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 24
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
The death of the father, Claus Albers. occurred January 23. 1892, when he was seventy-four years of age. A local jour- nal said of him: "In the death of Mr. Albers Warsaw lost a citizen who gave the best years of his life to an enterprise that contributed largely to the upbuilding of the city and made it for four decades the grain market for a large scope of ter- ritory. It lost a citizen who thus prac- tically demonstrated the vast benefit. a man of enterprise, energy and capacity can be to a community when he so directs those attributes. It lost a citizen whose acquaintance was as wide as the commer- cial reach of the city-made so by a long. active and useful life." Ilis wife sur- vived him until July 9. 1896, and passed away at the age of seventy-seven years. six months and thirteen days. Mrs. . \1- bers was a gentle, kindly woman, char- itable in her estimate of every one and of uniform affability in the treatment of all. She never spoke evil of any one, and always insisted that every person had his good side and redeeming qualities if one would only seek them. Even her re- proofs were so tempered with sweetness they left no sting of bitterness, and in all her life it is said she never gave way to temper. Patient in her consideration of others, self-sacrificing and thoughtful. her greatest ambition seemed to be to serve her family and her greatest fear that she might be a care or a burden. All who knew her are full of her praises and all mourn the loss of a good woman. They can well sympathize with the house- hold from which such a light has gone ont forever.
Of their family Homer Albers has at-
tained national distinction. He was born in Warsaw, Illinois, February 28, 1803. Ile was educated in the public schools of Warsaw ; at Central Wesleyan College Warrenton, Missouri, from which college he was graduated with a degree of Bache- lor of Arts in 1882. He then went to the Boston University Law School and was graduated Magna Cum Laude from this institution in 1885 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted to the bar in the summer of 1885 in Boston; was associated in business before his ad- mission, and subsequently with George L. Huntress until 1888, when he became a partner with Mr. Huntress which part- nership has continued up to the present time. Soon after receiving his degree of Bachelor of Laws he was appointed an instructor in the Law School. continuing. however, his law practice. A few years later he was made a professor and ap- pointed a member of the faculty of the Boston University Law School, which po- sitions he continued to hold until 1002. when the increasing demands of his law practice made it necessary for him to cur- tail his other work. At the request of the university he consented to deliver a few lectures each year in order that they might retain his name in their list of lecturers. In 1900 Mr. Albers began a short course of lectures on Business Law at the Massachusetts Institute of Technol- egy, and has continued to the present time in the charge of this course in this famous institution. He has been offered protes- sorships in the Law School of University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, and at the Northwestern University, at Chicago, but declined, preferring the active practice of
13
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law. In 1899 Mr. Albers was by Gov- ernor Wolcott appointed a member of the Massachusetts State Ballot Law Commis- sion, and by reappointments from suc- cessive governors continued to hold this position until 1905. He was married June 26, 1889, to Minnie B. Martin, of Fredonia, New York. They reside in Brookline, a most attractive village near Boston. In 1903 he was by Governor Bates appointed a judge of the Massachu- setts superior court. In Massachusetts the judges are appointed by the governor for life, and an appointment to this bench had, up to the time of the selection of Mr. Albers for this position, been refused only once in the history of Massachusetts. The judges must, however, sit in different places throughout the state, and Mr. Al- bers was unwilling to have his happy home life interferred with, and therefore declined the proffered, unsolicited honor. In an interview published in the Boston Journal on September 15, 1903, his law partner, George 1 .. Huntress, said: "At the time of Mr. Albers's appointment I was both glad and sorry. You know why I was glad. But I was sorry to lose such a man from the close association of the office and out of our business, which he has graced and honored, and to which he has given the best that is in him. Now 1 am both glad and sorry. I am sorry that he has been obliged to surrender what would have been an honor to him and what he would have honored to the full- a place upon the bench of this common- wealth. But I am glad he is going to stay with me." The Lowell Courier published the following : "Aside from the domestic considerations which compelled Mr. Al
bers to refuse the ermine, it is also true in all probability that a man of his calibre is making too great a financial sacrifice in accepting a judicial position. Our judges are better paid than the justices of a good many states, but their salarie, are still far below what a good many lawyers can make in practice. We can only regret it as a grave error to refuse attractive salaries to the judiciary. It takes a large mind to make a good judge. and some states find that the large minds come high-higher than they are willing to pay." The salary in Massachusetts is six thousand five hundred dollars, and five hundred dollars travel. Mr. Albers's practice is that of a business lawyer,- commercial law, corporation law, equity cases including many trade mark cases. He has never been a candidate for any office and all appointments have come unsolicited. He is the personal attorney for Thomas W. Lawson in all his varied and intricate affairs, and he and Mr. Huntress have conducted the legal busi- ness of C. I. Hood & Company, the Wells & Richardson Company ( Paine's Celery Compound ) and other prominent 'individuals and corporations. Mr. Al- bers is a director in a number of corpora- tions including the Coastwise Transpor- tation Company, which owns and operates the largest sailing vessels in the world. AAlthough he cannot be called a "club man." he is a member of the University ('lub, the Boston Art Club and the Com- monwealth Country Club. this being not the least among the many forms of recre- ation which he has of recuperation, which is so necessary to one leading so active a life.
