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 37
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Loval as he was to the state and any of his nativity. he was equals alt de regiment which he loul offporel 00!
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which had given its organizer such credit. During his entire military career he ab- solutely refused to accept any command which did not include the Thirty-seventh Massachusetts regiment. His warm friend. General Sheridan. urged him. while commandant of the post at Win- chester, to accept an appointment which meant a lifetime of service in the regular army, with high rank, but it was declined, and he returned to the army of the Poto- mac. to renew the perils of active service in the field. There he positively refused to accept any command which did not embrace you men who are gathered here today. This refusal was carried to such a point as to place him in antagonism with officers of superior rank, but Ed- wards would not swerve. and finally he Was assigned to the command which he sought, and through the defenses of Pe- tersburg he led his tried and trusted bat- talions, as he did in that last terrific strug- gle at Sailor's creek. where General Sher- idan, not accustomed to delay in striking the enemy, sat upon his horse, with the battlefield before him, and waited till Ed- wards and his command could be brought up from a point three miles in the rear to bear the brunt of the infantry fighting.
His life as a citizen was a worthy sup- plement to his life as a soldier. Modest in his manner, the esteem in which he was held is shown by the positions of trust given him by the community in which his life was passed. where every honor within the gift of his constituents was gratefully bestowed. Such, in brief, was the life whose close we mourn as we gather here today. Mr. Commander. I give to your keeping this memorial.
Brevet Major General Oliver Edwards- peerless soldier, worthy citizen, true- hearted comrade.
JOHN W. BERTSCHI.
John W. Bertschi is one of the native sons of Hancock county, having first opened his eyes to the light of day on section 22. Appanoose township. Febru- ary 12. 1852. In the years that have' come and gone he has proved an active and enterprising citizen, giving helpful support to many progressive public measures and at the same time carefully conducting his individual business inter- ests. Little is known concerning the an- cestral history of the family save that carlier generations were for a long pe- riod residents of Switzerland. John Bertschi, the grandfather, born and reared in that country. was there married to Miss Steiner, and their son. William Bertschi, was born in the land of the Alps April 18., 1825. Having arrived at years of maturity, he wedded Miss Eliza- beth Walti, who was born in Switzerland. July 2, 1827, and was a daughter of Ru- dolph Walti. It was in the year 1849 that William Bertschi came to Hancock county with his widowed mother and brothers and sisters. He was then a young man of twenty-four years, and after assisting the family to get located in the new world. he returned to his na- tive country in 1850 and there, in the spring of 1851. he was married. In the
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fall of the same year he brought his bride to the United States and made his way to Hancock county, Illinois, having pre- viously determined to locate here where the family had taken up their abode. He purchased forty acres of land on section 22. Appanoose township, it being one of the first farms of the locality. Upon it was the only apple orchard in this part of the county and people would come for miles around to get apples, and others came for long distances just to see the or- chard, which was an oddity in those early days. There was one frame house and one log building upon the farm and also two or three log stables. As Mr. Bertschi could not obtain possession of his prop- erty until the spring of 1852 he lived with his sister, who had the adjoining forty acres, during the winter. When spring came, however. he took up his abode upon his own place and began its development and improvement. In course of time he added eighty acres of prairie land and forty acres of timber and at dif- ferent times made purchase of twenty acres on section 15. twenty acres on sec- tion 16, and an eighty-acre tract on sec- tion 27. He became well known as a stockman, being particularly fond of horses, and thus well qualified for their care and raising. He owned the first imported Percheron horse sired by Napo- leon brought to this country. AAt differ- ent times he owned many stallions and did an extensive business as a breeder. He (lied March ;. 1900, and was laid to rest in Nauvoo cemetery, while his wife passed away October 7. 1803. Their family numbered five sons and three daughters, as follows: John W. ; Her
man and Albert, who are residing .it Glenwood, Washington, Carl, whose home is in Niota, this county , Ivette I. the widow of Lee Miller, of Iowa. Cuill. the wife of John Kindscher, of Mecker. Colorado: Emma, the wife of Low- Bicker, who resides on the old Berischi homestead in Appanose township; and William D., also of Niota.
