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 38
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CHARLES T. MARTIN.
Charles T. Martin, captain on a boat running from Quincy, Illinois, to Daven- port, łowa, is a worthy citizen of Niota, where he owns and occupies a fine home. besides other property which he rents. He is a native of Columbus, Ohio, his birth having occurred September 22.
1840, a son of Charles T. and Mary Jane (Jackson) Martin, natives of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, and Connecticut, re- spectively. Mr. and Mrs. Charles T. Martin had accompanied their respective parents to Columbus, Ohio, during their youth and were there married about 1834. The father was a contractor and builder, and in 1842 he removed to Fort Madison. Iowa, where he continued his work as a carpenter and contractor until 1853. when he went to California, and his death there occurred three years later. In his family were two sons and four daugh- ters, of whom the subject of this review was the third in order of birth, and of whom four yet survive, namely: Charles T .: Sarah A., the widow of Dr. George Ferrard, now residing in Chicago: Helen M., the wife of W. B. Bently, and a resident of Fort Madison, Iowa, and A. A., also of that city. The mother, in 1871. married Jonathan Allen, who was a retired farmer, and her death occurred February 13, 1906, when she had reached the very advanced age of eighty-eight years, for her birth occurred April 28. 1818.
Charles T. Martin, whose name intro- duces this record. acquired a common- school education in Fort Madison, and at the age of thirteen years entered a print- ing office, where he was employed for one year. after which he went to Davenport. Towa, and worked in a job printing office for the succeeding six years. He then became interested in navigation and learned to be a pilot. his work being on the Mississippi river. Three years later he became captain of a boat running from Quincy, Illinois, to Davenport, Iowa,
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
which he has followed to the present time. In the meatime, in 1883. be bought a farm comprising one hundred and sixty-eight acres, situated on section 1. AAppaloose township, a portion of which was operated by his sons, while the remainder he rented to other parties. In the spring of 1902. however, he soll this property and in- vested in four lots and two houses in Niota, one of which he occupies. while the other he rents. He has a fine home. which is supplied with all comforts and conveniences and he is now comfortably situated in life.
On the 3d of March. 1864. Mr. Martin was married to Miss Justina M. Dellan- baugh, a native of North Georgetown, Columbiana county, Ohio, a daughter of John and Sarah ( Sheets ) Dellanbangh. natives of Switzerland and Pennsylvania. respectively. Mrs. Martin was born June 3. 1846, and between the ages of four and eighteen years pursued her studies in a convent at Cleveland, Ohio. The liv- ing members of Mr. Martin's family are as follows: Charles 1 ... who was born March 13, 1865, and is a pilot on a boat running on the Mississippi river and re- sides in Warsaw, Illinois: Justina MI .. born August 12. 1860, and now the wife of Thomas Cosgrove, of Appanoose town- ship: Anderson .A., born July 31. 1870. and a resident of Fort Madison, Lowa : Frank E ... born October 23. 1878, and a resident of Mammoth, Montana : Mary H., who was born October 4. 1880. and is now the wife of Fred Jackson, of Car- thage township: Royal M .. who was born December 12, 1886, and resides with his parents but is employed by the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, at Fort
Madison, lowa: Sydney 1. . born Decem- ber 20, 1880; Earl, born June 20, 1801. Those deceased are: Harriett M. who was born November 20. 1800, and died Juh 6. 1870; Damaras C., who was born May 13. 18; 1, and passed away Feb- mary 3. 1887: John D. who was born February 10. 1872, and died February 5. 1888: Sarah E., who was born March 5. 1883. and died February 21. 1888; and Raymond V. twin brother of Royal. whose death occurred July 17. 1897.
Mr. Martin supports the principles of the Democratic party and served as school director for four years but aside from this has accepted no political office. Frater- bally he holds membership with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has been energtie and persevering in all that he has undertaken and as the years have passed by has accumulated a comfortable competence so that he is now enabled to enjoy many of the comforts of hie. Mr. and Mrs. Martin have reared a family of children of which they have every reason to be proud and they are highly esteemed people of this portion of the state
WILLIAM M. FERGUSON
William M. Ferguson, who is ong gel in the livers business and is les de. er in horses in La Harpe, was lost in Wine Shire, Scotland. May 20. 080; He Son of John Ferguson, Is . Efe Vyreshire and a gran son ot Alt cv Farl The former mamed Grde 1.00
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEIN'
daughter of David and Margaret (Stevens) Earl, who were born in Ayre- shire as was Mrs. Ferguson. John Fer- guson was an engineer on the Glasgow & Southwestern Railroad and spent his entire life in his native country, there passing away in 1901, having for more than a decade survived his wife, who died in 1890.
