USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 50
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Lovi Hope died at the home of his son. James Edward Hope, fonr miles from Oxford, Missis- sippi, at the age of ninety-five years. He mar-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
ried Melissa Harris, an aunt of Dr. Sam Har- wife of John A. Mitchell; Mary, the wife of ris, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Of their eleven children nine reached middle age, Cath- arine married William Kimmons, a farmer, who resided eight miles from Oxford. and died at the age of thirty-five. Cornelia married his brother, Dr. Il. H. Kimmons, Robert died when a young man, a graduate of medicine and a talented, accomplished and magnificent speci- men of a man. though inclined to be dissipated. Charles died in Water Valley, Mississippi, after the Civil war. John died during the war. Frank died at his home after the war. George, fresh from college, was killed in the battle of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Ed was badly wounded in the battle of Franklin, Tennessee, but is still living. His son. Leighton Hope, was for several years inspector of pensions in the city of New Orleans. Elam, who was a physician of high standing in Morehouse par- ish, Louisiana, died with yellow fever in 1818 at the age of seventy-nine years, leaving a large family. For many years Levi Hope was an elder in the Presbyterian church and those of his children who were connected with any church were also Presbyterians.
Abner Hope, the grandfather of our subject. removed from North Carolina to Cape Girar- dean county, Missouri, about 1821, and about 1835 came to Illinois, settling in Montgomery county. Tle entered land from the government and developed and resided upon the farm which is now occupied by R. C. Richards. Ile took an active and helpful part in the early pioneer progress of the county and aided in laying the foundation for the present prosperity and up- building of this portion of the state. Here his death occurred in 1840.
Robert Hope, the father of James C., was born in Iredell county, North Carolina, in July, 1818, and was therefore about seven years of age when the family removed to Missouri. Later he came with his father to Illinois and was identified with the early development of Montgomery county. He married Miss Mary A. Clotfelter and removed to the farm on which our subject now resides. There he made his home for many years and reared his family, numbering five children: Tirza, who died at the age of twenty-two years ; Harriet, deceased
John Sands, of Litchfield; James C .; and George, who resides in East Fork township. The first home of Robert Hope after his mar- riage was a log cabin, but in course of time he was enabled to add more modern improve- ments to his farm, upon which he spent the entire period of his married life. He had two hundred acies of land and lived a most industrious, useful and honorable life. His death occurred in 188t and his wife passed away in 1889. They were members of the Presbyterian church and took an active part in church work.
From boyhood James C. Hope has been fa- miliar with the history of Montgomery county. has seen the many changes which have oc- curred here, and has known and been known by its people. He attended the common schools in his youth and worked at farm lahor on the place where he still resides. At the time of his marriage he settled upon a part of the old homestead and now has two hundred and sixty acres of valuable land. the fields yielding to him good crops in return for his care and cultivation. He is also engaged in the feeding. buying and selling of cattle and finds this a profitable branch of his business, for he is an excellent judge of stock and therefore makes judicions purchases and sells to good advantage. Moreover he is thoroughly reliable and has never been known to take advantage of the ne- cessities of his fellow men in any trade transac- tion.
On Christmas day of 1873 Mr. Hope was married to Miss Mary Chamberlain, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of Samuel and Orilla Chamberlain. They have eight chil- dren : Oscar T .: Cora A., the wife of Herman Cowan ; Lula M., the wife of Algy Strange: Laura, Pearl, Howard, Edgar and Ethel. all at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Hope are consistent members of the Presbyterian church of Hillsboro. He is a Republican in his political views, is active and influential in community interests and is now serving for the fifth year as highway com- missioner. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in all matters pertaining to the general welfare he
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is deeply interested and gives many measures a public-spirited support.
LOUIS H. MEY.
Louis 11. Mey. a representative of the lead- ing productive industries of Hillsboro, being extensively engaged in the manufacture of car- riages and wagons, was born in Peine, Han- over. Germany, on the 30th of June, 1850, and was brought to America in 185t by his parents, August II. and Dorothea Mey, also natives of Germany. The father was born in Hardegsen. Hanover. March 15. 1823, and the mother was born in Peine, Hanover, March 22. 1828. The family home was established in St. Louis, but after three months the father, who was a wa- gon-maker by trade, brought his family to Hillsboro, arriving here October 15, 1851. He continued work in his chosen field of labor up to the time of his death, which occurred April 25, 1899. His wife died December 2. 1894.
