USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Past and present of Montgomery County, Illinois > Part 9
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longs to the United Commercial Travelers' As- sociation of America and to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In his political views he is a Republican, a recognized leader in the local ranks of his party. He has been supervisor of Irving township, has served as councilman of Hillsboro and was the repre- sentative from the thirty-eighth senatorial dis- tract of Illinois to the thirty-ninth general as- sembly. Few men are more prominent or more widely known in the enterprising city of Hillsboro than John Robert Challacombe. He has been an important factor in business circles and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity. unabating energy and in- dustry that never flags. He is public-spirited and thoroughly interested in whatever tends to promote the moral, intellectual and material welfare of Hillsboro and Montgomery county.
W. H. COOK. M. D.
Dr. W. IL. Cook, whose comprehensive knowledge of the principles of the medical science and skill in the administration of remedial agencies has made him one of the prominent physicians of Coffeen and of his part of the county, was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1834, his parents being F. B. and M. ( Roseberry) Cook. His paternal great- grandfather, William Cook, served as a ser- geant in Wall's Company of the Fourth Vir- ginia Regiment in the Revolutionary war. This fact indicates that the family was established in America in colonial days. The parents of Dr. Cook were born and reared in Shelby coun- ty, Kentucky, and the father followed the oc- cupation of farming up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1842.
Dr. Cook acquired his early education in the subscription schools of his native county and later attended the public schools. When nine- teen years of age he removed to Putnam coun- ty. Indiana, and was there engaged in teach- ing school and in clerking in a store. Ile spent several years in that locality and was a medical student in a physician's office there for two years. In 1861 he came to Mont-
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gomery county, where he practiced medicine with a preceptor for a time. When the war was ended he entered Washington University at St. Louis, Missouri, then known as the St. Louis Medical College, and completed a course of study by graduation with the class of 1867. In 1829 he again entered that institution for post-graduate work. He possesses a splendid medical library and has even kept in touch with the advancement made by the profession. using the latest improved instruments in his surgical practice and administering those remedies which modern science have demon- strated to be most effective in checking the ravages of disease. He has, moreover, been prominent in medical organizations and is now president of the County Medical Society. He was one of the charter members of the District Medical Society, was its secretary for two years and did most of the correspondence which re- sulted in the formation of the society. He likewise belongs to the Illinois State Medical Society and to the American Medical Associa- tion, and is a member of the American Asso- ciation of Life Examining Surgeons. He is examiner in Coffeen for nearly all of the lead- ing insurance companies and is one of the old- est practitioners in Montgomery county, arriv- ing here when there were but few towns within the borders of the county. He is a firm be- liever in higher education, advocating the best mental development that can be secured by each individual, and he has spent much money in educating his children.
In September, 1856, Dr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth F. Robinson, of Indiana, and they have become the parents of four children. of whom three are now liv- ing: Charles Edwin is a lawyer residing in Greenville. Illinois. Ella J. is married and lives in Ramsey, Illinois. Melvin Thurston is professor of biology in De Pauw University. lle was graduated from Stanford University in 1894, won the master's degree at De Panw and expects to win the doctor's degree at the Ohio State University. While studying in the last named institution he wrote a series of ar- ticles upon "Galls and Insects Producing Them," which articles are to be used by him as a thesis for the degree of doctor of philoso-
phy. These papers were published and at- tracted world-wide attention. He is recognized as one of the best authorities on the subject in the United States, having made most extensive investigations along that line. Recently he has been appointed chief plant pathologist of Cuba.
Dr. Cook has prospered in his professional career and is now the owner of eighty acres of farming land in Montgomery county and also some timber land in addition to his town property in Coffeen. He has always been deep- ly interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of the county, and his aid and support have been counted upon when an attempt has been made to promote general welfare in any way. In politics he has always been a Democrat. supporting the party from the time he attained his majority. For forty- nine years he has been an exemplary member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Not only is he one of the older mem- bers of the medical fraternity of Montgomery county, but has always maintained a foremost place in the ranks of the profession, and in his life has also displayed the sterling traits of character which have made him a man honored among his friends.
