USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 7
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Elwell were born five children, a son and four daughters, namely: Mary C., the wife of Charles C. Brown, a resi- dent of Audubon township, by whom she has three children ; Margaret, who was a teacher and died in 1891 at the age of twenty-eight years : Lottie, who also followed teaching prior to her marriage to Edward lowe, by whom she had one child that died in infancy : Bertie, who engaged in teaching in the public schools and also teaching music and is now the wife of Harry Cutler, who resides near Rosemond, Christian county, by whom she has three chil- dren : William J., who is employed as a line- man by the telephone company and resides at Pana. The mother passed away July 14, 1900,
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at the age of fifty-seven years and her re- mains were interred in the Rosemond ceme- tery. She was a member of the Methodist church, was reared in the faith of the Chris- tian church and her entire life was in har- mony with her religious principles and con- victions. She was devoted to her family and loyal to her friends, her many good traits of heart and mind endearing her to those with whom she was associated.
Mr. Elwell has joined no church, but has lived an honorable, straightforward life, at- tempting to follow the golden rule in his treat- ment of his fellow men. In politics he has been a stalwart Republican since casting his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont. Few men have a more intimate or accurate knowledge concerning the early history of his section of the county. He saw the first train that passed through Nokomis, running over the Terre Haute & Alton Railroad, now a part of the Big Four system. the town at that time being called Fillmore. He also remembers when the first load of stock was shipped over the road, although Nokomis was not founded at that time. Deer and other wild game were seen in large numbers upon the prairie and there were many wolves throughout this see- tion of the country. Other indications of pio- neer conditions were also in evidence, but grad- ually these have given way before the advanc- ing civilization and the result has been the upbuilding of a county that is a credit to its citizens and to the commonwealth at large.
CHARLES ALEXANDER RAMSEY.
In the field of political life and commer- cial activity Charles Alexander Ramsey has won distinction and to-day is numbered among the leading. influential and honored citizens of Hillsboro, while as president of the Hills- boro National Bank he is occupying a promi- nent position in financial circles. For many years he has been engaged in helpful manner in the development of the natural resources of the state, in the upbuilding of his adopted city and in the promotion of the enterprises which
add not alone to his individual prosperity, but also advance the general welfare and prosperity of this city.
Mr. Ramsey was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, on the 8th of January, 1845, his parents being William HI. and Mary ( Rar- (r) Ramsey. The father was of trish descent, but his parents were of the Presbyterian faith. The mother was of German lineage and both wore natives of Pennsylvania, where they spent their entire lives. Mr. Ramsey was a very strong and energetic man and his death re- sulted from accident in 1894, when he was seventy-three years of age. He followed car- pentering and building but was living retired at the time of his death. His wife had died in 1886, at the age of sixty-two years.
Charles A. Ramsey was educated in the com- mon schools and at the Pine Grove Academy in Cent r county, Pennsylvania, the institu- tion being located in the town of Pine Grove Mills. He left the Keystone state in 1865 when twenty years of age and located in Shel- by county. Illinois, where he resided for a brief period. He then removed to Irving in Montgomery county, where he established a drug store, conducting the same for eleven years. In 1877 he removed to Hillsboro, whore he established a hardware and imple- ment business, becoming a member of the firm of Challacombe & Ramsey. This relation was maintained for about fifteen years or until 1892. when Mr. Ramsey sold out to his part- nor. The entire period had been one of pros- perity in which well directed business interests had resulted in the acquirement of a hand- som competence. In 1882 he assisted in the organization of the Hillsboro National Bank. was elected its president and has since remained at the head of the institution, being annnally re-elected. His practical and progressive spir- it has made this one of the sound financial concerns of the county and the business has constantly grown in volume and importance.
On the 24th of October, 1870. Mr. Ramsey was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Cor- ley, a daughter of B. W. F. Corley, a promi- nent citizen of Shelby county, Illinois, and an extensive farmer. This union was blessed with two children. The elder. a daughter,
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Mae, born in Irving in 1872, died in Hillsboro in 1895. The other, a son, died in infancy.
