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 41
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
insect enemies that attack fruit. He is a life member of the Missouri and the Illinois State Horticultural Societies and his knowledge concerning the best meth- ods of cultivating fruit is now compre- hensive and accurate, his decisions being largely considered authority throughout this part of the state. For many years he was the senior member of the firm of E. Baxter & Sons. his partners being Thomas P. and Cecil J. Baxter, to whom he sold out in 1901. He now owns ten acres in his home place in Nauvoo devoted to all kinds of fruit and he also keeps ninety colonies of bees at the home place. He likewise owns thirty acres additional within the city limits of Nauvoo, devoted to fruit raising, and he has a third in- terest in three hundred and twenty acres of farm land in Hand county, South Da- kota, and likewise owns one hundred and sixty acres in Sherman county, Kansas. He is one of the heavy stockholders of the State Bank of Nauvoo and is its oldest director in years of service, while at the present time he is chairman of the loan and discount committee and chairman of the examining board.
On the 21st of June, 1877. Mr. Baxter was married to Miss Eugenie S. Dadant, a daughter of Charles and Gabrielle ( Parrisot) Dadant, natives of France. Their children are: Alice .\ .. born August 26, 1880: E. Miles, Jan- uary 13, 1885: Charles Bayard. Feb- ruary 17. 1887: and Florence G .. Jan- uary 21. 1890. In the spring of 1905 Mr. Baxter erected a fine modern resi- dence, supplied with all city conveniences and heated with hot water and system for lighting by either gas or electricity was a citizen he has displayed sagacity aud
installed. This is one of the attractive residences of Nauvoo, and its warm- hearted hospitality makes it a favorite re- sort with the many friends of the family.
Mr. Baxter is prominent politically and socially as well as in business circles. He is a stalwart democrat, and in 1880 served as supervisor of Nauvoo township. while for seven terms he has served as alderman of the city from the third ward and was again elected in the spring of 1906. He has served continuously since 1891 as a member of the school board in district No. 53, and he has been a member of the township high school board since 1900. His labors have been effective and far-reaching in his efforts to promote the intellectual progress and up- hold the political status of his community and he has used practical methods in working toward the ideal. He belongs to Temple lodge, No. 222, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. of which he became a charter member on its organization in April. 1888. He is also a member of the Rebekah lodge. and belongs to Puchechetuck camp, No. 7. Independent Order of Odd Fellows. at Keokuk. Also a charter member of Temple camp. Modern Woodmen of America. He also served for many years as representative to the grand lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen but has withdrawn from that organiza- tion. His life has been a success. His entire career is illustrated by the fact that certain actions are followed by certain re- sults. As a business man he has always been enterprising. and his labors have resulted in successful accomplishment. As
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true patriotism and as a public official his actions have been above reproach or criti- cism. He stands today as a worthy rep resentative of a high type of our Ameri- can manhood.
S. W. HECOX.
S. W. Hecox, engaged in the livery business in Carthage, was born in Adams county. Illinois. April 6. 1860, a son of R. C. and Mary ( Lancaster) Hecox. The father. a native of Illinois, resided upon a farm in Adams county through- out the greater part of his life. His political allegiance was given to the de- mocracy and in his fraternal relations he was a Mason. He married Miss Mary Lancaster. a native of Pennsyl- vania, and they became the parents of seven children. of whom six are living. as follows: Rebecca. the wife of Henry Willard, of Bowen, Illinois: S. W .. of this review: George. also living in Bowen : Anna. the wife of Stuart Woods. who resides near Bowen: Oscar, who is living in Golden. Adams county, Illinois : and Dr. Chalmer Hecox, of Gokten. The mother passed away in 1877 and her re- mains were interred in Ebenezer ceme tery. The father. however, is now liv ing in Bowen.
4th of October, 1885 She w. a. native of Adams county and a dangote of Dr. Parish. Her mother died when the daughter was but six years of age and the father passed away in Oregon m 1004. He was a physician by professi m and served as a U'nion soldier in the Civil war. Of their family of five children Mrs. Heens is the youngest. the others being: William and Byron, who reside in Oregon: Reuben, who is Inving in lowa: and Elizabeth, the wife of Clark Headley, of Iowa.
