USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 71
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homes were kept in excellent condition and the neatness which everything showed about their farms at once proclaimed them men of pro- gressive ideas and habits of thrift-two quali- ties absolutely necessary to develop the highest character in any branch of industrial life. The writer is glad to have been able to know these gentlemen among his true friends, and though they are no more numbered among the living it is a pleasure to reflect upon their good quali- ties as citizens and as friends. Robert Bryce. for thirty years and more township treasurer of the schools of that township, has become the trusted friend of the succeeding county superintendents of schools who have served in that capacity during the long period of years in which Unele Robert has made his annual report to that office. Robert Bryce is a native of Scotland and is a typical character of that rugged country. It is a pleasure to converse with him about the Scottish poets and states- men. He is familiar with the location of all the scenes described in Scott's "Lady of the Lake" and by Robert Burns, whose poems are as familiar in America as in his native land. They describe no quiet vale or mountain crag that Uncle Robert has not seen, for in his boyhood as a guide he pointed out each spot made famous in the song and story that tell of Scottish life. Orlando Mack was another of the earlier settlers of Butler Grove town- ship. He came to this county in 1840 and, be- ing a millwright, he assisted in building and equipping many of the water mills that were found in Montgomery county fifty or sixty years ago. Orlando Mack left three daughters surviving him: Elizabeth, wife of William Ninnnons: Myra, wife of George Walcott; and Ella. Oscar Mack came to this county from New Hampshire with his father. Calvin Mack, about 1830 and settled on a farm in section 9, But- ler Grove township. Calvin Mack died in 1845 and left. Oscar Mack, then a lad of fifteen years of age, to assist his mother in the direction of the affairs of the farm and caring for the younger members of the family. Dexter Mack is the youngest of a family of six children left by Calvin Mack. At last accounts he was liv- ing on a farm about four miles north of Hills- boro. Oscar Mack died some years ago and
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left surviving him Calvin il., an only son, and several daughters. Calla Mack, as he is called, ranks among our energetic and enterprising young farmers. He lives on the estate formerly owned by his father. D. C. Burris, who mar- ried Roselma, a sister of Oscar Mack, was an- other of those who have contributed much toward the development of Butler Grove. lle succeeded in acquiring a large homestead in the northwestern part of the township. He died some years ago and this estate has been divided among his children. George W. Brown, father of George W. Brown, Jr., came to Mont- gomery county in 1838. In 1841 he was mar- ried to Miss Sarah A. Jenkins, daughter of Strond and Rebecca Jenkins. The oldest son is George W., Jr., of Butler, Illinois. He has been engaged in the village in various lines of business during the past thirty years. At one time he owned and operated the elevator and mills at that place. For the past few years he has been engaged in general merchandising. His sons. James and Frank. conduct a large hardware and implement business in the city of Hillsboro, Scott Hloes and Charlie are en- gaged in general merchandising in the village of Butler and they have, by strict business principles, built up a very large trade. They have a very extensivo general stock. which en- ables them to supply their patrons with any- thing that can be found in any well-arranged general stock anywhere. Frank McWilliams operates the elevator at this place for Munday & Settlemeyer. Frank is of the pioneer Me- Williams stock, and his upright. business-like methods have won for him many friends in his neighborhood. William Elliman, who lives in the vicinity of the village, is another of the leading citizens of this township. Mr. Elliman has been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He is interested, however, in whatover contributes to the betterment of the community. James Ward. who moved from Bois d'Arc to Butler Grove township about twelve years ago, ranks as one of the first real estate men of the county. and by his atten- tion to his large farming interests and to his land deals he has become one of the financial strong men of Butler Grove township. We may say for Mr. Ward that his estate has been built
up from a beginning so small that it was not. appreciable, and, though he enjoys a position of affluence to-day. no man can say that James Ward acquired any of his holdings by deception or indirection. He is another whose latchstring is always out and the hospitality of his ele- gant home he is every ready to extend with a friend. In closing I must not forget to men- tion my good friend, James Sammons. Like Mr. Ward, the reputation of Mr. Sammons is not circumscribed, for he is known by cattle- men thronghout this entire section of the state. Possibly Mr. Sammons is the largest shipper of fat cattle in Montgomery county. This closes our narrative of Butler Grove township. and we hope to preserve in these pages the names of some of the worthy citizens, living and dead, who have contributed to the progress and development of our county.
