USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > Portrait and biographical record of Macoupin County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with biographies of all the governors of the state, and of the presidents of the United States > Part 55
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In 1856 Mr. Walker came to Scottville Town- ship and bought the farm that he still owns and oe- cupies. He has been very successful as a farmer and from time to time has purchased other land until he had seven hundred and five acres of val- nable realty in his possession. He has disposed of some of this, but he still has four hundred and eighty acres adjacent to the village of Seottville, which is conceded to form one of the best arranged and most desirable stock farms in the county.
Mr. Walker was happily married January 4, 1858, to Miss China Minerva Owens and their home is not only attractive in itself, but ou ac- count of the genuine comfort and hospitality of which it is the index. They have five children living: Naney A., wife of Samnel E. Ilittisk; Dora A., wife of A. C. Ogge; Fanny, wife of S. C. Han- kins; James A. and Vena G. The chief sorrow of the wedded life of our subject and his wife has been in the death of their son, Eugene E., at the age of sixteen years.
Mr. Walker is distinguished by a clear and vigor- ous intelleet, marked force and decision of charac- ter and other high attributes that give him weight and influence in the community; and he is known to be a man of honor and unswerving integrity. He has an aptitude for affairs and his enterprise and public spirit place him among the leaders in carrying out any plan that will be of benefit to the
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county. He was prominent in the scheme for building the Baltimore & Ohio Railway, which proved to be a very unfortunate venture, for the company failed and our subject was the loser by $25,000. It, however, served to bring out his honesty in a stronger light, as he faced the situation with characteristic courage, energy and enterprise, and now, after eight years of labor, coupled with economy and judicious management, he has paid every dollar of that indebtedness, mostly from his farm, and begins to see the dawn of a brighter day in his finances.
In his political beliefs Mr. Walker is a genuine Republican. He is prominent in social circles as a member of various organizations. Ile belongs to Panther Creek Grange, No. 818, is connected with the Golden Band Alliance, No. 64; he joined the Masonie fraternity in 1864 and is a member of Scottville Lodge, No. 426; and also of Greenfield Chapter, R. A. M.
RANK H. RUETER. The name at the head of this sketch is that of the senior member of the firm of Rueter, Heimlist & C'o., successful dealers in all kinds of general mer- chandise. They are doing a business that is most encouraging to the proprietors in a prominent lo- cation on the Main Street of Mount Olive. The present house was established in March, 1888. The firm occupies a good substantial structure, which is ninety feet long and twenty feet wide. It is well filled with first-class goods of all kinds suit- able to the country trade.
The firm of which our subject is a member has already made a reputation for straightforward dealings that is of great value to them in the coun- try. He of whom we write has been a resident of Mount Olive since the spring of 1882. On first coming to this place he served as a clerk. He came here from Montgomery County with his mother when he was only six years of age, having been reared and educated in Montgomery County on a farm, and after finishing his common school
course he attended a business college in St. Louis for a time and later became a clerk for the well- known firm of Keiser, Niemeyer & Co. After mak- ing a reputation for himself with these firms he started in business for himself and was recognized as a young man of sterling business ability. lle continued his business for two years and then sold out, after which he eleiked for some time with his old firm and then later he established the business that now runs under the present firm name. His partner was also a resident of the place for eight years and like himself was in the employ of the firm above mentioned for a period of five years.
Mr. Rueter was born in Lousiana, Mo., Decem- ber 24, 1858. He is the son of Henry and Minnie Rueter, natives of Prussia, and came of pure Ger- man ancestry. Mr. Rueter, Sr., and wife met and married after they came to the l'nited States, their bridal ceremony being performed in St. Louis, where Mr. Rueter was engaged as a carpenter for some time, and from which place he entered the army. The War of the Rebellion breaking out and a call for volunteers being made, he responded and enlisted in a Missouri regiment in the early part of the war. After serving as a private soldier and distinguished himself in several instances, he was captured and thrown into Andersonville prison, where he died after a confinement of several months from starvation and sickness. At the time of his death, he was in the prime of life. His widow was a second time married, to Henry Monke, and the worthy couple are now residing on a farm in Montgomery County.
