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 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
SAMUEL T. STONE.
Samuel T. Stone, deceased, was a florist of Carthage and conducted the only green- houses in Hancock county. He was born at Stone's Prairie, Adams county, Illinois, September 25, 1855. his parents, Enoch P. and Emily (Burke) Stone, being farming people of that locality. The father continued to follow farming there until the spring of 1856, when he re- moved to Pontoosue township. Hancock county, settling upon a farm, where he made his home until 1860. He then re- moved to what became the Stone home- stead, where he conducted a nursery busi- ness southeast of Carthage. His death occurred there December 16, 1880, while his wife passed away February 13. 1891. the remains of both being interred in Myers cemetery in Pontooste township. Their religious faith was that of the Meth- odist church. In their family were eight children: E. R., now living in Kansas : Eliza J., the deceased wife of Ervin Kid- son : Mary .A., the wife of Richard Pome- roy, of Elvaston, Ilinois: Meh ina, the wife of Benton Hull, of l'ontoeste town- ship; Ellen, who lives with her sister in
15
232
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
Elvaston: Irel H., of Kirksville, Mis- souri : Ervin W., of Beardstown, Illinois ; and Samuel T .. deceased.
In taking up the personal history of Samuel T. Stone we present to our readers the life record of one who was a respected and prominent business man in commer- cial circles in Carthage for a number of years. He acquired his early education in the district schools and afterward at- tended the Carthage high school and the Carthage college. He then engaged in the nursery business with his father until twenty-one years of age, after which he carried on a farm of his own until 1895. devoting it to nursery stock. In that year he added a greenhouse and more and more largely concentrated his energies upon the florist's business. The same year he took up his abode on Main street in Carthage, where he established a green- house, conducting at the same time the one upon his farm. This is the only greenhouse in Hancock county. It is steamheated and splendidly equipped in all particulars. Mr. Stone soon secured a liberal patronage and his business in this line proved profitable from the beginning.
On the 18th of March, 1891, was cele- brated the marriage of Samuel T. Stone and Miss Ava 1. Leighton, who was born in Des Moines county, lowa. Jan- uary 31, 1867. a daughter of William E. and Ella A. ( Waller) Leighton. The mother was born in Shellsburg, lowa. September 27, 1847. and the father, a native of the same state, was born Au- gust 14. 1839. Mr. Leighton was for four years connected with the commissary department during the Civil war. He has always been a farmer and still supervises a farm in Hancock county, although he
makes his home in Carthage, having come to Hancock county in 1889. Both he and his wife are consistent members and earnest workers in the Christian church and he is a democrat in his political views. In their family are four children, all of whom are living, namely: Mrs. Stone: Hope, a teacher in the public schools of Bowen, Illinois: George E., living in Galesburg. this state; and Edith M., who has successfully taught in the public schools of Carthage and Hancock county.
Mrs. Stone is eligible to membership in the Daugthers of the American Revolu- tion, as among her ancestors were those who fought for the independence of the nation. James Leighton, a brother of her father, was killed in the battle of Vicks- burg. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Stone were born seven children : William A .. Gladys Ida. Edward Harold, Clifford L., Clara. Gertrude A. and Adelaide Lenore. all of whom are natives of Hancock county. Mr. Stone died December 27. 1905. after an illness of several weeks and his re- mains were interred in Moss Ridge ceme- tery. In manner he was quiet and re- served, but was always interested in modern enterprises and though he was not a politician in the sense of office seek- ing he did much in a quiet way to promote the welfare of his party, to which he was at all times loyal. He voted with the re- publican organization and was connected with the Modern Woodmen. He was also a city fireman. Both he and his wife held membership in the Methodist church . and did all in their power to promote its welfare and growth. In his business affairs Mr. Stone wrought along modern lines, realizing that there is no excellence without labor and his close application
233
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
and diligence made his business a profit- able one. Mrs. Stone is still continuing the business and she employs men to keep the furnace going in the greenhouses night and day. She is a bright, energetic business woman, who has an intimate knowledge of the trade and the needs of the plants and flowers and the products of the greenhouses find a ready sale on the market because of beauty, color, size and fragrance. In his family Mr. Stone was a kind and loving husband and father and for many years was a very dutiful son to his aged mother, to whom he gave filial care and attention.
