USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 49
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UNNET Y ILLINOIS
PERRY COMMODORE OLLER
JUDGE AMOS OLLER
DAVID S. OLLER
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jerked a knife from an Indian's belt, thrust it into his captor's body, picked up pistols dropped by his foe and, quicker than thought, started a dozen braves on their way to the happy hunting grounds and escaped. The only act for which he ever claimed any credit, and certainly one of the bravest of his many brave deeds, was that of dashing, single-handed into a band of Indians and rescuing two children destined to burn at the stake. On another occasion he found two babies scalped and try- ing to nurse their mother, who with their father had been killed several hours before. Mr. Oller followed the trail of the savages and brought back the scalps of the children and their parents and also those of five de- mons who had done the bloody deed. Not long after the death of Custer a band of Sit- ting Bull's braves captured two children after hutchering their parents in cold blood. Oller followed their trail for several days and finally succeeded in locating the band. Loading a horse. he boldly rode into their camp. After disarming suspicion he had a smoke with the chief and managed to drop a note where the oldest child could find it. Before leaving the camp ho secreted his rifle and revolvers in the brush about fifty rods away. The note in- structed the children to mount one of the horses in sport, getting on and off so as not to arouse suspicion. The scheme workel like a charm. In a short time the Indians grew care- less. and before they could realize what was happening he had leaped into the saddle and was off like a shot, the other horse following with the children. Securing his arms and ammunition. he held the savages at bay and rode night and day until he reached the set- tlement.
These are but few of the many tales which might he told of his bravery, his strategy and his diplomacy while sconting on the plains of the west. After an absence of almost four decades Mr. Oller returned to Illinois, where his family received him as one from the dead. He resembles greatly some of the characters that figure in Cooper's western tales, and the story of his life reads like a romance. prov- ing again the old adage that truth is stranger than fiction. ITis last days were spent at the
home of his son, Judge Oller, and he reached the very advanced age of eighty-six years, pass- ing away on the 14th of January, 1904. In his last days he remarked: "The Lord has been good to me, and I am ready for the roll call when reveille sounds." A publication, the Gatling Gun, writing of Mr. Oller in October, 1902, says :
"In conversation with Mr. Oller one feels that he is talking with a man of the heroic age, to the companion of Kenton, Boone and Crockett. He is a perfect type of the men of brawn and brain and iron who blazed the way through the wilderness for advancing civ- ilization from Jamestown to the Golden Gate. He is now making his home with his son, Judge Amos Oller, of Litchfield, one of the best informed and brightest men it has ever been our pleasure to meet."
JUDGE AMOS OLLER.
Judge AAmos Oller, city attorney of Litch- field and one of the leading lawyers of the Montgomery county bar. was born April 16, 1856, at the old Amos Snook homestead, four miles southwest of Litchfield, in Maconpin county, Illinois. He is the eldest son of Perry C. and Elizabeth (Snook) Oller, and was but tive years of age when his mother died. She left three children, who were then placed in the care of their grandfather, while the father went to the far west to act as an Indian scout, and long years passed ere he was again heard from. In the meantime Judge Oller had ac- quired an education, largely through his own efforts, had prepared for the bar and had won a place of prominence in the legal fraternity of Montgomery county.
The Judge began his studies in the district school near his home and afterward attended the Northwestern Normal School at Valparaiso, while in 1848 he entered the Indiana State Normal School at Terre Haute. On complet- ing his literary course he took up the study of law under the direction of United States Sena- tor Daniel Vorhees and was admitted to the bar of Illinois. He also attended the Wes- levan Law University at Bloomington and
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was graduated with honors, winning the prize for the highest scholarship at the examination in 1881.
Judge Oller entered upon the practice of law, which he followed in Macoupin county and in Litchfield, and in order to further per- feet himself in his chosen calling he devoted one year to post-graduate work in the Wash- ington Law School at St. Louis, Missouri. Re- suming practice in Litchfield, he has since re- mained an active member of the bar and has easily maintained a position of prominence among the members of the legal fraternity. His clientage has been large and of a distinct- ively representative character, and in the prepa- ration of his cases he is thorough and pains- taking, while in the presentation of his cause he is forceful and logical, giving strong and convincing reason for his position by a logical presentation of facts and the law applicable thereto. In 1898 he was elected to the bench of the newly constituted city court of Litch- field and made a remarkable record in that he never had a jury to disagree ; never granted a new trial; and no decision which he rendered was ever reversed. He filled the office for one term and then returned to the private prac- tice of law, which he found more remunerative. He is the present city attorney of Litchfield and he also has a large private practice, indica- tive of the reputation which he bears for legal learning and for power as an advocate and counselor.
