USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 46
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The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzjerrell has been blessed with three children: Etta, now the wife of Dr. W. F. Waggoner, a physician of Carrollton, Illinois ; Harry B., who is married
and was a medical student in the Northwestern University at Chicago, completing his course with the class of June, 1904 ; and William Ross, who is married and operates the home farm. They also lost two sons in infancy, Frankie and Cyrus Newton.
Politically Mr. Fitzjerrell is a stanch Demo- erat and in Zanesville township he was elected for two terms to represent his district on the county board of supervisors. He has been a delegate to numerous conventions of his party and carnestly desires Democratie success, doing all in his power to secure the growth of the party organization. Fraternally he is a Master Mason. Ilis standing in the county is that of an honorable, enterprising business man and reliable citizen, and in the control of his pri- vate interests he has won both prosperity and an honored name.
CHARLES L. BROWN.
Charles L. Brown, who is engaged in the cultivation of one hundred and thirty acres of land on section 29, Witt township, about one-half of which he owns, was born one mile east of his present place of residence on the 14th of January, 1820, his parents being Thomas J. and Virginia E. ( MeCamant) Brown, who were also natives of Illinois. The father, born in Montgomery county. June 2. 1843. and carried on farming until 1902, but is now living in Litchfield. The mother, who was born in Fulton county in 1842, died in 1822. Her parents were natives of West Vir- ginia and came to Illinois in the early 40s. Our subject's paternal grandparents were born in Tennessee and removed to this state in 1830. The grandfather, who was a farmer by occu- pation, died in 1846 at the age of forty-four years, and the grandmother passed away in 1889 at the age of seventy-nine.
At the usual age Charles L. Brown began his education. attending Starr school, in Witt township, district 43. In the summer months he worked in the fields and enjoyed the sports in which farmer lads usually indulged. He remained at home until twenty-six years of age and then started out in life on his own
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account. He had no assistance, but has be- come the owner of a neat little farm of sixty aeres, which is well improved with good build- ings and an orchard and which represents an industrious career. Ile is farming one hun- dred and thirty acres, and all of the land is now highly cultivated and returns to him good crops.
On the 21st of April, 1896. Mr. Brown was united in marriage to Miss Anna M. Hoehn, who was born in Clinton county. Illinois. Feb- ruary 14. 1823. a daughter of Andrew and Bertha (Oferle) Hoehn, of Witt township, who are natives of Germany and came to Montgomery county in 1825. The father is here engaged in farming. Three children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown, two sons and a daughter: Walter T., seven years of age; Celia B., a little maiden of five years : and Ray A., a lad of two summers. The par- ents are communicants of the Catholic church. Mr. Brown served as a member of the school board for four years and in his political views is a Democrat. He has a wide acquaintance in the county which has always been his home and has gained the warm friendship of many with whom he has been brought in contact.
CONRAD WIEGAND.
No country has furnished a more desirable class of citizens to America than has Germany. The sons of the fatherland are nsuchy men of enterprise, capable in business, reliable in citizenship and with strong home-loving ten- dencies, Mr. Wiegand represents this class. He was born in Saxony, Germany, Fd rvary 15. 1842. a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Wiegand. who came to America when he was nine years of age. They took passage on a westward bound sailing vessel, which was three weeks in making the trip and then dropped anchor in the harbor of New York. They did not tarry long in the castern metropolis, however, but went at once to Butler county, Pennsylvania, where they resided upon a farm. There the father died when his son Conrad was but thir- teen years of age and the subject of this review soon afterward started out in life on his own
account. Ile secured employment on a steam- boat sailing from Louisville, Kentucky, to New Orleans and was thus employed between the ages of thirteen and nineteen years. When the Civil war broke out he was in the latter city. but he managed to make his way to Indiana. He had watched with interest the progress of events and being in entire sympathy with the Union cause he enlisted as a member of Com- pany 1. Thirteenth Indiana Volunteer Infant- ry, joining the regiment at New Albany. Aft- or two months there passed the command pro- ceeded to Richmond, and at a mountain pass in West Virginia he and fifteen comrades were captured. They were then taken to Libby prison. where they were incarcerated for nine months and were then transferred to Tusca- loosa, Alabama, where they remained for three months and were then paroled. Mr. Wiegan .? started to return, but he proceeded only as far as Raleigh, when he was again captured and was imprisoned in Salisbury, North Carolina. where he remained for three months and was then exchanged. He was sent to Governor's Island and thence went home on a furlough. Later he went to Columbus, Ohio, where in September, 1862, he enlisted in the Tenth Ohio Cavalry and served until the close of the war. He was in the battle of Chickamauga, one of the most hotly contested engagements, and was also with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea. He served throughout the entire pe- riod of hostilities as a private and although he was frequently in the thickest of the fight he was never wounded, notwithstanding the fact that he had three horses shot from under him. Brave and loyal, he never faltered in the per- formance of his duty, but was ever true to the old flag and the cause it represented.
