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 17
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When Mrs. Connor died the children were all single and remained with their father until they were married and had homes of their own. Mrs. Worthen was the second one married and Mr. Connor has since made his home with her and her husband. Mr. Worthen has built a beautiful modern residence on the river bluff, situated on Van Buren and First streets in the part of Warsaw called Fort Edward. This is a beautiful home known as Nehtrow. Here Mr. Connor is most pleasantly sitnated. He is largely a self- made man, having had few advantages in his youth but his business enterprise and diligence enabled him to make steady advancement in his business career. Wherever he went he made friends by reason of his genial and kindly disposi- tion. He is a man of good judgment and warm impulses and wherever he is known he is held in highest esteem, while the cir- cle of his friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintance.
111
IL.INCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
WILLIAM JACKSON ASIL.
William Jackson .Ash is one of the ven- erable citizens of Hamilton, receiving the respect and honor which should be ac- corded to one of his years and whose life has been worthily spent. He is now eighty-one years of age, having been born in MeMinn county. Tennessee. on the 6th of June, 1825. his parents being Hugh Brown Ash and Nancy ( Jones) .Ash. natives of South Carolina and Tennessee respectively. Hlis paternal grandparents were Robert and Esther Ash. the former a native of South Carolina and the latter of Ireland. The maternal grandfather. Thomas Jones, was a native of Tennessee. and in that state married Miss Beckham. Robert Ash, leaving his native country. crossed the Atlantic and became a resi- dem of South Carolina, where he followed the occupation of farming for a number of years and then removed to eastern Ten- nessee, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. It was in that state that Ungh Brown Ash and Nancy Jones were united in marriage and there they lived for a number of years upon a farm. Ile was injured one day while stacking fodder and soon afterward died. His wife mar- ried again nine years later, her second union being with Edwin Pedegrew, who at one time owned famous gold mines in Georgia. They were married in Alabama. to which state the mother of our subject removed and about ten years later they went to Dent county, Missouri, where they spent their remaining days.
one brother who is residing in carrollton. Carroll county, Arkansas. By the second marriage there were two daughters and two sons, of whom one son is now living in Dent county, Missouri.
William J. Ash was twelve years of age when he went with his mother to Chero kee county, Mabama. She there took up one hundred and sixty acres of land and in 1839 was married a second time. It was then that the subject of this review started out in life to make his own way in the world. He began learning the trade of a tanner and leather finisher. He was also the owner of three colts, two cow's and several hogs, which he gave to his mother in exchange for homespun cloth- ing. He continued to work at his trade until 1846, in which year Benjamin White, who ten years before had removed to Adams county. Illinois, returned to Tennessee on a visit and about a month later took three Tennessee lads with him to Adams county. He paid their fare and they worked for him two years for ten dollars a month. Mr. Ash had an uncle living in Adams county and after leaving Mr. White's employ he began operating his uncle's farm on shares, being thus en- graged for a year. In 1848 he returned to Tennessee and Alabama in company with his uncle, driving across the country with temps. The uncle soon again came to Illinois, but Mr. Ash remained in his na- tive state until after his marriage, which important event in his life was celebrated on the 27th of February. 1819. the lady of hi- choice being Miss Eliza And Cilpep per, who was born in MeMinn county. Tennessee. August 11. 1828, a daughter
William Jackson was the eldest of three sons and three daughters, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of of Joel and Ann Elizabeth ( Tyler) Cul
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
pepper, both of whom were natives of South Carolina. The former was a son of John Culpepper and the latter a daugh- ter of John Tyler.
