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 18
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Mr. Kimbrough exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the Republican party but has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. Both Mr. and Mrs. Kimbrough are members of the Baptist church and are interested in all that pertains to the material, intellectual and moral progress of their community. Mr. Kimbrough has passed almost his entire life in Hancock county, so that his record is well known to his fellow citizens and in his life his- tory there is much that is commendable and worthy of emulation.
WILLIAM R. KIMBROUGH.
William R. Kimbrough, one of the carly settlers of Hancock county, residing on his farm of eighty acres on section 11. Carthage township, is a native of Ken- tucky, born in Todd county. January 24. 1830. He is a son of William and Susan ( Wyatt) Kimbrough, natives of Virginia. whence they removed to Kentucky at an carly day. The father engaged in farm- ing in Todd county until 1834. when he brought his family to Hancock county. Illinois, settling in Carthage township.
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where he purchased a farm of forty acres east of the city of Carthage. He built there a log cabin and began the develop- ment of the property. He lived there for some years and afterward sold the farm, removing to a larger farm which he rented. A number of years later he took up his abode in Carthage, where he lived retired, his death occurring there when he was eighty-six years of age. Hle was a member of the Baptist church and a democrat in political views. AA public spirited man, he was an advocate of all that tended to improve and advance the community interests. He was also a prosperous and progressive resident of the county in his day and he was uniformly respected. At the time of the war of 1812 he espoused the cause of his country and served throughout the period of hos- tilities. His widow, who was also a con- sistent member of the Baptist church, sur- vived him for a number of years and in their family were fourteen children, who grew to maturity, but William R. is the only one now living. Both parents lie buried in Seckman cemetery in Carthage township.
William R. Kimbrough obtained his education in a log schoolhouse, walking six miles over the prairie to school. As a young man he assisted his father upon the home farm, remaining there until about sixteen years of age, when he began work- ing by the month as a farm hand in Carth age township. In 1853 he crossed the plains to California, attracted by the goldl excitement there, journeying with horse- and ox teams, the party numbering six men who had three teams. They were about five and a half months in making
the trip and Mr. Kimbrough remamed in California for two years, his wife and two children spending that time in Han- cock county. As he was in limited finan- cial circumstances upon his arrival he he gan operating a threshing machine at five dollars per day. He was thus employed during the fall, after which he drove cattle across the country to the market and was thus engaged until he returned to Illinois. He had made his way to California with the idea of mining but he did not spend a day in the mines, being well satisfied with the work which came to him and the money which he obtained thereby. Fol- lowing his return to Illinois in 1855 he bought a farm southeast of Carthage in Carthage township. comprising sixty acres. Upon this he made his home for twelve years, tilling the soil and raising stock, after which he sold the place and purchased his present farm on section 11. Carthage township. He has made his home in this county for seventy-three years and is one of its honored pioneer residents. He put all of the improve- ments upon his present farm, erecting a large and substantial two-story frame dwelling and also good barns and other outbuildings, so that he now has a model farm property.
In July, 1847. Mr. Kimbrough was married to Miss Elizabeth Dale, who was born in Woodford county. Kentucky. a daughter of Lunsford and Fanny ( Bon- tom Dale, natives of Woodford county. whence they came to Illinois, settling in Morgan county. After some time they came to Hancock county in 18q and located in Carthage township, where Mr Dale engaged in farming unul his death
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He and his wife and one daughter died the same week of fever. They were sup- porters of the Baptist church. Mrs. Kimbrough was fourteen years of age at the time she was left an orphan, after which she lived with an uncle until her marriage in 1847. She was born June 27. 1830, and is now seventy-six years of age. She holds membership in the Meth- odist Episcopal church and is a most estimable lady.
