USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 6
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After his marriage Mr. Sims located in Clin- ton county, Illinois, where he carried on gen- eral farming for several years and about 1870 he came to Montgomery county, where he rent- od a tract of land for one year. He then pur- chased a farm in Raymond township, consti- tuting one hundred and twenty aeres and this he began to break and improve, adding many modern equipments and placing his fields un- der a high state of cultivation. Later he pur-
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chased more land from time to time until he now owns two hundred and eighty acres, com- prised within the borders of two well improved farms. He continued in the active operation of his land until 1891. when he rented the farms and removed to Raymond, where he pur- chased the residence that he now occupies. He has since given his supervision to his farming interests, but is not connected with the active work. In Raymond he purchased a lot and erected a business house and he also remodeled and added to his residence, which is a neat and attractive home. Ile also owns some val- uable property in Pueblo, Colorado. His busi- ness affairs have claimed the greater part of his time and attention. yet he has never been remiss in the duties of citizenship and in a quiet way has assisted in many measures for the general good. Politically he is a stanch Republican, having given unfaltering support to the party since casting his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant in 1868.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sims have been born three children. but they lost their oldest, Charles, who reached mature years, was mar- ried and was successfully engaged in business in Raymond at the time of his death. Their daughters are Libbie and Ethel, the former the wife of George Il. Lynch. of Pueblo, Colo- rado: and Ethel. now living with her sister .. Mr. and Mrs. Sims are members of the Baptist church and he is a Master Mason. belonging to the lodge at Raymond. During thirty-four years' residence in Montgomery county Mr. Sims is widely known to many of its citizens and there has been in his life record no ele- ment which awakens harsh criticism or con- demnation. On the other hand his career has been characterized by laudable ambition to achieve success and honorable methods of win- ning prosperity, and he certainly deserves cred- it for what he has accomplished.
JOHN W. CHAMBERLIN.
John W. Chamberlin, one of the best known representatives of industrial interests in Litch- field, has been identified with building opera- tions here for many years, and has contributed
in large measure toward improving and beauti- fying the city. Ile is also engaged in the man- nfacture of briek, and his business career has been characterized by unfaltering diligence and perseverance. Moreover, he is an active ad- vocate of intellectual and moral progress, and as a citizen is foremost among those who champion all measures for the general good.
Mr. Chamberlin was born in Kanawha county, West Virginia, April 12. 1840, a son of Nathaniel and Joanna ( Willis) Chamber- lin. The father was a native of Pennsylvania. and was of English lineage, tracing his ancestry back to one of the band of Pilgrims who came to America in the Mayflower. Nathaniel Chamberlin was reared upon a farm, but be- came a contractor and builder. He removed to Virginia when twenty-three years of age and there operated a sawmill. On his removal to the west he settled in St. Louis, where he hegan contracting and building, and was one of the leading citizens and business men of the Missouri metropolis of that time. While ii. Virginia he married Miss Joanna Willis, who was born in Winchester. that state, a daughter of William Willis, who was of Ger- man birth. There was also an English strain in the maternal ancestry. Her father was a harnessmaker by trade and for many years fol- lowed that business in Virginia. where his death ultimately occurred. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin were born eight children. but with the exception of John W., of this review. all have passed away. The father died in 1863 at the age of sixty-three years and the mother's death occurred in Litchfield in 1890 when she was seventy-six years of age. Mr. Chamber- lin held membership in the Cumberland Pres- byterian church, while his wife was a member of the Metholist Episcopal church. In politics he was a radical Republican. espousing the cause of the party at a time when it required personal courage to uphold one's political con- victions. He enjoyed the highest regard of all with whom he was associated and his upright career and fidelity to duty made him one of nature's noblemen.
