USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 53
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On the 1st of December, 1895, Mr. Bote was married to Miss Anna Holmes, a daughter of William and Jane ( Roberts) Holmes, the former an engineer. Mr. and Mrs. Bote now have three children : Newell S., seven years of age: Mildred May, a little daughter of four summers: and Floyd C., two years old. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Bote belongs to Twin City lodge. No. 622, K. P., of Witt: to the Modern Woodman camp, No. 5628, of Witt : and to the United Mine Workers, No. 162. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he keeps woll informed on the ques- tions and issues of the day, thus being able to support his position by intelligent argument. Ile has long resided in this locality, where his sterling worth has made him widely and favor- ably known as a reliable and trustworthy busi- ross man.
L. M. CHAMBERLIN.
1. M. Chamberlin, who is engaged in general farming in Hillsboro township and owes his prosperity to his own intelligently directed efforts and unfaltering diligence, was born in South Litchfield township, October 15, 1864. Ifis boyhood days were unmarked by any event of special importance that varied the routine
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of farm life for him. Ile worked in the fields and pursued his education in the public schools of Litchfield, and throughout his entire life has been connected with farming interests. The experience which he gained in youth has proven of practical value to him since he be- gan farming on his own account, and his work is carried on along progressive lines, leading to desirable results.
On the 22d of December, 1888, Mr. Cham- berlin was united in marriage to Miss Flor- ence Simpson. and they became the parents of one child, Vonnie. The wife and mother died in 1891 and in 1892 Mr. Chamberlin was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Sims. They have three children, Inez, Delbert and Edna.
At the time of his first marriage Mr. Cham- berlin located upon a farm which he rented for a year, when his father purchased the prop- erty. He continued renting until 1892. when with the capital he had acquired through his own labors, economy and careful management he purchased two hundred and eighteen acres of land. of which eighty acres is rich bottom land. The place is now well tilled and the fields return to him good crops. In addition to general farming he is engaged in the feeding of cattle and hogs, and the sale of his stock adds materially to his annual income. His farm is situated on sections 22 and 28, Hillsboro town- ship, about five miles from Hillsboro. Ilis political support is given the Democracy, but he has neither time nor inclination for public office, prefering to devote his energies to his business affairs, which, capably conducted, have made him one of the substantial citizens of the community. Having always lived in this coun- ty. he has witnessed many changes here. has seen its rapid development in the last forty years, and has felt just pride in what has been accomplished.
CHRISTIAN D. ZUBER.
Christian D. Zuber, who is engaged in the manufacture of cigars in Litchfield, is also actively interested in the welfare and develop- ment of the city and has been a co-operant
factor in many movements which produce com- mercial stability and promote the progress and improvement of the city. He has spent his entire life here, his birth having occurred in Litchfieldl March 16. 1822. llis father, Chris- tian Zuber. Sr., was born in Germany, and when fourteen years of age came to the United States. After spending a short time in St. Louis and other places, he came to Litchfield in 1859. He was a butcher by trade and car- ried on business along that line until 1881, when he retired from active lite. He married Amelia Warebolt, who was born in St. Louis, and they became the parents of five children, two sons and three daughters. Mr. Zuber voted with the Republican party and fraternally was identified with the Odd Fellows lodge. He died January 12. 1898, at the age of fifty-eight years, and his widow is still living in Litch- field at the age of fifty-four.
Christian D. Zuber continued his studies un- til he had mastered the branches of learning taught in the high school of Litchfield. Ile afterward learned the trade of cigar-making and in 1896 engaged in business for himself. having at first but one employe. That he has prospered and his business grown is indicated by the fact that he now employs seven journey- men cigar-makers and the output of his factory is a half million cigars per year. The brands of cigars which he manufactures are Zuber's Favorite, a five-cent cigar: El Triumpho. a ten-cent cigar; and also the Blue Bonnet and (. D. Z. He sells largely throughout the sur- rounding territory and has established a good market for his product. the sale of which brings to him a very desirable financial return.