THE PRESS OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Realizing the importance that attaches to the press in everything that contributes to the well being of the community, we had promised to give a chapter in this volume exclusively to the press of the county. In pursuance of this idea we sent invitations to each of the editors of our county publications requesting that they furnish us with data concerning the history of each newspaper having a circulation among our people. I am sorry to be compelled to give only such facts as have come to me through outside sources, as but two among our several editors have responded to our invitation. Nov- ertheless we shall do the best that we can in the face of the fact that we have but little exact data at hand. The first newspaper pub- lished in Montgomery county was issued in 1838. It was called the Prairie Beacon and was edited by Aaron Clapp in Hillsboro. After a period of eighteen months, during which there was continual financial embarrassment, Mr. Clapp suspended publication. We are told that the enterprise was unpopular by reason of its neutrality on all questions in which it should have been positive. An attempt to carry water on both shoulders resulted in over-
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turning the pail. We have this condition of affairs just the same to-day as was experienced fifty years ago. A man or a newspaper must stand for something. if he attempts to stand for everything, sooner or later he stands for nothing. In 1850 Frank and Cyrus Gilmore established the Prairie Mirror, a Whig sheet politically, but advocating some of the doctrines taught by Douglas. In 1851 the Messrs. Gil- more sold the Prairie Mirror to William K. Jackson, who made Mr. C. D. Dickerson editor and foreman. This gentleman was tainted with the "Know Nothing" doctrine that swept over the country at this time. He purchased the plant from Mr. Jackson in 1854 and con- tinued as proprietor and editor until 1856, when he changed the name to Montgomery County Herald. Shortly afterward he sold the Herald to Mr. James Blackman, Jr., who conducted it as a "Know Nothing" paper until 1858, when he sold the Herald to John W. Mitchell and Frank H. Gilmore, who conducted it as an independent paper until the commence- ment of the campaign of 1860, at which time Davis, Turner and Company bought it and commenced its publication as a Democratic paper during the campaign. Frank Gilmore repurchased the plant and continued it as a Democratic sheet until 1862, when he sold the outfit to Mr. E. J. Ellis, a refugee from Missouri. Mr. Ellis in turn sold the concern to Ed L. Reynolds and Wilbur F. Stoddard. In 1865 E. J. C. Alexander came in possession of the plant and changed the name to the Hillsboro Democrat, which name it retained through the several years of ownership of Mr. Alexander, who sold his interests to the late Ben E. Johnson, who conducted it as a Demo- cratie organ during a period of several years, when on the death of Mr. Johnson, his son Emmet assumed editorship. The name has been changed since the purchase of the publi- cation by Mr. Bliss to the Montgomery News and under this heading it is known throughout southern and central Illinois. The present editors. C. W. Bliss and son. Clinton. are pub-
lishing one of the best country newspapers in the state. In politics it is Democratie, but not partisan to the extent of being offensive. The forecasts published in the news have attracted
attention as matters of wit and sarcasm. Mr. Bliss has a style peculiarly his own and many of his pungent paragraphs are extensively quoted by publications in all parts of the coun- try. Clinton Bliss, junior editor of the News, has won considerable reputation as a writer of stories for children. The Montgomery News has a very wide circulation and its popularity extends wherever it is read. The News Letter of Hillsboro was established by C. E. and Emma T. Bangs and was conducted by them as a Republican organ during the life time of the late Charles L. Bangs. Charles Truitt became proprietor and editor. which position he held until associated with B. F. Boyd. Mr. Boyd afterward purchased the interest of Mr. Truitt and was for some years sole proprietor and editor of the Journal, which name the publi- cation now bore. On the appointment of Mr. Boyd as postmaster in Hillsboro, he sold the Journal to Josiah Bixler, who is its present proprietor, editor and owner. Mr. Bixler has
