CHAPTER XXVII (Part 30)
BIOGRAPHICAL
Rev. William Hovestadt - The story of the work and struggles of the Immaculate Conception Parish of Montrose would be incomplete without some mention of the man who has made it what it is. Fr. William Hovestadt was born in Germany of a German father and an Alsatian mother. He received his early education in the primary schools of his native land.
His classical education was received at one of the recognized Gemnasiums from which he proceeded to Botingue for his philosophical studies. He made his theological course at the University of Louvain.
After his ordination, Father Hovestadt came to America to seek, like many other immigrants, that broader field of labor and the better opportunities for good that seemed to be lacking at home. He and his congregation, though of German origin or of German descent, refuse to be known except as Americans. They are fully conscious of the blessings of liberty and they fully appreciate the opportunities offered in this land where "rich and poor stand equal in the light of freedom's day." They are doing their bit for Old Glory. In their church, hangs a service flag displaying thirty-four stars - the boys who have gone to fight the battle of freedom.
In 1872, when the Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad was being built through Henry County, Missouri, the town of Montrose was laid out and the typical American railroad village soon began to rise on the site of the new town. About this time, thrifty German farmers, hearing of the beautiful, mild climate of Missouri and of the fertile plains and prairies around Montrose, began to come down from Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and the less favored parts of Missouri, and Montrose and the adjacent parts of Henry County began to assume the appearance of a German settlement. Most, if not all, of the new arrivals were Catholics who quickly realized that it behooved them, if they were to abide permanently in this new country, to procure some means of attending to their religious need and obligations. The first step was to procure the services of a priest.
In 1879, Reverend Father Daly was appointed to look after the spiritual welfare of the Catholics of Montrose. In the same year, a little frame church 20x26 feet was erected. A few of the pioneers, who helped in the good work, are still alive to tell the story of their early struggles: Joseph, Frank and Jacob Wagner, the Witmer and Lenartz families. The new parish grew so rapidly that within a few years a necessary addition of twenty-four feet was made to the church. In 1888, the Fathers of the Precious Blood were placed in charge of the parish by Bishop Hogan. So rapidly did the parish grow that a new and larger church was built in 1887, by Rev. Edward Jacobs, then pastor.
In 1903, Rev. William Hovestadt was appointed pastor of Montrose. There were in the parish at that time fifty-three Catholic families. The church property, on which was a debt of $1,087, consisted of the original frame church and the new brick one erected in 1887. The newly appointed pastor proceeded at once to place things generally on a more desirable basis. A collection amounting to $1,113 was taken up and the debt was wiped out. A school was the next urgent need of the parish. The old public school property was acquired at a cost of $1,500. An additional expenditure of $650 sufficed to render the building suitable to the needs of seventy-five children. The rectory at that time was also renovated at a cost of $800.
While these improvements were under way and perhaps because of them the Catholics in and around Montrose were steadily increasing in numbers and the need for more accommodation began to be apparent.
The subject of a new church was broached, but the people, many of whom were new arrivals to whom Henry County was as yet but a land ox promise, were not inclined to assume new burdens and responsibilities. In 1909, the pastor felt that the time was ripe to begin preparing for the greater things of the future. He established a sinking fund to which old and young made generous monthly contributions till at the end of three years the amount in the treasury was nearly $5,000. The congregation now numbered ninety-three families.
In the autumn of 1911, plans and specifications having been made and approved, ground was broken for a new church. June 11 was to be a "red letter" day in the Catholic annals of Montrose. It was the day appointed for the laying of the cornerstone by Right Reverend Bishop Lillis of Kansas City. It was to have been a gala day. All was set for a big celebration but the weatherman tried to spoil everything by sending thunder and lightning and rain. But it would take more than the worst that the weatherman could do to dampen the ardor of those who had set them selves to build a house to the Lord. The congregation turned out en masse and the cornerstone was laid. The new church, a masterpiece in Romanesque, was dedicated in the fall of that year. When completed, it had cost $32,000. The beautiful high altar, the gift of the school children, cost $1,250. Only God knows the numberless acts of self-sacrifice and of self-denial that the little ones of His house made to present Him with their gift.
