USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
the old homestead and thereon he died. July 31. 1855, at the age of lifty-nine years. llis wife long survived him and passed away April 2, 1883, at the age of seventy-eight years.
Justus 11. Ware was twenty-one years of age at the time of his father's death and he then took charge of the home farm. He had previ- ously attended school as opportunity afforded and he had been trained to the various duties and labors of the farm so that practical ex- perience guided him as he undertook the task of managing the home property. Ilis entire life of seventy years has been passed upon the farm where he was born. He owns one hun- dred and sixty acres of the original homestead. which was entered from the government by his father, and also has eighty acres of timber land. In fact his landed possessions now aggregate three hundred and sixty acres and the farm at the present time is managed by his son, Mr. Ware thus being relieved to a great extent of the labors and responsibilities incident thereto. His home is situated on section 15. Butler Grove township, about two miles north and one mile east of the village of Butler.
On the 26th of September. 1860, Mr. Vare was united in marriage to Miss Luceva A. Brigham, who came to Montgomery county as a school teacher from New Alstead. New Hamp- shire. where her birth occurred August 25. 1836. She is a daughter of Aaron and Susan ( Proctor ) Brigham, pioneers of that locality. To Mr. and Mrs. Ware were born four children : Mary Flora. born November 29. 1862. is at home: Carrie Susan, born May 5, 1861, died December 1, 1866: George Vincent, horn Sep- tember 25, 1862, is living on the home farm, and was married December 12, 1893, to Mamie Grace Bryce, a daughter of Robert and Sarah ( McMurtry) Bryce: Amy Lillian, born April 24, 1843, was married October 10, 1900, to J. A. Bushy, who was born December 15, 18:1. and they live in Litchfield. They have two children, Leland Ware, born November 24, 1901, and Evelyn, born April 11, 1904.
Mr. Ware gives his political allegiance to the Republican party, the principles of which he has long endorsed. Hlo and his wife are connected with the Lutheran denomination as
536
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
members of Ware's Grove church and for ev- eral years he served as an elder in the church. He was also township supervisor for two years and takes an active and interested part in all that pertains to public progress and improve- ment here. Having spent his entire life in the county, he is deeply interested in its growth and development and feels a just pride in what has been accomplished as the years have gone in.
ALEXANDER A. CRESS.
Alexander A. Cress, well known as a real es- tate operator of Hillsboro, whose developing business has led to substantial success, result- ing from enterprising methods in keeping with the progressive spirit of the times, is a native son of Montgomery county. Ile was born about two and a half miles northwest of Hillsboro, December 2, 1840, and is of German ancestry. His father, Jacob Cress, was born in Indiana in 1818 and died July 1, 1903, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. He was brought to Montgomery county by his parents. Jacob and Catherine Cress, when but six weeks old. and they located about a mile west of Hillsboro, where the grandfather of our subject entered land, thus becoming the owner of several hun- dred acres. Jacob Cress. the father, was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, and he, too, became an agriculturist and accumulated large landed interests, but divided much of his property among his children prior to his death. He was a Democrat in his political views and was a member of the Lutheran church. Hte contributed in substantial manner to the upbuilding and improvement of the county, especially along agricultural lines, and took an abiding interest in whatever pertained to the welfare and substantial upbuilding of the community. He married Miss Helena Scherer, who was born in Virginia in 1818 and died on the 21st of March. 1902. Her parents were Daniel and Rachel Scherer. The former was a minister of the Lutheran church and in 1833 he removed to Montgomery coun- ty. locating in Hillsboro. He was one of the first ministers of his denomination in the state
of Illinois, organized the church in Hillsboro and became its first pastor. lle was a eir- cuit rider in the early days when preachers of the gospel traveled from place to place, and in this way he visited Kentucky. llis political allegiance was given to the Whig party. He died at Mount Carmel, Illinois, having left the impress of his individuality upon the com- munity in which he labored, while his efforts resulted in the moral development of the peo- ple. Ento Mr. and Mrs. Cress were born eleven children, of whom seven are yet living. They were as follows: Alexander A .; John M., deceased; Jacob D., a farmer of Califor- nia; William S., who is living on the old homestead ; Samuel E., a hardware merchant and banker of Sorento, Illinois; Benjamin L., who is deputy United States mineral surveyor of Red Cliff, Colorado; Sophia L., who is the wife of Dr. O. B. Blackman. of Dixon, Illi- nois ; Joseph E., a farmer living in South Da- kota : Thomas J., deceased; and two that died in infancy.