No event of special importance of- curred to vary the routine of farm hie for John W. Bertschi in his boyhood and youth. He was a student in Center dis friet school of Appanoose township and like other boys he enjoyed the sports which were indulged in by the youth of the neighborhood. He was trained to ac- tive farm labor, early becoming famihar with the work of the fields, and to his fa ther he gave the benefit of his services In til his marriage, remaining until that time under the parental roof. He had pre- viously purchased eighty acres of land on section 27. MAppanoose township. of which he became owner in the spring ni 1876. There was an old log house upon the place that is still standing, and the other improvements were of a primitive nature.
It was to this pioneer home that Mr Bertschi took his bride, when on the 24th of October, 1877. he was married to Miss Margaret Porth, who was born in Appa noose township. May 28, 1850 Her par- ents were Frederick and Dorothy E cHer man) Porth, natives of Hesse, German The father made his way to Belleville Illinois, in 1841, and lived in St ( hun county until 1852, when he removed to Nauvoo and settled upon a farm m \p panouse township, where he spent his 10
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maining days, passing away on the Ist of . December, 1894. His widow still sur- vives him and is now living in St. Louis with her daughter. Mrs. John Klug. As stated. Mr. Bertschi took his bride to the log cabin upon his farm and there lived for ten years. after which they spent two years in a stone house situated opposite his place. In the fall of 1890 he was elected treasurer of the county and re- moved to Carthage. where he continued to reside until 1898, when he removed to the vicinity of his home place and rented a house, but in that year he had a modern dwelling erected, which he and his fam- ily have occupied since September, 1898. He has also extended the boundaries of his farm by purchasing sixty acres on the south. He is well known as a general farmer and stock-raiser, his attention in the latter direction being given largely to Poland China hogs.
In 1902 Mr. Bertschi was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 28th of January, and was buried in Nauvoo cemetery. Their children are: William Tell, who was born All- gust 19. 1878, and is now in Portland. Oregon : Roscoe R., who was born April 13. 1883, and is at home: and Wallace. born May 14, 1887.
Mr. Bertschi holds membership in the Christian church at Carthage, and is one of the prominent democrats of the county. recognized as a leader in the ranks of the party. He was called to various public offices. the duties of which he has dis- charged with promptness and fidelity. He was first elected township collector. serving in 1877. 1878. 1870 and 1880. It was during the same period that he
acted for one year as town clerk, and he has also filled the office of supervisor for a number of terms. For three years he was a director of the agricultural board of the county fair at Carthage. In the fall of 1890 he was chosen by popular suffrage to the office of county treasurer. and served for one term of four years, while since 1900 he has been assessor of Appanoose township. Called thus to va- rious offices his re-elections have been in- dications of his ability and the trust and confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen. He has wielded a wide influ- ence in public affairs and be it said to his credit that the weight of his influence is ever on the side of right, reform, prog- ress and improvement. He is a man hon- orable in all life's relations and whether in positions of public trust. in business circles or as a representative of social relations he is known as a man worthy of high regard and confidence.
FRANKLIN L. McCORMICK. M. D.
He whose name initiates this review has gained recognition as one of the able and successful physicians of Carthage and Hancock county, and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has justified the re- spect and confidence in which he is held in the medical fraternity in the local pub- lic. He is one of Illinois' native sons, his birth having occurred in Mount Sterling, Brown county, on the 22d day of March.
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1857, his parents being Robert and Ade- line ( Wilson ) McCormick. The father was born in Kentucky and both he and his wife spent their childhood days there and were married in that state. The name, however, would indicate Scotch an- cestry. Robert McCormick and his wife came to Illinois prior to 1849. as the court records show that he owned the ground where the Baptist church now stands prior to that day. He was a tan- ner and owned a tannery in Brown coun- ty, continuing in that business up to the time of his death. Both he and his wife were devoted members of the Pres- byterian church and were people of the righest respectability. The father died December 24. 1861, when his son Frank- lin was but four years of age, and the mother was left with the care of twelve children, whom she reared. giving a mother's loving devotion to them. She died at the advanced age of eighty years. three months and three days, passing away in 1896.