The public school buildings of our American cities are, for the most part, the pride of the communities they serve. What is true of the best equipped public school in the State is true also of St. Mary's Parochial school of Montrose. It is built of brick and Carthage stone. The basement is fitted up as a gymnasium and play hall for the pupils in inclement weather. The first story is divided into four large class rooms, while the third story is divided into a large theater and rest rooms. The building was erected at a cost of $17,000. There are in school 160 children taught by four Sisters of St. Benedict. The course of studies embraces the usual grade course to which will be added soon the high school and commercial courses. This school, like all similar Catholic institutions, is supported by the Catholic people of the parish, who do their full duty towards the public schools by paying their share of the public school taxes. At present, a beautiful rectory is under process of construction at Montrose. It is the last item in the splendid parochial "plant" and when finished will be in harmony with the rest of the magnificent work done by the Rev. William Hovestadt.
James B. Gillilan - The Gillilan family is one of the oldest and most honored of the pioneer families of Henry County whose members have been active and influential in the civic affairs of this county for nearly sixty years. They are descended from old American stock whose ancestors have been noted for their patriotism and each generation of this family have been pioneers in some undeveloped part of this country.
The beginning of the family in America is traced to the Gillilans of North Carolina of whom James Gillilan, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a member. He emigrated from Ireland in 1750. This James Gillilan was a soldier of the Revolution and was a pioneer of Greenbrier County, West Virginia. The history of Greenbrier County states that he cut the first roadway up the Kanawha River Valley and drove the first wagon into Greenbrier County over one hundred years ago. James Gillilan was a native of the North Ireland country and was of Scotch-Irish descent, his forebears having emigrated from Scotland to the north of Ireland many, many years ago to escape religious persecution.
George Gillilan, grandfather of James B. Gillilan,, was born and reared in Greenbrier County, Virginia, and served in the War of 1812. His son. Judge James T. Gillilan, father of J. B. Gillilan, was born in 1829 and died May 9, 1877. He was born and reared in Greenbrier County, Virginia, and migrated to Henry County in 1856. He purchased a tract of land in Bogard township which he developed into a splendid farm, became well-to-do and was prominently identified with Henry County affairs.
During the Civil War, the family removed to Davis County, Missouri, and remained in that county for three years, returning to the home in Henry County after conditions had returned to normal. Mr. Gillilan was elected to the office of county judge in 1874 and served one term as presiding judge of the County Court. He was married to Amanda E. McClung, who bore him children as follows: Harvey, died in youth; Mrs. Mary A. Wright, lives in California; James B., subject of this review; Amanda E., or "Bettie," wife of W. R. Menafee, resides in White Oak township; George William is deceased, and John Franklin is deceased.
Mrs. Amanda E. (McClung) Gillilan was born in 1832 and departed this life in 1868. She was a daughter of Bollar McClung, a native of Scotland, whose mother was an English lady named Bollar. He married a woman of French descent whose ancestors came to America from France early in the eighteenth century.
James B. Gillilan was born April 11, 1861, in Bogard township. He received his education in the Urich district school and has always been a farmer and stockman. He left home in 1884 and located in Davis County, Missouri, where he became owner of a farm of one hundred fifty acres, which was a part of the family estate in that county. In February of 1902, he sold his holdings in Davis County and purchased land in Walker township, which he improved to a considerable extent. Fire destroyed his residence and some other buildings in 1907 and he has since rebuilt the residence and barns, the Gillilan home place now being one of the most attractive and best improved farms in the county. Mr. Gillilan is owner of five hundred eighty-five acres of land, five hundred five acres of which are located in Henry County and eighty acres are situated just over the line in Bates County, Missouri.
April 25, 1883, James B. Gillilan and Miss Mary A. Nelson were united in marriage and to this marriage have been born children as follows: James W., a successful farmer in White Oak township, married Iva Dale; Lee A., born February 12, 1888, died at Clinton, Missouri, May 2, 1918, and who, at the time of his death, was serving as deputy county recorder and was a candidate for the office of recorder, married Etta Gregg, left one child; Virgil P., a farmer in Walker township, married Orpha Hunt; Gilbert B., a farmer just over the line in Bates County, married Stella Horton; Mrs. Robina Gregg, whose husband is engaged in the hardware and implement business at Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Mamie Calvird, Davis township; three sons died in infancy.
