USA > Illinois > Biographical and memorial edition of the Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 90
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After completing a public school course at Hamilton, George L. Rhodes entered upon a business career as a stock dealer, but later went into a mercantile house. Still later he removed to Hartford, Conn., having in the meantime married. Mr. Rhodes opened a railroad station for the Kansas Pacific Railroad, and rendered that company such valuable service that he was placed at Cleveland, Ohio, by the Union Pacific Railroad to represent the interests of that cor- poration. Still later, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad secured his services, and he remained with the latter road until he associ- ated himself with the Seaboard Air Line. When he severed his connections with the latter, he
retired from active participation in business life.
On August 13, 1868. Mr. Rhodes was married in the city of Hartford, Conn., to Anna E. Sampsel, a daughter of Simon and Ann Mary Sampsel. The father was born at Wheeling. in what later became West Virginia, but was reared at Uniontown, Pa., where he was mar- ried. The maternal grandfather was a Revo- lutionary soldier, and the name of Hugh A. Gorley is enrolled as one of the brave men of his period. Owing to this connection, Mrs. Rhodes is eligible to membership in the Dangh- ters of the Revolution. She is a Methodist in religious faith, and her husband early connected himself with that denomination. Socially, Mr. Rhodes belonged to the Union League Club, and he was a Knight Templar Mason. Throughout his business career it was his ob- ject to render a faithful, intelligent service to all concerned, and he was recognized as ex- pert in his line. His greatest pleasure was found, however, in his home circle, and it is there that he received appreciation and encour- agement which were of great assistance to him.
WILLIAM MOORE.
Many of the older generation who have at- tained to more than ordinary success are the men whose early life was spent on a farm, where among healthful surroundings they learned lessons of sobriety. industry and econ omy. Such characteristics properly developed, result in a successful career, nine times out of ten. There is no royal road to fortune in these days of strenuous competition. Each man must earn his right to what he obtains, and in the end no methods that are not honorable and wise, prevail. One of those who has proved the truth of such statements not only in his own career but in the influence he has had upon Vermilion County, is William Moore of Hoopes- ton, for many years an agriculturist, but now president of the Western Canners Association. to which he was elected in 1914, and vice presi- dent of the National Canners Association. He was born at West Bedford. Coshocton County. Ohio, November 30, 1×41, a son of Silas and Mary Moore, the former having been a farmer and man of means at Spring Mountain, Ohio.
Having attended the public schools of his native county, while assisting his father with the farm work, William Moore entered the Spring Mountain Seminary, where he took a
preparatory course, intending to later study law. The breaking out of the Civil war, however, changed his plans, and he enlisted April 23, 1861, in Company D. Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. Being discharged the following August with the rank of orderly sergeant, he remained at home recruiting a new company, and then on October 3, 1861, was commissioned by Gov- ernor Denison a first lieutenant, with authority to raise a company. Going among the students of Spring Mountain Seminary. he organized Company I. Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Colonel Stanley Mat- thews. The regiment fought at Philippi, Perry- ville. Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission ary Ridge and Ringgold, and after this service, in January, 1863, he was made a captain. The command suffered severely at Chickamauga, and Captain Moore as ranking line officer took com- mand, and with but a remnant of men. cat through the enemy's line and reached Chatta- booga the following day. This remarkable mili- tary feat proved his bravery and efficiency, and he was chosen upon two different occasions for special service. executing his commissions with signal ability. After three years given by him
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in defense of the Union, in April, 1804, he re- tired from service.
For the succeeding several years, Captain Moore devoted himself to agricultural work, but in 1871 he moved to Hoopeston, Ill., although from March, 1865, he had been a resident of Ver- milion County, where he lived on a farm of 320 acres in Grant Township. A year later he was elected a justice of the peace, and hekl that office for eight years, and was collector of his township in 1867, 1868 and 1869, and from 1866 to 1872 was school treasurer. During the time he was connected officially with the Hoopeston public schools, he gave educational matters much time and thought, and during that period the first imposing school building was erected at a cost of $25,000. He bas also served as a member of the Hoopeston Library Society, and never fails to give every public measure of which he ap- proves, his hearty aud capable support.
