Biography - John Maddux
JOHN T. MADDUX is among the most enterprising and deservedly successful of the many eminent gentlemen who devote their time and energies toward the material advancement of the best interests of Hillsboro and Montgomery County. Few maintain a higher reputation for integrity and reliability, and as he has been a resident of Montgomery County since the age of three years, he is well and favorably known throughout its length and breadth. His methods are straightforward and honorable, and as a consequence the volume and value of his real estate and insurance business are steadily enlarging from day to day. A large part of his success is due to his knowledge of real-estate law, thereby protecting investors from imperfect titles, and giving them confidence that money invested through his office is not only profitable, but safe.
Our subject was born in Greenville, Bond County, Ill., April 5, 1833. His father, John Maddux, was a native of Kentucky, as was also the grandfather, John Maddux, Sr. The father of our subject was born in the year 1798, grew to manhood in his native State, and was there married to Miss Rebecca White, who was born and reared in the Blue Grass State. After marriage, the parents remained in Kentucky until about 1830, when they removed to the Sucker State, locating in Greenville, Bond County. They removed from there to Hillsboro, Ill., in 1836, and in that place passed the closing scenes of their lives, the father dying at the age of fifty-six, and the mother at the age of eighty-two. He was a private in the Black Hawk War.
Six children were the fruits of the above-mentioned union, two sons and four daughters, five of whom grew to mature years, and three are still living, our subject and two sisters, viz: A. Jane, wife of Thomas Standing, of Hillsboro; and Eveline' P., the widow of M. J. Blockburger. Our subject was the youngest member of the family, and, as before stated, was but three years of age when his parents brought him to Montgomery County. As a consequence, all his recollections are of this county. He received the rudiments of his education in the public schools of Hillsboro, and finished his studies in the Hillsboro Academy. In 1853, he commenced clerking in a general store for James Glenn, and continued as clerk for three years. In 1857, he was appointed by the Governor as Mail Agent on the now Big Four Railroad, running from Terre Haute, Ind., to St. Louis, and held that position for one year, when he resigned, being elected County Clerk of Montgomery County. He filled that position with much efficiency for four years.
In 1862, our subject enlisted in Company C, Seventieth Illinois Infantry, and was made Captain of his company, which numbered one hundred and one men. He was at Camp Butler for one hundred days, and was out six months, guarding prisoners most of the time. At the end of that time he returned home, and was Deputy Circuit Clerk for one year. In 1865, he engaged in the general merchandising business in Hillsboro, and carried this on very successfully for two and one-half years, when he sold out and embarked in the real-estate, brokerage and insurance business, which he has since continued. He was elected the first Mayor of the city of Hillsboro, and held that position one year, his administration being marked by the decided improvements made in the city during his incumbency. He has been a member of the Council many terms. He is a Knight Templar in the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of Hillsboro Lodge No. 51, Chapter of the same in Hillsboro and of Litchfield, K. T., No. 30.
Mr. Maddux was married on the 26th of January, 1860, to Miss Mary F. Sammons, a native of Lewis County, N. Y., and they have had but one child, Elsie E., who died at the age of twelve years. Mr. and Mrs. Maddux have a very pleasant home in Hillsboro, are deeply interested in the development and progress of the city, and are universally respected.
Extracted 10 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 291-292.
