USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 47
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HIUMPHREY HI. HOOD, M. D.
Dr. Humphrey Hughes Hood, fourth of the ten children of Lambert and Sarah (Hughes) Hood. was born September 19. 1823. in Phila- delphia, of which city his father's family had been residents for four preceding generations. His mother was of Welsh nativity, coming with her parents to this country in early childhood.
In 1837 the family removed to Alton, Ili- mois, and afterward to Otter Creek Prairie. then in Greene, now in Jersey county. Their stay in the west was only for about eighteen months, at the end of which time they returned to Philadelphia. In 1848, after reading with a tutor. Dr. Hood entered Jefferson Medical College. of Philadelphia, and was graduated in the spring of 1851. The following antumn
found him in Jersey county, Ilinois, where ho had lived a short time during his boyhood. In the summer of 1854 he removed to the new town of Litchfield, which had been laid ont the preceding antumn, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, and, excepting one year's residence in Taylorville, remained a resi- dent there until his death.
In June. 1855. he was married to Miss Ma- tilda Woodhouse Jackson, eldest daughter of Mr. Charles S. Jackson, of Jerseyville. Five children were born of this union. of whom three survive: George Perry Hood, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Misses Sarah Frances Hood and Annie Hughes Hood. of Litchfield. Dr. Hood became a widower January 2. 1867 and in July, 1869. was married to Mrs. Abi- gail Elvira Paden, daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Torrey, of Springfield. Their chil- dren, both living, are : Harold Hood, of Litch- field; and Mrs. Louise Rahmeyer, of Manila, Philippine Islands.
In September, 1862. Dr. Hood entered the army with the appointment of assistant sur- gen of the One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and after one year was appointed surgeon of the Third United States Heavy Artillery, with headquarters at Fort Pickering. Memphis, Tennessee, holding that position during the three remaining years of his service, a part of which time he was also on the staff of General John E. Smith as sur- geon-in-chief of the district of west Tennessee. see.
When a boy, during his short residence in and near Alton, in 1837 and 1838, his atten- tion was first drawn to the subject of American slavery by the action of the pro-slavery mobs that destroyed the presses of the Alton Ob- server and finally murdered its anti-slavery editor. the Rev. Elijah Lovejoy. Dr. Hood was relating the story of the incidents of this outrage to some friends at a little social gather- ing and made mention of his coming up the river on a steamer from St. Louis to Alton and overhearing a portion of a conversation by some of these depredators. This was a short time previous to the occurrence of the outrage, but not enough was gathered of a nature sufficiently tangible to cause him to tako prior action
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against the parties to the crime. These out- rages, committed with impunity, together with the bitterly proseriptive and murderous spirit exhibited by many people toward those who condenmed them, made the subject of this sketch an abolitionist for life. He. however. before the Civil war, never favored any federal interference with slavery in the states where it existed. he did believe that its introduction into the territories should be forbidden and that no more slave states should be admitted into the Union. He identified himself with the Free- soil party, whose platform enunciated these views and whose battle cry was, "Free soil. free speech, free press, free labor and free men." He followed that party in 1856, when it was merged into the newly organized Republican party. Ho voted for the Republican nominees at every presidential election from 1856 to 1900, inclusive.
Dr. Hood was never a seeker after public po- sition, but, nevertheless, was not infrequently chosen for office. He was three times elected an alderman of the city of Litchfield and once supervisor of North Litchfield township. He served many years as a member of the Litch- field board of education, and for much of that time was its secretary. In 1884 he was elected as the Republican minority representative for the legislative district composed of Christian and Montgomery counties, in the general as- sembly, and was one of the memorable One Hundred and Three by whose votes John .I. Logan was, for the last time. returned to the United States senate. flis official duties in every case were discharged with the most soru- pulous and careful consideration for the inter- ests of his constituents and the people of the state. The same adherence to his convictions of duty and a close observance of the golden rule in his business and social relations, to- gether with a warm fidelity to the interests of his friends, characterized his conduct in pri- vate life.