On the 28th of March. 1849. Mr. Ash with his bride started by wagon for Adams county, where they arrived on the 22d of April, after spending almost a month upon the road. They remained in that county for one season and Mr. Ash engaged in the cultivation of a tract of land. He tried to raise a crop of corn but the worms took it and he sowed his land to buckwheat. raising an enormous crop. furnishing large supplies to the city of Quincy of buckwheat flour, which he had ground at Fletcher's Mills in Hancock county. In the fall of 1849 he and his wife removed to Wythe township. this county, where they lived in a log house with puncheon floor and fireplace with stick and clay chimney. There was but one room in the cabin. The following season he purchased forty acres of prairie about a mile north of where he lived. fenced his land with rails and raised corn, which was planted on the newly broken sod. The following year he broke more land and also purchased forty acres additional. He also cultivated the eighty acres and rented some land. adding to his place from time to time un- til he was the owner of three hundred and forty acres in Wythe township, which had been improved as well as any place in the township at that time. As the years passed he added further improve- ments to his property and made it a splendidly developed farm. He had two large barns, one thirty by eighty feet. which he afterward used for sheltering
his cattle. He kept from twenty to thirty cows and conducted a dairy for ten years. Thus year by year he continued active in business, winning success by his close application and strong determination. He was never idle and indolence is utterly foreign to his nature. He has led a busy and useful life and as the years have gone by has won the success which al- ways crowns earnest effort.
Unto Mr. and Mrs .. Ash have been born the following named : Sarah Mulvina. the wife of W. H. King, who is acting as janitor of the public schools at Hamil- ton ; Mary Adeline, the wife of Frederick Shrifer, a mail-carrier at Hamilton : Joel Brown. of Hamilton; Louisa Ann; Amanda Jane, the wife of J. E. Ernst. who owns the old homestead farm; Alice Alma, the wife of Charles F. Binderwald. of Montrose, Iowa: and Narcissa Eliza- beth, the wife of D. William Wolfe, a resident of Hamilton.
On the 8th of March. 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Ash removed from the home farm to Hamilton, where he purchased a fine residence on Broadway. Since that time he has lived retired. He rented his land for three years and then sold it. He is one of the organizers and stockholders of the Peoples State Bank, of Hamilton, and also of the West Point State Bank, and thus his money has been placed in insti- tutions where it is bringing a good finan- cial return. He has justly earned the rest which he is now enjoying, for his life has been characterized by unflagging dili- gence and also by unfaltering honesty in all business transactions. Wherever known he has won high esteem and more- over he is one of the honored pioneer set-
143
HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS.
tlers of the county, whose efforts have been a potent element in promoting prog- ress and improvement in this section of the state as the county has emerged from its pioneer conditions.
AIHIMAAAZ PUNTENNEY.
himaaz Puntenney, the owner of a well improved and valuable farm in Mon- tebello township, where he is engaged in general agricultural pursuits and in rais- ing high grade horses, cattle and hogs. is a native son of Adams county, Ohio. where he was born February 10. 1833. He is a son of John and Arminta ( Wright ) Puntenney, both of whom were natives of Adams county, Ohio. The paternal grandparents were George Hol- linsworth and Margaret ( Hamilton ) Puntenney, the former a native of New England and the latter of Ireland. The grandfather was a soldier of the Revolu- tionary war. In order to join the army in the manner he wished he had to be an immune from small pox. He had never suffered from the disease, but his uncle and aunt, with whom he was living, were attending a case of small pox and he thought this his opportunity to become afflicted with the disease. His relatives wished to prevent it and they put the clothing which they had worn while at tending the small pox case into a hollow tree. There George Puntenney found them, took them out, wore them and be- came ill with small pox. Thereby he was
permitted to join the army and he fought valiently for American liberty. Later he was granted a pension, but he would not accept it. having given his aid freely for the cause which he espoused. Subve- quently he became a resident of Adam- county, Ohio, where he died in 1852, at the very venerable age of ninety-six years. The maternal grandfather of our subject was a native of Virginia, while his wife was born in freland, whence she came to America when about seven years of age. They were married in Adams county. Ohio, the family having located there at a very early day.
The marriage of John Puntenney and Arminta Wright was celebrated in Adams county, Ohio, where he settled upon a farm, there following general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in April. 1864. when he was sixty-nine years of age.