Nine children have been born unto MIr. and Mrs. Kimbrough. James, who for many years has been a railroad conductor and resides in Denver, Colorado, married Nora White and their children are James. Frank and Corene. William L. is rep- resented elsewhere in this work. Sarah Frances is the wife of Jefferson Koontz. a son of John and Malinda (Smart) Koontz, who were early settlers of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Koontz own ninety acres adjoining her father's farm. She . was first married to James Briley, who after farming several years in Henderson county removed to this county and fol- lowed farming in Carthage township. He died about seven years after their mar- riage. leaving two sons and two daugh- ters: Frank. a farmer of Carthage town- ship, who married Ethel Ervin and has one child. Thomas: Thomas, a resident farmer of lowa, who wedded Nellie Clay- worth and has a daughter. Beulah : Esta, the deceased wife of Ralph Sowers; and Elizabeth, the wife of Luther Earls, of Carthage, by whom she has two chil- dren. Joy and Blossom. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Koontz have been born five chil- dren, three of whom are living: Fannie. the wife of Wadsworth Earls, by whom
she has two daughters, Helen and Lois Frances: Ross, at school: and Abba M. Marinda Kimbrough. the fourth of the family. is the wife of Roy Fletcher, of Carthage. and had two children. Charles and Blanche, the latter deceased. Julia Kimbrough is the widow of Thomas Ervin, who was a farmer and stock buyer of Carthage town- ship, and she has four children. Bruce, Irene, Tressler and Thomas. George, a railroad fireman on Colorado & South- ern, of Denver, Colorado, married Clara Swadley. Nellie Ann is the wife of Henry Fleshman, proprietor of a restau- rant at Hannibal, Missouri. By her former marriage to John Rucker, who was a farmer of Carthage township, she had two children. Chloris and Rollin. Thomas married Birdie Pennock and died at the age of thirty-one years, leaving three children, Velna. Shirley and Harley. who are living with their mother in Carthage.
Mr. Kimbrough is a democrat in poli- tics but has never cared for office. He has seen many changes and improvements made in the county which in his boyhood days was a vast wild prairie, over which roamed herds of deer and other wild animals. He has seen the raw and un- broken prairie land transformed into rich fertile farms and has done his full share to make the county what it is today-one of the richest and most productive farm- ing districts of this great state. His life has been a busy one, yet he has found time to travel extensively throughout the country and acquaint himself with his na- tive land. He has just returned from a visit to his old Kentucky home which
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he left in childhood. Through persistent effort and industry he has won success and has carefully reared his family, so that they have become prominent and influential members of society.
J. E. LOOP'.
J. E. Loop, proprietor of a meat market and also identified with the control of municipal affairs as a member of the board of city aldermen in Carthage, was born in Hancock county, in 1858, his parents being Simon and Rebecca ( Schenck ) Loop. The father was born in Virginia and the mother in Ohio. In the year 1851 of 1852 Simon Loop, who was a butcher by trade, removed to Han- cock county and spent his remaining days in Carthage, where he resided for thirty years or more, passing away in March. 1882, while his wife died in 1896 and was laid by his side in Carthage cemetery. He voted with the Republican party but had no desire for office. His religions faith was that of the Methodist church, while his wife belonged to the Presby- terian church. In their family were seven children, of whom four are now living : Mary, the wife of Samuel Camp, who re- sides in Carthage : Jennie, the wife of Wil- liam Ward, of Adrian, Illinois; I. E., of this review ; and James M. of this county. Joseph, John and William Loop, uncles of our subject. were soldiers of the Civil war, enlisting from Ohio as defenders of the Union.
Reared under the parental root 1 } Loop acquired his education in the pub'te schools of Carthage and then entered his father's meat market, where he workel for three years, acquiring a good, prac- tical knowledge of the business. He was afterward employed by other butchers until 1805. when, ambitious to engage in business on his own account he opened a meat market, which he is still conducting on Jefferson street. For a year or more he was a partner of John Bertschy but is non alone in business and has a well equipped market well supplied with the latest improved machinery for the care of the meats. He keeps a high grade of goods, for his patronage is constantly growing. He also owns a small pasture and a slaughter house.