Mr. and Mrs. Hecoy resided upon a farm in Hancock county for three and a half years and afterward removed to a farm in Adams county, where they spent eleven and a half years, his atten tion being given to the development of the fields which were highly improved
On the 6th of March, 1900, Mr. Hecus removed to Carthage and opened a livery stable, in which enterprise he was first associated with Sherman Lancaster. afterward with George Gardner and now with Dr. E. H. Herring. He con ducts a general livery stable on Jackson street and also has funeral equipment. including hearse and carriages. Hle re ceives a liberal patronage owing to his earnest effort to please his customers and his reasonable prices.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Heen have been born two children : Veva Bernice, Men in Adams county. June 15. Why ml now a high school student . od Colores
S. W. Hecox was educated in the Roswell, who was born Made in country schools of Bowen and remained The parents are active members al .he with his father until of age. When : Christian church, domg umi b 0 p - young man of twenty-five years he was mote its growth and de domen al married to Miss Lillian Parish on the are tember. in the Sieht det Min
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Hecox belongs to the Odd Fellows so- ciety and the Modern Woodmen camp. He has served as road commissioner and as a member of the school board and is interested in all that pertains to public progress and improvement. His polit- ical allegiance is given to the Democratic party and his church and political rela- tions indicate much of the character of the man, showing that he is arrayed on the side of right. justice and truth. He deserves much credit for what he has accomplished in a business way. for he has had no assistance but has depended upon his own labors and resources for advancement. In manner he is kind and jovial and is spoken of in terms of praise and friendship by all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
WYMAN T. WHITCOMB.
The Whitcomb family was established in America when this country was still numbered among the colonial possessions of Great Britain. Wyman Whitcomb. Sr., grandfather of our subject, was a school teacher by profession and was also a musician of considerable skill and repu- tation. His services were in frequent de- mand for political meetings, on which occasions he would play the fife and drum. He became one of the pioneer settlers of Adams county, Illinois, in 1833. He had a brother who was killed in Cuba in 1844. having been taken pris- oner there and shot at the time of mili- tary uprisings.
Dwight Whitcomb, father of our sub- ject, was born in Ohio, November 12. 1830, and passed the age of seventy-three years, departing this life January 21. 1904, his remains being interred in Pow- ellton cemetery. He was but three years of age at the time of the removal of the family to Adams county and was a young man of twenty-one years when he located in Rock Creek township, Han- cock county. His entire life was de- voted to agricultural pursuits and thus he provided for his family, numbering wife and fifteen or sixteen children. Mrs. Whitcomb bore the maiden name of Mary H. Ellison, and is still living in Adrian. She was born December 29. 1836, and has therefore reached the sev- entieth milestone on life's journey. Of the family only five sons are now living. Wyman T., Farnum M., John D., James A. and Lewis M., all residents of Rock Creek township.
Wyman T. Whitcomb was born on the old farm home in Rock Creek township. December 21, 1856, and at the usual age entered the district school not far dis- tant from his father's farm. After leav- ing home he began farming on his own account in his native township, where he has spent his entire life save for a period of seven years, which he passed in Colorado and Nebraska, undergoing many hardships and privations incident to frontier setlement there, so that he was glad to return to his native county. Ile now owns and operates seventy-nine acres of rich and arable land on section 5. Rock Creek township, whereon he has erected a good dwelling, barns and made
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
other substantial and modern improve ments. In all of his farm work he is exceedingly practical and his labors are therefore the source of a goodly income.
On the 23d of March, 1879. Mr. Whit- comb was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Hollingworth, who was born in Keokuk, lowa, January 17, 1860, a daughter of G. W. and Ann (Slocum) Hollingworth, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. The father was a printer by trade and spent much of his life in Iowa, where both he and his wife died. She was a member of the Metho- dist church. In their family were two daughters and a son, namely: Mrs. Whitcomb: F. J. Hollingworth, who is living in Seattle, Washington; and Lot- tie. the wife of Ray Lewis, of Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb have one child. Grover F., who was born in Phelps county, Nebraska, October 28. 1892, and is now a student in the Rock Creek township schools. Mrs. Whit- comb is also descended from ancestors who served in the Revolutionary war and her great-uncle. Samuel Slocum, was a soldier of the Civil war, while David Whitcomb. an uncle of our subject, was a member of an Illinois regiment in the same war.
