USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Biographical review of Hancock County, Illinois : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past > Part 15
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Edwin P. Rowe was educated in the public schools of his native place and afterward was employed for a number of years in a grocery store there. Later he had charge as manager of a dry goods Store in Dallas City, and in 1885 he re- moved to Carthage, where he has been head salesman of the Quinby Clothing
Store since that time, covering a period of more than twenty years.
On the 23d of April, 1876, Mr. Rowe was married to Miss Minnie P. Graff, who was born in Burlington. Iowa, in September, 1855, a daughter of Ferdi- nand and Louisa M. (Becker) Graff. Her father was born in Berlin, Germany, and at the age of twenty years emigrated to America, settling in Iowa but now lives in Hancock county, Ilinois, where he fol- low's farming. His wife, who was born in Berlin, came to the United States when only five years of age. Both were mem- bers of the Lutheran church. In the fam- ily were ten children, nine of whom still survive : John H .. a resident of Musca- tine, Iowa: Minnie P .. now the wife of Mr. Rowe; Clara M., the wife of C. R. Thull, of Dallas City: Eda, who died in infancy ; Emma, the wife of F. A. Scrip- fer. of Sigourney. Iowa; George F., who lives on the old home farm near Dallas City: John, a druggist, of Des Moines, Iowa : Bertha. the wife of H. Hagebeack, of Davenport, Iowa: Etta. the wife of Hershall Trenthart. of Niota. Hancock county ; and Flora, at home. These chil- dren were born of two marriages, for the mother of Mrs. Rowe died when the daughter was only six years of age, and for his second wife the father chose Miss Anna Mayer, there being six children born of the second marriage. Both he and his second wife are living, their home being in Pontoosuc township.
Mr. and Mrs. Rowe had four children. two born in Dallas City and two in Car- thage. namely : Walter E., who was born in February, 1877, and is at home; Wil- ford F., who was born in 1879, married
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Miss Lenore Kelley and lives in Chicago. Carthage but has sold them all. He where he is employed in the Live Stock owns, however, one or two vacant lots in the city. He is a man whose indefatigable enterprise and indomitable purpose have constituted the basis of his success and though he started out in life on his own responsibility at an early age he has through his energy, ambition and deter- mination accumulated the means whereby he has given his children good educa- tional advantages and provided them with many of the comforts of life. Mrs. Rowe presides with pleasing hospitality over their home and their friends in Carthage are numbered by the score. National Bank. He was in the Philippine war. enlisting in 1899 in the Thirtieth Regiment under Colonel Gardner. Ile was a member of the Thirtieth Regimental Band, was first corporal, was afterward promoted to the rank of sergeant and re- ceived an honorable discharge in 1901. Ile was in early youth employed in ser- eral stores in Carthage and afterward be- came messenger at the Drovers Bank in Chicago, while later he was employed in the money department of the Adams Ex- press Company in that city. Later he was promoted to bookkeeper at a salary of fifty-five dollars a month in the Live Stock Bank, of Chicago, and he has a fine record for a young man of his years, when viewed from both a military and business standpoint. Since entering the bank he GEORGE W. PAYNE. has won promotion and he is in a position where he handles millions of dollars a day. Mabel Grace, the third member of the family, was a graduate of the high school and became a fine piano and violin player as well as vocalist. She died in 1888. Irma Pauline died in 1900.
In his political views Mr. Kowe is an earnest democrat and fraternally is con- nected with the Modern Woodmen and with the Court of Honor, while his wife . belongs to the latter and also to the Order of the Eastern Star, in which she is a past matron. Both are faithful members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. Rowe was a member of the building committee at the time of the erection of the present house of worship. He built his present home at the corner of Marion and Davis streets and has erected several houses in
George W. Payne, an architect of Carthage, whose business extends into various other counties and states, is a son of Alfred F. and Elizabeth ( Wil- liams) Payne, and was born near St. Charles, Missouri, November 4. 1845. His father was a native of Fauquier county, Virginia, while the mother's birth occurred near St. Louis, Missouri. She was a daughter of Thomas Williams, a soldier of the war of 18t2. Alfred F. Payne was a civil engineer, who pursued his education in the college in St. Louis. He afterward turned his attention to harness-making, later followed the ocen pation of farming and subsequently en gaged in the lumber business, thus follow- ing various pursuits. He died in 1800 and his remains were interred in Bowen
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cemetery in Hancock county, while his wife, who survived him for a number of years, was laid to rest in Carthage cem- etery. In their family were ten children, of whom five are living.
