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 26
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Active in business, he has made gond the of his opportunities and is prospering in his undertakings, so that he is now one of the substantial citizens of the community.
WILLIAM HI. D. NOYES, V! !.
On the list of Hancock county's honored dead appears the name of Dr. William H. D. Noyes, who for many years was recognized as one of the prom- inent members of the medical profession in Carthage. His parents were Michael T. and Elitha (Tate) Noyes, the former a native of New Hampshire and the latter of Rock Castle county, Kentucky. Dr. Noyes was born in Bowling Green, Mis- souri, January 24. 1834, and was reared in Pittsfield, Illinois, to which city his parents removed in his early boyhood days, his father and mother spending the remainder of their lives there. In their family were twelve children, all of whom are now deceased, with the exception of John Noyes, who is still living in Pittsfield.
Dr. Noyes acquired his preliminary education in the schools of Pittsfield and after completing the high school course entered Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton. Illinois. His literary education being finished he then prepared for his chosen profession by study in the Missouri Mel ical College, at St. Louis, from which he was a graduated in the class of 1801. In the same year. however, he put aside pro iessional cares in order to aid his country then engaged in the Civil war, joming
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Company K of the Sixteenth Illinois In- fantry. He was with that command for only a few months, however, when he was transferred to the navy as assistant surgeon on the Bark Braziliera from the Brooklyn navyyard. Later he was trans- ferred to the steamer Southfield. also doing service on the Atlantic coast. This vessel proceeded southward to Norfolk, Virginia, and up the James river. Mrs. Noyes still has in her possession the letter from John G. Nicholay, private secretary to President Lincoln, transferring Dr. Noyes from the infantry to the navy. He had the rank of lieutenant and messed with the wardroom officers. In Decem- ber, 1862, on account of ill health he was at home for a short time and afterward went to St. Louis, where he did duty in the Fifth Street Hospital and later, on the hospital steamer "City of Memphis" on the Mississippi river, where he again acted as surgeon, remaining on duty until the latter part of 1863.
Following his connection with the army Dr. Noyes practiced medicine for a year in Pittsfield and in 1864 removed to Carthage, where he continued in active practice until his demise. He was in ill health, however, for several years prior to his death and he passed away at Hot Springs, South Dakota on the 12th of June. 1894. He was long accounted one of the leading and able physicians of Carthage and for many years resided on Wabash avenne and Fayette street. He always kept well informed concerning the progress of his profession as advancement was made in efficiency and knowledge, and that his labors were attended with a high measure of success is indicated by
the fact that a most liberal patronage was accorded him.
Dr. Noyes was married in the fall of 1863 to Miss Lizzie Lynde, of Griggsville. Illinois, in which city she was born. They had no children but adopted a daughter, who is now Mrs. D. G. Berry. of Carthage, Illinois, and has one child. Catherine. Mrs. Noyes died in July. 1872 and her remains were interred in the cemetery at Griggsville, where she was visiting at the time of her death. Dr. Noyes afterward married Miss Laura Miller on the 27th of October, 1874. She was born in Huntsville, Pennsylvania. June 30, 1849, and was a daughter of Captain Thomas C. and Martha Mary (McCulloch) Miller. The ancestors of the Miller family came from Scotland, settling in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1720. Her great-great-grandfather was John Miller. He was a most prominent and influential man of his day and married Isabella Henry. a sister of the father of Patrick Henry, whose eloquence did so much in arousing the colonists to make the attempt to throw off the yoke of British oppression. Isabella Henry Miller died a few months before her husband and both lie buried in the cemetery, which thirty years before he had dedicated to "ye congregation of the Presbyterian church" of Neshaminy. He was also a large land- owner in Bucks county. Pennsylvania. William Miller, Jr., great-grandfather of Mrs. Noyes, was a captain in the Revolu- tionary war, having the following record : Appointed ensign June 9. 1776, first lieutenant March 20, 1777. captain on February 2. 1778, and colonel April 17. 1779, in the Seventh Pennsylvania Regu-
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lars commanded by Captain William eral Miller are confident of giving luni Irvine. He also commanded at the battle 600 majority. Let Cumberland do her duty and the General will be elected by a handsome majority." of Hackinsack and was camped at White Plains in 1778. His regiment was paid off at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in April. 1781. His father-in-law was Colonel GENERM. THOMAS C. MILLER. Thomas Craig, also of Revolutionary war fame. He was second lieutenant in The military career of this gentleman deserves some notice, and we think gives him additional claims on the favor of his fellow citizens. A volunteer, who served with the General during the last war, has furnished us with a full history of their services and hardships, from which we shall make a few extracts, in order to show that. whatever the "volunteers" may call General Miller, he has given strong proof that he is at all events, an American and a patriot. Captain Abraham Miller's company. Col- onel Thompson's battalion of riflemen. In November, 1775. he was promoted in first lieutenant and quartermaster of the battalion : afterwards as quartermas- ter of the Ninth Pennsylvania of the Continental Line. In 1780 he was commis- sary of purchases for Buck's company. He was born in 1740, passing from this life in 1832. He was married in 1790 to Dorothy Briner.
