USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 31
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After his marriage Mr. Hiser entered upon an independent business career, re- moving to Piatt county, where he pur- chased a farm located in Cerro Gordo township. With characteristic energy he began its further development and im- JOSEPH P. CARTER. provement and he cultivated his land with excellent results, producing good crops From the age of nine years Joseph P. Carter has resided in Piatt county and now owns and occupies a farm of eighty acres on 'section 35, Bement township. His long association with agricultural interests and his excellent reputation in business circles have made him widely known and gained for him the unqualified regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact. Ken- annually and to the personal supervision of his land he devoted his energies until 1897, when he removed to the village of La Place. Here he became a factor in the commercial pursuits, opening a general mercantile store which he conducted for three years. He then sold out in that line and turned his attention to the grain busi- ness, in which he has since continued. He tucky is the state of his nativity, his birth
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having occurred in Grant county in 1854, his parents being Landon S. and Sally Carter, who were also natives of Grant county. The father followed farming throughout his en- tire life, and about 1863 he left his native. state and came with his family to Illinois, settling in Piatt county, where he cultivated a farm for a number of years. He next re- moved to Kansas, where he lived for eight or ten years, and on the expiration of that period he took up his abode in Missouri, where his remaining days were passed. He lived to the ripe old age of seventy-three years. In politics he was a Democrat, but took no active part in political work, prefer- ing to devote his time and energies to his business affairs. His wife died in Missouri about a year prior to the demise of her hus- band. They were the parents of eleven chil- dren, six sons and five daughters, and with one exception all are yet living. Mr. Carter of this review, however, is the only one who resides in Piatt county, the others being res- idents of Missouri.
Joseph P. Carter obtained his education in the public schools of Cisco, Willow Branch township, living at that time on the Allegan farm. Five years ago he purchased his present place on section 35, Bement township, and here he has since engaged in general farming and stockraising. Before buying his present home, however, he was manager of the Allerton farm in Unity township and continued with Mr. Allerton for twenty-four years as supervisor of his place. He is most thorough and systematic in his work, and everything about his home is indicative of his careful supervision and advanced ideas concerning farming.
In 1901 Mr. Carter was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy M. Carter, the widow of O. T. Carter, a deceased brother of our
subject, and a daughter of Frank Nelson, of Argenta, Illinois, who was an early settler of that portion of the state, and died at an advanced age. By her first marriage Mrs. Carter had four children: Jesse O., who is now in the employ of Samuel W. Aller- ton, of Chicago; Willis L., who married Miss Laura Trigg, by whom he has two children and who resides in Bement, de- voting his time and attention to the oper- ation of a threshing machine; Edgar, who resides with his mother ; and Nellie, the wife of Walter Wells, who is living two miles west of Bement. They have one child.
In his political views Mr. Carter is a Democrat, his study of the questions and issues of the day leading him to the belief that the Democracy contains the best ele- ments of good government, and has served as school director of Unity township and is deeply interested in the advancement of education, realizing that it is one of the bul- warks of the nation. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Metho- dist church, and at all times he is known as a man of strong and upright character, unfaltering in his fidelity to duty and to his principles. Through a long residence in Piatt county he has witnessed many of its changes and has seen the work of improve- ment carried forward until the district to- day bears little resemblance to that in which the family arrived forty years ago. During his remembrance the wild prairie has been transformed into productive farms which have been made to bloom and blossom as the rose, and along other lines of work improvement has kept pace with the general progress of the world. Mr. Carter takes a just pride in what has been accomplished here, and he certainly deserves great credit for his personal success, for all that he has
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has been won through his untiring labor, guided by sound business judgment and prompted by laudable ambition.
REV. RICHARD B. HUBBART.
Rev. Richard B. Hubbart is now devot- ing his time and attention to general farm- ing on section 1, Monticello township, Piatt county, but he has devoted much of his life to the work of the ministry, and it is a hard- ship to him that his entire time and energies cannot be directed for the betterment of mankind and the advancement of moral growth among his fellow men. His health, however, prevents this, and, finding it im- possible to longer continue in the active work of the ministry, he retired to his fa- ther's farm, which is situated just eight . miles from his birthplace. His natal day was July 28, 1868.
