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 40

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

USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Biographical review of Hancock County, Illinois : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of many of the prominent citizens of to-day and also of the past > Part 40

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On the 18th of March. 1860. Mr. God- dertz married Rachel Beck, a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Steiger) Beck. They became parents of three children : Catherine, who was the wife of James Cox, of Ottumwa, Iowa, died May 31. 1906, and is buried in Oakland cemetery. Warsaw, Illinois: Josephine, who became the wife of Harry Nealand, of Aspen. Colorado, and died in 1903. at the age of thirty-eight years; and Flora the wife of F. B. Green, of Ottumwa, Iowa. Mrs. Goddertz passed away September 21. 188t. and on the tith of December. 1880. Mr. Goddertz wedded Ella Per ples, a daughter of James and Mary Auna ( Fox) Peoples.

Mr. Goddert/ 12 member of the M ern Woodmen, joing the offer charter member of Warsas cup No of l'atlas and his wife - un mber alt Christian church He held the office aldermen for one for bat ler never sought not desired political honeys, pre ferring to concentrate his energies upe his business interests, in which he let made creditable success. He may truly be called a self-made man and deserve- all the praise that that term implies, for since the age of ten years he has been dependent entirely upon his own re- sources, and whatever success he has achieved has come to him as the reward of earnest, persistent labor and business integrity.

GEORGE H. THOMPSON

George 11. Thompson, in where bus ness life each step has been carefully and thoughtfully made, is now conducting a dry goods and grocery store in La Harpe and his enterprise is one of the leading commercial interests of the town He was born in Baltimore, Maryland, Janu ary 16, 1800, and largely acquired his education in the public schools of the. t city while spending his boyhead days inn the home of his parents. Charles 11 And Margaret ( Hergesheimer ) Thompson His paternal grandfather. Fdw. 11 Thompson, was also a native di Bk more, Maryland, while the material grandfather. Charles Hergelener was

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a native of New Jersey. Charles H. Thompson, the father. was born in Balti- more in April, 1826, and is now deceased. while his wife. who was born in New Jersey in March. 1828. has also passed away.

When a youth of seventeen years George HI. Thompson of this review be- came a resident of Livingston county, Illinois, and for three years worked on a farm. He then rented sixty-five acres of land and for one year engaged in farming on his own account. Feeling the need, however, of better educational privileges, he then went to Chicago and pursued a course of study in the Metro- politan Business College of that city. His education completed, he went to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he pre- empted a claim of one hundred and sixty acres of land, whereon he engaged in farming. After residing there for two years he was elected township clerk of New Hope township, Brown county, South Dakota. and held the office for four years. He was next elected town- ship assessor and acted in that capacity for two terms of one year cach. At the same time he filled the position of road commissioner and was then nomi- nated as representative for the first ses- sion of the general assembly held in South Dakota. Before the election, however, he withdrew on account of private business interests and in his place was nominated J. W. Scattergood. who was elected. For a number of years he took an active and leading part in political affairs during the carly epoch of statehood in South Dakota and was a man of influence in party ranks. He

lived upon his farm there for nine years and in April, 1893, went to Salem, Ore- gon, where he remained for about four months, spending his time in prospecting. On the expiration of that period he re- turned to Fairbury, Livingston county, Illinois, where he engaged in the grocery and queensware business. There he re- mained for three years, on the expiration of which period he sold out and entered the employ of the Peoria Packing and Provision Company as manager of its branch house at Forrest. Illinois. After a year he came to La Harpe in February, 1898. and bought the business of the Kern & Biggs Grocery Company. He afterward added a stock of dry goods and notions and at present is the owner of one of the largest business enterprises of the kind in La Harpe.

On the 16th of February, 1884. was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Thomp- son and Miss Sarah A. Eyre, who was born January 24, 1859. in Sturgis, Mich- igan, and removed to Livingston county. Illinois, with her parents when about six years of age. Her father. George Eyre. was born in Lincolnshire, England. May 25, 1824, and died April 30, 1879. His wife, Alice Catton, who was born in Lincolnshire, England. April 20. 1825. died July 9, 1901. Mr. Eyre came to America about 1853, locating in Sturgis. Michigan, and after about eleven years spent in that state removed to Fairbury. Illinois, where both he and his wife re- sided until called to their final rest. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thompson has been born a son. F. Boyd Thompson, who was born in Brown county. South Dakota, August 1. 1885. He was graduated from Git-

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HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS

tings Seminary at La Harpe in too3 and in September, 1904. entered Brown's Business College at Peoria, from which he was graduated in December, 1905. Hle afterward entered the employ of Par- lin & Orrendorf, plow manufacturers of Canton, Illinois, as assistant time-keeper and paymaster, and in November. 1900. was promoted to sales department. He was married August 5. 1900, to Vinna Dickson, of Durham township. Hancock county, Illinois, where her father. J. E. Dickson, still resides, being a farmer of that township. Her mother, who was a Ballew, passed away several years ago.