On the 19th of January. 1879. Judge Oller was married to Miss Ida Huddleston, who was not fifteen years of age until the 22d of July following, and who belonged to one of the wealthiest families of Macoupin county. Seven children were born unto them: George Ellis. who was born October 22, 1829, and is now a section chief in the census office at Washing- ton. D. C .: Lolah Maie, now deceased; David Samuel: Ola Belle; Jesse Bennett, deceased ; Bertha Ann; and Marion Jennings. The mother died May 1, 1904, at the age of forty- one years and in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which she and Judge Oller had long belonged. The Judge is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp and the Mutual Protective League. Politically
he is a Bryan Democrat. He has ever studied closely the questions and issues of the day and has taken an advanced stand on many subjects affecting the general welfare. He has always been a leader among labor organizations. and in early manhood was mobbed for his ad- vocacy of the union. He was the first judge of the state over elected on the labor ticket and he has ever been the champion of the interests of the man who labors with his hands for a livelihood. He ranks among the ablest jurists and scholars of Illinois-a man of strong men- tal attainments, of studious habits, whose opin- ions, formed as the result of careful investiga- tion, are upheld with tenacity and courage.
DAVID SAMUEL OLLER.
It is difficult, indeed, to write a sketch con- cerning a young man ; a youth who has all of life before him, and while of acknowledged worth and ability, has not as yet had the full opportunity of showing what is in him. Yet, if we were called upon to select a young man whose future might well be magnified, judg- ing from his past, we would not hesitate to pick the subject of this sketch. He was born in Staunton, Illinois, September 15, 1884, and came to Litchfield with his parents, Judge and Mrs. Amos Oller, in the fall of 1887.
His education was received in the schools of Litchfield, and from the very first he showed signs of precocity and genius. lle passed through the grades, and the high school, grad- nating in 1902 with high honors. After grad- uating he accepted a position with the New York Store and was shortly promoted to the position of head clerk and assistant purchasing agent in the clothing department. With his friendly disposition and jovial manners he has won a host of friends. and commands a large patronage for the establishment by which he is employed.
While not yet of age he has the appearance of being older, and in the fall of 1904 was se- lected as a petit juryman in the Litchfield city court. He was not challenged. and served in several important cases, being made foreman of the jury in each instance, and the verdicts
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returned were confirmed by the higher courts.
lle is very popular in the younger society of the city, which. while regretting his absence from many a social function as a bachelor will congratulate him on his marriage, which oc- curred on Thanksgiving day, 1904. The bride is Miss Mary Walton, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Walton, well known residents of Ma- coupin county. She is a graduate of the Car- linville high school, and of the Litchfield Busi- ness College. They will make their future home in this city.
WILLIAM E. NEWSOME.