His father, Hon. William C. Hubbart, a distinguished and prominent citizen of Piatt county, now living retired, was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, October 26, 1835. The ancestry of . the family, however, can be traced farther back than this. The great-" grandfather of our subject was Thomas Hubbart, a native of Maryland, and his son, Richard Hubbart, the grandfather, was born in Pennsylvania. He became a well-to-do and enterprising farmer, and after reaching years of maturity he wedded Nancy Down, who was born in Ohio in 1806, a daughter of William Down. Richard Hubbart's birth occurred in 1807, and the marriage was cele- brated in the Buckeye state. In 1856 he re- moved with his family to Piatt county, Illi- nois, settling in what was then Goose Creek township, where he purchased a tract of . of Wylie M. DeWess, of DeLand, Illinois.
land from the government, paying the usual price of one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. His farm comprised one hundred and sixty acres, to which he added from time to .. time until it was an extensive property. There he engaged in general farming and stockraising until his death, which occurred in the year 1859. He was for several years swamp land commissioner in Piatt county, and was well known as a leading and influ- ential citizen. From the early days of his residence here he was deeply interested in whatever pertained to the progress and wel- fare of the county, and his efforts proved a . patent factor in the substantial upbuilding of this section of the state.
William C. Hubbart, the father of our subject, was reared to farm life. He pursued his education in the common schools, his teacher being Samuel Morain. Upon his fa- ther's farm he continued until his twentieth year, and in' 1862, putting aside all busi- ness and personal considerations, he respond- ed to his country's call for aid, enlisting in defense of the Union as a member of Com- pany E, One Hundred and Seventh Illinois 'Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Snell, of Clin- ton, Illinois, commanding the regiment. Mr. Hubbart took part in a number of skirmishes and battles, but escaped without wounds, nor was he taken prisoner. He served his country faithfully until June, 1865, for some time acting as division mail-carrier, and aft- er the close of the war was honorably dis- charged, returning then to his home in Goose Creek township. He was twice mar- ried, the first union being with Miss Clarin- da Marquis, their wedding being celebrated November 19, 1857, and in 1858 Mrs. Hub- bart was called from this life, leaving a lit- tle daughter, Florence, who is now the wife
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In 1862 Mr. Hubbart was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Lucinda Coon, a daughter Mr. and Mrs. Bartholo -. mew Ham, who lived on the Ezra Marquis place in a little pioneer cabin. The second marriage of Mr. Hubbart resulted in the fol- lowing children: Willie, who died in infan- cy; Edith P., who is a teacher; Richard B., a farmer ; Jennie M., the wife of Dr. F. P. Stedem, of Saybrook, Illinois; Oliver S., ' who is a student in the State University at Champaign; Della S., who is the wife of Dr. A. F. Conard and resides in Homer, Il- linois; and Dwight C., who is a student in the Northwestern University at Evanston, Illinois.
Throughout his business career Hon. William C. Hubbart followed agricultural pursuits, and became one of the prosperous farmers of Piatt county. His landed pos- sessions are extensive and he still owns a fine farm of five hundred acres in Goose Creek township, together with a tract of one hun- dred and sixty acres in Moultrie county, Il- linois, eighty acres in Champaign county and a farm in Sangamon county. He is classed among the largest landowners of this section of the state, and as one of the most prosperous representatives of the agricultur- al class. His success is well-merited, and has been so worthily won that the most en- vious cannot grudge him his prosperity. He sustains an unassailable reputation as a busi- ness man, and his industry, perseverance and sound discriminating judgment have formed the basic elements of his career. He now occupies a nice home in Monticello, tastefully furnished with attractive sur- roundings, and there he is enjoying a well- earned rest. Well fitted for leadership, he has left the impress of his individuality upon public thought and action. He served in
the legislature in the year 1874 and again in 1895, elected on the Republican ticket. While a member of the house he gave care- ful considration to every question which came up for settlement, and his official career has been characterized by conscientious fidel- ity to duty and patriotic devotion to the wel- fare of the state. Fraternally he is con- nected with Franklin Post, No. 256, G. A. R., and in this organization, as in other walks of life, he enjoys the highest regard and good will of those with whom he is brought in contact.