William M. Ferguson acquired a com- mon-school education, attending until the age of ten years, when he started out upon his business career, working with a horse buyer of the name of Crawford, at Manare Head, Scotland. He was thus engaged for eight years and afterward removed to Inchnnan, Paisley, Scotland, where he worked for a Mr. Taylor, a horse breeder, for two years. In 1887 he came to America with eighteen head of thoroughbred horses for John C. Huston, of Blandinsville, Illinois, and was in the employ of Mr. Huston for seven years, the latter being one of the most prominent stock breeders and dealers in his section of the state. In 1895 he entered the employ of W. O. Talbert, feeding and caring for horses and five years later. with the capital that he had acquired, he began business on his own account, dealing in and shipping horses for himself. On the 18th of January. 1006, he purchased the Lancaster livery barn in La Harpe, becoming owner of fourteen head of horses and twelve ve- hicles. He is still conducting the livery business and he yet deals in horses, em- ploying two men. He is an expert judge of horses, seldom at error in his estimate of the value of an animal and since en- gaging in business on his own account
he has secured a good patronage and con- ducted a profitable trade.
On the 3Ist of January, 1893. Mr. Ferguson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Martin, who was born in Canton, Illinois, in June, 1875, and is a daughter of Patrick and Belle ( Haley) Martin. who were natives of Ireland and her father was employed in railroad work in Illinois for many years. He died in August. 1905. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson have been born three children: Grace, who was born in 1894 and died at the age of two years; Maggie, born in 1896 and died in infancy ; and Raymond, born in August, 1903.
Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Chris- tian church and his political allegiance is given to the democracy but he has neither time nor inclination to seek office, pre- ferring to give his attention to his busi- ness interests, in which he is now meet- ing with success. He has had no oc- casion to regret his determination to come to America for he has found here good business opportunities and through their utilization has gained a comfortable living.
HENRY THOMAS PITT.
Henry Thomas Pitt, a progressive agri- culturist and stock-raiser of Sonora town- ship, having here a fine tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres of rich and arable land, is a native of Herefordshire, England, his natal day being July 15. 1836, a son of Thomas and Charlotte
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IL.INCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
( Hardwick) Pitt, likewise natives of the fatherland. The son was a little lad of five years, when, in the spring of 1811, he accompanied his mother to America, and they at once made their way to Nauvoo, where they were joined by the father in the following spring. The fam ily then located on a farm in Sonora town ship, where he engaged in general agricul- tural pursuits.
Henry Thomas Pitt acquired his educa- tion in the Elliott district school near his father's home, this being the first school built in the township. He remained with his parents until his marriage on the 12th of December. 1861, Miss Huldah Jane Stevens becoming his wife. She is a native of Meigs county, Ohio, her birth having occurred March 3. 1842, and when eight years of age she was brought to this state by her parents, Daniel and Mary ( Stabbord ) Stevens, both natives of Maine. On removing from their native state they settled in Ohio, where they remained from 1840 until 1850 and at that time went to Quincy, but four years later removed to Sonora township. Han- cock county, where he purchased a farm of eighty acres which he improved and his death occurred one year later in 1805. while his wife survived for twelve year-
Following his marriage Mr. l'itt lo- cated on his farm of eighty acres, lying on section 14. Sonora township, of which only about fifteen acres had been cleared He at once set to work to improve hi- farm and in course of time placed his fields under a high state of cultivation and planted his crops, from which he an- nually gathered rich harvests. On the place was a log cabin, in which the family
made their home thịt the 1. đi I. when this was replaced by & mode com modions frame dwelling He shade trees and an orchard cont ains hundred and twenty fut tice it rious kinds of which only two ppe lec remain. He has set out a second each ad as well as small fruit of all kind . h. built barns and other onthuldings ins the shelter of stock, grain and farm ma chinery, and from time to time added to his house until he today has one of the finest country residences of his portion of the state, being supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories. In 1881 he added an additional tract of eighty acres to his home place, so that he now has one hundred and sixty acres of finely improved land Here he is en- gaged in general farming and stock-rais- ing, including horses, cattle and Chester White and Poland China hogs.