In 1893 Mr. Loop was united in mar- riage to Miss Sarah J. Van Winkle who was born in Denver. Hancock county. Illinois, a daughter of John and Catherine ( Shupman ) Van Winkle. The parents reside at West Point. Hancock county. Illinois, and Mr. Van Winkle is a farmer. Of their family of five children four sur vive, as follows: Patience, the wife of 11. 1 .. Price, of Carthage: Mrs. Loop: Mice, the wife of Marion Mathews, living in Augusta, Hancock county : and Frank. who lives in Hamilton, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Loop have four children. all born in Carthage township: Lloyd F. Lola B .. Lionel. James and Mary P' .. all attending school. The parents hokl mem bership in the Presbyterian church and take an active and helpful part in its work. Their home is in the northwest part of the city. Mr Loop is a repub- lican and for the past two years has
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efficiently served as alderman. Frater- nally, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, He is entirely a self-made man. who without family or pecuniary advan- tages to aid him at the outset of his ca- reer has battled earnestly and energetical- ly. Modest in demeanor and in his de- mands for public office, his friends, how- ever. recognize his genuine worth and he has a wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the city and county and a good trade in Carthage.
CHARLES B. LOFTON.
The students of history cannot carry his investigations far into the annals of Hancock county without learning of the close, honorable and extended connection of the Lofton family with the movements, measures and business interests which have promoted the growth and develop- ment of this part of the state. The grandparents of Charles B. Lofton arrived in the os and Franklin Lofton. an uncle of our subject, participated in the Mormon war of 1844. He afterward went to California at the time of the gold excitement in that state, taking with him ten or twelve men and a number of ox teams. The grandfather was an active factor in the early development of this county, aiding in reclaiming the wild land for the use of civilization. He died many years ago and was long survived In his wife, who bore the maiden name
of Elizabeth Seals. After her husband's death she went to live with her son. Jef- ferson Lofton, in whose home she died at the very advanced age of one hundred and two years and fourteen days, being the oldest woman in the county at that time.
Jefferson Lofton, father of our subject. was born in Washington county, Indiana. in 1821 and was thus reared upon the frontier. early becoming familiar with all the hardships and experiences incident to pioneer life. He removed to Hancock county in 1848, settling upon a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on section 26. Dallas township. There was only one house between his home and Carthage at that time and only three dwellings in Dallas City. The work of improvement and progress seemed scarce- ly begun and the most far sighted could not have dreamed of the rapid changes which were soon to take place and make this district one of the leading counties of a great commonwealth in which are found all of the evidences of an advanced civilization, together with the varied busi- ness interests that denote material progress and prosperity. Settling upon his farm, he cleared the land for the erec- tion of a home and then continued in the work of improvement until he had de- veloped a splendid property. His political allegiance was given to the democracy and he was prominent and influential in com- munity affairs, holding a number of local offices. He married Miss Elizabeth Richardson for his first wife. They be- came the parents of ten children, of whom six are now living: Lavina, the wife of Ferdinand Vietor, of Kansas City, Mis- souri: Paulina, the wife of Jonah Cather.
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of Dallas City. Amanda, the wife of energy and honesty he has added na Joseph Marshall, of Kansas City. Mi- souri; John, of Dallas City: Franklin. who came to Hancock county in 1840; and Henry, who is living in Missouri. After losing his first wife in 1855 Mr. Laiton was married in 1801 to Miss Sarah Merrill, who was born in Adams county, Illinois, in 1841 and whose father was a farmer of Hancock county. There were twelve children in the Merrill family but only two are now living, namely : Mrs. Lofton: and Mrs. Julia Hibbard. who resides in Adams county, this state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lofton were born seven children, of whom three vet survive: Rose is the wife of Fred Lavine, of Dallas township, by whom she has two children. Laveta and Lawrence: Manford, who lives in Dallas township, and has two children. Eldon and Beulah : and Charles B .. of this review. Iva Lofton. the eldest child of the second marriage, became the wife of Mark Bailey and died May 23. 1005, in Chase county, Nebraska, lening Seven children : Clara, Alta, Edna. Rose, Velma. Gladys. Lafayette and George Harlan. The father died April 6, 1991. JACOB G. LUNG. and was buried in the family cemetery on his own farm but the mother is still living.
Charles B. Lofton has always lived upon the old homestead farm where he was born and now manages the place for his mother. He was reared to the veen- pation of farming and his practical ex- perience in youth enabled him to carry on the work with success when he assumed the management of the property. He has his fields under a high state of cultivation and everything about the place is kept in excellent condition. By his own efforts.
comforts to the home place and has made it a valuable farm property. He is it well read man, keeping in touch with the general interests of the day and in manner he is genial and jovial, having many warm friends. His pohtical allegiance is given to the democracy and he has served as supervisor of his township.
