Montgomery County IL Archives Bios......Pittman Township 1882 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Norma Hass August 17, 2009


History of Bond and Montgomery Counties Illinois 1882 - Part II, 
pages 259-271, Pittman Township,


[Page 259]

Albert BURNET, retired farmer, Raymond, was born in New York City May 17, 1812, 
to William and Catharine (HUTCHINGSON) BURNET. He was born in New Jersey in 1787; 
during his former lie, worked at the trade of a carpenter, and for several years 
previous to his death followed the occupation of a farmer; he died in 1849, in 
his native State; he was of English descent. She was born in Scotland in 1791, 
and died in 1856; she was the mother of seven children, of whom Albert was the 
fifth child. He remained with his parents till the age of sixteen years, 
receiving such an education as the common schools of his native State afforded; 
when he left home, he apprenticed himself at the blacksmith’s trade in a small 
town where now is the city of Newark; here he remained until 1851, when he 
removed to Jersey County, Ill., where he worked at his trade for one year and 
six months; he then removed to Alton, Madison Co., Ill.; again worked at his 
trade for one year and a half; he then, in the spring of 1854, removed to 
Montgomery County and entered 160 acres of wild prairie; here he has remained, 
engaged in agricultural pursuits; by his energy and business, he succeeded in
accumulating a good property and a name and reputation which are beyond reproach; 
he is now the owner of 240 acres. In 1835, in New York City, he was married to 
Miss Sarah A. Cook, a native of New Jersey; she was born in 1815, May 1, to 
Samuel and Mary (KING) COOK. Mrs. BURNET is the mother of eight children, five 
of whom are living, viz.: Sarah C., now the wife of W. S. Palmer and residing 
in Litchfield; James M., now a resident of Pitman Township, Montgomery County; 
Jane Elizabeth, at home; Henry Cory, at home; Oswald Joseph, at home. Mr. BURNET 
has held office of School Commissioner. Mr. Burnet and family are religiously 
connected with the M. E. Church, he having joined the church in 1828; 
politically, is identified with the Republican party.

Rev. John R. BARBEE, clergyman, Girard, son of John and Mary (RAY) BARBEE, was 
born in Green County, Ky., December 26, 1828, where also he was raised, educated 
and married. His marriage to Miss Nannie, daughter of John and Hila (ROGERS) 
BOTTOM, was celebrated November 24, 1852, in Taylor County, Ky. In the fall of 
1864, Mr. BARBEE moved into Pitman Township, Montgomery Co., Ill., where, about 
the same time, he bought a farm, comprising 103 acres of very rich land, well 
drained, and containing an abundant supply of stock water; he has quite recently 
erected on these premises a fine two-story frame dwelling house. Mr. BARBEE has 
a family of ssix children – Mary Ray, the wife of William HOWLAND, residents of
Montgomery County; Hila, the wife of Faris HOWLAND, residents of Pike County; 
Joseph Eller, John Waller, Elias William and Lilla May. Mr. BARBEE was ordained 
to the ministry of the Baptist Church about 1858, while residing in Kentucky; he 
is regarded by the public as devoted, talented and pious; to this sentiment we 
give approbation, and add, as an opion of our own, that he is one of the most 
industrious workers to be found in his denomination. Mr. BARBEE has a family 
record 

[Page 260] 

of which he has a right to feel proud; the relationship has been patriotically
represented in every war of the nation from the Revolution to the late civil 
war of the great rebellion; his grandfather, Elias BARBEE, a seventh son, and 
six of this brothers, were soldiers in the war which gave independence to the 
American colonies and freedom to the world; Joshua and Thomas are the only names 
of these brothers handed down. Elias raised four sons – John, Elias, William and 
Thomas. Of these, John, Mr. BARBEE’s father, with his uncle, Col. Joshua BARBEE, 
were soldiers in the war of 1812; John was in the engagement in which the 
celebrated Indian chief, Tecumseh, fell. John BARBEE, Mr. BARBEE’s immediate 
ancestor, raised a family of nine children – Mrs. Lucy (Benjamin) THURMAN, of 
La Rue County, Ky.; Catharine; Mrs. Elizabeth (David) MEARS, of Green County, 
Ky.; Mrs. Julia (Thomas) LENDRUM, of McLean County, Ky.; Mary; Mrs. Lydia (John) 
ROBINSON OF Taylor County, Ky.; Elias, deceased; Joseph, of California; and John 
R., of this sketch. Elias was a soldier in the Mexican war, and was wounded in 
the battle of Buena Vista, in the same charge in which the brave Col. John J. 
HARDIN was killed. Mr. BARBEE himself was a Chaplain during our late civil 
strife, for the Thirteenth Kentucky Infantry, and was in the siege of Knoxville. 
The writer of this history has known this family for a number of years, and 
takes pleasure here to testify to their excellent standing and character, and 
heartily wishes that the old friendship and strong ties of sympathy may continue.