Mr. Ramsey is a stanch Republican and has long been a recognized leader in the ranks of the party in this locality. Ile was elected mayor of Hillsboro in 1891 and as the chief executive officer he gave to the city a public- spirited. progressive administration that re- sulted in substantial benefit. In 1892 he was nominated and elected to the legislature, and as a member of the thirty-eighth general as- sembly again did good service for his constit- ments. In 1904 he was chosen a delegate to the state convention which will go down in history memorable because of the great dead- lock that occurred over the nomination for governor. the leading contestants being Richard Yates, then governor of the state, Frank Lowden, and Charles Deneen, state's attorney of Chicago, the contest at length ro- sulting in the selection of the last named. Mr. Ramsey has also been township super- visor and was president of the board for rio terms. He is a trustee of the Soldiers & Sail- ors Widows Home at Wilmington, Illinois, and has always been deeply interested in military affairs and kindred subjects since the time of the Civil war, for then he espoused the cause of the Union, having enlisted in 1862, as a member of Company D, One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. He was mustered out at Harrisburg in 1865 after three years of service. He had been promoted to the rank of sergeant major in August, 1864, and to adjutant in January, 1865. He served in the Army of the Potomac and participated in the battle of Gettysburg and others of the most hotly contested engagements of that long and sanguinary struggle. Honored and re- spected in every class of society, he has for some time been a leader in thought and action in the public life of the state.
WILLIAM GAMLIN.
For nearly forty years William Gamlin was a representative of farming interests in Mont- gomery county and during that period he labored to such good purpose that he acquired
a handsome competence that now enables him to live a retired life in Raymond. He dates his residence in the state from 1856 and in Montgomery county from 1882. He was born in Somersetshire, England. November 5, 1822, and spent his boyhood and youth upon a farm, there working in the fields at an early age and thus becoming familiar with the prac- tical methods of carrying on agricultural pur- suits. He was married in his native country in 1852 to Miss Mary Ann Hart, also a na- tive of Somersetshire.
The year 1856 witnessed the emigration of Mr. Gamlin to the new world. He took pas- sage at Liverpool upon a sailing vessel and after five weeks spent upon the broad Atlantic, during which time they encountered some se- vere storms, anchor was dropped in the har- bor of New York. He arrived in New York in the fall of that year, but did not tarry long in the castern metropolis, coming direct to Illinois. He made his way to Alton and previously he had made arrangements to ope- rate a farm in Macoupin county. Hle resided upon that place for one year and then en- gaged in cultivating a rented farm for eight years. Ile afterward removed to another farm property and continued to engage in agri- cultural pursuits in that county for ten years, or until 1887, when he came to Montgomery county and purchased a farm of one hundred anl mine acres near Raymond. There he car- ried on agricultural pursuits for seven years, when he sold that property and bought his pres- ont home in Raymond, erecting a neat and attractive residence, his lot covering sixty acres. Ile also bought a farm near the village which he cultivated for several years and then sold. Tto had little capital when he came to America, but he improved the opportunities which are open to all ambitious young men, and through his persisteney of purpose and energy he accumulated a handsome competence.
In the fall of 1903 Mr. Gamlin was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the Eth of September. Soon after- ward he started for England, sailing on the 28th of that month. There he visited his old home and spent three months in renewing the acquaintances of his youth and early manhood.
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He had a very pleasant trip and it was a happy period which he passed amid the scenes of his early life, but when his visit was over he willingly returned to his adopted land. Since the death of his wife his nephew John Gamlin and his family have lived with Mr. Gamlin of this review.
Politically William Gamlin is an earnest Democrat and cast his first ballot for Grover Cleveland. He is a member of the Raymond Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belonged. He has now reached the advanced age of eighty-two years. but is yet quite hale and hearty and life holds for him many en- joyable moments. He has not been disap- pointed in the hopes that led him to America, for here he realized a handsome competence from his labors, gained a good home and won the friendship of many with whom he has been associated.