WILLIAM H. HONCE.
William H. Honce, deceased, who in public regard occupied an enviable posi- tion, so that his death was the occasion of uniform regret when his life's labors were ended. was a native of Monmouth county, New Jersey, born on the 20th of July. 1830. He remained in the place of his birth until nineteen years of age and acquired bis education in the public schools there. Thinking to have better business opportunities in the west he then went to Butler county, Ohio, where he secured employment as a farm hand by the month, residing in that county until after his marriage to Miss Sarah Jane McBroom, a daughter of Andrew and Jane ( Robinson ) McBroom. The well- ding was celebrated at Middletown, Ohio.
November 27, 1851, and the young couple resided upon a farm in Butler county for about three years after their marriage.
On the expiration of that period they removed to Adams county, Illinois, where they spent two years and then came to Hancock county, settling in Montebello township, where Mr. Honce purchased a farm of eighty acres, beginning its cultivation with characteristic energy. He added to this farm from time to time until at his death he owned two hundred acres of rich land. all of which was under cultivation. The improvements were placed there by him and he developed a model farm property, which he carefully cultivated until his demise. His fields were well tilled and he annually harvested good crops, while the improvements upon his place were in keeping with ideas of model farming.
Mrs. Honce was educated in Butler county. Ohio, where her father followed farming. Later he removed to Indiana. spending his remaining days in that state. his death occurring about twenty-six years ago. His wife also passed away in Indiana when Mrs. Honce was but sir years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Honce were born seven children, of whom Mrs. W. M. Moore is the eldest. Lizzie, the second daughter, is now the wife of Tha dens Thomas and has two children. Alta and Lester. Mrs. William 11. Thomas Is the third of the family and is mentioned l elsewhere in this work. Anna is the wife of George Phipps and has three children. Harry, Vera and Carl. Ollie is the wife of John Marshall and has four children. Clyde. Greta, Yetta and Lois Anlam R. married Mamie Brady and lots ane
234
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
child, Beulah. Mary L. died at the family home in Montebello township, at the age of nineteen years.
In his political views Mr. Honce was a democrat but cared nothing for office, preferring to devote his time and atten- tion to his business affairs, in which he met with signal success. He made a creditable record in agricultural circles and left a valuable farm property to his family. He died August 1, 1899.
WILLIAM H. THOMAS.
William H. Thomas, deceased, was one of the early settlers of Hancock county and a representative farmer, whose busi- ness activity and devotion to the public good made him a leading and valued resi- dent of this part of the state. He was born near Columbus, in Adams county. Illinois, November 29, 1851, and when but two years of age was brought to So- nora township by his parents, Isaac and Louisa (Nichols) Thomas, who took up their abode in this county in 1853. His father was born in Kentucky and his mother in Adams county, Illinois. She is still living and makes her home in Car- thage with three of her children. The father, however, passed away upon the home farm in 1901. He had for many years been a prosperous and enterprising agriculturist of the community, his resi- dence here covering a half century. He
worked earnestly and persistently and his diligence and perseverance constituted strong and salient elements in his success. He was a member of the Christian church and his life was in harmony with his professions.
William H. Thomas was reared upon the old homestead farm and acquired his education in the public schools of Sonora township, pursuing his studies through the winter months, while in the summer seasons he aided in the labors of the fields. He worked with his father until his mar- riage, after which he purchased a farm in Montebello township of two hundred acres, devoting his attention to its culti- vation and improvement until his removal to Elvaston. He was married December 24. 1878, to Miss Alpharetta Honce, a daughter of William H. and Sarah Jane (McBroom) Honce, the former a native of New Jersey and the latter of Indiana. They became residents of Ohio at an early day and in that state Mrs. Honce was reared. About fifty-five years ago they came to Illinois, settling in Montebello township, Hancock county, among its pio- neer residents. There Mr. Honce pur- chased a tract of land and developed a farm, making a good home for himself and family. His remaining days were devoted to the improvement of the prop- erty and upon that place he passed away on the ist of August, 1899, his remains being interred in Montebello township. His widow still survives him and now resides with her children, further mention being made of the family on another page of this work. She had six children : Lydia, now the wife of W. M. Moore. of Hamilton, Illinois: Lizzie, the wife of
235
HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS.