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
CHARLES ALBERS.
Charles Albers, now manager of the Warsaw Milling Company, was born in this city in 1857, and was educated in the public schools of Warsaw and Central Wesleyan College. Warrenton, Missouri, and the lowa Wesleyan University. of Mt. Pleasant. lowa. Ile received his business training under the direction of his father and has continously been iden- tified with the milling interests of War- saw since that time. The business is now conducted under the firm name of The Warsaw Milling Company. As stated. the business was established in 1856 by the father of the present proprietors, and in 1887 was incorporatel as a stock company and capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, with J. H. Finlay as president : C. E. Eymann, vice president : W. E. Albers. secretary and treasurer ; and Charles . Al- bers, manager. The capacity of the plant is four hundred barrels per day. The mill has been in continuous operation for fifty years, and all of the time has been owned by the same family. It is now equipped with all modern improvements and the business is carefully and suc- cessfully conducted along modern lines.
Charles Mbers was married in 1904 to Miss Cecille Dory, a daughter of Victor Dory, and they have one child. Clarice Cecille. Mr. Albers became a Mason in 1890 and has attained the Knight Templar degree of the York rite. He has never aspired to political honors, yet is never remiss in citizenship and gives stalwart support to many movements which are of direct benefit not only to the village, but also to the county and state.
ILLALAMM EDWARD ALBERS.
William Edward Albers was born in Illinois, July 7. 1859, and pursued his education in the public schools of War- saw and also in Illinois College, at Jack- sonville. Subsequently he went to Bloom- ington, Illinois, and later for a time op- erated a coal mine at Sidell, Illinois, where he remained for about three years. On the expiration of that period he soll to the firm of Bishop & Springer, coal deal- ers of Keokuk. He has been associated with the milling business as secretary and treasurer since its incorporation in 1887. and while operating the mill he was large- ly interested in farming. He became a partner in the milling business in 1884 and he and his brother Charles rebuilt the mill and have since conducted this busi- ness, which is one of the leading indus- trial enterprises of Warsaw.
W. E. Albers was married October 12. 1803. to Miss Mary Grace Robinson, a daughter of David A. and Laura ( Chan- (Her ) Robinson, and they are prominent socially in Warsaw, where they have many warm friends. Politically Mr. . MI- bers is a republican but without aspiration for office. He holds membership with the Presbyterian church, of which he has been a trustee for several years and he is active in support of all that tends to ad vance material, intellectual and moral progress.
LEWIS GOTLIEB ROSKAMP
Lewis Gotlieb Koskamp, decared, who at one time was a successinl general
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farmer of Hancock county, was born in Quincy. Illinois, September 2, 1852. His parents. Philip and Hannah (Shassick) Roskamp. were natives of Germany and the family came to America about 1845 or 1846, settling in St. Louis, Missouri. Philip Roskamp removed from Quincy, Illinois, to Hancock county when his son Lewis was only four or five years of age and located on a farm in Walker town- ship. where he reared his family and carried on general agricultural pursuits. His wife died in 1887, and he survived until 1891. when his grave was made by the side of hers in Tioga cemetery.