Mr. Thompson is not only a leading representative of the business life of La Harpe but has also been prominently and actively connected with many interests of direct benefit to the community. He is president of the board of trustees of Gittings Seminary and also president of tthe executive committee. Ile is like- wise president of the board of stewards of the Methodist Protestant church of La Harpe, of which he is an active and help- inl member. He votes with the Repub- lican party and is a representative of the Odd Fellows fraternity, belonging to the lodge, encampment and the Order of Re- bekahs.

HION. JESSE C. WILLIAMS.

Hon. Jesse C. Williams is the oldest male resident of Carthage. having at- tained the venerable age of eighty-seven years. He is still hale and hearty, well preserved and as straight as an arrow.

He has long been widely and can be known in this part of the site. for many years carried on bu mes ar general merchant, and at one the ME resented his district in the state semble Ils birth occurred in Richmond Mal- son county, Kentucky, on the 22der Au gust. 18, , Ins parents leing Rellenar ! Catherine ( Holder ) Williams, 10c ther was born in Fredericksburg. I uljep- per county. Virginia, mn 1786, and chic mother was a native of Clark county. Kentucky, her birth occurring on 1707

Mr. Williams's maternal grandfather. John Holder, and great grandfather. 00 onel Richard Callaway, joined D .. ich Boone at Boone's fort on the Kenticky river, now in Madison county, m 1775 In July, 1770. Colonel Callaway's IN) daughters, Betsy and Fanny Calling. and Jemima Boone were in a skift on the river and were captured In a pacy of Indians, which was concealed on the river bank. They were pursued is Boone. Callaway and Mr. Callaway Som. Flanders, Henderson and Captain Ile 1 der were overtaken and the girls rescued by their friends and returned to the in On their return to the fort Hender- married Betsy Callaway and Mangler Callaway married Jemima Boone. 000$ a double wedding. and were the ancestors of the numerous Callaway family of Vs souri. Captain Holder and Lamy Cal- laway were married the next on. Boone's brother, a Bapust mussten ciating on both occasions

Both the paternal and miten il grad- fathers of Mr. Williams were soldiers of the Revolutionary war. also the call-

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grandfather, who is known in history as Colonel Richard Calloway, of Virginia, who was prominent in the early develop- ment and settlement of Kentucky and who was a soldier in the frontier and In- dian war under General Washington. The grandfather of Mrs. Jesse Williams in both the paternal and maternal line was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, one being John Collier and the other Jo- seph Graves. The daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Williams were therefore eligible to membership with the Daughters of the American Revolution and are now con- nected with chapters of this organization.

Richard Williams learned the trade of a saddler and harness-maker in the city of Richmond, Virginia, and in 1808 re- moved to Richmond, Kentucky, where he followed his trade until 1828. He then settled on a farm twenty miles from Rich- · mond. in Rockcastle county. Kentucky. where he remained for twenty years. when, in 1848, he removed to the county seat of that county and lived retired un- til his death. He was a warm admirer of Henry Clay and served several terms as a magistrate in his locality. His wife was of the Presbyterian faith. In their fam- ily were thirteen children, of whom five are yet living : Jesse, of this review : Vir- ginia, who is seventy-three years of age and is the wife of James Wilson, of Mo- nett. Missouri: David, aged sixty-eight years, living in Mount Vernon, Ken- tucky; William H., seventy-four years of age, residing in Aztec, New Mexico; and Louisa, who is the widow of James Boulware, of Madison, Kentucky, and is sixty-five years of age. The father of this family died in January. 1878, and

their mother passed away in 1884. the remains of both being interred in the cemetery at Mount Vernon, Kentucky.

