USA > Illinois > Brown County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 25
USA > Illinois > Cass County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 25
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Biographical review of Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, Illinois: Containing biographical sketches of pioneers and leading citizens > Part 25
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The subject of this sketch was reared to hard labor, and had but few educational advantages. Before he was eleven years old, he worked in the Sligo Pig Iron Works, in Clarion county, Pennsylvania. When eigh- teen years of age, he commenced life for him- self, and what little education he possesses has been gleaned by the dusty, toilsome way- side of life. Fortunately his parents dowered him with an unclouded intelligence and a robust constitution, and inculcated in him a love of truth and integrity, and trained lıini to liabits of industry and economy.
He was married in his twenty-first year, to Lucinda Hovis, of Venango county, Pennsyl- vania, August 3, 1854, and continued to live in the Keystone State until the fall of 1868, when they removed to Brown county, Illi- nois. They made the journey overland with
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a team, bringing six children with them. They were four weeks en ronte, and, the weather being propitions, their journey was a continual pleasure trip and picnic. They camped in their tent and covered wagon at night, and cooked their meals by the way. Arriving in Brown county, Illinois, they located on forty acres of their present farm for which they paid $650. There were no buildings on the place at the time, and only fifteen acres of it were cleared. They had brought but little means with them, and went in debt $450, since when they have purchased forty more acres, are out of debt, and have most of the farm well improved.
Prior to coming to Illinois, in September, 1862, Mr. Gifford went as a volunteer in Company E, Sixteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, from Franklin, Pennsylvania. He was on duty all of the time from his enlistment un- til his discharge at Lynchburg, Virginia, June 17, 1865, except when he was sick in the hospital with typhoid pneumonia, from June 4 to August 16, 1863. He was in some forty-six engagements, some of which were hotly contested. Among these was the bat- tle of Hatcher's Rnn, which he thinks was worse than that of the " Bull Peu." His last year of service was spent under the command of General Phil. Sheridan.
Mr. and Mrs. Gifford have had ten chil- dren, nine of whom survive: Sarah, married George Green, and died, aged twenty-five years, leaving two sons; Ernest, a prosperons fariner of Elkhorn township, married Alice Lewis, and has two children; Maggie married Morgan Grady, a successful farmer of Pike county, Illinois; Laura married Frank Sellers, a well-to-do farmer of Iowa, and has one daughter; Ida married George B. Alexander, and has two children; Julia married John Orr, a progressive farmer of Cooperstown
township; Hattie married William Tolle, an estimable laboring man of Versailles town- ship, and has one son; Mattie and Mollie, twin sisters, are intelligent and active young ladies, who relieve their mother of much of the household work; Joseph W., the youngest, a youth of sixteen, is at home, and does much of the hard labor on the farm. Mr. Gifford, who has toiled hard for many years, is taking a needed rest whenever he can do so.
In politics Mr. Gifford is Democratic, and has been honored by liis constituents several times with public office. Besides minor positions of trust, he lias served two terms as Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected for the third term, but declined to qualify, think- ing he had done his share of such service.
Religiously he and his worthy wife are earnest and useful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which they have belonged many years.
Mr. Gifford's history would serve as an example for many poor, young men, starting in life. A careful analysis of his prosperity would be found to consist in intelligent and persistent effort, supplemented by upright- ness of dealing, careful economy and uniform courtesy in all the various walks of life.
ILLIAM G. MOHLMANN, pro- prietor of the furniture and under- taking establishment at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets, was born in the city of Beardstown, July 10, 1866. His father, William, was born in Prussia and was the son of Henry, who was also a Prussian. He grew up there and learned the trade of cabinet maker. He married a Prussian lady of good family, and after most of their chil- dren were born, and when their sou William
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was thirteen years old, in 1849, came to the United States. He finally settled in Beards- town and established a business, which was managed by Henry Mohlinann until his death in 1881, at the age of seventy-eight years. It was afterward carried on by Will- iam Mohlinann until his death in 1891. He was a good business man, a public-spirited citizen and one that did much for the city. His wife, as well as mother, is still living, the latter being about eighty years of age. The mother of William G. was named Lydia Lohmann, a Prussian. She was yet young when she came with her parents to the United States, and her mother is still living, smart, bright and active. The whole family were identified with the Lutheran Church.