Not long after the war Mr. Wiegand went to Belleville, where he worked in the coal mines for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to Montgomery county, where he began renting land and in 1883 with the capital he had acquired through his own labor he purchased forty acres, where he now resides. To this he has since added as his financial re- sources have given him opportunity until now he owns two hundred and ninety-nine acres lying in Hillsboro and in Grisham township.
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The home farm comprises one hundred and ninety-nine aeres on sections 10 and 3, Grisham township, and is a valuable property with well tilled fields, in which he uses the latest in- proved machinery, with rich meadow lands, good buildings and. in fact, all modern equip- ments and accessories such as are found upon the model farm of the twentieth century.
In June, 1826. Mr. Wiegand was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Kala and their union has been blessed with five children, three daughters and two sons: Mary, who is now the wife of Henry Niemann: Annie, the wife of John Boge: Sophia, the wife of Walter Bobe: George, who is at home engaged in general farming: and Theodore, who died at the age of six years and was buried in Waveland como- tery. The parents are members of the Ger- man Lutheran church and Mr. Wiegand gives his political support to the Republican party. Ule displays in his life many of the sterling characteristics of his German ancestry, but he is thoroughly American in thought and spirit and in matters of citizenship, too, he is as true and loyal to-day as when he followed the old flag upon the battle-fields of the south.
WILLIAM C. SMITH.
William C. Smith, a general farmer and stock-raiser of Raymond township, was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, not far from the village of Raymond, May 16. 1865. flis father. William Smith, was born in Germany and came to the United States when a lad of fourteen years. He made his way direct to Illinois and afterward worked by the month near St. Louis. Subsequently he took up his abode in Sanga- mon county, where he attained his majority and was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Hannah Schelpe, a native of Germany. A farmer by occupation, the father carried on general agricultural pursuits in Sangamon county for a few years, during which time two children were added to the household. About 1820 be removed to Montgomery county. set- tling in Raymond township, where he opened up a farm upon which he reared his family. For many years he continued actively in ag-
rienltural life, and as the result of his per- sistent labor and careful management he ac- emulated a handsome competence that now enables him to live retired. He is a resident of farvel at this writing, occupying a nice home there. Ento him and his wife were born eight sons and seven daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity and the sons and six of the danghters are married.
William C. Smith spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Raymond township and at- tended the public schools, acquiring a fair English education, which qualified him to meet the practical and responsible duties of busi- ness life. During the months of vacation he assisted his father in the farm work and con- tinued to give him the benefit of his services until he had attained his majority and was married. in 1885 he was joined in wedlock to Miss Sophia Welge, a native of Montgomery county, who spent her entire life here, passing away on the 6th of February, 1893. She left three children: Erna Louise, Anna and Es- tella. The first two are at home with their father and the youngest daughter is now liv- ing with her maternal grandmother. On the 11th of March, 1896, in Butler Grove town- ship. Mr. Smith was again married, his second union being with Miss Minnie Ricke, a native of Butler Grove township and a daughter of William Ricke, who was born in Germany and became one of the carly residents of Mont- gomery county. By the second marriage there are two children. Johnnie and Roscoe.