Believing fully in the future of Hoopeston, he invested in its realty, and laid out the Moore and Brown addition from fifty acres of land, and has since continued to deal in real estate, under the caption of Moore & Brown, and later under that of Moore, McFerren & Seavey. The firm did not confine its operations to Hoopeston, or even Illinois, but reached out into Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee and other southern states. It is perhaps, however, in connection with the canning industry of Hoopeston that Mr. Moore is best known. Hle organized the Illinois Can- ning Company, and was later made its general manager. Ile also organized and executed the plans for forming the Union Tin Can Company of which he was a stockholder and director, and later president, holding that position when this company was merged with the American Can Company. Organized in 1892 with a capital of $40,000, the value of its stock so increased that when the merger was effected in 1900, it returned to its owners $1,000,000. Not a local man in any sense of the word, Mr. Moore, while deeply interested in home institutions, found his activities spreading and was connected with in- dustrial and manufacturing lines in different states. He became associated with Mr. McFer-
ren at Memphis, Tenn., as proprietors of the Moore & McFerren Box & Lumber Company, and a double band saw mill, box factory and planing mills at Memphis, and saw mills at Luxora, Ark .; one on Pittman's Island; one at Woodstock, Miss., and others at different points, all of which have a large capacity. It was through the efforts of Mr. Moore that two rail- roads were induced to enter Hoopeston, and was a member of the committee for obtaining a right of way for the Lake Erie & Western Rail- road through Vermilion County. IIe is also a director of the II. O. Company of Buffalo, N. Y. ; of the Federal Life Insurance Company of Chi- cago; and of the Gibson Canning Company of Gibson City, Ill.
On February 26, 1865, Mr. Moore was mar- ried (first) at Coshocton, Ohio, to Louisa J. Miller, a daughter of Robert and Susanna Miller, On March 2, 1892, he was married at Chicago to Ama Hamilton, a daughter of Ephraim and Celia D. Hamilton. the former a prominent mer- chant of Ash Grove, Ill .. during its early days. A son, Isaac Miller Hamilton, is now president of the Federal Life Insurance Company of Chi- caro. Mr. Moore has the following children : Winfield S., who married Jennie Jones and is living at Hoopeston, Ill. ; Claude H., who mar- ried Hattie Marsh and resides at Memphis, Tenn. ; and Cora M., who is the wife of Dr. E. E. Haines of Memphis. The Moore residence is one of the most imposing at Hoopeston. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are Methodists. A Knight Templar Mason. Mr. Moore served as the first high priest of Hoopeston Chapter, R. A. M., in 1877. He has been president of the Commercial Club of Hoopeston, and as such did much to develop the place in every respect. A Repub- lican. Mr. Moore has hell some of the municipal oflives, and the result of his sound judgment and excellent ideas is still shown in their con- duet. A man of immense affairs, he never loses his love for Hoopeston or his pride in its ad- vancement, and is rightly recognized as one of the dominating factors in its growth and ad- vancement.
JOHN MOSSER.
Circumstances may in a measure develop a man, but unless there is an underlying stability of character, combined with native ability and a determination to make the most of whatever opportunities life affords, all the circumstances
in the world, no matter how advantageous, will not produce a man of whom his associates may be proud. In many instances circumstances crush out ambition, render ineffective what might otherwise be well-sustained effort, and
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John . Messer
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put a blight upon a man's entire nature. The richest men in the world are recognizing this, and placing their sous so that they are forced to depend upon themselves, to rise without the assistance of desirable circumstances. The self-made man is after all the one to be most praised, and more often than not, is the one who reaches his goal. The constant stimulus of necessary effort goads him onward and up- ward, and as he learns one lesson thoroughly, he realizes his own strength and hopefully turns another leaf in the book of life. Such a man was the late John Mosser of Abingdon, a man loved for his many virtues, and respected and honored for his accomplishments.
John Mosser was born in Preston County. W. Va., January 1, 1832, a son of John and Susan (Frankhauser) Mosser, natives of Mary- land and Virginia. A farmer, the father left Maryland for West Virginia and there his use- ful life ended when he was eighty-eight years old. His homestead was a farm he had bought and developed from its original wild state into a very valuable property that is still owned by members of the family. During the War of 1812, the father served his country. In politics he was a Democrat. The Mosser family is one of the old ones in Maryland.