Our subject is the second child born to his pa- rents, his sister, now Mrs. Mary Monke. of Mont- gomery County, being the first born. Mr. Rueter was married in this city to Miss Minnie Frerichs, a native of Madison County; her early youth was spent partly in her native county and partly in Macoupin County. The lady's father, Eiler Fre- richis, now lives on a farm in Madison County. His wife died some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Rue- ter are the parents of two children of whom they are justly proud. Their names are respectively, Henry and Berthia. Our subject and his wite, like the majority of their countrymen, are members of Lutheran Church. The original of this sketch is
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one of the leading young German citizens of the place and he is universally recognized as a young man, who, unless accident should cut him off, will attain a high degree of prominence among his fel- low-townsmen.
R EV. LUKE DILLIARD, who resides on section 31, Gillespie Township, is numbered among the honored pioneers of the county. Few men have here so long resided. He came in 1838, and has since continuously made his home within the borders of Macoupin County, where he has labored untiringly for the upbuilding of its best interests and promotion of those enter- prises which are calculated to enhance the general welfare. He comes of a race of farmers who for several generations had resided in North Carolina. His grandparents lived and died in that State and his father, Mark Dilliard, was also there born. Ile learned the cooper's trade and in North Carolina · married Milbery Elruner, who was also born of North Carolina parents. In later years Mark Dilliard and his wife with their children emigrated to Middle Tennessee, and located upon a farm where the husband and father died November 26, 1826, the age of fifty-six years, his birth having occurred March 20, 1770. Some five years later, in 1830, the widow emigrated with her family to Logan County, Ky., and in 1831, took up her resid- ence in Todd County of the same State. Subse- quently she returned to Robertson County, Tenn., and there lived during the great cholera epidemic in 1833, when many of her friends died. In 1836, she again went to Logan County, where she made her home until 1838, wben with her children, our subject and Mrs. Wells, she started for Illinois with a company of others. They left their old home on the first Monday in October and traveling in covered wagons at length reached Brushy Mound Township, Macoupin County, on the last Saturday in November. At night they had camped out along the way and bore the usual experiences and hardships of such a journey.
Rev. Luke Dilliard was only three years of age when his father died and by his mother he was tenderly cared for until he was able to repay her by his care. There were five children in the family but only our subject and his sister, Mrs. Wells, of Wilson County, Kan., who is now seventy-five of age, are yet living. After their arrival in this county they and the mother resided upon a rented farm until in 1844, when Mr. Dilliard secured a tract of land in Gillespie Township to which they removed and he began the development of the farm which has since been his home. It is located on section 31. and consisted first of only forty acres but from time to time, as his financial resources had increased, he extended its boundaries until it now comprises one hundred and thirty-eight acres which are under a high state of cultivation. Ile also yet owns sixty acres of pasture land and has other possessions which he has generously bequeathed to his children. Ile owned a valuable tract of two hundred and forty acres which is now owned by his eldest son, M. H. Dilliard, also in Gillespie Township. Upon a forty- acre tract which he once possessed is a divide which separates the head waters of two of the important streams which drain this and other counties and ultimately empty into the Mississippi River. It is no easy task to develop a new farm but Mr. Dilli- ard worked industriously from early morning to late at night and each year saw an increased acre- age under cultivation. The usual trials and difficulties of pioneer life fell to his lot but with a determination to win success he overcame all obs- taeles and won his way to a place among the sub- stantial farmers of the community. The farm which he now owns is under most excellent cultiva- tion, is well supplied with good buildings and the stock which he raises is of fine grades.
Upon life's journey Mr. Dilliard has been aided by one who has proved a true helpmate to him. In December 31, 1845, in St. Louis, Mo., he was united iu marriage with Miss Naney Adams, who was born near Cumberland Gap, Tenn., April 14, 1829, and is a danghter of Giles M. and Elizabeth (Miller) Adams, natives of North Carolina and South Carolina respectively. During childhood they went with their parents to East Tennessee, where they were married and lived until after their
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first two children were born. Mrs. Dilliard was about two months old when the little family came overland to Illinois and settled in the wilderness of Madison County near the boundary line of Ed- wards County. In 1831, Mr. Adams secured land from the Government in Gillespie Township, Mac- oupin County, where in a log cabin home they lived the life of true pioneers. Their first dwell- ing was replaced in 1843 by a good frame house and the following year a frame barn was built -- the first of the kind in all this section of the country. In after years, when quite old, Mr. and Mrs. Adams left their homestead and went to live with their youngest son in Montgomery County, where they spent their last days, dying at an ad- vanced age. They were well-known pioneers of Gillespie Township and highly respected people.