After his first marriage Mr. Smith began farming in Raymond township, commenring with one hundred and twenty acres of land, which he continued to eultivate for several years. He afterward operated the old family homestead for four years and in January, 1891. he purchased his present property and took up his abode thereon. It is a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 25, Raymond town- ship. He has since rebuilt and remodeled the house, has fenced the place and made many substantial improvements, including the plant- ing of a good orchard. His farm is now well improved, constituting a desirable property, but when it came into his possession it was much run down and the buildings were all in poor
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repair. He has worked earnestly and energet- ically to bring about this transformation which has since occurred.
Politically Mr. Smith is au earnest Dem ;- crat, keeping well informed on the question- and issues of the day. but giving his time and attention principally to the business affairs. lle has held no public office save that of school director. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and were reared in that faith Mr. Smith also belongs to the Modern Wood- men camp and is well known to his brethren of that fraternity. He is classed with the in- dustrions, frugal, careful and successful farm- ers and he keeps everything about his place in excellent condition and the neat appearance of his buildings and the highly cultivated fields indicate his enterprise. He is a man of good habits, thoroughly reliable in business tran- sactions and honorable in all his relations with his fellow men and his upright character has gained him favorable acquaintance.
GEORGE S. WILSON. M. D.
Dr. George S. Wilson, whose successful ca- reer as a member of the medical fraternity is the direct result of careful preparation and conscientious purposes combined with a thor- ough and comprehensive knowledge of the principles of medicine and a humanitarian de- votion to the needs of his patients. is also well known in Nokomis and Montgomery county as a successful investor in mining and oil stocks. lle has. moreover, an agreeable manner, an unfailing courtesy and a kindly disposition that render him popular with all and the cir- cle of his friendship is continually broadening.
Dr. Wilson was born in Richmond. Jefferson county. Ohio, on the 31st of January. 1865, his parents being John T. and Susan ( Graden) Wilson. His paternal grandfather. a native of Ireland, came to America in 1812 and it is supposed that the great-grandfather in the pa- ternal line was killed in the second war with England. He left landed estate in County Down. Ireland. The grandfather, John Wil- son. was united in marriage to a daughter of Peter Taylor, of County Down, Ireland, and
her death occurred in 1822. when she had reached the advanced age of eighty-six years.
Their son, John T. Wilson, was born No- vember 2. 1825, and after arriving at years of maturity he followed farming in Jefferson county, Ohio, where he owned one hundred and twenty acres of land in the vicinity of Rich- mond. This property was later sold to a sis- ter of our subject. John T. Wilson was united in marriage to Miss Susan Graden, whose birth occurred in 1834. She lost her mother during her early girlhood and when but twelve years of age was left an orphan by the death of her father, who died near Germano in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1846. Of her brothers, Aleck and John Graden died in Nokomis. James Graden was a congressman of the state of Washington. He was very prominent and in- fluential in the northwest and he laid out the town of Walla Walla. Jacob Graden now resides in Kansas City, while Thomas is a sheep man of the west and both are wealthy. For many years John T. and Susan (Graden ) Wil- son traveled life's journey together and they were separated by death for only a brief period, the father dying on the 4th day of March, 1903, while the mother passed away on the 14th of April. of the same year. They were laid to rest in Ohio near the old home where they had so long lived. Both were consistent mem- hers of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Wilson was a Republican in his political views. They were the parents of six children. of whom Dr. Wilson is the fifth in order of birth. Thomas A .. the oldest, was married to Mandane Anderson and resides in Nokomis. Mary Jane died at the age of nineteen years. Maggie A. became the wife of John Ramsey. who died in 1890. and his widow now resides upon the old Wilson homestead in Jefferson county, Ohio. James E. is a carpenter and mechanical engineer of Nokomis. John W .. the youngest of the family, married Amy Sut- ton and resides in Carroll county. Ohio, where he follows farming and is also serving as a justice of the peace.
