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 22
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he enlisted in the Thirty-second United States Volunteers and went to the Philip- pines, where he remained for two years, being mustered out as sergeant. May 9. 1901. He was wounded in the knee at the first battle of Angeles and was in the hospital for a long time. Mr. Johnson was a representative of a prominent pio- neer family of Illinois, as is his wife. Their respective parents were in limited circumstances on coming to this state but by wise investment in land and carefully directed business affairs became wealthy. Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson had a wide acquaintance in Hancock county and were gladly received in those homes where in- telligence and culture are accepted as the passports into good society. When called to his final rest the funeral services were conducted at his home in Carthage by his pastor. Rev. Edwards, of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, assisted by Rev. Young, pastor of the Presbyterian church. At the conclusion of the services the re- mains, escorted by the Masonic lodge and Alexander Sympson post. G. A. R., were conveyed to Moss Ridge cemetery, the interment being made under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Johnson was highly respected throughout the county, where he had a wide acquaintance and all who knew him gave him their friendship and regard. While taking an active part in politics and holling radical views on many of the questions of the day. he probably had as few political enemies as any man of equal political prominence. As a citizen he was public spirited and his co-operation could be counted upon for the betterment of conditions in mu- nicipal and county affairs. His life was
ILINCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS.
upright and honorable, characterized by high moral principles and many admirable qualities, by a benevolent spirit and hu- manitarian disposition. All who knew him recognized his many good traits of character, but his best qualities were re- served for his own home and fireside. where he was a most devoted husband and father.
OBITUARY.
Matthew Mason Johnson, son of the late John T. and Maria Johnson, was born July 7. 1843. near Urbana, Ohio. and died April 7. 1900, aged sixty-two years and nine months.
Hle came with his parents in infancy to a farm in St. Mary's township, Han- cock county, Illinois, where he resided until 1893. when he became a resident of Carthage. Illinois,
He was married to Mary A. Bacon. of Hills Grove. MeDonough county, Illi- nois, on October 27. 1803. To this union were born four sons: Drenon M. and John B., of this city : Damon J., of Pitts- burg. Pennsylvania, and George 1., who died in infancy. The widow, three sons. one granddaughter, three brothers, Ili- ram, Joseph and Nelson, one sister, Mrs. Orilla Botts and many other relatives and friends mourn his departure.
He was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal church at St. Marys, Illinois, in the year 18;1, of which church he remained a member until he transferred his membership to the Meth- "ist Episcopal church of Carthage.
A few weeks before his death he ex-
pressed his belief that ins time on earth was drawing to a close and that he was prepared to meet his God. While off a visit to the old neighborhood with his brother and sister, he died very suddenly at the home of his brother, Nelson.
He was a member of the Masonic lodge of Carthage. "Grand Army of the Re- public" and the Modern Woodmen of America.
The funeral was held at the residence Monday at 2 p. m., conducted by Res. Edwards, pastor of the Methodis Epis copal church, assisted by Res. Young. pastor of the Presbyterian church.
At the conclusion of the services the remains, escorted by the Masonic lodge and Mexander Sympson Post. G. A. R. of this city, were conveyed to Moss Ridge and placed in the vault, the last ad ries being conducted by the Masons.
The floral offerings were very profuse and beautiful, noticeable among them.be- ing a wheel with one fellow missing from the Stockman's club of this city of which deceased was an honored member. Ile carried $4.000 insurance. $2,000 in the Modern Woodmen of America and $2,000 in the Banker's Life of Des Moines, Iowa.
Deceased was a man highly respected all over the county, throughout which he had a wide acquaintance and his friends were limited only by his acquaintances. While taking an active part in politics and was rather radical in his views, he had probably as few political enemies as any man of equal political prominence. As a citizen he was public-spirited and in speech and in deeds was always con sistently in favor of any movement look-
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ing to the betterment of conditions in municipal or county affairs.
He was a man of clean morals and possessed many admirable qualities, al- ways willing to lend a helping hand to those in need and as a husband and father was an example worthy of emulation, and the entire community mourns with the sorrowing family in the loss sustained through his death.
JOIIN S. COCHRAN.