When Ahimaaz Puntenney was only two years old he went to live with his maternal grandfather in the northern part of Adams county and in 1846 all the fam- ily removed to Lee county, lowa. In company with an uncle and J. W. Dry- den. Mr. Puntenney of this review drove across the country from the Buckeye state to their destination, being upon the road from the 18th of September until the 20th of October. His grandfather settled on a farm in Lee county, where he died in 1848. Following his death Mr. l'un tenney continued to make his home there with his uncle until about 1855, when he bought forty acres of land on the east line of Montebello township and in 1861 sold that property, subsequently investing in eighty acres on section 23. constituting
1.4.4
BIOGRAPHICAL RETTEI
the east half of the southeast quarter. He had about fifteen acres broken, but there were no fences or buildings on the place. In 1862 he built a frame house of three rooms and built a half mile of fence on the west side of the farm. He continued the further development and improvement of the place until February. 1864, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty- sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He
left his wife and two small children, who went to Lee county. lowa. to her mother's home. while Mr. Puntenney went to the front to aid in the defense of the Union. Ilis regiment was consolidated with New York and Indiana troops and did guard duty near Chattanooga on the Chicka- manga river. They were in different places in the south doing guard duty. and Mr. Puntenney continued at the front until honorably discharged on the 15th of September. 1865. He had remained with his command for a year and a half and had always been loyal to his duty. faith- fully discharging every task that was as- signed him in connection with his military service.
Following his return home Mr. Pun- tenney began making further improve- ments upon his place and in 18So he pur- chased the east half of the southeast quar- ter. so that he was owner of the entire quarter section. In 1878 he built a large hay barn, which he remodeled in 1905. He also erected an addition to the house in i8go and now has a good farm prop- erty which is enclosed largely with wire fence. He has as fine a prairie farm as can be found in the township and in connection with the tilling of the soil he is engaged in raising Shire draft horses.
good cattle and Poland China hogs. His business interests are carefully directed and his labors have brought to him a very gratifying measure of success.
On the 26th of February, 1861, Mr. Puntenney was united in marriage to Miss Isabelle Kerr, who was born in Pennsylania and during her infancy was brought to Illinois by her parents, Alex- ander Kerr and Isabelle Dunham, who located at Peoria. Both her father and mother were natives of Scotland and after a brief residence in Peoria they re- moved to Lee county, Iowa. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Puntenney have been born two sons and two daughters: John Alex- ander, who owns a ranch near Moscow. Idaho: Iowa B., who is the widow of Samuel Marshall and resides with her father : Nettie K., the wife of James Mc- Gaw. of Prairie township. this county : and William L., who conducts the home place.
In his religious views Mr. Puntenney is a Presbyterian and since 1880 has been elder of the church of that denomination at Elvaston. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- tres of the Republican party and he be- longs to Russell post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Hamilton, of which he is senior vice commander. In all duties of citizenship he is as loyal to his country as when he followed the old flag upon battlefields of the south. In his business affairs he is reliable, working earnestly and persistently for the achievement of success and is now the owner of one of the excellent farm properties of Monte- bello township, where he is pleasantly sit- nated and has a comfortable home.
115
ILINCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS.
JACOB C. BALSLEY.
chester: and Sarah, the widow of John Kirkpatrick, living in Winchester. Of this number John W. Balsley was a mem ber of the Sixty-first Illinois Vohunter. Infantry and took part in several engage ments, including the battle of Shiloh. Ile served three years and then veteraned or re-enlisted, after which he was captured and sent to Andersonville prison, where he was held until paroled at the close of the war. George W. Balsley. another brother, was also a member of the Sixty eighth Illinois Infantry. serving for three months.
Jacob ('. Balsley was a youth of fifteen years when in company with his parents he removed from Pennsylvania to Illinois. He continued his studies in the schools of Winchester. In 1861 he responded to the country's call for aid but because he was under size his services were rejected, and he turned his attention to the teacher's profession, teaching in the country district schools for several terms and also one term in the city school. During this time he also read law for a time in the office of Knapp & Case. In 1863 he left home to enter the government service on the Mississippi river and went upon a govern- ment transport for three months, but re- turning home in September on account of physical disability.