After a childhood on the farm, John Mosser attended select schools a few months each year. The school houses of that day were primitive affairs, usually built of logs, in which the pupils sat on slab benches, their feet resting on punch- con floors. When not attending school, he as- sisted his father with the farm work, from babyhood being taught habits of industry and thrift. Thus alternating attendance at school with farm work, he reached his majority and left home for Illinois, arriving in this state in 1855. Knowing farming better than anything else, he worked at it for a time, and then in 1859 started overland to Pike's Peak, but only went as far as Kansas, when he turned back to Illinois, realizing that steady work along safe lines was better than prospecting for what might only prove something that did not exist. He and his brother, Jacob W., formed a part- nership at Industry, Ill., and there they con- ducted a blacksmith shop. doing well until 1864, when removal was made to Abingdon, Ill. With the small capital he had saved. Mr. Mosser bought a stock of goods embraced in the general store owned by Swarts & Quimby, and from that day until his demise, was connected with the commercial interests of Abingdon. Later. to accommodate his business, he erected a two-
story brick building, and occupied both floors. Although his business prospered, he withdrew from it in 1895 to help to found the private bank of John Mosser & Co. This private institution so grew that on March 11, 1902, it was organ- izel as the First State and Savings Bank of Abingdon, of which he was made president, and he continued to hold that office until death claimed him. Under his administration, this bank became one of the leading financial insti- tutions of this part of the state.
In 1860, Mr. Mosser married Mary Carroll, a daughter of William and Sarah (Conoway) Carroll. natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland. Mr. Carroll and his wife were married in Penn- sylvania, from whence they moved to MeDonough County, Ill., where they died. He was a farmer all his life. The first Mrs. Mosser died October 21, 1866. In November, 1867, Mr. Mosser mar- ried Sarah J. Carroll, born in Pennsylvania in 1849, a sister of the first Mrs. Mosser, who was only nine years old when the family migrated westward. By the first marriage of Mr. Mosser there were two children, namely : Samuel T. of Chicago, who married Kate Newell : and Ida L., who married John Reed, both of Quincy, Ill. By his second marriage, Mr. Mosser had the fo- lowing three children : Corliss G., now de- ceased, who married Elizabeth Snedaker ; Stacy C., who is of Chicago; and Lloyd L., who is of Abingdon. Mr. Mosser belonged to the Odd Fellows and Ancient Order of United Work- men. In political faith he was a Prohibitionist, and lived up to his ideas with regard to tem- perance. For eighteen years he served as a school director of the Abingdon School District. and accomplished much with regard to educa- tional advancement. During 1871-2 he served Abingdon as city treasurer : was supervisor of Cedar Township, and from 1879 to 1SS1, and from 1SS-01. was mayor of Abingdon.
The last act of Mr. Mosser was a generous one, for he offered to build a public library for the people of Abingdon if they procure the land. This building is in process of erection, and will be in the nature of a memorial to him and his son. Corliss G., who died about twelve years ago. Mr. Mosser died October 9, 1914. and his loss is deeply folt. Without doubt .he was the leading business man of the place. while as a citizen he took a foremost part in advance- ing the standing of his community, and giving a strong and enthusiastic support to all move- ments having for their object the moral uplift of the people.
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MANNING SMITH.
Not only is Dwight, Ill., a center for Liv- ingston County, but for Grundy County as well, and to it is attracted much business so that the merchants located there find it profitable to cater to the needs of a large territory. This activity in business has been created and stimu- lated by the merchants who from time to time have centered their interest and effort at this point. Through their keen sense of values and connections they have been able to place before their customers the necessities and luxuries of life at prices within the means of all, and to afford a service that was agreeable and grati- fying. One of the men who for years was closely identified with the growth and develop- ment of the mercantile interests of Dwight was the late Manning Smith, part owner of the Gem Store of that city.
Mr. Smith was born at Ipswich. Mass., July 13, 1836, son of Asa Smith, who was a native of Massachusetts. The Smith family of which Manning Smith was a descendant, was founded in the town of Ipswich, in 1669. This town was established by Gov. Winthrop thirteen years after the landing of the Pilgrim fathers. After his arrival at Ipswich, the emigrant Smith acquired property that has continued in the Smith family ever since, and developed into a man of consequence in the little colony.