More than half a century ago George H. Newsome was born in the county of Wicklow. Ireland. near the little village of Johnstown, and on an adjacent farm to that on which he was reared Mary J. Smith was born February 23, 1855. It was here amidst rural scones that the Irish lad and lassie learned to love each other and in the fullness of years, when man- hood and womanhood's estate were reached, these two hearts were nited in the holy bonds of wedlock. The ceremony was celebrated in St. Peter's church. Dublin, in 1821. Two days thereafter they set their faces toward the "Land of the Free" and after a journey of ten days on the steamer St. Andrew were landed safely at Quebec. The greater part of the following summer was spent in Canada, seeking a suit- able place in which to commence their home life together. In the autumn of this year they passed over to Syracuse, New York, where Mr. Newsome remained but a short time. when. Inred by stories from the west. he commenced the journey toward that region of great possi- bilities. Interested in the work of coal mining. Mr. Newsome settled at Collinsville. Illinois. where he secured employment in connection with the mines at that place. Ile and his wife remained in Collinsville for some years and several children were born to them while here. In company with R. L. Dingle, the shaft of the Hillsboro coal mine was sunk about 1887. after which he assisted Mr. Dingle in sinking the shaft at Coffeen. In 1888 he moved his fam- ily to the latter place and assumed the man-
agement of the mine here, which position he held until January 14, 1892. On this date he was killed by the falling of the cage on which he was entering the shaft. Mrs. Newsome. thus left alone, a widow with eight children, most of whom were young and unable to assist in earn- ing a livelihood. presented a serious problem as to how she should be able to keep her little flock together. She went to work, however. with a will and with the aid of the older ones has succeeded in not only caring for and edu eating her children, but she has the satisfac- tion of knowing that with the exception of the two younger, who are in school, that her chil- dren are comfortably fixed in the world. Hat- tie Il. was for eleven years a teacher in the pub- lie schools of Coffeen, at the end of which time she retired to the regret of those who know of her excellent qualities as a teacher. Mae, also a teacher in the public schools of the county. is now the wife of Charles E. Clark, editor of the Winchester Standard. George H., the sec- ond son. is connected with an insurance com- pany in the city of St. Louis. Robert Emmet. recently graduated from the Chicago College of Pharmacy, is at present employed as a drug- gist in that city. John is a grocery clerk in Coffeen. Leroy is attending college at Val- paraiso, Indiana, and Albert. the youngest son. is a student in the Coffeen high school.
We now come to the biography of William E., the oldest son of George Newsome. This young and energetic business man was born February 8. 1828. Schooled in necessity, he learned when but a mere boy the value of a dollar. and the habit of thrift, begun in childhood, has been the key by which he has achieved his success in the business world. William is a shrewd, far- seeing business man and his investments have always been well placed so that at the age of twenty-six he is in command of quite a little fortune. He owns several good paying proper- ties in the little city of Coffeen and is on the alert and ready to buy any piece of real estate in which he feels there is reason to believe there will be an appreciation in price. While Mr. Newsome is not a communicant at any church. yet his attendance is usually at the Cumberland Presbyterian. While his people are of Irish origin, still they were of the Church
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of England. Their connection, however, since where he owned a farm of two hundred acres residing in Coffeen has been with the Cumber- which is still in possession of one of his de- scendants of the name of Nathaniel Preston. Our subject has in his possession a document in his grandfather's hand writing drawn up at Piermont. Grafton county, New Hampshire, November 12, 1811, giving power of attorney to his son, Amos 11. This was recorded in the recorder's office in Athens county, Ohio, De- cember 19, 1812, Vol. II, page 117, E. Per- kins, register. The handwriting is exception- ally good. Our subject also has a letter written by Joseph Dana to his father. Amos H. Whit- more, on the 5th of November. 1818. land Presbyterian church at this place. Wil- liam Newsome is an illustration of what lies before any industrious American boy. That the future holds a deserving place for him is the beliet ot his many friends, and though he has been frugal, he has not been parsimonious, for to all laudable causes he has subscribed in proportion to his ability, and in securing an additional shatt at Coffeen he was one of the heaviest subscribers to that public donation. Personally Mr. Newsome is of pleasing ad- dress and his affability and courteous treatment of everybody makes him everybody's friend.
Mr. Newsome is at present the central com- mitteeman of the Republican party for East Fork township. In 1903 he was elected to the office of town clerk although the township is heavily Democratic. In fraternal circles Mr. Newsome is recognized as a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Masonic order. In these he takes considerable interest and doubtless en- joys the secret work of the lodge room. We anticipate, however, that before many moons Dave waned that Mr. Newsome will be able to find even greater pleasure in the home-lodge which he is amply able to establish.
JOSEPII WHITMORE.
Joseph Whitmore, one of the native sons of Montgomery county. was born in Audubon township, March 29. 1847, and is now living on section 22 of the same township, devoting his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. Ilis parents were Amos II. and Mary ( Wells) Whitmore, the former a native of London, England, and the latter of Virginia. His pa- ternal grandfather was Nathaniel Whitmore. who was also born in London and belonged to the English nobility, the family owning a large estate in that country. In 1812 Amos H. Whit- more came to America on a prospecting tour for his father, who afterward crossed the At- lantic and located in Vermont. whence he suh- soquently removed to Ohio, settling near the mining town of Wheelersburg. Scioto county.
