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 34
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Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kropp were born four children, all natives of Walker town- ship, namely: Henry, a farmer of Rocky Run township, who married Anna Keith and has four children, Winnard, Leoline, Carlton and Eugene: John, a farmer of Walker township, who wedded Louisa Kunz, and has five children. Ursula, Wil- lis. Eva, Esther and Edith: Elizabeth. who is keeping house for her father : and Annie, the wife of Rev. P. Ott, of Call- met, Iowa, by whom she has one dangh- ter. Lizzie. The children were all edu- cated in the district schools. In 1800 the family was called upon to mourn the loss of wife and mother, for Mrs. Kropp passed away in January of that year. amid the deep regret of many friends as well as her immediate family. She was a member of the German church at Tinga. and was laid to rest in the Tioga ceme- tery. Mr. Kropp is also a member of the same church and his political allegiance is given to the Republican party. He has justly won the broad American title of
Among the retired farmers who now make their home in Disco but who in for- mer years were actively identified with the agricultural development of Hancock county is numbered James W, Bolinger. whose birth occurred in Monroe county. West Virginia, July 1. 1838. When only about four years of age his parents. Philip and Mary Bolinger, drove with team and wagon from West Virginia to Meig- county, Ohio, where the father engaged in farming for about ten years, and then continued his journey by wagon to Ed- gar county, Illinois, where he continued his farming operations for several years and then removed to this county. where he followed the pursuits which hunt been his occupation through many long years During their later years, however, the resided for a time in the eastern part of this state, but at the time of their denise were making their home witje ont i - ject. The father passed as.0 0 1-2 while the wife summed they did two years, being called to ashes' res in 1871
James W Boliger is che Fortb x0000
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der of birth in a family of eight daughters and two sons, of whom only three sur- vive. the sisters being Elizabeth, the wife of John Taylor, of Hamilton, Illinois. ' and Sarah, the wife of John Redford, a resident of Terre Haute, Indiana. Mr. Bolinger acquired a common school edu- cation. but his advantages in this direc- tion were somewhat limited. He has. however, in later years added much to his knowledge by reading and investigation. He remained under the parental roof un- til twenty-five years of age, assisting in the development of the home farm, when. on the 14th of January. 1867. he was united in marriage to Miss Mariette Zer- by, whose birth occurred on the farm which is still her home. Her parents were Daniel and Mary Zerby.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bolinger took up their abode on the farm which belonged to his father-in-law. and which constituted one hundred and twelve acres situated on section 6. La Harpe township. The land was unimproved and the only building upon the place was a small house, but our subject at once set to work to clear the land and cultivate the fields, and in due course of time he gathered rich crops. The property is now well improved. the fields being di- vided by woven wire fences, and there are likewise many substantial outbuilding's for the shelter of grain and stock. In 1891 the original home of the family was replaced by a modern frame residence and altogether the place is one of the at- tractive country homes in this section of the state. He also set out an orchard. containing apple, peach and plum trees. and grapes are also found upon the place.
Mr. Bolinger continued to improve and cultivate his farm until 1903, when, feel- ing that his labors in former years now justified his retirement from the more ar- duous duties of life, he purchased two lots in the village of Disco, on which he erected a good frame residence, contain- ing eight rooms and supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories and here he and his wife are now living in honorable retirement, the farm being con- ducted by his son-in-law, Allen St. Clair.
In the family of this worthy couple are three children: James W .. a telegraph operator, being stationed at Wilburton, In- dian Territory ; Minnie, the wife of Cyrus Rice, a resident of Durham township; and Emma, the wife of Allen St. Clair, residing on the homestead farm. In his political views Mr. Bolinger is a stalwart democrat but has never been active in the work of the party. He holds membership in the Methodist Protestant church at Disco, in the work of which he is a help- ful and interested factor. Starting ont in life a poor man, he has worked diligently and persistently to acquire a competence that now enables him to rest from further labor and he and his wife are companion- able people, highly esteemed in the com- munity where they have lived and labored throughout the greater part of their lives.
JOHN B. HASTINGS.
