USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 20
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State Bank of Cerro Gordo. In addition to these investments Mr. Huff also owns a small farm situated three miles west of Cerro Gordo, in Macon county.
In 1885 he was married at Moravia, Iowa, to Miss Annie Horner, a native of Streator, Illinois, and a daughter of Sam- uel and Elizabeth (Brandon) Horner. Her father was a farmer and a coal miner, and at one time owned the land upon which the city of Streator has been built. There is still a mine near that place known as the Horner coal bank. Both Mr. and Mrs. Huff hold membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church, take an active interest in its work, donate liberally to its support and do everything in their power for the ex- tension of its influence. Mr. Huff is now serving as one of the stewards in the church and is also an active worker in the Sun- day-school.
His political support is given to the Re- publican party, and his opinions carry weight in its councils. In 1901 he was elected supervisor of Cerro Gordo town- ship, and is now the incumbent in that of- fice for the second term .. He is chairman of the committee on county claims and records and a member of the special build- ing committee of the county buildings. For six years he was a member of the school board, and during that time acted as its secretary, and the cause of education received from him valuable assistance in a practical nature. He is now the; presi- dent of the township school trustees of Cerro Gordo township. He has held a number of other offices in the township and county, and in all he has been found loyal to the trust reposed in him and ca- pable in the performance of his duties. Socially he is a member of the Piatt Camp,
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No. 323, M. W. A., of Cerro Gordo, which is one of the oldest camps in the county. He also belongs to Eclipse Lodge, Knights of Pythias. To him there has come the attainment of a distinguished po- sition in connection with the business in- terests of Piatt county, and his efforts have been so discerningly directed along well- defined lines of labor that he seems to have realized at any one point of progress the full measure of his possibilities for accomplish- ment at that point. A man of distinct and forceful individuality, of broad mentality and most mature judgment, he has left and is . leaving his impress upon the business world and his efforts have not only ad- vanced individual prosperity, but have con- served the general welfare of the city and locality in which he makes his home.
WATKINS L. RYDER.
Honored and respected by all there is no man in Monticello who occupies a more enviable position than Watkins L. Ryder in business and financial circles, not alone on account of the brilliant success he has achieved, but also on account of the honor- able, straightforward business policy he has ever followed. He possesses untiring ener- gy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to business and his excellent management have brought to him a high degree of prosperity which is to-day his. He stands as one of the foremost repre- sentatives of the real estate and insurance .interests of Piatt county, his business having assumed large proportions. He is also prom- inent in public affairs, being a cooperant fac-
tor in many measures for the general good, and his citizenship is characterized by pro- gression and loyalty.
Mr. Ryder was born in Chaumont, Jef- ferson county, New York, on the 6th of March, 1834, and comes of English ances- try, the family having been established in this country at an early period in the colonial development of America. The Ryders are of English lineage and the first representa- tive of the name lived in Rhode Island, whence others went to Vermont. It was in the Green Mountain state that Joseph Ry- der, the grandfather of our subject, was born in December, 1780. Arriving at. years of maturity he wedded Mary Hill, and later removed to Jefferson county, New York, which was then a frontier region, the family being surrounded by pioneer environments. The grandfather purchased a tract of land from a Frenchman named De LaRay, whose realty holdings were very extensive and who sold his land cheap to actual settlers. Clear- ing a small portion of his home farm Mr. Ryder built thereon a two-story stone house and after comfortably establishing his fam- ily in their new home he continued to work in the fields, developing and cultivating his land, making his home upon the old farm- stead there until his demise.