The mother of the foregoing children was born in Christian County, Illinois, November 22, 1863, the daughter of William C. and Jane (Finney) Nelson. The parents of W. C. Nelson were natives of Tennessee and were pioneers in Christian County, Illinois. W. C. Nelson and Jane Finney were married in 1860 and resided in south Missouri during the Civil War period. In 1863, they located in Sangamon County, Illinois, and then returned to Christian County in 1864, removing from there to Henry County in 1879. Mr. Nelson made a permanent settlement on a farm in White Oak township three miles southeast of Urich. Their children were as follows: T. L. Nelson, was an attorney, deceased; John W., lives in Kansas; Mildred C, deceased; Maggie, died in youth, and Mrs. J. B. Gillilan.
The Democratic party has always had the steadfast allegiance of Mr. Gillilan, who is a pronounced Bryan Democrat of the old school. He has served as member of the Walker township board of trustees. He and Mrs. Gillilan are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Well-informed upon most matters of general interest, intelligent, a constant reader, a true American citizen of the highest and best type, progressive to a considerable degree, James B. Gillilan is one of the leading citizens of Henry County who is universally respected and admired by all who know him.
Dr. Richard B. Fewel, actively engaged in the practice of medicine at Montrose, Missouri, was born in Johnson County, Missouri, May 9, 1857, a son of Richard Benjamin and Nancy Ann (Avery) Fewel. The father was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, and the mother in Tennessee. Her father built the iirst house in Henry County that had glass windows, bringing the glass with him from Tennessee. The first County Court of Henry County was held at his home, and he was other wise prominently connected with many pioneer incidents. Richard Benjamin Fewel was a stockman, dealing in fine horses, mules and cattle.
He came to Missouri in the fall of 1839, settling in what is now Henry County, in company with his parents. Here he was reared and eventually became a land owner, engaging in business as a dealer in fine stock. He met with success in his undertaking and remained upon the home farm until his death, February 11, 1880. His wife passed away some years later in Johnson County.
Doctor Fewel was the fourth in a family of nine children. He began his education in the public school near his old home and in 1870, was a student at Sylvan and through the succeeding two years attended school at Center Point Academy. He next entered Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois, from which he was graduated June 27, 1877. He determined to make the practice of medicine his life work and with that end in view began reading medicine in 1878 at Shawnee Mound, Missouri. He was in business at that time as a member of the firm of C. O. Fewel and Brother. He afterward attended the St. Louis College of Medicine and was graduated March 3, 1881. He later attended the Chicago School of Higher Arts and Sciences, completing his course in 1893, and he took post-graduate work in the Chicago Polyclinic in 1901, completing his course on June 21. Throughout his professional career, he has continued a student in the science of medicine and has thus constantly benefited his knowledge and promoted his efficiency.
In early life, however, before he was able to take up the study of medicine. Doctor Fewel taught school. He was then about nineteen or twenty years of age. He afterwards engaged in merchandising at Shawnee Mound for about three years, but sold out in 1880 in order that he might continue his studies. He began practicing at La Due, where he continued for a year, and in 1882 came to Montrose, where he has since followed his profession. He now devotes practically his entire time to his practice, which is large and growing. Besides, he is the owner of a fine farm of 160 acres in Henry County, to which he gives general supervision. In his practice he specializes to some extent in the diseases of women and children.
September 22, 1881, Doctor Fewel was married to Miss Rosa Frances Vickars, who was born on the old home now owned by her. She is a daughter of Henry Clay and Elizabeth (Roberts) Vickars. Her father, a native of Kentucky, went to Virginia in early life and was there reared. The mother was born near Charleston, West Virginia, where she was married and removed from Virginia to St. Louis. Mr. Vickars engaged in farming near St. Louis for a number of years, but afterwards came to Henry County, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits until his death. In early life, he was a merchant in Virginia. Both he and his wife are deceased.
Doctor Fewel votes with the Democratic party and keeps well in formed on the questions and issues of the day. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and belongs also to the Modern Woodmen Camp and he and his wife are members of the Eastern Star. Professionally he has membership in the County Medical Society, the Medical Society of Southwest Missouri, the State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. Doctor Fewel had the first telephone line in Montrose running from his drug store to his residence, over a quarter of a mile, put up by George Paxton in 1884.
He was appointed a member of the Henry County Council of National Defense and received his commission from Governor Gardner in June, 1917. He was elected vice-chairman of County Council at its second meeting. Also was appointed and served as deputy county food administrator for Henry County.
Doctor Fewel has ever been an earnest and discriminating student of the science of medicine and is very conscientious and capable in the discharge of his duties. His ability has increased with the passing years and both his colleagues and the public pay high tribute to his professional service and to his fidelity to the highest standards of his profession.