Mrs. Dilliard is the eldest daughter and second child in their family of five children, of whom the eldest and youngest are now deceased. Almost her entire life has been spent in Gillespie Township and among the people who have so long known her she has made many warm friends. Eight children have been born of the union of our subject and his wife, of whom they have lost two-Almeda who died in childhood and W. C. who died at the age of twenty-six years. Matthew, the eldest surviving member of the family, married Lulu Boyce and owns and operates a two hundred and forty-acre farın in Gillespie Township; Giles M., a farmer of Reno County, Kan., wedded Mattie McBride; James I., who married Mattie M. Needler, now de- ceased, is manager of the Belt & Dilliard Bank of Collinsville, Ill .; Lorenzo D., who has been blind from his birth, was educated in the Institute for the Blind at Jacksonville, and learned the trade of a brush-maker but has never followed it, being now engaged in the teaching of music. He is a skilled musician and has composed a number of pieces, dis- playing great ability : Edward, who wedded Cath- erine Roe, graduated from a medical college and is now successfully engaged in practice in Stillman Valley; Mary J., who graduated from the female college of Fulton, Mo., and was a successful teach- er before her marriage, is now the wife of William Mattox, secretary of the coal company of Sorento, Ill. Mr. Dilliard has ever been a warm friend to
the cause of education and provided his children with excellent advantages. All but one are grad- uates of some college and they have become useful men and women, respected members of society who do honor to their parents.
Mr. and Mrs. Dilliard have long been faithful members of the Baptist Church. He united with the church on the fourth Sunday in October. 1840, and in 1843, was licensed to preach. Three years later he was ordained, since which time he has been more or less actively connected with the work of the ministry in this county. The good which he has done cannot be estimated. He has aided in the organization of some of the leading churches of the county and by precept as well as example has led many to a knowledge of the truth. The educa - tional interests of the community have been pro- moted through his efforts and since the winter of 1844-45, when he taught his first school he has been a well-known educator in this county. One winter he taught school every day in the week, singing school for four nights out of every week and on Sunday occupied the pulpit. His upright life has won him the respect and esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and his many acts of kindness and charity have won him the love of many who have been the recipients of his bounty. He has many friends and few, if any, enemies and and no man is more deserving of a representation in this volume than the honored pioneer, Rev. Luke Dilliard. Mr. Dilliard is a Master Mason, he is a member of Bunker Hill Lodge No. 151.
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C HRISTOPHER II. RUTHER, one of the practical and progressive farmers of the county, living on section 29, Staunton Township, is a native of Germany. He was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, June 27, 1839, and comes of a good German family. His father, Frederick, also a native of the same kingdom, was reared to manhood in the usual manner of farmer lads and after he had attained his majority was married near his old home, Miss Dora Grimm becoming his wife. Their union was blessed with four children,
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all born in the Fatherland, and with their family they came to the United States in 1847. The voy- age across the Atlantic continued for nine weeks but at length they safely reached New York City, and by lakes and across the country they continued their journey to Alton. The family settled upon a partially improved farm about one and a half miles west of Fosterburg, Madison County, where they made their home until 1851, when Mr. Ruther sold and came to Macoupin County, locating in Staunton Township. Clearing the wild land hie here developed and improved a farm, upon which he made his home for many years, but he has now taken up his abode with our subject. He has at- tained the advanced age of eighty-one years. Ilis wife died in Madison County at the age of fifty- five, in the faith of the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Ruther is also a member.