It was on the 21st of December, 1806, in Vermont, that Benjamin Ryder, the fa- ther of our subject, was born and during his early boyhood he accompanied his par- ents to New York, where he was reared on the home farm, assisting in its cultivation until he had attained the age of eighteen years. He then left the parental roof and be- gan work as a raftsman on the St. Lawrence river, transporting lumber. After his mar- riage he purchased fifty acres of land from Mr. De LaRay and built a log house which
W. L. RYDER
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later he replaced by a frame dwelling. With characteristic energy he began clearing the property, transforming the wild tract into richly cultivated fields. He afterward ex- tended the boundaries of his farm by the purchase of an additional tract of forty acres adjoining his first property and upon the old homestead he continued to live until his death. He had wedded Ann Caroline Hor- ton, a native of Chaumont, New York, born on the 13th of June, 1806. Her parents were James and Martha (White) Horton, and she was a descendant in the eighth gen- eration of Barabas Horton, who was the first of the name known in America. His- tory gives it that this gentleman was born in the hamlet of Mously in Leicestershire, England, and that he came to the new world as a passenger on the American ship Swal- low in 1633 or 1638. After a long voyage he arrived safely at Hampton, Massachu- setts. In 1664 he was a resident of New Haven, Connecticut, and assisted in the or- ganization of the Congregational church there. On the 21st of October, 1670, he sailed for Southhold, Long Island, where he built the first frame house ever erected on the island. It stood for more than two centuries, one of the landmarks of that sec- tion of the country. Barabas Horton took a very prominent part in public affairs and served for many years as a magistrate and was a number of times a member of the general assembly in Hartford and New Ha- ven. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ryder were born eight children: Watkins L., Cor- nelia, Wallace, Walter, Vanrantz, Mary, Gaylord and Bruce. The father died on the 3Ist of December, 1866, and his wife long surviving him, passed away at the age of ninety-three years.
The boyhood days of our subject were 9
quietly passed on the old family homestead in the county of his nativity. He is indebt- éd to the public school system for the edu- . cational privileges he enjoyed in his youth and when eighteen years of age he began earning his own livelihood as a teacher, fol- lowing that profession for three winter terms in the Empire state. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Ryder left New York for Ohio, establishing his home in Oberlin, where he further continued his own mental discipline by becoming a student in the uni- versity at that place. His residence in Ober- lin covered three years during which period he attended college, taught school and also studied law.
The spring of 1858 witnessed his arriv- al in Monticello, Illinois, and he became a law student in the office of Milligan & Mc- Comas. In the following year he was ad- mitted to the bar and entered upon his pro- fessional duties at Bement, where he prac- ticed until 1861. During this time he was captain of the Wide-Awake Company, of which he continued at the head until his en- listment in 1861. The war was then inau- gurated and feeling that his first duty was to his country he offered his services to the government in the month of June of that year. He was assigned to duty with Com- pany F, Second Illinois Cavalry and like the others of the command he furnished his own horse and accoutrements. In August of the same year he was mustered into the United States volunteer service and at that time went south, where soon afterward he was detailed to act as sergeant of orderlies to General McPherson. For one year he filled that position and rejoined his regiment, with which he continued in active service until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He was in a number of important engagements
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which led to the final victory that eventually crowned the Union arms and when three years had been spent in the service he re- ceived an honorable discharge at Baton Rouge. Mr. Ryder was always found at his post of duty, faithfully defending the old flag and the cause it represented and he has every reason to be proud of his mili- tary service.
Once more establishing his home in Be- ment, Mr. Ryder became principal of the schools at that place, continuing his active identification with educational interests un- til the fall of 1865. He was then called to official service and for eight years acted as county clerk. At the time of his election in 1865 he removed to Monticello, where he has since resided. He retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good will of all concerned. He then turned his attention to real estate and land opera- tions. That business has since claimed his time and energies and has been so capably conducted that his labors have brought to him a handsome financial return. Through all the years Mr. Ryder has had a most com- prehensive and accurate knowledge of the value of realty and has thus been able to make judicious investments and profitable sales. He has also been instrumental in securing good investments for others and in the line of his business has ever enjoyed a large clientage.