John S. Cochran, editor and proprietor of the Hancock County Journal, which is the largest paper published in the county, has since 1894 been thus con- nected with the newspaper interests of Carthage, where he is also conducting a good job printing establishment. He is one of the native sons of the county seat, born March 14. 1873, his parents being L. B. and Emily ( Symonds ) Cochran. The father was born in Kentucky in 1844 and the mother's birth occurred in New Hampshire in 1846. At a very early day Mr. Cochran came to Hancock county and for a long period was identified with business interests in Carthage as a mer- chant. He enlisted in Company D of the Sixteenth Ilinois Regiment in the Civil war and served throughout the period of hostilities, taking part in a number of im- portant engagements, the most sangui- mary of which was the battle of Mission- ary Ridge. For a time he was engaged in recruiting service in Hancock county. In his political affiliation Mr. Cochran has
always been a stalwart republican and for twelve years served as postmaster of Carthage, beginning about 1870. Before their marriage both he and his wife were teachers in the first public school in Carthage and the building is still stand- ing on Wabash avenue and Fayette street. In his fraternal relations Mr. Cochran is a Mason and passed all of the chairs in the local lodge. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian church. Her parents were Rev. Frederick and Abbie Symonds, the former a minister of the gospel. while he and his family were among the found- ers of the Presbyterian church in Car- thage. In the family of Rev. Symonds were seven children, five of whom are now living: Sarah. the widow of J. W. Hawley, of Holton, Kansas : Edwin, who died in Chicago about a year ago. his family, however, still living in this county ; Mary, the widow of J. W. Haw- ley. who was congressman from the old fourteenth, or Rock Island, district of Illi- nois and was comptroller of currency at Washington during the Hayes adminis- tration. His widow is now living in Omaha, Nebraska. Emily S. is the wife of L. B. Cochran. Judge W. A. Symonds is living in Carthage. A. F. Symonds makes his home in Peabody, Kansas, and John died while serving in the Civil war as a member of the regiment commanded! by Major McClaughrey. Unto Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Cochran were born four chil- dren : Mary, the wife of Professor R. C. Crum, of Quincy. Illinois: Isabella, a popular teacher of Sioux City, lowa: Robert, who died in 1891. at the age of twenty years and was buried in Carthage cemetery ; and John S., of this review.
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At the usual age John S. Cochran entered the public schools and passed through successive grades until he com- pleted the high school course and after- ward studied in Carthage College. Hle was later associated in the newspaper business with his father for a year of so. they purchasing the Journal in 1892. In 1894. Mr Cochran bought his father's interest and is still engaged in the publi- cation of the Hancock County Journal. which is a weekly paper and the largest published in the county, being the official organ of the Republican party. Its cir- culation exceeds that of any other news- paper and it is well worthy the public patronage, being conducted along modern lines of journalism. The office is on Wabash avenue and in connection with the department for the publication of the paper he also conducts a large job print- ing department and has a good patronage in this line.
On the 28th of June, 1898, Mr. Coch- ran was united in marriage to Miss Emily M. Johnson, who was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cochran has been born a little daughter, Sarah Evelyn, who was born in Carthage, Feb- ruary 8, 1902.
In his political views Mr. Cochran is a republican and has been city clerk of Carthage. Ile has been greatly and actively interested in local and county politics and has continuously served on some committee in connection with the management of the party affairs. Fra- ternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Court of Honor. He has in Carthage erected several houses. all of which he has sold with the excep-
tion of the last one, which he bunih at the corner of Locust street and Quincy road. He is an active, energetic man and is very prosperous for one of his par -. His success moreover is attributable to his own labors and keen business discernment. He is a young man of strong intelligence. who has been a student of the signs of the times relating to business and polit- ical development and he stands for prog- ress and improvement at all times. Both he and his wife are consistent and helpful members of the Presbyterian church.
DR. BRIGGS JUDD FULLER.
Briggs Judd Fuller, formerly identified with the dental profession of Hancock county but now living retired in Warsaw. is a native of Lee, Berkshire county. Massachusetts, his birth having there of curred on the 8th of December, 1843. His father, Albert Fuller, came to this county in 1856, and here spent his remaining days, his death having occurred February 6. 1880. Ilis widow, who bore the maiden name of Julia Judd. still survives and now makes her home with her son. Briggs J., in Warsaw.