In the public schools of St. Louis, Missouri, John W. Chamberlin acquired his education and on putting aside his text books entered a
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JOHN W. CHAMBERLIN
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printing office, where he worked for a year. 1865. His life was an honorable and upright He afterward learned the trade of brick-lay- one, covering a long span of eighty-one years, and he lived in constant harmony with his professions as a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. His wife, also a life-long mem- her of the church, died at the age of seventy- two years. Both took an active part in church work and Mr. Simmons served as trustee and steward. In their family were eight children, of whom three are now living. Mrs. Chamberlin and Pilcher and Julia Simmons. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin were born four children : William S., a brick-layer of Litehfield; Annie, the wife of Marshall Titsworth, who is em- ployed in the Latham store in Litchfield ; Lucy, at home: and Nathaniel, who is associated with his father and brother in business. There are now ten grandchildren. By her first mar- riage Mrs. Chamberlin had one son, who is yet living, Pilcher G. Keese, who is a brick-layer. ing and throughout the greater pari of his business career has been engaged in contract- ing and building. His business interests, how- ever. were put aside at the time of the Civil war, for in September, 1861, at St. Louis, he enlisted in Fremont's Engineering Corps and served in that organization until it was dis- banded. He was then with William Hitchcock, known as "Wild Bill," on a transportation train through Missouri and Arkansas. trans- porting provisions for the army for eighteen months. In 1865 he came to Litchfield and has since been identified with its building opera- tions. He has seen the town grow and expand and has taken a very active part in its improve- ment, building many schoolhouses, churches, business blocks and private residences here and also in other parts of Montgomery county and in adjoining counties. The buildings which he Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlin hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and have vo-operated in its various activities, doing all in their power to promote its growth and ex- tend its influences. At the present writing Mr. Chamberlin is serving as one of its trustees. In politics he is a Republican and is assistant supervisor of North Litchfield township. He is a man of high standing in the community be- cause of his genuine personal worth. His mar- riel life has been a happy one and his home largely embodies ideals of domestic felicity. Those traits of character which are esteemed as of most value in character building are his and he is to-day one of the most honored and respected men of his adopted city. has constructed would constitute a considerable town in themselves. He is still actively on- gaged in work and now has the contract for the Carnegie library building. His success is attributable to his skill in the builder's art and is thoroughly reliable, for he lives fully up to the terms of an agreement. As soon as his sons were old enough to become factors in in- dustrial circles he admitted them to the firm and the business is now carried on under the style of J. W. Chamberlin & Sons. In 1885 Mr. Chamberlin also established a brickyard and manufactures a machine-made brick, em- ploying twelve men in the operation of the plant. Although this is being worked to its full capacity the supply is not equal to the demand.
In December. 1864, Mr. Chamberlin was married to Mrs. Victoria V. Kcese, the widow of Albert C. Keese and a daughter of Wesley and Elizabeth Nelson Simmons. Her father removed from Ohio to Montgomery coun- ty, Illinois, in 1833, and settled three miles west of Hillsboro, where he remained for a short time. He afterward took up his abode in the city and from that point superintended his farming operations. His death occurred in Hillsboro in 1881. In 1855 he had established the Simmons Hotel, which he conducted until
LEE M. PAUL.
The business circles of Farmersville find a worthy representative in Lee M. Paul, who is assistant cashier of the banking firm of John Bell & Company, in which capacity he has ac- ceptably served for ten years and his unfalter- ing courtesy as well as business capacity have made him popular with the patrons of the institution and gained him a large circle of warm friends. A native of Illinois, he was born in Macoupin county, September 16, 1861.
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Ilis father, Jacob Paul, was born near Wheel- ing, West Virginia, on the 16th of September, 1815, and during his early boyhood days ac- companied his parents on their removal west- ward, the family home being established in Indianapolis, where Jacob Paul grew to ma- ture years and was married. the lady of his choice being Miss Ellen McClain, a native of Kentucky. In the year 1836 Jacob Paul re- moved to Alton, Illinois, where he resided for more than twenty years and on the expiration of that period he purchased land and located in Macoupin county, where he resided until 1874.
It was upon the old family homestead there that Lee M. Paul spent his boyhood days. He had good educational privileges, his course in the public schools being supplemented by a few terms of study in the Indianapolis high school. In 1824 he returned to the home farm and later removed the family to St. Louis, Missouri, where they remained for two years. Returning in 1876 to Illinois, the family home was established upon a farm in Montgomery county near the village of Farmersville and there the father and sons engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, mak- ing a specialty of the raising of horses. Jacob Paul, the father, was an active and capable business man and continued a resident of this locality until his death, which occurred Sep- tember 30. 1893. His wife passed away Oc- tober 4, 1892. The remains of both were in- terred in the Morrisonville cemetery.