Dr. Hood was from childhood a regular at- tendant upon religious services, and after his removal to Illinois, in 1852. upon those of the Presbyterian church, to the support of which he freely contributed, but did not unite with that communion until 1890. During his re-
maining years he was active in church and Sunday-school work.
llis death occurred in his eightieth year, on Friday, February 20, 1903, after an illness of but four days. Although failing in health for ten years or longer, he had been giving unre- mitting attention to his business, and on the day preceding the fatal attack, was apparently in more than ordinarily good health. His fu- neral, under the direction of the Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, took place at the Litchfield Presbyterian church, on the Sun- day following his decease, and was largely at- tended.
HON. E. H. DONALDSON.
Hon. E. H. Donaldson, now residing in Fill- more, is one of the prominent and influential citizens of Montgomery county, taking an ae- tive part in community affairs and in public office demonstrating his loyalty to the general good by active co-operation in many move- ments which have formed the basis of the conn- ty's prosperity and upbuikling.
Mr. Donaldson was born in Fayette county. Illinois, November 10, 1836, his parents being William C. and Elvina (flicks) Donaldson, Loth natives of Tennessee. His paternal great- grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Donaldson. came to this country from near Glasgow, Scot- land, about the time of the Revolutionary war, and espousing the cause of the colonists Robert Donaldson entered the army under General George Washington. He was wounded in the thigh by a musket ball which fractured the bone and for three months he lay in the hos- pital, after which he rejoined his regiment and continned in active service until the close of the war. Later he engaged in farming in North Carolina and from there moved his fam- ily to Tennessee, where his death oeeurred. Our subject's grandfather. Barnett Donaldson. was a soldier of the war of 1812 and died in Fayette county, Ilinois, as did his first wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Andrews. After her death he married Mrs. Charity Breeze, of Jefferson county, Illinois, who also died in Fayette county.
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William C. Donaldson, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Carroll county, Tennessee, in 1817. and he remained in the state of his na- tivity until about fifteen years of age, when, in 1832, he came to Illinois, settling in Fayette county among its pioneer residents. There he attained his majority and afterward engaged in farming and merchandising. Ile spent his re- maining days there, passing away in 1822. He was a man of publie-spirited interest in general progress and his influence was ever on the side of improvement. He served as county com- missioner and as justice of the peace and in the discharge of his duties he was ever prompt, faithful and reliable. Unto him and his wife were born the following children : Elijah H., of this review : Presley G., a retired farmer of Fillmore, who married Elizabeth Lovegrove and had three children, two sons now living : Mary E., who married Henry Cassey, and both are now deceased : Martha J., deceased wife of J. W. Hicks, of Witt township; Mahala P .. deceased wife of T. JJ. Hill. a merchant of Fillmore: Nancy, who married James Harris and both are now deceased : James C., who mar- ried Esther Schirl, now deceased, and resides in Ramsey, Illinois; and Sarah R., wife of D. M. Griggs, of Filhoro.
Elijah 1. Donaldson spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and pursued his education in the schools of Fay- ette connty. Ile afterward engaged in teach- ing there and was also identified with mer- cantile interests for four years. On the ex- piration of that period he removed to Mont- gomery county, settling in Witt township. where he purchased a farm of two hundred acres. There he engaged in the raising of grain and continued to carry on agricultural pur- suits until five years ago, when he removed to Fillmore, though he still owns the farm, which is to-day a valuable and well improved place. After his removal to the village he turned his attention to the insurance business, repre- senting the Phoenix, the German, the North American and Connecticut Companies. He has secured a large clientage and is now in con- trol of the business which is extensive and profitable. He also operates in real estate and serves as notary public.
On the 3d of January, 1856, Mr. Donaldson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Rhodes, a native of Fayette county, Illinois, and they have become the parents of five chil- dren : William A .. who was engaged in ag- ricultural pursuits, married Emma Jane Craig and died June 14, 1900, leaving a widow and six children, three sons and three daughters. James M., the youngest, died at the age of seven years. Of those living, Mary E. is the wife of William Hard. Aaron B., who married Celia Ann Craig and is living in St. Louis, was a minister of the Methodist church for fourteen years, but is now president of the International Leather Company. Lena J. is the wife of Judson Solomon, of Washington county, Arkansas.
Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and he is an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, being made a Mason in 1863 at Ramsey Lodge, No. 405, in Ramsey, Ilinois, and now belonging to Fillmore Lodge, No. 610, of Fillmore, of which he has served as master for three terms and has also been representative to the grand lodge. llis political support is given to the Democracy and upon that ticket he has been elected to various public positions of honor and trust. He served as supervisor for three years : was assessor four years; road commis- sioner two years, school trustee eight years, school director twenty years, and in 1890 was elected to represent his district in the thirty- seventh general assembly of Illinois. While in the house he proved one of the active working members of the Democratic party. giving to each question which came up for settlement his careful consideration and advocating it with unfaltering purpose it he believed in its value to the state, or opposing it with equal carnesi- ness when he deemed it detrimental to the in- terests of the commonwealth. He was one of the famous "101" Democratic members in the great senatorial contest in 1891, when Genera! John M. Pahner was elected, and a gold medal was presented to him by the Democracy of Springfield as one of the "101." While in the legislature he served as chairman of the committee on roads and bridges, and was also a member of the committees on military affairs,
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live stock and drainage and state charitable institutions. He has also served as police mag- istrate for some time and in any public posi- tion which he has been called upon to till he has proved loyal, discharging his duties with due regard to the interests of the community at large.
Mr. Donaldson has spent his entire life in Illinois and has been a witness of many of the changes which have occurred in Montgomery county. He has seen as many as twenty-four deer in a single herd, while prairie chickens were as numerous as English sparrows are to- day. The country was but sparsely settled and few advantages were to be enjoyed. The carly settlers had to go long distances to mill and then had to use their own teams as power to grind their corn. As pioneer conditions have been replaced by the improvement, of modern civilization Mr. Donaldson has watched with in- terest the changes and has kept abreast with the uniform advancement and upbuilding. IT- stands to-day as one of the representative men of his county, respected and honored because of his reliability in business, his fidelity in friendship and his loyalty in citizenship.
JUDGE AMOS MILLER.
Judge Amos Miller, an attorney of Hillsboro and former county judge, whose influence has been a forceful element in the educational and moral development of his community, was born in Carroll county, Ohio, January 25, 1845. He is a son of Joseph W. and Isabel ( MeClintock ) Miller, the former of German lineage and the latter of Scotch-Trish descent. The father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, and became a farmer, following that pursuit for many years. llis political allegiance was given the Democracy and he was a member of the Lutheran church. His wife, who was born in Ilarrison county, Ohio, is now living in Ray- mond. Illinois, with her daughter, Mrs. B. F. Culp, at the age of eighty-nine years. She is a faithful Christian, holding membership in the Lutheran church. Her father. Thomas Me- Clintock, was born in Ireland, while her mother, who in her maidenhood was Miss
Fisher, was born in Germany. Joseph W. and Isabel ( McClintock) Miller, were the parents of seven children, six sons and a daughter, bu two of the sons died in infancy. The sister is Mrs. B. F. Culp, of Raymond, whose hus- band is a banker and leading business man there. The sons are: Martin, who is a min- istor of the Methodist Episcopal church in Fresno county. California ; Eli. the cashier of the First National Bank, of Litchfield: John, who is serving as sheriff of Montgomery county : and Amos.
