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 39
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FRED PORTH.
Fred Porth, a representative of the farming and stock-raising interests of Appanoose township, was born within the borders of this township June 13.
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1860. his parents being Fred and Doro thy ( Florich) Porth, who were natives of Germany. In early manhood the father made his way to East St. Louis, Illinois. where he was married, and later he en- gaged in farming in St. Clair county, this state, where he owned land. He came to Sonora township following the expulsion of the Mormons and there rented a farm. while later he purchased land in Appa House township, becoming owner of sixty acres which he subsequently sold. Ile then invested in eighty acres on section 34, which was improved, and he contin- ned the work of further development and cultivation until 1893. when he sold that property, afterward living with his son Fred until his death, which occurred on the Ist of December, 1804. His widow still survives him and now resides in St. Louis. The family numbered eleven chil- dren, four sons and seven daughters, of whom the subject of this review is the eightlı.
No event of special importance of- curred to vary the routine of farm life for Fred Porth in the days of his boyhood and youth. He attended the common schools, worked in the fields and enjoyed the pleasures of the playground as op- portunity offered. He lived with his par- ents until twenty-three years of age and then, desirous that his labors should more directly benefit himself, he began farm- ing on his own account upon a tract of rented land, lying partly in Appanouse and partly in Sonora township. Ile aft- erward operated other farms in the two townships and for three years rented his father's place. Following his marriage he lived for two years on the old Webb
place and then again farmed the il hame stead. One year previous, home of le had purchased eighty acres of fand section 30. Appandre township, and when about twelve months had passed he took up his abode thereon This was an improved property and he has silke added forty acres on section 31. 1 tract, however, he sold five years later and then bought eighty acres adjoining his original purchase. His time was fully occupied with his farming and stock raising interests, for he engages quite es tensively in the raising of Durham cat- tle. Percheron horses and Poland China hogs. As he has had opportunity. re sulting from his improved financial com dition. he has made changes in the ap- pearance of his farm through the cree tion of substantial buiklings. He has re modeled the barn, making it forty by forty-four feet, and he also made an ad dition to the house. In 1902 he binh a large barn forty by forty Your feet and he has since erected a commodious two- story residence, which is heated by fur nace and is supplied with many of the conveniences known in city homes.
On the 13th of November. 1888, Mr Porth was married to Miss Catherine Haas, a native of Nauvoo, where she at quired her education in the puble schets Her parents were Joseph and Catherine ( Emerich ) Haas. The father was born in Switzwald in the Black Forests Ger many. Mr. and Mrs Poith - W have one child, Annie Marie, bern Marde _0 1805. In politics Mr. Poul sen ihle- pendent democrat, supporting the por at national elections but at loed ce Bis he does not consider himself bound be
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party ties. He served as township col- lector for one year but has never been ambitious in the sense of office sceking. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America, Nauvoo camp. Having spent his entire life in this locality he is widely known and he has always lived as a farmer, and it has been his desire to become the owner of a good property that he might provide his family with the comforts of life. To this end he has worked steadily and per- sistently and the fact that he started out in life empty-handed and is now in pos- session of an excellent farm and goodly competence, entitles him to be classed with those who have just reason to be proud of the fact that they are known as self-made men.
GEORGE LOCKE.
George Locke. deceased, was for many years one of the successful farmers of Hancock county and through his own efforts won the prosperity which enabled him in his later years to live retired. He was born in Indiana, November 7. 1831. a son of Thomas and Grazilla ( Gardner) Locke, both of whom were natives of Ohio. During the boyhood days of their son George the parents removed to Mich- igan and there he resided until he at- tained his majority, when he came to Hancock county, Illinois, and purchased a farm in Fountain Green township. comprising two hundred and forty-six
acres of land. With characteristic energy he began the development and improve- ment of the fields and carried on his farm work with success for many years, or until 1893. when he retired from active business life and took up his abode in La Harpe, where he built a fine house. making it his place of residence until his death, which occurred on the Ist of Oc- tober. 1902.