John Gamlin, now living in Raymond with his uncle William Gamlin, was born in Som- ersetshire, England, February 17, 1846, and there spent the first twenty-two years of his life, living upon a farm. Crossing the Atlan- tie in 1868 he made his way westward to Ma- coupin county, Illinois, where he joined his unele and in that locality he was employed at farm labor. He was married in Novem- ber, 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Baker, who was also born in Somersetshire, England, a daugh- ter of Benjamin Baker, who died in that coun- try. Mrs. Gamlin came to the new world with her brother's wife in 1868 and lived in Ma- coupin county, Illinois, where she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Gamlin. They re- mained in Macoupin county for eight years and then removed to Missouri, settling in Pet- tis county near Sedalia, where Mr. Gamlin owned and operated a farm, having one hun- dred and sixty acres of land. In 1891 he sold that property and took up his abode in Henry county near Blairstown, but in the fall of 1893 he returned to Illinois and took charge of his uncle's place in Raymond. Montgomery county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. John Gamlin have been born eight children: Catherine M .. the wife of William Rector, of Henry county, Mis- souri ; John B., who is married and is an agri- culturist of Henry county, Missouri; William
H., of Johnson county, Missouri; Nathan A., of Henry county, Missouri; Mary Ann, the wife of Gust Burke, of Henry county, Mis- souri : Joseph E., a farmer of this county; Virginia M .; and Naomi E. The parents hold membership in the Presbyterian church and Mr. Gamlin is a man of strong temperance principles who gives his political support to the Prohibition party.
L. THOMAS DOYLE.
A valuable farm of five hundred and twenty acres is the property of L. Thomas Doyle, who, living on section 29, Raymond township, is devoting his time and energies to the cultiva- tion of his fields and to the raising and feeding of stock. He has a wide acquaintance and his popularity among his friends is indicated by the fact that he is usually called Tom by those who know him. His manner is genial, his dis- position kindly and cordial, and he has the warm regard and genuine friendship of many with whom he has been associated.
A native son of Montgomery county, Mr. Doyle was born in Raymond township. March 8, 1868. IIis father. James Doyle, was born in Greene county, Illinois, in 1835, was reared there in the usual manner of farm lads of the period, and when he started out in life for him- self he wedded Miss Julia Overby, a native of Greene county, thus securing a companion and helpmate for life's journey. Removing to Montgomery county, he became one of the early settlers of Butler township and transformed a tract of raw, wild land into a good farm, the richly tilled fields yielding him fine harvests. There he carried on general agricultural pur- suits until his death. which occurred July 5, 1903. Ilis wife had died several years before. They are survived by four of their seven chil- dren.
Thomas Doyle spent his youth upon the home farm, attending the common schools, where he mastered the branches of English learning usually taught in such institutions and thus became well prepared for the discharge of his business duties and obligations. He has always followed farming as a life work. He was mar- ried in Raymond township on the 14th of Feb-
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ruary, 1891, to Miss Fanny Seward, who spent her girlhood days in this locality and attended the school in which her husband was pursuing his education. Tler father. Oscar Seward, was one of the carly settlers of Montgomery county. Mrs. Doyle inherited some of her father's farm and Mr. Doyle extended the boundaries of this place by making extensive additional purchases untit he now has five hundred and fifty-five acres of land. He has continued the work of cultivation and improvement. has repaired and remodeled the house, has built two barns, has planted a young orchard and now has a very valuable property, situated within two miles of Raymond, so that the advantages and oppor- tunities of the town are easily accessible. In addition to general farming he was one of the organizers of the Raymond National Bank, took stock therein and is still interested in the institution. He is progressive in both business life and citizenship, is regarded as one of the most industrious agriculturists of his locality and is continually putting forth effort to im- prove his farm and add to its convenience and to supplement its fertility and value.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Doyle has been blessed with two children : Oscar J. and Lemar S. Mr. Doyle votes with the Democratic party and served for one term as supervisor and also as a member of the honorable county board. Ile has been a delegate to the county and state conventions of his party and is deeply inter- ested in its success, doing all in his power to promote its growth and to secure its victory. Hle is a man of integrity and honor and his character development has been along lines that ever command respect and good will. The fact that his stanchest friends are among those who have known him longest is an indication that his earcer has been worthy of respect and as one of the valued native sons of Montgomery county we present his record to our readers.