Alexander A. Cress supplemented his early educational advantages by study in the Hills- boro Academy, and when his school life was completed he engaged in clerking in the store of Davis & Marshall for two years, On the expiration of that period he purchased an in- terest in the store and the firm name was changed to Davis & Cress. This relationship was maintained for two years, when Mr. Cress sold out to his brother John, but later he re- turned to the store and there engaged as a clerk for some time. In 1811 he formed a partnership with W. tt. Stoddard in the gro- cery business, in which he continued for three years. He then sold out to his partner and opened a grocery store on his own account, which he conducted for two years. After dis- posing of that store he was once more om- ployed as a salesman and continued his con- nection with commercial pursuits in that way for eight years. In 1883 he went into the real estate business, and is now one of the leading representatives of this line of activity in Mont- gomery county. For the past eleven years his son, Edward A., has been associated with him in business and the firm has conducted many important real estate transfers and negotiated
-
MR. AND MRS. JACOB CRESS. SR.
-
MR. AND MRS. JACOB CRESS. JR.
1
539
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
large sales. Mr. Cress has a most accurate knowledge of realty values and property throughout the county, and has secured a good clientage, which has brought to him a very gratifying measure of prosperity.
Mr. Cress has been twice married. In 1865 he wedded Miss Sarah M. Bridge, She was born in Oregon, Illinois, and died June 18, 1882, at the age of fifty years, passing away in the faith of the Lutheran church, in which she held membership. Her father was a farmer by occupation and served his country as a soldier in the Civil war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cress were born four children. The third, Edward A., born December 16, 1820, in Hills- boro, attended the public schools of this city and afterward entered the law department of the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor. matriculating there in 1890. Ile had previous- ly read law in the office of Lane & Cooper for two years, and in 1891 he was admitted to the bar. Ile entered upon the practice of his pro- fession in Chicago, where he remained until the fall of 1893, when he then returned to Hillsboro. where he opened an office and has since engaged in the practice of law with ex- cellent success. lle was married in the fall of 1893 to Miss Jennie Linxwiler, a daugh- ter of George W. Linxwiler, formerly a farmer and merchant of Hillsboro, but now a resident of California. Unto E. A. Cress and his wife have been born two daughters, Gertrude and Elizabeth. The parents are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Cress is identified with the Knights of Pythias and several in- surance fraternities. In politics he is a Demo- crat and at this writing in 1904 is filling the office of city attorney. In 1898 Alexander 1. Cress was again married, his second union be- ing with Augusta F. Lewey, a daughter of J. Bowers Lane, also a merchant and farmer of Fillmore, Illinois. She was born in Fill- more in 1856 and first married George Lowey, whose widow she was at the time she became the wife of Mr. Cress.
Our subject and his wife attend the Lu- theran church and he is a Mason in his fra- ternal relations. Politically he is a Demo- crat and has served as a member of the city council. as a member of the school board and
as justice of the peace. Representing one of the oldest pioneer families of the county and having spent his entire life here, he is well known in his portion of the state and has been an interested witness of the growth and ad- vancement that have here been made. To many measures instituted for the good of the county he has given hearty co-operation and support, and as a business man and citizen he is well worthy of mention in this volume.
W. IL. WILEY.
W. I. Wiley is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of Montgomery county. and his father's farm, which was en- tered as a claim from the government, was his birthplace. He is a son of R. J. Wiley, who came from Kentucky to Ilinois with his par- ents, James and Sarah ( Mann) Wiley. They reached Montgomery county in 1827, and sey- eral brothers with their respective families came at the same time. R. J. Wiley, the father of our subject, was married in this county to Miss Catherine Dryer, and in 1850 he removed to the farm upon which his son W. H. Wiley was born. There he continued to carry on ag- ricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death on the 12th of October, 1862. His widow still survives him and is now the wife of David Ware, who is mentioned on an- other page of this volume.