George W. Payne was largely educated in the schools of Brown county, Illinois. When a young lad he ran away from home to go to the war but his army life was very brief, lasting for only a few weeks, at the end of which time his parents learned of his whereabouts and he was returned home, for he was too youthful for military service. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed from 1868 until 1887 in Hancock county. He became a resident of Carthage in 1870 and was actively identified with its building operations for seventeen years thereafter, since which time he has given his attention to his pres- ent profession-that of an architect. In this he is associated with his son. Edgar A .. and they are the only architects in the county. They have done some publishing and they send plans to almost every state in the union. Their office is on Main street and their business is now extensive and of an important character, their plans being equal to any sent out by the various architects in this part of the state. They have made plans for churches, opera houses, business blocks, residences and schools and have planned all of the churches in Carthage. In fact many of the fine structures of this city stand as monuments to their skill and ability in the line of their chosen profession.
Mr. Payne was married in 1871 to Miss Emma Carsey, of Hancock county. Illi- nois, who was born in Missouri. Her
father was a shoemaker and removed from Missouri to this city but is now re- siding in Texas. In his family were eight or nine children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Payne have been born two children. both of whom are natives of Carthage. The elder. Edgar A., married Miss Kittie Linn and is connected with his father in business. He pursued a course of study in Carthage College. The daughter, Bertha A., is now the wife of C. A. Garard, of Carthage, and has two chil- dren, Earl A. and Ruth A. The parents are devoted members of the Lutheran Evangelical church and reside on Wash- ington street, near Main, where Mr. Payne erected a fine residence. In his political views he is a democrat.
He stands high among all classes of men and is an energetic, progressive and upright citizen, who well merits the con- fidence and esteem which are uniformly extended to him. His residence in Carthage covers a period of thirty-six years and through his entire life he has been actuated by honorable principles and manly purposes.
LYMAN W. WATT.
Lyman W. Watt, an influential busi- ness man of the village of Elvaston, where he is engaged in the coal trade, was here born on the 12th of May, 1868. His father, Alexander Watt, was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born Feb- ruary 4. 1821, and in that city he resided
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until twenty-eight years of age, when he came to Illinois, settling first in Durham township. Hancock county, where he en- gaged in farming. Hle rented a farm there for some years, after which he went to Wythe township, where he owned and operated a farm of eighty acres, making his home thereon until 1863. That year witnessed his removal to Dallas and he filled a position as clerk in one of the stores at that place. In 1866 he came to Elvaston and with the capital he had ac- quired through his own labor, economy and careful management he established himself in a general mercantile business and was for years a prominent factor in commercial circles here. continuing in the store until 1900, when he sold out and retired to private life. He was also largely engaged in the coal trade and his son. Lyman, subsequently became his suc- cessor in this business. The father like- wise shipped and handled large quantities of grain and hay and his business inter- ests were extensive, making him one of the leading representatives of commercial life in Elvaston. He realized that "There is no excellence without labor" and his unfaltering diligence and determined pur- pose proved the basis of a very gratifying success. He married for his first wife Miss Sarah MeDonald, who died in 1863. His second wife bore the maiden name of Fannie C. Wilcox and was a native of Connecticut, born in the town of Had- dam. March 11. 1836. This marriage was celebrated November 20. 1866. Mrs. Watt is still living and resides with her son. Lyman W. Six children were born of the second marriage, two of whom are now living, the younger son being Her-
man, who resides in Burlington, lowa. and is connected with the Prudential In surance Company.