U'nto our subject and his wife have been born five sons and four daughters, as follows: Alice Ann, who was born June 26. 1862, and died in January. 1803: Ed win, born March 13, 1864, a resident of Rock Creek township: Orin W., born in ISob, and likewise a resident of Rock Creek township : Ida J., the wife of Frank Stevenson, also of that township; Hattie C. the wife of Charles Ross, of Mont rose, Iowa: Henry Thomas, of 1.1 Buren county, lowa : John Everett, resid ing in Rock Creek township: Milton War ren. of Dallas City : and Mand Alene tok wife of Harvey Hardy, of Rock Creek township.
In politics Mr. Pitt - independent, ve; ing for the men whom he regards & les pralified for office. reg. rdless of pary
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ties. He has served as school director but aside from this has held no public office. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Latter Day Saints' church. Mr. Pitt has led a busy and useful life and all that he possesses has been acquired through his own well di- rected labors .. He has worked diligently and persistently as the years have gone by and now has an excellent farm which bears evidence of the careful supervision and management of the owner.
DAVID R. SIGHTS.
Among the self-made men who are now leading and influential factors in the agri- cultural life of Hancock county may be numbered David R. Sights. for, being left an orphan at a very early age. he has depended upon his own enterprise and in- dustry for his success in life and the posi- tion which he occupies today is due entire- ly to his own well directed efforts. A native of Guernsey county, Ohio, he was born July 4. 1847, a son of William and Martha (Sarchet) Sights, the former born in Pennsylvania, and the latter a na- tive of Grundy Island, France. The father followed farming in the Buckeye state, and in 1853 made his way to the state of lowa, the family traveling in a wagon, the journey requiring six weeks. at which time they arrived at Keokuk. their destination. There the family made their home for two years, the father being employed in a brick yard, and later took
a contract to chop wood, which continued to be his occupation for some time. Here both the father and mother passed away. . their deaths occuring only a month apart.
David R. Sights. is the youngest in a family of four sons and four daughters, and being bereft of both parents at a very early age he accompanied a neighbor to La Harpe township. this county, where he was employed for several years by different farmers of this section of the state. He was industrious and econom- ical, and thus saving his earnings he was in the course of time enabled to carry on farming on his own account.
Considering the subject of having a home of his own, he sought and won a companion December 16, 18SI, by his marriage to Miss Ida Kate Nichols. whose birth occurred in La Harpe town- ship. May 29, 1863, a daughter of Jo- seph and Thurza (Murdock) Nichols. both natives of Greene county, Pennsyl- vania. Her parents removed to Adams county, Illinois, in 1853, and later took up their abode in La Harpe township. where the father purchased land and set- tled on a farm on section 7. Here the father engaged in general agricultural pursuits and became an extensive dealer in live stock. His death occurred Sep- tember. 1871. His widow continued to reside on the homestead property until her death, which occurred October 9. 1893.
Following his marriage Mr. Sights took up his abode on the farm of his mother-in-law, which he managed until her death, subsequent to which time he purchased the interest of the heirs in the property, thus becoming owner of fifty- four acres of well improved and valuable
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property. He has added to his original purchase until he now owns eighty acres of improved land and five acres of timber. and on his place are found good substan- tial outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock. On the 21 of May, 1905. the house was destroyed by fire, and in the fall of the same year Mr. Sights built a two-story frame residence, containing eight rooms, which is supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories. lle has an orchard of three acres, which is set out to apples, peaches, pears and plums, and he likewise raises small fruits of different varieties.
U'nto our subject and his wife have been born three daughters: Nora Belle was born April 4. 1882. and is now the wife of Alvin Martin, a resident of Dur- ham township. Beulah Frances, born May 24. 1887. and Gladys Aldona. born November 5. 1897. are both at home. Politically Mr. Sights is a democrat, and has served as school director for several years. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, holding member- ship with .La Harpe lodge. No. 053 Starting out in life a poor boy with no assistance and depending entirely upon his own labors. Mr. Sights has worked untiringly in the acquirement of a com- petence and is today in possession of a well improved farm property on which are found all the improvements known to a model farm of the twentieth century. and through his honesty and reliability has gained a place among the represen tative and progressive agriculturists of this portion of the state. He is held in high esteem by all who know him, and in his work is persistent and energetic.
