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 29
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John Richard Galbraith was educated in the common schools of Hancock coun- ty, having accompanied his parents on their removal to the north when thirteen years of age. As a young man he as sisted in the work of the home farm and later his father purchased the farm of one hundred and sixty acres upon which John Richard resided during the whole of his married life. In the '70s. John Richard Galbraith and his brother. Ben jamin, went to Texas, where they engaged in the cattle business for a few years. when, on account of the ill health of the
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former. he returned to Illinois, selling his interest in the Lone Star state to his brother, and thus acquiring his brother's interest in the farm in Prairie township. which had been given to them by their father. He continued to reside upon this place until his death and was one of the prosperous agriculturists of the county. As his financial resources increased he made extensive and judicious investments in property and became the owner of an- other valuable farm in Hancock county. At the time of his death he was also one of the stockholders of the State Bank of Hamilton, and held considerable prop- erty at Elvaston. In connection with his brother. David. he owned and operated an electric light and heating plant at Min- eral Wells, Texas. He possessed excel- lent business ability, executive force and keen discrimination, which enabled him to readily recognize and utilize opportuni- ties. He was always straightforward in his dealings, and it was through his wise investment and careful management that he gained the large measure of success which he enjoyed in his later years.
In December of 1880, Mr. Galbraith was married to Miss Adona Hagler, a daughter of John C. and Elizabeth ( Ethell ) Hagler. Her father was born in cast Tennessee and when a young man came to Illinois, settling in Scott county, where he engaged in merchandising for more than a quarter of a century, becom- ing one of the leading business men of that locality. During his residence there he also held many public offices and po- sitions of trust and was called to repre- sent his district in the state legislature. lle became the associate and friend of
many of the distinguished men of the state and entertained at his home a num- ber of the prominent political leaders of Illinois, including U. S. Grant and Ste- phen A. Douglas.
Following his marriage, Mr. Galbraith continued to engage in farming in this county until failing health caused him to seek a change of climate in the hope that he might be benefited thereby. He went to El Paso. Texas, but it proved unavail- ing. and he passed away on the 15th of July, 1905, after which his remains were brought back to Illinois for interment in Moss Ridge cemetery. He was a man held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, possessing a sunny, genial disposi- tion which gained him many friends. He voted with the democracy, but was with- out political aspiration. preferring to de- vote his time and attention to his business interests and the society of his friends. He had few, if any, enemies, being on the contrary one who gained the kindly re- gard of all with whom he came in con- tact. He was a Christian man, but was liberal in his religious views, and in his will remembered several churches, and during his lifetime was a willing con- tributor to their support. Throughout an active business career he displayed many sterling traits of character, and wherever he was known his name was honored. To his wife he was a most devoted hus- band. counting no personal effort or sac- rifice on his part too great if it would promote her welfare and happiness, and it is in his own household that his loss is most deeply felt, although it is the oc- casion of wide-spread regret throughout the community.
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DAVID AYERS.
Among the native sous of Wythe town- ship who are still connected with gen- oral farming and stock raising interests within its borders is numbered David Avers, whose natal day was May 19. 1805. His father was William . Viers. and his grandfather, David Avers, both of whom were natives of Ireland, the former having been born in Belfast. Having arrived at years of maturity. he married Miss Mary Clark, likewise a na- tive of Belfast, and a daughter of ficorge and Margaret (Arbuckle ) Clark. the former a son of David Clark, and the latter a daughter of Archie Arbuckle, both of whom were natives of Ireland and were of Scotch ancestry. George Clark, in the year 1845, became a resident of Brook- lyn, New York, and in 1848 arrived in Warsaw. Illinois. There be carried on business for many years as a stone mason, and died in that town in 18go, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-two years. llis wife passed away in 1887, when eighty- nine years of age.
The marriage of William Avers and Mary Clark was celebrated on the 31st of December, 1861. They had come to Hancock county with their respective par- ents when about eight years of age, and were reared upon farms in Wythe town- ship. Subsequent to their marriage they look up their abode on a tract of land on section 31. Wythe township, where they lived for many years, and as his financial resources permitted. Mr. Vers kept all- ing to his place from time to time and extending his landed possessions until he owned many acres on sections 1 and 2.