Thaddeus Thomas, of Montebello town- ship. Hancock county: Mrs. Thomas of this review: Anna, the wife of George I'hipps, of Prairie township: Ollie, the wife of John Marshall: and William R .. who is a grain and produce merchant en- graged in business at Hamilton.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas was blessed with three children, all of whom are yet living. George M., resid- ing on the old home farm in Montebello township, where he is successfully en- gaged in carrying on general agricultural pursuits, married Miss Stella Miller, of Elvaston, a daughter of Dr. J. R. Miller. of Elvaston, Illinois. Minnie Leota is the wife of Frank Rohrbaugh, a farmer of Elvaston. YVetta May is the wife of Claude Walker, a resident farmer of Prairie township.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thomas resided in Sonora township until the spring of ISSI and then removed to a farm, which Mr. Thomas purchase 1. about three miles and a half northwest of Elvaston. There they resided for twenty-one years, his attention being given to the work of the fields and the further improvement of the property but in 1903 he determined to retire from active business life and took up his abode in Elvaston, where he erected the resi- dence which is now occupied by his widow. There he passed away on Sat- urday, February 6, 1004, at the age of fifty-two years, two months and eight days. He had resided in the county for more than a half century, or practically throughout the period of his entire life and those who had known him from his boyhood days recognized in him the ster-
ling traits of character in harmony with the strong and salient principles of an honorable manhood. He was active and industrious in business and was straight forward in his dealings. His political views were in accord with democratic principles but he did not care for office. . He held membership in the Presbyterian church and was serving as one of its trustees at the time of his death. He was interested in all that pertained to the material, intellectual or moral progress of his community and his support of bene- ficial public measures was never of a luke- warm character but was strong and stead fast, so that he became one of the valued citizens of his part of the county.
HARRISON O. KNOX
Harrison O. Knox was the first white man born in Wythe township, and it would be difficult to find many residents of this county who are more familiar with its history or have longer resided within it's borders. Events which are to others only matters of hearsay have been to him matters of personal experience of obser vation, and he has been an interested wit- ness of the growth and development of the county from pioneer times to the present. His memory goes back to the dans when many of the homes were log cabins, in which were huge meprices. over which the cooking was deste sinle the little home was lighted by tilles candles, and the work of the Bells was
236
BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEIF
done with primitive farm machinery. All this has changed and Mr. Knox has kept pace with the onward march of progress. He was born in Green Plains on sec- tion 25. Wythe township. May 5. 1833. His parents were Samuel and Malinda (Doughty) Knox. and the maternal grandfather was Thomas Doughty, a sol- dier of the Revolutionary war. Relatives of Mr. Knox were also members of the Union army in the Civil war. The father was born on the ocean while his parents were coming from Scotland to the new world in. 1775, and his wife was a native of Virginia. born in 1794. They came to Illinois in 1830. and in 1832, took up their abode in Hancock county. their son Harrison being the first white child born in the part of the county where they made their home. Samuel Knox was a member and minister of the Christian church, and while living in Wythe town- ship. preached the first sermon ever deliv- ered within its borders. This was in 1832. He also preached in McDonough and Adams counties, and in Iowa and Missouri, doing much good work in the spread of the gospel and in planting the seeds of Christian civilization in the mid- dle west. He died in the year 1865. and thus passed away one whom to know was to esteem and honor. The world is better for his having lived and he left behind a memory which is still cherished by all who knew him. His wife survived until 1871. and both were laid to rest in Green Plains cemetery in Wilcox township. Their children were seven in number, of whom four are now living: William, who is living in California, and is eighty two years of age: Franklin, of Kansas;
Harrison O., of this review; and Sarah. the wife of George B. Reid, of Monroe City, Missouri.