Richard B. Hubbart, whose name intro- duces this review, obtained his early edu- cation in the common schools near his home, and later attended the Wesleyan University at Bloomington, Illinois, but had been there only one year when his health failed him, and he was obliged to discontinue his stud- ies. Prior to this, in 1888, 1889 and 1890, he taught school in Piatt county. A year before going to the university he entered upon the work of the ministry in connec- tion with the Methodist Episcopal church, and for one year he was the pastor of the church of his denomination at Weedman, Illinois, and for two years at Thomasboro. He was then appointed to the church at Og- den. and while acting as pastor for the sec- ond year his health again failed and he was forced to resign. For some time he was very ill, and in March. 1890, he removed to his father's farm, where he is now located. for the benefit of his health. He is gaining in strength and health and feels happy in that he has a country home to which he can retire when his strength will not permit him to engage in ministerial labors-that being his chosen life work. He expects when he has sufficiently recovered to gain the doc- tor's consent to again enter into active rela-
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tions with the ministry. He was very suc- cessful in his labors in behalf of the moral advancement of mankind and while he was preaching he had between four and five hun- dred conversions in his church.
On the 9th of May, 1894, Rev. Hubbart was united in marriage to Miss Iris Porter, and it was in the same year that he entered into conference relations. The lady is a daughter of Austin and Emma (Jones) Porter and was born in Parnell, DeWitt county, near Farmer City. Her father was a grain merchant at Parnell and owns a farm adjoining the town. He is now living retired, having gained a comfortable com- petence, sufficient to supply him with all the necessities and many of the comforts of life. Mrs. Hubbart taught schools in Piatt coun- county for ten years prior to her marriage. She has a brother, Clarence Porter, who is now in Oklahoma, and a sister, Della, who is teaching school in Champaign county, Illinois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hubbart have been born three children, who are yet living, and they lost one, Harold Evan, the young- est, who was born on 5th of September, 1902, and died on the 13th of November of the same year. The other children of the family are Faith Iris, who was born April 19, 1895, at Weedman, and is now attending school; Ruth Frances, born at Ogden City, this state, February 21, 1899; and Paul Richard, born on the home farm October 23, 1901.
Mr. Hubbart is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, having joined Pop- lar Camp, No. 253, on the 6th of June, 1895, at Farmer City. His wife has been an able assistant to him in his work, both upon the farm and in the ministry, carefully superintending the household and encour- aging him by her sympathy and deep inter-
est in whatever he undertakes. At the pres- ent time Mr. Hubbart is engaged in the raising of corn, oats and clover. He also has upon his farm twenty-six head of cattle and fifty sheep, together with a number of hogs. In the past year he had a drove of seventy hogs, but thirty-five were killed by cholera. The farm is a well improved place with good buildings and modern equipments, and in its control Mr. Hubbart shows excellent business ability. It would be almost tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements as show- ing him to be a man of genuine public spirit and broad human sympathy for this has been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. His deepest interests lie in the welfare of his fellow men, in the line of character development and. his efforts in this direction have been far-reaching and of marked benefit.
JOHN ETNOYER.
Since 1893 John Etnoyer has lived re- tired in the village of Cerro Gordo, but for a number of years he was extensively and successfully engaged in farming, and is still the owner of valuable land. He has resided in Piatt county since 1880, and no agricul- turist of this section of the state occupies a higher position in the esteem of his fellow- townsmen. Mr. Etnoyer is a native of Dau- phin county, Pennsylvania, born on the first of February, 1834, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Stupher) Etnoyer, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state. There they spent their entire lives, both hav- ing now passed away and the father devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in order to provide for his family.