Rocky Run township. He died m 1880. and is still survived by Ins Will. My since 1803. has made her home Carthage.
David Agers, the third m a family of four sons and six daughters, Is melted to the Green Plains district school for the educational privileges he enjoyed 11 . boyhood and youth was passal im parents home, Its time being occupied by the duties of the schoolroom, the plass- ures of the playground and the work of the fields. On attaining his majority. he started out in business on his own ac count, and for one year cultivated rented land, after which he purchased forty acres on section 1. Kocky Kun township. There was a log house upon the place and a part of the land was ienced. A portion of the farm, however, was still covered with the native timber. Mr. Aver- be gan its further development and improve- ment, but after three years he sold that property and bought one hundred and seventy acres of improved prairie land on section 30. Wythe township. He has since resided upon this place, and has converted it into rich and productive fields. I wife own- eighty acres adjoining and their combined tracts of land constitute one of the best farms of the neighbor- hond. Mr. Ayers has built a good house and barn here and set out a good apple orchard of eight acres. He carries on general farming, also raising cattle, houses and hogs, and his business im both branches is proving profitable
On the ist of March. 1887. Mr Aver- was married toMiss Mine MeMLde1. who was born m Wsthe town-lup. it daughter of Robert and Frances ( Walk
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er) McMahan. Their children are: Fannie, born November 18, 1889; and David H .. born May 22, 1893. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ayers are well known and the consensus of public opinion regarding them is altogether favorable. Mr. Ayers belongs to one of the prominent old pio- neer families of the county. Both his father and his grandfather were soldiers of the Mormon war, the latter having taken up his abode in Hancock county in 1835. He retained his residence here un- til his death, on the ist of December, 1887. and thus passed away one who had aided in the early development and progress of the county, reclaiming it for the uses of civilization. The work instituted by the grandfather and carried on by the father. is now continued by David Ayers, who is accounted one of the representative agri- culturists of his community. His political support is given the democracy and he has been road commissioner. while in the spring of 1905. he was elected on the democratic ticket to the office of super- visor. Fraternally, he is connected with the blue lodge of Masons. at Warsaw, and with the Modern Woodmen camp at El- derville, Illinois.
MAJOR LEONARD A. HAY.
Warsaw will for many years be a cen- ter of public interest as the home of the Hay family. On the pages of military history appears the name of Major Leonard Augustus Hay, who rendered
signal service to his country as a volun- teer in the Civil war and as a member of the regular army for many years there- after. He never sought political prefer- ment or honors. but rendered to his na- tion no less signal service by a lofty pa- triotism and unfaltering loyalty to the flag and to every duty incident to military service, whether in the midst of sangui- nary conflict or upon the frontier.
As stated in the history of his parents. given before, he was the second son of Dr. Charles and Helen (Leonard ) Hay. and was born in Salem. Indiana. Decem- ber 3. 1834. spending the first six years of his life in that town. He was in his seventh year, when in 1841. the family came to Warsaw. and in the public schools of the city, he pursued his education. In early manhood he was identified with various business interests and was con- ducting an enterprise on his own account during the early period of the Civil war. but on the 2d of July. 1864. feeling that he could no longer content himself to re- main at home while the country's safety was endangered. he joined the Union army as a private and was assigned to duty with Company D. Third Bat- talion of the Fifteenth Infantry. On the 2d of July, 1864. he was ap- pointed as second lieutenant in the regular army and was assigned to the Ninth Infantry, with which he remained throughout the period of his service. On the 29th of September, 1864. he was com- missioned a first lieutenant and on the 11th of March. 1878, he was made a captain in the Ninth Regiment of Infan- try. He was engaged in active duty on the frontier, covering all the territory
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from the Dakotas to Arizona and from the Missouri river to the Pacific coast. During that period there were many In- dian uprising- that called the troops forth to active battle. He was very popular with his fellow officers and with the men who served under him a fact which is indicated In the records, which show that there were fewer deserters from his com- pany than from any other in the army. He continued in command of his com- pam in active service until the 15th of June. 1N1. when he retired for disability incurred in the line of his duty. Cam- paigning against the Indians upon the frontier in inclement weather had mm- priired his health, and he retired to War- saw to spend his remaining days in the city in which his boyhood and youth were passed. Here, in accord with an act of congress conferring additional rank on officers who had served in the Civil war. he was made a major retired.
