USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 19
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Mr. Buckle is now the manager of the paper, which has a large circulation in Mon- ticello and Piatt county, and this consti- tutes the journal an excellent advertising medium. The offices are equipped with a
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large two revolution cylinder press, a new modern gasoline engine, a folder, a perfora- tor. job press, paper cutter, type, etc., in fact, it is the best equipped newspaper and job plant in Piatt county. Mr. Buckle is thor- oughly familiar with newspaper work in all its various departments and as manager of the Monticello Bulletin he has developed a paper which is a credit to the city.
JOHN H. SMOCK.
John H. Smock, who is a son of Samuel Smock, follows farming on section 3, Monti- cello township. He was born on the old home farm in Piatt county, November 15, 1861, and was educated in the common schools. He can remember that in his early life there were many log houses in the dis- trict and the school was one of the primitive constructions supplied with slab benches, while planks hinged into the wall served as desks, but long since such buildings have given place to buildings of modern construc- tion. Farm work claimed his attention during the summer months, while the du- ties of the schoolroom occupied his time through the winter seasons. He put aside his text-books about 1881 and continued up- on the home place until he had attained his majority, when he began farming in partner- ship with his father. They made a specialty of the raising of thoroughbred hogs, which they carried on extensively until cholera oc- casioned the loss of many of these animals. They had mostly hogs of the Poland China breed. Mr. Smock continued to carry on farming in connection with his father until 1893, when he was married.
Mrs. John H. Smock was in her maiden- hood Miss Emma Frances Hubbart, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hubbart, of Ne- osho county, Missouri, but who were early settlers of Piatt county, removing from here to Missouri about thirty years ago. At the time of his marriage Mr. Smock began by renting the farm upon which he resides, then known as the old Hast farm. This he has continued to operate for ten years. The entire place shows general improvement and the farm indicates the careful supervision of the owner who is a progressive and practical agriculturist. He has planted a good or- chard, has built a new residence and out- buildings and has continued the work of improvement until to-day the farm is valu- able and most attractive. For three years Mr: Smock has served as school director and he gives his political support to the Democ- racy. He belongs to White Heath Camp, No. 2219, Modern Woodmen of America, . and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOHN M. CAMP.
John M. Camp, one of the early settlers of Piatt county now residing in the village of Bement, was born at Mount Morris, New York, on the 3d of January, 1832. The Camp family is of English lineage and the paternal grandfather of our subject was Abram Camp, who was a physician and spent the greater part of his life in the Empire state. He never came to the west except to visit his children and he died in New York at an advanced age. Eldad Cicero Camp, the fa- ther of our subject, was born in Connecticut
The lady who now bears the name of in 1804, and in early life became a resident
ELDAD CAMP
J. M. CAMP
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of New York, where for many years he followed· farming. Upon his removal to Ohio, he purchased land in Knox county and continued its cultivation until 1865, when he continued on his westward way, this time locating in Piatt county, Illinois. For more than thirty years he remained a resident of this county, dying in the village of Bement in 1896. Throughout his business career he carried on general farming and stock-raising. At the time of his arrival here he purchased a tract of raw prairie land which he cultivated and improved, develop- ing it into a good home for himself and family. He wedded Miss Minerva M. Hin- man, who was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, their marriage being celebrat- ed in Mount Morris, New York. She died in Ohio in 1863 when about fifty-nine years of age. Both were members of the Presby- terian church, living lives in consistent har- mony with its teachings, and for many years he was an elder in the church, his labors in its behalf being far-reaching and beneficial. His political support in early life was given to the Whig party and upon its dissolution he joined the ranks of the new Republican party, with which he continued to affiliate until his demise. Unto him and his wife were born thirteen children, six of whom are yet living, the eldest of the survivors be- ing John M. Camp. The others are James H., who resides in Tolono, Champaign county, Illinois; William M., who is presi- dent of the First National Bank of Bement ; Eldad C., a resident of Knoxville, Tennes- see; Curtis, who is engaged in the grain business in Bement; and Henry N., who is also living in Knoxville, Tennessee. Two of the sisters died in early life, but the other reached years of maturity. Those who passed away in early childhood were botin
named Harriet and the elder died at the -. age of five years and the younger at the age of two years. Emily F. became the wife of Dr. Edward Swaney and both are now deceased. She resided in Bement and died at the age of fifty-eight years. Stanley de- parted this life at the age of twenty-five years. Edgar, who responded to his coun- try's call for aid and became a captain of the One Hundred and Seventh Illinois Infantry, was killed in the Civil war. Hanson, who was a 'boot and shoe merchant of Bement, died in this place about two years ago, leav- ing a widow, but no children. Frederick de- parted this life about 1865.