William G. Mohlmann is the second of seven children. He grew up and obtained a practical education, and learned his business by growing up in it. He afterward took a course in the College of Embalming in Chi- cago. The business was established by the grandfather, Henry, in 1858. Until 1876 most of the goods were manufactured by the firm. At that time William F. became sole proprietor, and in 1891 William G. became half owner, and after the death of his father the sole proprietor. The convenient building now in use was recently built by the present owner. It was completed in July, 1891. Mr. Mohlmann ocenpies a double store, basement and first and second floors, 50 x 80 feet, all stocked with goods.
He was married in Virginia, February 18, 1892, to Miss Rose Leggett of North Caro- lina. Mr. and Mrs. Mohlmann are young so- ciety people of Beardstown. Mr. Mohlmann is a member of the blue lodge and chapter, A. F. & A. M. of Beardstown and Rushville, and Commandery No. 56, and Senior Deacon in
blne lodge and Royal Arch Captain in chapter. He is no office-seeker, but is a Democrat in politics. He is yet a young man, but full of business and is bound to succeed.
ILLIAM HACKMAN, a practical German farmer and stock raiser of section 30, township 17, range 11, is the owner of a good farm where he lives. He was born in Hanover, ncar the city of Osnabrück, in 1820, September 13th. He was the third son born to John E. and Ma- ria (Struve) Hackman, natives of Hanover, who came of pure German blood. After his marriage he settled down in his native land as a fariner, on a small scale, and herc all the children were born, but later in life Mr. Hackman sold out all his interests in liis native land and set sail from Bremen for the United States, with his wife and family. Af- ter a voyage of seven weeks and two days, they landed at Castle Garden, coming on at once to Illinois via Albany, New York, Buf- falo, across Lake Erie, landing at Cleveland, across the canal, dowu the Ohio to Cairo, up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, and thence np the Illinois river to Beardstown, in June, 1835. The father purchased 120 acres in township 12, range 11, but before they were settled he sickened and died. He had procured the deed, so his family had the farm. He was only fifty-eight years of age and had been in the country but a few, months. The widow mother moved on the farm with her children, and they began their life as farmers in a new conntry. Some years later she went to live with her only daughter, Mary Bushman, of Beardstown, where she died when seventy-two years of age. She
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lived to see her children all well married and settled in life. Mrs. Hackman joined the Methodist Church in this county and died in that faith. Her husband was a Lutheran.
William and a brother Fred are the only surviving children, the latter also being a farmer at Arenzville. William grew to man- hood in this county. He is now the owner of two fine farms of 320 acres in all, both having a complete set of farm buildings on them, built by Mr. Hackman. The land is in a fine condition and yields good crops.
He was married in this county to Eliza- beth Meyer, born in Germany, in 1828. She was a sınall child when brought to America by her parents. They made their first settle- ment on the farin now owned by Mr. Hack- inan. It was on this farm that Mr. and Mrs. Meyer botlı lived, and died when they were thirty years old. They were Lutherans in religion. Mrs. Hackman is one of seven children, of whom she and a sister, Mrs. Fred Hackman, of this county, and a brother, Henry, a retired farmer of Oregon, are the only surviving members. The next ycar, July, 1835, after they came to America, Mr. and Mrs. Meyer died, and Mrs. Hackman was reared by a Mrs. Freeman Skinner. She lias been a true, good wife to a devoted hus- band for the past forty-five years.
Mr. and Mrs. Hackman are the parents of six children: one, Matilda, died when young; one, William E., died when twenty-two; and Loulisa, after her marriage to George Keoneke, to whom she bore five children. The living children are, Louis; Lucinda, wife of Theo. Heierman, a farmer in Morgan county, Illinois; and they have one child.
Mr. and Mrs. Hackman are regarded as be- ing among the good, kind and hospitable old settlers of the county. They are upright, Christian people, being members of the Email-
uel Methodist Episcopal Church, two miles from Arenzville. Mr. Hackman and son are sound Democrats in politics.
Mr. Louis Hackman is now the manager of his father's old homestead, and he is con- ducting it in a way that reflects great credit on him. He is a hard-working man, and thoroughly understands his business, as the fine condition of his fields testify. He was married to Amelia Kors of this county, and they are the parents of three as bright little ones as any one need care to see. Mr. Louis Hackman has been County Commissioner for the past nine years.