Amid pioneer surroundings Amos Whit- more was reared and he assisted in the slow and laborious task of improving a new farm and developing the wild land into productive fields. For some years he made his home near Colum- bus, Union county, Ohio, and there reared the children of his first marriage, his wife being Miss Sarah Smith. After her death he wedded Miss Mary Wells in 1838, and they became the parents of two sons and three daughter -: John. who married Marian Brown and resides in Nokomis township. this county; Mrs. Mary M. Hill, of Nokomis; Mrs. Abigail Kellogg. whose husband is living retired in Nokomis; Mrs. Athalinda Lease, a resident of Nokomis township; and Joseph.
In the fall of 1845 Amos II. Whitmore came to Illinois and purchased raw land. securing seventeen hundred and twenty acres from the government and land companies, for which he paid from fifty-eight cents to three dollars per acre. The country was wild and the work of improvement and progress seemed scarcely begun. There were large herds of deer roan- ing over the prairie and there were many wild turkeys and smaller game. Wolves were also seen in great numbers and rattlesnakes were heard in the wild prairie grass. There were no fences at that time and one could drive across the prairie to Pana without coming to a fence or building to impede progress. The prairie grass grew as high as a horse and almost as far as the eye could reach there was one bound- less stretch of this waving grass, having the appearance of a billowy sea. In early days Mr. Whitmore raised hogs, which he drove to St.
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JOSEPH WHITMORE AND FAMILY
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Louis, Missouri, where he sold them for from a dollar and a half to two and a half per hun- dred weight. He would take a load of dressed hogs to the city and bring back a line of mer- chandise for the business men of Audubon, which town at that time contained about fif- teen houses and one large store. Later more houses were built and three stores and two hotels established, but like so many other places it was killed by the railroad. In early days Audubon and Hillsboro were really the only large towns between Mr. Whitmore's farm and St. Louis. He continued to make his home in Audubon township until his death, which oc- curred in 1857 in the house where our subject now lives.
Joseph Whitmore attended the district schools near his home until eighteen years of age, the winter months being devoted to study. while throughout the summer he aided in the work of the farm. After his father's death he operated the farm for his mother until the fall that he was twenty-one, when he was mar- ried and began farming for himself upon one hundred acres. After his mother passed away he bought the old home place and has always lived upon the same quarter section. Hle now has a valuable farm of two hundred and forty aeres on section 22. Audubon township. its excellent appearance indicating his careful su- pervision and attention and proving that his life has been one of industry and earnest toil.
On the 25th of October. 1868, Mr. Whitmore married Miss Cornelia Drake, who was roared in the vicinity of Portsmouth, Ohio, and in 1866 came to Illinois with her parents, Austin and Sarah ( Wells) Drake, the family home be- ing established in Andubon township. where her father engaged in farming. He was a fine judge of stock and also practiced veterinary surgery. Leaving here in 1826, he lived in various places until 1884, when he removed to Springfield, Illinois, where he is now living retired. During the Civil war he served for three years with the Army of the Cumberland, and is to-day a stanch Republican, taking an active interest in politics. Religiously he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife died in February, 1888, and was buried in Nokomis cemetery. Of their eight
children four sons and one daughter are still living, the latter being Mrs. Whitmore.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore have been born five children: Hettie, who was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Montgomery county for five years and is now the wife of Dr. Elmer E. Wells, of Ironton, Ohio: Mamie and Lester, who died in infancy; Noma, the wife of James Stewart, a resident farmer of Montgomery county; and Grover, at home. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and have a wide acquaintance in Montgomery county, where they have long resided. Mr. Whitmore's mind bears many pic- tures of the early days with its varied experi- ences such as are common in frontier settle- ments, and he feels a commendable pride in what has been accomplished by Montgomery county's progressive citizens, among whom he is justly numbered.
LEVI ASA HUSSEY.