On the 6th of December, 1854. Mr. Locke was married to Elizabeth Webster, who was born in Cass county, Michigan. February 15. 1826. She attended the common schools of that state. Her par- ents were Amos and Susanna (Wright ) Webster, the former a native of Rutland county, New York, and the latter of Ohio. The paternal grandfather was William Webster. of New York, and the maternal grandfather was William Wright. Mr. and Mrs. Webster removed to Fulton county about 1840 and there the father followed the occupation of farming. In the family were ten children, Mrs. Locke being the sixth in the family of five sons and five daughters. She gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Locke in Lewiston, Fulton county, where they lived for some years, subsequent to which time he be- came a farmer of McDonough county and was for a long period successfully con- nected with agricultural interests.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Locke were born five children: Thomas, born October TT. 1855, died April 6. 1883. Lowell G., born January 31. 1851, died October 16, 1860. Clara .A., born May 8. 1861. is the wife of Dr. I. M. Martin, of La Harpe. Gary E., twin brother of Clara. died in July, 1862. George W .. born
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November 28, 1800, died August 31. 1895. He was instructor in penmanship in the Gem City Business College at Quincy, Illinois, and he was married No- vember 28, 1804. 10 Pearl Creighton, of l'earia, Illinois. The eldest son. Thanks. was married June 8. 1870, to Annie Told and had one child, Clevie, born November 1. 1881, and now attending school in St. Louis, Missouri.
Mr. Locke was a member of the Chris- tian church, in which he served as a deacon until his death. His political sup- port was given to the Democratic party. His carefully directed labor was the secret of his business success whereby he ad- vanced to a prominent position among the agriculturists of the county, becoming the owner of a valuable farm, from which he derived an income that was sufficient in his later years to enable him to live re- tired. Mrs. Locke still survives her hus- band and yet resides in the home which he built in La Harpe in 1893.
AUGUST WATERMAN.
therland, where the father & ricultural pursuits and spent los en hie. The paternal graduate En subject was Christine A dertien alle the maternal grandfather were the sale of Frederick Kielsmayer.
August Waterman acquired mas cus tion in Germany, completing the log school course there. He assisted hate it ther to the age of fifteen your, when. thinking that other pursuits would be mare congenial to him. he learned the baker's trade and emigrated tothe den world. landing in Keokuk, low .. on the 24th of June, 1857. He crossed the \t lantic on a sailing vessel which dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans and thence made his way by boat up the Mississippi river to Keokuk. His brother Fred had preceded him to this country and was proprietor of a hotel in Keokuk. and Angust secured work in his hostelry. where he was employed for one year. Ile then made his way to Sonora township. Hancock county, where he was employed as a farm hand, working by the month until 1868, and in that year, having saved his earnings, he made purchase of a tract of land on section 24. Sonora township. comprising one hundred and four seres. a small portion of which had been cleared He further improved the place, placing his fields under a high state of culture tion, fenced the place, built a house and barn, dug a well. and otherwise impres the place. He also set out in Der from which he annually gatheren El crops, and has since added to be pur orchard, having now sixty apple nes. besides peach, plum and cleto ree al
August Waterman, who at one time was actively engaged in general agricul- tural pursuits in Sonora township but is now living retired. although he still owns his farm of one hundred and four acres where he lives, is a native of Germany. his birth having occurred in Leppa, Det moldt. September 19. 1837. His parent -. Christian and Sophia ( Kielsmayer ) Wa- terman, were likewise natives of the fat of which are in hearing 1 150 |
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placed his first residence by a modern frame house, containing six rooms and having a cellar under the entire building. Here he carried on general agricultural pursuits, and in addition to the cultiva- tion of the fields he engaged to some ex- tent in the raising of high grades of horses, cattle and hogs. His health be- came impaired, however, and in 1900 he laid aside all business pursuits and retired to private life.
On the 26th of February, 1865. Mr. Waterman chose a companion and help- mate for life's journey, Miss Susan Hu- ber. a native of St. Clair county, Illinois. who was born July 24, 1841. Her par- ents resided for many years in Nauvoo, where the daughter pursued her studies in the public schools, and here the father and mother passed away, the latter dying in 1848. She was a daughter of Martin and Christina Huber, natives of Byer. Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Waterman make their home with a niece, Louisa Waterman, the daughter of his brother William, who still makes his home in the fatherland.