Dr. McCormick is the eleventh child and seventh son in the family. When seven years of age he left Brown county and removed to Pike county, Illinois. where he acquired his preliminary educa tion and afterward attended Normal school. Later he engaged in teaching but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor. for he desired to become a member of the medical fra- ternity and became a student in the office and under the direction of Dr. Harvey. of Pittsfield. He afterward attended the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis and pursued one course of lectures there. while later he entered the Keokuk Med
ical College, from which he w. godine ated with the class of ISop He male for practice at Bentley, im 11.000 ck el ty, where he soon secured a good count practice, but desiring a broader fiehl he removed to Memphis, Missouri, where he remained six months. He then came tu Carthage on the 22d of February, 1800. and has since maintained a prominent po- sition in the ranks of the medical irater- nity here and has a large and lucrative practice. He occupies a fine suite of rooms in the MeMahan binkling and is a general practitioner, well versed in all de- partments of medical science and its adap- tation. He belongs to the Hancock Med ical Society, the Illinois State Medical Society and the American Medical .Asso- ciation. He is moreover grand medical examiner of the Hancock County Mutual Life Association, of winch he was the originator, and which is now known as one of the most successful mutual insur- ance companies of the country, and awe's it's success largely to Dr. Mccormick.
Dr. McCormick was married Devem- ber 13. 1882, In Miss Mary F. Brown ing, of Perry, Pike county, a daughter of William and Mary ( Dorsey) Brown ing, who were old residents of like collu- ty. locating there on coming from fen never Unto Dr. and Mrs. Viet ormich have been born three children Mate 1. married June 3. 000, total ( cul tom, of Sault St. Marie, Michigan, Where she resides. She is a graduate in die ( 10 thage high school. Nettie La Nincs a graduate of the high schend adorable ier of the Wyman Rand Cura com panny of Carthage. Od F Det . Student Die Met Mys Met
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and the two elder daughters hold mem- bership in the Christian church. Theirs is a pleasant and attractive home on South Main street, Dr. McCormick having made most of the improvements there. Its hospitality is justly celebrated and their circle of friends is an extensive one. Dr. McCormick belongs to the Odd Fel- lows Society of Perry and the Knights of Pythias lodge at Pittsfield, Illinois. In politics he is a democrat but is too busy to hold office even if he had political aspirations. He is justly accounted one of the strong members of the medical fraternity in the county, having thor- oughly acquainted himself with the sci- ence of medicine, and to his knowledge he is continually adding through reading and investigation, while in his practice he dis- plays keen power of diagnosis, so that he is seldom at error in a matter of profes- sional judgment.
CLARK H. RICE.
Clark H. Rice is one of the native sons of Hancock county and although his resi- dence here has not been continuous he has yet spent the greater part of his life within the borders of the county and is now classed with the representative agri- culturists of Pontoosue township, owning and cultivating one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 33. His life record began in Durham township in 1866 and he is a son of llenry and Elizabeth Rice, who are men-
tioned elsewhere in this volume. He was educated in the Almater school and in Elliott's Business College, at Bur- lington. lowa, and thus, by liberal train- ing, was well equipped for the arduous duties that come with one's entrance into the business world. He remained at home with his parents until twenty-four years of age and then made arrangements for having a home of his own through his marriage in 1890. to Miss Laura M. Bradfield, who was born in Hardin county, Iowa. January 4, 1870, a daugh- ter of James N. and Ada (Wolf) Brad- field. Her father was born in Virginia. Loudoun county, in 1833. and her mother in Ohio, in 1836, and they came to Han- cock county from Iowa when their daugh- ter, Mrs. Rice, was a very little girl. She is the youngest of their four children, all yet living, the others being: James L., of La Harpe ; William F., also living in La Harpe; and Sherman, a resident of Durham township.