In the early days before the advent of rail- roads when the wagon-making business did not demand all of his time and attention, August H. Mey would haul produce by team to St. Louis, and upon his return would bring back groceries for the three merchants who were then doing business in Hillsboro. In early life he had been left an orphan with the care of a sister devolving upon him. He learned the trade of wagon-making in Germany and there conducted a shop ere his emigration to Amer- ica. Throughout his entire life he continued in the same line of business and his persistency of purpose as well as his capable workmanship was a strong element in his success. Ho estab- lished the carriage and wagon factory now owned and conducted by his son Louis II. He was a member of the Lutheran church, to which his wife also belonged. and in public affairs he was prominent and influential. He gave his political allegiance to the Democracy and served as a member of the city council for a number of years. Unto him and his wife were born four children: Louise, who became the wife of Louis Welge and after his death married Frank Brandes, of Raymond, Illinois: Emma. the wife of Fred Brandes of Hillsboro: Louis
IT .. of this review: and August G., who died April 2. 1900. .
Brought to Hillsboro in his infancy, Louis II. Mey was reared in this city and after at- tending the public schools continued his edu- cation in the Hillsboro Academy until fourteen years of age, when he put aside his text books and entered his father's shop in order to learn the wagon and carriage making trade. When twenty-one years of age he became owner of a half interest in the business and after his fath- er's death he assumed entire control and has continued in this line up to the present time. ITis enterprise has been characterized by con- tinuous development and expansion and he now occupies three buildings, one being a two-story brick structure forty by sixty feel. The black- smith shop is a one-story brick building twenty- four by sixty feet and the wood-working shop is a two-story structure built of brick and frame and is twenty-four by eighty-two feet. Mr. Mey manufactures both wagons and carriages of a superior grade and his is one of the old- est as well as most prosperous industrial con- verns of the county. IFe has a thorough and intimate knowledge of the business, has kept pace with the progress made along that line and places upon the market a fine line of car- riages and wagons, which he sells at reasonable prices, so that he has gained a very liberal and desirable patronage.
On the 24th of December. 1871. Mr. Mey was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Anna Sherer, who was born in Maryland. November 30, 1852. Fler father. Henry Sherer, who was a blacksmith by trade, was born in Pennsyl- vania December 2, 1811, and was married on on the 9th of November. 1843. to Miss Caro- line Tracy, who was born May 12. 1828. They became the parents of eleven children, five sons and six daughters. of whom the oldest was born in Pennsylvania. just across the line from Maryland : the next four in Maryland: and the others in Ohio. In order of birth they were as follows : John: George L., September 22. 1846: Mary E., November 8, 1848: Jacob J .. October 16. 1850: Barbara A .. November 30, 1852: Lorre F .. May 23. 1854: Phoebe .1 .. March 2. 1856: Robert P. M .. December 10. 1858: Eleanor B., November 16. 1860; William
LOUIS H. MEY
MRS. LOUIS H. MEY
UNWE ARE ILLINGE
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
11 .. JJune 15, 1862; and Laura C., April 14. 1865. The Sherer family lived in Preble coun- ty, Ohio, for sixteen years and then came to Illinois, locating in Montgomery county in 1862. The son George L. now lives on the old homestead. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mey were born eight children: Walter R., who is associated with his father in business; Edward A., who is also with his father: Arthur L., deceased : Law- rence F. and Charles Il., who are assisting their father ; Dorothea Emma, Jesse W. and Ilelen B., at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Mey hold membership in the Lutheran church and Mr. Mey is a Democrat in his political affiliations. He has served as a member of the city council and is deeply in- terosted in everything pertaining to the wel- fare and progress of Hillsboro, where almost his entire life has been passed. Those who know him-and his friends are many-enter- tain for him the warm personal regard which is prompted by an honorable business career and by a loyal citizenship.
WILLIAM HT. WILSON.