July 31. 1900, Mr. Lofton married Lola G. High, of Fergusville, West Virginia. She was born February 6, 1885, a dangh ter of John and Sarah ( Hoffman ) High. The father was a merchant at Fergusville. West Virginia, where he still lives. The grandfather, Warner P. High, was one of the oldest residents of Fergusville and was a farmer by occupation, a republican in politics as is also the father. Mis High was reared at Fergusville and edu cated in the schools and continued to re- side in that place until the time of her marriage.
Jacob G. Lang is numbered among the self-made men of Hancock county, who. starting out in life without any special family of pecuniary advantages. It- worked his way steadily upward. battling earnestly and energetically and coming off victor in the strife. He was born m Germany April 6. 1850. a son of fiol lich and Kate ( Say) Lang. The parents were also natives of the fatherland and were married there October 10, 1858 They came to America when the subject
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of this review was only about a year old. landing at New York. whence they made their way to Ohio, where for some time the father was employed as a day laborer. He was born June 9. 1831. and passed away in Ohio, while his wife, who was born October 25, 1832, still survives him and is now living in Dallas City. In their family were three children: Christina D., the wife of Fred Maurer, of Dallas City: Jacob G .: and George. who died at the age of eight months.
Jacob G. Lung was educated in the public schools of Dallas City, having been brought by his parents to this county when a young lad. He remained with. his mother until after he had attained his majority and as a companion and help- mate for life's journey he chose Miss Louisa Meunzenmeier, to whom he was married on the 5th of April, 1885. She was born in Eslingen, Germany, in 1862. a daughter of Gotlieb and Margaret Maurer Muenzenmeier, who were like- wise natives of Germany, the former born September 4, 1820, and the latter July 17, 1817. They came to America in 1882 and settled in Dallas, where Mr. Meunzen- meier engaged in business as a gardener. His wife died in 1897 and he passed away in March. 1903. their graves being made in Dallas cemetery. They were members of the German Methodist Episcopal church, to which the parents of Mr. Lung also belonged. In the Mennzenmeier family were four children: William. now living in Germany : Gotlieb, of Dallas City : Christian, who resides in Burling- ton. Towa : and Mrs. Lung.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Lang lived for several years upon a rented
farm in Durham township and in 1888 he purchased seventy-eight acres of land in the same township, upon which he erected a house, making that farm his home for nineteen years. He carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock raising and he brought his fields under a high state of cultivation. In November, 1902, be bought two hundred and ten acres of land on section 1, Dallas township. where he now resides, and he has here a pretty two-story frame residence. He has since built a granary, a hen house and fences and has added other modern improve- ments to his farm. He still owns his first farm, a part of which he now rents. In his business life he has displayed un- faltering energy and laudable ambition and has thus worked his way upward to success.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lung have been born five children, four in Durham town- ship and one in Dallas township. These are: Laura, who was born August 17. 1886; Walter, May 17. 1888: Mark. May 25. 1890; Edith, February 29. 1896; and Victor, February 6. 1902. The parents are members of the German Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take a very active and helpful part, Mr. Lung serving as one of the church trustees and also as a teacher in the Sun- day-school. He votes with the Republi- can party and has filled the office of school director, the cause of education finding in him a warm and stalwart friend. Starting out in life empty handed, he has through his perseverance and diligence made steady progress toward the goal of prosperity and today he is surrounded by many of the comforts of life. secured
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entirely through his own efforts. Both he and his wife command and enjoy the respect and esteem of the entire com- munity. He bears an unassailable repu- tation for straightforward dealing in his business affairs and that he has been most diligent is indicated by his present valu- able farming possessions.
LEWIS SACK.