Mr. Zauber was married May 3, 1899. to Dora Balke, who was born at Mount Olive, Macoupin connty, Illinois, in 1875, a daughter of Henry Balke, who was a mining boss. Mr. and Mrs. Zuber have Two sons, Carl and Arthur. They are members of the Lutheran church and Mr. Zuber belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. the Odd Fellows society. Knights of Pythias fraternity. the Modern Woodmen camp and the Cigar-Makers Union. HIc is also a member of the Litchfield fire de- partment and his political support is given the Republican party. He is well known in the
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city which has always been his home and his genial manner and deference for the opinions of others have made him popular in the social circles in which he moves.
SETIT E. WASHBURN.
Seth E. Washburn, who follows farming on section 32. Irving township. was born in Syra- cuse, New York. April 18. 1842. His parents were Thomas D. and Roxanna M. (Joslin) Washburn, both born on the 25th of April, 1819. The father was a graduate of Burr Sem- inary of Vermont, of Phillip Academy. the Andover Academy and Harvard College. He completed a course in Harvard Medical Col- lege and also attended the New York Univer- sity. and in the year 1849 he came to Illinois, establishing his home in Grayville, but in 1851 he removed to Lawrenceville, and in 1856 came to Hillsboro, where he afterward made his home, practicing his profession continuously with the exception of a short period spent in the mili- tary service of his country. In 1862 he joined the Union Army as assistant surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry and during the last cighteen months of the war was post surgeon at Little Rock, Arkansas. He was always deeply inter- ested in his profession and its advancement, and was likewise active in support of many measures for public progress and improvement in his community. ITe died September 30, 1893, after almost forty years' residence in Montgomery county, in which period he had proved himself a valued citizen. Ilis wife passed away June 25, 1904, at the age of eighty- five years and two months.
Seth E. Washburn supplemented his early educational privileges by study in the academy at Hillsboro and also in Jacksonville College. When but fourteen years of age he joined the Union army as a messenger boy at Alton. Ilh- nois. and in 1864 he regularly enlisted. becom- ing a member of Company IT. One Hundred and Forty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. After the close of the war he spent three years in Missouri and three in Kansas. after which he returned to Montgomery county. He has
made agriculture his life work and about 1895 he removed to the place upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and nineteen acres of land, which. now under a high state of culivation. is very productive. He also breeds Jersey cattle and has some fine stock upon his place.
On the 3d of November, 1814, Mr. Wash- burn was united in marriage to Miss Josephine M. Richmond. who was born in 1850 and is a daughter of William and Harriet Newell (Doty) Richmond. The father was born in Licking county, Ohio, in 1822. and followed the occupation of farming. The mother was born in 1824 and died in 1855, being long survived by Mr. Richmond, who departed this life in 1886. He had come to Montgomery county with his parents, Henry W. and Eliza Richmond. in the early '40s, and the grand- father of Mrs. Washburn died here in 1874. while his wife. who was a native of Trenton, New Jersey, passed away in 1889. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Washburn have been born three chil- dren: Ruth, who died at the age of eleven months ; Harriet E .. the wife of J. B. Turner, Jr., of Montgomery county : and William B., who is married and lives in Hillsboro, Illinois.
Mr. Washburn belongs to F. D. Hubble Post, No. 403. G. A. R .. of Hillsboro, and the Mod- ern Woodmen Camp. while his wife is a mem- ber of the Congregational church. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he is now highway commissioner. also school trustee and has been assessor of his township. Few men of his age can boast of military ex- perience and service in the Civil war. Since that time he has lived the quiet but useful and honorable life of the farmer and in his busi- ness career has not only gained success but has also made a name which is synonymous with straightforward dealing in his community.
W. F. SCHLUCKEBIER.
W. F. Schluckebier, who is living in East Fork township on what is the old family homestead, was born May 21, 1871, his par- ents being Christian and Fredericka (Ort- myer) Schluckebier. Ilis father was born in
S. E. WASHBURN.
MRS. S. E. WASHBURN.
WILLIAM RICHMOND.
MRS. T. D. WASHBURN.
DR. T. D. WASHBURN.