The farming interests of East Fork town- ship find a worthy representative in William Il. Wilson, who is one of the native sons of the locality, his birth having occurred on section 1 of the township. July 21, 1846, his parents being Joshua II. and Emma ( MeDavid ) Wilson. The father was born in the vicinity of Louis- ville, Kentucky, and when a youth of eight years accompanied his parents on their re- moval to Montgomery county, Illinois, the family home being established on section 1. East Fork township. where the grandfather carried on agricultural pursuits. Here he fol- lowed farming until his death, which occurred on the 11th of September. 1823. Ile removed to the vicinity of the home of William HI. Wil- son and there became an extensive farmer. In his family were fifteen children, five sons and ten daughters, all of whom grew to maturity, but only two are now living: Joseph C., a veteran of the Mexican war and a resident of Irving. Illinois: and Lydia. wife of William (. MeDavid, living near Coffeen.
Joshua Il. Wilson was reared to farm labor, carly becoming familiar with the best methods of caring for the crops and also the best meth- ods of raising stock, and when he entered upon his business career he followed the occupation to which he had been trained in youth. Suc- coss attended his efforts and he became one of the extensive farmers and stockmen of his locality, having a large and well improved tract of land and raising high grades of cattle and horses. He married Miss Emma MeDavid, a daughter of William MeDavid, and they became the parents of two children. After the death of his first wife. Joshua H. Wilson was again married. his second union being with Sarah Hutchinson, of Greenville, Ilinois. They had four children, of whom only one is now living : Martha J., the widow of William A. MeDavid. She is now conducting the Hillsboro House. Mr. Wilson was one of the leading men of his county and deserved great credit for what he accomplished, for he had no financial assistance in his early manhood. Business conditions. however, were favorable and he had the sagacity and foresight to improve these. As time passed and his financial resources increased he made judicious investment in land and was the owner of about twenty-six hundred aeres at the time of his death. Mr. Wilson of this review. how- ever. can remember when his father only had one hundred and twenty-five acres under culti- vation and at that time there were but few set- tlements between the family 'residence and Hillsboro.
William Il. Wilson has herded cattle on what is now the old homestead and he drove an ox team in his boyhood days, but great changes have occurred in farm life and in the methods of cultivating the fields. Machinery has been improved and many farm implements have been invented and at all times Mr. Wilson has kept apace with the general progress. He attended school in his boyhood days through the win- ter months, but in the summer seasons assisted in the work of field and meadow and thus gained practical experience, which proved of much value to him when he started out in busi- ness life for himself, when about twenty-three years. He began farming upon the old home- stead. the place being divided. William Il.
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Wilson receiving four hundred and thirty-nine and a half aeres, while one brother received four hundred and twenty-nine and his sister six hundred and eleven acres. That Mr. Wil- son has led a busy life and one erowned by successful accomplishment is indicated by the fact that his landed possessions now cover twelve hundred and ten and a half acres. He is engaged in farming and stock-raising with good success, his labors annually returning to him a handsome income.
On the 9th of December. 1869, occurred the marriage of William C. Wilson and Mis- Martha E. Newberry, a daughter of Cornelins Now- berry. She was reared near Irving, Illinois, and by her marriage became the mother of two children, but only one, Ollie R., is now living. The daughter has been carefully educated in music and has recently completed a course of study in Epstein Conservatory of Music in St. Louis. The parents belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian church, taking an active part in its work and contributing generously to its support. In his political views Mr. Wilson is a Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day and gives an earnest allegiance to his party. His time and attention, however. have never been given to seeking public office, for he has preferred to devote his energies to his business affairs and he stands to-day as one of the most successful and honored agri- culturists of his community. He has never taken advantage of the necessities of his fellow men in any trade transaction, but has followed legitimate business lines and by his fair deal- ing and reliability has not only won prosperity, but has also won the enviable regard and re- spect of those with whom he has been asso- ciated.
V. A. BOST.
V. A. Bost, the owner of a good farm of three hundred and thirty acres in Fillmore township, Montgomery county, was born in Fayette county, Illinois, September 15, 1853. His father, Henry Bost, was a native of North Carolina, born September 12. 1820, and was a son of Jacob Bost. who was born in Cabarrus
county, that state, on the 4th of April, 1794, and died near Bost Hill in Fillmore township, this county, October 2, 1884, when over ninety years of age. At the age of twenty-two he mar- ried Miss Margaret Cross, also a native of Cabarrus county. North Carolina, who died in this county on the 25th of May. 1853. On the 14th of February, 1854, he was married in this county to Miss Elizabeth Ury. also a na- tive of Cabarrus county, who came to this coun- ty with her father, John Fry. She died August 12, 1883. Jacob Bost brought his family to this county in 1836 and made his home upon a farm in Fillmore township throughout the remainder of his life. Ile was survived by five children, namely: Susan, Jacob, Monroe, Dorcas and John J. Elvira, the eldest of the family, died in childhood in North Carolina, and Henry, Martin and Kate died in this state after having reared families of their own.
