USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 54
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
Early in the '50s George W. Waggoner pur- chased land in Pitman township. Montgomery county, also entered some land from the gov- ernment and thus acquired possession of sev- eral hundred acres. Before him lay the ardu- ons task of developing a new farm, but he reso- lutely set to work to reclaim the tract for the purposes of cultivation and in due course of time reped harvests as the reward of his labors. He died in the prime of life, passing away September 29. 1866, at the age of forty years. bnt already he had achieved success that many an older man might well envy. His wife, sur- viving him, capably roared their family. doing a mother's full duty to her children. Their family numbered four sons, all of whom reached mature years. Horace G., who was the eldest, was married and was then engaged in farming and stock-raising. Ho later established the Bank at Waggoner and was the president and manager of that institution until his death in September, 1901. His loss was deeply deplored by many friends and was also felt in the busi- ness circles of the town. George P. Waggoner, the second son. is a prominent farmer of Pit- man township: and Henry Q. Waggoner is the third son. Sketches of these gentlemen will he found elsewhere in this volume.
MR. AND MRS. GEORGE W. WAGGONER.
LIBRARY UNIVERSAL CF ILLINOIS
635
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
John M. Waggoner, the youngest son, was reared to manhood on the old homestead and as soon as old enough took charge of the farm, which he operated successfully for a number of years. At length he succeeded to a part of the estate, including the old home and he yet owns that property. In connection with his farm interests he has been very actively and largely engaged in the stock business, raising, feeding. buying and shipping stock, his broad and prac- tical experience in youth making him well qualified to carry on business on his own ac- count and his farming interests are now ex- tensive and valuable, while the products of his place bring a gratifying financial return, owing to the careful management which he displays in his stock-raising interests and the capable manner in which the fields are cultivated. After the death of his eldest brother he succeeded to the presidency of the Bank of Waggoner, but continued to reside upon the farm until the fall of 1903, when he removed to an attractive residence in the village. TIe, however, con- tinues to supervise his agricultural interests and vet buys and ships stock. His life is indicative of the progressive, enterprising spirit of the middle west, which has led to the rapid and substantial development of this section of the country.
John M. Waggoner was married on the 7th of November, 1887, to Miss Ella Wall, a native of Montgomery county, who was roared and edueated here and is a daughter of John and Sarah Wall, of Pitman township. Mr. and Mis. Waggoner have had three children : Maude E .. born January 3, 1889: Alice, who was born March 26, 1892, and died June 13. 1892; and J. Marens, born October 6. 1899.
Mr. Waggoner votes with the Republican party and has firm faith in its principles, but has no desire for political proforment. Tlis wife is a member of the Christian church and he also attends its services and contributes to its support. Every measure for the general good receives his endorsement and in matters of citizenship he is publie-spirited, his inter- est in his community being manifest in tangible way by the helpful part he has taken in pro- moting its business development and substantial growth. He is a man of strong individuality.
of native force of character and persevering spirit and he carries forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes.
GEORGE SPINNER.
George Spinner, deceased, who for over thirty years was an honored resident of Mont- gomery county, was born in Baden, Germany, on the 25th of October, 1838, and was a son of Valentine Spinner, also a native of that coun- try. Reared in Baden, George Spinner there became familiar with farming methods, but be- lieving that he might have better business op- portunities in the new world, he disposed of his interests in his native country and crossed the Atlantic to the United States, arriving on the tth of July. 1864.
Making his way into the interior of the country, Mr. Spinner settled in Clinton county, Illinois, where he worked by the month for a year and a half, and then engaged in operating rented land for about two years. On the cx- piration of that period he came to Montgomery county in the spring of 1869 and established his home in East Fork township, renting the farm on which his brother Frank Spinner now resides. In 1871 he purchased the home place which is now ocenpied by his son Louis Spinner. At first he had but seventy aeres, which, how- ever, proved the nucleus of more extensive pos- sessions. As his financial resources increased he added to his property until he had one hun- dred and seventy acres and likewise a house and two lots in Hillsboro and a house in Cof- feen at the time of his death. He brought to this country about eight hundred dollars in gold, which was then at a preminm and could have been exchanged for twenty-one hundred dollars in other currency, but he kept it until after the Civil war was over, at which time he was enabled to obtain only a small premium. This money, however, be invested in a team of horses and began farming. He made for him- self all that he possessed and his life demon- strated the value of industry and perseverance in overcoming obstacles and difficulties in win- ning prosperity.