Charles H. BURTON, farmer, P. O. McVey, was born in Greene County, Ill., near 
Greenfield, to William L. and Rachael (DAVIDSON) BURTON, July 25, 1833; he was 
born in Virginia July 3, 1797; emigrated to Kentucky, and subsequently removed 
to Illinois about the year 1825, and settled in Greene County, Ill., near White 
Hall, in 1829 or 1830; here he remained until about 1858, when he removed to 
Montgomery county and resided with his son, our subject, to the time of his 
death, which occurred October 5, 1862; during his life, followed the occupation 
of a farmer; it is supposed he was of German descent; his wife, and mother of 
our subject, was born in Maryland January 9, 1798, and died January 21, 1852; 
they were the parents of ten children - five boys and five girls, viz.: Henry 
James D. (dead), Mary Jane (widow of Nathan T. MAXFIELD), Elizabeth C. (wife of 
William F. CARRICO, of Kansas), David Parker (dead), Martha A. (first wife of 
William CARRICO - dead), Margaret K. (second wife of Volentine CASWELL; she is 
now dead), John F. (dead), Charles H. (our subject), Sarah M. (dead), William A. 
(dead). Charles H. BURTON received his education at Greenfield, from the common 
schools and the Greenfield Academy; he remained with his parents to the age of
twenty-one, assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm; he then embarked 
on his career in life as a school teacher, in Montgomery County, where he removed 
when he left his home; he taught during the winters of 1855 and 1856; in the 
summer of 1857, bought a farm of eighty acres and began farming; his farm was 
located in Section 16 of Pitman Township; here he remained until February, 1859, 
when he bought a farm adjoining his present residence, where he resided until 
the spring of 1863, when he removed to his present place, where he has since 
remained, engaged in agricultural pursuits; he is now the owner of 100 acres 
of well-improved land, and under a high state of cultivation. On October 15, 
1856, in Montgomery County, he married Samantha ROGERS; she was born in Macoupin 
County, Ill., April 18, 1835, to Benjamin and Lydia (SNOW) ROGERS, 

[Page 261] 

who were native of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. BURTON have had seven children, six of 
whom are now living; James O., born November 5, 1857; Lydia Estella, December 9, 
1858; Rosa, July 9, 1860; George E., January 26, 1862; John A., April 6, 1863, 
died September 10, 1864; William W., October 25, 1867; Benjamin R., June 28, 1872. 
Self and family are religiously connected with the M. E. Church. Mr. BURTON was 
elected County Supervisor in 1877, and served three years; School Treasurer since 
1869, and still holds office; Highway Commissioner at present; politically, a 
Republican; he is a member of Grange Lodge, No. 970, in Pitman Township, and 
called Washington Lodge. But three of Mr. BURTON's children are at home. 

Charles GILLMAN, farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Girard, was born in Germany, July 
17, 1835, to Charles and Hannah GILLMAN. His early life was spent in receiving a
common-school education; at the age of fourteen, he was hired out to work on a 
farm by his father, as a shepherd, tending sheep; at the age of twenty-one, he 
bade his home farewell and emigrated to America; he made his first settlement in 
Sangamon County, Ill., and was under the employ of Charles HOPPIN for over five 
years; by his close attention to business and his economy, he was able, at the 
end of that time, to buy 360 acres of land in Pitman Township, Montgomery County; 
here he commenced farming in 1863 on his own account; by his energy and business 
habits, he has succeeded in accumulating about nine hundred and thirty acres of 
land, all lying in one tract in Pitman Township, with the exception of ten acres 
of timber; he is now principally engaged in stock-raising, making cattle and hogs 
a specialty, although he raises large quantities of all other kinds of stock; he 
is now the owner of over two hundred head of cattle; in about 1872, he enlarged 
his residence making it very large and commodious. In 1862, in Sangamon County, 
Ill., he married miss Anna HANTLA; she was born in 1846 in Germany; she is the 
mother of nine children, eight of whom are now living – Frank, Willie, Anna, 
Henry, Carrie, George, Emma and John. He has served the people as School 
Director. Himself and wife are religiously connected with the Lutheran Church. 
Mr. GILLMAN is strongly in favor of the Republican party.

William R. HOUCK, farmer, P. O. Raymond. The father of this gentleman was Ross 
HOUCK; he was born March 4, 1804, in Pennsylvania; here he received a limited
common-school education; he remained with his parents to the age of sixteen, 
assisting in tilling the soil of his father’s farm. At the age of sixteen, he 
left his home, with a pack on his back, with only 25 cents in his pocket, to 
embark on his career in life, it being his intention to settle in the far West; 
he first stopped at Cincinnati, Ohio, and worked at the trade of a carpenter, 
which he had partially learned before he left his home; here he remained or one 
year, when he engaged with Virgil HICKOX, at a salary of $50 per month and 
expenses paid, selling books; he remained in the employ of his gentleman for 
about two years, during the time, by his economy and business habits, succeeding 
in accumulating enough funds to enable him to start in the same business on his 
own account, which he did in the State of Illinois, where he continued successfully 
for a term of five years; during the time, he had accumulated about $5,000, with 
which he entered land in Madison County, improved land, bought stock, and also 
opened a general merchandising store; he remained in Madison County for several 
years, but finally removed to Alton, where he filled official offices, which took 
the

[Page 262]

