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 31

Author:
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Hobart Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 806

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 31

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).

and he was one of the organizers of the White Cottage Telephone Company, of which he has been treasurer and the offi- cer of the line since its establishment. He erected a large brick store building in Burnside and is one of its most enter- prising citizens, having contributed in large and substantial measure to its growth and improvement through the conduct of his varied interests.

Mr. Gibson was married on the 7th of November, 1872, to Miss Hattie Low- rey, who was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, a daughter of Edward and Hat- tie Lowrey, who came to Hancock county about 1865. The father was for many years a farmer of Carthage township and died at the age of eighty-eight years. while his wife passed away when eighty- seven years of age. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have been born six children, all of whom are living, as follows: Elmer, a farmer of Pilot Grove township, where he owns one hundred and sixty acres of land, married Amanda Miller. by whom he has a daughter, Frances. Charles C .. residing on section 27, Pilot Grove town- ship. wedded Miss Carrie Pennock, by whom he has a son, Virgil. James F. is a practicing attorney in Carthage, and is represented elsewhere in this volume. He married Miss Birdie Tyner, and they have one son, James. Iva is now the wife of John Hond, their home being in Dallas. Illinois. She is the mother of one child. Arlo. kia is the wife of Lesley Brad- field, and has one child, Elzie. Sylvia is at home, and completes the family. All were born and educated in Pilot Grove town- ship.

Mr. Gibson is a member of the Ma-

sonic fraternity, in which he has attained the Royal Arch degree and also holds membership relations with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. His wife is a member of the Christian church and is a lady of culture and refinement. They have a handsome modern home upon their farm, together with large barns and other outbuildings. all of which are kept in perfect repair and are typical. of the utmost spirit of progress and improve- ment along agricultural lines. Mr. Gib- son is widely recognized as a most public- spirited man and has taken an active and helpful interest in many movements which have been of direct benefit to the community and the county. In manner he is free from ostentation and display. caring not for notoriety. yet he deserves the praise that is usually given a self- made man and the high regard which is accorded him by his friends. Among the names of the prominent business men of Hancock county who have been closely identified with its interests and have as- sisted in its rapid and substantial growth he is numbered. By the force of his na- tive ability and steady perseverance he has raised himself to a position of wealth and honor.

WILLIAM OLIVER BUTLER. D. D. S.

Dr. William Oliver Butler, serving for the second term as postmaster of La Harpe and has for almost a third of a century been an able and leading repre-

257

HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

sentative of the dental fraternity here, was bom in St. Francisville, Missouri, March 25. 1850. His father, Noah B. Butler, was born near Louisville. Ken- tucky, and in early manhood wedded In- cinda C. Dickenson, a native of Tenes- see, whose birth occurred near Memphis. llis grandparents were Hezekiah and Elizabeth ( l'ayne) Butler, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio respectively. The father, Noah B. Butler, became a physician and in the spring of 1851 re moved to La Harpe, Illinois, accompanied by his wife and then their only child. William O. For a quarter of a century thereafter Dr. Butler devoted his time and energies to the practice of medicine. continuing an active representative of the medical fraternity in this town until his death, which occurred September 17. 1870. His widow still survives him and makes her home in La Harpe.

William Oliver Butler, the eldest in a family of seven sons, spent his boyhood days in La Harpe and completed his lit- erary education by a course of study at Knox College, at Galesburg, Illinois. llc afterward began preparation for the med- ical profession in the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis and afterward at- tended the Pennsylvania Dental College. Between the two periods of his college work, however, he engaged in practice for two years. He was graduated in the spring of 1876 but had purchased the practice of D. W. Mills in 1873. While he was attending his second course of lectures a dentist from Burlington, lowa. took charge of his practice. He non occupies one of the finest offices in the state in towns of the size of La Harpe

and has a large practice, which is ac corded him in recognition of his skill and ability. His equipment is unusually good and he has always kept in touch with the progress made by the profession as the years have gone by. On the 15th of June, 1882, Dr. Butler was united i marriage to Miss Louella Holliday, who was born in Shelbina, Missouri, June 27. 1854. and was educated in the public schools of Blandisville, Illinois, and in Lewiston Seminary in Fulton county, this state. She is a daughter of Louis and Mary ( Parker) Holliday, both of whom were natives of Virginia. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Butler have been born five dangh- ters and two sons, but one of the sons is now deceased.