Major Hay was married in New York. December 5. 1869. to Miss Blanche d'Ormond, whose death occurred about two decades ago. lle left no children and yet he had an especial fondness for children and young people and was greatly beloved In them. Of the many memen- tos gathered in his lifetime none were cherished more dearly than numerott- keepsake of these young friends.
Major Hay was a man d superior in- tellectual force, Whose lesure was largely devoted to reading and study and his scholarly attainments and broad culture made him a charming conversationalist and entertaining companion. He held friendship inviolable and nothing could swerve him in his loyalty to a friend.
were at all times recognized ile always mitereste iff the gole il melien of In- city and served as a member fre Mbrary board m 1802. Bu he pretence that his public service should be done a private citizen rather than as af office- holder. In recent years. however, the lection of books for the public library Of left almost wholly to him. He vos or the highest type of manheed. Table and chivalrous, recognizing genune worth m other- and showing appreciation for .Al admiral le qualities in his friends and thuse with whom he acme in contact in any re- lation in life. In manner he was free from ostentation or display. A kindly spirit and generous sympathy was manifest in all that he said or did and he had the un- failing courtesy of a gentleman of the all school. Emerson has said. "The way to "in a friend is to be one." and this state- ment found verification in the life of Major Hay.
HENRY ROBLEY DICKINSON
No history of Hancock county still be complete without mente of Hely Kobles Dickinson, deceased, when she of the founders of Hamilton, wh eap Ished a lumber business in the town of 1855, and for many years War same ofthe most active and efterprist offreil the county, carrying forward trsite --
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that contributed not only to his own suc- cess but also to public progress and im- provement. He was born December 10. 1818, in Keene. New Hampshire, in which state his parents, who were farming peo- ple. spent their entire lives. His educa- tion was acquired in the old-time subscrip- tion schools of the Granite state and at the age of twelve years he ran away from home and spent six months on a sailing vessel. Feeling that he had enough of the sea, at the end of that time he made his way to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was employed at carpenter work for some time. He afterward removed to Greene county, Illinois, where he followed that trade, and also became the owner of land- ed interests. A few years later, in 1849. he removed to Hancock county and took up his abode in a log cabin near Iron Spout Spring. There he lived for several years in true pioneer style amid frontier surroundings and environments. He was one of the original promoters of the ferry across the Mississippi river, belonging to a company which secured its charter to operate the ferry in 1850. With the work of development and improvement in his community and county he was closely identified from that time until his death. He had several landings for his ferry boat as it crossed to Keokuk, lowa, and the business proved a profitable one to the lo- cality in early days before many bridges spanned the "father of waters" and made travel by mail or private conveyance an casy matter. In connection with Bryan Bartlett and others, Mr. Dickinson laid out the town of Hamilton and the enter- prising village stands today as a monu- ment to his energy and forethought. In
connection with Mr. Bartlett, who was his brother-in-law, he owned nearly all of the land upon which Hamilton has been built. and he also became the owner of several farms in the county, purchasing property from time to time and thus placing his money in the safest of all investments --- real estate. In 1855 he embarked in the lumber business at Hamilton and contin- ued in the trade until his death. securing a good patronage as the years passed by and making extensive annual sales which brought to him a very gratifying income. His other business interests also proved profitable and as the years passed away he became one of the substantial citizens of the county.