Most of his time; in 1843, he entered 160 acres in Macoupin County, which he 
improved, and removed his family to the same in 1845; he added to this tract 
until he owned 380 acres in that county; in about 1850, he entered 840 acres 
in Montgomery, which he had improved, but at the time made his home in Macoupin 
County; at the time of his death, he had accumulated 1,140 acres of land; his 
death occurred December 24, 1868; he was one of Macoupin County’s most successful 
farmers and business men. His wife, and mother of our subject, was Lucinda Ann
(GUNTERMAN) HOUCK; she was a native of Kentucky, born November 27, 1811, and is 
now residing in Macoupin County upon the homestead farm; she is the mother of 
seven children, all of whom are alive, William R. being the oldest child; he was 
born in Edwardsville, Madison Co., Ill, January 21, 1833; he received his 
education from the common schools of Alton, Woodburn, and the McKendree College 
at Lebanon. At the age of nineteen, he left his home, went to Bunker Hill, Ill., 
and embarked on his career in life as a clerk in a store; he remained here until 
1854, when he started a general merchandising store at Edwardsville, Ill., on his 
own account, in partnership with Mr. John PRICKETT; in 1856, he sold his interest 
to his partner, when he returned to Bunker Hill, and with Mr. James RIDER, bought 
out the interest of his old employer, T. J. VanDORN; here he remained for a period 
of twelve years, during which time he had purchased the interest of his partner; 
in 1862, he purchased a flouring-mill, which he ran in partnership with P. C. 
HUGGINS until about the close of the war, when he took an interest in a store 
at Vicksburg; he remained here about one year, when he returned to Bunker Hill 
and engaged in farming on the old homestead; in 1870, he removed to Montgomery 
County and settled on a farm of eight acres, where he has since remained, engaged 
in agricultural pursuits; by his energy and business, he has succeeded in 
accumulating 200 acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. 
In Macoupin County, October 8, 1855, he married Miss Lucinda A. ALLARD, a native 
of Cape Cod, she born June 3, 1836; she is the mother of nine children, seven of
whom are living – Carrie L., July 18, 1856; Edward R., March 28, 1858; William A., 
July 8, 1859; Elmira L., November 4, 1861; Mary E., February 24, 1864; Henrietta 
V. D. and Thomas V. D. (twins), April 17, 1866; Ross, July 4, 1868; Jessie M., 
May 12, 1870; Elmira L. and Jessie M. are dead. He is a member of the A., F. & 
A. M. Lodge, No. 151, at Bunker Hill; in politics, is identified with the 
Democratic party; self and family are connected with the Methodist Church.

John HAYNES, retired farmer, Atwater, was born in Harrison County, Ind., May 6, 
1816, to William and Ann (TOTY) HAYNES; he was born in Person County, N. C., July 
28, 1790; he was a farmer by occupation; from North Carolina he went to Kentucky, 
where he remained until after he was married, and then removed to Indiana, where 
he remained about three years, at the end of which time he returned to Kentucky,
remaining only about three years, when he again returned West, and located in a 
portion of Morgan County which is now Cass County, Ill., where his death occurred 
the following year, May 25, 1830; his wife was also a native of North Carolina, 
born in 1791, November 27; died May 4, 1868; she was the mother of twelve children, 
all of whom, with one exception, grew to manhood and womanhood, and of whom John, 
the subject of this sketch, was the fifth child. His early boyhood was spent in 
assisting his father in his agricultural pursuits; owing to the limited school 
privileges 

[Page 263]

At that early day, his education was necessarily limited; but he has succeeded, 
by observation and by contact with the world, in receiving more than an ordinary
practical education. At the death of his father, he assisted his mother in the 
management of the property and in the support of the family; he remained with 
mother about three years, at the end of which time he apprenticed himself to 
learn the brick-maker’s and brick-mason’s trade, which he followed about 
twenty-two years; he eventually entered land in Morgan County, which he sold 
a few years later, and, in 1855, purchased 120 acres of the land upon which he 
has since resided, and to which he has continually added, until he now has the
satisfaction of managing a farm consisting of 276 acres of fine farm land, which 
will compare with any of the best regulated farms of the township, and places Mr. 
HAYNES in the list of practical farmers; at present, he is retired from active 
labor, but still remains upon the homestead, overseeing the cultivation of his 
land and enjoying the fruits of a well-regulated life and successful career. He 
was married, in Morgan County, October 18, 1842, to Miss Harriet SEYMOUR, who was 
born in North Carolina October 7, 1819; she is the mother of nine children, viz.: 
James, born September 25, 1843; Sarah Ann, born December 8, 1844, deceased; Green,
born September 7, 1846; Mary Jane, born September 28, 1848; Alexander, born 
September 28, 1850; Charles, born November 28, 1852; an infant, born November 9, 
1854, deceased; Henry, born July 12, 1857; John, born November 28, 1859 – the
latter of whom is now at home with his parents. Mrs. HAYNES was the daughter of 
James P. and Levina (LONG) SEYMOUR, natives of North Carolina, both deceased. 
Mr. HAYNES is not much interested in politics, and may be said to be independent 
in politics, and, as he says, votes for men and principles.