Jesse C. Williams acquired a limited education in the district schools of his native state and the next year after he put aside his text-books he left home and went south, and was engaged on the con- struction of one of the first railroads in that part of the country, the line extend- ing between Atlanta and Chattanooga. It was over this road that General Joe Johnson made his celebrated retreat dur- ing the period of the Civil war. Return- ing to Kentucky Mr. Williams raised a crop of corn on his father's farm and for several years during the winter sea- sons engaged in teaching school. He aft- erward turned his attention to merchan- dising in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, and in 1857 he removed to Carthage, where he opened a general store, which he con- ducted continuously until about fourteen years ago, keeping a large line of general goods. He was first located on the south side of the public square. afterward re- moving to the west side and finally erect- ed a business block on the north side. in which he continued until his retirement from mercantile life. He was energetic and diligent and as the result of his fru- gality, careful management and straight- forward business dealings he acquired a very desirable competence, which now en- ables him to live retired.

On the 5th of March. 1850, Mr. Wil- liams was married to Miss Mary Col- lier, who was born in Rockcastle. Ken- tucky, May 8. 1826, a daughter of John and Susan (Groves) Collier, both of whom were natives of Culpepper county.

HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS

Virginia, the former born July 4. 1782. and the latter December 15. 1787. Mr. Collier engaged in farming in Kentucky for many years and died in that state in 18,3, at the age of fifty-one years, while his wife passed away at the age of sixty- three years. He was a soldier of the war of 1812. Both he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. In their family were eleven children, seven of whom reached adult age, but for a long period Mrs. Williams has been the only surviving member of the family. Mr. and Mrs. Williams celebrated their golden wedding six years ago, having all of their children with them on this happy occasion. They have now traveled life's journey together as man and wife for fifty-six years, sharing with each other in the joys and sorrows, the adversity and prosperity which comes to each indi- vidual in a long lifetime. They had seven children, two of whom were born in Kentucky and five in Illinois, Of this number five are living : Oscar, who re- sides at Fort Stockton, Texas, married Sallie Wheat and has five children, Oscar, Mary E., Susan C. Clayton and Jesse C. William D. married Miss Jettie Pierson and lives at Fort Worth, Texas, Josiah J. resides in Kansas City, Missouri. Si san is at home. Jessie is the wife of Archibald Hart and lives in Nora Springs. Jowa. All of Mr. Williams's sons are prominent and successful law vers. The eldest is a graduate of the Harvard Law School and of Bethany School. William D. is a graduate of Al ingdon College and lived for a time in Austin, Texas, where he studied law prior to his removal to Fort Worth. Jo- terest in community .ffiles lesen 0

sah is a graduate m ( thay tilk - studying law with Judge of located in Kansas City Ball de daughters have taught of ond the and both were teachers for a year m the public schools of Carthage er daughter, Jessie, occupied TOI TOI ber of years an editorial position with the Chapman Publishing Company, of () cago.

Mr. Williams built his present pretty home in 1866 and has lived in it for font years. I was first a farm but the 31d has since been divided and much of it has since been sold off in town lots Ile began life in very Inunble financi cir cumstances but worked on persistently year after year until now in the evening of life he is surrounded by many coll forts and has a very desirable compe- tence. He is a Mason and he and huis wife are zealous members of the Chris- tian church, in which he has been eller and Sunday school superintendent. Ile and his wife take a most active and help- ful part in the work of the church and his entire life proves the value of hen esty as a factor in winning success and the respect of one's fellowmen. His po litical allegiance is given to the denne racy and in 1870 he was elected stile senator for Hancock and Adams con ties, when he served for one term when he refused to again become a candel 's He has long been a strong tempera man and at all times he exercises his ab ficial prerogatives to support tell me principles. He has acted for well terms as alderman of Carthage wol been president of the combat He

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BIOGRAPHICAL RET'IEN'

a helpful character and in the evening gusta in the enjoyment of a well earned of life he receives the veneration and re- spect which are accorded in recognition of ability, success, an honorable political career and devotion to those rules of con- duct which are not only in comformity with a high standard of ethics, but also with the high and lofty principles of Christianity.

FRANCIS MARION HARRIS.