Mr. and Mrs. Rice began their domestic life on a farm near Disco, Illinois, and followed farming in this county until 1893. The succeeding three years were spent upon a farm in Nebraska and on re- turning to Illinois, Mr. Rice was again engaged in farming near Disco for a year. He after engaged in the same pursuit near Argyle, Iowa. for six years, and in 1903 he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 32. Pon- toosue township, where he has since re- sided. The place is well improved with a good residence, barn and other modern equipments and as a general farmer and stock-raiser Mr. Rice is meeting with prosperity, as the result of his close ap-
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
plication, careful management and laud- able ambition.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rice were born four chiklren: One died in infancy. Bertha, born October 25, 1891, in Disco. died July 19. 1899: Charles 1. Argyle, Iowa. April 20, 1898, is at home : Eulah E., born in Pontooste township. July 5. 1903, died on the 20th of August. of that year. The parents are consistent members of the Methodist church and in politics he is a republican. He has no desire for office, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his business interest which, carefully conducted, are bringing him a measure of success that classes him with the men of affluence in his township.
LAFAYETTE FRAZER.
Lafayette Frazer, carrying on general farming in Walker township, was born in Walker township in 1882, a son of George W. and Elizabeth Rebecca ( Shipe) Frazer. The father was reared to farm life and has always followed agricultural pursuits. His wife, also a mitive of Hancock county, was born in Rocky Run township. They still reste in Walker township and are people of genuine personal worth. Their family numbers six children, of whom five are now living: James, a resident of Walker township: Edith, the wife of William Schildman, of Walker township; Lafay
ette, of this review - Msmall hente both at home.
The Oak Valley school 1 \\. The township afforded Lafayette Fraze for educational privileges, which le enden in his youth. He remained of the add homestead until he had attamed his m. jointy and on the 1St of December. Los, he was united in marriage to Miss It Tripp, who was born in Mani county. June 13. 1881, a daughter of Alva and Sallie Tripp, both of whom were native- of Illinois, the former born m 1851 ml the latter in 1801. They are now pos perous farming people of Adams county. Illinois, and in their family are four chul- dren. namely : Mr. Frazer, Chiford. Verna, and Virgil. The family set it- mains unbroken by the hand of death, and with the exception of Mrs. Prazer all are Det under the parental rood
Following his marriage Mr la cl remed a farm of two hundred and forty acres which was once owned and seeu pied by his grandfather and is now the property of his father. Here he die ges in the raising of stock in addition is ille cultivation of the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. In his farm weak lie is enterprising as well as diligent mal. persistence and determination con file the salient features in his hie and wane well for his success.
The home of Mr. and Mrs Fruer been blessed with the Interesting dren : Helen, born in 2002 . and HimMl in 1901. The parents are plus : genial people and hospitality Bo esen the delightful features of their har & M Frazer exercises his night of france
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been an aspirant for office. preferring to concentrate his energies upon his busi- ness affairs.
JOHN MORGAN KISER.
.A well developed and highly improved farm in Wythe township is the property of John Morgan Kiser, who has spent almost his entire life in Illinois. He was born in Campbell county. Kentucky. Sep- tember 20. 1862, being the sixth in order of birth in a family of two sons and seven daughters whose parents were Wilson and Mary (Johnson) Kiser, likewise na- tives of Campbell county. The paternal grandfather was Robert Kiser, and the maternal grandfather, James Johnson, both residents of Kentucky. In the year 1864. Wilson Kiser brought his family to Hancock county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on sec- tion . 29. Wythe township. . Upon this farm was a small house and a little stable and a fence had been built around the place. IIc soon remodeled the house. built a granary and barn and continued the work of improving his farm which in course of years became an excellent property, the fields returning him golden harvests in reward for the care and labor which he bestowed upon them. He re- mained upon this farm until called to his final rest. his wife passing away in May. 1890, while he survived until Oc- tober of the same year.