William HACKNEY, retired farmer, Atwater, born in New York City June 30, 1820, 
to William and Margaret (KEGLER) HACKNEY; he was born in Schenectady, N. Y., 
July 23, 1789; was a blacksmith by trade, but, during his life in the Est, 
worked in a foundry, and was the man who first burned coal upon a steamboat 
for making steam; he emigrated to Delhi, Jersey Co., Ill., in 1836, where he 
followed the occupation of a blacksmith; he died November 8, 1875, at Brighton; 
his wife, and mother of our subject, was born in Albany, N. Y., March 22, 1794, 
and died December 7, 1879; they were the parents of nine children, of whom 
William was the second child, of whom six are now living. William HACKNEY was 
removed to Troy, N. Y., by his parents in 1828, where he received his education 
from the high schools of Troy; at the age of thirteen, he began his career in 
life by working as a cabin boy, and afterward acted as cook, upon the Hudson 
River; in 1836, with his parents, removed to Illinois and settled in Jersey 
County, and again followed life on the fiver as deck hand and watchman for 
about nine years; he then commenced farming in Jersey County, on a farm of 
eighty acres; here he remained until 1863, when he removed to his present 
residence and bought 250 acres, a part of which was in timber and part prairie, 
lying in Macoupin and Montgomery Counties; by his energy and business habits, 
succeeded in accumulating a good property, name and reputation which stands 
beyond reproach; he is now the owner of about three hundred and twenty-five 
acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation, and has all 
the necessary improvements; upon his place he makes grain and stock a specialty. 
In 1842, December 1, in Jersey County, he married Caroline M. WILKINS, a native 
of Greene County, Ill., born February 8, 1824; she is a daughter of John 

[Page 264]

And Elizabeth (LURTON) WILKINS, who were natives of Kentucky, and among the 
first settlers of Greene County. Mr. and Mrs. HACKNEY were the parents of nine 
children, two of whom are dead – Margaret E., Sarah T., Joseph, Matthew, John 
W., Carey O., Henry D., Udolpho and Katie G. Mr. HACKNEY is an active member 
of the fraternity of A., F. & A. M., No. 692, at Raymond. In politics, his 
sympathies are with the Democratic party.

Jeduthun B. NEWELL, retired farmer, P. O. Girard, son of Asahel and Elizabeth 
(BUSHNELL) NEWELL, was born in Rome, Oneida Co., N. Y., April 13, 1811; the 
family came to Greene County, Ill., in 1832; they moved to Calhoun in 1834, where 
they remained about ten years, during which time the mother died; after the death 
of his wife, Mr. NEWELL's father lived among his children during the remainder of 
his life; he died December 8, 1877; they both lived to a good old age, he dying 
in his eighty-fourth year, and she in her sixty-fifth; they were members of the 
church, and each had the reputation of being a devoted Christian. Mr. NEWELL 
bought his first land in Calhoun County, a tract of ninety-eight acres, lying on 
the banks of the Illinois River. November 27, 1834, he married Miss Eunice, 
daughter of Chuza and Sarah (BACON) BUSHNELL, by whom he had four children - 
William and Sarah, died in infancy; Ira B., died at forty years of age; and 
Alonzo C. His second wife, Lucinda UNDERWOOD, was born in Harrison County, Ky., 
February 5, 1817, daughter of Francis and Margaret (JARVIS) UNDERWOOD, he a 
native of Shropshire, England, died in 1853 she, born in Fayette County, Ky., 
in 1784, died in 1857; from this second marriage, four children have been born 
to them - Moses A., a teacher by profession; and Mrs. Mary A. HOOVEBECK, both 
of Harvel Township, Montgomery County; Lucy E. and William R. died in infancy. 
In 1844, Mr. NEWELL sold his farm in Calhoun County, and bought another farm in 
Greene County about five miles southwest of Carrollton, on which he moved, and 
where he resided till 1852, at which time he came to Montgomery County, Pitman 
Township, buying a farm of 280 acres of land where he now lives; this farm is 
well improved, and has a fine, rich, productive soil. Mr. NEWELL and wife are 
both members of the Methodist Church, in which denomination they have good 
standing; as citizens, they rank high. Mr. NEWELL has been, and is yet, rather 
a prominent man in society, and whose judgment is revered; he served three 
terms as Justice of the Peace while in Calhoun County, and three terms since 
in Montgomery County; in fact, he held the office as long as he would have it 
at all; his judgments were generally sustained in higher courts. The NEWELLs 
are supposed to be of English origin; it is not now definitely known when they 
came to this country; they were here, however, before our independence as a 
nation. Mr. NEWELL's grandfather, Solomon NEWELL, lived and died in the Sate 
of Connecticut. March 4, 1784, Asahel, Mr. NEWELL's father, emigrated, after 
his marriage, to Oneida County, N. Y., about 1807; he raised a family of seven 
children - Isaac, Jeduthun, Mrs.Elizabeth (Alonson) TWITCHELL, Asahel, Mrs. 
Clarissa (Thomas) REYNOLDS, Mrs. Louisa (Charles) THURP and Mrs. Ruth (Solomon) 
DESPAIN; Isaac died when about twenty-three years old; three of these children 
are now living - Jeduthun, Mrs. REYNOLDS, of Macoupin County, and Mrs. DESPAIN, 
of Granite City, U. T.