JUDGE JESSE JJ. PHILLIPS.
Judge Jesse J. Phillips was born in Mont- gomery county, Illinois, May 22, 1837. His parents came from Kentucky at an early day and were among the pioneer settlers of Mont- gomery county. Jesse received a liberal edu- cation at the old Hillsboro Academy and in 185% entered the law office of Davis & Kings- bury of Hillsboro as a law student. In 1860 he was admitted to the bar and immediately opened a law office in Hillsboro. He remained in the practice of his profession until the breaking out of the Civil war in the spring of 1861.
Upon the first call of President Lincoln for troops Phillips hung a flag from his office win. dow and announced that he would raise a company to aid in preserving the Union. Ile
JUDGE J. J. PHILLIPS
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was elected captain. Upon the organization of the Ninth Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Captain Phillips was elected major of the regiment. At the expiration of the term of enlistment- three months-the Ninth was reorganized, Phillips retaining his position as major. The regiment was soon ordered to the front and was engaged in a number of notable battles, acquiring the name of the "Bloody Ninth."
On December 2, 1861, Major Phillips was commissioned lieutenant colonel. For his gal- lantry in the battle of Fort Donelson he was publicly complimented by General Grant. IIc participated in the memorable battle of Shi- loh. April 6, 1862, and his command lost one hundred and three killed on the field, iwo hundred and eighty-seven were wounded, and ten were taken prisoners. Colonel Phillips was shot through the hand, permanently disabling that member. and twice through the thigh.
In August, 1863, Colonel Phillips, in com- mand of sixteen hundred men, raided through Mississippi. carrying consternation and havoc wherever he went. At the battle of Resaca. in May, 1864, Colonel Phillips was shot through the ankle and on September 1, 1864, he resigned, having seen, perhaps, more hard fighting than any officer in the Union army. He was always a gallant and fearless leader and was idolized by his men. He was afterward brevetted brigadier general for gallant, meri- torions and distinguished services.
After his resignation from the army he re- sumed the practice of the law with great suc- cess. Ile was soon recognized as the leading lawyer of the county, if not of this part of the state.
In 1866 and again in 1868 he was the Dem- ocratie nominee for state treasurer. In 1879 he was elected circuit judge of this circuit and served in that capacity thirteen years. In 1893 he was elected to the supreme bench, which position he held when he died.
He died on the 16th of February, 1901. and of the many tributes of respect paid to his memory we quote the following by Judge J. G. Irwin, of Edwardsville:
"My acquaintance with Judge Phillips dates from August 19. 1861. He was then twenty- four years old, and was a rare example of the
qualities which fit a man for war. llis pres- ence was so inspiring that he had few, if any, superiors in the impersonation of the gifts which make a man a leader of men while un- dergoing the deprivations and the disciplinary duties of camp life, or when engaged in deadly strife upon the field of battle. His individu- ality marked him as a man born to be a sol- dier, and destined to win the name and fame for himself and the men who fought under him, which the records of the Civil war now ac- cord to him and them. Ile had a physique which never seemed to flag, much less succumb to fatigue, hardship, exposure or the strain of battle, siege, march, or raid, no matter how long continued nor how intense or trying the situ- ation in which he or his men might be placed by the fortunes or misfortunes of war. His unconquerable spirit sustained the physical man in every struggle, and made him person- ally the victor over every difficulty or discom- fiture, and enabled him to vanquish his enemies at the front. It may be doubted, physically speaking. whether flesh and blood was ever called upon to endure more than he and his men endured during the Civil war. On all oc- casions, under all circumstances, in every emer- geney and in every situation, in body and spirit he most nobly fulfilled his country's expecta- tions, in fullest measure, at the front in the Civil war. The occasion forbids going into the details of this record, and necessarily limits comment upon it except to the extent called for by a sketch sufficiently full to show the character and qualities of a soldier. He did not know what fear was, and always courted in- stead of shunning danger. No field officer was ever known to expose himself to the dangers of the firing line with such perfect abandon and such unconcern for his own personal safety as Phillips. This was not occasional, but ha- bitual with him. He seemed to glory in it, and was always willing to go where he asked his men to go. He led and never took ad- vantage of his privilege of following. Herein, and in the magnetism of his voice, and of his heroic bearing in field and camp, was the secret of his power to inspire subordination and lead men to death or victory. He was not a rigid or severe disciplinarian, and yet there is no
i
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instance of a spirit of insubordination, or dis- position to disobey orders or rebel against the requirements of superiors in the record of his regiment. No matter who might be criticised in private, if complaints were ever uttered against Colonel Phillips, I can recall nothing of the kind, and do not believe they were ever entertained. He was idolized by his men, not one of whom would have refused to obey or follow where he led or commanded them to go. This was wholly due to the inspiration of his own heroic example, and was free from the taint of servility.