Francis Marion Harris, numbered among the early settlers of Hancock coun- ty, so that his memory now forms a con- necting link between the past and the present, and who is now residing in Au- gusta, was born in Putnam county, In- diana. December 7. 1834. His parents were John and Ruth ( Aldridge) Harris. The father was born in Hawkins county, Tennessee, September I, ISII, and at an early day removed to Indiana, where he engaged in farming. In 1847 he sold the farm and removed to Schuyler county, Illinois, where he purchased a tract of land, making his home thereon until about 1858, when he took up his abode in Augusta to become identified with its business interests as a dry goods and grain merchant. Later he gave his at- tention to the lumber trade, which he followed until 1868, when, having ac- quired a handsome competence that en- abled him to live retired, he put aside further business cares and responsibili- ties and spent his remaining days in An

rest. He died November 15, 1873, in the faith of the Baptist church, of which he was a consistent member. His polit- ical views accorded with democratic prin- ciples and for some years he was a capa- ble and efficient member of the town board of Augusta. His widow survived him for about twenty years and died in Bowen, Illinois, at the age of seventy- six, and was buried in Augusta cemetery by the side of her husband. She was born in Stokes county. North Carolina. By her marriage she became the mother of ten children, three of whom survive.

Francis Marion Harris acquired his education in the district schools of his native county and in his youth assisted his father in the farm labor, coming with the family to Illinois in 1847, when a youth of thirteen years. He farmed upon the old homestead in Schuyler county on his own account in early manhood, re- maining there for two years, when he sold the property and came to Augusta, where he spent one summer. In 1859 he went to Colorado, attracted by the discovery of gold in that state. and devoted a year to mining, but not meeting with the suc- cess he had anticipated he returned to Au- gusta, where he has since continuously made his home. He has been following the trade of a carpenter and contractor here and has been closely associated with building operations, many of the substan- tial structures of the town and surround- ing community standing as monuments to his skill and enterprise. He always lives up to the terms of his contract and has an unassailable business reputation. Mr. Harris was married on the 2d of

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November, 1856, to Miss Susan R. Dush er, who was born in Indiana and is a daughter of Jacob and Susan Dusher and a member of the Methodist church. She is a lady of many good traits of charac- ter, her life being formulated upon lines of conduct laid down by the church with which she is identified. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Harris have been born ten children. six of whom are now living. Leona died in infancy; Fanny, the wife of William Cordell, a farmer residing near Industry, Illinois, by whom she has three daugh- ters and a son, Susan. Collin, Ruth and Mabell: Luella, the wife of Samuel Young, a machinist of Kewanee, Illi- nois, by whom she has five children, Marie, Howard, Florence, Charles and Sarah ; Ruth E., the wife of William H. Johnson, of Augusta : William R., a car- penter and wagon-maker of Lamar, Mis souri, who married Ella Jeffries, of Col- chester, Illinois : Francis M., a mechanic. who married Rosa Phillips, of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma, and has one son. Lo- renzo: Charles I .. , a carpenter residing in Lowell, Arizona, married to Miss Jes- sie Cox. of Mt. Sterling, Illinois; two daughters who died in infancy ; and John. who also died in infancy.

Mr. Harris is a member of the Meth- odist church. He votes with the democ- racy and has served as police constable for AAugusta. Throughout almost sixty years he has lived in this part of the state and has seen many changes in Hancock county as pioneer conditions have given way before the improvements of an ad- vanced civilization. In matters of citi zenship he is public-spirited and he has co-operated to the extent of his resources

in the movement- 1 lewis 1 . public good. At seventy ten fein age In- penmanship was as regul d ml plain as print and looked as trongt . were copper-plate.

CARL BERTSCHL

Carl Bertschi, the proprietor of a fine meat market in Niota, where he is con- ducting an excellent trade, was born n Appanduse township. July 20, 1800. son of William and Elizabeth ( Walte) Bertschi, natives of Switzerland.

Carl Bertschi was reared to farm hic and acquired his education in the dis- triet schools near his father's home. He remained with his parents to the age of sixteen years, when he started out t make his own way in the world. going first to Wisconsin, where he was em ployed at farm labor during the sun mer months, while in the winter season he worked in the pine woods, being thus de cupied for six years, and on the expira- tion of that period he returned to the odd home place, where he remained for ne year. subsequent to which time he went to Bond county, Illinois, where he with employed by the month as a farm bound for fourteen months. and then retumel again to Hancock county, where he sul followed that pursuit, and during the threshing season he, in coune tien will his brother, operated a threshilg machine from 1882 until 1802. He May operated a thresher in Wisconsin and a Bowl

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county. Illinois. . In this business the brothers were quite successful. their trade extending over a large territory in this section of the county.