THOMAS JEFFERSON SIGHTS
Among the men who are interested in the commercial development and progress of Disco is numbered Thomas Jefferson Sights who, in connection with 1. \ Davier, is successfully carrying on a gen eral mercantile establishment at this place He is a native of the Buckeye state. his birth having occurred in Guernsey county. February 15. 1839. a son of William and Martha Elizabeth ( Sarchet ) .Sights, the former born in Washington county. J'en sylvania, while the latter likewise claim- Guernsey county as the place of her na- tivity. In the paternal line our subject comes from Scotch ancestry, his grand- parents being David and Jane Sight -. natives of Pennsylvania and Scotland, re- spectively, while the maternal grandpar- ents were Thomas and Catherine ( Mar- quard ) Sarchet, born on the Isle of Guernsey. The parents of our subject were married in Ohio, where the father followed general farming until 1853. when he removed to Keokuk, lowa. where he was employed for a year. sub segment to which time he once more re summed farming in Lee county, that state. and there his death occurred in Septem ber. 1855. while his wife strinel hum for only one month, passing away mole tuber of the same year
Thomas Jefferson Sights, losing Its parents at the early age of sixteen ve - was thus carly thrown upon his office sued his studies im alt fog ged
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BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEII
He also attended school for a time after his arrival in Hancock county. Follow- ing the death of his parents he remained on the farm during the succeeding winter and the family then removed to Keokuk, while our subject came to Hancock coun- ty, where he secured employment as a farm hand by the month, remaining in the employ of Henry Blythe, of Durham township. for seven years. Being of an industrious and economical nature. and watchful of opportunities for advance- ment, he then rented a farm, on which he was engaged in agricultural pursuits un- til 1902. In the meantime, in 1880, hav- ing prospered in his undertakings, he pur- chased a tract of sixty-seven acres, which he conducted in connection with the prop- erty which he had leased. He later sold his land, and in 1902 retired from farm- ing pursuits and removed to Disco. where, in connection with A. N. Davier. he purchased the mercantile enterprise formerly owned and operated by Curtis Payne, and he has since been engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he is meet- ing with gratifying success. They have an up-to-date stock of goods to meet the tastes and fancies of the general public and it is owing largely to the business ability and sound judgment of Mr. Sights that their store ranks among the best commercial enterprises of the city or county. On the roth of January, 1906. Mr. Sights was appointed postmaster and is proving a capable official in this re- gard.
On the 11th of April, 1867. Mr. Sights was united in marriage to Miss Irena E. Wills, whose birth occurred at Sardinia, near Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a daugh-
ter of William and Jane (Gilliland) Wills. likewise natives of the Buckeye state. They located in Hancock county in 1854. where the father purchased a farm which he conducted until his death in 1901. His wife survived for only a few years, passing away in the present year. An only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sights died in infancy.
Mr. Sights gives his political support to the Republican party and has taken an . active and helpful interest in public af- fairs, having filled the office of assessor for one term. He holds membership with the Methodist Protestant church, in which he has served as trustee and treasurer. Mr. Sights is ever interested in any move- ment that tends to the advancement of his community and he and his wife are highly esteemed for their sterling worth and are numbered among the worthy cit- izens of the county.
EDWARD ARGAST.
Edward Argast, who for many years has been a representative of business life in Nauvoo, where he is engaged in deal- ing in grapes and other fruits, making ex- tensive shipments, was born in Kehl. Baden. Germany, June 18. 1834. and ac- quired a common-school education while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, John F. and Salamoer ( Knecht) Argast, the former a native of Baden and the latter of Strasburg, France, The mother died in Germany in 1851, and
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLION
the father afterward cam to America with his two sons but one daughter had chiel prior to the emigration, and Frederick John, who accompanied the father on the voyage, passed away in Nauvoo, Illi- nois, July to, 1880. The sailing vessel on which they embarked dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans, after which John F. Argast and his sons made the r way up the Mississippi river to St. Louis. where he worked at his trade of cabinet- making until 1854, when he came to Nauvoo. Here he established a whole sale store, which he conducted for about eighteen years, or until his life's labors were ended in death on the 4th of Sep- tember, 1872. In this country he married Caroline Peters, a native of Baden. This marriage was celebrated in St. Louis, and Mrs. Argast passed away in that city in 1884.