The subject of this sketch was a lad of only eight summers when he accompanied his parents to America. In the usual manner of farmer lads the days of his boyhood and youth were passed and such educational advantages were his as the district schools of the neighborhood afforded. Farming he has made his life work and in this pursuit has been eminently successful. lie formed a matri- monial alliance with Miss Maria Ahlers, their union being celebrated in Madison County. The lady was born in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, and when a young maiden of twelve years came to America with her parents, Albert and Margaret (Kercheck) Ahlers, the family locating in Olive Township, Madison County, where the mother is still living at the age of seventy-one years. Mr. Ahlers died on the old homestead in 1865 when past middle life. In their family were five chil- uren, four of whom are yet living.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Ruther has been bleessed with eight children, of whom six are yet living and are still at home, namely: William, Anna, George, Henry, John and Benjamin. Sophia and Albert both died in childhood. Their home is pleasantly situated in the midst of a fine farm on section 29, Staunton Township. Although he be- gan life without capital Mr. Ruther has steadily worked his way upward, overcoming by persever- ance the obstacles in his path and is now numbered
among the substantial farmers of the community. His landed possessions aggregate four hundred and ninety acres, one half of which is under a high state of cultivation. He also raises an excellent grade of stock and has many fine improvements upon his land, such as are necessary to a model farm. For forty years he has been an eye witness of the growth and progress made in Macoupin County, having come here when the work of civilization seemed scarcely begun. The city of Staunton was then a mere village with no railroad facilities, much of the land was still in its primitive condition and it hardly seemed possible that within so short a time a wonderful transformation would take place and make Maconpin one of the leading counties in the State.
ENRY IMMENGA owns and operates one hundred and fifty acres of valuable land on section 9, Cahokia Township. He is now numbered among the substantial cit. izens of the community, a position to which he has arisen by his own efforts. Of German birth he was born in Amstersteckhausen, November 24, 1818. His parents lived and died in that country, the father passing away at the age of seventy-seven, and the mother's death occurring at the age of sixty-six years. They were both members of the Lutheran Church, and were worthy and respected people.
Not unlike the usual manner in which farmer lads spend their time, our subject passed the days of his boyhood and youth, and when he had at- tained to mature years he wedded Miss Anna Col- man, who was born and reared in Germany, her birth occurring in 1830. Her parents, also natives of the same land, are mentioned in the sketch of W. G. Colman on another page of this work. The young couple began their domestic life on a farm near their childhood home, but after a short time they determined to seek their fortune in America and in 1858, embarked from Bremen on a sailing- vessel bound for New Orleans, where they arrived after a long and tedious voyage of thirteen weeks.
LIBRARY OF THE TTO ALAROSAINN
yours Truly James Nevins
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From the Crescent City they came up the Mississ- ippi River to St. Louis and Alton, and settled in Moro Township, Madison County, near Bunker Ilill, where Mr. Immenga purchased seventy-seven acres of land which he still owns. Ile afterward removed to bis present farm, which, as before stated, comprises one hundred and fifty acres of arable land, together with forty acres of timber land. The former is under a high state of eultiva- tion and improved with good buildings. It is now a fine property and the neat appearance of every thing upon the place gives evidence of the thrift and enterprise of the owner.
Mr. and Mrs. Immenga are people worthy of the highest esteem of all, for their lives have been such as to merit the greatest confidence. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Their family numbers five children, and death has not yet sev- ered the family circle. Frank, the eldest, was united in marriage with Miss Anna Martin, and they live near coal shaft, No. 3, in Cahokia Township; George F. is still at home and aids his father in the opera- tion of the farm. Maggie is the wife of Gotleib Gates and they live near her eldest brother: John W. and Franeis, who complete the family, are still under the parental roof. The sons. especially. George, are a great help to their father, being in- dustrious young men who no doubt will make a success of their own lives.
AMES NEVINS. Macoupin County boasts many men of substantial standing, in both a financial and political position. Of these none are more respected and honored than be whose name is at the head of this sketch and whose portrait is presented on the opposite page. He has a beautiful home on section 12, North Pal- myra Township. Ilis farm is one of the most highly cultivated in the township and upon it are buildings that would be a credit to England itself, his residence being a comfortable and commodious dwelling, containing the improvements that are so indispensable in our modern way of living.
Our subject's parents were William and Eliza-
bett (S.mms) Nevins. They came to Macoupin County about 1828 and settled in North Palmyra Township, where they remained ever after. The mother died about 1876; the father's death oc- eurred in North Otter Township. Nine children were once the pleasure and care of their father, who was obliged to study diligently ways and means to fill the hungry little mouths.