Henry Bost, the father of our subject, was principally reared and educated in his native state, being about sixteen years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Montgom- ery county. Illinois. He wrote of the journey, September 1. 1836, as follows: "We left our old home in North Carolina, Cabarrus county, forty-nine miles to Lincoln we traveled through on the fourth day ; thence to Betherford forty- four miles we traveled through on the sixth day. Wo crossed the Blue Ridge mountains at the Hickory mountain gap on the eighth day; thence to Ashville, forty-one miles, we went through on the ninth day ; thence to the Paint- ed Rock, forty-six miles; thence to Beens Sta- tion, fifty miles ; thence to Croparchet in Kon- tucky, ninety-five miles; thence to Danville, twenty-two miles: thence to Louisville, eighty- five miles: thenee to Arleans, forty-nine miles ; thence to the Wabash at Terre Haute, ninety- five miles : thence to Paris, twenty miles ; thence to Charleston, twenty-eight miles; thenee to Shelbyville, thirty-four miles ; thenee to Hills- boro, forty miles; in all seven hundred and twenty-six miles from Concord to Hillsboro. We landed here October 12. 1836." At that time much of the land was still in possession of the government and ITenry Bost entered a tract, thus laying the foundation for his later prosperity and business advancement. He was
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
one of the first settlers of the county and assisted materially in its growth. He was ac- tive in reclaiming the wild land for uses of civilization and he co-operated with his fellow townsmen in promoting many measures for the general good. At the same time he so conduct- ed his business affairs as to win most gratifying success and as his financial resources increased he extended the boundaries of his place and added to his realty holdings until at the time of his death he owned sixteen hundred acres of land. Ilis death occurred February 28, 1876. and he is now survived by four of his children. His wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Bost, was born Feb- ruary 17, 1825, and passed away September 12. 1857.
V. A. Bost was reared in Fayette county. Illinois, but came to Montgomery county when twenty-two years of age, settling upon what is now his home place. Ile seeured two hun- dred aeres of land from his father and he has since added to his property until he now has three hundred and thirty acres in one body. Ile has made improvements upon his land and has recently erected a good stock barn; in fact, he has all of the equipments and facilities needed to promote his business affairs and throughout the community he is recognized as a representative stock dealer. Ile raises cattle, sheep and hogs and also fine horses, mostly of the Norman breed. He also raises a good grade of cattle for market and as a farmer has ever been successful, conducting his business affairs with due regard to the ethics of com- mercial life. He has always been familiar with the diseases of horses and cattle and has been very successful in his treatment of the same. In 1903 he passed the examination as a veteri- nary surgeon and received a diploma from the Southern Illinois Veterinary and Medical Asso- ciation.
On the 25th of November. 1875, Mr. Bost was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Scherer. who was born in Montgomery county, July 12. 1855. Her father. Simcon Scherer, was a na- tive of North Carolina, and one of the early settlers of this county, locating at Hillsboro. Ile engaged in farming and the manufacture of brick: was a Republican in politics; and a member of the Lutheran church of Hillsboro,
which he helped to build. He died on the 24th of January, 1856, and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Blackwood and was born in Montgomery county. November 26, 1833. departed this life January 20, 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Bost have had ten children : Lula L., who was born March 19, 1822, and was married February 11, 1901. to Homer Ilar- ris, of Fillmore township : Mary M., born Aug- ust 15, 188: Daisy E., born December 1, 1879; Ada O., born November t8, 1880; William Roy, born April 22. 1883; Ralph S., born January 4. 1885: a twin of Ralph S. who died in in- fancy ; Bessie B., born June 4, 1887; Letta O., who was born October 2. 1890, and died August 10, 1891; and Leva M .. born September 6. 1894.