John B. Hastings, who is the owner of valuable farming and stock raising inter-
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ests in Hancock county and moreover has extensive landed possessions in the west. owning and conducting a very large stock ranch in Kearney county. Nebraska, is a native son of Illinois, his birth having oc- curred in Adams county on the 30th vi December. 1842. His parents were Sam- uel R. and Martha .A. (Anderson ) Hast- ings, natives of Kentucky and Maryland respectively. The father was a son of Benjamin and Rachel ( Hitch ) Hastings. also natives of Maryland, and the mother was a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Guerrant ) Anderson, who were natives of Virginia, while the great-grandfather. James Anderson, was also born in the Old Dominion. In the year 1837 Benja- min Hastings became a resident of Quincy, Illinois, and John Anderson had previously located in Adams county in 1835. entering land within two miles of the present site of the city of Quincy. Ile became the owner of an extensive and valuable tract of six hundred and forty acres, while Mr. Hastings owned the northeast quarter of section 22, Melrose township. He died in the year 18.30. while John Anderson survived until 1885. The son of the former and the daughter of the latter were married in Adams county and Samuel R. Hastings became the owner of two hundred acres of land on section 22. Melrose township, which was unimproved. He transformed it into a richly cultivated tract and put up a number of buildings thereon. It was tim- ber land when it came into his possession. but he cleared away the trees and brush and while thus engaged he cultivated land, which he rented. He continued to rent a farm for about five years, at the
end of which time he rommet 1 home place. In 1868 he bought one hu dred and sixty acres of the amherst quarter of section 15. Montebello town ship. Hancock county. This was m proved prairie land and he also invested in one hundred and sixty acres in Marion county, Missouri, near Palmyra, and one hundred and sixty acres near Kingston. Caldwell county, Missouri. He resided upon the home place until he had a stroke of paralysis in the spring of 1003. La- ing the use of his vocal organs thereby. he has since lived with his son, John B. Hastings, and on the 3d of October, 19900. he will have reached the age of eighty-six years. Earnest, persistent labor con-li- tutes the strong element in the success which he has enjoyed as the years have gone by and as the result of diligence and perseverance he became the owner of val nable farming property.
John B. Hastings is the oldest of a fam ily of five sons and two daughters. of whom three sons and one daughter are ver living. He made his home with his father on the old farm until twenty two years of age and acquired his education in the public schools. On the 10th of January, 1865, he was married to AMiss Martha E. Watson, who was Im Helt Quincy on the 10th of December. 1845. her parents being Benjamin and Maria ( Tyrer) Watson, natives of Kentucky. in which state also lived ber grandfather James Typer. Mrs. Hasting . w . cated in the public schools of Games two and a half years after they nemrec they resided upon the oft FL utes fatt and at the end of theit tome VO leves fitted up a freight The File com-
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ment to be used from the Missouri river west to designated points. He was in Denver, Colorado, on the 16th of June, 1866, at which time a public celebration was held because of the turning on of the first irrigation water. For two years Mr. Ilastings engaged in freighting in the west, after which he spent the succeeding year upon the old home place and in the fall of 1868 he came to the farm which his father had purchased in Montebello township and which was given to John B. Hasting's and his brother. Green B. Hast- ings, who have always been equal part- ners in their business dealings. They se- cured the home place of one hundred and sixty acres and have added to it until they now own four hundred acres on sec- tions 14 and 15, Montebello township. They own three hundred and sixty acres of improved land in Faulkner township, Clark county, Missouri, which is used as a stock farm, and in 1887 they began the importation of horses from England, France and Belgium, devoting their at- tention to the raising of three breeds. They at first bought twelve head and since that time have made two other ship- ments, one of thirty-two head and the other of thirty-eight head. They contin- ued in business until 1893, when they re- tired from the field as importers. They now raise draft horses and have one stal- lion for service of the Percheron breed upon the home place, and one Belgium stallion on the Missouri farm. They raise from ten to twelve head of draft horses each year and they raise short-horn cat- tle, Poland-China hogs and Shropshire sheep. Their place in Hancock county is called the Montebello Stock Farm. In
addition to this property they also own twelve hundred acres of land in Kearney county, Nebraska, which is used as a stock farm for the raising of cattle, horses and hogs. They also have five hundred acres of plowed land devoted to the rais- ing of wheat, corn, oats and alfalfa.
