Biography - Jeremiah Hinterly
JEREMIAH HINTERLY. Among the most valuable factors in the settlement and
upbuilding of Illinois has been that portion of its population which is
descended from natives of the German's Fatherland. Their frugal,
industrious, thrifty manner of life and their steady devotion to agriculture
have aided greatly in developing that portion of the Prairie State where
they made their homes, and have given a reliable character to the
neighborhoods in which they live.
Mr. Hinterly resides on section 24, Ridge Township, Shelby County, and his
settlement in this county dates from 1858. His native home was in Fairfield
County, Ohio, where he was born December 9, 1836, being the son of Jacob and
Rachel Hinterly. Jacob Hinterly, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, was a
native of Germany and became one of the earliest pioneers of Fairfield
County in the days when that part of the country was a wilderness inhabited
only by savages and wild beasts.
Our subject had the severe misfortune of losing his mother by death when he
was but a babe, and he was her only child. His father subsequently married
Rachel Fairchiid, and by this union two sons were born — Nathaniel and
William Henry, both of whom still make their home in Fairfield County, Ohio,
where they are respected and useful citizens. The younger of these two was a
soldier in the Civil War, and being a member of an Ohio regiment was under
Sherman's command, and was with him in the famous "march to the sea.'"
The first affliction of Jeremiah Hinterly was followed seven years later by
the death of his father, and he thus became at a tender age a double orphan.
The sorrowful child was taken care of by an uncle, with whom he passed the
remainder of his early years, remaining in his native county until he
attained his majority. While with his uncle he received training upon the
farm and also spent two years as an apprentice to the trade of a blacksmith.
It was in the fall of 1857 that he made his first visit to Illinois, but he
did not tarry long upon that occasion as he returned to Ohio for the winter,
but the following spring brought him again to Shelby County, where he rented
land and prepared to establish a home. He chose a bride from the daughters
of Ridge Township, Shelby County, and upon Christmas Day, 1860, he was
united in the happy bonds of matrimony with Sarah M. Killam, a daughter of
Isaac and Nancy Killam, who was born April 23, 1844. Her father was a
Kentuckian by birth, and having been reared as a farmer, pursued that line
of industry and was married in that State to Nancy Lee, a lady of Maryland.
After marriage our subject settled where he now resides, his wife receiving
one hundred acres of land from her father. To this he has added one hundred
and fifty acres more, and has placed upon it all good and substantial
improvements. It is now one of the finest farms in Ridge Township, being
thoroughly cultivated and giving an excellent yield. To Mr. and Mrs.
Hinterly have been born three children — William H.; Nancy O., who died at
the age of ten years; and Cora Ann. The son and daughter who are left to
them are making a fine record and are proving both an honor and comfort to
their worthy parents. The religious connection of the family is with the
Christian Church, in which they are highly useful and valuable members,
being active in every good word and work, and willing to aid in every
movement, both religious and social, which looks to the advancement of the
community.
In political matters Mr. Hinterly is, and always has been to a good degree
independent, as parties have changed and new issues have arisen he has felt
at liberty to take his stand according to his convictions and according to
what he considered the needs of the country and the policy of wisdom and
good judgment. He was reared in the political belief of the Democratic
party, to which he adhered until the formation of the National Greenback
party, the doctrines of which he judged to he the best for the financial
success of our country. His interests being identified with those of the
agricultural community, he has now allied himself with the Farmers' Mutual
Benefit Association, and works in accordance with that society for the
upbuilding and prosperity of the farmers.
Jacob Hinterly, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, was married before he
came to the United States, and as we have said, settled in Ohio in the very
early day. He reared two sons and two daughters - John, Jacob, Mary, Mrs.
Telweiller; and Elizabeth, Mrs. George Parkenson.
Extracted 11 Jan 2018 by Norma Hass from 1891 Portrait and Biographical Record of Shelby and Moultrie Counties Illinois, pages 318-319.