After leaving school Lee M. Paul continued to assist his father upon the home farm and after the latter's death engaged in the culti- vation of the old home place until 1894. when he rented the land and removed to Farmers- ville, to accept a position in the banking house of John Bell & Company. He has now served as assistant cashier for ten years and is very efficient and faithful in the performance of all the duties which devolve upon him in eon- nection with the conduct of this strong and reliable financial institution. He is also con- ducting some private business interests as a dealer in real estate and as an insurance agent, and ho displays good business ability. hav- ing the power to readily recognize and utilize
an opportunity. Moreover he possesses taet and has a good fund of common sense, which is too often lacking in the business world, and has been the source of more failures than any other one element.
Mr. Paul was married in Montgomery coun- ty, May 25, 1898, to Miss Hattie Carroll, a native of this county and a daughter of James Carroll, one of its worthy pioneers. He was a prominent farmer here for some years and is now living retired in Farmersville. Mr. and Mrs. Paul have a pleasant home in the town and the hospitality of the best families in this part of the county is freely extended to them. Mr. Paul is unfaltering in his ad- vocacy of Democratic principles and is an ac- tive supporter of the party, being recognized as a local leader here. He has served as vil- lage treasurer for a number of years, was also township collector for two terms and has filled other positions of honor and trust. Ile has long been a notary public and does all such work in connection with the bank. He belongs to the Masonic lodge at Girard and is also identified with the Royal Neighbors and the Modern Woodmen, llis interest centers in his adopted county and his hearty co-operation is given to every movement which he believes will contribute to its upbuilding and improvement. In manner he is unostentatious, but his gen- nine worth is recognized by a large circle of friends.
JESSE J. CAREY.
Jesse J. Carey, who is one of the prominent business men of HIarvel, where he has been successfully engaged in dealing in lumber for the past fifteen years. has spent almost his en- tire life in Illinois, dating his residence here from 1837. Montgomery county has numbered him among its valued citizens since 18:5. He was born in the city of New York. December 1, 1831, and was brought to this state by his father, Jesse Carey, who located in Pike county in 1834. There the father purchased a tract of wild land and opened up a good farm. Pioneer conditions existed at that time and the nearest neighbor to the Carey home was three
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miles away. Hardships and difficulties were to be endured, but the family persevered in their efforts to build a new home on the fron- tier.
Jesse J. Carey, who was the oldest son, was reared on the farm in Pike county and enjoyed fair school advantages, but has largely sup- plemented his knowledge by lessons gained in the school of experience and through reading and observation. The word work would sum up most concisely his entire life, for his career has been characterized by unflagging diligence. Early in youth he learned lessons of industry, enterprise and integrity and these have been salient features in his career down to the pres- ent time. In early manhood he was married and then engaged in farming in Pike county for three or four years. In 1869 he removed to Logan county, where he purchased a tract of land and continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1875. He then sold his property there and went to Christian county, arriving on the 1st of March. 1875. He secured a tract of land near Harvel, which he operated for a number of years and then putting aside agri- cultural pursuits he removed to the village in 1889 and bought out a lumber and coal yard that he has since conducted. As the years have passed he has built up a profitable trade and he is now one of the active business men of his community, having for fifteen years dealt in coal and lumber with good success. This has been sufficient time to test his capability. his honorable methods and his carnest desire to please his customers-qualities which have been the strong elements in his prosperity.
In Pike county, Illinois. Mr. Carey was mar- ried, November 5, 1863. to Miss Helen M. Ross. a daughter of T. J. and Annie ( Ilovey) Ross, early settlers of Illinois. She was born in Ohio, but was reared in this state. ller death occurred in Harvel, February 19, 1892. and she left four children. Those still living are: Phoebe, the wife of 1. N. Banes, who is deputy county clerk of Montgomery county ; Harvilla, at home; and Helen J., the wife of D. A. Renning. of Girard, Kansas. One son, George A., died when a young man of twenty- two years.