Edward Argast began earning his own living in St. Louis, where he learned to be a cook. He was thus employed in that city. in New York and in New Orleans until the 7th of May. 1861, when he en- list for three months' service with the Third Missouri United States Reserve Corps. With that command he did duty in St. Louis and all parts of Missouri under command of John C. Fremont, and also proceeded to Cairo, Illinois. He was mustered out in February, 1862, his first term having expired and later he re-enlisted at St. Louis with the boys in blue of Company F. Twenty-ninth Mis- souri Infantry. Following the organiza- tion of the regiment he went to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in the fall of 1802. and thence on to Vicksburg. participating in the first campaign there under General
Sherm. t He participated in the ball Chickasaw Bayou of the ob m De comber where one-lali .1 te leggen was lest. On the ist of Jonasc. 80 he went to Arkansas Post participat in the engagement at that pice .0 000 10th of January, at which tie The thousand Confederates were taken prin ers. Eventually he returned to Val. burg, where the regiment remained not the capitulation of the city, and he p it pated in the battle of Raymond, Champion Hills and Jackson and was present at the surrender of Vicksburg on the 4th of July, 1803. He afterward returned to Jackson, fighting in the battle there :1dl then went back to Vicksburg, where the regiment remained for some time. Etter proceeding to Memphis, Tennessee They Were under Grant at the battle of Chera kee Station and proceeded on foot to Chattanooga. The Twenty-ninth Missouri participated in the memorable battle of Lookout Mountain "above the clouds." and afterward in the battle of Missionary Ridge, proceeding thence to Ringgold. Georgia, where another engagement ve curred. They went into winter quarters at Woodville, Mabama, and on the ist of May. 1864. started on the Atlanta com paign under Sherman, proceeding from Atlanta to Savannah, Georgia, and p. ticipating in the battles of Resten, Dallas. Kenesaw Mountain, the first battle f At lanta ơn the 21st of May, and the second battle there on the 28th af M.v. 150g The Union troops then besegel the en and on the 1st of September mide y torious entrance therem The Ive ninth Missouri afterward i Novel ties eral Hood of the Confederate mi to
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Chattanooga and subsequently returned to Georgia, taking part in the Georgia cam- paign and the march to the sea. They were then mounted and did scout duty until arriving at Savannah, where Mr. Argast sustained a gunshot wound in the foot. This secured him a leave of ab- sence for thirty days and he returned home. being sent from St. Louis to Cin- cinnati in the grand officers' hospital, as he was a lieutenant. He was afterward assigned to like duty at Columbus, Ohio, it being a part of his work to take drafted men to the front. When the war was over he was honorably discharged at Washington on the 22d of June. 1865. and sent thence to St. Louis, where he was mustered out. He was in the capitol city when President Lincoln was assas- sinated and saw him as he lay in state in the rotunda of the capitol.
Following his discharge Mr. Argast came to Nauvoo, on the 12th of July. 1865. and removing his family here, he purchased two lots and four acres of land in the city. In that year he had charge of his father's store, at the end of which time his father again purchased it. Later Mr. Argast conducted a saloon for twelve years on the flat, after which he removed his business to Main street, where he bought a lot and erected business blocks. covering one hundred feet front and two hundred feet in depth. He there con- ducted a saloon for about ten years, when he again sold out and removed to his present location on Thirteenth street a half block from the corner of Main street. lle is now engaged in the grape and fruit business and makes extensive shipments of fruit.
Mr. Argast was married in St. Louis to Miss Margareta Sherer, a native of France, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Sherer, who died of cholera in St. Louis in 1849. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Argast were born three sons and a daugh- ter: Edward, of Nauvoo; Louis, a news- paper man of the same city : William, who is proprietor of the Nauvoo Rustler : and Cora, the wife of Joseph Welder, of Nauvoo. Mrs. Argast passed away De- cember 4. 1902, and on the 25th of June, 1904. Mr. Argast was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Caroline Gabblemann Kettman. the widow of Theodore Kettman, and a daughter of Christian and Catherine ( Hall) Gabble- man. Mr. Argast is a republican and has served for two terms as alderman of the first ward and for many years as school director. He is a Mason, belong- ing to Reclamation lodge. No. 54. at Nauvoo, and holds membership in the Lutheran church. He proved his loyalty to his adopted country by his long years of faithful service in the Civil war and be has always been interested in those things which promote good citizenship and which work for the welfare of a democratic government.
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