Dr. Wilson acquired his early education in the district schools of Jefferson county. Ohio, and afterward attended Richmond College in his native town. from which institution he
DR. G. S. WILSON
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URCALA
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was graduated on the completion of a com- mereial course. It was his intention, however, to prepare for the practice of medicine and soon afterward he entered upon a course of lectures in the Columbus Medical College and was graduated on the 2d of March. 1892, from this institution. Ile is an alumnus of the Star. ling Medical College of Columbus, one of the oldest medical colleges of the state, its ex- istence covering more than sixty years. He prae- ticed medicine during the summer of 1892 and then matriculated in the Medical College of Indiana, now connected with the University of Indianapolis. lle was graduated from that institution on the 30th of March. 1893. He look his final examinations on the 28th of that month and began practice two days later at Rosemond, illinois, where he remained until June 14, 1899, when he removed to Nokomis, where he still resides, having gained here a large and Inerative practice. He belongs to the Central Illinois Medical Society, and in addition to the work of a general practitioner he has his full share of consultation work and is examiner for various life insurance com- panies, including the New York Mutual, the Home of New York. the John Hancock and the Bankers' Life. He is also examiner for the Modern Woodmen Camp, the Court of Honor and the Loyal Cirele. He has a splen- didly equipped office and possesses the only static electricity and X-ray machine in Nokomis and. in fact, was the first one to in- troduce the improved helps to the medical pro- fession in Montgomery county. Ile also has a special nelmilæzer, with which he treats the nose and car. His practice has been attended with a creditable measure of success and his fellow practitioners as well as the public ae- cord him high rank as a representative of the medical fraternity of Montgomery county. He belongs to the Central Illinois Medical Fra- ternity of Montgomery county. Ile belongs to the Central Illinois Medical Society and is also a fellow of the Sydenham Society. an association formed in the College of Indiana.
As Dr. Wilson has prospered in his practice and his financial resources have been thereby increased. he has made judicious investment and is now the treasurer of the Keystone Min-
ing & Milling Company of Decatur, owning mining property in New Mexico. There are only ten men interested in this enterprise and thus the profits are proportionately greater than in the companies where there are many stockholders. Dr. Wilson is also a director in the Bradshaw Copper Company, of Arizona. and is the president of the Nokomis Crude Oil Company, having property in Kansas, which the company is now developing.
EDWARD B. HESS.
Much of the surface land of Montgomery county is underlaid with rich coal deposits and the development of the coal fields has become an important source of revenue in this part of the state. Mr. Hess, as manager of the Mont- gomery Coal Company, is well known in busi- ness circles and his position is a responsible and important one. He was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, July 28, 1862, his parents he- ing Samuel S. and Susan ( Doty) Hess, both of whom were natives of this state. In 1868 they located in Christian county near Mor- risonville, where the father engaged in farm- ing for some time and where he and his wife now live.
Edward B. less is indebted to the public- school system of Morrisonville for the educa- tional privileges which he enjoyed. At the age of twenty-one years he started out as an engi- neer and in 1895 he came to Witt township. Montgomery county, where he accepted a po- sition as engineer with the Montgomery Coal Company. In 1896 he became a stockholder in the coal company and has been its seeretary since July, 1892. Throughout this period he has also been manager and the successful con- duet of the business is largely attributable to his efforts, his practical knowledge of the best methods of mining coal and of placing the prod- uet on the market. Ile is also a stockholder in the Hillsboro Electric Light Company.
On the 5th of June, 1900, Mr. Hess was united in marriage to Miss Annie Paisley, a daughter of G. W. Paisley, who is represented 'elsewhere in this work. Her death occurred June 5. 1901. and was deeply regretted through-
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ont the community, for she had many warm friends. Mr. Hess belongs to Twin City lodge. No. 622. K. P .. and he attends the Presby- terian church. llis political support is given to the Democracy.
Fred S. Hess, brother of Edward B. Hless, serving as weighmaster for the Montgomery Coal Company, was born in Morrisonville, Illi- nois. December 16, 1838, and also attended the schools there. He spent one year as a janitor in Oak Park, Illinois, and in 1899 he came to Paisley, where he has since been weighmaster with the Montgomery Coal Company. He was married December 16, 1901, to Bessie MeBride. a daughter of Richard MeBride, of Morrison- ville, and the brothers reside together. . Fred Hess is also connected with Twin City lodge. No. 622. K. P., and his political allegiance is given to the Democracy. The brothers are well known young business men of Paisley and are making steady and substantial advance in in- dustrial circles.