Mr. Carey purchased an attractive home in
Harvel, which he now occupies. fle is an ear- nest advocate of Democratie principles and has supported the party since casting his first pres- idential ballot for James Buchanan in 1856. He was elected and served as supervisor in Christian county for six years and for four years in Montgomery county. but he has al- ways rather avoided office, preferring to do his publie duty as a private citizen. He has given his time and attention to his business affairs, which have been crowned with success. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fel- low's lodge at Harvel and passed through all of the chairs, is a past grand and has been repre- sentative of the subordinate lodge to the grand lodge of the state on two or three different oc- casions. He belongs to the Christian church. of which he is one of the elders and his life has exemplified his Christian faith, being at all times honorable and straightforward. His is a kindly spirit and ready sympathy and he has put forth earnest effort to advance the wel- fare of the church and extend its influence: TIe is well known in the northern part of the county as a respected and honorable business man and Harvel classes him with its repre- sentative citizens.
CARL F. BARTLING.
Carl F. Bartling, well known in Litchfield and respected because of his many sterling qual- ities, is now conducting a mercantile enterprise in the interest of the heirs of the Hoffman es- tate. He is one of Illinois' native sons, his birth having occurred in Woodburn, Macoupin county, on the 13th of February, 1864. His father, Henry W. Bartling, was born in Swit- zerland and came to the United States in 1856, locating in Alton. In 1863 he removed to Ma- coupin county, where he carried on general farming. He married Annie Tuscher, who was born in Switzerland and was a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Tuscher, who came to the United States in 1856, settling at Alton, but afterward removing to Macoupin county, where they located near Hornsby. Her father also carried on agricultural pursuits. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bartling were members of the
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German Lutheran church. ITis death occurred in 1820, when he was thirty-five years of age. and his wife passed away in 1876. at the age of thirty-eight years. They were the parents of five children : Henry W., who is now liv- ing in Litchfield; Carl F .; Elizabeth, the wife of George Siegel, at Trenton, Illinois: Annie, the wife of John Freloish, of Alton; and Trenie, the wife of George Smith, who is en- gaged in the grocery business in Alton.
('arl F. Bartling is indebted to the district schools for the carly educational privileges which he enjoyed and which were supplement- ed by two years' study in the schools of Litch- field. He then entered upon his business career in the store of V. Hoffman and remained in his employ until the death of Mr. Hoffman. in 1899. Mr. Bartling was then appointed ex- ecutor of the lloffman estate and has since been conducting the business for the heirs. Ile is well qualified for the trust reposed in him and in carrying on this enterprise has displayed excellent business ability as well as unremitting fidelity to the interests of those whom he represents. He is also a member of the firm of Bartling Brothers, wholesale dear -. ers in and shippers of poultry and produce.
On the 18th of February, 1885, Mr. Bart- ling was united in marriage to Miss Ella Hoff- man. a daughter of V. and Martha Hoffman and a native of Litchfield, born in 1861. They became the parents of five children, but Val- entine, Carl, Gertrude and Mary are all now deceased. The only living child is Roscoe Blaine, the second in order of birth. Mr. and Mrs. Bartling hold membership in the Metho- dist Episcopal church and fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Mutual Protective League. He supports the Republican party by his ballot and has several times been elected collector. He has also been a member of the school board and the library board and was county treasurer from 1894 until 1898, thus being closely as- sociated with the public interests of his con- munity. Whatever tends to promote the gen- cral welfare receives his endorsement and he has been the champion of many measures which have proven of great benefit to Mont- gomery county. His social manner and kind-
ly disposition render him popular and the circle of his friends has been extended by reason of the fact that he is always considerate of others' opinions and shows to all the deference which condition and time warrant.