John M. Camp was only four years of age when his parents removed from New York to Knox county, Ohio, and in the latter place lie was reared to manhood and obtained his education in the common schools. When not engaged with the duties of the school- room he assisted his father in the work of the home farm. In his youth he also learned the carpenter's trade which he fol- lowed for a number of years in Ohio and which he continued to make his life work after his removal to Illinois. Settling in Be- ment he did the carpenter work and was the contractor for the first house erected in this village. It was built in 1855 and was the property of Joseph Rodman. Mr. Camp also built the first schoolhouse that was erected here and took and executed the contracts for the erection of the Christian and Presbyterian churches in this place. Monuments to his enterprise are still seen in a number of substantial buildings in Be- ment, but in 1872 he discontinued his con- nection with industrial life and turned his attention to commercial pursuits, becoming a grain merchant here. He has since fol- lowed the business and to-day he owns an
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elevator having a capacity of thirty thou- sand bushels. He is also largely interested in the grain trade at Ivesdale and at Vor- hies, Illinois, owning the elevators at dif- ferent places having greater capacity than the one at Bement. His operations in grain are now extensive and profitable, his business returning to him an excellent financial in- come.
In 1860 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Camp and Miss Margaret Holm, a na- tive of Ohio. The wedding took place in · Marion county, Ohio, and with her husband Mrs. Camp came to Illinois, her death oc- curring in Bement in 1870.
For his second wife Mr. Camp chose Frances A. Kimber, a. native of England who came to the United States to live with her sister, but her parents spent their entire lives in England. Three children have been born of the second marriage, of whom two are living : Mallary C., the eldest, was born in Bement, November 15, 1876, was edu- cated in the common schools and is now engaged in the grain trade with his father. He married Lulu B. Bennett, a native of Ohio. He is a popular representative of the Masonic fraternity and he also belongs to the Presbyterian church. William R., the second of the family, died when about three years old. . Lena Z., also born in Bement, resides at home.
Mr. Camp gives his political support to the Republican party and has served as the supervisor of the county, as a member of the town board and in other offices, yet has never been a politician in the sense of office- seeking, preferring to devote his energies to his business affairs. Both he and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church and for some years he has been a member of the board of finance. He also belongs to the
Masonic fraternity and is true to its teach- ings and its tenets. For almost a half cen- tury Mr. Camp has made his home in Piatt county and his mind bears the impress of its early annals as well as of the later events which have shaped its history. He has been particularly active in business and public life in this section of the county and has co- operated along many lines for public im- provement and progress. In his business dealings he has always been found reliable and energetic, and what he has accomplished has been won through his own well directed efforts. By those who know him his worth is widely acknowledged and his name is in- scribed high on the roll of honored pioneers of Piatt county.
ANDREW J. RICHEY.
After years of honest toil, mostly de- voted to agricultural pursuits, Andrew J. Richey is now living a retired life in the village of Atwood, enjoying a well-earned rest. He was born in Shelby county, Ken- tucky, on the 2d of October, 1827, his par- ents being Robert and Elizabeth (Biggs) Richey, who were also natives of the Blue Grass state and were married in Shelby county in 1826. When our subject was about five years of age the family removed to Montgomery county, Indiana, being among the early settlers of that locality, and later they lived for some time in Vigo and Sullivan counties, that state, where the father was engaged in general farming. He died in Vigo county in 1861, and his wife, who long survived him, passed away in the same county in 1901, at the extreme old age of ninety-four years. Unto them were born
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nine children, of whom one died young but the others reached man and womanhood and five of the number are still living.