Harrison O. Knox acquired his early education in the schools of Green Plains and afterward attended the Warsaw high school. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and throughout his entire life has followed farming as a vocation. Hav- ing reached man's estate he was married in 1862 to Miss Sarah Louisa Crawford. whose birth occurred in Wythe township. in 1843. her parents being Thomas and Jane ( Stockton) Crawford, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. Knox died in 1875, leaving a daughter. Eva J., now the wife of Charles Homer McMahan. of Wilcox township. They became the par- ents of five children, Carl D., Robert F .. William R .. George H. and Francis H. Qn the 22d of March. 1882. Mr. Knox was again married. his second union being with Miss Hannah W. Davidson, who was born in Sussex county. Delaware. in 1859. a daughter of Samuel and Margaret J. (Christopher ) Davidson. They, too. were natives of Delaware, the former born September 7, 1818, and the latter in 1824. The father devoted his life to general agricultural pursuits, and in 1869 came to Hancock county, settling in Wil- cox township. Thirty years later he passed away. in 1899, while his wife died in 1898, and they were laid to rest side by side in the Congregational cemetery in Wythe township. Mr. Davidson was drafted for service in the Civil war but was too old to go to the front. In their family were seven children : Francina, who died in infancy : William Henry, of Carthage: Joseph B., who lives in Basco.
2.37
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Illinois, Sarah Frances, and Elizabeth Annetta, both deceased : Hannah W., now Mrs. Know; and Edward P., of Wythe township. Mrs. Davidson died Novem ber 25. 1808, at the home of Mrs. Knox. and Mr. Davidson passed away at Basco. May 30. 1800. They were married m 1842 and were earnest Christian people. respected by all who knew them. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Knox has been born one son. Harrison Lucian, whose birth oc- current in 1888 in Wilcox township, and he is at home with his parents. He has been liberally educated and was a student in Warsaw Seminary.
After his first marriage Mr. Knox lived in Wythe township for two years, and then removed to Warsaw, where he en- gaged in the dry gods business for three years. Subsequently he devoted two years to the milling business and in 1873 he came to Wilcox township, where he has since carried on general farming. In 1870 he bought forty acres of land on section 25. where he built a home, in which he has since resided, his attention being given to the cultivation and devel- opment of the fieldls, He taught school in Walker, Wythe. Wilcox and Rocky Kun townships before his return to Wil- cox township and even before his removal to Warsaw, thus being identified with the early educational progress of his part of the county. He has never been interested in the progres and development of the county along material, social, intellectual and moral lines and his co-operation has ever been a valued factor in movement- SIMON D WEISER for the public good. His political alle- giance has been given to the Republican party since its organization. His first Hancock County Infirmary and per
presidential vote w.c est for Men Fillmore in the Wythe schule die 1 the 4th of November, 1850, when he defeated by James Buchanan Onthe with of November, 1800, Mr. Kios Sotelen Abraham Lincoln at Bank's Schoolhouse in Rocky Run township, where he was teaching in a log building, having there one hundred and eight scholars, of ill average of sixty two and a half for months Since 1800 he has continuent- ! voted the republican ticket and he has been honored with various local afines. serving as school director, as school treas- ner for sixteen years, as tax collector. as assessor and as town clerk Both he and his wife are members of the Wythe Christian church known as the old brick church and live in harmony with their professions. Mr. Know is one where memory forms a connecting link between the primitive past and the progressive present and he relates in most interest ing manner many incidents of the carly days. Mr. Knox began life as a por In but has worked his way steadily up- ward and his life record has been charac- terized by continuous progress along many lines. He has gained success and at the same time has developed a charac- ter which makes him worthy of the trust and confidence of his fellow men
S. D. Weber, superintendent . he
238
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEIT
farm, was born at Northumberland, Northumberland county. Pennsylvania, on the 6th of June. 1861, there residing until 1872. when he came to Illinois and took up his abode at Fountain Green, Hancock county. His parents were Solo- mon and Mary A. (Miller) Weiser, like- wise natives of Northumberland county. The great-grandfather. Conrad Weiser, was an early resident of Pennsylvania, residing near Philadelphia. He was a warm personal friend of Washington and served as colonel in the Revolutionary war. His son. Philip Weiser, was a pio- neer to Northumberland county and bought a large tract of land there. He was a very successful man and at the time of his death, about the close of the Civil war, he was considered the wealth- iest man in Northumberland county. Solomon Weiser was the eighth in a fan- ily of nine children and was educated at the high school at Gettysburg, Penn- sylvania, and later he was an extensive farmer and followed that ocupation throughout his entire life in order to pro- vide for his family. Selling there he moved his family to Hancock county and purchased a tract of land in Fountain Green township upon his removal to the middle west in 1872, and there he re- mained until his death, which occurred when he was about eighty-one years of age. He was a democrat in politics and a public-spirited man, although not an office seeker. However, he served as treasurer of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, at an early day. llis re- mains were interred in Fountain Green cemetery and his widow still makes her home in the village of Fountain Green.