E. F. CANADAY.
E. F. Canaday, who as a stock dealer has built up a profitable business in Coffeen, was born in North Litchfield township, Au- gust 5, 1869, He is a son of C. W. and Martha L. Canaday, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Illi- nois. When the father was only a year old he was brought by his parents to Mont- gomery county, the family home being estab- lished hore in 1834 among the pioneer resi- dents. The members of the Canaday house- hold bore their full share in the work of early development and improvement, living in true pioneer style and meeting as best they could the hard conditions which are always to be faced by the frontier settler. After attaining to man's estate C. W. Canaday began farming on his own account and is a representative of ag- ricultural interests of North Litchfield town- ship. He aided in surveying the land in this county and could have purchased any amount of it at twelve and a half cents per acre. He has witnessed many changes as the years have gone by and the county has emerged from primitive conditions to take its place with the leading counties of this great commonwealth.
E. F. Canaday acquired his education in North Litchfield township and remained upon his father's farm until twenty-five years of age. He then conducted a butcher shop for six years, spending four years of that time in Hillsboro and the remaining two years at Coffeen. On selling his meat market he began shipping stock and now handles most of the stock sent from this point. He also raises and feeds cat- tle, hogs and mules, and he is gaining a very desirable success in handling stock, being an excellent judge of domestic animals, so that he makes judicious purchases and profitable sales.
On December 6, 1900. Mr. Canaday was married to Miss Mattie Perkins, a daughter of Willis and Samantha ( Hoskett) Perkins, the
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MRS. E. F. CANADAY
E. F. CANADAY
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former a native of Alton, Illinois, and the latter of Edwardsville, this state. The Cana- day home is a hospitable one and is a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Canaday votes with the Democracy, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to give his undi- vided attention to his business interests.
JACOB M. ELWELL.
Jacob M. Elwell, who built the first frame house on the prairie on which the town of Pana has been founded-a house which is still standing as one of the landmarks of pioneer times-has been closely associated in helpful manner with the upbuilding and progress of this portion of Montgomery county. He was born May 1, 1832, in Bridgeton, New Jersey, & son of William and Catherine (Miller) El- well. The father was of English lineage, while the mother was descended from a family from northern Germany. Both, however, were born in New Jersey, and the father, who through- out his entire life carried on agricultural pur- suits, was the owner of three farms in that state. His was a long, useful and active life. in which he commanded the respect and trust of his fellow men. He died in 1881, at the advanced age of eighty years, and his wife passed away in 1878, when seventy years of age. They were members of the Baptist church and in that faith they reared their family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of whom eight are now living. The record of the family is as follows: Jacob N .; Isaac, who is living at Bridgeton, New Jersey ; Margaret. the wife of David Brooks, a resident of Mill- ville, New Jersey; William, who is married and makes his home in Bridgeton, that state; George, who is married and is located in Pana. Illinois: Catherine, the wife of Joseph Hil- liard, also of Bridgeton, New Jersey; Sally. who is living in Vincentown, New Jersey ; Samuel S., of Bridgeton; Annie, the deceased wife of Frank DuBois, who has also passed away, having been killed in a wreck; Ann Maria, who died in infancy ; and one that died unnamed.
Jacob M. Elwell attended school in his na- tive town and in early youth assisted in the work of the home farm, continuing to give his father the benefit of his services until twenty- one years of age, when he started out in life on his own account, working by the month for ten dollars as a farm hand. Ile afterward went to Miami county, Ohio. and in the vicin- ity of Covington was employed at farm labor and in a sawmill. lle afterward drove a team from that place to Audubon, Illinois, in 1855, and for four years he continued in the service of others in this state, when with the capital he had acquired through his own persistent labor he purchased three hundred and twenty acres of land. upon which he now resides in Audubon township, the purchase price being ten dollars per acre. In 1856 he was engaged in farming near Pontiac, where he met the lady who afterward became his wife and who bore the maiden name of Sarah Jane Ullery. They were married in 1860 and Mr. Elwell then turned his attention to farming upon his home place, beginning its improvement and continuing the further work of cultivation and development until he has produced the pres- ent high state of productiveness for which his farm is now noted. He broke the prairie with oxen and used varions farm implements which now seem crude in comparison to the improved machinery seen upon his farm at the present day. He has utilized every facility for promoting his work along practical lines and has prospered in his undertakings.
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