Dr. Fuller was a lad of twelve years when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Hancock county, and in the schools of Warsaw acquired his early education. In 1864 he enlisted for ser vice in the army, joining a company which was organized at Warsaw and which was mustered in for service at Quincy. The
BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEN'
company was assigned to duty with the Army of the Tennessee and at once went to Memphis, where, in the first battle in which Dr. Fuller was engaged he was captured and taken as a prisoner of war to Cahaba, Alabama, to Castle Morgan prison, and then went to Vicksburg. where he was parolled and where he was granted a furlough and went to Spring- field. being there mustered out of service.
Choosing the profession of dentistry as a life work. he entered the Missouri Dental College. at St. Louis, from which he was graduated in 1871 with the degree of D. D. S. He afterward pursued a course in the St. Louis Medical College. Following his graduation he returned to his home in this city, where he opened an office and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession for a number of years in Warsaw, since which time he has lived retired, now making his home with his mother and sister in this city. He has here formed a very wide acquaintance both professionally and so- cially and is highly esteemed, for he has ever been straightforward and honorable in every relation of life.
A brother. Dr. Albert Homer Fuller, was also in the Civil war, and enlisted in 1802. and served for three years. Ile resides in St. Louis, Missouri, where he is a practicing dentist. He was for many years Dean of Missouri Dental College of Washington University, at St. Louis, Missouri, but has now retired from the college. While connected with the col lege his work was very satisfactory, not only to the faculty, but also to the stu dents, many of whom have become distinguished.
JAMES W. McKEE.
James W. McKee. now living retired in Carthage, was born in Ohio, near Ripler. .April 30, 1840. His father, James McKee, Sr .. was born in Mckeesport. Pennsylva- nia, in 1777. and removed to Ohio when about thirty-five years of age, after which he. regularly visited his old home in Penn- sylvania once a year, walking one way and riding horseback the other way. He was an enterprising farmer and a diligent man, whose life was always characterized by integrity in all business transactions. He served his country as a soldier in the war of 1812 and his life at all times con- formed to a high standard of conduct. He was married twice and there were ten children by the first marriage and nine by the second, while his second wife had five children by a prior marriage. One of the sons, Nathaniel MeKee, was a soldier of the Civil war. enlisting in the Seventh Missouri Cavalry under Captain Miller.
James W. McKee spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Ohio, and at the age of seventeen years came to Illi- nois with his parents, settling on a farm in Carthage township. where he owned one hundred acres. He has followed general farming and stock-raising for many years, giving his attention to that calling until 1895, when he retired. He made good and substantial improvements upon his land, placing the fields under a high state of cultivation, adding modern improvements and using the latest im- proved machinery for plowing, planting and harvesting. As the years passed he prospered in his undertakings and in 1895
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
he removed to Carthage, where he built a modern home on Schofield street and is now spending the evening of life in comfort, for in former years he acquired a competence sufficient to supply him with the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. October 13. 1859. Mr. McKee was married to Miss Margaret Weir, who was born in Washington county, Indiana. August 21, 1840, a daughter of George Weir, who was a successful farmer. George Weir, one of the sons, was a sol- dier of the Civil war, enlisting in the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ilinois In- fantry, and died while in service, becoming ill at Jefferson Barracks. Both Mr. and Mrs. Weir have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. J. W. McKee have become the par- ents of five children, who are now liv- ing. Ida is the wife of Edward Arm- strong, who occupies a position in the postoffice in Chicago, and they have three children, Ruth. Edna and Harry. Albert Nathaniel is proprietor of a grocery store in Carthage. Margaret is the wife of Emanuel Gildner, a wholesale clothing merchant of Chicago. Effic is the wife of Charles Peirson, of Chicago, and Mand is also in Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Mckee are loyal and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, in which he has served as an elder. They take a very active and helpful part in church work and Mrs. McKee has been president of the Ladies And Society. They have a pleasant home in Carthage. and in addition to this property Mr. Me- Kee owns a house, which he rents and also two large farms in the county, one in Carthage township and one in Hancock township, from which he derives a grati-
fying income. In a review of his life it will be seen that he had no assistance when he started upon his business career but the spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in the individual, and placing his reliance on the substantial qualities of industry and close application. Mr. Mckee worked his way steadily up- ward until he reached the plane of attlu- ence. Industry and economy constitute a safe basis on which to build prosperity-a fact which he early recognized and which he has utilized in his business career. His political allegiance is given to the Repub- lican party and he served as road com- missioner and as school director for a number of years. Both he and his wife are pleasant, genial people, interested in all that pertains to the welfare of their city and state and to the interests of mankind. and they number their friends in Carthage and Hancock county by the score.