Mr. and Mrs. Bost are members of the Lnth- eran church, are interested in its upbuilding and generous in its support. Their children also belong to the church. Mr. Bost has served as president of the Montgomery County Sun- day-school Association and he does all in his power to promote the various church activities and extend the cause of Christianity in his locality. Ife belongs to the Court of Honor and the Masonie fraternity, being made a Ma- son at Fillmore lodge, No. 670, in 1874, and gives his political support to the Democratic party.
WALTER H. TOBERMAN.
Walter HI. Toberman, who is engaged in the grain business and in the operation of the grain elevator at Coffeen, was born April 19, 1879, in Fillmore township, Montgomery county. and is a son of Isaiah and Mary Toberman, who are represented elsewhere in this work. He ac- quired his early education in the country schools of his native township and was afterward graduated from the high school of Fillmore with the class of 1898. In 1900 he entered into partnership with his brother T. A. Tober- man in the creamery business, which they eon- ducted at both Fillmore and Chapman, re- maining in that line of business for a year. They then established a grain and hay commis- sion business at St. Louis, where they remained
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PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
in 1902 and a part of 1903. In the latter year they purchased the elevator at Coffeen and em- barked in the grain business here under the firm style of Toberman Brothers. This rela- tion was continued until the 30th of fune, 1903, when T. A. Toberman died. Walter II. Toberman has since been alone in business and he handles a large amount of grain annually. his enterprise furnishing an excellent market for farmers of the surrounding district.
On the 16th of September. 1903, Mr. Tober- man was united in marriage to Miss Stella Short, a daughter of Dr. II. S. Short, of Fill- more. Hle belongs to the Baptist church, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church of Fillmore. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias lodge and the Modern Woodmen camp, both of Fill- more, and in his political affiliations he is a Democrat. In Coffeen and other portions of Montgomery county he is accounted a success- ful young business man, well liked and highly respected. He possesses ereditable ambition, strong purpose and untiring diligence, and in this way is developing a grain business which has already reached extensive and profitable proportions.
HARVEY BECHTEL.
Harvey Bechtel, who follows farming on see- tion 10. Raymond township, where his place of one hundred and sixty acres is well improved and valuable, was born in Mclean county, Illi- nois, near Leroy, on the 20th of May. 1865. Ilis father. Samuel Bechtel. was a native of Ohio, born in Piqua county. August 13. 1823, and spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that state. He was the second in order of birth in a family of five children, whose par- ents were John and Esther Bechtel. In Knox county. Ohio, he was married in 1848 to Cath- erine Koutz, who was born in Pennsylvania and in childhood removed to Ohio with her parents. Samuel Bechtel carried on agricul- tural pursuits in Knox county. Ohio, for a number of years and in 1853 upon his removal westward settled in MeLean county, Illinois, near the village of Leroy, where he opened up
a farm upon which he reared his family and remained until called to his firal rest, his death occurring January 3. 1901. His wife depart- ed this life October 28. 1898, at the age of sev- enty-seven years. She left five children : George. Samuel, Joseph. Harvey and Mrs. L. A. Killion. The family originally numbered four sons and six daughters, but five daughters died in infancy.
Harvey Bechtel. the youngest of the family. was reared upon the old family homestead and mastered the elementary branches of English learning in the district schools of the neigh- borhood. He was also trained to farm work, assisting his father in the cultivation and de- velopment of the fields until after he had reached man's estate. He was married in Mc- Lean county December 8, 1891. to Miss Minnie Eskew, who was born in that county and spent her girlhood days there. Her parents. James M. and Mary A. (Collins) Eskew. were pioneer settlers of MeLoan county.
After their marriage Mr. Bechtel carried on the old home place for several years and then removed to Shelby county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres, which he improved for . a year. In November, 1902. he purchased his present property on section 10, Raymond town- ship, and he now has a well improved farm. He has added to his house a good summer kitch- en and his place is one of the neatest and most attractive in appearance in this part of the county. In addition to his commodious resi- dence he has two good barns and all the out- buildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock. There is a large bearing orchard, con- taining many varieties of fruit trees and around the place is a well trimmed hedge fence. The lawn is adorned with fine shade trees, and the farm presents a most attractive appearance. In addition to the cultivation of grain Mr. Bechtel is also engaged in the raising of good grades of stock.
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