When Manning Smith was a child, his family moved to Boston, Mass .. and there he was edu- cated. He began his business life as a clerk in the store owned by II. Eldridge at Dwight, hav- ing come to this Illinois town in 1858. When his country had need of his services, Mr. Smith enlisted for service during the Civil War in the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out as a corporal at the close of hostilities. Ile par- ticipated in every battle and nearly every skirmish in which his regiment was engaged.^
and made a record for himself, as he never was on the sick list. Returning to Dwight at the close of his military experience, he embarked in business with David MeWilliams, they be- coming proprietors of the Gem Store, and he was so engaged at the time of his death in 1907. During his long career as a merchant he dis- played signal business ability, and was recog- uized as a man of importance in his line.
In 1 71 Mr. Smith was married at Dwight, Ill., to Miss Katherine Baker, a daughter of Nathan and Margaret Baker. Mr. Baker was born in Pennsylvania and Mrs. Baker in Ger- many. A religious man, Mr. Smith early united with the Congregational church. Fraternally he was a Mason. For years he took great com- fort in his connection with the local post of the G. A. R. Mr. Smith was loved and respected by his employes, and by all who came into contact with him. as he possessed those charac- teristics which make for the highest type of manhood. Modest to a marked degree, he per- formed each duty according to his light. Stu- dious, he read considerably and his favorite quotation was Stevenson's prayer, which his intimates often heard him use. In fact, it was on his lips the night before his death, when he quoted feelingly : "The day returns and brings us petty rounds of irritating concerns and du- ties. Ilelp us to play the man and help us to perform them with laughter and kind faces. Let cheerfulness abound with industry. Give ns to go blithely on our business all this day. Bring us to our resting bods weary and con- tent, and grant us in the end the gift of sleep." This quotation embodies his plan of life, and the cheerfulness with which he carried the burdens and responsibilities inseparable from his business, proved an incentive to his asso- ciates and assisted them very materially in their work.
FRANKLIN FAIRMAN.
When a blameless life comes to an end, it is but natural that those associated with its ac- tion should feel sorrow at the termination of a career so useful and uplifting. Yet sometimes the full force of a man's influence cannot come into play until he is removed from the scenes of his operations. Until he is dead. his virtues are not appreciated, or his influence fully felt. The deeds he has executed then appear, and the stand he has taken on moral questions, results
in benefit to others. Happy indeed must a fam- ily be to possess a record of one of their loved ones like that left by the late Franklin Fairman against whom none can rightly breathe a word of censure. For years he was one of the force- ful figures in railroad circles centering at Chi- caro, and a most effective worker in the Na- tional Union. He was born at Newtown, Conn., June 22, 1833. a son of Charles and Eliza J. ( Morehouse) Fairman, natives of Newtown,
@ M Robertson
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Conn. The Fairman family was prominent at Newtown, and descended from pioneers of the place. Thomas Morehouse, the maternal an- cestor, located at Wethersfield, Conn., as early as 1640, Later, ho removed to Stamford, and was one of the original twenty-nine settlers of that town who purchased the site from the New Haven Colony, who had previously se- cured it from the Indians for 100 bushels of corn.
Franklin Fairman attended the public schools in Newtown, and an academy of the same place. For a short time thereafter he taught school, but when ouly sixteen years old, went into the employ of his uncle, a merchant. Going to New York City, he was employed in the printing office of the Independent. but in 1855 sought larger opportunities at Chicago, He entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad as clerk, coming to it two years after its establish- ment. In 1:57 he was placed in its general offices, and after a year of faithful service, was made assistant general freight agent, having entire charge of the accounts. From January. 1874, until November, 1900, he was chief freight clerk and auditor of the freight account re- ceipts. From the latter date until June. 1903. he was auditor, having been continuously in charge of the freight accounts from January, 1858, until November, 1900. So successful did he become, that he, being the eldest of ton chil- dren, so that his influence had weight, in- duced the others to move to Chicago. His re- ligions faith induced him, in his youth, to connect himself with the Congregational Church. but on coming to Chicago he became identified with Christ Reformed Episcopal Church and later with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Ken- wood. The Kenwood Club furnished him social diversion, and he was among its earliest mem-
bers. He was interested in the Art Institute and very fond of music. Although his success came from his own efforts, he assisted many young men to gain a foothold, and was inter- ested in their after-career. In politics he was a staunch Republican.