Andrew J. Richey spent his boyhood and youth upon a farm, and was educated in the old-time subscription schools so common in that day in Indiana, the temple of learning being a primitive log structure with its rude furnishings. As soon as old enough to be of any assistance he began to aid in the work of the farm and throughout his active busi- ness life continued to engage in agricultural pursuits. He remained with his father un- til he attained his majority.
. On the 9th of November, 1848, Mr. Richey was united in marriage to Miss Bar- bara Doty, a native of Indiana, who died in 1867, leaving five children, as follows: The- odore. now a resident of Clay county, Indi- ana. married Martha Wilson and has five children. Emery married Belle Nolan and died, leaving six children, who, with their mother, reside in Arkansas. James wedded Eva Lumly and with his wife and five chil- dren makes his home in Atwood, Illinois. Mary is the wife of James Griffin, a farmer of Unity township, this county, and has eight children. . Eli, a resident of Moultrie county, Illinois, married Sarah Wagner and has seven children. Mr. Richey was again married December 12, 1867, his second un- ion being with Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, widow of Cornelius Williams and daughter of John and Catharine (Terry) Moon, who were pioneers of Piatt county and are now deceased. This Mrs. Richey was born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1830, and died in 1901. For his third wife our subject married Elizabeth Doty, a native of Indiana, their wedding being celebrated May 21, 1902.
Mr. Richey continued his residence in
Indiana until 1862, when he removed to Moultrie county, Illinois, where three years. later he bought a farm of two hundred acres in Lowe township, and he also pur- chased a tract of eighty acres in Unity town- ship. Piatt county, but made his home on the former place, his time and attention being devoted to general farming until his removal to Atwood in 1891, when he retired from business life. On coming to Illinois he found much of this section of the state still wild and unimproved and as the land in many places was low and under water ague was prevalent. Most of his own farm, however, was higher land and he drained the remainder, using a dredging boat. He fenced his property, erected good and sub- stantial buildings and planted the seed from which to-day have grown the large and beau- tiful trees which now adorn the place. Mr. Richey has been prominently identified with the upbuilding of Atwood and laid out fif- teen acres into town lots. Land which he purchased at nine dollars per acre in 1864 is to-day valued at one hundred and twen- ty-five dollars, while the eighty-acre tract in Piatt county for which he paid forty-five dollars per acre is now worth one hundred and twenty-five dollars, owing to the rise in value and the many improvements he has placed thereon.
Mr. and Mrs. Richey hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of At- wood and have the respect and confidence of all who know them. He cast his first pres- idential vote for Zachary Taylor and is now a stalwart supporter of the Republican party and its principles. He has efficiently filled the offices of township trustee and school di- rector, assisted in organizing his district and was prominently identified with the upbuild- ing of Lowe township morally, socially and
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materially. Mr. Richey has ever been re- garded as one of the representative men of his community and a leader in public affairs.
GEORGE W. PITTMAN.
Although born in Ohio George W. Pittman has spent the greater part of his life in Piatt county, Illinois, and is here widely and favorably known. His birth oc- curred on the 24th of February, 1837, in Butler county, Ohio, his parents being Aaron Ford and Katherine Bake Pittman. The father was born in New York and the mother in the Buckeye state. He devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits, which he carried on in Ohio for a number of years. In 1854, however, he brought his family to Piatt county, Illinois, and here purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, for which he paid eleven dollars per acre. Establishing his home thereon, both he and his wife lived there until called to their final rest, and they were widely known as prominent farming people of the community, enjoying the warm friendship of many with whom they came in contact. Mr. Pittman, who, was born August 14, 18II, died April 19, 1900, and his wife, whose birth occurred on the 17th of Feb- ruary, 1815, passed away on the 13th of August, 1875. In their family were nine children, of whom the subject of this re- view was the fourth in order of birth: J. V .. who was born March II, 1832, and died July 7, 1893; Jacob Bake, who was born November 17, 1833, and died August II, 1834; George W., born February 24, 1837; Johnson C., who was born April 14, 1841, and died August 22. 1870; William
A., born November 11, 1843; Leonard, born August 2, 1845; Sylvester, who was born May 21, 1847, and died September 29, 1865; Franklin, born June 6, 1850; and Lida A., born September 14, 1855.