Unto Mr. Hastings and his first wife were born four children: Emily J., who died at the age of twenty-one years; Sam- uel R., at the age of twenty-four; Cora E., at the age of twenty-three; and An- drew L., at the age of twenty-five; while the wife and mother passed away in No- vember, 1877. On the 8th of June, 1899, Mr. Hastings was again married, his sec- ond union being with Iva Simmonds, who was born in Adair county, Missouri, July 15, 1875, and is a daughter of John S. and Mary (McConnell) Simmonds, na- tives of Illinois and Missouri respective- ly. Her grandparents were Squire and Martha A. (Cox) Simmonds, natives of Indiana, while the maternal grandparents were Asa and Martha V. ( Peusa) Mc- Connell, the former a native of Missouri and the latter of France. Their children are: Lessie E., born March 15, 1900: Mary E., November 17, 1901 ; Green. June 4, 1903 : and John, September 4. 1905, the two sons being named for the father and the uncle, who have long been partners in business.
Mr. Hastings of this review votes with the democracy and has held the office of road commissioner in his township. but is not active as a politician, preferring to leave office seeking to others, while he concentrates his energies upon his busi- ness affairs. Both brothers are recog- nized as men of excellent business enter-
HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS
prise and capacity, straightforward in ler survived her hu band ari pictures their dealings and quickly recogizing in Winterset, low., at the al good business opportunities and ad- of ninety-one. She was the vantages.
CLINTON CUTLER.
Clinton Cutler, living retired in Car- thage after many years' connection with agricultural interests, has now passed the eighty-first milestone on life's journey. his birth having occurred in Erie county, New York. September 9. 1825. There he lived until twelve years of age, his youth being largely passed in attendance at the public schools. His parents were Jonas P. and Martha (Jones) Cutler. both natives of Vermont, where they lived until after their marriage. They then removed to Erie county, New York. and the father served as a justice of the peace in the town of Holland. He also engaged in farming there for a number of years, or until his removal to the middle west about 1837, in which year he lo- cated in Fulton county, Illinois, where he devoted his time and energies to farming until 1851. He then came to Hancock county, settling in Pilot Grove township. where he purchased a tract of land. on which he carried on general farming until his death when he was sixty-eight years of age. He was a member of the Mis- sionary Baptist church and a man whose entire life was characterized by the most honorable principles and manly conduct. His political allegiance was given to the democracy. For many years Mrs. Cut-
eleven children, nine of whom al sur vive.
Clinton Cutler, whose name of jer duces this review, was a youth of the se summers when he accompanied his per ents on their removal from the lempie state to Illinois. He attended the public school of Fulton county and through the periods of vacation assisted his it- ther in the farm work, remaining will his parents until after their removal to Hancock county in 1851. Subsequently he lived in Pilot Grove township, where be purchased one hundred and six acre- of land, making his home thereon for a number of years or until after the death of his first wife. He later purchased land in several different townships of this county and successfully carried on farming until 1903, when he took up his abode in the city of Carthage, where he has since lived retired, enjoying in well earned rest the fruits of his former toil. His property he has divided among his first children and he now occupies a pleasant home in Carthage owned by Mrs. Cutler.