Mr Spinner was married in the spring of 1866 to Ernestine Huber and they became the
636
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
parents of three children, who are yet living : Louis and Joseph, who are both represented elsewhere in this volume ; and Mrs. Ann Huber, a resident of East Fork township. Mr. Spin- ner was a Democrat in his political views and was accounted one of the representative men of his township but always refused to hold public office. He died January 14, 1901, honored and respected by all who knew him, but his widow is still living, making her home in Hills- horo.
EDWARD HILT.
Edward Hilt, a farmer and breeder of fine stock, is living on section 16, Rountree town- ship. He was born in New Jersey. April 2, 1851. a son of Phil and Emma ( Ross) Hilt, who were natives of Germany. After emigrat- ing to America they became residents of New Jersey and in 1880 they arrived in Montgom- ery county, Illinois, where the father spent his remaining days, his death occurring in 1899. when he was sixty-seven years of age. His first wife died in 1857 and he afterward married her sister Louisa, who is now living in Try- ing township at the age of sixty-three years.
Edward Hilt was educated in Jersey county, Illinois, and remained with his parents in his boyhood days, working as a farm lad when not engaged with the duties of the school room. He was afterward employed as a farm hand by the month until twenty-two years of age and in 1822 he came to Montgomery county. Here he rented a farm in Rountree township and with characteristic energy and determin- ation began the task of acquiring a capital that would enable him at some future date to become a landowner. When ten years had passed he purchased fifty-three acres and later he sold that property and bought one hundred and seventeen acres, where he now lives, also forty acres additional. He has placed some of the improvements upon this property and has a good farm well equipped with modern con- voniences. He is engaged in the breeding of Duroc Jersey hogs, having many full blooded animals, and he also breeds the red polled cattle and keeps a high grade of horses. His fences
constitute one of the attractive features of his place and yet his well cultivated fields are worthy of attention and indicate his careful supervision and progressive methods.
On the 19th of July, 1822, Mr. Hilt was married to Miss Haidee Bridge, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret ( Parker ) Bridge, both of whom were natives of England who came to America about 1849 and located in Jersey county, Illinois, where they bought land and continued to live until death. dying during the early girlhood of their daughter. Mrs. Hilt has made two trips to England, where she has enjoyed pleasant visits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hilt have been born eleven children: Charles, who is living in Raymond, Illinois; Tessie, the wife of D. J. Warnsing, of Rountree town- ship: Celia. the wife of William House, of this township: Katie, the wife of John Shore, of the same township: Mabel, Etta. Essie. James, Charlotte and Frances, all at home ; and Walter, who died at the age of two years.
Mr. Hilt is a member of the Lutheran church and also belongs to the Mutual Protec- tive League, No. 131, of Rountree. His polit- ical views are in accord with the principles of the Democracy and he has served in some local positions, having been assessor, town master and a member of the school board. In his busi- ness affairs he has won the prosperity which is the direct result of untiring effort and capa- ble management and in his business career he has also gained the respect and confidence of his fellow men by reason of his straightforward methods.
BEN ROHLFING.
Ben Rohlfing, a liquor dealer in Paisley, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, September 31, 1878, his parents being Christ and Dora ( Cassily ) Rohlfing. Her father was a brother of Mrs. George T. Seward, of Hillsboro, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Christ Rohlfing was born in Hillsboro, while his wife was a native of Germany. He became a bookkeeper for a commission company of St. Louis, Missouri, and was retained in that po- sition up to the time of his death, which oc-
MR. AND MRS. EDWARD HILT.
LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS NOBANA
639
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
eurred in 1882, when he was thirty-seven years of age. In the family were five children : William, who is now a gate keeper at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis ; Lulu, the wife of J. L. Kimball, who is on- gineer with the Montgomery Coal Company ; Ben, of this review; George, a shoemaker of St. Louis; and Christ, who died when only two weeks old.