Lewis G. Roskamp was educated in the public schools of Tioga and continued under the parental roof until he had at- tained his majority, when he was married and started out in life for himself. On the 5th of October, 1873, he wedded Miss Caroline Meyer, who was born in Adams county. Illinois, in 1855. a daughter of Gotlieb and Henrietta (Haner) Meyer. who were natives of Germany, the former born May 24. 1821, and the latter De- cember 29. 1829. Both came to Amer- ica in childhood. and Mrs. Meyer was eleven weeks on the voyage to the new world. In their family were eight chil- dren, namely: Mrs. Roskamp: Mrs. Rickie Distlehorst, deceased : William, of Walker township: Augusta, the wife of Henry Schlipman, of Adams county, Illi- nois: Emma, the wife of Ernest Distle- horst. of Adams county : Louisa, the wife of Ed Cook, who is living near Mendon, Illinois: Anna, who makes her home with her sister. Mrs. Cook: and Gotlich, who is in St. Louis, Missouri. He was twenty- nine years of age on the 30th of May.
1906. He has been a soldier in the Philippines for many years and is now in a St. Louis hospital. The mother of these children still survives and yet en- joys good health for one of her years.
At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Roskamp took up their abode in a log house on a farm just across the road from where she now lives, in Walker township. There they lived until 1881. when Mr. Roskamp erected an elegant residence, which is one of the best homes of the locality. In 1887 he built a fine barn sixty by forty feet and also erected sheds and other good outbuildings. His farm comprised two hundred and seventy acres on section 20, Walker township, and he placed his land under a high state of cultivation so that he annually gathered good crops and secured a gratifying year- ly income. His life was one of industry. and his laudable ambition and unfaltering perseverance were elements in his success. As the years passed by he prospered. so that he was able to secure a beautiful home and surrounded his family with many of the comforts of life.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Roskamp were born eleven children, all of whom were born on the old home place, namely: Anna, the wife of Gotlieb Heineke, of, Walker town- ship, by whom she has two children, Alna and Bertha: Fred. a farmer who married Anna Kiner, of Hamilton and has three children, Bertha. Hilda and Clara : Lydia. the wife of William Kunz, of Walker township, and they have one child. Al- vina: John, who operates the home farm for his mother: Henry, who is seventeen years of age and is now in Oregon: Walter, also at home : Carl, thirteen years
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of age. Lawrence aged eleven, and Lena, born in Kentucky in 1800, and they be nine years of age, also at home with their mother.
Mr. Koskamp voted with the Repuls- lican party but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking. He held mem- bership in the German Lutheran church, at Tioga, where he served as trustee for eight years, in the work of which he was deeply and helpfully interested. Ilis death occurred August 17. 1899, and his remains were buried in the Tioga ceme- tery, where rests his two children. llis widow is likewise a member of the church and still is on the old home farm, where she is rearing her children, who have been left in comfortable circumstances as the result of enterprise and business ability manifested by the husband and father through the years of his active con- nection with farming interests in this county.
ALFRED QUICK.
Alfred Quick, engaged in general farming in Wilcox township, was born in Rocky Run township in 1878. His pa- ternal grandfather, Mired Quick, Sr., was born in 1814, in Kentucky, and in 1834. when twenty years of age, became a resi- dent of this county. He settled in Rocky Run township and was identified with its pioneer development and progress, aiding in laying broad and deep the foundation for the present upbuilding and improve- ment of this portion of the state. He married Miss Susan Hornbeck, who was
came the parents of six children, of whom four are now living: Preston : Samuel, of Rocky Kun township: James, of Clark county, Missouri; and Susan, the wife of James Shipe, of Warsaw. Preston Quick. father of our subject, was born in Ken- tucky in 1842, and came to Illinois in 1848, at which time he took up his abode in Rocky Run township. He served for three and a half years as a soldier in the Civil war, belonging to the One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, and during a part of that time was under command of General Grant. Re- turning home, he resumed agricultural pursuits here and was for many years an enterprising farmer of this county but is now living retired, making his home with his children. He married Miss Elizabeth Shipe, who was born in Rocky Run township in 1848 and is of German descent. She died in 1895. Mr. Quick is a republican in his political affiliation and for years served as school director. the cause of education finding in him a warm and stalwart friend. In their family were four children, of whom three are now living, namely: Clara M., the wife of Thomas Williams, of Wythe township: Susan, the deceased wife of Lemuel Whitney: Sophronia, the wife of David Webster, who is operating the old Onick homestead in Rocky Run township: and Alfred.