Dr. Butler has given close attention to his professional duties and yet has found time for activity in political and fraternal circles. He is a prominent Mason, be- longing to the lodge, chapter and com- mandery and has held the position of deputy grand lecturer of the state of Illi Dois since 1883. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and he belongs to the Christian church, in which he has long served as deacon and has also been secretary for six years. In his political views he is an earnest republican and in 1901 was reappointed by President Roosevelt tu the office of postmaster, in which position he is now serving. He takes a deep in- terest in clean politics, being opposed to misrule in municipal affairs and fechng that political business should be adminis tered with the same honesty and fidelity that is demanded in industrial. comment cial or professional life. In his own ca

258

BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEI'

reer he has been actuated by worthy mo- tives and high principles and during al- most a lifelong residence in La Harpe, covering a period of fifty-five years, he has commanded the uniform confidence and respect of his fellowmen by his close adherence to rules of conduct and action that neither seek nor require disguise.

GEORGE WALKER.

Investigation into the history of any community will show that a few courag- cous spirits have become pioneer settlers and that the work that they have insti- tuted, the plans they have formed and the labors they have carried forward con- stitute the foundation upon which has been builded all of the later progress and prosperity. It was to this class of citi- zens that George Walker belonged and his name is inseparably interwoven with the history of Warsaw and of Hancock county. He was born in Maryland. Feb- ruary 29, 1804. his parents being John and Mary ( Wilmot) Walker. He was reared in the place of his nativity and attended the old-time subscription schools of that day, pursuing his studies for only about three months each year. In the school of experience, however, he learned many valuable lessons and became a well informed man of good practical business education. He was reared to farm life and in carly manhood became a firm be- liever in the Christian religion. When but nineteen years of age he began preach-

ing as a minister of the Baptist faith and for fifty years continued the work of the gospel. He reared his family in that faith and labored untiringly for the up- building of his church. He never accept- ed a dollar for marrying a couple, for preaching at a funeral or for any reli- gious service, but gave his time and tal- ent freely to the gospel work.

While living in Kentucky Mr. Walker rented land from Zachary Taylor and in 183I had his goods all packed ready to load and start for Illinois. He was at that time taken sick with bronchitis and did not come till 1833. He first lo- cated at Quincy and two weeks later en- tered one hundred and sixty-two acres of land about twenty-two miles north of that city. There he began the development and improvement of a farm upon which he resided through the succeeding two years. On the expiration of that period. in 1833, he purchased six hundred and forty acres of land from two attorneys who spent the night at his home. An in- teresting fact about these attorneys is that on that trip they were going from Carthage to Quincy on horseback. One horse gave out and they put both saddles on the remaining horse and with each man in a saddle on the one horse proceed- ed on their way to Quincy and were thus riding when they stopped over night at Mr. Walker's residence. This tract was located a half mile south and a quarter of a mile west of the land which he had entered for a dollar and a quarter per acre. Upon his second purchase he built a double log house with one room above and two below. This was his home until 18449. in which year he built a kiln,

259

HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

burned brick and then erected a brick residence.

Mr. Walker was closely identified with the early development and progress of his portion of the state and for years was one of the largest land hoklers of Hancock county. He shared in the usual hardship- and privations of pioneer life. but as the years passed by changes were wrought and he was enabled to secure all of the advantages and comforts known to the older civilization of the east and south. For many years he engaged ex- tensively in stock raising, being one of the leading representatives of this busi- ness in his section of the state. He also made large purchases of land and after giving one hundred and sixty acres to each of his seven children he had over two thousand acres remaining. He was perhaps the wealthiest citizen of his lo- cality at this time. He improved his land from its primitive condition, setting out immense orchards and placing his fields under a high state of cultivation.

In 1870, Mr. Walker went to Florida and set out an orange orchard covering five hundred acres within three miles of Jacksonville. He remained there for nine winters and in the tenth winter was stricken with paralysis. He also pur- chased one hundred and fifty acres of land adjoining the home of Harriet Beecher Stowe and he and his family be came well acquainted with the Stowe family, by whom they were entertained for some days. He was a very industri ous man of unfaltering perseverance and indeed may be numbered among the world's workers. He was a man of keen insight into business affairs and of un-

faltering meg in a matter of hitsne 112!