JAMES H. ATTERBURY.
James HIardin Atterbury, of Litchfield, Illi- nois, was born two miles northwest of that city, March 7, 1858. The Atterbury family is of English descent. The first of the name in this
country is believed to have been James Atter- bury, who lived before the Revolution at Cam- den. South Carolina. He was the father of Charles Atterbury, and the latter was the father of Michael Atterbury, the father of Abram D. Atterbury, the father of J. H. Atterbury, of this sketch. Michael Atterbury was married to Elizabeth Kessinger. a daughter of Joseph Kessinger. a son of Solomon Kessinger. The latter was born near Wittenburg, Germany, and died near Millerstown, Hart county, Ken- tueky. in 1837, at the age of one hundred years.
Abram D. Atterbury was born in Grayson county, Kentucky, February 26, 1827; came to Illinois in 1850, and ou October 19, 1853, at Hardinsburg, in Montgomery county, was mar- ried to Mrs. Julia A. Ogle. nee MeFarland, the widow of Joseph T. Ogle and the mother of Joseph T. Ogle. now a retired farmer living in the suburbs of Litchfield. Mrs. Abram D. Atterbury was the daughter of David MeFar- land, of near O'Fallon, in St. Clair county, Illinois. The latter was the son of Donald Me- Farland, the son of Malcomh McFarland. the son of Duncan MeFarland. Mrs. Abram D. Atterbury's mother was Ruth Sparks, daughter of David Sparks. the son of Joseph Sparks. MFr. and Mrs. Atterbury had three sons : George W .. of Buffalo, New York : James II., the sub- jeet of this review : and Charles M .. of Chicago. Abram D. Atterbury died at Litchfield, April 21. 1898. Tlis widow still lives in this city.
James Il. Atterbury acquired his carly edu- cation in the country school. and then went to the high school of this city. where he lacked three months of graduating. He attended Me- Kendree College at Lebanon, Illinois, from 18;1 to 1879, graduating in the classical course in June of the latter year. He then went to the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he completed the law course in 1881. Hle was admitted to the Michigan bar at De- troit. but returned to Litchfield and was ad- mitted to the bar of Illinois in May, 1881, after which for several years he was a member of the firm of Southworth & Atterbury. He was afterward admitted to the bar of the su- prome court of the United States at Washing- ton.
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As a lawyer he has been connected with some important litigation, and has represented some large financial interests. In 1883 he was elected secretary of the Chicago, Springfield & St. Louis Railway Company, which began the construction of the line now the Ilinois ('en- tral Railroad Company between Springfield and St. Louis. In 1890 he instituted a suit result- ing in the appointment of a receiver of the St. Louis, Alton & Springfield Railroad Company. In 1894 he organized and was elected president of the Belleville Electrie Railway Company, which converted the horse railway to an elec- trie one. In 1895 he organized and was made a director and secretary of the Williamson County Coal Company. In the same year he was a director and secretary of the Chicago, Paducah & Memphis Railway Company (now a part of the Chicago & Eastern Ilinois Rail- road), and was its general solicitor. having charge of its legal department. and moved his family to Mt. Vernon, Illinois, where he lived for three years. In 1899 he was elected a direc- tor and secretary of the St. Louis, Oklahoma & Southern Railway Company (now a part of the Frisco system). and had charge of its legal department while it constructed its line from Sapulpa, Indian Territory, to Denison, Texas. a distance of two hundred miles. Ile has since practiced his profession at Litchfield, where he is also active in the promotion of anything which promises to be of public good to the city.
On January 31, 1894. he was married to Miss Fannie Kathan, a daughter of A. J. and Eliza (Perry) Kathan. His wife was born in St. Louis, August 24. 1872. Mr. and Mrs. James H. Atterbury have one son. James Hardin At- terbury, Jr., born December 23. 1895. Mr. Atterbury in polities has always been an active Republican, but has never. held nor sought pub- lic office.
S. W. ELDRED.
S. W. Eldred, a substantial farmer and stock-raiser living on section 9, Bois Dare township, is the owner of extensive landed possessions, his farm comprising seven hun- dred acres. He is a native son of Illinois and
his life history is such of which the state can well be proud. for in his career he has dis- played the enterprising spirit which has led to the substantial and rapid development of the great west.