General T. C. Miller, grandfather of Mrs. Noyes, was a resident of Gettys- burg, Pennsylvania, and served in the war of 1812. He also had brothers who were in active duty during that war and one or two died in prison ships, one passing away on the Jersey. General T. C. Miller was a warm, personal friend of Francis Scott Key, who was the author of The Star Spangled Banner.
From the "Pennsylvania Statesman." published at Carlisle. Pennsyhama. Sep- tember 28, 1843. on file in Hamilton Li- brary, Carlisle :
(General T. C. Miller was at that time a candidate for associate judge of the district of Cumberland. Franklin and I have a soldier's feeling for a fellow Perry counties. )
"General Miller,-We learn from Franklin county that the friends of bien
To the Editors of the Pennsylvania Statesman, Gentlemen :-
I am not in the habit of dabbling in politics, but when I see the character of a man with whom I have been intimate through life wrongfully assailed and tra- duced. I can not withhold from him my feeble support.
I have been acquainted with General Miller from the late war to the present day, and can aver that his whole course of life, which has fallen under any observa tiền from that day to this, has been unes- ceptionable. Of his en il services I need not speak neither need I say a word in relation to his character : s a man But soldier and I must say that if the me "he serves his country inthanh in the hour of danger deserves the gratinke of his countrymen, then wil General Miller
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in the present contest in your district, be surrounded and supported by a host of friends. I will tell you of some of the services he rendered. In 1814, when the news reached' us that the British had burned Washington, he mounted his horse and never ceased his exertions until he had raised a volunteer rifle company, which he marched to Baltimore in forty-eight hours. Besides leaving his home and business, he incurred considerable ex- pense in raising and marching the com- pany, for which he never asked or received remuneration. further than his monthly pay. The night after the battle of North Point. the main body of our army having been driven back into their entrenchments. a fragment of the army was cut off from the main body by the rising of the tide in an arm of the bay, and could not reach the entrenchments without passing . through the British lines; they were, moreover, destitute of provisions. and were in a very bad way. In this emer- gency Colonel Cobean rode along the line and asked who would volunteer to go and bring the men up? Many marched out and offered, but General Smith and Com- modore Rogers forbade their going, saying that every man would be wanted in the morning. Part of Captain Miller's com- pany being among those cut off, he and William McClellan. now of Gettysburg. although the night was wet and dark. procured horses, and cach taking a bag of bread and some canteens of whiskey. stole through the lines of the British sen- tinels, reached the men, and after giving them something to cat and drink, marched them safely by a circuitous route into the American quarters before daylight.
For this daring feat the General was nick- named Jasper and Mcclellan was called McDonald, after two famous partisan sol- diers of the Revolution-in truth among his fellow-soldiers General Miller is, to this day, called Old Jasper. His conduct throughout the whole campaign met the approbation of his companions in arms, and he was elected by a unanimous vote major of the battalion composed of his own company. Captain Cobean's com- pany of Gettysburg, Captain Campbell's company of Gettysburg, Captain Eichel- berger's company of Dillsburg, Captain 's company of Peach Bot- tom and Captain Mckinney's company of Shippensburg, very many members of which companies are living witnesses of the fact. He has since been elected to several important military offices in his brigade. Immediately after the close of the last war. he was elected colonel of the Eigthy-sixth Regiment at Gettysburg. When his term expired, he was elected brigade inspector and after that was twice elected brigadier general, which commission I believe he held until his re- moval into Cumberland county in 1840.