Although starting out in life at the early age of fifteen years and coming to a new country when still a young man. Mr. Waterman has allowed no difficulties or obstacles to deter him in his labor, and from an humble financial position worked his way up until he is now the possessor of a fine farm property, from which he derives a good income, so that he and his wife are able to spend the evening. of their days in honorable retirement. Ile has always given his political support to the Democratic party, and has taken an active interest in the local ranks of
his party. having served for two terms as highway commissioner of his township and for three terms as school director. He holds membership relations with the Lutheran church at Nauvoo.
JAMES G. JOHNSON.
James G. Johnson, the inventor and manufacturer of Johnson's patent corn husker and a business man of energy and ability, whose success is attributable en- tirely to his well directed efforts, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, De- cember 24, 1827. His parents, George and Eleanor (Guthrie) Johnson, were also natives of the same county. the former born December 15. 1779, and the latter January 21. 1802. In 1774. James Guth- rie, the grandfather, built a large stone house on the Bardstown pike near Louis- ville, Kentucky, which stood as one of the landmarks of that section of the con- try until about 1896. It was known as the "house of entertainment." being prac- tically a hostelry but more respectable than a "tavern," as no intoxicating liquors were there sold. It was there that many Catholic missionaries stopped on their way to Bardstown, being instructed in France by the priest to stop at the "stone house," where other priests would be sent to meet them. as it was regarded as a perfectly safe place. There James Guthrie made his home for many years and ran a daily stage coach to several ad- joining places. In the conduct of his
JAMES G. JOHNSON AND WIFE
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HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS
business affairs he became a very wealthy man and was one of the most prominent and influential residents of that section of the country. The maternal grandia ther of our subject was a colonel in the Revolutionary war and became one of the pioneer residents of Kentucky, going there when the Indians still roamed through its forests, waging war upon the settlers until the district became known as "the dark and bloody ground."
George Johnson, father of James G. Johnson, was a blacksmith by trade and in 1831 removed from Kentucky to Adams county, Illinois, where he carried on blacksmithing, farming and the nur- sery business. He died in the year 1809. his wife surviving until April to. 1887: He was a member of the Christian church and his wife of the Presbyterian church and when called to their final restethey were laid in a cemetery in Adams county. Illinois. In their family were nine chil- dren. of whom seven are now living : James G. : Parmelia, the wife of Thomas Bailey, of Camp Point. Ilinois : Ephraim P., living in Holden, Missouri: Moses (. of Harrisville, Missouri: Henry C., of Idaho: Mary E., the wife of Edward Ste- phenson, of Ottawa, Kansas; and Urith Serepta A., the wife of William Ilanna. of Golden, Ilinois. Of this family Henry C. Johnson was a soldier of the Civil war for four years, enlisting in the Fiftieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Ile participated in the two battles of Corinth and in many other important engage- ments.
James G. Johnson was educated in the schools of Columbus, Ilinois, first pur suing his studies in a little log cabin
stol of the bank of Mine od Schauma county, a mile mais
farm until he had attamed and in 1855 removed to Hack only. purchasing an improved tract of anum Durham township, where he cried general farming for mine years He tien removed to Elvasten, where he purchased a farm, making it his home ir fom years, when he took up his able m tar thage and purchased an elegant home on North Main street. It is surrounded by a beautiful and well kept lawn and in ad dition to this property he owns good farm lands. In 1871 he invented what is known as Johnson's hand corn husker. upon which he took out a patent. Since that time he has manufactured this de- vice in Carthage and its sale extends to all states in the Union. It's utility is uni- versally recognized and it is regarded as the best invention of its kind on the mar- ket. Mr. Johnson has entire control of the trade and has enjoyed a good bu-i- ness in this way in the last twenty-five years. He is still engaged in the manu facture of the husker and sells to whole sale dealers. Moreover he possesses si- perior mechanical ingenuity, which is manifest in many ways in his home
On the 24th of December, 1850, Mr Johnson was married to Miss Mckenna Thomas, of Adams county, a daughter of Robert Thomas, who was hom au Bon bon county, Kentucky Thes toneel life's journey happily together for atwork thirty four years and were then out- ated by the death of Mrs Jinam on the 3d of December. 1884 Two children
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of that marriage, born in Adams county, are living. namely: Ella R., who is an artist of considerable ability, is the wife of N. P. McKee, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. and has two sons. William Thomas and Irwin J. The former married Jessie Wal- ters and lived in Cleveland, Ohio, while Irwin wedded Cora Gibbins and with their daughter. Marjorie Maud. they re- side in Halsted, Kansas. Alice G. John- son is the wife of William L. Aaron, a practicing lawyer of Joplin, Missouri, and has three children, Lawrence J .. Ella May and William.