L.PRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS J BA JA
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Waldeck. Prussia, Germany, on the 220 of February, 1829, and is, therefore, seventy-five years of age. lle remained in his native country during the period of his boyhood and youth and for some years after attaining his majority, but when twenty-eight years of age arrived in St. Louis, Missouri. He seenred employment as a farm hand in the vicinity of that city, where he remained for about five or six years. On the expiration of that period he took a half interest with the Krumel Brothers in a rented farm of forty-five acres. now lying within the corporation limits of St. Louis, which they operated in 1861 and 1862. They paid for this a rental of four hundred dollars per year and Mr. Schlucke- bier remained thereon for about ten years. lle then came to the old home place in East Fork township, Montgomery county, establishing his home thereon about thirty-four years ago. The place comprised one hundred and twenty- two acres at the time of his purchase, but he afterward added to this until he had four hundred and twenty-four acres in the home tract and one hundred and twenty acres in Bond county. Upon his farm he was largely engaged in the raising of cattle and hav. When he arrived in St. Louis he had but three dollars. He is a self-made man for all that he now possesses has been acquired through his unfaltering enterprise and labor. Ho made enough within ten years to pay for one hundred and twenty acres of land and his example is one well worthy of emulation, show- ing what can be accomplished by unfaltering diligence, careful economy and strong pur- pose. On the 15th of October. 1861, in St. Louis, he married Fredericka Ortmyer, who was born in Germany in 1834, and died Do- cember 26, 1873. In June of the following year he was again married in Shelby county, Illinois, his second union being with Doretta Hazelmyer, who died January 18. 1828. Ho now resides upon the old home place with the subject of this review and has retired from farm life, enjoying now a well merited rest. Of his three children. Julia, who died An- gust 25, 1903, was the wife of Omer Cooper. Mary F., the older daughter, is the wife of Allie Edwards.
W. F. Schluckebier, the only son, attended school in Donnellson. Ilinois, pursuing his studies through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he worked upon the oll home farm. At the age of twenty-two years he entered upon an independent business career by renting land from his father. This he operated for eight years. He then purchased half of the tract and his father gave him the other half, so that he now has four hundred and twenty-four acres. His sister was given one hundred and twenty-five acres of another farm. lle has always been very successful as a farmer and his familiarity with modern business methods is shown by his capable and successful conduct of his farm. He built the barn upon his place, but his father erected the rest of the buildings except the house. This is now a well improved property and Mr. Schlnekebier keeps everything about the place in excellent repair.
Near Donnellson, February 13, 1898, was celebrated the marriage of W. F. Schluckebier and Miss Louisa M. Heckel, who was born in Grisham township, October 27. 1868. Her parents were Jacob and Wilhelmina ( Ile)- fers) Heckel, the former born in Alsace-Lor- raine, Germany. August 18, 1810, and the lai- ter near Hanover. Germany, June 6. 1851. The father came to America in 1847 and first settled near Belleville. Illinois, but in 1866 came to Montgomery county and he and his wife are now living in Grisham township. Of their seven children four are still living, namely: Lonisa M., wife of our subject ; Lotta, wife of Fred Krminel, of Grisham township: and John and Bertha, both at home. Mr. and Mrs. Schluckebier have four children: Nellie M .. born Jannary 22, 1899; Charles C., born October 21. 1900: Minnie .1., born June 22, 1902; and Mary L., born Feb- ruary 6, 1904.
Mrs. Schluckebier is a member of the Pres- byterian church and Mr. Schluckebier gives his political support to the Republican party. of which his father has also been an advocate for a long period. Mr. Schluckebier is an old settler, representing one of the pioneer fami- lies of the county and his life-long experience at farming has made him very capable in the
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department of industry which he has chosen as his regular occupation.
MRS. MARY EMILY BECK.
Mrs. Mary Emily Beck, residing in Hills- boro, is one of the native citizens of Mont- gomery county and has long been a witness of the development and progress here that have wrought great changes and placed this county on a par with the leading counties of the com- monwealth. Mrs. Beck was born in Hillsboro township in 1842. Her father, Michael Smith Barry, was a native of Kentucky, born in 1818. and when fourteen years of age he was brought to Montgomery county by his parents, Richard and Nancy (Smith ) Barry, who lo- cated in Hillsboro township, where the grand- father of Mrs. Bock followed the occupation of farming. The family is of English lineage and representatives of the name moved from Vir- ginia to Kentucky at an early period in the de- velopment of the latter state.