One of the early indications of his prosperity was that in 1856 he replaced his pioneer log house by a frame residence of two stories, which he erected in the western part of Hamilton on the bluff overlooking the Mississippi river and commanding a fine view of the attractive scenery afforded by the broad expanse of the river and the city of Keokuk beyond. About two years later. in 1858. Mr. Dick- inson built another large house. contain- ing ten rooms beside basement and clos- ets. Into this home he removed and made it his place of residence throughout his remaining days with the exception of a brief period of three years during the Civil war. when he conducted a hotel in another building. On the expiration of that period, however, he sold out and returned to his former home and there he lived in comfort for many years, his business interests bringing to him all of the ne- cessities and many of the luxuries of life. Mr. Dickinson was first married in
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Greene county, Illinois, to Miss Wright, of the Mormon faith, were killed and and they had one child. Oscar, who was while they lay in state at Nauvoo Mr- Dickinson is a daughter of Volna and Clarissa (Smeed) Hawley, natives of Vermont, in which state they were reared and married. Subsequently they removed to a farm in Onondaga county, New York, where they resided until coming to the west. By the last marriage of Mr. Dickinson there were born two children. The daughter, Emma, born October 20. 1850, was married on the 3d of May. 1802. to Charles Bartlett, of Hamilton, and died January 30, 1890, leaving a son. Lawrence D. Bartlett, who was born May 16, 1893, and is now with his father in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. John Dickinson, born January 19, 1861, was drowned in the Mississippi river at Hamilton. March 22. 1885. killed while serving in defense of the Union in the Civil war. The wife and mother, however, died a short time after her marriage. On the 6th of April, 1843. also in Greene county, Illinois, Mr. Dick- inson was married to Minerva Bartlett. who died soon after the birth of their only child. George R. Dickinson, who for a number of years resided on a farm near Belfast, lowa, where his death occurred. On the 15th of October, 1848, Mr. Dickin- son was joined in wedlock to Miss Agnes Decker, a native of Greene county. Illi- nois, who died in Texas. April 25. 1857. There were three children of that mar- riage: Joan, the wife of Henry Marck- ley, of Wythe township, Hancock county : Charles O., who is living in Hamilton : and Frank, who makes his home in Selina Mr. Dickinson gave his political alle- giance to the Republican party from the time of its organization and was one of its ardent and earnest supporters. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to pub- lic office and he served as alderman. as assessor and mayor of Hamilton. He was also prominent in Masonry, taking the degrees of the lodge, chapter and com- mandery. The death of Mr. Dickinson occurred October 7, 1897 He had for forty-eight years been a resident of Han cock county, and was known to all the pin neer settlers in this part of the state He came here when the county was but sparsely settled and when the work of development and improvement in large in the future His name Feed ciated with many of the business newsis and public movements de late seville county, Kansas. The fourth marriage of Mr. Dickinson was celebrated on Christ- mas day of 1858, when Miss Emeretta Jane Hawley became his wife She was born in Onondaga county, New York. February 6, 1826, and came to Ohio in 1830. A year later she removed to Lec county, lowa, where she lived for twenty years, her home being on the bluff back of Montrose, just opposite Nauvoo, com- manding a scene of rare beauty, this be ing one of the most attractive districts of the great Mississippi valley, and seri- aus discussion has been held in political circles in Washington concerning the re- moval of the capital to this site. While living there Mrs. Dickinson witnessed the burning of the Mormon temple. She was there residing at the time that Joseph and Hiram Smith, the prophets and leaders
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beneficially to the county and at the same time in his private business interests he won a gratifying measure of success. He started out in life empty handed as a sailor boy, but he possessed strong determina- tion, unfaltering courage and resolute pur- pose and upon those qualities as a foun- dation builded his success. He was not only an active and enterprising business man. but also a thoroughly reliable one and his fellow townsmen entertained for him both admiration and respect. Mrs. Dickinson still survives her husband, but has been gradually losing her eyesight, owing to a cataract, since 1896. She has long been a resident of this part of the country, her home being just across the river in Iowa during the period of her girlhood and early womanhood, while since Christmas day of 1858-the date of her marriage-she has lived continuously in Hancock county and is held in the high- ยท est esteem by many warm friends.
LEONARD THOMPSON FERRIS. M D.