Indge Miller spent his carly boyhood days in Ohio, and in the spring of 1862 accompa- nied his parents on their removal to Ilinois. the family home being established upon the farm cast of Nokomis. His preliminary edu- cation was acquired in the district schools, and he afterward spent two years in what was then known as the Illinois State University, a school under the general synod of the English Lutheran church. He afterward worked for three summers at the carpenter's trade, and in the winter season engaged in teaching school. On the 1st of August. 1866, he arrived in Hillsboro and after locating here he pursued the study of mathematics, astronomy and ht- erature under the direction of L. F. M. Easter- day. Ile secured a position in the county clerk's office as deputy under W. D. Shirley, filling that position most acceptably for seven and a half years, and while thus engaged he also took up the study of law at the suggestion and under the direction of Judge Edward Lane. When he had read for some time he was ad- mitted to the bar in 1869, but he continued in the clerk's office until 18:4. In the spring of that year he formed a partnership with his father-in-law. the late JJudge E. Y. Rice. for the practice of his profession at Hillsboro and this relation was continued until the death of Judge Rice in 1883. In the meantime Joel K. MeDavid had become a student in the office and later a partner in the firm, and the busi- ness relation between JJudge Miller and Mr. MeDavid was continued until 1886, when the former was elected to the county bench, filling that position for one term. llis decisions were fair and impartial, being characterized by a comprehensive understanding of the law and
JUDGE AMOS MILLER
PanAmy DRIVE JIM00: ILINOIS
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correct application of its principles to the point in litigation. Upon his retirement from the bench he resumed the private practice of law, winning and retaining for himself a notable position as a member of the Montgomery county bar.
Judge Miller has long been a recognized leader in publie thought and action in Hills- boro, and his efforts have contributed in tan- gible way to the substantial development of the county along many lines. For fifteen years he has been a member of the school board, and is now its president. In 1824 he was elected city attorney of Hillsboro, and in 1826 he was elected states attorney, and was re-elected the following term. After a lapse of several years he was again elected to that office in 1884. and he left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during these two terms. for he upheld strenuously every measure which he believed would benefit the commonwealth and strongly opposed every act that he believed would prove detrimental to the community. In the fall of 1903 he was appointed the Demo- cratic member of the board of voting machine commissioners by Governor Yates.
In September. 1821, Judge Miller was mar- ried to Miss Mary R. Rice, a daughter of Ed- ward Y. and Susan ( Allen ) Rice. Mrs. Miller was born in Hillsboro in 1850, is a graduate of the Sacred Heart Convent of St. Louis, and has become the mother of two children, isa and Rice. The elder, a graduate of the Hills- boro high school and also of Hosmer llall, in St. Louis, Missouri, is now the wife of Harry O. Pinkerton, a traveling salesman of Mar- shalltown, lowa. now of Gillespie, Illinois. Rice, after graduating from the high school of Hillsboro, spent three years in Cornell Col- lege and was graduated from the law depart- ment with the class of 1899. Hle then formed a partnership with his father, which continued until the fall of 1901, when he took charge of the business of the Hillsboro Coal Company as its secretary and treasurer. He married Winnifred Wool. of Hillsboro, and they have one child. Rice Wool Miller.
Judge and Mrs. Miller are prominent mem- bers and active workers in the Lutheran church. of which he is serving as elder, and with the
exception of a period of two years he has con- tinuously served as superintendent of its Sun- day-school since 1868. Ile has several times been a delegate from the central Illinois synod to the general synod, and was appointed a mem- ber of the board of education in the church and assisted in the selection and location of Mid- land College at Atchison, Kansas, which insti- tution is now in a flourishing condition. He stands for all that is honorable in man's rela- tions with his fellow men, as the advocate of higher education and as the exponent of a pro- gressive citizenship, and his course as a lawyer as well as in private life has drawn to him the admiration and respect of his fellow men.
C. H. HILL.
The growth and prosperity of any community depends upon its business activity and the men who are prominent in its upbuilding are those who successfully control its commercial, industrial and professional interests. Of this class C. II. Hill is a worthy representative and Fillmore is indebted to him for what he has accomplished in its behalf. Ile is a native son of Fillmore township, born November 21. 1880.