As a politician. I differ in some respects from General Miller, but I have so much confidence in the patriotism and integrity of the man, and so many good reasons to believe him the true friend of his country. that I am sorry I am not a citizen of your district, so that I might be able to give him a lift at the next election.
Signed, A VOLUNTEER OF 1814.
He was elected.
Daniel Craig, one of the great-grand-
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fathers of Mrs. Noyes in the paternal line. died in 1776. Of this family Colonel Thomas Craig, son of Daniel Craig. re- ceived his commission October 23. 1776. as captain in the Revolutionary war and rose to the rank of colonel. He married Jean Jamison and his daughter, Marga- ree, married William Miller, great- grandfather of Mrs. Noyes, who founded Millerstown, now Fairfield, Pennsylvania, and was for many years representative and senator of a district in the state legis- lature and was a very prominent and in- fluential man. In the fall of 18:4. T. C. Miller raised a rifle company and marched to Washington to defend the city after it had been attacked by the British. He was elected a few years later. brigade inspector of the military section, perform- ing his duties with capability and honor and was afterward general of his division. In 1824 he was elected high sheriff of the county and in 1835 he was appointed by Governor Wolf registrar and recorder to fill a vacancy in that office. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and at his death was buried with military hon- ors, the remains being escorted to the grave by a military organization known as "the Blues" and also by the fraternal societies to which he belonged and a great majority of the citizens of Gettysburg. He owned at one time the ground on which Evergreen cemetery ca part of National cemetery) at Gettysburg was laid out. Mrs. Noyes has in her posses sion a large oil painting of this honored ancestor, which was made in colonial times and which she prizes very highly.
Captain Thomas C. Miller, father of Mrs. Noyes, was born in Gettysburg.
Pennsylvania, July 1. 1827. and having arrived at years of maturity wedded Mary McCulloch, who was born in Dickinson. Pennsylvania, July 22, 1826. He served as a soldier of Company F. Seventh Mis- souri Cavalry, in the Civil war and won the rank of captain but was obliged to resign on account of an attack of typhoid fever. after which he returned home. le re-enlisted, becoming a lieutenant of Com- pany K. One Hundred and Forty-sixth Illinois Infantry. His regiment rendez- voused at Camp Butler and was on duty at Springfield, Illinois, at the time of the funeral services of President Lincoln. Captain Miller died June 21. 1905, and was buried at Moss Ridge cemetery in Carthage. For a number of years prior to his death he lived retired and was a most respected and worthy man, who enjoyed the unqualified confidence and es- teem of all who knew him. His widow died March 22, 1900. In the family four children: Laura, now Mrs. Noyes: J. Oliver, who is living in Baconsfield. lowa : Anna, the wife of R. Herron John- son, of Adams, Kansas: and Margaretta, the wife of Rev. T. S. Hawley. of Trini dad. Colorado.
L'uto Dr. and Mrs. Noyes were born five children, four of whom vet survive. Fannie is living with her mother. Mary Coyle is the wife of Ralph Harper Me- Kee, professor of chemistry at Lake For- est University near Chicago. Helen Mil- ler is now a teacher of languages at Synodecal College, at Fulton, Missouri Julia Tate was a graduate of Wilson ( o) lege at Chambersburg. Pennsyl.m.l. June 7. 1000.
Dr. Noves was a prominent and valued
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member of the Masonic fraternity, serving as master of his lodge in Carthage for many years. In his political views he was an carnest and unfaltering republican. and was supervisor and for two terms was postmaster at Carthage. Not only in the line of his profession but in public and private life as well he did much ser- vice of a beneficial nature for his fellow- mien. The sterling traits of his character, his many acts of kindness and charity and the honorable principles which formed the basic element of all that he did and said. made him a man whom to know was to respect and honor, and there are many residents of Carthage and Hancock county who still cherish his memory. His wife and daughters are members of the Presbyterian church. Mrs. Noyes or- ganized the society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in the fall of 1897 and was regent therein for three years. She is a lady of innate culture and refinement, of superior intelligence and of most kindly purpose and the family have long occupied an enviable position in social circles in Carthage.