Dr. Leonard Thompson Ferris. de- ceased, was for fifty-five years actively en- gaged in the practice of medicine at Foun- tain Green and his life was of utmost ben- efit to his fellowmen by reason of his pro- fessional skill, his kindly spirit and his broad, humanitarian principles. Although several years have come and gone since he passed away, his memory is revered by all who knew him and he left behind him an
example of professional integrity, loyal citizenship and honor in private life that is indeed worthy of emulation. He came to Hancock county with his parents, Stephen G. and Eunice (Beebe) Ferris, in December, 1832, journeying westward from New York to Illinois by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. His parents had to clear the land for a space upon which to erect a log cabin and there they lived in true pioneer style for many years. As the years came and went they pros- pered in their undertakings. They made needed improvements and in course of time had one of the best developed farm properties in this part of the county. The father was born in Norwich, Chenango county, New York, and the mother in New London county, Connecticut. He was a tanner by trade, but after coming to the west followed farming, making his home in Fountain Green township. He died in 1876, while his wife passed away in 1860, and they were both laid to rest in Fountain Green cemetery. They were strong and devoted members of the Bap- tist church and instilled into the minds of their children lessons of integrity and up- rightness which bore good fruit in later years. In their family were six children, all of whom are now deceased.
Dr. Ferris of this review was born in Steuben county. New York. in 1817, and was therefore a youth of about fifteen years when he came with his parents to Illinois. He completed his education in the schools of Fountain Green and deter- mining to devote his life to the practice of medicine, he attended medical lectures for one winter in Jacksonville, Illinois, and afterward was graduated from the
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St. Louis Medical College in 1848. He, road. They started on the 11th of June. however, entered upon the active practice of medicine in 1845. opening an office in Fountain Green, where he built an of- fice in 1847. He practiced there for over fifty-five years, or until his death. He was a successful general practitioner, making progress in harmony with the advance- ment that has ever characterized the med- ical fraternity. lle attended rich and poor, high and low, never refusing to respond to a call even though he knew there was little hope of pecuniary remun- eration. He had a most warm, charitable heart. and a tale of sorrow or distress awakened his ready sympathy. Through- out his entire life he occupied the old Fer ris homesead in Fountain Green but greatly improved the property.
On the 23d of May. 1850, Dr. Ferris was married to Miss Helen M. Gilchrist. who was born in Saxton River village. in Rockingham county. Vermont. October 23. 1831. She is a descendant in the sey- enth generation of Edward A. Winslow. who came over in the Mayflower. Her grandfather, Samuel Gilchrist, was born in Lunenbury, Massachusetts, was a farmer by occupation and lived in the old Bay state until he attained his majority. He married Miss Elizabeth Allen, who was born in Pomfret. Connecticut, and they had three sons, John. Allen and Charles, all now deceased. The grand- father resided at Walpole. New Hamp- shire. Her father, Charles G. Gilchrist. was born at Walpole. New Hampshire, in 1802, and there owned a farm. In Sep- tember, 1837. he removed with his family from Vermont to MeDonough county, Illinois, being over three months on the
reaching their destination on the 13th of September. They settled on a farm in MeDonough county, and there Mr. (1) christ carried on agricultural pursuits as long as his health would permit. He, like Dr. Ferris's father, had to clear land in order to have a space big enough on which to build a house. He and his family lived in a log cabin for many years and went through the usual experiences and hard- ships of pioneer life. They saw many Indians and there were large herds of wild deer. The county was sparsely set- tled and with the development and prog- ress of that section of the state Charles G. Gilchrist was closely identified Charles G. Gilchrist cast his first presidential vote for AAndrew Jackson and upon the organ ization of the Republican party joined its ranks, continuing to give it his support until his death, which occurred in 1880, when he was eighty years of age. Ilis grave is made at Hillsgrove. MeDonough county, Ilinois. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Minerva Holton, was born in Westminster, Windham county. Vermont, in October, 1805, spent her girlhood days in her native place and afterward taught school. Benjamin Par- sons, her grandfather, was a private in the Revolutionary war for a number of years, Mrs. Gilchrist died May 30, 1875. and was buried by the side of her hills- band in Hillsgrove cemetery. She was a member of a Baptist church. In their family were five children, of whom Mrs Ferris is the eldest. Charles V. died in New York city. January 22, 1000 Did Van Brugh lives at the old homestead at Hill grove, Illinois Erastus Il. is de-
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