Ben Rohlfing acquired his education in the schools of St. Louis and after putting aside lis textbooks he learned the trade of paper- hanging, which he followed continually until 1901, when he came to Paisley and began working in the mines for the Montgomery Coal Company. He was thus employed for two years or until December 10, 1903. He estab- lished a saloon which he is now conducting, having secured a good trade in Paisley which makes his business a profitable one.
On the 10th of March, 1904, Mr. Rohlfing was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lorena Kimball, a daughter of Calvin and Lucretia (Gheen ) Kimball, who were natives of North Carolina and came to Montgomery county about 1869. The father was engaged in farmi- ing here for a number of years, but he and his wife are now living in Hillsboro. Mr. Rohl- fing is a member of the Mine Workers' Union and he gives his political allegiance to the Democracy.
LEWIS McPHERSON.
Lewis MePherson, a representative farmer and a native son of Montgomery county. is also well known as a member of one of the old and honored pioneer families of this portion of the state. He was born in Litchfield on the 10th of January, 1867. His father, James H. MePherson, was born in Kentucky, Do- cember 13, 1826, and there remained until about twelve years of age, when he accom- panied his parents on their removal to Greene county. Illinois. He was there reared upon a farm amid scenes of frontier life for the work of development and progress was then in its primitive stages in the locality in which the family home was established. He was mar-
ried there to Rebecca J. Ash and after his marriage he devoted his attention to the oper- ation of his grist and saw mill. Subsequently he built the first saw mill in Litchfield and did the sawing for the first building of the town. llis mill stood near the site of the old Planet mill. In partnership with his brother, William A., he continued in the manufacture of lumber for many years, conducting a sue- cessful business. They removed the saw mill from Litchfield to Zanesville and subsequently to Grisham township, continuing the business on Shoal creek. There Mr. MePherson was in partnership with William A. Lewis and this relation was maintained from 1867 until 1885, when he retired from business. About 1870 he removed to the farm where he now lives and where he has made his home contin- uously since, with the exception of two years spent near Walshville. His wife passed away in the year 1820. There were six children by that marriage: George, who resides in St. Louis, where he is shipping agent for the Em- bree & McLean Carriage Company : Matilda, the wife of Isaac Price, of Hillsboro; Lewis; Henrietta, deceased : Imicy; and one that died in infancy. In his business affairs James Il. McPherson has been very successful and at one time was the owner of eight hundred acres of land, of which he has now about four hundred and forty acres. Of this three hundred acres is bottom land and is very rich and valuable. In 1902 he suffered from a paralytic stroke, which has since confined him to the house.
Lewis MePherson obtained his education in the common schools and in the business college at Jacksonville. He was married in 1889 to Miss Sarah E. Stevens, and they have three sons: James S., Lewis O. and Albert S.
Mr. McPherson of this review is the owner of one hundred acres of land adjoining the old homestead and in addition to the operation of his farm he has the management of his father's estate. Throughout his entire life be has been connected with agricultural in- terests and the practical experience which he gained in youth has proven of much value to him as he has conducted his private interests in later life. In his work he is very progres- sive and determined and he utilizes the various
610
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
model methods of farming. which have proven of practical benefit in his work.
S. W. KESSINGER.
S. W. Kessinger, the well known and popular editor of the Litchfield Monitor, who has been called the historian of Litchfield, was born in that city. September 25, 1861, and is a son of Thomas G. and Rebecca E. Kessinger. The southern Illinois conference of the Methodist Episcopal church convened in this city on the day of his birth and shaped his name to San- nel W .. the middle initial standing for a name highly honored and respected in Methodist circles. Ile attended school here from 1823 until 1825. and as the family removed to But- ler in the fall of the latter year he continued his studies in the schools of that place for four months, but in January, 1846, they took up their abode in Raymond. Mr. Kessinger re- sumed bis education at Litchfield on the 1st of January. 1883. It quit school in March, 1884, and entered Blackburn University at Car- linville as a member of the class of 1887. In March, 1887. he left college to take possession of The Monitor, but was graduated at Black- burn University in June, 1888. being given the Master's degree by his alma mater in 1894. On the 24th of June. 1888. Mr. Kessinger was united in marriage to Miss Bessie E. Cald- well. of Zanesville, and to them have been born four children, namely : Harold. Ruth. Sammel W., Jr., and Elizabeth.