Joseph H. PITMAN, retired farmer, Raymond, was born in New Jersey in 1822, 
October 19, to Samuel and Fannie (PHILLIPS) PITMAN; he was born in New Jersey 
in 1795; during his former life, followed the trade of 

[Page 265]

a weaver, but, during the latter years of his life, followed farming; he removed 
to the State of Illinois in 1839, and settled in Jersey County, which was at that 
time Greene County; here he remained to the time of his death, which occurred in 
1855; she was born in New Jersey in about 1897, and died in her native State in 
1829; she was the mother of seven children, Joseph H. being the fourth child; his 
school education was very limited, and only such as the common schools afforded; 
he has received the most of his learning by observation and study by himself; he 
remained with his father, assisting in managing the farm, to the time of his 
death, and remained upon the farm ten years after his father’s death, supporting 
and caring for his father’s family. In the spring of 1866, he removed to 
Montgomery County and settled upon his tract of 160 acres of uncultivated prairie 
land, which he had bought several years previous; here he has since remained, and 
made all necessary improvements upon his farm, until now it is in a high state of
cultivation; in 1879, he rented his land, it being his desire to retire from 
active labor, having, by his energy and business, accumulated a good property, and 
a name and reputation which stand beyone reproach. Mr. PITMAN has filled many 
township offices, and has been serving the people as County Supervisor for eight 
years, to the entire satisfaction of all well-disposed citizens. In politics, his
sympathies are with the Republican party. The township of Pitman, of which he is 
a resident, was named from Mr. Joseph H. PITMAN.

Daniel C. RICHARDS, farmer, P. O. Raymond. The father of this gentleman was Samuel 
S. RICHARDS; he was born in Lima, Livingston Co., N. Y., February 22, 1818, where 
he was educated and brought up on a farm. In 1836, he removed to Illinois, settled 
at Rockford, Winnebago County, where he has been engaged in farming and 
merchandising, giving his attention principally to the former; he is the owner 
of 160 acres of land at the present time, he having accumulated, during his life, 
a large tract of land, all of which he improved; he is a son of Daniel RICHARDS, a 
native of New Yorl, The mother of our subject was Sarah BROWN, who was born in 
North Carolina February 19, 1818; she was brought to Illinois by her uncle, Aaron 
FELTS, in 1836, and settled in Winnebago County, Ill.; she remained with her uncle, 
Aaron FELTS, and her brother, William BROWN, to the time of her marriage, which 
occurred in 1837; she is the mother of fourteen children, three of whom are now 
living – Daniel C., our subject; Oscar L., of Rockford, a farmer; Clara M., now 
at home. Mrs. RICHARDS, the mother of our subject, is the daughter of Daniel BROWN,
who was a native of North Carolina, and was of German descent. D. C. RICHARDS was 
born in Harrison Township, Winnebago Co., Ill., August 11, 1838; his early life 
was spent in receiving such education as the common schools of his native county
afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father’s farm, which at that 
time was very wild and unimproved. At the age of twenty-one, he left home and 
moved to Michigan, where he embarked on his career in life as a farm hand, and, 
during the two years’ stay in Michigan, his time was divided in farming, teaching 
school and attending a select school taught by a Miss BROWN; the opportunity 
afforded him a chance to complete his education, which he improved. In the summer 
of 1861, he returned to his home, and taught school the following winter, when he 
entered the Durand Academy, at Durand, in his native county, for a period of four 
months, and, on the 5th of July, in 1862, he enlisted in the

[Page 266] 

Seventy-first Illinois Infantry, under command of Col. GILBERT; he served in this
regiment for three months, at the expiration of which time he returned home. After 
the battle of Stony River, he was engaged as clerk in the Quartermaster’s 
Department, and remained in the employ of Quartermaster’s Department at 
Murfreesboro, Nashville and Clarksville, Tenn., until about the 1st of April, 
1865; he then returned to St. Louis, and subsequently to Pitman Township, 
Montgomery County, and settled on his present residence June 1, 1865; he remained 
here for about one month, and returned to his home in Winnebago County, where he 
remained until fall of the same year, when he located permanently on his place, 
October 3, 1865; here he has since remained, engaged in stock-raising and farming; 
in stock-raising he has been engaged quite extensively, at times keeping about 
two hundred head. He is now the owner of 80 acres of, but generally works about 
three hundred; his farm is well improved, and under a high state of cultivation. 
At St. Louis, October 25, 1864, he married Miss Hannah P. HOUCH, a native of 
Macoupin County, Ill., who as born June 14, 1839; she is the daughter of Ross and 
Lucinda A. (GUNTERMAN) HOUCK; he was a native of Pennsylvania; she was of Kentucky. 
Mr. and Mrs. Richards are the parents of one child, Frank Claud; he was born March 
9, 1882. Mr. RICHARDS is now serving the people on his second term as Justice of 
the Peace; he also has been School Director for a number of years. Mr. RICHARDS is 
a member of the fraternity of A., F. & A. M., No. 166, at Rockford; of the 
Grangers’ Lodge, Maple Grove Grange, at Pitman Township; was Master of the same 
for several years, and Secretary of County Council for several years; in politics, 
is identified with the Republican party; he and wife are religiously connected with 
the Baptist Church; he has been Clerk of the Baptist Church for about nine years, 
since its organization. Mr. RICHARDS has been actively engaged in Sunday school 
work and temperance work.