"When to the value of his services as a soldier we add that of his worth as a judge, so well set forth by his associates on the bench on this occasion, we can say that the state has lost a citizen of pre-eminent worth. in the death of Judge Phillips. He occupied a large place, and rendered services which it is the good fortune of few men to be able to render, at a period in the progress of his coun- try, which entitled him to be held in grateful remembrance by his fellow citizens. Whatever his faults or frailties may have been. his sery- jees as a soldier and jurist should totally oh- scure them, and his name should be handed down with approbation of everything that per- tains to his public life and services. In these respects he was certainly true to high ideals and standards of citizenship. He was conspic- uously a man of honor in all the relationships of camp and forum. Let us fondly and fre- quently hope that the state of the soul at the last gave the spirit of our lamented friend and comrade entrance into the realm where war and strife are unknown. and where the peace that passeth understanding shall be his ever- lasting portion."
DAVID S. WARE.
David S. Ware was numbered among the early settlers of Montgomery county, having made his home within its borders from 1855. HIe was born in New Hampshire, October 25, 1828, a son of David and Mary (Smith) Ware, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Vermont. The father followed the
occupation of farming and spent his last days in the state of his nativity. Unto him and his wife were born four children: Theoda, the wife of George Tolle; David S .; Mary, de- ceased ; and Samuel B.
David S. Ware acquired his education in the public schools of New Hampshire and after- ward engaged in teaching school. It was in 1855 that he emigrated westward, establishing his home in Montgomery county, Illinois, at what is known as Ware's Grove, in Butler Grove township. Ile was for many years there- after actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and secured an extensive tract of land, which he transformed into richly developed fields. He placed many modern improvements and acces- sories upon his farm, equipping it with all the facilities that tended to make his labors of greater avail in securing a competence. At length, having acquired a good capital, he put aside business cares and removed to East Hills- boro to enjoy the fruits of his former toil in an honorable retirement from further labor. There he died in August, 1904.
Mr. Ware was twice married. He first wedded Lestina Brigham, who was born in New Hampshire and died in 1872 at the age of forty-one years. Her parents were Aaron and Susan ( Proctor) Brigham, the former a farmer by occupation. Uuto Mr. and Mrs. Ware were born nine children, including John, who resides near Coffeen. Illinois: Arthur, who is living at Ware's Grove: David, who makes his home in the same locality; Lyman. who re- sides on the old homestead; Beulah, the wife of Albert Chickering, of New Hampshire ; and Emma, the wife of Jesse Osborn, who is liv- ing five miles north of Hillsboro. In 1872 Mr. Ware was again married. his second union heing with Mrs. Catharine (Dryer) Wiley, the widow of Robert Wiley. She was born in Hills- boro in 1829 and was a daughter of John and Mary Dryer, who came to Montgomery county prior to 1824 and settled in Hillsboro. remov- ing to the west from New York. He was a wheelwright by trade, and after coming to the west also engaged in farming. On remov- ing from Hillsboro he took up his abode at St. John, Illinois, where he resided for three or four years, and finally his death occurred
W. H. WILEY
MRS. ORA J. (WILEY) LIPE MRS. CATHARINE (DRYER) WARE CORYDON CLYDE LIPE
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in Montgomery county, about six miles north of Hillsboro. March 21, 1844. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Mary Nusman and was a daughter of John Nusman, the first set- tler of Hillsboro and the builder of the first cabin in the town. He, too, was a wheelwright and farmer. Mrs. Ware's grandmother found the first spring in Hillsboro, the one which now furnishes water for the city.