Mr. Whitcomb exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy and has filled some local offices, such as road-boss. school director and township treasurer. He belongs to the Loyal American, an insurance company. Both he and his wife are kind-hearted. pleasant people. who occupy warm places in the esteem and friendship of those who know them.
JOHN WELLNER
John Wellner is a wortity in known representative of port cullis seat agricultural interests in Appar fre twell Shop. His life record began 1 1. .. Germany. May 14. 181%, but he reared in Nauvoo, where he acquired common school education. Il - parent- Michael and Catherine ( Emerich ) Well ner, Were also natives of Germany, i ere the father learned and followed the mill- er's trade. In 1852, however, he came with his family to the United States. landing at New Orleans, where for four years he was employed in a wholesale sugar house. He then secured a ph ~1 tion on a river packet, and in passing Nauvoo he was so well pleased with the town, its site, and its prospects that he resolved to make it his home and pur- chased here a house and lot. In the sim mer months he worked on boats on the river, and in the winter seasons was al home with his family. His death, holl - ever, occurred in New Orleans in 1850. and subsequently his widow became the wife of Joseph Haas, who died in 1900. She is still living in Nauvoo, at the ad vanced age of eighty years. She was Ar Wellner's second wife. By a former marriage he had one son and three dans le ters, and by his second marriage he had two sons and two daughters. Uma Mr and Mrs. Hlaas were born two sons and two daughters, and by a previous 11 1 riage Mr. Haas had three sons and a daughter.
John Wellner in his youth cout tel to make his home with huis m there 1; Worked out by the month Of fame o Ap
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3444
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
panoose and Nauvoo townships until his marriage, which was celebrated in Octo- ber. 1870, Miss Agnes Haas becoming his wife. She was a daughter of his step- father. Joseph Haas, and his first wife, Ferona Haas, who were natives of Ger- many. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wellner were born the following named: Lena, the wife of William Yager. of Nauvoo: Jo- seph, who died at the age of eight years ; Katie, who was killed when a year and a half old: Charles, who died at the age of three years : Doretta, who died at the age of four years; Emma, Vallie. Agatha, Edwin and Vera, all at home. The three children, Joseph, Mary and Charles, all died of diphtheria within one week in 1888.
Following his marriage Mr. Wellner rented a farm in Appanoose township and lived on different farms until 1876. when he invested his savings in forty-eight acres of land in Nauvoo township. The same year he began building a house and just before its completion it was de- stroyed in a severe windstorm on the night of July 4. Mr. Wellner was away from home at the time. His wife, how- ever, was in the house with her two chil- dren, and one infant, Katie, in her arms. was killed. One child escaped, while Mrs. Wellner was pinned down by the arm un- dler some debris, being held there from 1:30 a. m. in the morning until 4 o'clock. when Mr. Wellner returned and released her. He then took his family to Nau- roo, but in the fall again built upon his farm. There were about eighteen acres of timber there, while the remainder was fit for cultivation and was largely de- voted to the raising of grapes. There are
four acres of grapes and five acres of ap- ples. His second house which he built was of brick and this he remodeled in 1900, making it an attractive home of eight rooms, heated by furnace with a cellar under the entire house. In 1891 he purchased eighty acres of land on sec- tion 31 in Appanoose township, which is devoted to farming and pasturage. As the years have gone by he has made many changes and improvements on the farm. developing a splendid property, from which he now annually harvests good crops of grain and of fruit. He belongs to the Catholic church and his political views are in accord with the principles of democracy.
JOHN D. WHITCOMB.
John D. Whitcomb, a representative of the farming interests of Rock Creek township, who has owned and occupied this place for thirty years, has now a good tract of land of one hundred and twenty acres, and in addition to tilling the soil is raising stock. Ile is one of the native sons of the township. having been born September 6, 1861, upon the old home- stead farm which was the property of his parents, Dwight and Mary H. ( Ellison) Whitcomb. The father was a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, born in 1830. while the mother's birth occurred in Eng- land in 1837. In 1832 he became a resi- dent of Adams county, Ilinois, his par- ents removing to this state at that time.