As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Bertschi chose Miss Bar- bara Lutz, to whom he was married June 26. 1886. She was born in Franklin, Lee county, Iowa. October 10. 1867, a daugh- ter of John and Eliza ( Bertschi) Lutz. both natives of Switzerland. Following his marriage Mr. Bertschi lived for one year with his wife's mother, and then re- moved to the village of Niota, where he was employed at bridge-building for the Santa Fe Railroad Company for one year. and on the expiration of that period he went to Tyson creek and engaged in the manufacture of tile, but this business ven- ture did not prove a success, and he then took up his abode on a farm in Appa- noose township. where he was engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1893. when he left the farm and removed to Niota, where he invested in two lots and a business block, in which he opened a meat market and has since been engaged in carrying on this enterprise. He con- ducts the only market in Niota and has an excellent trade, which returns him a gratifying annual income. He handles only the best class of meats and does all his own butchering.

In his political views Mr. Bertschi ad- vocates the principles of democracy and because of his ability and his interest in local affairs his fellow townsmen have called him to a number of offices, having served for one term as assessor. three terms as supervisor, one term as school director and is now serving his second

term as school trustee. He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, holding membership in Lodge No. 222. at Nauvoo, and with Harrick lodge. No. 193. of Masons. Mr. Bertschi was elected sheriff of Hancock county Novem- ber 6. 1906. Unto him and his wife have been born four children, of whom three survive: Caroline Ame- lia, who died at the age of one and one- half years; Lloyd, born March 3. 1889: Palmer E., born April 17. 1894: and Lona, December 1, 1903. He and his family are well known in Niota and the surrounding country, and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.

EMIL J. BAXTER.

Emil J. Baxter is well known as a bee culturist and the business which he has conducted in this regard has become ex- tensive and important. He carries on the work along modern scientific lines and in addition he engages in horticultural pursuits, while in other sections of the country he owns valable landed interests. He is likewise the oldest director in point of continuous service of the State Bank of Nanvoo, and is regarded as one of the representative business men, his life of activity being crowned with success, while his commercial integrity stands as an in- questioned fact in his career.

Mr. Baxter is a native of Newark. New Jersey, a son of Emil and Annette ( Pon -

HANCOCK COUNTY BILIYOR

ell) Baster, both natives of France, the sales of my head ( former born in St. Quintin. The paternal grandparents were John and Marie In- ter, the former born in England of Scotch parentage, while the latter was of French birth. John Baster served as commander of artillery at the battle of Waterloo under the Duke of Wellington and was given a medal in recognition of his able military service. So well pleased with France was he that he determined to re main in that country and there engaged in the manufacture of lace, the product of his factory being sent to New York city and sold by Robert Jaffray, who estab- lished the wholesale lace house of Jaffray & Sons, which is today one of the largest wholesale establishments of the western metropolis.

About the year 1845 Emil Baxter crossed the Atlantic to the new world and accepted a position with the firm of Hen- nequin & Company, large importers of laces, dry goods, etc .. in New York, and also owners of a store in Paris, France. He continued with that house until 1850. when he removed to Nauvoo and became secretary of the Icarian community. . \ year later, however, he returned to Newark. New Jersey, and again accepted a position as bookkeeper but his health failed and he returned to Hancock county, purchasing eight acres in the heart of Nauvoo. He made a specialty of the raising of grapes and the manufacture of wine. The gentle slope of the Mississippi river bank affords splendid opportunity for grape culture and Mr. Baxter coll- tinned successfully in business until 1804. when he removed to Keokuk to live with his daughter, Mrs. Addie Kruskopi, the

death occurred who

and two daughters 1 1 . and one daughter of the story time of ly. 1852. et Menden, Comme to Miss Annette Bestell, ale W. c gagedl m teaching in a semmos el . state Her death occurred my July, 103 Laml | Baster, the edest of the dill dren, remained with his father until (871 and attended the common schools it Namver during the winter months mit l sixteen years of age. In het be wert to Little Rock and to Hot Springs. Arkansas, and planted one of the most vineyards ever set out in that state Ses- several months later he returned to Ihnen and engaged in teaching school for ofle winter, after which he went to Chicago, where he continued m the study of laws for one year with John Jayle King Ile had previously studied law at Namen under the direction of R. W. Mckinney. and, returning to Nauvoo, he engaged m teaching school through the winter sea sons, while in the summer months huis at tention was devoted to horticultural pur suits and to the conduct of an amary. Ile taught through thirteen winter terms of six months each and was regarded as one of the capable educators of this part ii the state. his labors being effective promoting the standard of education I more recent years he has been making specialty of bee culture, having frem tw hundred to three hundred loves ick He has also been especially interested In horticulture, which He has stunde I'm all it- phases, including the subject of the

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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 40

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

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