Jacob C. Balsley, filling the position of township assessor, his home being in Dallas City, was born in Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, November 28. 1839, his parents being William and Elizabeth ( Langenecker) Balsley, who were like- wise natives of the Keystone state, the former having been born in Dauphin county, and the latter in Cumberland county. The father engaged in the coal trade and milling on the Monongahela in l'ennsylvania for a number of years, and was a member of the state militia in Pennsylvania. In 1854 he came to Illinois, devoting his attention to general agricultural pursuits and merchandising in Sent county. In 1800, however, he removed to Dallas township, Hancock county, where he engaged in horticultural business, being one of the early men to raise berries and small fruits here until his death, which occurred May 17. 1898. his remains being interred in Dallas City cemetery. At the time of his demise he was a member of the Christian church. and at one time was an Odd Fellow. The mother of our subject still survives him and is a hale and hearty lady of eighty- nine years, now living in Scott county. In their family were nine children, of whom seven are yet living, namely : Subsequently Mr. Balsley entered the postoffice at Winchester in 1863 and acted as deputy postmaster there for three years, and in 1866 and i86; he was em ployed as a clerk in a drug store. He spent the succeeding seven years in the office of G. W. Martin, then county clerk at Winchester, as his deputy. He after Jacob C .: George W., a department clerk in Washington. D. C .: Theodosia, the widow of George W. They, living at Winchester, Illinois ; Miriam, the widow of A. C. Dean and a resident of Gales- burg. this state; John W .. also living in Winchester; Frances, the wife of James 1. Warren, a prominent lawyer of Win- ward entered the postoffice again for two
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BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEI'
years and he was the first to receive the news of President Lincoln's assassination and was in the postoffice at the time of President Garfield's death. Later he again engaged in teaching school in the county of Scott and in 1891 he came to Hancock county. settling in Dallas City, being engaged witlt his father in the hor- ticultural business until the time of the latter's death.
On the 24th of July, 1898. Mr. Balsley was married to Mrs. Elizabeth P. Frice. who was born in Adams county, Illinois. Her father was of German birth, while her mother was a native of Covington, Kentucky. The mother is still living in Dallas City but the father. A. Padburg, who was a cooper by trade, has departed this life. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Padburg were nine children, seven of whom are yet living, as follows: Mrs. Balsley of this review: May. the wife of Alston Giddings, near La Harpe, Illinois : Ella, the widow of William Giddings and who lives on a farm near Burnside, Illi- nois : John, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Francis, Indian Territory ; Charles, living in Dallas City: AAlfred. a student of medicine of Dallas City; and Leah, the wife of Charles Hinckley, of Dallas City. Mrs. Padburg is a member of the Methodist church and Mr. Pad- burg was a pioneer Mason. He came to Hancock county in early life, being but ten years of age when he crossed the At- lantic to America. His eldest daughter. Elizabeth, was married in 1878 to Frank Price, a native of Galena, Illinois, who was a brick moller by trade and spent much of his time in Nauvoo, Illinois. 11c died August 11. 1804. and was buried in
Dallas City, Illinois. In the family were two children, of whom one is now living. Frankie Myrtle, born in Dallas City, July 17. 1880, died April 4. 1895. and was buried by the side of her father. Cleo A. Frice, born in Dallas City March 3, 1886. married Miss Sarah Wells, and is a clerk in a grocery store in Dallas City. They have one child, Genevieve, who was born in Dallas City June 30, 1905. Cleo Frice and his family live with Mr. and Mrs. Balsley.
Following his father's death Mr. Bals- ley remained upon the old home place, which he inherited, from 1898 until 1902. In the latter year he entered the postoffice at Dallas City as assistant, there contin- ning until 1905 and since that time he has been employed as clerk in the Black & Loomis lumber office. He is now serving as assessor of his township. He has al- ways been a republican and has firm faith in the principles of the party and their ultimate supremacy. His wife is a mem- ber of the Christian church and with her he attends its services. They reside in a pretty home on Oak street and Mrs. Bals- ley takes a very active part in church work, serving as one of the teachers of the Sunday-school and doing all in her power to advance the various church ac- tivities. Mr. Balsley is regarded as a trustworthy citizen who discharges every duty devolving upon him in prompt and conscientious manner. He is a careful and painstaking man and both he and his wife stand high in the community where they have made many friends and are held in the highest esteem by all with whom they come in contact. either in so- cial or business relations.