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At the usual age John Etnoyer entered the public schools, to prepare for life's prac- tical and responsible duties. He- continued his studies during the winter months and during the summer seasons remained at home, assisting his father in the work of the farm. The sun shone down on many a field which he plowed and planted and. ripened the grain which sprung from the seed that he sowed. He became familiar with farm work in all its departments and was thus well equipped to carry on similar work when he started out in life independ- ently. He chose as a companion and help- mate for life's journey Miss Mary Holin- ger, who was born in Dauphin county, where their wedding was celebrated. Her parents, Christian and Nancy (Kinzie) Hol- inger, were also natives of Dauphin county, and the father carried on farming there in his early life, while later he operated a woolen mill. Both he and his wife died in the county of their nativity. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Etnoyer has been blessed with four children: Emma, who is.now the wife of Michael Stookey, who is a farmer of Bement township, Piatt county ; Anna, now the wife of Samuel Diehl, a farmer living in Cerro Gordo township; Frank, who married Lizzie Shively, and is an agricul- turist of Cerro Gordo township; and Ida, the deceased wife of Samuel Landis, who now resides in the village of Cerro Gordo.
After his marriage Mr, Etnoyer en- gaged in the burning of lime in Dauphin county, and later turned his attention to farming, which he followed in his native state for six years. He then came to the west, settling first in Edgar county, Illinois, where he purchased a tract of land and en- gaged in general farming until 1880. That year witnessed his arrival in Piatt county. sociated.
He settled in Cerro Gordo township, where he secured a tract of land, and for thirteen years he devoted his energies to its cultiva- tion and improvement until 1893, when he determined to put aside further business cares and spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He then took up his abode in Cerro Gordo, where he has since lived. He yet owns a farm of one hundred and twenty acres north of town and another tract of land southeast of Cerro Gordo. In addition to this he has a nice residence in the west part of the village which he and his wife now oc- cupy.
Mr. Etnoyer served as a school director in Edgar county for some time and took a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and improvement of the schools. In politics he has ever been a stalwart Rep- publican, giving his support to the party since he attained his majority and never fal- tering in his allegiance to its principles. Both he and his wife are members of the German Baptist church. His life history is another instance of what can be accom- plished in this land where opportunity is not hampered by caste or class, but where energy and strong purpose form the basis of success. Not to any fortunate combina- tion of circumstances or to the aid of influ- ential friends does Mr. Etnoyer owe his prosperity. It may all be attributed to his own efforts and his business career is such as any man might be proud to possess, for it has ever been characterized by industry and unswerving integrity. He possesses in full measure the ennobling qualities which command respect, and his honesty and fair- ness have gained for him the confidence and good will of all with whom he has been as-
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HIRAM DILLIN. twentieth year, and during that time he spent the summer months in the work of the fields. It is with pleasure that we present to our readers the life record of Hiram Dillin, for through the conduct of business affairs, which have been capably managed and well directed by sound judgment and energy, he has acquired a competence that now enables In early spring he assisted in the plowing and planting and in late autumn he aided in har- vesting the crops. When in his twentieth year, however, he left home to earn his own livelihood, working as a farm hand during the summer months. In the year 1857 Mr. him to live retired and enjoy the fruits of 'Dillin came west to Piatt county, and as he had no capital with which to purchase land and engage in farming on his own account, he continued to work as a farm hand, being employed in this way for about five years, most of the time in the service of William Bryden.
his former toil. For many years he was connected with agricultural interests in Piatt county, and now he occupies a fine residence in Monticello, where he has lived continuous- ly since 1895. His residence in the county dates from an early day, and he is therefore familiar with much of its history, while his own labors have been of particular benefit in the line of agricultural development.
A native of Virginia, Mr. Dillin was born upon a farm in Taylor county in the Old Dominion, his natal day being July II, 1837. His parents were Thomas and Mary (McDonald) Dillin, both of whom were na- tives of Virginia, and during the early boy- hood of their son, Hiram, they left that state, removing to Hocking county, Ohio, in the year 1845. There the parents settled perma- nently and the father devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising. For about eigh- teen years he carried on his work there, and in 1863 he was called to his final rest, while his wife passed away the following year. They were the parents of eleven children, four daughters and seven sons, all of whom reached adult age, while five of the number are still living, two being residents of Wis- consin, one of northwestern Indiana and two of Minnesota.