0 leading citizens of the coninfinity Latte 1818 was elected to represent in the state legislature of 100ml Il. spent two winters in Springfiel and h came associated with many ci Be les tinguished men of the state. Poring i'd second winter in company with Step . A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln and Ja b C. Davis in a hired vehicle he drive to his home in Hancock county, a distante of one hundred and twenty miles, to mike i visit over Sunday. They arrived In day night, and that night such a heiss fall of snow took place that the next Monday morning they had to drive a herd of cattle ahead of them to break the road to Quincy, to which place they rode on horseback. They were three days in getting to Springfield. Mr. Walker was re-elected to the Illinois legislature in 1854. his family, however, remaining upon the farm, while he discharged his official duties in the general assembly. Ile took an active part in the delibera. tions of that body and was connected with much of the constructive legislation of that period. In his home community le was also elected justice of the peace filled that office for fifteen years, his Gome being his courthouse. Mrs Robert Me- Mahan, who was an exceedingly hinein girl. would sit at her father's kuce alier between the ages of eight al mese years and from his dictation wou k vent the revised statutes to the dirt The pen litical allegiance was given to the dents- racy, but though he diffe. of co los views from many of reds . html

260

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW"

statesmen of that period he always en- joyed their warm personal regard and friendship.

In May. 1826, Mr. Walker was mar- ried to Miss Rachel Clark, a daughter of James and Susan ( Naswanner ) Clark. Mrs. Walker was born in Pennsylvania and by this marriage there were nine chil- dren. Henry M., the eldest. lived near Carthage. Illinois, but died in California at the age of seventy-nine years. He had four sons, one of whom, Charles Wil- liam. is living in Carthage, George San- ford in Missouri. Franklin W., on a farm near Carthage. and one. John Henry C., probate judge in Ft. Collins. John E. Walker. the second of the family. born in February. 1829, was a railroad man and died in 1891, at the age of sixty- two years, leaving a wife and two chil- dren, who are residents of Boston. Mas- sachusetts. Mary Jane is the wife of Dr. James Caples, living about sixteen miles from Sacramento, in Sacramento county, California. Rebecca Ann is the widow of Joseph ller and lives in Gault, Califor- nia. about thirty-two miles from Sacra- mento. James Ely died at the age of five years. George Walker died in 1905 in Warsaw, leaving a son. Warren W .. of Joplin, Missouri, and a daughter. Mrs. Lillian Pederson. Susan Frances became the wife of Robert McMahan and is men- tioned later in this sketch. Henrietta became the wife of Taylor Doty and after his death married James Jenkins and died April 17. 1904, on the old home farm in Hancock county. Charles Pierce is a resident of Los Angeles, California, where he is engaged in merchandising and is also vice president of a bank. The

father, George Walker, died October 9. 1879, at the age of seventy-five years and his wife passed away October 9, 1883, also when seventy-five years of age. In the years of an active and useful career he had become widely known and in fact was one of the historic figures in Illinois history during the middle portion of the nineteenth century. His influence was widely felt in behalf of public improve- ment, his business operations were of an extensive and profitable character and his genuine personal worth was such as to win for him the admiration, good will and respect of all with whom he came in contact. Though more than a quarter of a century has passed away since he was called to his final rest he is yet re- membered by many of the early citizens of the county who knew and honored him.

As before stated, Susan Frances Walker became the wife of Robert Mc- Mahan. The latter was a son of Andrew McMahan, a native of Kentucky, who came to Hancock county, Illinois, in 1831. This was the year of the great snow-a winter memorable in the history of Illi- nois. There were few settlers in the northern part of the state and the cen- tral and southern sections were but sparsely settled. All over Illinois there were great stretches of unimproved lands and Mr. McMahan took up a tract of government land of about one hun- dred and sixty acres which was developed into a good farm and remained the fam- ily homestead until the death of himself and wife. As the years passed by he added to his original holdings until he became an extensive landed proprietor

HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS

and at the time of his demise still re tained possession of six hundred acres. while in the meantime he had given to each of his four children a tract of one hundred and sixty acres.

Three of his children are now living. while Angeline, who became the wife of Captain Williams, of Warsaw, died March 20, 1901.

McMahan, born September In. Il How the wife of David Wer me de place adjoins the old homestead The have two children. Francis and Dans Nellie Rachel McMahan, bem Noverbe 25. 1875, is the wife of How und Bale a lumberman of St 1oms, Missour George W. W. MeMalin, bern July 9 1873. lives upon the ad homestead ml rents the farm which his parents gave him. He married Florence Dry and for one daughter. Anny Rozett.