W. Il. Wiley is indebted to the public schools for the carly educational privileges which he enjoyed, and later he attended the Hillsboro Academy. De afterward took charge of the farm for his mother. When seventeen years of age he began earning his living by working by the month as a farm hand, and he also attended school in the winter seasons. On attaining his majority he assumed the management of the old home place and continued there until 1903. when he came to the farm upon which he now resides. Ile owns one hundred and twenty acres of prairie land and twenty-seven acres of timber land on sections 25 and 26. Butler Grove township, not far from the city of Hills- boro. His diligence has been one of his strong characteristics and his unfaltering energy
540
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
proves the basis of the desirable success which he has gained as the years have gone by.
On the 11th of February, 1895, Mr. Wiley was united in marriage to Miss Julia Robert- son, and they have three children: Owen H., who is living on the homestead farm: Jessie, the wife of W. D. Lipe, of Litchfield: and Charles, who is also at home. Mr. Wiley is a Democrat and for eighteen years has served as school director. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and to the Modern Woodman camp, and has a wide acquaintance in Mont- gomery county, where his circle of friends is continually growing, owing to his sincere in- terest in the welfare of his fellow men and his integrity in all business transactions.
JAMES P. BROWN.
James P. Brown, who in business affairs is energetic, prompt and notably reliable, has ex- tended his efforts to several fields of commercial activity and has found in this the opportunity for the exercise of his business capacity, keen discrimination and enterprise. Through the years of his active carcer he has been watchful of all the details of his business and of all indications pointing toward prosperity and from the beginning has had an abiding faith in the ultimate success of his labors, Int while he has gained prosperity he has also been a representative of that class of valued American citizens who promote the general good while advancing individual interests.
James P. Brown was born in Butler, Ilinois. in 1866. His father. George W. Brown. Jr .. was born in Hillsboro, Montgomery county. in 1849, and was a son of George W. Brown, Sr., a native of Virginia, who came to Montgomery county at a very carly day, locating noar Hills- horo. He was a farmer by occupation and upon the old family homestead his son and namesake was reared. The latter is mentioned at length on another page of this volume. He is still living at Butler, where he is engaged in mer- chandising and in the grain trade. In Ma- sonry he has attained the Royal Arch degree and is a worthy examplar of that fraternity. In his political views he is a Democrat. has
served as justice of the peace and has held other positions in this village. including that of post- master. He owns the old homestead farm near Butler, and has been engaged in business in that locality since 1866 and through the care- ful conduct of his business affairs he has won a competence that classes him with the most substantial citizens of his community. He was married in early manhood to Miss Henrietta 3. Judson, who was born in Middletown, New Jersey. in 1851. Her father was James P. Judson. a native of that state who removed to St. Louis, Missouri, at an early day and prior to the Civil war settled in Houston, Texas, where he engaged in the manufacture of car- riages. Ilis death there occurred. Ilis wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Judson, was a native of New York. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown were born six children : James P., of this review ; Winnie P .. the wife of W. A. White, a merchant of Hillsboro: Charles J., who is engaged in mer- chandising in Weatherford. Oklahoma; Frank Il .. who is conducting an implement business and carriage repository at Hillsboro: Louis S., a practicing physician and surgeon of St. Louis, Missouri ; and Roland O., who is with his father in business at Butler.
In taking up the personal history of James P. Brown we present to our readers the life record of one who is widely and favorably known in Hillsboro and throughout Montgom- ery county. He continued his education in the schools of Butler until he had completed the high school course and he afterward attended the state high school at Normal, Illinois. On putting aside his text books he entered the office of the county clerk. serving as deputy. There he remained for two years, after which he went to Butler and entered his father's store, assist- ing in the business there until 1889. In that voar Mr. Brown went to California and to Ore- gon, spending three years on the Pacific coast, during which time he was engaged in the hard- ware business. In 1894 they purchased the stock of the MeHenry Hardware Company at Hillsboro and have been conducting the busi- ness continuously since. This is now one of the largest hardware stores in this part of the county and the firm also carries on an exten- sive implement business. which is in charge of
541
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
the brother Frank. The firm of George W. Brown, Jr., is a large one, carrying a stock valued at twenty thousand dollars, and the an- nual sales reach the sun of one hundred thou- sand dollars. When the Brown Brothers took charge of this enterprise in Hillsboro they had comparatively small mercantile interests, but by their efforts and superior business taet and judgment they have developed splendid com- mercial enterprises and the hardware business is second to none in this portion of the state. James P. Brown is also president of the Hills- boro Electric Light & Power Company, is a stockholder of the Hillsboro Hotel Company and also of the Kortkamp Town Site Company.