Alexander Watt was a member of the Masonic fraternity, who exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. Hle voted with the Republican party and as every true American citizen should do, felt a deep interest in political ques- tions and issues. He was supervisor of Prairie township for several terms and whether in office or out of it was thor- oughly trustworthy and commanded the esteem of all who knew him. His death occurred at his home in Elvaston on the 27th of July. 1901, when he had reached the age of eighty years, five months and twenty-three days. He was a prosperous and progressive man of his day and had the confidence of all who knew him. His circle of friends was extensive. a result that was attributable to his genial disposi- tion, kindly manner and deference to the opinions of others. He erected a home which is now occupied by his widow and son-a large and substantial frame dwell- ing-and was also the owner of several other buildings in the village.
Mrs. Alexander Watt was a daughter of Lyman and Emily ( Hubbard ) Wilcox. both of whom were natives of Middleses. Connecticut, whence they came to Illinois in 1839. when their daughter was but three years of age. They settled in Han- cock county, where Mr. Wiley followed farming on North prairie but after a short time he removed to Durban township. He was one of the committee appointed to name that township and gave to it the name of Durham. He purchased a farm there and carried on the work of cultiva-
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tion and improvement up to the time of his death, which occurred when he was about seventy-nine years of age, for he was born in 1795 and he passed away in 1874. He held membership in the Meth- odist church and his entire life was guided by honorable principles and lofty motives. He was one of the worthy. pioneer residents of the county, traveling westward in true pioneer style. The party consisted of sixteen people, all of whom located in Hancock county. They were six weeks upon the way from Connecticut to Illinois, making the journey in wagons. Mrs. Wilcox died in 1868. In the family were eight children, four of whom are now living, namely : Mrs. Emily Pershin and Mrs. Clara Spencer, both of Durham township; Wilbur, who is living in Peoria, Illinois : and Mrs. Watt, who makes her home with her son in Elvaston.
In the public schools of the village Ly- man W. Watt acquired his education and after putting aside his text-books entered his father's store in 1887. He was ad- mitted to a partnership under the firm name of A. Watt & Son and continued in the store until March, 1900, when they sold the business, having up to that time carried a large line of general merchan- dise and enjoyed an extensive patronage. .At that date the father retired from ac- tive business, while Lyman W. Watt con- centrated his energies upon the coal trade. with which he has since been connected. He has a large business in this line and is mimbered among the leading represen- tatives of trade interests in his native town.
In his political views Mr. Watt is an earnest republican but without aspiration
for office. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp, No. 3155, of Elvaston, in which he has held a number of offices. His entire life has here been passed, so that his life history is well known to his fellow townsmen and that he enjoys the good will and confidence of all is an in- dication that his has been an honorable and straightforward career. In the man- agement of his business interests he dis- plays keen discernment and arrives quickly at correct conclusions.
SAMUEL GORDON.
Samuel Gordon, deceased, was actively connected with agricultural pursuits in Hancock county for many years and the place which he occupied in public regard well entitles him to representation in this volume. He was born in Peterboro, New Hampshire, May 3, 1825, a son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Gordon, who were also natives of Peterboro. The paternal grandparents were Samuel and Eleanor (Mitchell) Gordon, natives of Scotland. John and Elizabeth (Smith) Gordon. leaving New Hampshire. traveled by stage to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, thence down the Ohio and up the Mississippi river, landing just opposite Montebello in 1831. They were accompanied by their two sons, Samuel being the younger. The father died soon afterward, but in the meantime had in 1839 purchased land which he secured under a tax title where llamilton is now located. His wife sur-
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vived him, passing away about 1845. The land which they owned covered nearly the entire site of Hamilton as it is today and Mr. Gordon assisted in laying out the city.