made the Journal a very excellent paper. It is Republican in politics, but in its editorials it is clean and perfectly free from everything that may be considered questionable in charac- ter. The Journal has an extensive circulation and finds its way into most of the leading homes of Republican families and those of many Democrats within the county. Mr. Bix- ler, the editor. was for several years city super- intendent of public schools of Hillsboro. He is a scholarly gentleman and wide awake to all that pertains to the interest of his city and his county. In 1867 E. J. C. Alexander sold to B. S. Hood, of Litchfield, the Monitor. a Republican organ. which Mr. Hood removed to Litchfield and published for a season at that place. Taylor and Kimball. of Bellville. purchased the plant from Mr. Hood and in turn sold it to Messrs. Coolidge & Litchfield. The former gentleman was the salaried editor of the Independent. This was in the latter part of the year of 1871. The office was re- moved to Empire Hall. where it remained un- til autumn of 1874. About this time Mr. Litchfield sold his interest to Mr. Coolidge. The latter gentleman remained in control until 1816. when he associated with him F. O. Mar- tin as partner. In 1878 the concern was sold
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to Charles Walker and B. S. Hood. Shortly after Mr. Hood became sole proprietor and con- tinued in that relation untif 1881 when J. G. Campbell became a partner. The Monitor established its reputation as a newsy publica- tion under the management of B. S. Hood, but by far the ablest writer on its editorial staff was the late H. A. Coolidge. At present the Monitor is owned by Samuel Kessinger and he is also editor in chief and in addition to the publication of his paper as a weekly, he also issnes the Daily News. The Monitor is one of the leading Republican papers in this see- tion of the state. It has a wide circulation and is ably edited. Mr. Kessinger being a gentle- man of education and ability. has by his enter- prise built up one of the best paying newspaper plants in this section of the country. The Litchfield Herald, a Democratic organ. grew out of the necessities of the party to have an advocate in the metropofis of the county. . As- sociated in the earlier management of the on- terprise was the late Fred Beeman. After Mr. Beeman's time comes Kelley and Cornelius and in some way Walter S. Parrott was con- nected with its carlier management. but in what manner. the writer has forgotten. Later Robert. P. Bolton and Mr. Kelley became sole proprietors of the concern. Later Mr. Kelley sold his interest to J. C. Wilson, who in turn resold to Mr. Bolton, since which time Mr. Bolton has been sole proprietor and editor. Under his able management the Herald has secured a wide circulation and much valuable patronage. Mr. Bolton is a thorough gentle- man and has maintained for his paper under all circumstances the highest standard in its moral tone. He is a ready and versatile writer and his editorials would do credit to a metro- politan paper. Some twenty years ago or more C. E. Cook and Walter S. Parrott established a printing office in the village of Raymond. ITere they issued a weekly publication. This was the beginning of the present plant owned by J. W. Potts. He has been the proprietor and editor of the Raymond Independent for several years and the success of the Independent in a financial way has been almost unproce- dented in the county. His paper carries the largest line of local ads of any similar publica- tion in our county, and the only criticism that
can be passed by any one as to the Independent. is that its reading matter is limited because of the space given to advertisements. With all, Mr. Potts makes his paper an attractive little sheet and it serves as a medium to push all the best interests of Raymond. Joseph W. Potts is a forcefut and energetic newspaper man and in a wider field would soon make his influence felt among men in his class. The Irving Times, edited by Aaron K. Vandever, contains a weekly report of the doings and un- doings of the little village of Irving. Mr. Van- dever being an ex-teacher tries to make his newspaper not only a digest of the week's news, but nearly always contains some observa- tion of a character to educate and elevate its readers. Considering the limited territory in which his publication must derive its support. Mr. Vandover has sneceeded extremely well. This gentleman comes of pioneer stock, but his ancestry belongs to Christian county rather than to Montgomery. Ile is a nephew of the fate Judge Vandever of Taylorville. Some two or three years ago Harry Dean, a lad of, eight- cen or twenty summers, established a little pa- por in Paisley and catled it the Search Light. The enterprise, not receiving sufficient patron- age, was soll to Mr. Toy of Fillmore. This in turn after a publication of a short white sold its subscription to the Montgomery Democrat, of Coffeen, Illinois. As early as 1868 Nokomis could boast of a newspaper. This was devoted largely to the fand interests of the county and had a free cirenlation. In 1871 Pickett and White commenced the publication of the Ga- zette, but the expenses of the concern were too great and it was sold to meet the ineumbrances against it. In 1843 A. Il. Draper commenced the publication of the Buffetin, which was con- timed through a period of several years. Dur- ing this period. however, it had several pub- fishers. In 1877 E. M. Hulbert commenced the publication of the Free Press and in 1878 it was consolidated with the Gazette and has been known ever since as the Free Press-Ga- zette. Mr. E. M. Hulbert. editor and publisher. HT. M. Graden published a paper catfed the Atlas but not receiving much support, it sus- pended in 1881. In connection with the Free Press-Gazette Mr. E. M. Hulbert began the publication of the Deutsch Amerikaner. This