Robert William McMahan, born June 15. 1830, on the old family homestead in Hancock county, Illinois, acquired his education in the subscription schools of John McMahan, the scene soran \ drew Mc Mahan, Inc. in the o . Il sted where he was born sixty three sein ago. He married Clara Real, IF P ceased, and they had five children of whom one has passed away the early day. He was reared to farm life, spending the greater part of the year in the labors of the field and meadow. while in the winter seasons he pursued his studies. With the family he shared in the hardships and privations Thomas Jefferson Mellan te Aringest member of the family of dres McMahan, 1. Ining m St Ion - and has been married twice, but his see and wife is also now deceased incident to the settlement of the frontier He chose as a life occupation the pursuit to which he had been reared and continu- ously followed farming until he reached the age of sixty-six years, when he re- Both the Walker and McMahan tan ilies have lived in this county from pe neer times and have been checks sido ated with its history in all of his roll. phases. Mr. Walker lived here during the Mormon siege. but did not take pil on either side. He sis mas Que burned. however, and knew of the whale proceedings. Mr. MeMalan amar member seeing Joseph and Thrall Sell the Mormon prophets and leave were murdered She says the 1 the floor and also the hille male tinson the window pierced In the L'e the killed Joseph Smith He many interesting petite- alt Bier tired from business and has since lived in Warsaw, purchasing a beautiful home in the city. On the 13th of July, 1850. le was united in marriage to Miss Susan Frances Walker, daughter of George Walker, the honored pioneer, and unto them have been born six chiklren. Clara. the eldest, born April 5, 1800, died June 20, 1864. Charles Homer, born Decem ber 4. 1801. is living in Wilcox township. this county. He married Eva J. Knox and they have five children living, while Harry and one other died in infancy Those who still survive are Carl David. Robert Francis, William R. George Howard and Francis MeMahan Cora days and she relates in Het of mal E. McMahan died in infancy. Mary Il. with great accuracy moment the west

262

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEIT'

which have left their impress upon the annals of Hancock county.

ASA L. BENNINGTON.

Asa L. Bennington is the leading con- tractor and builder of La Harpe. No man has done more for the improvement of the village, for the greater part of its leading business houses and fine residences have been erected by him and stand as evidence of his skill and enterprise in the line of his chosen vocation. His life rec- ord began in Bloomfield. Iowa. on Christ- mas day of 1861. his parents being Jacob S. and Emeline (Lane) Bennington, the former born in Adams county. Ohio. December 5, 1826, and the latter near Mount Sterling. Illinois. December 24. 1829. The paternal grandfather. Jonathan Bennington, was born in Penn- sylvania. October 20, 1789. and was reared near Hagerstown, Maryland. He wedded Jane C. Ramsey, who was born near Boone Station, Kentucky. January 9. 1799, and was a daughter of Robert Ramsey, who was one of Washington's body guards in the Revolutionary war. The maternal grandparents were Asa and Matilda (Conover) Lane. On leaving Ohio Jacob S. Bennington removed to Davis county. Iowa, and in 1869 became a resident of Henderson county. Illinois. where he lived until 1892, when the fam- ily removed to La Harpe. His wife passed away in September, 1885. In their family were the following named: Ma-

tilda, who was born in Iowa, June 7, 1853; Lee J., born in Iowa, December 11, 1856: John F .. born in Iowa, May 10, 1858; Phebe M., born in Missouri, August 11, 1863 ; Jacob S., born in Mis- souri. March 28, 1865: Carroll L., born in Missouri. April 6. 1867; and Charles. born in Illinois, February 28, 1870.

Asa L. Bennington was reared in his father's home to the age of sixteen years. when he started out upon an independent business career and since that time he has provided entirely for his own support. so that whatever success he has achieved has come as the direct reward of his own labors. He was employed at farin work for about, five years and then learned the carpenter's trade under the direction of his father. He has engaged in building operations since that time and for the past seventeen years has been contracting. At the present writing. in 1906, he has the contract for the erection of the new Carnegie library in La Harpe all the business houses and large build- and with a few exceptions he has built ings erected in this village for the past fourteen years. He keeps abreast with the most modern progress as displayed in the builder's art and his efforts have been an important factor in the substan- tial improvement of the city, greatly aug- menting its attractive appearance. His excellent workmanship and his fidelity to the terms of a contract have been impor- tant elements in his success.