Samuel Gordon of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home and acquired a fair com- mon school education. He remained with his parents until they were called from this life and being the only heir came into possession of the old home property. On the 3d of April. 1851, he married Miss Permelia A. Alvord. who was born in Warren county, Pennsylvania. August 3. 1832. a daughter of Rev. Samuel and Ursula ( Smith) Alvord. She was only thirteen years of age when brought to Hancock county, where she was reared by her parents, remaining at home until her marriage, when she went to a home of her own. She came to this county in 1845. Mr. Gordon had one hundred and sixty acres of land on which a log cabin had been built. In later years he erected the finest brick residence in this part of the country, containing twelve rooms with a large cellar under one half of the house. In this home, surrounded by the comforts and many of the luxuries of life, he spent his remaining days, passing away on the 6th of October, 1901. He had for more than a decade survived his wife, whose death occurred September 25. 1800. This worthy couple were the parents of the following named : Eleanor Elizabeth Gordon, living in Des Moines, Iowa, is a minister of the Unitarian church. John A. Gordon is engaged in the book busi- ness in Hamilton. Alice and Agnes are living at the old home in Hamilton.
Robert Smith Gordon is station agent on the Wabash and on the Toledo, l'eoria & Warsaw railroads at Hamilton. Mabel has been a teacher in the schools of Ham ilton since 1894. In August. 1862, Mr. Gordon responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company C. One Hundred and Eight- eenth linois Volunteer Infantry. He was on continuous duty for three years and eight months and participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post. Thompson's Hill, Champion Hills, Black River, the siege of Vicksburg. Grand Cotean Bayon and Port Hudson. He was a brave and loyal soklier. always found at his duty whether on the firing line or the lonely picket line. He became a member of Black Hawk lodge. No. 238. A. F. & A. M .. on the ist of September. 1857. and served as senior warden for one year and as junior warden for two years. He was also secretary for six years and treasurer for twenty-two years. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party and he hell the office of town and city clerk and police magis- trate, city treasurer and councilman. No public trust reposed in him was ever be- trayed in the slightest degree, for he was a brave and loyal soldier, always faith- ful to his duty and prompt in the dis- charge of any task that devolved upon him, bringing to his work in civic life the same loyalty and fidelity that char- acterized his military service. Mr. Gor- don was a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of the county and was a resident of this part of the state for more than the allotted psalmist's span of three score years and ten. He watched
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its growth and development from the to Fountain Green township, but after two time when it was reclaimed from a fron- tier district until his eyes were closed in death and was a co-operant factor in many measures for the general good.
SAMUEL R. YETTER.
Samuel R. Yetter, one of the early settlers of Hancock county, Illinois, now residing on his farm in Carthage town- ship, has watched the development of the county as it has emerged from pioneer conditions, when the land was unculti- vated. the timber uncut and the streams unbridged to the present era of progress and development when none of the ad- vantages and improvements known to the older east are lacking. Mr. Yetter has now reached the eighty-second milestone on life's journey, having been born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of August, 1824. He is a son of Wil- liam and Lydia (Rock) Yetter. The father, also a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was of German parentage and was reared to manhood in his native state. He became a mechanic, learning and following the locksmith's trade, his attention being devoted thereto during the period of his residence in Pennsylvania. lle was married in that state to Miss Lydia Rock, and thinking to enjoy better business opportunities in the new but growing west, came to Ilinois in 1837. his destination being Hancock county. He settled in Carthage township, then moved
years returned to Carthage township. Here William Vetter turned his attention to the occupation of farming, in which he continued throughout the remainder of his active business life. In his political views he was a democrat and held various township offices, including that of county treasurer and assessor, the duties of the two offices being combined in one at that time. On the expiration of his term he was elected to the office of justice of the peace, in which capacity he served con- tinuously until his death, his decisions be- ing strictly fair and impartial. He was a member of the Methodist church, to which his wife also belonged, and he took an active, earnest and helpful part in the church work for many years, serving as superintendent of the Sunday-school, and doing all in his power to promote the cause of Christianity here. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity and was the first representative of the order to pass away in Hancock county, his remains be- ing laid to rest with Masonic honors. He died in 1853. at the age of fifty-three years and was buried in Franklin cemetery in Carthage township. His widow long survived him and died in 1892. at the very venerable age of ninety-two years. She was also a native of Lancaster county. Pennsylvania, and there lived until after her marriage, or until the removal of the family to Illinois. She was likewise a devoted member of the Methodist church and at her death was laid to rest by the side of her husband in Franklin cemetery. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, four of whom are now living.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Samuel R. Yetter spent the first this- and was laid to rest in Franklin come- teen years of his life in the place of his nativity, and in 1837 came with his parents to Hancock county, Illinois, living in Fountain Green township for two years and since that time in Carthage township. Hle remained upon the home place until about twenty-four years of age. His edu- cation was acquired at Columbia, Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania, and when he permanently left the parental roof he rented a farm which he cultivated for a number of years, or until he purchased his present place, then about two hundred acres. This he has improved, making it his home continuously through many years. He set out many of the trees here and a large number of them have now been growing here for more than a half century. Through a long period he tilled the soil, carefully sowing the seed and harvesting the crops as the years went by. He usually had a good return for his labor in the shape of bounteous harvests and he continued actively in farm work until a number of years ago, when he sold a part of his land and is now living re- tired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.