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was the first German paper ever published in this section of the state. Mr. Hulbert sold his newspaper interests to Joseph Wilde, who for several years was sole editor and publisher. Mr. Wilde has since about 1900 associated with him Mr. Henry Webster. Mr. Wilde, being a man of considerable means, has always been able to supply his printing office with the very best materials and his papers have received a wide patronage. His job printing is perhaps as large as that of any other plant in the coun- ty. His German paper has a circulation cov- ering several counties in this part of the state. Mr. Wilde is a large contributor to all public enterprises connected with the city of Nokomis and he takes a delight in conserving the moral interests of his town. His wife is a daughter of "Uncle" Mike Ohlman and has inherited from her parents the same cordial and hospi- table spirit which they always manifest. Hon- ry Webster, formerly engaged in agriculture but recently associated with Mr. Wilde in his newspaper enterprises, is one of the genteel. up-to-date, business men of Nokomis. His late wife was a Miss Mattie Forehand and it was the privilege of the writer to spend a few month's of his school life associated with her as a student at the old Hillsboro Academy. He remembers her as one of the brightest and best students in that institution. Her dispo- sition was one of calm and dignified reserve, but at the same time a brilliant conversation- alist and pleasant entertainer. She was the mother of two sons in whom she took great pride. She lived to see them complete their education and enter upon the purpose of life. Henry Webster socially and morally makes his influence felt in the community in which he lives. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and takes great interest in the Sabbath-school, Epworth League and the other church work. The Nokomis Progress, W. P. Hagthrop, editor and publisher, is a newsy little sheet. In polities it is Democratic, of the William J. Bryan brand. However, he ear- ried the Parker ticket at the mast head of the Progress. In addition to the weekly issue Mr. Hagthrop publishes a monthly magazine which is devoted to educational interests and to the cultivation of the taste for better litera-
ture. The magazine also devotes considerable space to the social life of Nokomis. All in all. the Progress is worthy the support and patronage of Nokomis people. Some ten years ago Frank Bolt established a paper at Coffeen and called it the Enterprise. He published it for several months and sold to John W. Whitlock, who after an experience of a little while. sold to Lot Pennington and after Pen- nington came O. A. Jewett, who was really the first newspaper man to make a success of the business in the village. After a time Mr. Jewett sold the Mercury, as the paper was now known, to William HI. MeCracken and Walter Roberts. Later, however, Mr. Roberts bought McCracken's interest and has operated the plant ever since. Under the name of the Montgomery Democrat. Mr. Roberts has suc- ceeded in building up one of the best newspa- pers in the county. He has a large cylinder press and gets out one of the cleanest little papers to be found anywhere. Mr. Roberts is a clear, forceful writer, and nothing of an offensive character ever appears in his column. The paper represents the Democratic side of publie questions, yet it is always open to any investigation that will lead to the establish- ment of truth. The Montgomery Democrat has an extensive patronage in this part of the county and the merchants of Coffeen who pat- ronize its columns contribute to the support of a very worthy enterprise. Walter E. Rob- erts is a young man abont thirty years old. Some years ago he married Miss Lillie Me- Gitlin, of his home town. They have a very bright little girl in whom they take especial pride. We have given in this brief article a mere survey of what is being done by the press in Montgomery county. We hope, however. that our friends, the editors, will take "inten- tion" for "deed." and remember that we ap- preciate in advance their kindly criticisms.