In 1895 Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Kitty C. Clotfelter, a daughter of James W. and Dorcas (lotfelter. She was born near Hillsboro in 1821 and is a graduate of the high school of Hillsboro and of the Jack- sonville Female Academy. IInto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born three children : Kath- ryn D .. Marcia Judson. deceased : and Patricia.
Mr. Brown is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree and he is familiar with the teachings and tenets of the craft. In politics he is a Democrat. Mr. Brown has made good use of his opportunities, he has prospered from year to year, and has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts displays an aptitude for successful man- agement. He has not permitted the accumu- lation of a competence to affect in any way his actions toward those less successful than he. and has always a cheerful word and pleasant sinile for all with whom he comes in contact.
FRANK HAROLD BROWN.
Associated in business with his brother, James P. Brown, in Hillsboro and one of the most enterprising young business men of the city. Frank Harold Brown was born in Butler, August 31. 1872. A sketch of his father, George W. Brown, Jr., who has long figured in public life and business circles of Mont- gomery county, is given on another page of this work.
To the public-school system of his native town Frank H. Brown is indebted for the edu- cational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth and when his school life was completed he worked upon a farm for three or four years. Subsequently he engaged in celerking in his father's store in Butler for two or three years and then in 189t came to Hillsboro, where his father purchased the stock of the Mellenry Hardware Company. In 1898 he purchased the Paden & Wilson stock of farm implements. machinery, buggies, etc., on South Main street. Frank Brown and his brother were placed in charge of both concerns and continued tice implement business at the original location un- til 1900, when the father purchased the J. R. Challacombe stock of farm implements. In the same year most of the Challacombe stock was sold to M. L. Robertson, and Frank Brown removed the stock of farm machinery into the Brewer building, formerly occupied by Mr. ('hallacombe. There he is now conducting a successful business, while his brother has charge of the hardware business.
In 1898 occurred the marriage of Mr. Brown and Miss Emma Fields, a daughter of Dr. S. and Louisa Fields. They have two children : Beatrice and Don. Mr. Brown is a Mason and is connected with the Knights of Pythias fra- ternity and in social circles he has won many friends. He is a young man of notable en- ergy and strong determination, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution. He represents a family closely and actively asso- ciated with commercial development in Mont- gomery county and his own life record is a most creditable one.
JOHN M. CLOTFELTER.
John M. Clotfelter, interested in all matters of citizenship affecting the welfare and progress of Hillsboro and Montgomery county, is now serving for the fourth term as a member of the board of supervisors. He is. moreover, identified with commercial interests of his city, conducting a grocery store with good success, A native son of Hillsboro, he was born in 1859 and is a son of William S. and Susan B.
542
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
(Scherer) Clotfelter. The father, who was born in North Carolina, came to Montgomery county with his parents in 1833, settling in Hillsboro. The journey was made through Missouri by team. There were five brothers who came at that time: Lee, Amos L., Wil- liam S. D. Stokes and James W. All became substantial citizens, being good business men displaying careful management and excentive ability. The last named, however. is the only one now living. William S. Clotfelter was a farmer by occupation and also conducted a sawmill and the careful management of his business interests enabled him to accumulate considerable property. He was a Republican in his political affiliations and though he kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day he never sought or desired public office. His death occurred in May, 1890. His wife was a daughter of the Rev. Daniel Scherer, one of the first Lutheran ministers of Montgomery county and in that church she hold member- ship. She died in 1896, at the age of seventy- six years. They were the parents of eleven children, as follows: Louise, who became the wife of William Boager and resides in Hills- boro; Jennie, who is the wife of Frank Cress
living a mile and a half northwest of Hills- boro on the old homestead: Emma: Ida, who is the widow of Thomas Martin and lives in Hillsboro: Ella, the deceased wife of E. L. Waggoner: William Il., who also resides in Hillsboro; John M .; James E .. who is living in St. Louis, Missouri: Charles, who makes his home in Los Angeles, California: Frank. of Hillsboro: and one that died in infancy.