By her first marriage Mrs. Ware had seven children, of whom three are now living: Sadie E., who is engaged in teaching school in Sa- lida, Colorado; W. H. Wiley, who makes his home in Butler Grove township; and Hattie, the wife of Charles Mann, of Lincoln, Ne- braska. Mrs. Ware is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church aud is well known in Montgomery county, being a representative of one of its honored pioneer families.
Mr. Ware gave his political allegiance to the Republican party and served as justice of the peace, as school director and was supervisor for one term. His career clearly illustrated the possibilities that are open in this country to earnest, persevering young men who have the courage of their convictions and are determined to be the architects of their own fortunes. When judged by what he accomplished his right to a first place among the representative citizens of Hillsboro cannot be questioned.
ROBERT W. KENNEDY.
Robert W. Kennedy has been a resident of Montgomery county since 1859 and few resi- dents, therefore, have longer witnessed its de- velopment and progress as it has emerged from pioneer conditions to take its place among the leading counties of this great commonwealth. He resides on section 11. Raymond township, where he has a well improved farm of eighty ยท acres, pleasantly situated about three miles from the village of Raymond. Ile came to this county when a young man of sixteen years from Brown county, Ohio. where he had re- sided for about six years. He was born in Ire- land and was brought to Illinois by his parents. Mr. and Mrs. William Kennedy, who purchased a tract of land including the farm upon which
Robert W. Kennedy now resides. The father's original purchase comprised two hundred acres of swamp land and raw prairie and with char- acteristic energy he began to cultivate and im- prove this and in due course of time developed a valuable property supplied with many of the modern conveniences and accessories of farm life. His last days were spent upon the old homestead and his wife also died there. In their family were seven children, all of whom are now living and are heads of families.
Robert W. Kennedy remained upon the old homestead until the father's death and during that period assisted in the development and cultivation of the fields. Taking up bis abode upon his present farm he has erected here a new residence, has built a barn and other sub- stantial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. has placed his fields under a high state of enltivation and has planted forest and ornamental trees. In addition to his home place he cultivates one hundred and sixty acres adjoining and he is raising good grades of horses, cattle and hogs. His business is well managed and his life is one of unfaltering in- dustry. He has continuously engaged in farm- ing save for the period of his service in the Civil war. On the 1st of May, 1864. he re- sponded to his country's call for troops, enlist- ing in the One Hundred and Forty-third Illi- nois Infantry as a member of Company H. With his command he went south to Arkansas and also saw duty in Tennessee, being mostly engaged in guard duty. After the close of his three months term he was honorably mustered ont at Mattoon, Illinois, in September, 1864.
Mr. Kennedy was married on the 4th of April, 1868, to Miss Mary E. Diekson, a na- tive of Missouri, where her early girlhood days were spent and then came to Illinois. Her death occurred March 4, 1888. and she was laid to rest in AAsbury cemetery near Raymond. She had seven children. of whom three are now living: Maggie E., the wife of Robert J. Bryce, of Indianapolis; William J., who is engaged in business in San Francisco; and ('lara L., who is married and resides in Indian- apolis. Three of the children of that marriage died in early childhood. On the 6th of Feb- ruary, 1901, Mr. Kennedy was united in mar-
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riage to Mrs. Isabel Mey. the widow of Mil- lard F. Mey. By her former marriage she had two children who are now grown.
Politically Mr. Kennedy is an earnest Ke publican and cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln in 1864, since which time he has supported cach nominee of the party at the head of the ticket. He has been elected and served in varions local offices, in- cluding that of township trustee and for twon- ty-four years he was a member of the school board, during which time he put forth effec- tive and earnest effort in behalf of the schools. believing in the employment of good teachers. HIe has been elected and is now serving for his third term as assessor and he has been a dele- gate to various county conventions of his party. Fraternally he is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and is a Master Mason. belonging to Raymond lodge. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but he and his wife are now members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Kennedy has been a resident of the county for nearly fifty years and is one of the oldest settlers of Raymond township, where he has a wide acquaintance. his friends being many.