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and about 1853 he took up his abode in Hancock county, where he carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits and stock-ran- ing until his death. He passed away Jan uary 22, 1904, and his grave was mule in Powellton cemetery. His widow still survives and is now living in Adrian. The father had one brother. David Whitcomb. who was a member of an Ilinois regi ment in the Civil war, and is now living in Adams county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Whitcomb were born fifteen chil- dren, of whom five yet survive: Wyman T., who is living in Rock Creek township and is represented elsewhere in this vol- ume: Farnham, of the same township: John D., of this review: and James .I. and Lewis M .. who are also living in Rock Creek township.
Like the other members of the family. John D. Whitcomb was reared under the parental roof and the public schools of his native township afforded him his edu- cational privileges. When not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields and remained with his parents, assisting in the labor of the home farm until twenty- eight years of age, when, in 1800. he was married and established a home of his own. The lady of his choice was Miss Mary L. Youngmeyer, who was born in Nanvoo in 1870. a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Sibert ) Youngmeyer, the former a native of Prussia. Germany, and the latter of Virginia. They became early settlers of Hancock county. Illi- nois, and for many years Mr. Young- meyer followed farming but passed away about five years ago. His widow, how ever, still lives in Rock Creek township In their family were eight children, of
whom twoare my decese He thel are: John H. a resident On Mary La. now Mrs. Whitcomb, Reste G. the wife of John Jack . vi Rick fick township: Lathering, the wife of frem Hailett, of last St. Louis. Hno -. Ed ward S. of Rock Creek township, and Arthur W. of Oklahoma
Mr. Whitcomb received as a gift from his father eighty acres of land on section 14. Rock Creek township, and is now the owner of one hundred and twenty acres. Ile has lived upon this farm for twenty four years and all of the improvement- here are as a monument to his life of thrift, enterprise and diligence. llis res- idence is an elegant country home, and were it not for the surrounding tickets might well be regarded as a city dwelling. and in fact would grace any town in the county. He has also built good barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grams and stock and has successfully carried on the work of tilling the soil and rais- ing stock, but is now renting most of his land and is largely living retired. enjoy ing a rest which is truly merited because of his activity, enterprise and carcinl management in former year -.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Whitcomb have been born six children, all natives of Rock Creek township, namely : Ethel M. v. who was born April IS. Lol. and is it student in the Carthage high school and is also studying music: David Josep 1. who was born December 11. 1802 .11 died December to. 1803 . W/ 55. who was born December 11. 1805. Bild psal away July 9. 1800: Ruth Fhasbet isbn was born June 22. 1807. and died Latte- ary 17. 1004: Arthur Dw ght, bom li
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BIOGRAPHICAL RET'IEN'
7. 1903 ; and Ada Frances, March 19, 1906. The three deceased children were laid to rest in Powellton cemetery. Mrs. Whitcomb is a member of the Methodist church and Mr. Whitcomb affiliates with the Odd Fellows. His political support is given to the democracy, and for fifteen years he has served as school director, but has never been ambitious in the line of office holding. Both he and his wife are honest, respected people, whose life rec- ords characterized by much that is up- lifting, are a credit to the county of their nativity. Their pretty home is attract- ively furnished and is the center of a cultured society circle, their many friends greatly enjoying its warm-hearted hospitality.
WILLIAM WEBER.
William Weber resides on section 32. Appanoose township, where he has an excellent farm of one hundred and ninety acres. The greater part of this is under cultivation and the farm is well equipped with modern accessories and conve- niences. Many fruit trees upon the place are a good source of income, while the well tilled fields annually bring forth golden harvests. It was upon section 32 that William Weber first opened his eyes to the light of day, on the 6th of Janu- ary. 1853, and a district school educa- tion fitted him for life's practical and responsible duties. Ile is of Swiss line- age, his parents, Samuel and Rose ( Bertschi) Weber, having been born,
reared and married in Switzerland. Hop- ing to enjoy better business opportunities in the new world, they sailed for America late in the '40s, and took up their abode in St. Louis, where they remained for about two years, Mr. Weber doing farm work. In 1850 he came to Nauvoo and his earn- ings, which had been carefully saved. were invested in forty acres of prairie land and twenty acres of timber in Ap- panoose township. Upon this place he located and began the further cultivation and development of a farm, making it his home until about 1886, when he sold that property and bought eighty acres in So- nora township. There he lived until his life's labors were ended in death on the 18th of October. 1893. His widow has since resided with her daughter, Mrs. Mary Cowles, of Fort Madison. Iowa, who is one of a family of five sons and six daughters.