The whole family are just the kind of peo- ple that make Cass county so prosperous, and if there were more like this worthy German and his son, the prosperity of the State would be greatly increased. .
UDGE JOHN A. ARENZ, now retired from active life and living at his plcas- ant home on the corner of Sixth and State Strects, was born on the river Rhine, near Cologne, in 1810, October 28. He is the only member of the family that came to this country now living, His parents lived near Cologne, Germany, and the father, Francis, died there when past ninety years of age; he was a prominent and successful man and was an officer in the army of his country, and received a pension for some years before his death. His wife lived to be an old lady over seventy-five years old.
Mr. Arenz came to this country in 1835, on a sailing vessel frem Bremen. He landed in Baltimore city and another brother fol- lowed Mr. Arenz to this country, and he
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died in this State some twelve years ago, leaving a family. Mr. Arenz had been care- fully educated in civil engineering and other branches; was one of the corps of men that ineasured the State of Prussia. He was the principal of a public school, and was given a license to practice as an attorney at law. He was admitted to the bar about the time lie was elected County Judge. Mr. Arenz had followed his brother Francis to this country, he having come some time before, being the first member of the family that left the old world for the new. Our subject came to this county in 1835, and the State was still un- settled in great part. His brother's was the only frame house for miles around and wild game of every kind abounded. There were no railroads and but few wagon roads. The people were kind and good hearted, Mr. Arenz had come to the State from Baltimore, crossing the mountains to Wheel- ing, West Virginia, coming down the Ohio river to St. Louis on a boat, It took fourteen days to make the trip, the boat often sticking on1 sand bars, After landing in St. Louis he came to Cass county, and after some time he and his brother Francis laid ont the town of Arenzville in the southern part of Cass county. There they established a saw mill, gristmill and general store, and ran it for some time successfully. Later Francis died and Mr. Arenz came to Beardstown and has since made it his home. Francis died in Jacksonville, in 1856, in the prime of life, and was considered one of the foremost men of the State. He was one of the State Board of Agriculture and was a Director of the same. He also organized the local board of Cass county, which has continued ever since. The State Board passed commendable resolu- tions on the death of Mr. Fraucis Arenz, for his earnest, hard work.
Mr. John Arenz became prominent as soon as he came to the county and was soon elected Justice of the Peace, and has held other local offices. He was elected to the office of Probate Judge, being the second elccted in the county. He held the office for many years. He was elected first Mayor of Beardstown, in 1850, and has filled the office twice, subsequently. He lias been city Alderman and Treasurer, and served for many years. He has been an admirer of the principles of his party, Republican. He was a Whig until the' dissolution of that party and he then ardently espoused the cause of the new party from the time of its organization, He has always been regarded as a representative man.
He was married, in Beardstown, to Mary Miller, of Kentucky, and slie died at her home in this city in 1886. aged seventy years. She was the daughter of Captain William Miller, of Kentucky, a soldier in the Black Hawk war, having served as Captain of a com- pany from Jacksonville, Illionis, where he was a pioneer, but later he came to Beardstown, where he died at an advanced age. He was a prominent man. Judge Arenz and wife had three children; Francis W. died when young; Maria L., wife of Philip Kuhl, a merchant of this city, who have two children; and Anna, wife of Omer S. Spring, of Peoria, Illinois, a wholesale grocer and confectioner; they have one daughter, Mary L.
HARLES J. NORBURY, one of the old and best known men of Cass county, was born in Philadelphia, May 22, 1812. His father, Joseph B., was a native of Northumberland, Pennsylvania, grew up and obtained his education in Phila-
17
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delphiia, became an attorney, and was so en- gaged until his death at sixty years of age. He was a well known citizen of that city. His mother, Rebecca Frick, was born in Northumberland county, coming of German parents, and died a consistent member of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Mr. Norbury, after obtaining his early edu- cation, became a clerk in a wholesale house in Philadelphia. In the spring of 1836 he came to Beardstown via Pittsburg, the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers. He lias since been a resident of this place. He first began as a clerk for William Bassett, who was a dealer in flour and dry goods and agent for the steamboats on the rivers. After this Mr. Norbury was associated with several gentle- men, and later entered into business relations · with George Plahn, which continued until 1884, when Mr. Norbury retired from active business. In these years he had become one of the best known inen of the county, re- spected for his honesty and as one who was a friend in need. He never accumulated a large fortune, but possesses a modest com- petence.