On the 18th of November, 1886, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Minerva Hughes, who was born in Ursa, Adams county, Illinois, a daughter of Albert and Sarah Ann (Taylor) Hughes. Her fa- ther was a farmer by occupation. He attended the Christian church and both he and his wife were laid to rest in Adams county. Of their three children all are living. namely: Eliza J .. who resides with Mrs. Johnson ; and Robert C .. living in Ursa.
In his religious faith Mr. Johnson is a Methodist and has served as elder and trustee of his church, while his wife be- longs to the Christian church. He holds membership with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and in politics is a re- publican. He has served as alderman of Carthage and road supervisor of his township and is interested in all matters relating to public progress and substan- tial improvement. As proof of his in- genuity can be mentioned eight beautiful canes which he has made of small pieces of horn strung together upon an iron rod. and one of these is now in the Ma-
sonic temple of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He also has made many pairs of beautifully polished mounted horns which he has prepared himself and which adorn his walls in many rooms. He has made hat racks and chairs of the horns and these are articles of furniture of great value and beauty. He has moreover several cases of fine specimens of all kinds, in- cluding shells, coins, beads, wood, iron, ore specimens, minks, owls, squirrels, an armadilla, sea grasses and an elaborate collection of eggs of more than one hun- dred kinds. He likewise has a large col- lection of Indian flint arrows of all kinds. He has beautiful corals and polished stones and a large quantity of sea mosses from the Pacific coast, all of which are nicely arranged in cabinets with glass doors. He has traveled from ocean to ocean, has visited California two or three times and wherever he has gone he has gathered his specimens and his collection today is doubtless worth five thousand dollars. He has moreover a model in his yard of the first log house his father built when he came to Illinois. It stands in his front yard and was made by Mr. Johnson. A love of the beautiful has been one of his strong characteristics all through his life and this is manifest in his attractive home with its fine curiosity cabinets. Moreover his interest in all these things indicates his broad and com- prehensive knowledge and he is indeed regarded as one of the best educated men in the county, a fact which is due not to any special educational advantages but to his broad reading and investigation during the leisure hours of a busy and active life. He is now seventy-nine years
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of age, but is still an active and energetic man and moreover he commands unquali- fied esteem wherever he is known.
WILLIAM F. BRADFIELD.
William F. Bradfield. secretary and treasurer of the firm of Coulson. Brun- dage & Company, hardware dealers of La Harpe, and also financially interested in other business affairs, although prac- tically living retired from the active man- agement of business interests, was born in Hardin county, lowa. near Eldora. March 12. 1863. His paternal grandfa- ther. James Bradfield, was a resident of Virginia and married a Miss Nichols. Their son. James N. Bradfieldl. was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, and having arrived at years of maturity was married in Ohio. April 12, 1853. to Miss Ada Wolfe, who was born in Coshocton coun ty. Ohio, and was a daughter of James and Sarah ( Meredith ) Wolfe, natives of the Buckeye state. After their marriage James N. Bradfield followed farming in Ohio for a year and in the fall of 1854 removed to Muscatine, lowa. In Hardin county, that state, he purchased a farm whereon he resided until the fall of 1870. when he sold that property and came to Hancock county, Illinois. Here he in vested in a tract of land in Durham township, whereon he resided for ab ait twenty-one years, when in what he sold out and went to Nebraska, making hi- home in the latter state until 18go In
that year he went on a visit to the cast and died there on the 4th of December of that year. He had for a number of years survived his wife, who passed away June 25, 1880. In their family were four children : James L .: Witham F .: Henry S., of this county ; and Laura M. the wife of Clark H. Rice, of 11.m cock county.