On the 3Ist of August, 1864, Mr. Ryder was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Spaulding, with whom he has since traveled life's journey. The lady was born in Lake county, Illinois, and is a daughter of Allen and Hannah Spaulding. Her educational advantages and her innate refinement and her many excellent traits of womanhood have won her the love and friendship of all
with whom she has come in contact. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ryder were born four chil- dren, of whom Gale died in infancy, while the others are Edith, Clyde H. and Gaylord C. Edith is the wife of Frank W. Caldwell and they reside in Decatur, where Gaylord C. is also living, being engaged in the real es- tate and loan business. He married Nellie Norton. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell have two children, Kenneth and Robert. To their children Mr. and Mrs. Ryder gave excellent educational privileges, thus preparing them for life's practical and responsible duties and the members of the family occupy a very prominent position in social circles. ·
Mr. Ryder exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, has ever been able to support his posi- tion by intelligent argument. He has, how- ever, sought neither the honors nor emolu- ments of public office, his best service being done as a private citizen. In matters per- taining to the public welfare he is enterpris- ing, alert and active, and his co-operation has been of value in promoting many interests which have contributed to the general good. Mr. Ryder finds one of his chief sources of pleasure and recreation in travel and has visited many points of interest in this coun- try and also abroad. He has thus gained the knowledge and culture which only travel can bring, and he has stored his mind with many interesting incidents concerning the peoples and places he has visited. His in- terest in his fellow men is deep and sincere and arises from a humanitarian spirit which has prompted his support and co-operation of many measures and enterprises for the general welfare. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence
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of the business world and his activity in busi- ness circles forms an important chapter in the history of Piatt county.
JOHN MAIER.
For more than thirty years John Maier has been a prominent representative of the business interests of Monticello, for throughout this period he has been con- nected with the lumber trade and to-day is extensively engaged in dealing in lumber, shingles and all kinds of building materials. He is a son of the fatherland-a country which through many centuries has been a po- tent factor in the civilization of the world, sending its representatives into all countries to carry with them the learning, the culture and the artisanship of their own country. The German-American element in our own citizenship is very important, and Monticello is the home of at least one from the fatherland who is loyal to her inter- ests and active in advancing her business affairs.
A native of Wittenberg, Germany, he was born on the 7th of January, 1832, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine (Straub) Maier. The father had charge of timber interests there, and both he and his wife died in Germany. At the usual age of six years John Maier began his education and in accordance with the laws of his na- tive land he there pursued his studies until fourteen years of age. He then began working upon a farm and was employed in that' manner until eighteen years of age. At the age of twenty he went into the army, serving for eight years. In 1860 Mr. Maier resolved to try his fortune in
America, for he had heard very favorable reports of the opportunities afforded in this country and thought to better his financial condition on this side of the Atlantic. He therefore bade adieu to home and friends and took passage for the new world, crossing the Atlantic upon a sailing vessel, which was twenty-eight days in reaching the harbor of New York. He made his way to Lo- gansport, Indiana, and as he had no cap- ital it was necessary that he secure imme- diate employment. This he did, working at chopping wood. After about eighteen days he went to Champaign, Illinois, and became connected with the lum- ber business, being for eleven years in the lumber yard of W. H. Kratz & Company, . at that place.
In April, 1872, Mr. Maier arrived in Monticello, where he has since made his home, and here he remained in the employ of W. H. Kratz until 1883, when he bought out his employer and became proprietor of the lumber yard, which he has since conducted.
During his residence here Mr. Maier has become very widely and favorably known in business circles, and throughout his long connection with commercial pur- suits in Monticello he has always sustained an unassailable reputation, his business methods being such as neither seek nor require disguise.
In 1860 Mr. Maier was united in mar- riage to Miss Catherine Yoerg, a native of Germany and a daughter of Michael and Mary (Vogel) Yoerg, also born in the same country. Mr. and Mrs. Maier have become the parents of fifteen children, of whom fourteen are yet living: Fred; Charles; William; John; Otto; Lena, the wife of Dr. Graves; Albert; Kate, de-
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ceased; Anna, the wife of Walter Crisap; Emma; Harry; Martha; Thomas; and Mary.