George W. Pittman acquired his early education in the district schools of Piatt county. He began working by the month when a young man, being employed by George Hayde for sixteen dollars per month. Later he rented his father's farm and thus began agricultural pursuits on his own account. When his labors had brought to him sufficient capital, he made purchase of a tract of land of eighty acres in Blue Ridge township, becoming owner of this property in 1875. About a quarter of a century later he made another pur- chase, comprising sixty acres, and thus his farm constitutes in all one hundred and forty-one acres. A farm in Piatt county is a synonym for fertile soil and productive fields, if even moderate care is bestowed upon it, so rich is the land. Mr. Pittman raises stock and grain and is very success- ful in his work.
On the 22d of February, 1893, Mr. Pittman was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Duckwall, who was the third in a family of nine children. Her father, Wil- liam Duckwall, was born August 15, 1808, and is now living near Dayton, Ohio. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Car- oline Bruner, was born January 27, 1820, and died September 15, 1890. Their chil- dren were Sarah Ann, who was born Jan- uary 21, 1828, and died when but six months old; John William, born Septem- ber 27, 1840; Mary Jane, born March 17, 1843, and now the wife of our subject ; Laura, born November 17, 1845; Charles, born September 13, 1849; Francis Ash-
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bury, born February 19, 1852; Clayton, a Mr. Alexander, a large property owner born February 9, 1855; Clara Ellen, born April.2, 1858; and Elmer Ellsworth, born June 3, 1861.
Mr. Pittman is well known in Piatt county, having here resided for almost half a century. He has witnessed, therefore, almost the entire growth and development of this portion of the state. He has seen Piatt county when it was largely an un- improved district, when its lands were wild and when the work of cultivation had scarcely been begun. He has borne his full share in the task of improvement here and in all measures for the general good he has taken a deep interest, co-operating in many movements that have resulted for . the benefit of the community.
THOMAS LAMB, SR.
Thomas Lamb, Sr., a retired agricultur- ist of Bement, now in his ninetieth year, is a true type of the energetic, hardy men who have actively assisted in the develop- ment and improvements of this beautiful and fertile agricultural country. His career has been such as to command the respect and confidence of men, and by honest toil and industry he has secured a competence which now enables him to spend the sunset of life in quiet and retirement.
A native of Yorkshire, England, Mr. Lamb was born at Kirklavington, April I, 1814, and is a son of Robert and Hannah Lamb, who spent their entire lives in that country. Before coming to America he lived for a time near Middlesex, and in 1854 came to the United States, first lo- cated in Woodford county, Kentucky, where he was employed as herdsman for
and cattle-raiser. After spending five years in that locality he came to Piatt county, Illinois, and was engaged in farming for Mr. Scott about five years. At the end of tlfat time he purchased one hundred and sixty cares of land about one mile west of Bement, and in his farming operations here he met with remarkable success, becoming the owner of a large amount of land, but 'he has recently presented each of his sons with one hundred and sixty acres of im- proved land, though he still retains six hundred acres in this county. The sons have other property besides the quarter- sections given them by their father.
Before leaving England Mr. Lamb was married in that country to Miss Elizabeth Lee, whose parents, John and Ann Lee, died since our subject and his wife came to the United States. Mr. Lee was a weav- er by trade, and both he and his wife were lifelong residents of England, where their daughter was also born and reared. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lamb were born eleven chil- dren, as follows: John, who died in Be- ment at the age of nineteen years; Robert, who married a Miss Fisher and is engaged . in farming in Unity township; Thomas, who married Miss Baker and lives in Be- ment township; Elizabeth, at home; Wil- liam, who married a Miss Hall and follows farming in Bement township; Hannah, de- ceased; Charles, who wedded a Miss Dun- can and resides in Bement township; Arthur B., who married a Miss Dobson, a daughter of Philip Dobson, of Cerro Gordo township and lives in Bement town- ship: Albert J., who married a Miss Kelly and resides in Bement township; Edward, who is married and makes his home in Unity township; and Mary J.,
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wife of J. P. Rose, of Bement. The last four were born in this country, the others in England, and the birth of Arthur and Albert occurred in Kentucky.