Mr. Kessinger at first leased The Monitor for four years and a half but purchased it from B. S. Hlood September 1. 1891, and has now published the paper for eighteen years. This journal is the outgrowth of the Hillsboro Free- Press, established in 1850. In the campaign of 1860 the Free-Press suspended publication and early in the summer of 1863 the Union Monitor was established by the Republicans of this county with John W. Kitchell. of Hillsboro and recently of Pana, as editor. It published & Litchfield edition, of which B. S. Hood was editor. After undergoing many changes the office was moved to Litchfield in 1862. Since that time it has swallowed several competitors
and was swallowed by a competitor in 1873, but the name of Monitor was still used. The Monitor has had the following editors: J. W. Kitchell, 1863 to 1865; E. J. C. Alexander, 1865 to 1861: B. S. Hood, 1861 to 1820; Bang> & Gray, 1820 to 1822; H. A. Coolidge, 1822 ( Kimball & Taylor. owners) ; Edward Feagan, 1822 (Taylor owner) ; A. J. Coolidge and George B. Litchfield, 1843 to 1814; H. A. Coolidge, 1824 to 1828: B. S. Hood and C. A. Walker, 1818: B. S. Hood, 1819 to 1881: B. S. Hood and John G. Campbell, 1881 to 1883; John G. Campbell and Charles Hood, 1884 to 1885: B. S. Hood, 1885 to 1882; Kessinger & Warden, March 1 to November 1, 1885; and S. W. Kessinger. 1887 to the present time. It will thus be seen that The Monitor has had a number of editors. No matter what his abilities may or may not be, it is easy to see that the present-editor has been at the helm for a longer period than any of his predeces- sors. When he took control The Monitor was issued weekly, on Saturdays, but after a year he changed the day of publication to Friday. In April, 1892. the Daily Monitor was estab- lished and the weekly issued on Thursdays. The Cleveland times struck the country, and this particular section of it. with severity. On the 3d of January. 1896, the daily was discon- tinned and for three years The Monitor was issned weekly. on Thursdays. On the 1st of January. 1899, a semi-weekly issue of the pa- per was begun, on Tuesday and Friday of each week, and this has been continued up to the present time.
LEIGHTON W. CLINE.
Leighton W. Cline is the proprietor of a large department store in Litchfield and in his life history he displays the force of business enterprise, capability and keen foresight, for he owes his success to his own efforts and his record demonstrates the possibilities that are open to young men of strong determination and ambition. He is numbered among the na- tive sons of Madison county, Illinois, where his birth occurred in 1866. His father. James W. Cline, was born in Montgomery county
S. W. KESSINGER.
UNIVEROOT OF ILLINOIS URBANA
643
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
near Walshville and became a farmer and stockman. He was also engaged in mercan- tile business at one time and at his death he left a good farm and other realty. At the time of the Civil war he responded to his country's call for aid, enlisting in Company E of the First Illinois Cavalry near the be- ginning of hostilities. Ile was captured at Lexington, Missouri, by Price, but was after- ward paroled. Subsequently he was drafted, but on account of his parole was discharged. IIe took part in several engagements and sub- sequent to the war he became a valued mem- ber of the Grand Army of the Republic. He gave his political support to the Republican party and he was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In early manhood he wedded Mary E. Thompson, a daughter of Rudolph and Susan Thompson. She was born in Ohio and is living in Litchfield at the age of sixty-five years. Her father was a farmer and came from Ohio to Illinois at an early day, settling in Jersey county, where his last days were spent. Mr. and Mrs. Cline trav- eled life's journey together for many years and were separated by death in March. 1904, when James W. Cline in his sixth-eighth year was called to his final rest. They were the parents of four children: Leighton W .; Chassie, who married F. W. Cooper and is living at Nilwood Illinois; Cullen, who is employed in his brother's store; and J. Stan- ley, who is local editor for the Daily Herald.