Mr. Maier owns forty acres of land in his homestead place, which is well im- proved, and he also has another tract of one hundred and sixty acres in Monticello township which he rents. His property is the visible evidence of his life of industry and enterprise, his earnest labor and his straightforward methods, and now he is in possession of a comfortable competence for the evening of life. The hope that led him to seek a home in America has been more than realized, and he is to-day one of the prosperous merchants of Piatt coun- ty. In his political views Mr. Maier is a Republican, but has never been an office- seeker, preferring to give his undivided at- tention to his business and the pleasure of the home circle. His force of character is indicated by the fact that after coming to America, while working in the daytime, he attended night schools in order to gain a good knowledge of the English lan- guage. The same determination has al- ways characterized him, and has made him a prosperous business man and valued cit- izen.
JOSEPH WILSON.
For many years Mr. Wilson was one of the active and progressive farmers of Piatt county, as well as one of its most re- liable and honored citizens, and now in his declining years he is enjoying a well- earned rest, free from the cares and re- sponsibilities of business life. He makes his home in DeLand and is widely and favorably known throughout the county
where he has resided for over a quarter of a century.
Mr. Wilson was born in Maryland, July 16, 1833, à son of John and Sarah (Hunt) Wilson, who were also natives of that state, where the father spent his entire life, his occupation being that of farming. He died in 1834, and his wife, who was born in 1802, departed this life in Ohio in 1874. To them were born two children: Joseph, of this review, and his sister, Sophia.
When four years old Joseph Wilson went to Ohio with his mother, his father . having died during his infancy, and at the age of seven he commenced earning his own livelihood. For about two or three months during the winter he was allowed to attend school, conducted in an old log building, but his educational privileges were meager, the remainder of his time be- ing devoted to farm work. At the age of sixteen he hired out to work by the month at eight dollars per month, and was em- ployed in that way until coming to Illinois in 1853. Settling in Tazewell county, he continued in the employ of others until his marriage, and then rented a farm in that county. He afterward operated his father-in-law's place for eight years, and then purchased one hundred and nine acres in the same county, moving his home thereon for three years. On selling his farm he removed to Normal, Illinois, where he spent two years, and the follow- ing five years were passed at Atlanta, Lo- gan county, this state, where he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. In 1876 he came to Piatt county and bought three hundred acres near DeLand, which he operated until January 20, 1901, when he retired from active business and re- moved to DeLand, renting his farm. With
PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
I91
the hope of benefiting his health, which was much impaired, he recently spent four months at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and on his return purchased the Dresbach property, which he expects soon to occu- py. He bought a house and lot here in 1898 and another in 1902, both of which he now rents.
On the 16th of October, 1856, Mr. Wil- son was united in marriage to Miss Lu- cinda Judy, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Ann (Musick) Judy. Her mother was · born on November 20, 1812, and died in 1884, but her father, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, January 9, 1804, is still living, and, although ninety- nine years of age, still enjoys good health, though his eyesight has failed him. In early life he engaged in farming in his na- tive state, but as early as 1823 he came to Illinois and settled in Tazewell county, where he followed the same pursuit. He is now a resident of Logan county, this state. In 1886 he was again married, his second union being with Mary Ann Hawes. The children by his first marriage were Nancy Jane, the widow of Ellis Rob- erts, of Champaign county, Illinois; Rob- ert, who died on March 27, 1902; Eliza, the widow of Nimrod Brighton, of Hopedale, Tazewell county, who died at Eureka Springs, Arkansas, about eight years ago; Annie, wife of Allen Haneline, of Arming- ton, Illinois; Mattie M., wife of John Montjoy, of Armington ; H. C., a resident of Hopedale, Illinois ; Mary Belle, who died April 28, 1897; Lucinda, wife of our sub- ject ; and Sarah, Hattie and John, who all three died in infancy.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Wil- son were as follows :. Rose Ellen, now the wife of William Gelsthorpe, a farmer of
Logan county, Illinois; Sarah Ann, wife of D. P. Swisher, a farmer of Piatt coun- ty; Amanda, who died February 29, 1888; May Bell, wife of J. L. Borton, who is en- gaged in farming near DeLand; Jacob G., a farmer of this county; and Mattie May, who died October 9, 1887. The parents are both earnest and consistent. members of the Christian church, and are held in the highest respect by all who know them. Politically, Mr. Wilson is identified with the Republican party, but he has never cared for the honors or emoluments of public of- fice, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interests. 'He deserves great credit for what he has achieved in life, as he began making his own way in the world at the age of seven years and has since been dependent upon his own rsources. He is a man of good business ability, sound judgment and strict integrity, and to these characteristics is due his success.