In the public schools of his native city John, M. Clotfelter acquired his education and when it was completed he secured a position as clerk in a grocery store, where he was employed until 1887. He then became a representative of mercantile interests in Hillsboro as a member of the firm of Keath & Clotfelter, grocers, and in 1889 he purchased his partner's interests and has since been alone in business. conduct- ing a good store on South Main street.
In 1894 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. (lotfelter and Miss Ethel Nelson, a daughter of Sammel Nelson, of Hillsboro. Her father was a miller and came to this city about the
time of the Civil war. He is still living in Hillsboro. Mrs. Clotfelter was born in this city in 1822, was a member of the Methodist church and died in that faith in 1895, her death being deeply regretted by many friends. Mr. Clotfelter is a member of the Maccabees and of the Commercial Club. llis political views are in accord with the principles of the Republican party and in 1897 he was elected upon that ticket to represent Hillsboro town- ship on the board of supervisors, in which he is now serving for the fourth term. As a pub- lie official he is reliable, having the best in- terests of the community at heart and his labors in behalf of the county have been of a prac- tical, beneficial nature.
CYRUS FITZJERRELL.
Cyrus Fitzjerrell, whose activity in business affairs has resulted in the acquirement of a handsome competence, is now engaged in buy- ing and shipping stock at Raymond, and the volume of his business insures him a good an- nual income. lle was born in Jersey county. Illinois, November 6, 1846, and is a son of Judge William Fitzjerrell, whose birth occur- red in Ohio on the 3d of October. 1815. Eli Fitzjerrell. the paternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of New Jersey, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. his ancestors having lo- vated in New Jersey during the colonial epoch in our country's history. Eli Fitzjerrell came to Illinois in 1830, settling in Maconpin county and there his son. Judge William Fitzjerrell. was reared to manhood and as a companion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Eliza- both Courtney, who was born in Madison coun- ty, Illinois. They removed to Montgomery county in 1856, locating in Zanesville town- ship, where Judge Fitzjerrell opened up a tract of land and improved an excellent farm. carry- ing on agricultural pursuits with success for many years. I'pon that place he reared his family and spent many years. but his last days were passed in Raymond in honorable retire- mont from labor. He died there May :. 1900, while his wife passed away February 14. 1883. He had been active and influential in com-
UNIVE. OM CLINGIS Un ......
1
MR. AND MRS. CYRUS FITZJERRELL
MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM FITZJERRELL
بـ
VERYWOOF .LINGIS
547
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
munity affairs and his labors proved of benefit to the locality. He was one of the associate judges of the county and served in other local offices, discharging his duties so promptly and capably that no word of condemnation was ever uttered against his official career. In his family were three sons and three daughters, of whom two sons and two daughters are yet living.
Cyrus Fitzjerrell was reared in Zanesville township upon the old home farm and assisted in its operation, working in field and meadow as soon as his age and strength permitted. Ile attended the common schools to some extent. but is largely self-educated, adding to his knowledge through reading, observation and ex- perience since attaining adult age. He was married in Zanesville township, September 12. 1861. to Miss Eliza A. Greenwood. a native of Kentucky and a daughter of Joseph Green- wood, who removed from the Blue Grass state to Illinois, becoming one of the early residents of Macoupin county, where Mrs. Fitzjerrell was reared and educated. The young couple began their domestic life upon the old home farm, Mr. Fitzjerrell succeeding to the ownership of a valuable tract of four hundred acres. le built a good residence, added other buildings, kept everything about his place in neat repair and in addition to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate he also engaged in the raising and feeding of stock. continuing in this business until 1903. He then placed the farm in charge of his son and removed to Ray- mond. where he is now engaged in the buying and shipping of stock. He has followed this business for many years and makes weekly ship- ments of both cattle and hogs, sending out about one hundred carloads annually. His busi- ness has now reached extensive proportions and because of his correct estimate of the value of the stock he is enabled to make judicious por- cha-es and profitable sales. Mr. Fitzjerrell is also financially interested in the Raymond Na- tional Bank, which he assisted in organizing and of which he is now a director and vice president.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.