Throughout his active business life Mr. Lamb continued to engage in agricultural pursuits, but about six years ago he re- tired and has since made his home in the village of Bement, where he is enjoying a well-earned rest in the midst of all that goes to make life worth the living. He came to this country in limited circumstances, but being industrious, enterprising and honorable in all his dealings he prospered in his undertakings and succeeded in ac- cumulating a handsome competence. He is now a supporter of the Methodist church, but he formerly belonged to the Episcopal church, and his life has been an upright and honorable one.
B. F. HUFF.
For about twenty years Cerro Gordo has numbered B. F. Huff among its most prominent and progressive citizens. He may well be termed one of the founders of the town, for he has been the promoter of many of its leading business enterprises, and the growth and development of the city depends upon its commercial and indus- trial activity. His connection with any un- dertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever lie is associated with. He has won for himself an enviable reputation as a care- ful man of business, and in his dealings is known for his prompt and honorable meth- ods, which have won him the deserved and
unbounded confidence of his fellow men. He is now connected with various enter- prises of Cerro Gordo, but gives his atten- tion chiefly to the control of the lumber and coal business.
The first representative of the Huff family to settle in Piatt county was Charles Huff, an uncle of our subject, who located here in 1863. B. F. Huff is a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, where his birth occurred in 1853. His parents were Aquil- la and Elizabeth (McMorris) Huff, the for- mer a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. On account of the institution of slavery Aquilla Huff left the Old Dominion in 1832, and removed to Coshocton coun- ty, Ohio, in order to be away from the per- nicious influence of the institution which at that time was dominant in the south. In the Buckeye state he turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, which he fol- lowed there until 1865, in which year he came to Illinois, settling first in Douglas county. There he successfully engaged in farming until 1881, when he came to the village of Cerro Gordo and here lived a retired life until called to his final rest in March, 1887. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the cause of the Union and held a captain's commission. He was ad- jutant in his regiment of the Ohio National Guards, and was very loyal to the nation's cause. In both Ohio and Illinois he was regarded as a prominent citizen of his com- munity. His worth was widely acknowl- edged by a large circle of friends. His wife survived him for a short period, passing away in Ohio while visiting a son, in Oc- tober. 1888. ' In their family were several children, but these are now living in vari- ous sections of the United States.
. B. F. Huff is the only representative of
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this branch of the family residing in Piatt county. After mastering his preliminary studies in the common schools he entered the University of Illinois in 1874, and aft- erward became a student in the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, this state. In 1881 Mr. Huff and his brothers, W. J. and S. E., established a lumberyard on the site he now occupies, under the firm name of Huff Brothers. Having other business connections in Moultrie and Ed- gar counties he did not make his home permanently until 1886, when having sev- ered his connection with the lumber busi- ness ·he bought a half interest in a hard- ware store, with which he was identified until 1891. In that year he sold out and again entered the lumber business. In 1892 he entered the corporation of Huff Brothers Lumber and Planing Mill Com- pany, of Decatur, Moweaqua, Moroa and Cerro Gordo, as its treasurer, and shortly afterward purchased the yard where he still carries on business. He disposed of his interest in the company in 1898, and has since been alone in business at Cerro Gordo. He deals in building materials and. coal, with office near the depot, and enjoys a large trade.
Mr. Huff is a man of resourceful busi- ness ability, of keen foresight and discrim- ination; and his wise counsel and untiring activity have been important factors in the successful control of many business inter- ests in Cerro Gordo. For twelve years he has been president of the Building and Loan Association of that place, with which he has been connected since its organiza- tion in 1886, and for two years was its sec- retary. He is now treasurer and a direc- tor of the telephone company of Cerro Gordo, and is one of the directors of the
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