WILLIAM ALLEN FRAME.
The rich prairie tracts of central Illinois furnish splendid opportunity to the agricultur- ist. and William Allen Frame is classed with those who, taking advantage of this opportun- ity, have won success through indomitable per- severance and untiring energy. A native of Ohio, he was born in Pickaway county. March 29, 1835, and is a son of George Frame, who by two marriages had twelve children, six sons and six daughters. In 1836 the family came to Illinois, going by way of the river route to St. Louis and thence across the country with ox-teams to Montgomery county. They located in East Fork township, where the father pur- chased a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land, and upon that farm he spent his re- maining days, his death occurring at the age of sixty-four. In addition to general farming he was extensively engaged in the raising of
cattle. Connected with the pioneer development of the county. he bore his share in promoting publie progress, especially along agricultural lines, and deserves mention among the early settlers whose labors proved of practical and far-reaching value here.
William A. Frame was only a year old when brought to Montgomery county, and his mem- ory pictures many of the pioneer conditions which then existed. His environment was snch as is usually common on the frontier when the log cabin shelters the early settlers, who have few of the advantages of the older cast. He pursued his education in a log schoolhouse, to which he walked a distance of two miles, and when fourteen years of age he started out in life for himself. His father dying. he went to Alton, Illinois, and for two years he worked on a farm through the summer seasons. while in the winter months he attended school. At the age of sixteen he returned to Montgomery county and worked on a farm for James Clot- felter during the greater part of the time for five years, receiving at first but ten dollars per month. He afterward spent about two years as an employe at the slaughter-house at Spring- field, Illinois, and after his marriage he rented land in Hillsboro township. When seven years had passed he purchased one hundred and sixty acres in East Fork township, where he made his home until 1901. All of the improvements upon the place were the work of his hands, and he transformed it into a valuable property. He also extended the boundaries of that farm until it comprised two hundred and fifty acres, which he gave to his sons. During the first two years the proceeds of his farm-largely devoted to wheat-raising-paid for the old place. In 1901 be removed to his present farm of two hundred acres in Hillsboro township. This farm is now mostly in blue grass pasture, and there are living springs upon the place sufficient for one thousand head of cattle. He is now largely engaged in stock-raising and is conducting a profitable business.
On the 17th of March, 1859, Mr. Frame was united in marriage to Zilpah Clotfelter, who was born September 18. 1832, and they had five children : Mary, the wife of Samuel Ed- wards: James, deceased: Amos, who is living
MR. AND MRS. W. A. FRAME
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on the old homestead; Milly. deceased: and George, who is also on the old farm.
Mr. Frame votes with the Republican party, but has never been an office-seeker, preferring to give his attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with excellent success. lle started out in life at a very tender age- a poor boy, dependent entirely upon his own resources for a living. He worked early and late and most laboriously to gain a start, but he found scope for his expanding business powers in the agricultural possibilities of the county, and is now one of its substantial and respected farm- ers. Moreover, he is one of the pioneer settlers of the county, who for almost seventy years has resided here, and has witnessed the changes that have occurred as the county has put off pioneer conditions and become one of the more progressive counties of this great state.
H. S. SHORT, M. D.
Dr. H. S. Short, actively engaged in the practice of medicine and enjoying the suc- cess which is evidence of his skill and ability in his chosen profession, was born in Ran- dolph county, North Carolina, May 4, 1840. his parents being Lemnel and Mary ( Hasket) Short. The father, also a native of North Carolina, was born in Guilford county, Feb- ruary 24. 1814, and in the fall of 1853 he came to Illinois. He was a teacher by profes- sion, and he established his home in Fayette county east of Ramsey, where he resided for about two years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Shelby county, Illinois. and in 1858 went to Missouri, but was not long permitted to enjoy his new home. for his death there occurred on the 6th of May. 1858. In his family were eleven children, ten of whom reached years of maturity, while five are now living.
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