He was married in Beardstown, in 1839, to Elizabeth Spence of Tennessee, born October 16, 1822. She was the danghter of Rev, Thomas Spence, a prominent Methodist min- ister of Tennessee, who came to Illinois in the early thirties, having been a pioneer minister in the early history of the State. Mr. and Mrs. Norbury are working members of the Congregational Church. He is not an office seeker, but has always been a Whig and a Republican, voting first for William H. Harrison and last for his grandson. Having always lived a temperate life, notwithstand- ing his age, he has a clear eye and sound faculties. He and his wife are the parents of thirteen children, nine of whom are living.
Those living are: Rebecca, widow of D. H. Flickwin and living in Beardstown; Jennie, now wife of Judge S. P. Dale, Canon City, Colorado; William reinains at home; Paralee, the wife of O. K. Ruechler, lives in Jackson- ville, Illinois; Arthur also lives at Jackson- ville; Elizabeth resides in Denver; Anna, wife of William D. Epler, resides in Beards- town; Frank is a physician in charge of the male annex of the insane asylum at Jackson- ville; Mamie is the wife of G. B. Hegardt, assistant United States Engineer at Fort Stepliens, Oregon. He built the Government jetties at the month of the Columbia river.
OHN L. BENNETT, born in McDon- ough county, Illinois, Decein ber 13, 1832, is the son of Isaac Bennett, born in North Carolina, May 22, 1808. He married in White county, Tennessee, Mary Lynch, April 8, 1834. She was the daughter of Charles and Mary Lynch. The latter was born August 7, 1814. Her parents, who were farmers, rearcd eight children, the father dying in Tennessee, at the age of forty-five, her mother in Hancock county, Illinois, aged eighty-four years. Grandfather Bennett died in Ken- tucky in 1831, aud his wife in Hancock county at the age of eighty years. She came to Illinois in 1834, her son, Isaac, coming with her. They first settled in McDonough county, coming from Tennessee in ox carts, taking about eight weeks to the trip. They were in humble circumstances, and lived in McDonough county for two years, and then went from there to Hancock county, where they took up a claim of 160 acres of wild land with no improvements. They built a rude log cabin, in which they lived and reared most of the children. He made a good farm
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of this, for which he paid and took a deed in 1838. They had eleven children: John L., the second, is a farmer and stock grower of Hiar township, McDonough county; Mary Jane was the wife of Philo McPeigh, who died and left two children; Norelan is a large farmer of Hancock county, and has three children; Barbary Ann was the wife of George Bradly, and died, leaving four children; Rnfns, a farmer of Hancock county, Illinois; Lorinda, killed by a kick from a horse at the age of eleven; Zilpha died at fourteen ; Jere- miah, a wealthy ranchiman and stock-grower of Texas; Lucinda, wife of William Duncan, died leaving five children; Phoebe is married and resides in St. Louis, and has two children.
John L. Bennett had very limited oppor- tunities for obtaining an education: could barely read when a young man. He had to begin hard work when but a child, plowing corn when only eleven years old. He has worked very hard all his life until very re- cently. He was and is still a very rugged and strong man, and could endure anything and everything, even the ague which shook him while a lad.
He was married at twenty-one and soon left home. His wife was Elizabeth Carder, born in Indiana, where she was reared, daughter of Cooper B. Carder, of South Caro- lina, who came to Illinois in 1839. Her mother was a Miss Dudney, of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Carder came to Illinois in 1839, where the latter died in 1853, leaving Elizabeth to care for the home. Mrs. Ben- nett's father, nearly eighty years of age, is living with her on the farm, of 180 acres.
Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have had a hard struggle to get this farm. They worked rented lands for some years and then bought their first land in 1864, fifty-five acres of timber for $700, paying one-half down. This
was in Hancock county, and they sold this and bought where they now are. They have owned as much as 230 acres since. Mr. Ben- nett has done general farming all these years, and for the past few years has owned stock horses. He stands three fine stallions, two of them full blood, imported Clydesdale. He keeps from fifteen to twenty head of horses, some cattle and many logs. Turns off as high as forty horses.