Mr. Yetter has been married twice. In 1848 he wedded Miss Marilla Goodrich. a daughter of Messech and Rebecca Good- rich, who were early settlers of Hancock county, Illinois, where they lived and died. By this marriage there were three chil- dren, of whom William and Marilla died in infancy, while Laura is now the widow of Lewis R. Tull. and a resident of Berkeley, California. She has one daugh- ter. Etta. Mrs. Vetter died at the com- paratively early age of twenty-five years,
tery in Carthage township. For his see und wife Mr. Yetter chose Miss Hester A. Ilalbert, who was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, and came to Illinois with her widowed mother in 1850. She is a daughter of Stephen and Priscilla ( Watkins) Halbert, both of whom were natives of Maryland, whence they re- moved to Kentucky at an early day. The father died in that state in 1848 and was there buried, and the mother afterward came to Hancock county, Illinois, where she passed away at the age of eighty-one years, her remains being interred in Franklin cemetery in Carthage township. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Vetter have been born ten children, four sons and six daughters, of whom six are now living. Mary 'is the wife of Richard White, sex- ton of Moss Ridge cemetery in Carthage, and they have three children, Florence. Ruth and Myrtle. Clara is the deceased wife of William Sowers, a farmer resid- ing in Kansas. She died while on a visit at the home of her parents, leaving three children. Mabel. Hester and Charles. The elder daughter. Mabel, is now the wife of Walter Moot and resides near Lucas, Kansas, and they have one son, William. John Yetter, the third member of the father's family, resides in Carthage, Illinois, where he is a teamster. Ile wedded Mary B. Swain, and they have two living sons, Frank and Ferris, and lost one son, David, who died at the age of two months. Charles S. Yetter, a rail- road conductor of the Chicago, Burling- ton & Quincy road, residing at Beards- town, Illinois, married Pearl Johnson, and has two living children, Howard and
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George, and two deceased, Pearl and Guy. Alice Yetter became the wife of Alfred M. McKee, a grocer of Carthage. and they have three children. Earl, Ray and Helen. Maggie is the wife of P. H. Willey, a farmer of Peabody, Kansas, and they have three living children, Bertha. Frank and Mabel, and lost one, who died unnamed in infancy. Frank Yetter, who was in the United States Navy and served in the Philippine war, died at Wilbur. Washington, when twenty-four years of age. Ralph is at home. Fidelia died at the age of six years. Nora died at the age of one year and sixteen days. All of the children were born in Carthage township and were educated here, and Alice, Clara and Laura all taught school prior to their marriage.
Mr. Vetter is a member of the Carthage Methodist church and belongs to Han- cock lodge, No. 20, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He votes with the Re- publican party and has held some of the township offices, serving as justice of the peace. highway commissioner and con- stable. He has seen many of the changes that have occurred and the improvements that have been made in Hancock county. Almost seventy years have come and gone since he arrived here, at which time al- most the entire district was a wild prairie. which he has seen converted into richly cultivated farms with here and there thriv- ing towns and villages and progressive cities. Deer and other wild game were killed in this part of the state and only a few settlements had been made, the tray- eler finding it possible to ride for miles over the country in almost any direction without coming to a fence or habitation
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