Our subject was born in Overton County, Tenn., January 19, 1819. He came to Macoupin County with his parents, growing to manhood on the farm in North Palmyra Township, where he has lived since first coming to this State.
He has always been engaged in agriculture and at present is the owner of six hundred and thirty- six acres in Macoupin County and four hundred and seventy-four acres in Montgomery County. His farm is furnished with the best of buildings and every improvement is to be found thercon.
On the 25th of November, 1840, Mr. Nevins was united to Miss Elizabett Simms, a daughter of George and Anna ( Nevins) Simms. The gentle- man who performed the ceremony upon that aus- picious occasion was John Scott, Esq. Mr. Nevins has never had cause to regret his choice, for his wife is distinguished by her amiable disposition and elegant, dignified manners. Mrs. Nevins' parents died in North Palmyra. She was the sixth in a family of nine children and her natal day was No- vember 22, 1832. After her marriage with our subject she devoted herself to making such a home for her husband as to leave nothing to be desired. Her children were always her first consideration and her care will certainly be rewarded at some future time by their rising up and calling her blessed.
The little ones that came to Mr. and Mrs. Nev- ins to gladden their hearts and create a better purpose for living, that they might be brought up to be useful men and women, are: Lucy A .. Edgar and George W. Two children died in infancy ; Lucy is the wife of Robert K. Aiderson, who resides in North Palmyra Township; Edgar died when life was promising so much to him, at the age of twen - ty-one; George W. also died soon after he had en- tered manhood and it was a crushing blow to his father to have this son, from whom he had expected
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and for whom he had planned so much, taken away in the flower of his manhood; he was but twenty- three years old at the time of his death.
Mr. Nevins has been elected to several positions in Palmyra Township and has discharged eonseien- tiously and satisfactorily to his constituents the du- ties that have been given him. Ile was Supervisor of the township for two terms. In politics he is an adherent of the Democratie party, believing in the breadth of platform which that party claims. Mr. and Mrs. Nevins are active members of the Chris- tian Church and seize every opportunity where good may be done to suffering humanity, thereby fulfilling the first of all commandments.
E RASTUS BANCROFT. Many intelligent families whose culture and experience are a benefit to any community in which they may be called to live, are to be found in Macoupin County. Such people are in themselves an educa- tive foree, and help to form the standard to whiel those less favored in the better advantages may look. Among such we are pleased to mention the household of which our subject was the representa- tive. Ilis father was Timothy Bancroft, who was born in Worcester, Mass., and his mother, Mary Clark, of the same city. Timothy was a farmer by ocenpation and died in the city of his birth. Their large family of twelve children received the best advantages both social and educational, and a thorough training for life's duties.
Erastus Baneroft was born in Worcester County, Mass .. July 16, 1834. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and remained there until the spring of 1857. The Western fever had, however, at- tacked the young man and he decided to emigrate to Carlinville, Ill. Here for one year he was em- ployed at carpentry work and again in the same line for two years at Springfield. After that he returned to Carlinville and for eight years he held a contract from the Government to carry the United States mail between Carlinville and Carrollton.
In the spring of 1864 our subject made his per- manent home in Polk Township, and engaged in
supplying wood to the railroad company. Ile fol- lowed that business for several years and at the same time improved his farm, and from that time carried on agricultural pursuits. He erected excellent buildings upon his farm of three bun- Gred and thirty-five acres. His marriage, April 30, 1868, at Carlinville, united him with a lady whose loveliness of character and thorough eul- ture made her a delightful companion and suit- able helpmate. He departed this life July 22, 1891. Their wedded life was one which re- sulted in good to others, and happiness within the domestic circle. Ilis wife bore the maiden name of Emeline B. Chandler, and she is a daugliter of John W. and Lucinda G. (Roggers) Chand- ler, both natives of Wilson County, Tenn., where the father died. Mrs. Bancroft is one of three children and was born in Wilson County, Tenn., February 28, 1844. To her have been born four children; two have been taken from her arms by death,and the two who survive are: Ida C. E., born June 26, 1871, and Hattic F., May 9, 1880. Agri- eultural pursuits engaged all of Mr. Bancroft's attention, although he took an earnest and intelli- gent interest in both politics and religion, voting the Republican ticket and being with his good wife an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
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