In the public schools near his father's home. Alfred Quick was educated and during the periods of vacation he assisted in the farm work, giving his services to the benefit of his father until twenty two years of age, when he left home and was
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married. It was on the 9th of January, 1900. that he wedded Miss Cleota Ewing, who was born in Tioga, Hancock county, Illinois. November 25, 1880, a daughter of Jackson and Minerva ( Gray) Ewing. Her father was born in Kentucky, Oc- tober 28. 1837. and died September 19. 1886. while the mother's birth occurred in this county on the 13th of September. 1838. He followed the occupation of farming and on coming to Hancock county settled in Walker township, where he devoted his time to his chosen vocation and also carried on a general merchan- dise store at Tioga. His political sup- port was given to the democracy and he served in several township offices. In his family were three children, of whom two are living: Iona, the wife of Frank Harrison. of Walker township; and Mrs. Quick. Mr. Ewing departed this life in 1886, and the mother still survives and is living in Tioga.
Following his marriage Mr. Quick re- sided upon his father's farm for two years and later spent one year near Hamilton. In 1905 he purchased one hundred acres of land on section 21. Wilcox township. an improved farm, which he has since further developed and cultivated. The home has been blessed with one child. Fleta Minerva, who was born in Rocky Run township. January 20, 1903. Both Mr. and Mrs. Quick have many friends in this locality and their many excellent traits of character are widely recognized by those with whom they come in contact. Mr. Quick is a republican, while frater- nally he is connected with the Woodmen camp. Energetic and active he is ac- counted one of the progressive young
farmers of the community, who has al- ready done well in his business life and undoubtedly the future holds in store for him further success.
CHARLES ALBERT WARNER. M. D.
Dr. Charles Albert Warner is the oldest practicing physician in Hancock county. He arrived here in 1853 from Germany, having been born in the latter country on the 15th of September, 1830, the place of his nativity being Hesse Darmstadt. His early education was acquired in the public schools and the Gymnasium and College University of Giesen, from which he was graduated in the spring of 1852. He was a youth of twenty-three years when he arrived in Wisconsin, having made the voyage on an old sailing vessel. which was four weeks in crossing the Atlantic. He proceeded to St. Louis and having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work. he entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he pur- sned a regular course and was graduated after three years' study, two years of which was passed in that institution, then called Pope's College, while for one year he was a student in McDowell's College. Following his graduation from the St. Louis Medical College, he entered upon the active practice of his profession and remained in St. Louis until 1862. when he enlisted in the service of his country as assistant surgeon, being thus engaged until 1865. In that year he resigned
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
after which he was in charge of the aid which he has given to many move city hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, ments for the public good. acting in that capacity until 1866. In that year he came direct to Warsaw, where he has continuously practiced to the present time, being non the oldest physician in years of continuous service in the county. He has been ac- WESLEY CRAYTON BRIDGES. corded a liberal patronage and has done a good business, which, as the years have passed. has steadily increased. He has always kept abreast with the progress made by the medical fraternity and is today a man of broad learning. Ile is medical examiner for various life insur- ance companies, including the letni. Northwestern. New York Mutual and the Metropolitan companies. Since coming to Warsaw he has remained at his present location at the corner of Main and Fourth streets.