Hiram Dillin, whose name introduces this record, began his education in the district schools of Ohio, near his boyhood home. He remained upon the farm until he attained his
In 1863 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Dillin and Miss Mary G. Bryden, of Goose Creek township, a daughter of his em- ployer, William Bryden and the latter's wife, Mrs. Catherine (Batie) Bryden. After his marriage Mr. Dillin spent one year in Monti- cello, where he followed various business pur- suits. On the expiration of that period he returned to Goose Creek township, and en- gaged in the operation of his father-in-law's farm, making his home thereon for five years. At the end of that ime, with the money he had acquired, he purchased eighty acres of land, and also receiving a part of Mr. Bryden's old homestead, he became the owner of one hundred and sixty acres. With characteristic energy and unremitting zeal he took up farm work on his own account, and in connection with the raising of cereals best adapted to the soil and climate he engaged in feeding hogs and cattle, thus readily turn- ing the products of his farm into money. In all of his business career he displayed marked energy and determination and. overcoming all obstacles that could be met by persistent, earnest effort, he worked his way upward to the goal of prosperity. He made excellent
HIRAM DILLIN
PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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improvements upon his property, including the erection of a good dwelling, a barn, out- buildings and sheds. All modern equipments and accessories were added to the place, and the farm was developed into a splendid prop- erty, which is now occupied by his son, Rob- ert, the only child of his first marriage.
In 1881 Mr. Dillin was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife, and later he wedded Mrs. S. J. Welch, an estimable lady, who was educated in the schools of Monti- cello and is widely and favorably known in Piatt county. She lost her mother when only five years of age, and was reared by James A. Piatt, who sent her to the schools of Monti- cello. Her father died in 1866. He was a prominent old citizen of Piatt county, coming here in 1855. and was the owner of a valu- able farm of four hundred acres known as the Thomas Reed property. By her former marriage Mrs. Dillin had one son, James Piatt Welch, now a street car conductor of St. Louis.
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It was in November, 1895, that Mr. Dil- lin removed from his farm to the city, put- ting aside the more arduous cares of business life in order to enjoy a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. In 1894 he had purchased his land in Monticello and had erected thereon his present fine residence. This is an attractive home, modern in all of its appointments and equipments, is tastefully furnished and is surrounded by a broad ve- randa eight feet in width, which adds much to the beauty as well as the comfort of the dwelling. The lawn is well-kept and deco- rated with beautiful flowers and trees, and al- together the home is one of the most pleas- ing in Monticello. Both Mr. and Mrs. Dillin hold membership in the First Presbyterian church and Mrs. Dillin takes a very active part in church work.
Forty-six years have passed since Hiram Dillin arrived in Piatt county, and thus from early pioneer days he has watched the prog- ress and development of this portion of the state. In matters of improvement he has been deeply interested, and to such has often given his co-operation. He certainly deserves great credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty-handed. He had no influential friends or inheritance to assist him, and he had to learn the value of persistent industry, close economy and care- ful management. Upon this safe and sure foundation, however, he has reared the su- perstructure of success, and as the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well. Such a record is of greater value than the possession of material wealth, for it in- dicates a personality strong, efficient and re- liable. Tried in the battle of life he has not failed. Wherever known he is held in high regard and as an honored pioneer and highly respected citizen he is certainly deserving of prominent mention in the history of his adopted county.
NATHAN HANELINE.
No history of Piatt county would pre- sent a faithful picture of the locality and its upbuilding without prominent and ex- tended mention of Nathan Haneline who passed away in 1903 after long years of residence in this county dating from its early pioneer days. At the time of his death he was the oldest living pioneer in this section of Illinois. A native of Ohio his birth occurred in Greene county on the 22d of November, 1815, his parents
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