James ROGERS, farmer, P. O. McVey, was born in Macoupin county, Ill., January 11, 
1838; his early life was spent in receiving such an education as the common 
schools of his native county afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his 
father's farm. At the age of fourteen years, he was brought to Montgomery County 
by his parents, who settled on the same farm he is now residing on; he remained 
with his parents to the age of twenty-four, when he married and entered upon 
his career in life as a farmer, at which he still continues, having, by his 
industry and business habits, succeeded in accumulating ninety-five acres of 
land, all of which (eighty-five improved and ten acres of timber) is under a 
high state of cultivation; in 1878, upon his farm he erected, by his own design, 
a handsome frame cottage; upon his farm he makes stock-raising and all general 
crops a specialty; his farm is located mostly in Montgomery County, his timber 
land being in Macoupin County. The father of this gentleman, Benjamin K. ROGERS, 
was born in Greene County, Ky., January 30, 1815; emigrated with his parents to
Montgomery County, Ill., in the fall of 1830; his life was spent in following 
the occupation of farming; was a man who stood high in the estimation of his 
fellow-men; at the time of his death, he was holding the office of School 
Treasurer, and, in Macoupin County, served several terms as Justice of the Peace, 
and as many terms in Montgomery County; he joined the M. E. Church in 1850, and, 
at the time of his death, was a faithful member; he lived to see all his children 
but one in the church; his death occurred December 11, 1868; dur-

[Page 267] 

ing his life, he succeeded in accumulating a good arm, all of which he improved; 
his wife, and mother of our subject, was Lydia SNOW, who was born in Simpson 
County, Ky., May 26, 1816, and died January 19, 1850; she was the mother of 
eight children, seven of whom are now living, James ROGERS being the third child. 
He was married, in Greenfield, Greene County, November 13, 1861, to Eglantine, 
the daughter of Valentine and Louisa (MADISON) CASWELL; Mrs. ROGERS was born in 
Greene County, Ill., December 29, 1843; her father was born in Shawneetown, Ill., 
June 12, 1820; he has, during his life, been engaged in farming, but is now 
retired, and residing in Greenfield, Ill.; his wife was born in Ohio June 8, 
1824, and died March 7, 1853. Mr. and Mrs. ROGERS are the parents of four 
children - Rollie B. is now the wife of Edgar MASSA, of Macoupin County; Dora 
M., Frederick O., Grant V., at home. Mr. ROGERS is now serving the people as 
School Director of the township; self and family are members of the Methodist 
Church; politically, he is identified with the Republicans.

John D. STREET, retired farmer, Girard, was born in Shelby County, Ky., August 
10, 1820, to David and Catharine (DUNCAN) STREET; his early life was spent in 
receiving a common-school education and assisting in tilling the soil of his 
father’s farm; he was brought to Illinois, Macoupin County, by his parents, in 
1831; in 1841, he left houme and embarked on his career in life as a hired hand; 
in 1842, he moved ot Iowa, where he remained four years, and, while there, 
experienced many hardships, such as are found in a pioneer life; one instance 
he remembers of going sixty miles to a mill to get his corn ground, and, after 
making the trip, found it impossible to get his grist, as the water was so high 
as to prevent the running fo the mill; he returned, and, to keep from starving, 
used a coffee-mill to grind corn enough to live on. In 1847, he returned to 
Macoupin County and engaged in farming, which he followed for about one year, 
after which he again worked by the month, or day, at carpentering, and, in fact, 
at anything he could find to do and receive a compensation for his labors. In 
1856, he went to Texas, where he followed hunting; while there, he bought 600 
acres of land, but was defrauded out of it by the last rebellion; he returned 
to Montgomery County, Ill., in 1857, and, in 1861, bought 120 acres of unimproved 
land in Pitman Township, upon which he removed his family in 1862; here he has 
since remained, engaged principally in raising stock; his farm now consists of 
231 acres of land, all of which is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. STREET
commenced life a poor man; by his honesty, industry and economy, he has succeeded 
in accumulating a good property now, in the later years of his life, he is 
surrounded with those comforts and enjoying those pleasures that are ever the 
result of honesty, industry and economy. Mr. STREET was married, April 3, 1862, 
to Mary E. BANNING; she was born in Illinois in 1838; she was the mother of seven
children, of whom six are now living – Andrew T., Sarah C., John W., Jennie A., 
Charles M. Antoinette G. and Bessie Lula, all of whom are at home. The father of 
Mr. STREET was born in Virginia in 1785, and died in 1855; he was a farmer and
stone-mason; he was among the early settlers of Kentucky, and also of Illinois; 
his wife, and mother of J. D. STREET, was born in Virginia August 26, 1788; was 
brought to Kentucky by her parents when quite a small child; she died November 
4, 1838; she was the mother of eleven children, of whom our subject was the 
sixth child. In politics, Mr. STREET is a Republican; is a member of Washington 

[Page 268]

Grange, Lodge No. 970, of Pitman Township; in the lodge, he has acted as 
Treasurer; he and wife are members of the Christian Church.