ALBERT NATHANIEL MOREE.
Albert Nathaniel Mckee, engaged in the grocery business in Carthage, Was born in Hancock county, in 1804. a soll of James W. and Margaret ( Weir) Me Kee, who are represented elsewhere in this work. His education was acquired in the district schools and he entered upon his business career as proprietor of a re- taurant in Carthage, which he conducted for a year. He then accepted a position as fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, being thus employed for
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BIOGRAPHICAL RET'IEN'
three years, after which he was a brake- man for a year on the Keokuk & Western Railroad. He next went to Quincy. Illi- nois, spending a year in the Electric Wheel Works. after which he returned to Carthage, where he devoted the succeed- ing year to looking after various prop- erties. Going to Chicago he operated a motor car of the Chicago City Railway Company for eight years, and on the expi- ration of that period he removed to Ren- nick. Missouri, where he devoted three years to farming. He next went to Moberly, Missouri, where he was em- ployed in a machine shop for about a year. In 1905 he returned to Carthage and pur- chaged the corner property on Schofield and Buchanan streets, opening the only grocery store in the northern part of the city. He has a well appointed store, car- rying a carefully selected line of staple and fancy groceries and also a well se- lected stock of muslins, prints, notions and novelties, it being a great convenience to the entire neighborhood to have such an establishment in their midst.
On the 28th of August. 1889, Mr. Mc- Kee was married to Miss Alice Yetter, who was born September 21, 1867, in Carthage township. Hancock county, a daughter of S. R. and Hester ( Halbert) Yetter. The father was born in Lan- caster county, Pennsylvania. in 1824. and the mother in Kentucky. in 1836. Mr. Yetter was a farmer by occupation and was only twelve years of age when brought to Illinois, where he has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits. He still lives on his farm but is now practically living retired. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he has
served as justice of the peace for many years, proving a fair and impartial of- ficer. Fraternally he is a Mason. In his family were ten children, of whom seven are now living, as follows: Laura, the wife of Lewis Tull. a resident of Berke- ley, California; Mary, the wife of Rich- ard White, of Carthage, who is men- tioned elesewhere in this volume: John C .. of Carthage: Charles, who is living in Beardstown, Illinois : Alice, now Mrs. McKee: Margaret. the wife of P. H. Willey, of Peabody. Kansas ; and Ralph. at home. Mr. and Mrs. Yetter are de- voted members of the Methodist church and in his younger years he filled at different times all of the church offices. They are people of the highest respecta- bility, their upright, honorable lives hav- ing gained for them the esteem and con- fidence of all with whom they have been associated.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McKee has been blessed with four children. Earl. who was born October 23. 1890, in Keokuk. Iowa, and is attending the high school; Ray, who was born in Keo- kuk. in 1892; Helen, born in Chicago, in 1895 : and Harold, who was born in Chi- cago in 1896, and died in 1897. being laid to rest in Moss Ridge cemetery at Carthage. The three living children are all in school, the parents giving to them good educational privileges. Mr. . and Mrs. McKee are faithful members of the Presbyterian church and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp and to the Chi- cago Mutual Aid, while his political al- legiance is given to the Republican party. Ile has depended upon his own resources from an early age and whatever success
HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS.
he has achieved has resulted from his perseverance, labor and ready adaptabil- ity. Ile has attained a creditable meas- ure of success for one of his years and is now proprietor of a good store, in which he is enjoying a large patronage. He is located on a very pretty corner which he has improved by the erection of a handsome and commodious modern residence on Schofieldl street adjoining the store and he contemplates building a new store building in the near future. He is courteous and accommodating and his business is constantly growing. Hle pos- sesses laudable ambition and energy and his wife has been of much assistance to him.
FREDERICK W. MEYER.