WAR HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
In our investigation and research we find but four names of Revolutionary soldiers who made their way to the state of Illinois to find
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a home in the closing years of their lives. Among these was Harris Revice, whose daugh- ter married Joseph Wright. She being the mother of Harris Wright and Elijah Wright. vet living, and "Yank" Wright. deceased. Wooten Harris was another, father of William B. and Benjamin Harris and grandfather of William Harris, of Bingham, and the late Wooten Harris, of Hillsboro. Ezra Bostick. father-in-law of Joel Knight, and great grand- father of W. J. MeDavid, our present county superintendent. The fourth was an ok! Unele John Owens, who settled on a farm near that made by Newton Coffey, the pioneer. He was father-in-law of the late Samuel Bartlett, of Irving. In the war of 1812 might be enu- merated several who came and settled in this county after our second war with England : William McDavid, John Harrison, Sr .. Thomas Allison, James Mann. William Allen. Elijah Davis and doubtless others whose names we have failed to secure. In the war of 1832 in Levi D. Boone's company, Second Regiment Whiteside's Brigade I find this list: Levi D. Boone, captain ; James G. Hinman, first lien- tenant ; and AAbsalom Cross, second lieutenant ; sergeants, C. G. Blockberger, M. H. Walker, Israel Fogleman and William McDavid: cor- porals, John Prater, A. T. Williams, Cleveland S. Coffey and Newton Street : privates. James Brown. Samuel L. Briggs. Harrison Brown, Colbart Blaire. IT. C. Bennett. Peter Cress, G. W. Canins, John Crabbtree, George E. Duff. Michael Fannin, William Griffith, James Grish- am, Johnson Hampton, James Hawkins, Benja- min Holbrook. Joshua Hunt, Samuel Ishmael, William Jordan, Artishua II. Knapp. Ephriam Killpatrick. Stephen Killingworth, George E. Ludewick. Robert A. Long. John K. M.Wil- liams, Thomas J. Mansfield. William Mayfield, Barnabus Michael, Sammel Peacock, Eli Robb, James M. Rutledge, William Roberts, William D. Shurley, Daniel Steele, Curtis Serubener. Thomas Jefferson Todd, McKinzie Turner, James B. Williams, Easton Whitton, Benjamin R. Williams and James Young. These men were mnstered out of the service at the month of Fox river on the Illinois river May 28, 1832. two hundred and ten miles distant from the place of enrollment. Hiram Rountree's com-
pany. Second Regiment, Third Brigade, organ- ized May 31. 1832. and mustered out of the service August 16, 1832. Iliram Rountree, captain ; John Kirkpatrick, first lieutenant ; Thomas Phillips, second lieutenant ; sergeants Andrew K. Gray, John Stone. Samuel Jackson, David B. Star; corporals, Spartan Grisham, Malaki Smith, Thomas MeAdams, Thomas Ed- wards; privates. Clement Aydlott, John Brown, John Briggs. Joseph Burke, James M. Berry. Levi W. Booher, Cleveland Coffey. David Cope- land, John Corlew, James Cardwell, John Dun- can, Thomas Earley, Thomas Evans, Ahnond Forehand, William Griffith, Thomas Gray, Alexander R. Gray, John Hart, George Har- key, John M. Holmes. William Harkey, Thomas W. Heady. Thomas C. Hughes, John Hannah, Alfred Johnson, William JJones, Jesse Johnson. Thomas Johnson, James Lockerman, John K. Long, John MeCurey, Malcolm MePhail, David T. Mccullough, Horace Mansfield, Axrin Mo- Culloch, Robert McCulloch. John M. MeWil- liams. William McDavid. Samuel Paisley. Thomas Potter, James Potter. Jacob