Peter STUMP, farmer, P. O. Girard, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, June 1, 
1819, to John and Catharine (FOUSTER) STUMP; he was born in Pennsylvania in 
1797; was brought to Hocking County, Ohio, by his parents when a child; here 
he remained until 1857, when he removed to Illinois; during his life, followed 
the occupation of a farmer, and died in Montgomery County in 1872; was of 
German parentage; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1807; her parents were natives 
of Germany; she died in 1852. They were the parents of twelve children – six 
boys and six girls – of whom Peter was the third child. His early life was 
spent in receiving such an education as the common schools of Hocking County, 
Ohio, afforded, and assisting in tilling the soil of his father’s farm; he 
remained at home until he was twenty-five years of age, when he embarked on his 
career in life as a hired hand in a saw-mill. In 1852, he removed to Knox 
County, Ill., where he remained two years, following farming and working in 
a saw-mill; in 1854, he removed to Macoupin County, where he commenced farming 
on rented property; by his honesty, industry and economy, he succeeded in 
saving some money, with which, in 1862, be bought 160 acres of partially 
improved land; here he has since remained, engaged in agricultural pursuits; 
he is now the owner of 210 acres of land, all of which is under a high state 
of cultivation. In 1845, in Hocking County, Ohio, he married Miss Samancy BUSHY, 
a native of Ohio; she died in 1857; she was the mother of four children – John, 
married, living in Missouri; Daniel, married, near Harvel, Ill.; Catharine, wife 
of Rutledge FOX, of Pitman; Luelza, dead. In 1860, be married Mrs. Nancy MAYS; 
she was born in Greene County, Ill.; she is the mother of one child, Lydia Ann, 
now at home. Politically, he is a Democrat; himself and wife are religiously 
connected with the Methodist Church. When he first commenced life as a hired 
hand in the saw-mill, he worked three years and only missed seven days; worked 
a portion of the nights; he worked very hard to make a living. …

George W. WAGGONER, deceased, was born in Hardin County, Ky., October 8, 1826, 
to Adam and Mary Ann (TERRY) WAGGONER, natives of Kentucky. The WAGGONER family 
is of German extraction, but came to America before the war of the Revolution; 
in the struggle, they esponsed the patriot cause, and bore their part in the 
struggle to throw off the yoke of British oppression. David, Adam WAGGONER’s 
father, was a soldier in the war, and he was the fortunate father of a family 
who have ever been loyal to the calls of their country. Adam WAGGONER was born 
January 30, 1800, and died August 8, 1860; his wife was born August 11, 1800, 
and died January 26, 1874; she was the daughter of Jasper and Sarah Terry; this 
family is of English descent, and has a history running back to the period of 
the earliest settlements of this country. George WAGGONER was brought to Jersey 
County, Ill., in 1830, by his parents, who were among the first to enter upon 
pioneer life in the then far West; his early life was spent upon the homestead 
farm, assisting in improvements and in all the agricultural pursuits incident 
to early pioneer industries; his educational privileges were limited to the 
common schools at that early day. In 1849, he entered 480 acres of wild prairie 
land in Montgomery County, which he eventually increased until he had in his 
possession about eight hundred acres of land, nearly all of which he improved, 
and

[Page 269] 

Which, as a practical farmer, he kept in a high state of cultivation. Mr. 
WAGGONER was one of the few men possessing all the energy and enterprise of 
a man bound to make his mark in the world; he entered uon his career in life
comparatively a poor man, and his subsequent possessions represented the 
dollars earned by himself, and through the result of his good management and 
thorough and practical business ability; he was a public-spirited man, always 
interested in all public improvements and enterprises, and generous in his 
donations for the advancement of educational and church privileges; he was 
for a number of years prior to his death an active member of the Baptist 
Church, and, in his daily walk in life, emulated the principles of Christianity. 
He was married, in Macoupin County, Ill., December 2, 1851, to Elizabeth J. 
McCOLLOUGH, and, during the fifteen years of married life, Mr. WAGGONER proved 
himself to be a kind father and devoted husband; his death occurred September 
29, 1866; he was the father of four children, viz.: Horace G., George B., 
Henry Q. and John M., all of whom have grown to maturity. Mrs. WAGGONER was 
born in Rocking ham County, Va.; March 22, 1827; at the death of her husband, 
she was left with a family of small children, the oldest of whom was but eleven 
years of age; she took upon herself the management of the property and support 
of her children; she is a lady possessing all the womanly graces, combined with 
energy and enterprise, and she also has the faculty of managing business affairs 
with a shrewdness and ability which but few women possess, whether thrown upon 
their own resources through misfortune or otherwise; she has added to he 
property, left by her husband, about twelve hundred acres of land, and most of 
which is now rented, but all of which has been under her own management; she is 
now surrounded by her children, in the declining days of her life, which to her 
is a comfort and a blessing; the farm lands now consist of about twenty-two 
hundred acres of land, which Mrs. WAGGONER and her suns have mutually decided 
to divide the property without the assistance of administrators or otherwise. 
Mrs. WAGGONER was a daughter of John and Sarah (McCREA) McCOLLOUGH; he was a 
native of Belfast, Ireland, born September 24, 1791, and was one of the early
settlers of Macoupin County; he was a farmer by occupation; his death occurred 
August 30, 1844; his wife was born in Pendleton County, Va., March 27, 1799; 
she died April 30, 1851; she was the mother of eight children, of whom Mrs. 
WAGGONER was the second child; she was educated in the common schools of 
Macoupin County. Mrs. WAGGONER may well be proud of her family of boys, all 
of whom are steady and industrious, following business in a manner like their 
father; her father was in the war of 1812.