His father, W. H. Ilill, was born four miles east of Fillmore in Fayette county and was a son of Elijah Hill. a pioneer of that locality. The family is one of the oldest in this part of the state and in the early development of Illi- nois bore a helpful part. W. H. Hill was reared in the county of his nativity, became fa- miliar with agricultural pursuits in youth, and after attaining his majority followed farming for some time. When the Clover Leaf Rail- road was built through Fillmore he removed to that place and embarked in the agricultural implement business. Later he turned his at- tention to the lumber trade and on disposing of his interests in that line engaged in buying and shipping stock. His labors were attended with success and he annually made large sales. In 1892 he also began merchandising, purchas- ing the store of J. Q. Bost & Company. Owing to ill health he went to Colorado in 1904 and there died on the 12th of July. that year. By
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his ballot he supported the Democratic party and served as supervisor four terms. Fra- ternally he was connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. In early manhood he married Miss Louisa C. Alexander, a daughter of the late John Alexander, of Fillmore town- ship, and to them were born thirteen children. but only three are now living.
(. II. Hill was reared under the parental roof, pursued his education in the schools of Fillmore and afterward went to Colorado where he spent six months, being employed in a store. He then returned to Fillmore and for four years has been connected with a store in this town. As a merchant he is enterprising and, carrying a large line of goods, he has also endeavored to please his patrons by honorable methods and has therefore secured a good pat- ronage.
Mr. Hill is identified with the Modern Wood- men of America and with the Knights of Pyth- ias fraternity and gives his political support to the Democracy. Having spent almost his entire life in this locality he has a wide ac- quaintance and his genial manner and many excellent traits of character have rendered him popular with a large circle of friends. He represents one of the old families of this por- tion of the state and the Hill family is also numerous. there being twenty-three voters by the name in Fillmore township.
R. B. ALLEN.
Among the native sons of Montgomery county who have been successful in their business af- fairs and are now capably controlling valu- able farming interests R. B. Allen is nmmn- bered. Ile lives on section 22. Zanesville town- ship. where he owns and operates one hundred and fifty acres of rich farming land. He was born December 22. 1861, a representative of one of the pioneer families of the county. His father. Squire S. Il. AAllen, was a pioneer here and for sixty-two years has been one of the public-spirited citizens of this part of the state. aiding in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present prosperity and upbuilding of Montgomery county. He was born in Kon-
tueky in 1832. but was reared in Zanesville township, Montgomery county, Illinois. His father, Robert Allen, was one of the first set- tlers who came to this part of the state from Kenineky and established his home in a district which was wild and unimproved. but in course of time he developed a good farm from the un- broken prairie. His son was here reared and became active in carrying on agricultural pur- snits. For years he filled the office of justice of the peace and his decisions were strictly fair and impartial. He also served as township clerk for eleven years and in the discharge of every public trust that has ever been given to him he has proved himself faithful and able. In 1864 he moved to the west. making the overland trip across the plains to California. lle then resided in the Golden state for two years, after which he returned to the cast by way of the Pacific, the isthmus of Panama and New York city.
R. B. Allen, whose name introduces this rec- ord. spent his boyhood days upon his father's farm and was early trained to the work of the field and meadow. while in the district schools he acquired the education that fitted him for life's practical duties and the prosecution of business interests. He started out in life for himself when nineteen years of age, work- ing as a farm hand by the month and was em- ployed in that way for seven years. He then rented a tract of land which he farmed for one year and thus, having made a start in life. he sought a companion and helpmate for the ro- mainder of life's journey. He was married in Zanesville township. September 8. 1890, to Miss Nettie Driskell. a native of Zanesville town- ship and a daughter of Marshall Driskell. who is represented elsewhere in this work.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen began their domestic life upon a little farm of twenty aeres and in con- nection with its cultivation Mr. Allen also operated rented land. He sold his property in 1896 and bought where he now resides on sep- tion 22. Zanesville township. This he began to improve and he built a good neat residence and large and substantial outbuildings. He has a good orchard that yields its fruits in season and the equipments of his farm are excellent, ho using the latest improved machinery to carry
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on the work of the fields. In connection with the tilling of the soil he is engaged in the rais- ing of high graded stock and he breeds and deals in pure-blooded Berkshire hogs. He is known as a successful farmer and stock-raiser and his prosperity is attributable entirely to his own efforts, for he began life as do the majority of American citizens, without financial assist- ance.
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