In 1891 Mr. Bennington was married to Miss Hattie Landis, who was born April 3, 1871. and is a daughter of Isaac and Finett ( Levings ) Landis, natives of La Harpe township. They have four

ILINCOCA COLATS, ILLINOIS

children: Clair, born March 23, 1892: Celia May, January 14. 1894: Beulah Vernon, January 21. 1896; and Minnie M., October 14, 1900.

Mr. Bennington votes with the Repub- lican party and has served for two terms as aklerman at La Harpe. Community affairs are of deep interest to him and his co-operation can always be counted upon as a factor to further the welfare and promote the progress of his adopted town. Fraternally he is connected with Bristol lodge, No. 653. I. O. O. F., and with the Modern Woodmen of America, and in his life exemplifies the beneficent spirit of these organizations. An analy- zation of his character shows that his sal- ient traits are such as are universally ad- mired and valued and in his home town they have made him a representative citizen.

JAMES W. CASSINGHAM.

James W. Cassingham dates his resi- dence in Hancock county since 1857. He is now living retired in La Harpe but was formerly identified with agricultural and manufacturing interests. He was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, June 16, 1840, and in the paternal line comes of English ancestry. his grandfather be- ing Thomas Cassingham, a native of England. His father. James Cassing ham, was also born in that country and came with his parents to America in 1826. the family home being established upon a farm in Ohio. In early life he learned

the shoemaker's trade, sarebbe throughout his entire hu( He welded Miss Marthat Old 1 00 of Virginia and a daughter of Fle Oden, and they became the parent- ne four children, three sons and a chilighter James M. Cassingham, the third order of birth, left home m 1855 Ale only fifteen years of age and cine ' Illinois with a family of the name wi Decker, settling upon a farm in MED 1- ough county. There Mr Casing Mall remained until March, 1857. when he left the Decker family and came to Hancock county, where he was employed at farm labor by the month until 1801. When the tocsin of war sounded and men from all departments of life Blocked to the standard of the country, coming from the workshop. the fields, the offices and the counting rooms, he too gave evidence of his spirit of valor and loyalty and on the 10th of May. 1861. enlisted in the Six teenth Illinois Infantry as a member of Company F. He served for four years. being mustered out at Louisville, Ken- tucky, in July 8. 1805. He was once wounded, though not seriously, and after the close of the war, having for four years been a most faithful soldier, he re- turned to Hancock county, settling in I. Harpe township near the village of La Harpe. There he purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, which le cultivated for almost a quarter of . cp tury, or until 1880, when he took up abode in the town. In that year. 0 connection with C 11. Ingrah. m ml 1 R. Booth, he established i brick m nu facturing plant in La H. rpe and as ci gaged in the manufacture of brick ne

264

BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW'

about ten years, when he sold his interest to Mr. Ingraham and retired from active business. On the 26th of February. 1903. he sold his farm of one hundred and sixty acres, all of which was under cultivation.

Mr. Cassingham was married Feb- ruary 4, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Bryan. who was born March 22, 1839, in Penn- sylvania. They became the parents of six children : Arthur, who was born De- cember 18, 1866, and resides in Memphis. Missouri : Martha, who was born Novem- ber 10, 1868. and is the wife of Warren Talbott, of Warren county, Illinois ; Charlie C .. who was born October 25. 1870, and lives in Spokane, Washington : Mary D., who was born March 22, 1872. and is the wife of John M. Lyon, of La Harpe: Rose, who was born August 2, 1876, and is the wife of Herbert Locke, of Blandinsville, Illinois: and Lora, who was born September 16, 1879, and who is the wife of Clifford Prather, of La Harpe. On the 21st of October. 1886, the family mourned the death of the wife and mother, who on that day passed away at the age of forty-seven years. On the ist of October. 1887, Mr. Cassingham wedded Mary .A. Bryan, the widow of Cowden M. Bryan. She was born in La Harpe. April 24, 1845. It was soon after his second marriage that Mr. Cas- singham retired from the farm and re- moved to La Harpe, where he has since resided. His political affiliation is given to the Republican party and in the Ma- sonic fraternity he has taken the degrees of the lodge and chapter. A residence of almost a half century in this county makes him widely known and numbers

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.

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 31

Author: Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Hobart Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 806

Author:
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Hobart Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 806