Michael S. Barry was reared on the old family homestead in Montgomery county. also became a farmer by occupation and for many years carried on agricultural pursuits, thus acquiring a competency and providing a com- fortable living for his family. He was reared in the Baptist faith, and in his political views he was originally a Whig. but upon the or- ganization of the Republican party he joined its ranks. His death occurred in 1899, when he was more than eighty years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Clotfelter, was born in North Carolina in 1815 and died in 1858. She was the daughter of David and Nancy ( Short) Clotfelter. Her father started for Montgomery county when this district was just opening up to civilization. but died ere he reached his destination. The others of the family came to the west. Mr. and Mrs. Barry became the parents of three chil- dren : Mary Emily: John Richard, who died in early manhood in 1822 : and Amos, a resident farmer of Hillsboro township.
Mary Emily Barry spent her childhood days in her parents' home and was trained to the duties of the household. She acquired her edu-
cation in the district schools and afterward en- gaged in teaching, but in 1864 she gave her hand in marriage to George W. Beck, who was born in Maine in 1837. He was brought to Montgomery county, Illinois, when but three years of age by his parents, Thomas and Isabel Beck. In their family were nine children. George W. Beck acquired Ins educa- tion in the district schools, was trained to farm labor, and throughout the greater part of his life carried on agricultural pursuits. lle was seventeen years of age at the time of his father's death and he then started out to make his own way in the world. He had no capital, but he possesssed strong resolution, determined courage and energy, and as the years passed he succeeded in acquiring a competency, and in 1886 he put aside business cares and removed to Hillsboro, where he lived retired until called to his final home on April 20, 1896.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Beck espoused the Union cause and enlisted, in July. 1861, as a member of Company E of the First Illinois Cavalry. He was taken prisoner at Lexington, Missouri, in 1862. and soon aft- erward was given his parole. He then returned home, and in 1864 he was drafted for service, but having a parole he sent a substitute. Hle held the rank of first sergeant and was mius- tered ont at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, after which he was honorably discharged. He had one very narrow escape in battle. his collar but- ton being shot away by a rebel bullet. Had the bullet swerved even a fractional part of an inch he would have been wounded.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Beck were born seven children: Carrie Adelaide, who married Amos Edwards and lives in East Fork township : Amy Alive, who became the wife of George Seymour and died in 1898: Elizabeth, who married Se- born Emery and is living in Hillsboro; Edith C., the wife of Fred Ludwig. a merchant of St. Louis: Charles R., who died in infancy; Roscoe E., who is living on the old homestead; and Mary Isabel, who is at home with her mother.
Mr. Bock was roared in the faith of the Meth- odist church. with which he was long identified, but in his later years he joined the Presbyte- rian church, to which his widow now belongs.
UNU AO. " LINDIS
GEORGE W. BECK.
MRS. MARY E. BECK.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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His life was ever upright and honorable, being in consistent harmony with his professions. There were no exciting chapters in his career, yet his history proves the force of energy and capable management in the active affairs of life. Wishing to gain a competence, he placed his dependence upon the substantial qualities of untiring labor, careful management, and upon these foundation stones he built his suc- cess. He won the warm regard of his many friends by his fidelity to every duty, and in his own home he was a devoted husband and father.
H. C. HAWKINS.
II. C. Hawkins, a retired farmer now re- siding in Donnellson, is enjoying the fruits of his former toil, for in earlier years he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits and worked car- nestly and energetically to gain a competence to be enjoyed by him in the evening of life. He is one of Illinois' native sons, his birth having occurred in Georgetown, Vermilion county. January 21, 1845. His parents were Cozha and Sarah ( Milner) Hawkins. His father was born in Kentucky, September 26. 1815, and with his parents came to Illinois where amid pioneer conditions he was reared. After attaining his majority he married Miss Sarah Milner, who was also born in Kentucky, June 24. 1813, and they became the parents of seven children. of whom two are now living : H. C. and Madison, who is a resident of Ok- lahoma. The father died November 6, 1889. and the mother passed away April 1, 1893. The Hawkins family was established in Illi- nois at a very early period in its development, for the grandfather of our subject settled within the borders of the state before Chicago was a town. The great prairies were unbroken and over them roamed wild deer. Almost the entire state still waited the awakening touch of civilization to make the field productive.
