Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Montgomery County Alexander T. Strange Editor Munsell Publishing Co, Chicago 1918 Cress, Henry Absalom, a prosperous farmer and stockman of Hillsboro Township resides on Section 3 and was born on his present farm August 12, 1859, a son of George Henry and Jane F. (Cory) Cress, natives of Hillsboro Township, Montgomery county, Ill., and Ohio, respectively. Henry Absalom was the only child born of the marriage of his parents. George Henry Cress was a farmer and miller. He was the owner of 200 acres of land, which he improved, and he died on his farm, December 16, 1860, having been born March 13, 1836. He was married to Jane E. Cory, born April 22, 1837, April 29, 1856 and both he and his wife were Lutherans. After his death, his widow was married to W. W. Keele, and she died March 25, 1908, when over seventy-one years old. By her second marriage, she had two children, namely: Lucy Jane Keele, who died in infancy, and Thomas Carter Keele, who was killed by lightening in Colorado. He was married to Agnes Duckworth while living in Colorado, and they had a daughter, Nellie Keele. The paternal grandfather of Henry A. Cress was Absalom Cress, and his wife's name was Catherine Fogleman. They were natives of North Carolina, and became early settlers of Montgomery County, locating on a farm in Butler Grove Township, where they died. Their family was as follows: Susanna, who married George File; George Henry; Mary, who married Peter Ludwick; Catherine, who married J.J. Scherer; Martha, who married William Brookman; Monroe; Solomon Francis; Laura, who married Robert Holmes; and several who died in childhood. The maternal grandfather of Henry A. Cress was Thomas H. Cory and his wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Leggitt. They were married in Ohio, and came to Illinois at an early day, locating in Hillsboro Township at what is now Cory bridge on the Middle Fork, west of Hillsboro and there the grandfather died, and the grandmother also passed away on this farm. They had the following children: Jane E., Nancy, Julia, James, Thomas Benton, Lucy, Henry C., Mary E., and Sarah. Henry A. Cress was about seven years old when his mother married for the second time and he lived in the central part of butler Grove Township for a time and then went to live with his grandmother Cress. After her death he lived with his uncle Soloman Francis Cress. Having attained to manhood's estate, Mr. Cress went to Colorado and spent about two years and upon his return located on the old home farm, which has continued to be his home ever since. It contains 440 acres, 200 of which he inherited, and to it he added the remaining 240 acres. His business has been general farming and stock raising. Henry A. Cress has one of the finest improved farms in the county. His handsome brick residence is situated on a plateau commanding a grand view of the valley below, and for miles away. This farm is a show place, and is pointed out as a model by Mr. Cress' neighbors. On March 19, 1882, Mr. Cress was married to Miss Anna Clotfelter, a daughter of James W. and Dorcas (Bost) Clotfelter, and they have three children, namely: Henry Absalom, Jr., who was born December 29, 1882; Hubert H., who was born October 8, 1885; James Washington, who was born July 31, 1889. Henry Absalom Cress, Jr. was married December 25, 1909, to Irene Barry. James W. Cress was married to Essie Webster, and they have one child, Lillian Louise. Mrs. Henry A. Cress was born in East Fork township, this county, July 17, 1859. Her parents were natives of North Carolina, and both are now deceased. They had eight children, as follows: Elma, Clara, Anna, Lizzie, Mollie, Minnie, Kittie, and Ralph. the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Cress was David Clotfelter, and he was married to Nancy Short. On March 1, 1833, they with their nine children started from North Carolina, intending to make a home for the family in the West. The names of the children were as follows: Amos, Lee, William, David S., Elizabeth, who married Robert Hope; Zelpha, who married William Frame, and one daughter who died in infancy. The father of these children was suddenly taken sick and died on the summit of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The family was prostrated by this dire misfortune, but they could not turn back and the body of David S. Clotfelter was buried where he died, and the grief-stricken family resumed the journey. They first stopped at Cape Girardeau, Mo., where they remained until the fall of 1833, and then came on to Montgomery county, Ill. the maternal grandparents of Mrs.. Cress were Jacob and Peggy Bost. They were natives of North Carolina, and early settlers of Montgomery County, where both died. Their children were as follows: Jacob, Henry, Martin, John, Dorcas, Susan, Polly and Kitty, or Catherine. In politics, Henry A. Cress is a Democrat, and he has been a school director for many years and has served as road commissioner for three years. Every since the Montgomery county Farmers Mutual Insurance Company was organized about twenty-five years ago, Mr. Cress ahs been a director and was first treasurer of the company. He is secretary and treasurer of the Cress Hiss Cemetery Association, and a director of the Montgomery county Farmers Institute and a member of the first board of education of non-high school districts in Montgomery County.