Lewis Sack, deceased, was a veteran of the Civil war and a well known agri- culturist of Rocky Run township. When one has passed from the scene of earthly activities it is common to review the life record, note its salient characteristics and draw lessons therefrom recording the fail- ures of successes. In the record of Lewis Sack there is found much that is com- mendable and worthy of emulation, and to his family he left not only a comfort- able competence but also an untarnished name, which comes to them as a priceless heritage. A native of St. Charles county. Missouri, he was born in 1840, and ac- companied his parents on their removal to Hancock county, the family home being established in Rocky Run township. where for some years the father followed the occupation of farming. Both he and his wife are now deceased. In their family were eight children, six of whom are living : Jacob, a resident of Warsaw ; John. of California : Charles, who resides in Missouri: William, of Rocky Run: Louisa, the wife of Jacob Bradshaw, ni
Burlington, lowa; and Dela, the widow of Henry Herzog, late of Tioga, Illinois.
Lewis Sack is the second in order of birth in this family and he began his education in the public schools, of St. Louis, Missouri, while later he continued his studies in Rocky Run township. To his father he gave the benefit of his ser- vices upon the home farm until after the inauguration of the Civil war, when his patriotic spirit was aroused and with loyal impulse he responded to the country's call, joining the boys in blue of Company H. One Hundred and Eighteenth Regi- ment of Illinois Infantry. He was in the army for four years, during which time he endured all the hardships, ex- periences and privations meted out to the soldier, and participated in many impor- tant engagements which led up to the final results of the war.
When hostilities had ceased and the country no longer needed his aid Mr. Sack returned to his home and resumed farming. In 1869 he was married to Miss Anna Eliza Weston, a native of Illi- nois. They traveled life's journey to- gether for about seventeen years, and Mrs. Sack then passed away in 1886. Of their five children four are still living : Lillian, the wife of John Brenner, of lowa: Bertha, the wife of John Snyder. of Quincy; Bertram, a twin of Bertha. and Pearl, the wife of Harry Keith, of Missouri, and Rhoda, now decease l.
In March. 1888, Mr. Sack was again married, his second union being with Mr -. Elizabeth Shaffner, who was born in Ger- many in 1851. a daughter of George and Lonisa ( Trautvetter ) Mathes. Her par- ents were natives of Germany and in her
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childhood came to America. They were residents of Kentucky in early life and thence removed to Warsaw. Illinois. where Mrs. Mathes died twenty-nine Years ago. Mr. Mathes, however, is still living in Rocky Run township at the age of eighty years. In his family were eight children. six of whom survive: George. who is living with Mrs. Sack: Fred. of Warsaw: Rudolph, who resides in Rocky Run township : Mrs. Sack : Henry, who is with his father in Rocky Run township; and Minnie, the wife of Frank Shair, also on the old homestead with the father. Mrs. Sack was first married in 1871. be- coming the wife of Jacob Shaffner, who was born in Switzerland. His parents both died in Germany. Coming to the new world he was known for some years as a thrifty farmer of Wilcox township and he died there in 1886, leaving one son. George J., of Rocky Run township who married Miss Cora Gillham and has two children. By her second marriage Mrs. Sack had two children. twins. Bessie May and Jessie Pay. The former is at home but the latter died January 25. 1904. at the age of fourteen years, and was buried in Warsaw cemetery. She lied suddenly although she had long been an invalid and during her illness had dis- played a most sweet and lovable disposi- tion, being a most patient sufferer, greatly missed by all.
Mr. Sack was the owner of one hundred and twenty acres of land in Rocky Run township, whereon he built a comfortable residence and one of the best barns in that purt of the county. He also put up other good ontbuildings and developed an ex- cellent farm property, which is now in
possession of his widow. He was a re- publican in politics and always stood loyally by the party which was the de- fense of the union at the time of the Civil war and which has always been a party of reform, progress and improvement. An industrious man, frugal and careful, he thus made a start in life and in later years was enabled to enjoy more of life's comforts and luxuries. In his business affairs he was thoroughly reliable and was never known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade transaction. He was regarded as a kind friend, a good neighbor and loyal citizen, and thus his death was the occa- sion of deep and wide spread regret. when. on the 27th of November, 1900, he was called to his final rest. his remains being interred in Rocky Run township. Mrs. Sack still survives her husband and re- sides upon the farm but rents the land. from which she derives a good income. and she is comfortably situated in life.
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