WILLIAM ATLT.
Will'am Ault, now deceased. was a respected farmer of Montgomery county, whose entire life was actuated by honorable principles as manifested by his tidelity in citizenship, his trustworthiness in business relations, his faith- fulness in frendship and in his devotion to his family.
Mr. Ault was born in Hardy county, West Virgina, in 1840, and there spent the days of his boyhood and youth. He remained at home until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when in 1862, prompted by a spirit of loyalty to the Union, he enlisted as a member of Company B. First Regiment, P. H. B., Maryland Cavalry, with which he served for three years, lacking two months. He participated in the siege of Petersburg and carried dispatches to Williams- port during that battle. At the battle of Chancellorsville he and a comrade were sent out as spies to investigate the position and strength of Stonewall Jackson's forces, and in returning he was captured by Union soldiers who be- lieved him to be a Rebel spy and put a rope
around his neck, intending to hang him, but just at the last moment his life was saved by a Union officer. He was a brave and intrepid soldier, often found in the thickest of the fight in many hard fought battles, and at the close of the war was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal.
Following the close of hostilities Mr. Ault spent a year in Ohio and then came to Mont- gomery county, Illinois, where he continued to reside until called to his final rest. He was married here on the 20th of September, 1815, to Miss Mary Corlew, a daughter of Rev. Wil- liam tl. Corlew, who was born in Illinois. and was brought to Montgomery county by his father, Philip Corlew, who was one of the earliest of the pioneer settlers. William Il. Corlew became a minister of the Baptist church and engaged in preaching the gospel for many years. He was also a prominent man in public affairs and for a long period served as justice of the peace, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial. lle was always true to every trust and his high moral worth and his active interest in the welfare of his fellow men made him a valued and highly respected citizen. He married Eliza A. Black and they became the parents of seven children : Henrietta, the wife of B. Kessinger, of Kansas: Martha, deceased wife of James Sims: Mrs. Ault : Amanda, de- erased : Eliza and Lucy, who are living in Colorado: and Lottie, the wife of Addison Applegate, who is residing upon the old home farm of the family. Rev. Corlew, who was born in 1819, died March 3, 1896, and his wife, whose birth occurred in Illinois, January t ?. 1824, passed away on the ith of April, 1904. Like her husband she was a most consistent Christian. In early life she joined the Chris- tian church and her religious faith was mani- fest in her kind and generous spirit and many deeds of helfulness and of mercy. On the 5th of February, 1846. she gave her hand in mar- riage to Rev. Corlew and was thereafter a most devoted companion and helpmate to him on the journey of life.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Ault was blessed with six children : Annie, who died at the age of two years: Daisy, who died in childhood ; Maggie and Retta, who are engaged in teaching
UNIX
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MR. AND MRS. WILLIAM AULT
MR. AND MRS. W. H. CORLEW
.CA.A
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school; Verna and Vena, who are attending school in Charleston, Ilinois.
At the time of his marriage Mr. Ault took his bride to his farm and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until his labors were ended in death. He was very practical as well as progressive in his farm work and as the years passed accumulated a handsome compe- tence, leaving at the time of his death three hundred and twenty acres of land. to which his wife has since added by purchase a tract of eight acres, so that she now has four hundred acres, six miles southwest of Hillsboro. She superintends this place and displays excellent business ability thereby. On the 2nd day of June. 1896, Mr. Ault was driving a team of mules and leading another from the field where he had been working. when death came to him. Ilis team continued on to the barnyard gate and there stopped, and soon afterward Mr. Ault was discovered by his little daughter. He had previously suffered from heart trouble, which was undoubtedly the cause of his death. Hle had been a member of the Masonic fraternity and in politics was a stalwart Republican. giv- ing unfaltering support to the principles of the party. He held membership in the Methodist church, to which his widow belongs, and his life was actuated by high principles and honor- able motives.
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