Mr. Hawkins was reared in Montgomery county from the age of twelve years, for his father brought the family to this county in March. 1857. He was but a youth of seven- teen years when he responded to the country's
call for aid, his patriotic spirit being aroused by the attempt of the south to overthrow the Union. He enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, and was always with his company, participat- ing in many important engagements, includ- ing the battles of Tupelo, Nashville, Fort Blakeley, and many others, over thirty in all. He was also in the movements of the Red River Campaign and the battle of Mobile. He was never wounded or captured, although he was in a number of hotly contested engagements and never faltered in the performance of any duty. When the company was organized he was then the youngest member and after the close of the war he was mustered out, receiving an honorable discharge in Springfield in 1865. lle now has in his possession three cents in paper money, which he drew from the pay- master at Montgomery, Alabama, while in the army.
Hl. (. Hawkins then returned to Montgomery county and in connection with his brother rented his father's farm, while later he began farming on his own account, continuing to conduct the old homestead alone for six years. He then purchased eighty acres of land in East Fork township and afterward added forty acres additional. Still he continued to add to the place as opportunity afforded and his financial resources permitted until he now has two hundred and forty acres in East Fork township. He also has some property in Don- nellson and in Grisham township where he was engaged in general farming and stock-raising.
On the 24th of November, 1867, Mr. Haw- kins was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Donnell, who was born April 25, 1842. Her father, T. C. Donnell, was born in Greenbury. Guilford county, North Carolina, August 1? 1812, and died March 21, 1904, in this county. The town of Donnellson was named in his honor, for he entered the land from the gov- ernment and resided thereon for sixty-six years, being ninety-one years of age at the time of his death. lle was one of the most venerable and honored citizens of the county and took a very active and helpful part in pro- moting its progress and upbuilding. A strong Republican in politics. he never missed an
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election but did not care for office. Religiously both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. She bore the maiden name of Jane Findley, was born in Wilson county, Tennessee, March 11, 1812, and died July 31, 1900. They were married on Pleas- ant Prairie, two miles northwest of Sorento, Illinois, and were the parents of ten children, of whom two died in infancy, while eight grew to mature years and seven are still liv- ing. namely: Nancy. the wife of Rey. W. W. M. Barber, of Windsor, Illinois; John M .. a resident of Wilber, Oregon: George W., of Shelbyville, Illinois: James G., of Donnellson ; Sarah, wife of B. F. McLean, living near Donnellson: Mary J., wife of our subject ; and Thomas E., living near Donnellson.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian church and Mr. Hawkins is also a member of the Grand Army Post of IFillshoro. In politics he is a Repub- lican and while he has never sought or desired office for himself he has yet given stalwart support to the principles of his party and keeps well informed on the questions and is- sues of the day. He is, moreover, an enter- prising business man who deserves much credit for what he has accomplished as he had only three dollars when he started out in life for himself. Nearly all that he possesses has been acquired through his diligence and capable management and his farming property is the visible evidence of his life of thrift and industry.
JOHN M. WAGGONER.
Prominent among the business men of Wag- goner and the representatives of farming inter- ests in the northwest part of Montgomery county is John M. Waggoner, a man of rare capacity and enterprise, who has been an im- portant factor in community interests and whose labors have resulted not only in benefit to himself, but have also promoted general prog- ress and the substantial growth of his locality. He is the president of the Bank of Waggoner and as a farmer and stockdealer has extensive interests, owning a large and well improved
tract of land, covering more than six hundred acres.
The life record of this gentleman is a credit to Montgomery county, for he is numbered among her native sons, his birth having oc- curred on the old family homestead in Pitman township on the 8th of March. 1864. His father, George W. Waggoner, was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, October 8. 1826, and was a son of Adam and Mary A. (Terry) Wag- goner, who were among the carly settlers that removed from the Blue Grass state to Illinois. Adam Waggoner established his home in Jersey county when its population was limited, the work of upbuilding and development being searcely begun there. It was in Jersey county that George W. Waggoner was reared. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth McCul- lough, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, March 22. 1822, and in 1833 re- moved to Macoupin county, Illinois, where they were married on the 2d day of December, 1851.
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