Few men in Honey Point township are accorded the confidence and
respect of their neighbors in a higher degree than John Wesley Bitter.
He was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, January 22, 1862, a son of
John and Tracy (Mulkin) Bitter, both of whom were natives of Germany.
The parents were married in the old country and came to America
seventy-five years ago, taking up their residence on a farm in St. Clair
county, Illinois. Subsequently they arrived in Macoupin county where Mr.
Bitter continued farming. His wife died in this county about twenty
years ago, and later he removed to Montgomery county where he continued
until his death, in 1903, being then seventy-three years of age. In the
family of Mr. and Mrs. Bitter were six children, namely: William, who is
engaged in farming in Montgomery county; John Wesley; Lena, who married
Will Roth, a milk dealer of Litchfield; Bertha, who is the wife of Otto
Roth, a brother of Will Roth, the former of whom is now in charge of the
old Roth homestead in Montgomery county; Louis, who engaged in farming
and died in 1904, at the age of thirty years; and Grace, the wife of
Will Prince, an electrician of Redlands, California.
John W.
Bitter attended the common schools and in his boyhood showed an interest
in work pertaining to agriculture and stock-raising which gave bright
promise of his success as a farmer. He remained with his father in
Montgomery county until after reaching manhood, and began farming on his
own account in Macoupin county by renting one hundred and sixty acres in
Honey Point township, being associated in this undertaking with his
brother William. At the close of three years he was married and took up
his residence with his bride on the Guy Snell farm of one hundred and
sixty acres, in Honey Point township, continuing there for eighteen
years. He then purchased eighty acres on section 12 of the same
township, upon which he took up his home, also renting one hundred and
sixty acres in the neighborhood. He now rents eighty acres of his
father-in-law, which he cultivates in addition to his home place, and is
the owner of ten acres of valuable natural timber in Cahokia township.
He carries on general farming, in which he is assisted by his son, and
raises a good grade of stock, paying special attention to the feeding
and marketing of hogs.
On the 11th of February, 1887, Mr. Bitter
was married to Miss Kate Maude Nail, a daughter of Henry T. and Rose
(Leigh) Nail. The father was born in Jerseyville, Jersey county,
Illinois, February 1, 1845, and the mother on March 12, 1850. They came
to Macoupin county when their daughter, Kate Maude Nail, was eight years
of age and located in Honey Point township. Mr. Nail retired from active
work six years ago and in April, 1910, moved to Litchfield, where he and
his wife are now living. There were four children in their family: Kate
Maude, now Mrs. John W. Bitter; D. H., who is superintendent of the
Electric Power Company of East St. Louis, Illinois; William, a
foundryman of Litchfield, Illinois; and Mary Jane, the wife of Fred E.
Smith, a representative of the Alaskan Developing Company at Los
Angeles, California. Mr. and Mrs. Bitter have three children. Harry
Sihler, attended the Litchfield high school and is now eighteen years of
age. He assists his father upon the home farm. Bernice M., sixteen years
of age, was a student of the Litchfield high school for two years and
resides at home. Ilda Maurine is ten years of age and is a student of
the district school.
Politically Mr. Bitter is an earnest
supporter of the republican party and has served for ten years as a
member of the school board. He and his wife affiliate with the German
Lutheran church of Litchfield, while Bernice is a member of the
Presbyterian church of the same place. Mr. Bitter has shown marked
ability in his calling and has concentrated his best energies so as to
produce practical results. He and his family are now enjoying the
rewards of his industry and good judgment. He has won a measure of
success even beyond his early expectations and can confidently look
forward to still greater prosperity in years to come. In 1909 he erected
a beautiful new home on his place which is one of the finest residences
in the township if not in the county.
Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 404-406.
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