Rhodes, Willis Rose, Luke S. Steel. Thomas Sturde- vant, Zebedee Shirley, John Slater, William M. Tenis, James Wilson, David M. Williams, Wil- liam S. Williams, Joseph W. Wilson, Thomas Wood, Thomas Williford. William Young. These two companies form the roll of those who served in the Black Hawk war. Several of these have died within the last few years and only a fortnight ago John Corlew. the only survivor, answered the last roll call and has gone to join his comrades on the other side. In the Mexican war Company C. Third Regi- men, was commanded by Colonel Ferris For- man and discharged from service May 21. 184% : James C. MeAdams, captain : first lieu- tenant. Thomas Rose; second lieutenants. John Burke and John Corlew : sergeants, JJames M. Williford. Miles Morris and Jesse JJ. MeDavid : corporals. William Stephenson. Benjamin Blockberger, Charles 11. Rntlidge: fifers. JJo- seph Mapes James F. Witherspoon : privates. Clayborn Acres, J. B. Anderson, William R. Boyd. John Bodkin. J. Q. Bennett, Nelson Bon- nett. Benson Card, Ransom Corlow, John Craig, Lafayette Cardwell. Robert W. Davis, William A. Edwards, Mark W. Edwards, John-
PAST AND PRESENT OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY
son A. Frost, John Fuller, JJackson Finney, James B. Garner, David Graf, Thomas Gun- tor, H. B. Grubbs, Stephen Harmon, Achiles Harmon, Wilburn Isaacs. B. R. tshmal, Wil- liam Kingston, John Kuntz. Jacob Lyerle, John T. Loomis. John M. Lingle, Thomas MeWil- liams, Joseph MePhail, James McPhail, Thom- as Mapes, Joseph Penter, Jolm Pruitt, Major Pruitt, George W. Rose. A. B. Star, Wiley B. Smith, J. M. Scott, John Turrentine, A. B. Thomas, William H. Varner. Joseph G. Wright, Thomas F. Wright, James S. Williams. Jarrett Wright, J. C. Wilson. James B. MeDavid. J. M. Quellman ; privates discharged on sergeant's certificate : Isaac J. Bishop, William D. Collier. Martin A. Cress, Joel N. Fogleman, Edwin R. Grubbs, Samuel F. King, Isaac Lewey. William B. McCaslin, Thomas A. Norman, Eli Peacock. William Seymour, James Walker: those who died in the service: Robert Williamson, Elija Isaacs. William H. Barnett, Moses Barringer, William C. Burke, George Bryant, Levi Card. John J. Coleman, John C. Gastain, Henry Hill. William S. Halford, Ezra P. Knight, R. G. Lazenby, Charles W. Lynch, Alex. W. Pierson, Franklin Roper and John A. Williams. Those who died in the service were located at Mata- moris and Camargo and I find that but one, Levi Card, died of wounds. These he received in the battle of Corgordo, but his death took place at Galapa. I had intended to give a list of those who entered the service of the late Civil war from this county, but I find that it is hardly necessary at this time as it requires but little effort to find in the adjutant general's report of Illinois a complete roster of all the names of those who entered the service from this county and I would advise those who desire to interest themselves in looking over that honored list to secure the report which I have mentioned and there you will find a complete record of their services, the time spent in hospitals, those who died on the battle-field or those who died from the effects of wounds received in battle, those who succumbed to disease and also whether they were deserters or whether they received an honorable discharge. t feel that I have given all that is required at this time concerning our war history.
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