In a review of the life of James M. Hettick, deceased, it may seem a
trite statement to those who are familiar with his history to say of him
that he has risen unaided from comparative obscurity to a place in the
ranks of the leading agriculturists in the state of Illinois, and that
his business record is one which not many have equaled; and yet this is
the fitting eulogy that must ever distinguish him among those of the
passing generations whose deeds are commemorated in this volume, in
order that coming generations interested in the welfare of Macoupin
county may know who were the men most potent in their influence in the
development and upbuilding of this prosperous section of the country.
Beginning at the very bottom of the ladder he advanced steadily, step by
step, until he occupied a position of prominence and trust possessed by
but few men. Through his entire career he has been looked upon as a
model of integrity and honor, never making an engagement that he did not
keep nor giving a promise that he did not fulfill. Ever a man of his
word he stood as an example of what determination and force combined
with the highest ideals of business honor can accomplish. One has not
far to seek in Mr. Hettick’s career for the causes that led to his
prosperity since they are easily discovered along the lines of well
tried and old time maxims, honesty and fair dealing, promptness and
fidelity, the qualities which mark the finest type of citizenship of any
nation. Macoupin county acknowledges her indebtedness to him and is
grateful for what he has accomplished in behalf of the advancement of
his community for he gave liberally of his time, energy and financial
support towards every movement designed to further the general welfare
especially in the cause of education.
Mr. Hettick became one of
the rich men of Macoupin county, yet his wealth did not warp his nature
nor isolate him from the friends and neighbors who were less generously
rewarded in their pursuit of that vanishing ideal success. Naturally
retiring in his disposition he was always modest in reference to his own
achievements or importance in the community. He despised any suggestion
of flattery and never courted general favor, preferring to follow the
bent of his own individuality and to be judged according to his own
merit. He was as punctilious in the choice of his friends as he was
prudent in all the choices of his life, and yet when the ultimate good
was concerned his generous spirit included every member of the community
whose best interests he had always at heart.
A native of
Scottville township, where he resided his entire life, James M. Hettick
was born May 29, 1842, his parents being Perry and Sarah (Armstrong)
Hettick, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Tennessee. The
ancestors of the family on the paternal side were among the early
settlers of Pennsylvania in the days when no white man was secure from
the atrocities and horrors of Indian barbarity. Thus the Hettick family
also suffered from the red man’s violence, the great-grandfather meeting
his death during an Indian raid on their settlement, while the
grandfather, Andrew Hettick, likewise a native of the Reystone state,
was captured by the Indians when only sixteen years of age and was held
a prisoner for two years. At the end of that time he made his escape,
later finding his way to Chillicothe, Ohio, where he located. There he
was married and subsequently removed with his family to southern
Illinois, purchasing land near St. Louis. Owing to illness he sought a
more favorable location and came to Carrollton, Greene county, where he
resided for two years. In 1818 he took up eighty acres of government
land at Scottville and continued to live there until his death in the
early ’50s. He was a typical pioneer, fond of hunting and fishing,
using, according to the primitive customs of his day, horse’s hair for
fish lines. Largely occupied in the struggle for existence and living on
the fiontier far from the seat of government he was less interested in
national affairs than in questions of local interest, although he gave
his consistent support to the whig party. The farm which he cultivated
for many years and where still stands the sycamore tree under which he
built his camp fire on his first arrival in this county passed to Perry
Hettick, his son and the father of the subject of this review. Devoting
himself to the cultivation of the soil Perry Hettick improved the old
homestead greatly and erected upon it a comfortable home, one of the
most substantial in Scottville township. He added to his holdings until
they comprised four hundred acres of rich and productive land which he
bequeathed to his family at his death in 1882. A man of exceptional
strength of character, he was an important factor in the early history
of Macoupin county and gave his loyal support to the republican party.
His wife survived him many years, passing away September 5, 1909, at the
home of her son Robert in this county.
Passing his childhood
under the parental roof James M. Hettick obtained his education in the
district schools and grew to manhood under conditions most favorable for
the development of habits of industry and usefulness. He was connected
with the mercantile business at Whitehall for one year but returned to
his home and assisted with the work on the farm until he was twenty-six
years of age. Being the oldest of the children of the family, he was
accustomed to the burden of responsibility from his youth up and thus
developed strength of judgment which was one of the most valuable assets
in the later conduct of his life. In November, 1868, he purchased one
hundred and sixty acres of land and for many years applied himself to
general farming and stock-raising, feeding cattle and raising hogs on an
extensive scale for the purpose of shipping to the St. Louis and Chicago
markets. With his usual keen discernment he foresaw the latent
possibilities in rising land values due to the rapid increase in the
population which was annually being augmented by the vast stream of
migration pouring over the eastern and southern boundary lines into
Illinois. In consequence he invested heavily in land, a step which time
and his immense profits proved to have been most judicious. He retained
up to the last seven hundred and thirty-two acres, a large part of which
he rented upon a basis of half the income.
On the 18th of
November, 1868, Mr. Hettick was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J.
Crum, born in Barr township, Macoupin county. She was a daughter of
Gordon and Sedonia (Rucker) Crum, who were early settlers of Illinois
and are now deceased. There were two children in the Hettick family, one
of whom died in infancy. 'A great tragedy which saddened the last year
of Mr. Hettick’s life was the death of his wife which occurred on March
9, 1910. She had been in declining health for more than a year but
bravely endured her sufferings with heroic patience and continued her
household duties until a few days before her death. She was taken to
Springfield, Illinois, where the best surgical skill was engaged in her
behalf but proved unavailing in warding off the final catastrophe.
Throughout her life she had been faithful in her duties and was a
devoted wife and mother. She was dearly loved by the whole community in
which she was known for her passion for nature and her horticultural
skill which was so richly displayed in her home and its surroundings.
She excelled in the culinary art and was a model housekeeper and a true
home-maker. In her religious faith she was a Universalist, and was also
a member of Scottville Lodge, No. 511, Order of the Eastern Star.
The shadow of gloom cast by the hand of death that had despoiled his
home never again lifted for Mr. Hettick, notwithstanding the kind
ministrations of his daughter and only surviving child, Dela. On
September 18, 1911, he departed this life at his home, “Evergreen Farm,”
near Scottville, after an illness of several days, being a victim of
typhoid fever and other complications. Although he had never formally
united with a church he was a man who believed and trusted in God, and
in his fraternal relations with Scottville Lodge, No. 426, A. F. & A.
M., and Scottville chapter, No. 511, Order of the Eastern Star, was
inspired by the Christian teachings and the beneficent principles of
these organizations, and he incorporated them into the practice of his
daily life. His business sagacity and excellent discrimination in the
matters in which his experience had made him proficient was evident at
every stage of his progress and such unwavering confidence did his
associates have in his judgment that he was frequently consulted for
advice and counsel by those who knew him well enough to assume this
privilege. He was a lover of nature and took great pride in his
beautiful country home. He gave his political support to the republican
party but was too much occupied with his business affairs to devote much
of his time to politics. Mr. Hettick’s recent death was a deep sorrow to
his many friends who will ever cherish his memory for his upright
character, his genial disposition and his pleasant companionship.
Extracted 18 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 670-673.
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