1.47
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
WILLIAM L. KIMBROUGIL
William 1. Kimbrough was born in Carthage township, where he is now en- graged in farming. His natal day was October 27. 1852, and his birthplace was four miles east of the city of Carthage and about a quarter of a mile north. His parents were William R. and Eliza- beth ( Dale ) Kimbrough, extended men- tion of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. In the common schools of his township the subject of this review ac- quired his education. In the summer months he aided in the work of the fields. early becoming familiar with the task of plowing, planting and harvesting. He remained upon the home place until twenty-two years of age and then, leaving the parental roof. started out in life on his own account by working as a farm hand at a salary of twenty dollars per . month. He was thus employed for some time in the vicinity of La Harpe and on his marriage. December 28. 1874. he rented a farm in Carthage township. which he cultivated for a year. He after- ward spent a year upon a rented farm in Henderson county, Illinois, after which he returned to Carthage township. An- other year passed and he then went to Nevada, working in the silver mines at Austin and later at Leadville, Colorado. for two years. When he again came to Illinois he was employed at farm labor by the month in Henderson county for four years and with the capital he ac- quired through his economy and industry he then purchased eighty acres of land on section 33. Carthage township, for which he paid twenty-five hundred dol-
lars. Taking up his able thereon he made it his home for ten years and he still owns the place, which, however, is now being operated by his son. When a decade had passed he rented a farm from F. M. Cutler, which he operated for five years and then purchased the present home farm of eighty acres on see tion 22. Carthage township, which was well improved. He also owns forty acres which he purchased from his father on section thof the same township and all of his land is under a high state of culti- vation. His home is on section 22, where he has a fine modern residence and other good buildings in keeping with the model farm of the twentieth century. His time is devoted to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate and also to stock raising and both branches of his business are proving profitable.
On the 28th of December. 1874, Mr. Kimbrough was married to Miss Mary A. Butler, who was born in Monroe. Green county, Wisconsin. April 26, 1857. Her parents were Jesse and Elizabeth ( Tatham) Butler. Her father was born in Zanesville, Ohio, April 13. 1826, a soll of Henry and Charity Butler, who re- moved to the Buckeye state from Mary- land. Jesse Butler was reared in Ohio and on the 11th of March. 1847. he married Elizabeth Tatham, also a native of Zanesville. About 1856 they removed to Wisconsin, settling at Monroe, Green county, where they lived upon a farm until the autumn of 1864. Mr. Butler de- voting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits and sheep raising. When eight years had passed be removed with his family to a farm near La Harpe.
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Illinois, where he lived for about thirty years, becoming one of the best known and most enterprising agriculturists of that locality. On selling his property he took up his abode near Blencoe, lowa. where he lived for two years, when on account of failing health he returned to Illinois, making his home with his daugh- ter. Mrs. Kimbrough, until his death, which occurred on the 30th of October, 1896, when he had reached the age of sev- enty years, six months and seventeen days. His widow still survives him and is now living in Ellsworth, Towa, with her youngest daughter at the age of seventy- seven years. Mr. Butler was a man of genuine personal worth. While residing in Wisconsin he announced his faith in the Christian religion and ever lived a life in harmony with his professions. He was honest at all times, reliable in his busi- ness transactions and faithful in his friendships. Unto him and his wife were born eight children, five of whom are living, namely: Sylvester. of Holton. Kansas : William 1 ... of Stronghurst, Illi- nois: Arthur V .. of Monmonth, Illinois : Mrs. Clara Van Zandt. of Roseville, Illi- nois : Mrs. Charity Mesecher, of Blencoe. lowa : and Mrs. Kimbrough.
The last named was the fourth in order of birth in the family and was educated in the schools of La Harpe, the academy at that place and in the Normal course at Carthage College. She engaged in teach- ing for seven years in the schools of llan- cock and Henderson counties and was widely recognized as a capable educator. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kimbrough have been born three children, of whom one. Jesse. died in infancy. Clarence, born July o.
1876. resides upon his father's home farm one section 33, Carthage township. He was educated in Carthage and married Miss Leah Coultas, who was born at Winchester, Scott county. Illinois. They have one child. Lottie. The youngest member of the Kimbrough family is Arno. who was born December 17. 1891.
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