Levi Asa Hussey, well known in commercial circles in Montgomery county, and connected with the V. Hoffman estate, of Litchfield, was born in this city in 1869, his parents being Charles W. and Matilda (Stephens) Hussey. The mother was a second cousin of Alexander Stephens, at one time vice president of the Southern Confederacy, and a daughter of A-a Stephens, who was a carpenter by occupation. Charles W. Hussey was born in New Hamp- shire, is a machinist by trade and still follows that pursuit. the came west to Ilinois in 1865, locating at Litchfield and is now on- ployed in the shops of the Big Four Railroad Company at Mattoon, Illinois. He has reached the age of seventy-five years and his has been an active and useful career. His political support is given to the Democracy. His wife. who was born in South Carolina, has now reached the age of sixty-seven years. She is a member of the Baptist church and a consistent Christian woman. In her family were six children : Henry W., who is a shoemaker ro- siding in Litchfield : George W., a miller living in Kansas City; Levi Asa: Sarah E., who is engaged in the millinery business and resides
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with her parents : Mary AA .. at home ; and Ma- tilda A., now deceased.
During his early boyhood Levi A. Hussey attended the public schools of Litchfield and then entered upon his business career as a clerk in the store of Valentine Hoffman. He has been continually connected with this es- tablishment and from a humble capacity worked his way steadily upward. He is now one of the partners in the store and ranks among the more progressive, enterprising and successful business men of the city.
In July, 1892, Mr. Hussey was united in marriage to Miss Ida M. Hoffman, who was born in 1822 and is a daughter of Valentine and Mario Hoffman. They now have one child, Lottie L. They hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal church, Mr. Hussey serv- ing on its official board and in the various de- partments of church activity they take a help- ful interest. He is a D. mocrat and has been tax collector for two terms and is now serving as alderman from the second ward, proving a capable member of the city council and one who places the good of the municipality before par- tisanship or personal aggrandizement. Social- ly he is identified with the Odd Fellows lodge at Litchfield. He is a man of broad sympathies. and the poor and needy have found in him a friend. The difficulties which he had to en- counter in his own business career have made him ever ready to extend a helping hand to those who try to aid themselves, and in his business he over rewards faithful services on the part of his employes when opportunity offers.
JAMES C. HOPE.
One of the beautiful country homes of Mont- gomery county is the property of James (. Hope. It was erected by him and stands in the midst of a fine farm of two hundred and sixty acres of land, abont four miles south of Hills- boro. The place is equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories and but a glance is needed to indicate to the passer-by that the owner is a man of business enterprise, progres- sive and practical in his farm work.
It was upon this farm, on section 26, Hills- boro township. that James C. Hope was born February 1. 1851. The family were among the early settlers of North Carolina and he traces his ancestry back to Robert and Cath- arine ( Allison ) Hope. The former was born November 2, 1250, and died October 14, 1805, while his wife was born September 2, 1750, and and died December 22, 1832. They were mar- ried November 21, 1721, and became the par- ents of the following children: Margaret. born October 5, 1:42: James. December 12, 1774; Abner. December 28, 1:46: Allison. May 27. 1119: Catharine, February 3. 1282: Silas. Feb- ruary 3, 1:82: Thomas. December 14. 1783: Robert. March 22. 1186 ; Agnes, September 19, 1288; John. October 23, 1290: and Levi. Sep- tomber 13, 1395. There was one. Nancy, whose name does not appear on the registers of births but does appear on that of deaths. She died June 14, 1296, probably quite young. Mar- garet, the oldest of this family, married a Mr. Alexander, and one of her sons lived at Oxford, Mississippi. for a time, and it is thought moved from there lo Texas. James and Abner went to Missouri and it is from the latter that our subject is descended. Allison removed to South Carolina and he and his family after him were people of wealth and high social standing. Catharine married David Crawford and her daughter. Mrs. Thomas Robinson lived at Ov- ford. Mississippi, until its occupation by Gon- eral Grant in 1862, when they returned to the old Dr. Robinson homestead at Poplar Tent in Cabarrus county, North Carolina, and lived there until her death. Her son and daughter afterward kept a hotel at Salisbury, North Carolina. Another son, Rev. C. W. Robinson was a Presbyterian minister in that stato. Silas Hope probably died young. Thomas died in North Carolina. Robert was a lawyer at Con- cord. that state, and was the father of old Dr. Bob Hope, a man of prominence at Rock Hill. South Carolina. Agnes probably died young. John was at one time a wealthy and prominent planter of Alabama and was a member of the board of trustees of the University of Alabama.
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