Leighton W. Cline acquired his education at Carbondale, Illinois, in the State Univer- sity, in the Wesleyan University at Blooming- ton, and in the Blackburn University at Car- linville, Illinois. On leaving school he en- tered the employ of R. F. Milner, a druggist of Litchfield, for whom he worked for nine months. In 1887 he became identified with business interests of this city as a merchant. purchasing the grocery store of M. A. Par- rish. There he conducted business for seven years as a grocery merchant and then began adding other lines of goods, but his stock de- veloped from what was a small business in 1887 to his fine department store, which is one of the largest enterprises of the kind in this portion of Illinois. He carries a stock
valued at forty thousand dollars and his store building is forty-four by one hundred and thirty feet, two stories in height with basement. He owns this business and he employs twenty- seven people in the conduct of his enterprise.
In 1889 occurred the marriage of Mr. (line and Miss Delina Cooper, a daughter of llenry and Mary Cooper. Her father is a railroad contractor, is also interested in coal mines and is a large landowner. Ile is now living at Nilwood and it was in the vicinity of that town in Macoupin county that Mrs. Cline was born in 1866. By her marriage she has become the mother of two children: Gladys and Leighton W. In his political views Mr. Cline is a Republican, who has comprehensive knowledge of the political situation in the country and the questions and issues of the day, but has never sought office, preferring to devote his attention to his business interests. which have developed rapidly under his care- ful management, honorable methods and un- faltering enterprise. He is vet a young man. but has attained a success that many a man of twice his years might well envy.
GEORGE W. COLLINS.
George W. Collins, who is the proprietor of a good farm of eighty aeres on section 14, Witt township, was born in Urbana, Illinois, on the 15th of October, 1858, his parents being l'eter S. and Susan C. (Starling) Collins. who were natives of Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio. They started from that place for Oregon, but at Covington, Indiana, while en route, members of the family were taken ill and they remained there for two years. On the expiration of that period they removed to Urbana, where the father engaged in con- tracting and building. Hle took the contract for the construction of the first street railway. extending from Champaign to Urbana, the motive power for the road being furnished by horses. He also built under contract the first university building at Champaign. He after- ward bought a farm four miles west of Cham- paign, upon which he took up his abode and there he spent his remaining days, dying in
6-44
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
1866 at the age of forty-one years. Ilis wife was again married in July, 1815, becoming the wife of J. H. Van Gundy. Her death also oc- curred near Champaign on the 29th of June, 1895, when she was sixty-four years of age.
George W. Collins was educated in the com- mon schools of Champaign county and in the academy at Logan, Ohio, where he remained until 18:5. He then returned to Champaign county, where he made his home until Feb- ruary, 1901, when he came to Montgomery county and purchased eighty acres of land ou section 14, Witt township, upon which he now resides. He was also among those who pur- chased coal lands in this county in the spring of 1904. Prior to coming to this county he spent fourteen years as a traveling salesman, first selling school supplies and later hard- ware and machinery. He has made for him- self an enviable record as an honorable busi- ness man and is now displaying the same char- acteristic enterprise and perseverance in the control of his agricultural interests.
On the 16th of February. 1882, Mr. Col- lins was married to Miss Lida M. Gehrig, a daughter of Charles F, and Johanna M. Geh- rig, both of whom were natives of Baden, Germany. After a residence of some time in Michigan they removed to Champaign county. Illinois, in 18:1. and the father there engaged in farming, although he was a millwright by trade. On the 13th of November, 1895. when sixty-three years of age, he was called to his final rest, but his widow is still living and makes her home at Seymour, Illinois. at the age of seventy-two years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Collins have been born four children : Charles P., who is twenty-one years of age: Jesse J .. aged seventeen years; Frank II., fifteen years old ; and Floyd S., who is four years of age.
Mr. and Mrs. Collins hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, taking an interested and helpful part in its various ac- tivities, and Mr. Collins is superintendent of the Union Sunday school at Prairie Chapel. He is also a school trustee of Witt township and he gives his political allegiance to the Republican party. Fraternally he is con- nected with Seymour lodge, No. 592. I. O. O. F. Without any special family or pecuniary
advantages to aid him at the outset of his ca- roer he has steadily worked his way upward in the business world and is now the possessor of a good farm. He has also, by a genial manner and unfailing courtesy, gained many friends, who entertain for him genuine re- spect.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.