Mr. Cutler has been married twice. He first wedded Miss Mary Ann Christ, who was born in Pennsylvania and became the mother of six children. Charles H . the oldest, now a resident of Des Moines. Towa, married Sarah Walker, who died leaving a large family : Benjamin, a farmer of Winfield, Kansas, died at the age of forty years: Caleb is residing in Centerville. Iowa : Joel S mike his home in Chicago: John A died in infancy : and
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Laura is the wife of John Lawton, a blacksmith of Carthage, by whom she has five children. For his second wife Mr. Cutler chose Mrs. Nancy A. Booth, the widow of John N. Booth, a farmer who resided in Carthage township. He was born in Kentucky and in his boyhood days came with his parents to Hancock county. At the time of his death he was the owner of two hundred and thirty- five acres of valuable farming land, which constituted the visible evidence of a life of thrift and enterprise, and through the kindness and liberality of his father-in- law. John Booth, she received the deed of this farm. In politics he was a demo- crat. Unto him and his wife were born three children. Amanda M., Eddie and John E., all of whom were born in Car- thage township but are all now deceased. Mr. Booth was forty-two years of age at the time of his demise. Mrs. Cutler was educated in the common schools of Car- thage township. She was a daughter of Edward and Mahala White (Collins) Russell. Her father was born in Mary- land and there resided until after his mar- riage. \ farmer by occupation, he fol- lowed that pursuit in the south and in 1838 came to Ilinois, settling in Car- thage township, Hancock county, where he became the owner of extensive prop- erty interests and carried on general ag- ricultural pursuits there throughout his remaining days. He died at the age of sixty-eight years in the faith of the United Brethren church, of which he was a devoted member. His political views accorded with the principles of the Re- publican party. His wife lived to the advanced age of ninety-five years and.
having passed away on the 25th of De- cember, 1899, was laid to rest by his side in Franklin cemetery of Carthage town- ship. Unto the second marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Cutler have been born six chil- dren, of whom five are yet living. Clara Josephine, the eldest, is the wife of Sam- uel Law, of Carthage, and they have one child. DeWitt Clinton, residing in Carthage township, married Olive Rhor- bough and they have two children, Clara Ethel and Edith, the latter a music teach- er residing at home. Edward P., living in Carthage township, where he owns and operates one hundred and sixty acres of land, was married to Nellie Haney and they have two children, Harrison H. and George C. Frank Clarence, residing in Carthage township, where he owns a farm of eighty acres, married Matilda Huey, a daughter of Robert Huey, and they have two children, Paul and Leotta. Ralph Cyrus, residing on the home place. which he now owns, married Daisy Reno, a daughter of Newton and Leonora Reno. of Carthage township, and they have two children, Kenneth and Mildred. Mr. and Mrs. Cutler are most highly esteemed people, widely and favorably known in Carthage. and during the long years of his residence in Illinois, covering almost six decades. Mr. Cutler has ever com- manded the respect and good will of those with whom he has been associated through social, political or business rela- tions. He well merits the case and re- tirement he now enjoys. Mrs. Cutler from her father and husband received a good estate and has arranged for the suc- cess of her sous by aiding each to get a start in the business workl.
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
FREDERICK MMIRE.
Frederick Maire, who for a number of Years was a traveling salesman for a paint honse but is now living retired in Hamilton, was born in Alsace, France. December 31, 1844. The ancestry of the family can be traced back through au- thentic records to a date prior to 1700. The great-grandfather was Theodore Maire and the grandfather Francis Maire. The latter was a captain in the French army and served under Napoleon. His son. Alexander Maire, also a native of France, was married to Miss Mary Ann Lorentz, a daughter of Ignatius Lorentz. who was sergeant major in the command of the Prince of Conde in the army which opposed Napoleon. Alexander Maire, a man of broad and liberal education and strong mentality, served as professor of ancient languages in the university of France. In 1856 he came to America with his wife and their only child Freder- ick, arriving in New York, whence he went to Rochester, spending one term as a teacher in a seminary for young ladies. He afterward removed to Basco, Han- cock county. Ilinois, where he purchased two hundred and fifty acres of land as an investment. lle rented the farm, how- ever, and made his home in the town. where he conducted a general store for several years. In 1868, however, he sold all of his interests in Hancock county and removed to York county, Virginia, where he was engaged in the oyster business and in the conduct of a general store for three years. On the expiration of that period he disposed of his interests in the south and removed to New York city, where he
purchased a book storeon Auf fret. . ducting his business in the metropress and making his home across the river in Ness ark. New Jersey. He continued a Ti dent of New York until 1880, when he returned to France, where he die " 1893, while his wife passed away m ist