PROFESSOR JAMES E. WILLIAMS.
Professor James E. Williams, superin- tendent of schools of Hancock county and one of the capable educators of western Illinois, was born in Hancock township. October 11. 1850. his parents being P. D. and M. A. (Dale) Williams. The paternal grandfather. Rev. Levi Williams,
was a Methodist divine, who preached for many years in Hancock county and this part of the state. While in New York the Williams family were close neighbors of the Mormon prophet. Joseph Smith. Rev. Levi Williams married a Miss Barnes, whose father was a sergeant in the war of 1812. The ancestry of the Williams family can be traced back to Roger Williams, the apostle of freedom. who founded the colony of Rhode Is- land. The father of our subject was born in Wayne county. New York. May 2. 1836. while the mother's birth occurred in Hancock township. this county, on the 12th of February, 1840. P. D. Williams arrived in this county in 1837. almost seventy years ago and is now engaged in business as a shoe merchant of La Harpe. Illinois. Because of the fact that he lost a part of his hand in a threshing machine he could not go to war but was always a stalwart advocate of the Union cause. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he has served as justice of the peace and school director. Both he and his wife are earnest and helpful men- bers of the Christian church, in which lie is now serving as an elder and also as president of the official board. People of the highest respectability, they enjoy the warm regard of all with whom they have come in contact and are numbered among the most prominent residents of . their town. She at one time was a pupil of her husband when he was a teacher in Hancock county. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has at- tained the Royal Arch degree. In their family were nine children. The eldest is Professor Williams. of this review.
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Emma, who taught in the district schools of Hancock county for three of four years. is now the wife of J. M. Preston, of Fountain Green, Illinois, Ida is the wife of W. F. Moyes of Monmouth, Illinois. and she, too, was a successful teacher of this county, having been in one room for seven years in Elvaston. Laura is the wife of George B. Howes, of Peoria, Illi- nois, and she, too, taught for several years in Hancock county, spending two years in the public schools of Carthage. Charles C. is now foreman of the Journal at Peoria, Illinois. Mary, who was also a capable schoolteacher following the pro- fession for seven years in the public schools of La Harpe, is now the wife of E. 1. Soule of that town. Kate, who taught for five years in the schools of La Harpe, is now a teacher in Bowen. Illinois.
elected superintendent of the public Schools at New City, Kansas, and organ- ized and graded the schools of that city. where he remained for four years, during which time he established the system of public instruction upon a safe and substan- tial basis. In 1802 he removed to La- crosse, Kansas, where he remained for two years as superintendent of the public schools, leaving that place to settle in La- Harpe. Illinois, where he was engaged in the dry goods business. He conducted a store there for several years with good success and was carrying on the trade at the time he was nominated and elected to his present office-that of superintendent vi schools of Hancock county. While in La Harpe he was also a member of the board of education for several years and acted as its president for two years. The cause of education has always found in him a stalwart champion, who has enter- tained high ideals and labored untiringly for their adoption.
Professor Williams, whose name intro- duces this record, remained at home until nineteen years of age and during that period pursued his education in the public On the 13th of June. 1892, Mr. Wil- liams was united in marriage to Miss Daisy K. Brown, of Ness City, Kansas. who was at one time a pupil of his in the high school. She is a daughter of Cap- tain J. W. and Catherine ( Kouts ) Brown. both of whom were natives of Indiana. in which state Mrs. Williams was also born. Her father served as a captain under Major Mckinley in the Civil war and was personally and intimately ac- quainted with him. He was also a rela- tive of John Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame. His death occurred in March. 1802, while Mrs. Brown passed away twenty-five years ago. In their family schools. He afterward entered Carthage College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1885. winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Like his father he began life as a schoolteacher, which pro- fession he followed at Elvaston, where his sister also taught for a number of years. Professor Williams was connected with the schools there in 1883. Follow- ing the completion of his collegiate course he taught school at Camp Point, Ilinois, having charge of the preparatory depart- ment there. In 1880 he took charger the Burnside school and at the same time he devoted his time and energies to the study of law. The same year he was were five children, all of whom are living.