He was born in Greene county, Illinois, No- vember 12, 1848. and is a son of Jeduthan B. Eldred, whose birth occurred in Herkimer county, New York, July 23, 1820. The grand- father, William Eldred, was a native of Con- necticut and in 1820 he removed westward with his family to Illinois. settling in Greene county in 1821. He was one of the pioneer residents of that part of the state, taking np his abode in a locality where there were few settlements, when the greater part of the land was unimproved and when the now thriving cities were small villages, or had not yet been founded. There amid the wild scenes of fron- tier life J. B. Eldred was reared and, seeking a companion and helpmate for life's journey, he was married in Greene county to Miss Jane E. Thomas, whose birth occurred in that county, June 6, 1823, and who was a daughter of Samuel Thomas, said to be the first white settler of that county. Mr. Eldred became an active farmer of Greene county and, making judicious investments in land. became the owner of nearly five hundred acres. The life of the farmer, especially at that day when there was little improved machinery. was particularly arduous. but he worked on year after year and in due course of time accumulated a handsome competence. Ile reared his family upon the old homestead there and made it his place of residence up to the time of his death, which occurred April 13, 1887. His wife still sur- vives him and now makes her home with her children.
S. W. Eldred was reared under the parental roof in Greene county and at the usual age he entered the public schools, therein acquiring a good practical education. He received inan- ual training at farm labor under the direction of his father, whom he continued to assist upon the old homestead up to the time of his mar- riage. In Jacksonville, Illinois, on the 21st of December. 1836. he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary J. Robertson, a native of Mor- gan county. Illinois, and a daughter of John
MR. AND MRS. S. W. ELDRED
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and Mary Robertson, also natives of that county. She was reared in the county of her nativity, pursuing her education in the schools of Jacksonville.
Mr. Eldred came to his present home in 18:4 and began the development of his farm, which at that time had few improvements. The place, however, was three hundred and twenty acres in extent and with characteristic energy he began to till the fields. construct buildings and continued the farm work along progressive lines that have led to substantial and gratifying results. As his financial re- sources increased he has bought more land from time to time and he now has seven hundred and fourteen acres. He has erected a large two-story residence, also three barns, corn cribs, sheds and other outbuildings, has planted fruit and shade trees and now has an excellent property equipped with all modern conven- iences and accessories and displaying in its excellent appearance the careful supervision of the owner. The farm is enclosed with a hedge and wire fence, which also divide the place into fields of convenient size. In the pastures are found good grades of stock and annually he ships about four carloads of fat hogs. from four to six carloads of steers and two carloads of sheep. He is very successful as a stock- raiser and dealer and is accounted one of the leading agriculturists of this part of the county. ITe is also a stockholder and director in the Carrollton Bank. His father was one of the organizers of this institution and his brother has been in this bank for twenty-seven years as cashier.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Eldred have been horn two sons and a daughter: John J., who is now occupying a position in the Carrollton Bank; William S., who assists in the operation of the home farm; and Jennie, also under the parental roof. The parents hold membership in the Baptist church of Bois Dare, to which their children also belong and they are deeply interested in the varions church activities and contribute generously to the support of the church. Mr. Eldred cast his first presidential vete in 1872 for General Grant and has sup- ported each presidential nominee of the Re- publican party since that time, having firm
faith in the Republican principles and ear- nestly desiring their adoption. He served as commissioner of highways, but otherwise has held no office, preferring to give his undivided 'attention to his business affairs. He has been blessed with remarkably good health, having never had to employ the services of a physician for over thirty years. His entire life has been passed in Illinois and he has assisted materially in making Montgomery county what it is to- day, never neglecting any duty of citizenship, while at the same time promoting his indi- vidual business interests with success. He is one of the honored residents of his community, having the good will and confidence of those with whom he has been associated for in all his trade transactions he has been strictly reliable. making the most of his opportunities, yet never taking advantage of the necessities of his fel- low men in any business transaction.
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