the county where his entire life has been passed and his strength of purpose and unfaltering diligence in his business interests have been notable elements in his career.
JAMES S. BONE.
James S. Bone is numbered among the pion- Per settlers and honored dead whose life work proved a benefit to his community through the practical assistance which he rendered in promoting the upbuilding and progress of his community during the long years of his resi- dence in Montgomery county. He was born in Lebanon. Ohio. September 10, 1815, his par- ents being David and Prudence Bone. The father was a farmer and Jawyer. following his profession with success and at the same time carrying on agricultural interests. He served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812. When the government became involved in mili- tary difficulties with Mexico he again offered his services and was commissioned colonel of an Ohio regiment in the Mexican war. He afterward exerted strong and beneficial influ- ence in seeuring the passage of all the Mexican claims through congress in 1850 and 1853. In his family were thirteen children.
James S. Bone was reared in Ohio in the usual manner of farmer lads of that early period, the state presenting the same pioneer conditions which have always been features of the west in the early period of its colonization and im- provement. He came to Illinois in 1864, bring- ing with him live stock and a wagon. Here
Le engaged in farming and he also in 1862 built the Prairie House in Nokomis, which was de- stroyed by fire in 1881. lle purchased four hundred acres of land on sections 20 and 21, Nokomis township, but later sold two hundred aeres to Mr. Argo, and this is now known as the Casselberry place. When it came into Mr. Bone's possession it was all wild and unim- proved. He purchased it of the Illinois Central Railroad Company for eight dollars per acre and with characteristic energy he began its de- velopment, making excellent improvements thereon.
In 1839 Mr. Bone was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Miller, a daughter of Henry and Catherina Miller, of Lebanon, Ohio. She died in 1852 and in 1854 he wedded Mary L. Ross, a daughter of Mathias Ross, who was chief clerk in the dead letter office at Washing- ton through the administrations of Presidents Madison, Jackson, Van Buren and Harrison. lle was a close and intimate friend of Thomas C'orwin and was well known to prominent po- litical leaders. He also served as collector of revenue in the war of 1812. Iler grandfather. Colonel Benjamin Ross, commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary war and Mrs. Bone is now eligible to membership in the society known as Daughters of the American Revolution. She was born in Lebanon, Ohio, in 1815, was edu- cated in Cincinnati. that state, and resided in Washington during her father's connection with official service there. During that time she attended many important receptions, balls and parties given by the leading members of the highest social circles of the city. She passed the eighty-ninth mile-stone on life's journey on the 10th of March. 1904, but she has not a gray hair-which has been a characteristic throughout her entire family-and only recent- ly she has used glasses in reading. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bone were born four children, two sons and two daughters. Alice P., the eldest, mar- ried Madison T. Stuckey, who was assessor and treasurer of St. Clair county, Illinois, and was president of the Electric Light Company, at the time of his deatlı. They had one child that died in infancy ; Virginia married Cassius Shotwell, who lives in Chicago, being connected with David Rutter. a coal dealer of that city. They
JAMES S. BONE
MRS. JAMES S. BONE.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
have four children, three sons and a daughter, one son being in St. Louis, Missouri, another in Pittsburg, while the third son and the daugh- ter are at home in Chicago. David H. Bone, the third member of the family, resides in No- komis and at one time was engaged as a hominy manufacturer of St. Louis, having a mill on Jefferson and Immeas streets. He married Laura Wickersham, who was born in St. Louis, and they have four children: Stewart, who is mar- ried and has been with the Missouri l'acifie Railroad Company for fourteen years, being now chief clerk for that line at Seventh and Poplar streets in St. Louis; Austin B., who is in the cashier's office of the Illinois Central Railroad Company in Chicago, which position he has occupied for seven years ; and Aline and Annie at home. David Bone is a member of the Odd Fellows' Society and is widely and favorably known in this county. William Bone, the youngest of the family, was deputy sheriff for four years and took an active interest in political affairs, being a recognized leader in the local ranks of the Democracy. He died at Kingman, Kansas, March 14, 1885, and was laid to rest in Prospect Hill cemetery at No- komis.
James S. Bone gave his political allegiance to the Republican party after its formation and he served as president of the town board for eight years, being continued in the office by ro- election, his supporters recognizing his capa- bility and faithfulness in the position. He belonged to the Methodist church and he died in that faith in 1896, when in his eighty-first vear. His was a long, useful and honorable life, characterized by upright principles, worthy motives and successful accomplishment and his memory is yet enshrined in the hearts of many who knew him in Montgomery county, while upon the pages of its history his name should be enduringly inscribed.
F. H. YOUNG.
F. II. Young, the owner of a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in East Fork town- ship, was born near Donnellson, May 29, 1863. a son of William and Eva ( Brown) Young.
He represents an old southern family, his father, William Young, having been born in Tennessee in October, 1810. In that state he was reared until the fall of 1832, when the family home was established near Donnellson, Montgomery county, Illinois. He followed the occupation of farming in Grisham township when that was a pioneer locality. Many of the hardships and trials incident to frontier life had to be met by him, but he possessed unfaltering courage and determination and per- severed in his work until he became an ex- tensive and prosperous farmer and stock-raiser. Hardly a furrow had been turned or an in- provement made upon his land when it camo into his possession, but he added modern equipments and in course of time the once wild land was made to yield to him good harvests. Ile owned about fourteen hundred acres of land. In polities he was a Democrat, active and influential in the ranks of his party, and about 1851 he served for one term as a mem- ber of the state legislature. His wife was born in North Carolina and in her carly girlhood days was brought to Illinois, where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Young, to whom she gave her hand in marriage. His death oc- curred on the 6th of May, 1900, hut Mrs. Young is still living and now makes her home in Hillsboro. Few have a more intimate knowledge of the carly history of the county than she, and many interesting incidents of pioneer life are related by her, giving one a true and faithful picture of conditions that ex- isted at that carly day.