On the 27th of October. 1855, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Warner and Miss Barbara Gerisch, a daughter of Christian Gerisch. Unto them were born two children. Frances and Fred. the former now the wife of Dr. Franz, of St. Louis. The wife and mother died De- cember 24. 1890, and in 1897, Dr. Warner was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Elizabeth Weigand. They now reside in Warsaw on East Main street, where the Doctor owns a valuable tract of one hundred and twenty acres devoted to general farming. In 1808 he was elected supervisor and held the office for a number of years. He has also been a member of the school board for about twenty years and his loyal and progressive citizenship is a well known factor in his life. having been manifest by the tangible
Wesley Crayton Bridges, general for- man of the round house and shop for the Wabash. Toledo, Peoria & Western mil roads at Hamilton, whose connection with railroad service has continued since 1802. was born in Carroll county. Tennessee. July 24. 1838. His father, Wilham Mexander Bridges, was a native of Ten- nessee and a son of Willis Bridges, who was born in North Carolina and was a minister of the Primitive Baptist church. devoting forty-five years of his life to that holy calling. It was in Humphreys county, Tennessee. that William 1. Bridges was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Neel Ridings, a native of that state and a daughter of Joel and l'enclope ( May) Ridings, both natives of North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. William 1. Bridges began their domestic life upon a farm in Carroll county, Tennessee, where he carried on general agricultural pur- suits until his death, which occurred on the 18th of January. 1844, when he was a comparatively young man. In the family were three children, of whom Wesley C. is the oldest. Joel Willis con- duets the pumping station for the Toledo. l'earia & Western and Wabash railroads at Hamilton, while James Monroe, who served as a member of Company fr. Ses enth Missouri Cavalry, died April 2, 1802
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Wesley Crayton Bridges spent his carly youth in his native state and attended the subscription schools of Tennessee until fourteen years of age, when he started with his mother, brothers and stepfather, Jacob Hicks, for Missouri. He drove two yoke of oxen across the country, the family intending to locate in Missouri. Having reached the Mississippi river at Columbus, Kentucky, they were ferried across on a flat boat manned by two Frenchmen with sweep oars. After vis- iting Missouri, however, they recrossed the river into Illinios, making their way to St. Genevieve, where for the first time Mr. Bridges saw a cook stove. The second trip across the river was made on a flat boat pulled by hand. The family located in Jackson county, Illinois, and there Mr. Bridges continued his educa- tion. They remained in that county until December, 1854, but in the previous May the stepfather had died and the mother and her children started again upon the journey in the following December. traveling with ox teams until they reached Augusta. Hancock county. In this county Mr. Bridges also attended school to a limited extent. but worked mostly as a farm hand by the month until 1862. when he removed to Bowen, where a rail- road was being built called the Illinois & Southern Iowa Railroad. He was then employed at laying the track between Clayton and Carthage, working as a la- boter for eight months. On the expira- tion of that period he secured a position as fireman and so continued for three years and three months. On the 24th of July. 1867. he was promoted to the position of engineer and followed this
until November 1, 1883. when he was made general foreman of the round house and shop for the Wabash and for the Toledo. Peoria & Western railroads at Hamilton. Since he entered the railroad service he has never been reprimanded, laid off or discharged and has never been away from duty for a full month at a time.
On the 14th of October. 1860, Mr. Bridges was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Harrison, who was born in Washington county, Indiana, January 25. 1843, a daughter of William and Alice B. (Davis) Harrison, natives of Indiana. She had but one sister, Louisa Jane, who became the wife of J. M. Hughes, of Au- gusta, and died in 1878. Mrs. Harrison came to Hancock county in 1850 and died in Hamilton in 1901 after more than a half century's residence here. Mrs. Bridges pursued her education in this county and by her marriage became the mother of five children. Louisa Alice, born September 1, 1861, is the wife of Robert Watson, of Hamilton. Martha Ellen, born January 23. 1863, is the wife of Elmer Dennis, of Hamilton. Laura Belle, born April 1. 1866, is the wife of Robert S. Gordon, station agent at Hamil- ton. Julia Viola, born April 6. 1870, is the wife of Guy Blakeslee, who is a brakesman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and lives at Hannibal. Missouri. Abbie Ethel. born September 6, 1876, is the wife of Hurley Moore, of Hamilton, who is a brakesman on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad.
Mr. Bridges was one of the organizers of the Building and Loan AAssociation, of Hamilton, Illinois, there being nine men
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who formed this company in November. 1888. He was chosen its first president. He has always been interested in matters of public progress and improvement and has co-operated in many movements for the general good. His political allegiance is given to the Republican party and he has served as alderman of the city for two years and two terms as mayor. He has also been school director and for six years has been a member of the cemetery board. Ile belongs to Black Hawk Lodge, No. 238, of the Masonic fraternity, the Royal Arch Chapter, to the council and to the Knight Templar Commandery. He is also connected with the Modern Wood- men of America and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, while his religious allegiance is given to the Christian church. of which he is a charter member. His life has been an active and useful one and he has displayed many sterling traits of character which are well worthy of emu- lation.
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