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namely: Effie, the wife of A. W. Nu- som, of Gervais, Oregon; Mrs. Williams; George W., also of Gervais, Oregon ; Cora, the wife of W. A. Brooks, of that place : and Helen, who lives with Mr. and Mrs. Williams and is a teacher in the schools of West Point. Unto Professor and Mrs. Williams have been born two children : Ralph Brown, who was born in La Harpe, December 13, 1895, and is now a student in the public schools of Carthage; and Philip, who was born April 9. 1903, in Carthage.
Professor Williams is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities and both he and his wife are members of the Christian church, in which they take an active and helpful part. He is now serving as one of its elders and has been superintendent of various Sunday-schools. The family home is on North Adams and Buchanan street, where about a year after coming to this state he erected an attractive resi- dence. His political allegiance is given to the democracy. In his private and public life he is methodical and systematic, so directing his business interests as to accomplish the best results possible. He has given uniform satisfaction by the ca- pable manner in which he has discharged the duties of the office which he is now filling. His practical experience as a teacher in the schoolroom well qualified him for the work and under his guidance the schools of Hancock county have made substantial improvements. Professor Williams is devoted to his home and family and is one in whom the graces of culture and learning have vied in mak- ing an interesting, entertaining gentleman.
DAYTON WILLIAM REED.
Dayton William Reed is one of the ex- tensive landowners of Wythe township, having a valuable farm of three hundred and seventy-four acres on sections 16, 17, 18 and 19. He is one of the native sons of this township, his birth having oc- curred on the 30th of September, 1854. His paternal grandfather was Jacob Reed. and his father. William Wallace Reed. The latter became a pioneer resident of Hancock county, taking up his abode in Wythe township in 1836 when but sixteen years of age. He secured three hundred and twenty acres of wild prairie land and transformed the virgin soil into pro- ductive fields, sharing in the hardships and privations of pioneer life. while en- gaged in the arduous task of developing and improving a new farm. For more than six decades he resided upon the old homestead but in 1898 went to live with his daughter in this vicinity. In early manhood he had wedded Selena Chandler. a daughter of Adolphus Chandler, and she passed away in 1866.
Dayton W. Reed was the second child and only son in a family of five children. At the usual age he entered the district schools and after completing his prelimi- nary education he spent one year as a student in Carthage College. Through the period of his minority he largely as- sisted his father in the work of the fields. and when twenty-one years of age he be- gan teaching school in Wythe township. following that pursuit during the winter months, while in the summer seasons he carried on farming for twelve years. In the meantime, ambitions to achieve good
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farming property of his own, he made in- vestments in land. becoming owner of three hundred and twenty acres on sec- tions 17 and 18. Wythe township. Ile also bought eighty acres more on section 16, and since 1894 he has resided con- tinuously at his present home. His landed possessions now comprise three hundred and seventy-four acres on section 16, 17. 18 and 19. Wythe township, where he carries on general agricultural pursuits. also raises horses and cattle. Ile likewise feeds stock, both cattle and hogs for the market, shipping about two hundred head of hogs annually. He is a man of sound business judgment, reliable in his dealings and careful and progressive in his under- takings and the goodly measure of suc- cess which he is now enjoying has come to him as the reward of his own labors.
On the 10th of March, 1881, Mr. Reed was married to Miss Laura Fulton, who was born in Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, October 9. 1857. a daughter of Robert and Harriett ( Trussell ) Fulton. natives of Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania and of New Hampshire respect- ively. Her paternal grandparents were William and Nancy Fulton, of Wlegheny county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have a family of eight children : Harriett, born January 30, 1882: Harry. who died in infancy : Clara, born May 3. 1885: Frank, who died at the age of two years: Jessie. born March 16, 1880: Gratia, November 2, 1891 ; Laura, Decem- ber 15. 1893 ; and Robert. April 29. 1800. All of the living children are still at home. Mr. Reed has served as school treasurer since 1804 and is interested in the cause of education to the extent of giving hearty
support to all progressive movements for the benefit of the schools. He votes with the Republican party and is a member of the Modern Woodmen camp at Warsaw, also holding membership in the Congre- gational church of Wythe township, of which he has been a trustee. Analy za- tion of his life record shows that he has placed his dependence upon the safe sub- stantial qualities of energy and determi- nation in order to secure success, realizing that "there is no excellence without great labor" and that "honesty is the best policy."
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