She is a member of the Lutheran church and a most estimable lady. She was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania. Her father was an extensive land and mine owner in the coal and iron regions of Pennsylvania.
S. D. Weiser is one of a family of ten children, seven of whom yet survive and as stated. he came to Illinois with his par- ents when a youth of eleven years. His early educational privileges were supple- mented by study in Carthage College and he also attended the Western Illinois Nor- mal School, at Macomb, this state. He remained upon the home farm for some years after completing his education. and then became a school teacher, acting as principal of the schools at Nauvoo, Illi- nois. for eight years, and also teaching in different places in the county. He like- wise followed that profession in Kansas. where he resided for several years, but regarding this merely as an initial step to further professional labor, he took up the study of law in Carthage in the office of Manier & Miller. Going to Kanas, he was admitted to the bar in that state and practiced for a few years. also teaching school in Neosho county. Upon his re- turn to Hancock county he went to Nauvoo, where he engaged in teaching until the spring of 1901, when he removed to Carthage and became the deputy cir- cuit clerk, which position he held for a year. He then resigned and again re- sumed school teaching, until he was nom- inated for the office of circuit clerk on the democratic ticket, but was defeated. In December, 1904. he was appointed to his present position as superintendent of the Hancock County Infirmary and poor
239
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
farm by the board of county supervisors, and has since acted in that capacity with credit to himself and the satisfaction of the public as is shown by his reappoint- ment in September. 1906. He has the supervision of the farm of two hundred and sixty acres. He is recognized as one of the progressive and influential repre- sentatives of democracy in this locality. his interest therein and his fitness for lead- ership making him well known as a factor in local democratic ranks.
On the 28th of October, 1886, Mr. Weiser was married to Miss llattie J. Tyler: of Fountain Green, a daughter of John 11. and Amanda ( Williams) Ty- ler, who came to Illinois from Connecti- cut. where the father was born. Mr. Ty- ler was a farmer by occupation, and also an engineer and carpenter He acted as engineer on the railroad for some years. and he now resides at Fountain Green. It was there that Mrs. Weiser obtained her education. Four children grace this marriage: Hazel Grace, who was born in Neosho county, Kansas, and was edu- cated in this county and in Carthage Col lege, is now a teacher in the public schools of Carthage township. Luther C. died at the age of fourteen months. William J B .. born in Nauvoo, and Mary A., born in Nauvoo, are both at home.
The parents are members of the Luth- eran church at Carthage, and the mem- bers of the household occupy an enviable social position. Mr. Weiser is well qual- ified for the office which he is now filling and in which he is giving uniform satis- faction in the prompt and able manner in which he discharges his duties, and all place confidence in him.
JOHN RICHARD GALBRAITIL.
John Richard Galbraith, deceased, was a well known and respected agriculturist of Hancock county. His life record be- gan in east Tennessee on the ist of Sep- tember, 1852, and ended in El Paso, Tex- as, July 15. 1905. His father. John R. Galbraith, was the owner of extensive landed interests and slaves in eastern Ten- nessee, but owing to the Civil war he lost nearly all of his property, and in the fall of 1865 came with his family to Illinois, hoping to retrieve his possessions in the north. In March. 1800, he pur- chased a farm one mile east of Ferris. and thereon made his home until his death. His sympathies during the period of hos- tilities were with the south and his polit- ical allegiance was ever given to the de- mocracy. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Esther N. Hagler, was born and reared in eastern Tennessee, and there lived until after her marriage, when she came with her husband and the family to this state. She, too, died on the home farm near Ferris.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.