William F. Bradfield pursued his early education in the district schools and aft erward attended Abingdon College m Abingdon, Illinois. During the period of his boyhood and youth he made his home with his parents, who removed to Hancock county in September, 18;0. He continued under the parental roof until he had attained his majority, when he went to Colorado, where he worked at the carpenter's trade for a year Hle aft- erward returned to Hancock county and began farming on rented land. He was thus engaged for a few years, when with the capital he had acquired through his industry and perseverance he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in Durham township, which he owned for four years, at the end of which time he sold that property and bought three him dred acres of the old homestead There he took up his alle, making it his place of residence until February. 100g Ile has since bought and sold property mol now owns two hundred und fonte acres of land all on section 12. Durban towie ship. While giving Ins attent 00 0 1 010 work his close application and might energy enabled him to ggler relenge annually and to make Is firm & prin- able source of labor He vis de 001
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Harpe and has been one of its stockhold- ers and directors. He has also been a stockholder and director of the firm of Coulson. Brundage & Company since its incorporation in May, 1905. and is its secretary and treasurer. In 1904, retir- ing from his farm, he removed to La Harpe, where he has since resided and where he has bought residence property.
In February. 1885, Mr. Bradfield was united in marriage to Miss J. Margaret Schultz, who was born in Durham town- ship and is a daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Gillette) Schultz. By this marriage were born three sons, J. Sher- man. Charles F. and Edward L. The wife and mother died October 10, 1898. and on the 30th of January, 1900. Mr. Bradfield wedded Catherine J. McManus. who was born near Carthage, Illinois. They had one child, Catherine M., who was born October 6. 1901, and died Au- gust 28. 1903. The mother passed away October 14, 1901, and on the 18th of June. 1905, Mr. Bradfield was again married. Clara W. Burr becoming his wife. She was born in Durham town- ship and is a daughter of Jarvis N. and Joanna (Gilman ) Burr.
Mr. Bradfield is a republican in his po- litical views and has taken much interest in the questions of the day and in the growth and development of his party. He has frequently been a delegate to the con- ventions of his party but is without po- litical aspiration for himself. It is true that his chief life work has been that of a successful farmer, but the range of his activities and the scope of his influi- ence have reached far beyond this spe- cial field. He belongs to that class of
men who wield a power which is all the more potent from the fact that it is moral rather than political and is exer- cised for the public weal rather than for personal ends. He has displayed aptitude and ability in achieving results both in business life and in his connection with affairs of public importance.
MATHEW GODDERTZ.
Mathew Goddertz, conducting the old- est harness establishment in Warsaw, was born in Sichlar, Prussia, Germany. Feb- ruary 2. 1840. and was educated in the public schools of that country. His par- ents, Edward E. and Anna C. (Quartz) Goddertz, left Germany in 1850 upon a sailing 'vessel, which was twenty-eight days in reaching the harbor of New York. They proceeded to Buffalo by rail and by way of the lakes to Chicago, thence by canal to Peru, Indiana, and over the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Warsaw. The father died soon after his arrival here. His mother died in September, 1879. at the age of sixty-four years. In the fam- ily were three children: Mathew: Mrs. William Leyhe, of Alton, Illinois, now dleceased : and Catherine, the widow of Henry Hertzog.
At his father's death. Mr. Goddertz, then only ten years of age, began to earn his own living by working on the farm of A. J. Steffee, by whom he was employed two years. His mother then married John Leyhe and Mathew returned home.
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living with his mother for about two years. Subsequently he was employed at general farm labor until about thir- teen years of age, when he was appren ticed to learn the trade of making har ness and saddlery with the firm of Weir & Elliott. He continued with that firm for about sixteen months, when the part- nership was dissolved and he went with Mr. Elliott, under whom he completed his trade and for whom he worked for eleven years, when he bought the busi ness of his employer. He is continuing in the same line today and is now pro- prietor of the oldest established harness business in the county. With the excep- tion of three years it has continuously been conducted in the same building, hay- ing been located here for fifty-two years. Mr. Goddertz carries a large line of har- ness and saddlery and makes goods uf that class of the best grades. He finds a ready sale for his product and has long conducted a profitable business.
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