Frederick W. Meyer, who is living in Walker township, was born in Adams county, Illinois, January 18. 1856, and is of German lineage. His parents, Got- lieb and Henrietta Yetter ( Homer ) Meyer, were both natives of the father- land. The former, born in 1829. died in 1895. but Mrs. Meyer is still living at the home in Adams county. He was a farmer, and in 1854 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, making the voyage in a sailing vessel, which was three weeks in reaching the American port. Unto him and his wife were born eight chil- dren: Caroline, the wife of Gotlieb Roskamp, of Walker township: F. W .. of this review: Fredericka, the wife of Ernest Distlehorst, of Horton: Augusta.
the wife of Henry Slitman, of Adams county, Illinois: Louisa. the wife of ld Cook, of Mendon, this state: Emma, the wife of James Knox, of Adams county : Anna, at home: and Gotlieb, who for eight years was in the Philippine Islands. but is now in St. Louis, Missouri.
F. W. Meyer pursued his education in the public schools of Quincy, Illinois, and at Fowler, this state. In his youth he largely assisted his father in the work of the home farm and eventually began earn- ing his living by working as a farm hand for two months in the employ of Mr. Buckeder. He was married in 1883 to Miss Minnie Althede, who was born in an old log house standing on the farm which is now the home of Mr. Meyer. Her natal year was 1860, and her parents were Gotlieb and Rickie ( Hocker ) \lthede. both natives of Germany. Her father provided for his family by following farming and feeding stock in Walker township for many years but in early life he learned and followed the tailor's trade. He died in 1902, and his widow is now living at her daughter's, Mrs. Wiebrock. in Walker township. Mr. Althede served in the German army in his native country and was also a soldier of the Civil war in this country for eight months. In his family were six children who are yet liv- ing: Fred, who resides in Wythe town- ship: Mrs. Meyer: Henry and Gotlieb. who are farmers of Walker township: Mrs. Carrie Wiebrock, of Walker town- ship: and John, living in the same town- ship.
About a year after his marriage Mr. Meyer purchased his present farm home of his father-in-law, and now has eighty
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BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEII
acres on section 4. Walker township. He built his present residence in 1892. taking possession on the 14th of June. In 1888 he built a good barn thirty-two by forty- four feet and has also put up other sub- stantial buildings on the place. He like- wise owns eighty-three acres of land near Hamilton, Illinois, which is improved, and sixty-two acres of pasture land in Bear Creek township, beside a store build- ing in Sutter which is occupied by Wil- liam Shipe, and two houses in Sutter which he rents. His attention is mainly given to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, and upon his place he has a young orchard of six acres of peaches and apples, only about three years old. He is entirely a self-made man, who started out in life in limited circumstances. In his earlier years he practiced frugality and industry and as the result of his earnest labor he and his wife are now enabled to enjoy many of the comforts which go to make life worth living.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have been born eleven children, of whom nine sur- vive: Lydia, the wife of Charles Mur- ray, who lives on her father's farm near Hamilton, by whom she has two daugh- ters. Elise and Edna: Carrie, the wife of Gotlich Humke, of Wythe township: Alice, who is with her parents; George. eighteen years of age, at home: Bertha. Rosa, Sophia. Dora and Sadie, all yet under the parental roof.
Mr. Meyer is a republican, inflexible in support of the principles of his party vet without aspiration for office. Both he and his wife are members of the Ger- man church and are intelligent, well re- perte citizens. He is now quite an ex-
tensive landowner and all his property has been acquired through his own efforts. It is a record of which he Iras every reason to be proud and it shows what may be accomplished in this country where labor is unhampered by caste or class and where opportunity is open to all.
FRED N. MILBY.
Fred N. Milby, editor and proprietor of the Carthage Weekly Democrat. has made a notable success for one of his years, and in his career as a journalist has kept abreast with the modern prog- ress which has been manifest in late years in the newspaper field. He is a native son of Hancock county, having been born near Carthage. March 15, 1873. his par- ents being David W. and Catherine (Curry) Milby. The father was born in Delaware, July 12. 1831. and the mother's birth ocurred in Louisville, Ken- tucky, March 13. 1834. Mr. Milby was a farmer by occupation and was brought to Illinois in his childhood days, settling with his parents at Rushville in Schuyler county, whence he came to Hancock county about thirty-five years ago. He died in Carthage, December 22, 1805. respected by all who knew him and his remains were interred in Moss Ridge cemetery. His political views were in harmony with the principles of democ- racy. His wife, a member of the Chris- tian church, is now living with her son Fred. They had a family of seven chil-
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