JOSHUA G. ELLIS, M. D.
A native of Illinois, Dr. Joshua G. El- lis was born in Pope county on the 26th of November, 1858, and is a son of James M. and Kizziah Ann (Clay) Ellis, both of whom were natives of this state. The fam- ily comes from the same ancestry to which Henry Clay, a noted American statesman, traced his lineage. James McKee Ellis was born and reared in southern Illinois, his abode being in Pope county, where he engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in January, 1862. His wife, sur- viving him for a number of years, passed away in 1878.
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The Doctor is the only one of this fam- ily now living. During his boyhood days he worked upon the home farm and at- tended the common schools of Pope coun- ty, his time being largely passed in this way until he attained his majority. Not de- siring, however, to follow the plow as a life work, he turned his attention to pro- fessional labors, and entered upon the study of medicine. He matriculated in the American Eclectic Medical College of St. Louis, and was graduated in that institu- tion in June, 1880, at which time he re- ceived his certificate to practice. He then opened an office and established his home in Dudenville, Missouri, and in due course of time received a good patronage, demon- strating his ability to successfully cope with the intricate problems which continually confront the physician in his efforts to re- store health and prolong life. He contin- ued to practice in Dudenville for about six years, and in October, 1885, he re- turned to Illinois, settling in Oakley, Ma- con county, where he practiced until 1888. That year witnessed his arrival in Cerro Gordo, where he has since remained, and he is now the oldest physician in years of continuous practice in this place. For sev- eral years he has been a member of the State Medical Society, and through the in- terchange of thought and experiences there he adds greatly to his knowledge, while reading and investigation are also contin- ually broadening his mental ken and his comprehension of the powers of the physi- cian in the administration of remedial agencies.
While residing in Dudenville, Missouri, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Rose Brown, a daughter of the Rev. Sam- ual Brown, who was a minister of the
United Brethren church, but is now re- tired, making his home in Cerro Gordo. The Doctor and his wife are parents of two children: Homer, born in 1886; and Mervyl, born in 1889. The Doctor and his wife have a pleasant home in Cerro Gordo, and its good cheer is greatly en- joyed by their many friends. Both hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and shape their lives in conformity to its teachings. The Doctor is a Dem- ocrat in his political views, and while he has never been an aspirant for office, he has kept well-informed on the questions and issues of the day. Fraternally, he is connected with the Masonic order, belong- ing to Lodge No. 600, in Cerro Gordo, and he also has membership relations with the Woodmen Camp of this place. Social- ly and professionally the Doctor is popu- lar and well-liked. He has a large 'prac- tice, both in the village and the surround- ing country, and while his ability in his profession ranks him among its leading representatives, his many excellent person- al traits of character have gained him the high regard and warm friendship of those with whom he has been associated.
EDMOND W. LUMSDEN.
Edmond W. Lumsden, who for a num- ber of years was actively connected with mercantile interests in Monticello, but has now retired from commercial pursuits, is a representative of the class of citizens in America known as self-made men, and in early manhood he entered upon a business career which has been creditable and suc- cessful alike. His interests have been con-
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ducted with the strictest regard to com- mercial ethics, and his course has ever been one which would bear close investi- gation and scrutiny. Thus he has won an honored name as well as prosperity, and in Piatt county he is widely and favorably known.
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