Winter P. WAGGONER, stock-raiser, P. O. Decatur, was born in Pitman Township, 
Montgomery Co., Ill., April 8, 1861, to William R. and Sarah R. (McCOLLOUGH) 
WAGGONER; he was born in Jersey County, Ill., September 9, 1833, where he 
received his education; he remained in his native county with his parents, 
assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm until he was twenty-one 
years of age, when he removed to Pitman Township, Montgomery county, and 
entered a small tract of land; here he remained, engaged in farming and 
stock-raising, during his life, and succeeded in accumulating 1,300 acres 
of land, all of which he improved and put under a high state of cultivation; 
in connection with his farming and stock-raising, he shipped a great deal of 
stock, finding a market in St. Louis for the same; for about five years 
previous to his death, which oc-

[Page 270] 

curred January 20, 1871, he followed the later business alone; was a member of 
the Baptist Church; his father was Adam WAGGONER, who was of German descent; 
his mother, was Mary A. (TERRY) WAGGONER, who was of English descent. Adam 
WAGGONER served through the Black Hawk war as Captain; in the possession of 
our subject is a rifle used by his grandfather. Adam WAGGONER came from 
Kentucky, his native place. William WAGGONER was married, in Macoupin County, 
April 16, 1857, to Sarah R. McCOLLOUGH; she was born in Virginia December 3, 
1832, and died June 2, 1866; she was the mother of four children, two of whom 
died in infancy; our subject, Winter P., and E. Leroy, are now living; E. 
Leroy was born September 23, 1863, is now clerking in dry goods store of W. 
C. MILLER & Co., of Hillsboro. In 1867, in Greene County, Mr. WAGGONER married 
a second time, Susan C. RACE, a native of Virginia; she died in 1880, aged 
thirty-eight years; she was the mother of one child, S. Colfax WAGGONER, who 
is following the occupation of a farmer. Adam WAGGONER was born January 30, 
1800, in Hardin county, Ky.; emigrated to Illinois in the year 1830; he died 
August 8, 1860; he was a farmer; his wife, and grandmother of our subject, was 
Mary A. (TERRY) WAGGONER, born August 11, 1800, in Virginia; she died in 
January, 1874; they had seven children, of whom Winter was the third child. 
Our subject received his education at Valparaiso, Ind., at the Northern Normal 
School, and the Blackburn University, at Carlinville, in connection with his
common-school education; his father died when he was ten years old, when he 
made his home with William SEWARD, and remained there four years, when he made 
his home in Pitman Township. In the fall of 1879, he commenced farming, and 
continued the same until the fall of 1881, when he removed to Decatur, where 
he has since remained, enjoying himself. He was married, March 7, 1880, in 
Carlinville, to Miss Cora B. RENSHAW, a native of Decatur, Ill.; she was born 
January 20, 1861; is the daughter of Lucius and Martha J. (WALKER) RENSHAW, he 
born n Nashville, Tenn., October 27, 1824, died December 27, 1862; he was a 
contractor, and was the owner of about four hundred acres of land near Decatur; 
she was born October 22, 1838, in Carlinville, Ill.; she is now residing in 
Decatur, and is now the wife of William TAGGART. Mr. and Mrs. WAGGONER are the 
parents of one child, Winter Preston, Jr.; he was born January 7, 1881; in 
politics, is identified with the Republican party. Mr. WAGGONER is the owner 
of 540 acres of land, lying principally in Pitman and Zanesville Townships, 
it being one of the finest farms of the townships; upon his farm he has all 
modern improvements, and it is under a high state of cultivation, upon which 
he intends to remove in the spring of 1883, and engage in stock-raising; he 
and wife expect to spend the summer at Eureka Springs, in Arkansas.

William B. WOOD, farmer, P. O. McVey. The father of this gentleman, Alfred WOOD, 
was born in Tennessee in about 1817; emigrated to Montgomery County with his 
parents in about 1820; during his life, he followed the occupation of a farmer; 
he died in about 1847; his wife, and mother of our subject, was Malinda BAKER; 
she was born in Arkansas in about 1812, and died in about 1852; she was the 
mother of seven children, of whom William B. WOOD was the oldest child. He was 
born in Montgomery County April 2, 1842; his early life was spent in receiving
such an education as the common schools of his native county afforded, and in 
assisting in tilling the soil of his father's farm; he remained at home to the 
age of 

[Page 271] 

nineteen, when he embarked on his career in life as a farm hand; he continued 
as a hired hand until he was twenty years of age, when he rented a farm of forty 
acres in Pitman Township, where he commenced farming on his own account; her 
remained here about six months, and removed to Honey Bend and commenced farming
on the old homestead farm; in 1862, he bought thirty-five acres in Pitman Township, 
of timber land; upon this farm he remained only about one year, when he sold out 
and bought forty acres of the same farm he is now residing on; here he has since
remained, engaged in farming. In 1862, February 27, he married Miss Mary E. MILLER; 
she was born in Montgomery County March 18, 1845, and died June 11, 1864; she was 
the mother of one child, Julia A.; she was born August 16, 1863; is at home. On 
March 15, 1866, he married Miss Hiley A. ROGERS; she was born in Macoupin county
September 15, 1843; she is the mother of four children - Nancy M., born May 4, 
1867; Alfred B., born October 13, 1869; William E., born February 24, 1872; 
Nellie, born February 10, 1876. Mr. WOOD is now serving the people in his third 
term as Justice of the Peace; himself and wife are members of the Methodist 
Church; politically, is identified with the Republican part. In 1865, he 
enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry; he served one year and twelve days.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/il/montgomery/bios/pittman.txt

File size: 45 Kb