On November 30, 1871, Mr. Fairman married Mary J. Sherman of Newtown, Conn., daughter of Jotham and Mary Ann (Bostwick) Sher- man. They became the parents of three chil- dren, namely : Matilda Louise, Frank Sherman (died 1899), and Marian.
On account of his prominent connection with the National Union. it might be interesting to note the following record of his connection with this order. He was admitted February 24, 1584. to Lincoln Conneil, No. 68, and became its first president : was elected senator from Illinois in 1$$7 ; vice-president, June 24, 1887 ; trustee, June 21, 1S&S; re-elected trustee, June 21, 1889, and June 20, 1:00: speaker. June 19, 1891; vice- president. June 24, 1892; member of Committee on Appeals and Grievances, July 21, 1893 ; presi- dent and trustee, July 20. 1804; president and trustee. July 19, 1895; sitting ex-president, 1896 and 1597: life member of the senate and ex- president, 1897: trustee, July 23. 1904, and re- elected trustee at each succeeding session of the senate from 1906 until his death, December 26. 1915.
In 1858, under the auspices of Lincoln Council, he conceived the idea of and inaugurated the publie annual commemoration of Lincoln's birthday, and. although some difficulties had to be overcome in the beginning, the movement developed into a notable success, so that now the day is quite generally observed through- out the country and in Illinois has become a legal holiday.
CHARLES WILLIAM ROBERTSON.
Experiences teach that the man who has fol- lowed an agricultural life during the formative and active years of his life, makes a better citizen when he is able to retire from these labors, and devote himself to a consideration of civic affairs. His long hours alone, follow- ing the plow, or reaping the harvest his hands has planted and developed. teach bim many things not known to the man whose life has been spent in the busy marts. Hours of con- templation of nature and study of her lessons. fits the farmer for conservative, consecutive
action when he is called upon to discharge the duties of public office, or to assume command of industrial or commercial affairs. His suc- cess in an agricultural field, gives him stand- ing in a community where prosperity and ad- vancement hang upon the progress of the farmers. Abingdon is no exception to this rule, and its citizens feel that in the death of Charles William Robertson, who belongs to the class mentioned above. they lost one not easily spared.
Charles William Robertson was born near
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Abingdon, Ill., May 18, 1858, a son of Isom and Louesa ( Ritchey ) Robertson. The father was a farmer in Illinois from early youth, and developed into a large stockman, growing grain to feed his product. He early recognized the feasibility of keeping the best grade of stock, and was noted for the excellence of this stock, rather than for its fancy character. His farm was about five and one-half miles west of Abingdon, and when he retired, he located at Abingdon, where for the past twenty years he has been enjoying the fruits of his labors, al- though for several years past, he goes to Cali- fornia during the winter. Although ninety years old, he is a man in excellent health for his years. The mother passed away thirty- five years ago. They had eleven children of . whom Charles William was the eldest son.
Growing up amid agricultural surroundings, it was but natural that Charles William Robert- son should turn towards farming. He attended the common schools of his neighborhood until about eighteen years old, and then worked with his father until 1863. At that time he rented land from his father. and within eight years purchased other property four miles west of Abingdon, and this is still owned by his estate. The farm originally contained 175 acres, but he later added 124 acres to it. and on this he carried on general farming.
In 1883, Mr. Robertson married Addie Mur- phy, a daughter of Joseph Henry and Althea (Meadows) Murphy. Mr. Murphy was a farmer and minister of the gospel, preaching in the country surrounding Galesburg and Monmouth, In. He was a son of Joseph and Julia B. (Haley) Murphy who with their son came to Illinois about 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson had one son: Charles Merrill, who was born in 1894 and is living at home. Mr. Robertson was on the county board of super- visors, representing Berwick Township, and he was the only Republican ever elected to that office from Berwick Township. In the sum-
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