Frederick Maire pursued his prelim nary education under private tutors and spent three years as a college student. Ile was associated with his father until 1872. when at the age of twenty eight years he secured a position as decorative painter. which trade he had learned in France. He was thus engaged until 1880 in New York city and from 1886 until 1888 was ed- itor of a magazine called the House Painter and Decorator, which was pub- lished in Philadelphia. He has also writ ten several books on painting and he is certainly an expert in the art of decora- tive painting. In 1880 he went to Basen, where he remained until 1883, when he removed to Hamilton and purchased two acres of land just north of the cemetery. In 1888 he bought eleven acres on the bank of the Mississippi river just north of the city. there residing for three years. during which time he was employed In Harrison Brothers & Company, of Chi- cago, as a traveling salesman for pant and also as an expert on pant He con tinned with that house for eleven years. being one of its most efficient and trusted representatives, but in 18og he seven his connection with Ham Brette & Company and has since been there fo tired with his family ni Hanglung ile one of the finest artists 1 Femmeml some of his work ha wany On the 24th of May, Đông Mỹ Blanc
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was married to Miss Hannah Fisher, who was born in Rockville, Indiana, a daugh- ter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Cox) Fish- er, natives of Ohio. They came to Han- cock county in 1856 and Mr. Fisher gave his attention to general agricultural pur- suits. Mr. and Mrs. Maire were married in Alexandria, Missouri, and unto them have been born the following named : Marie, the wife of Cyprien Bedouin, a captain of the French army; Renee. the wife of J. V. Crum, a merchant of Ham- ilton ; Elizabeth, who is the widow of Eu- gene Droussent, of Hamilton; Theresa. the wife of Henry Cuerden, a merchant of Hamilton ; Annette, at home; Paul M., who owns a farm in Montebello town- ship : and a son and daughter, Samuel A. and Louise, now deceased.
Mr. Maire is a Catholic in religious faith, while his political allegiance is given to the Republican party. While living in Virginia he served as township clerk. He gave his attention to his busi- ness interests for a number of years and with a desirable capital retired to private life to enjoy a well-earned rest. He devotes considerable time and atten- tion to artistic work and his excellent conception of artistic subjects, his fine shading and color have made him an artist of more than local fame.
HARRY R. FOLCKEMER, M. D.
Dr. Harry R. Folckemer, who though a young man has attained success and
prominence in his profession that many an older practitioner might well envy, is now located in Dallas City, where al- ready a liberal patronage has been accord- ed him. He was born in Camp Point, Illinois, in 1880, his parents being Henry and Ellen (Craver) Folckemer. Some of his ancestors were in the war of 1812 and his great-great-grandfather on the mother's side served as a major in the second war with England. The father. Henry Folckemer, was born in Shrews- bury, York county, Pennsylvania, in 1836, while his wife's birth occurred in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1845. He learned the tinner's trade in his native town and came to Illinois in 1866, set- tling at Camp Point, where he established a hardware store, which he is still con- ducting. During the period of the Civil war he served in the Fifty-first Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry and was in the army of the Potomac under General Mc- Clellan, participating in the battle of An- tietam. He served for one year, after which he returned home and has since 1866 been connected with the hardware trade of Camp Point. In politics lie is an unfaltering advocate of the democracy and has held a number of local offices. serving for several terms as alderman and in other positions of public trust. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias and he attends the services of the Meth- odist church, of which his wife is a mem- ber. In their family are three living chil- dren : Paul M., who is in business with his father: Harry R., of this review; and Richard, who is in Indian Territory.
Dr. Harry R. Folckemer acquired his
HANCOCK (OUAIS MILION
early education at Camp Point and passed through successive grades until he was graduated from the high school. Later he attended the University of Hinois at Champaign for two years and acquired his professional education in Chicago as a student in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, from which he was graduated in the class of 1995. In the same year he came to Dallas City, where already he has obtained a large city and country practice. He is a regular physician, thor- oughly proficient in his profession and is constantly adding to his knowledge by reading and observation as well as by practical experience. lle has a well equipped office on Third street in connec- tion with his home and has done excellent work as a representative of the profes sion. Like his father he gives his polit- ical allegiance to the democracy. He is also a member of the Knights of l'ythias fraternity and of the Masonic lodge, and of the Hancock County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. A young man of strong intellectual force and laudable ambition, he is wide-awake and enterprising and it needs no gift of prophecy to foretell that a successful fu- ture awaits him.
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