William Weber, the sixth in order of birth in this family, remained under the parental roof until twenty-nine years of age and from his early youth gave ma- terial assistance in the work of the farm. At the age of twenty-two years he rented his father's land and continued its culti- vation on his own account for seven years. He then married on the ist of January. 1883. Miss Annie Rentschler, a native of Nauvoo, born April 12. 1852, and a daughter of John M. and Annie ( Schnearly) Rentschler, who were na- tives of Wurtemburg. Germany. They made the voyage across the briny deep to New Orleans, and some time later he- came residents of Keokuk. Iowa. The father had learned and followed the mill- ing business in his native country but
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IL.INCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
after coming to the new world be en- and in his farm work he follow the gaged in farming. He spent some time in lowa and then removed to Nauvoo. purchasing a farm in Sonora township. upon which he and his wife spent their remaining days, her death occurring Sep- tember 13. 1874, while he survived until May 20, 1888. As stated, their daughter Annie became the wife of William Web- er, and one child has been born of this union, Archie Harry, whose natal day was October 8. 1883.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Weber lived upon her father's farm. Mr. Weber purchased the interest of the other heirs in this property and continued to cultivate the fields there until 1801. when he sold that place and bought one hundred and ninety acres of land situated on sections 28 and 32. Appanoose town- ship. Of this twenty-five acres are col- ered with timber, while the remainder is improved land and the further work of cultivation and development has been carried forward by the present owner. The buildings all stand as monuments to his enterprise and thrift and inchide barns, a two-story frame house. com eribs, and in fact everything necessary for the shelter of grain, stock and farm machinery. He has recently erected a modern and commodious country home. which is tasteful in its arrangement and in its furnishings. He carries on general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising and he also gives considerable attention to the cultivation of fruit, having upon his place one hundred and fifty apple trees, fifty peach trees and also cherries and pears. He has made a close study of the best methods of caring for the fruit
rotation of crops and brings to bell modern scientific knowledge in the prac tical work of tilling the soil. A dental in his political allegiance he has never been an aspirant for office and the only position of public trust he has ever held was that of school director, in which he served four years. He and his family at tend the Methodist Episcopal church and are esteemed in the community as people of genuine worth who well merit a pos tion of prominence in social circles.
GEORGE M. BRANT.
George M. Brant, owning and operat ing one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 35. Sonora township, which is a portion of his father's estate, is a native son of this township, having here been born February 2, 1808. a son of Hezekiah and Isabella ( Dick ) Brant, the former born in Indiana, January 1, 1820. a som of John Brant, who was a soldier in the war of 1812, while the mother was a daughter of James Dick The father of John Brant ched when he Was all five years old, and in his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade in his native stante. and about 1853 removed to Imech county, Illinois, The marriage to Miss Isabella Dick occurred m Vujeomnes, In diana, in 1850, and after for years spol in that state, he took up his She is Hora township, this county, where the father purchased one hughel al say
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BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEIN'
acres of wild prairie land, which he im- proved. and on which he erected a house. From time to time he added to his landed possessions until at the time of his death he owned five hundred and sixty acres in Sonora township and four hundred and forty acres situated in Pawnee county, Nebraska. His death occurred Novem- ber 29. 1904. while his wife passed away December 3. 1899. at the age of sixty- three years, her birth having occurred June 6. 1836. In the family of this worthy couple were six sons and two daughters. as follows: James D., of Sumner county, Kansas; H. W., a physi- cian of Cardston. in the province of Al- berta, Canada; C. M., a stockman of Hamilton, Illinois; Mina S., the wife of William Spence, of Hamilton ; John M .. a resident of Bushnell: Herman, resid- ing on the home place; George M., of this review: and Jessie, the wife of George Ludington, also on the home place.
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