Brought to Wythe township when but two years of age. John M. Kiser pursued
his education in the district schools of the neighborhood and when not busy with his text-books aided in the farm work. giving his father the benefit of his services in the field and meadow until he had attained his majority. He then began farming on his own account. and pur- chased forty acres of land on section 28, Wythe township, from his father. This he cultivated for six years. at the end of which time he pur- chased the old homestead of one hundred and sixty acres from the other heirs and took possession of the place. When the barn was destroyed by fire in 1895 he replaced it by a good barn forty by fifty feet and in 1905 he further improved his place by the erection of one among the finest homes in the township. It is heated by furnace and supplied with all modern equipments, is tastefully furnished and is noted for its gracious and warm hearted hospitality. Mr. Kiser gives his attention to the cultivation of his fields and to the raising of Percheron horses and good grades of cattle and hogs. He also farms eighty acres of land belonging to his wife, and the success which is at- tending his efforts is indicative of his progressive methods in carrying on the farm work.
On the 27th of August, 1883. Mr. Kiser was married to Miss Rose Ewing, who was born in Walker township and pur- sued her education in the district schools there, while spending her girlhood days in the home of her parents. John and Margaret (Stucker) Ewing, who were natives of Kentucky and Ohio respective- ly. Mr. and Mrs. Kiser now have an interesting family of four children :
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Ethel, born June 2. 1887: Emma. Sep- tember 10, 1803 : Claud. April 23. 1808: and Annie. September 20, 1900. The parents hold membership in the Frosty- terian church and Mr. Kier votes with the democracy but he has never been an aspirant for office. The fact that may of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his beshown days to the present time is an indication that his life has been well spent and that his sterling traits of character are such as command uniform confidence and good will.
ALBERT BERTSCHI.
Albert Bertschi, a prominent stockman of Niota, where he is engaged in handling horses, cattle and sheep, is a native soll of Ilinois, having been born in Appa- noose township. September 18, 1871. 01 Scotch and Swiss ancestry. His paternal grandparents were Solomon and Eliza- beth Bertschi, who emigrated from the land of the Alps in an early day, bring- ing with them their son Philemon, who was the father of our subject. They first settled in New Orleans, but in 1856 went to St. Louis, where they remained one winter and then removed to Illinois, lo- cating in Appanoose township. Here Philemon Bertschi was married in 1868 to Miss Margaret Mackie, the wedding ceremony being performed at French- town. She was a daughter of Robert Mackie, whose birth occurred in Scotland. and who emigrated to America, settling
in Hancock county pro fe ff p Mormons took up then he tion of the State In 1 9 1 daughter, Margaret, at him so alt reaching wonrunhond save li lors marriage to Philemon Bet- w He father passed away in this con year 1870. Following his 10 100 Philemon Bertsch, father of puf Subject located on a farm in Appanduse Love ship. comprising one hundred and thety eight acres, to which he added from mine to time until at the time of his death. April 2. 100. he left a valuable farm of four hundred acres. His wife had preceeded him to the home beyond, her death occurring in May, 1887.
Albert Bertschi, the eldest of four walls and three daughters, was reared on the home farm, assisting his father in the operations of his farming pursuits. so that the son received practical training which enabled him later in life to carry on business on his own account. le ac- quired his education in district school In 43. near his father's home, and remained with his parents until he attained his ma jority, at which time he was married and started out in life on his own account He chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Bessie Briles. whom he wedded on the 5th of Apr 1. 1802. She is a native of Appanose township, and is a daughter of William and Matilda ( Chler) Briley, both 100 tives of the Keystone state
Following his marriage Mr Better's took up his abode on a farm iny Samra township, belonging to his father he remained for ten years After father's death be remmed to see
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homestead farm, which he operated until March, 1905. when he took up his abode in Niota. where he built a large barn and began dealing in horses, cattle and sheep. He now has an associate in business, his partner being William Ellison. They are now engaged quite extensively in hand- ling horses, cattle and sheep, shipping a large amount of each, from which they derive a gratifying income. He is a wide-awake and enterprising business man well known all over Hancock county. his business interests taking him over a large territory. He is ever found re- liable and straightforward in all his busi- ness transactions and is accounted one of the leading factors of his village.
In his political views Mr. Bertschi is a democrat, and for a number of years served as school director. He holds membership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America, belonging to camp No. 1654. at Niota, and is also an Odd Fellow. belonging to lodge, No. 222, at Nauvoo. In his family are two children. Phil Albert. born April 30. 1893: and Bernice, born in March, 1895.
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