17. 11. Young was one of three children. He was reared upon the old home farm in Grisham township and attended the nearest district school, but while his educational privileges were not very great he was carefully trained to habits of industry and economy upon the home farm, and in the school of experience he has learned many valuable lessons through reading, observation and contact with men in business life. He continued to assist his father until twenty-three years of age and then began farming for himself in East Fork township upon land belonging to his father. Hle took up his abode upon his present home place in March, 1893, having here one hundred and
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sixty acres given him by his father. He has made improvements from time to time here and now has a well-equipped farm, supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences which facilitate farm work and add to the productiveness of the place. He follows di- versitied farming, having rich fields of grain and good stock, and his energy and careful management are salient features in his success.
In December, 1886, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Clara Edwards, a danghter of C. II. Edwards, of Grisham township. They now have three children : Jennie. Roger How- ard and Randall, all at home. The parents hold membership in the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Coffeen and Mr. Young is identified with the Masonic and Knights of Pythias fra- ternities, the Modern Woodmen camp and the Royal Neighbors of America. He was made a Mason in 1900 in Mount Maria lodge, No. 51. of Hillsboro. In his political affiliations he does not consider himself bound by party ties but votes for the candidate whom he thinks best qualified for office. He has always been true to his honest convictions, straightforward in his relations with his fellow men and loyal in friendship and in citizenship.
WILLIAM CHRISTIE.
William Christie, the senior member of the firm of Christie & Laub, contractors and builders of Litchfield, was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, in 1858. The northern countries of America have furnished to the United States many bright and enterprising young men who have left their native land to enter the business wireles of this country, with its more progress- ive methods, livelier competition and advance- ment more quickly secured. Among this num- ber is Mr. Christie, who in early manhood sought wider fields in order to give full scope to his ambition and industry-his dominant qualities. Ile found the opportunity he sought in the freedom and appreciation of the growing western portion of this country. Though born across the border, he is thoroughly American in thought and feeling and is patriotic and
sincere in his love for the stars and stripes. His career is closely identified with the history of Litchfield. where he has acquired a comfortable competence and where he is now an honored and respected citizen.
Mr. Christie is a son of Robert and Harriet (('ox) Christie, both of whom were natives of Truro, Nova Scotia. The father was a farmer by occupation and owned three good tracts of land there. Both he and his wife held membership in the Presbyterian church, in which he filled several positions and in the work of which he took a very active and help- ful part. His death occurred in 1890 as the result of an accident when he was sixty-five years of age, and his widow is still living in Nova Scotia. She is of English lineage, while her husband was of Scotch descent. In their family were six children : Nancy, the wife of John Miller, of Nova Scotia: George, a con- tractor, who is also operating a planing mill in Nova Scotia: William, of this review ; Hat- tie and Henry, at home: and Charles, who is a railroad employe of Boston, Massachusetts.
William Christie acquired his education in the public schools of Nova Scotia, and when his attention was no longer claimed by his textbooks he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in his native land for a short time. In 1881, however, he came to Litchfield and worked on the Planet mill, erect- ing the building and placing the machinery. lle was thus occupied for two years. On the expiration of that period he went to St. Louis and in 1889 he returned to Litchfield and be- gan the business for himself as a contractor and builder. This he has followed with marked success and is now one of the leading repre- sentatives of his line in the city, employing a dozen workmen. In 1899 he formed a part- nership with William Laub under the firm style of Christie & Laub. As a business man he has been conspicuous among his associates, not only for his success, but for his probity, fair- ness and honorable methods, and in everything he has undertaken he has been eminently prae- tical.
In 1885 Mr. Christie was united in marriage to Miss Etura Wright, who was born in Mont- gomery county in 1859 and is a daughter of
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Carroll Wright, who was a farmer by occupa- tion and one of the earliest settlers of this por- tion of the state. Mr. and Mrs. Christie now have four children : Blanche, who is a member of the class of 1895 of the Litchfield high school; Ilazel; Irene: and Charles. Mrs. Chris- tie belongs to the Presbyterian church and Mr. Christie is connected with the Mutual Protect- ive League, while he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. Time has proven the wisdom of his determination to come to the United States that he might enjoy its better business opportunities. for here his capability has found recognition and the good wages paid for lahor have enabled him to advance to a position of affluence.
JUSTUS IL. WARE.
There is no better proof of the desirability of Montgomery county as a place of residence or stronger indication of the fact that it affords excellent opportunities and advantages to its citizens than the fact that many of its native sons still reside within its borders. Of this class Justus IL. Ware is a representative for his birth occurred JJuly 11, 1834, upon the farm which is still his home and which had been entered from the government by his father. Benjamin Ware. in 1824. Benjamin Ware was born in Gilsum, New Hampshire, and when a young man left the old Granite state, going to New York. He afterward made his way west- ward to Indiana, settling near Vincennes and later he went to Missouri, where he met his older brother, Obediah. Afterward he proceed- ed on horseback to Montgomery county in the spring of 1824 and secured from the govern- ment eighty acres of land in Butler Grove township. On March 12, 1828, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Slayback, who came to Montgomery county in an early day with her uncle. Israel Seward, removing to this locality from the vicinity of Hamilton, Ohio. She was born in Kentucky and by her marriage became the mother of two children, but the elder, Aus- tin, is now deceased. For many years Benja- min Ware carried on agricultural pursuits upon
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