They have had twelve children, have bnried two daughters and three sons; four died in infancy and early childhood. Eliza Ann, the first born, married Samuel Reeves, and died at thirty years of age. Those living are: Mary M., wife of William Neff, farmer in Hancock county, with two children; Charles Edward married Allie Buck, a farmer; John M. married Nancy White, resides with liis parents and is running the home farm; Henry is single and has a tonsorial establishment in Chicago; Edgar is married to a Miss Swanson and resides in Chicago; Otto, in Hancock county; Homer, still a child, is at home. Mr. Bennett is a straight Democrat. He and his wife are highly respected by all who know them.
CHRISTIAN DUPES, of the firm of Dupes & Blohm, dealers in general merchandise and farm implements, was born in Monroe precinct, Cass county, where he has always lived. He was reared and edu- cated in his native county as a farmer. He is the son of David Dupes, a native of Penn- sylvania, who came to Illinois when a young man early in the forties. He was married, in 1844, in Schuyler county, to Katie Neat- hamer, a native of Pennsylvania, who was reared in her native State. She came when young to Schuyler county, Illinois, and was
.
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married to Mr. Dupes at the early age of fourteen. After their marriage Mr. Dupes began their married life on a farm, but in 1845 he moved to Cass county, and they set- tled in Monroe precinct, where he afterward owned 300 acres in this county and 160 in Ottawa county, Kansas. He continued to live in Monroe precinct until his death, on section 26, township 18, range 11, in 1888. He was then seventy-three years of age, and had been a successful farmer, a good citizen and a stanch Democrat. His wife still survives him, living at the old homestead, at the age of sixty-two years. She is the mother of six sons and three daughters still living, and two sons deceased.
Christian is the eldest child, and lias never married. He was engaged as a farmer for many years, and was very successful, owning some very valuable property in the village of Bluff Springs. His present business was established in October, 1888, under the pres- ent firm name, but recently Mr. Dupes sold the store to A. W. Blohm, but retains the realty. After the first year they increased their capital and capacity to double its origi- nal size, and are now doing a large and hicra- tive business.
He is independent in politics, and is an ambitious young man, still in the prime of life, being only a little over forty years of age. He is a good citizen and a reliable business man. He is the Assistant Post- master of the place, L. A. Jones being the Postmaster.
LAVIUS C. PRICE, one of the oldest of the native born settlers of Mount Sterling, was born December 12, 1838. His father, William D. Price, was born in Kentucky, near Leesburg, July 17, 1817.
Grandfather of subject, William D. Price, was born in Virginia, and removed from there to Kentucky, being one of the pioneers of that state. He spent his last years at Lexington. He served in the war of 1812, and was taken prisoner by the Britislı.
Father of subject was reared in Kentucky, and came from there to Illinois about 1833, and located in that part of Schuyler county now included in Brown county. He entered a tract of Government land on section 2," built a log house, and at once commenced to improve a farm. He was a resident there till his death, which occurred in 1848. The maiden name of mother of our subject was Eliza A. Taylor. She was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, October 17, 1817, daugh- er of John and Elizabeth Taylor. Her par- ents came from Kentucky to Morgan county in 1832, and thence to Brown county in 1834. Mother of subject died February 1, 1871.
Subject was reared and educated in his native township. When his parents settled here, and for years afterward, the country was but little improved, and deer, turkeys, wolves and other game aboundcd. He at- tended the pioneer schools. These were taught in a log house, the seats made of slabs, one side liewn smooth, and wooden pins for legs. There were no desks, but holes bored in the wall, pins inserted, and a plank laid on them served as a desk for the larger pupils.
He continued to reside with his inother on the farm till 1862, when, August 8, he en- listed in Company D, One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was organized at Quincy, in Octo- ber, and was one of the most active regi- ments in the army. He was with the regi- ment in all its various marches, campaigns
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and battles. The most important battles were the siege and capture of Fort de RuIs- sey, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Nashville, Tennessec, and Forts Spanish and Blakely. He was discharged with the regiment and returned liome, and resuined farming till 1882, on the lot where he now resides in section 1, Mount Sterling.
He was inarried May 10, 1861, to Narcis- sa Wilson. She was born in Brown county, Illinois, daughter of James L. Wilson. She died August 9, 1886. He was again mar- ried on October 23, 1887, to Miss Nancy Sullivan; she was born in Scotland county, Missouri. He has one child living by first marriage, Julia E., and by second marriage, one daughter, Calista. Julia E. married Wm. Jones, of Scott county, and has one daughter, Ethel.
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