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 43
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
county, and in 1887 removed to llan- cock county, residing for several years in Augusta township upon a rented farm. Later he purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land on section 19. Au- gusta township, which was improved. To this he added from time to time and he now has eighty acres in Augusta town- ship on section 19. and one hundred and sixty acres on section 36. Chili township. In 1903. he built an elegant home, modern in every respect. h is the most attract- ive residence in Bowen and stands in Nash's addition to the town. He has also otherwise improved the property, which is a valuable piece of real estate. While upon the farm Mr. Downing carried on general agricultural pursuits and stock- raising but his health caused him to re- tire to private life in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Downing has been born a daughter, Helen R., who was born in Augusta township. Hancock county, in 1899. and is now a student in the public schools of Bowen. The parents are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church. In the work of the church they are deeply and actively interested and they have done much to advance its growth and promote its upbuilding. Mr. Downing has always been industrious and upright and by ret- son of his laudable ambition and good judgment, combined with his straightfor- ward dealings he has gained a goodly measure of success, which, together with his wife's inheritance makes them com- fortably situated in life. Both Mr. and Mrs. Downing are very prominent social- ly. being recognized leaders of society in Bowen and this part of the county.
while their own beautiin and ainte home is noted for its gracious and me hearted hospitality, which is tool di tended to their many friends
FRANCIS M. HUFF
Francis M. Huff, who holds extensie landed interests and successfully carries on farming in St. Mary's township. 1 a son of William A. and Better Am ( Teaney) Huff. He was born April 13. 1846. in Brooklet township. Schuyler county. Illinois. His father, a native of Guilford county, North Carolina, was born in 1808, while the mother's birth occurred in Virginia in 1812. She went from the Old Dominion to Tennessee when a very small girl. William A. Huff, a farmer by occupatian, removed from the south to Schuyler county, Illinois, in 18.30. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist church and after coming to this state remained residents thereof until called to their final rest. His death oc curred in 1800, while his wife passed away in 1903, and was buried in Scott's church cemetery in MeDonough county In their family were eight children. Mary E., the wife of E David Clampett of Kansas; Amanda C., the wife of P. Lionberger, of Mcdonough county Maria, the wife of Thomas Fisher, of Creston, lowa: Francis, of this relies. George, who is living on the all bare place in Schuyler county : Homer, a res dent of St. Mary's township. J'en ai
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Schuyler county; and Eliza, the wife of Wisdom Welborn, of McDonough county.
Francis M. Huff was a student in the Guineau school of Brooklyn township, Schuyler county, until seventeen years of age, when he obtained his father's per- mission for his enlistment in the Civil war and went to the front as a member of Company D. One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Intan- try. He served for two years, partici- pating in the battles of Vicksburg, Jack- son and Spanish Fort. He was at Mobile for thirteen days and the siege of Spanish Fort was his last active military service. When the war was over, although still in his teens. he returned home with a most creditable record as a soldier. He then engaged in farming for two years near Carthage, Illinois.
In 1873 Mr. Huff was united in mar- riage to Miss Annette Melvin, who was born in Henderson county, Illinois, De- cember 8. 1850, a daughter of Milton and Elizabeth (Beaver) Melvin, who were natives of Tennessee and came with their respective parents to Illinois. settling in Henderson county. Mrs. Huff was left an orphan when only three years of age and was the elder of two children, her brother being Milton Mel- vin, of Henderson county, Illinois. Fol- lowing his marriage Mr. Huff purchased a farm in Augusta township, where he resided for fifteen years and then came to St. Mary's township, purchasing two hun- dred acres of land on section 36. 1le has since added to the property from time to time until he now owns seven hundred and twenty acres, the greater part of which is in St. Mary's township, although
one hundred and sixty acres lies in Au- gusta township. He has since greatly improved the property by adding the modern accessories of a model farm and his time and energies are given to the cultivation of the fields and the raising of stock. He raises and ships his own cattle and does quite an extensive busi- ness in this particular. He is one who has through his economy and enterprise made a creditable place in the business world and secured valuable property in terests as the reward of his labor. He started out in life with only two horses and a wagon but today owns hundreds of acres of land.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Huff have been born seven children, who are yet living : Sidney E .. of Augusta, who is married and has two children, Roscoe and Newell : George M., of AAugusta township, who is married and has two children, Clyde and Clare; William, of St. Mary's town- ship, who has two children, Frances and Pearl; AArthur, who is living in Augusta township and has one child, Glen ; Blanche, the wife of George Monk, of St. Mary's township: Claude and Leora. both at home. They also lost one daugh- ter, Clara Belle, who was their third child. She died November 3. 1896, at the age of seventeen years and was laid to rest in Plymouth cemetery. She belonged to the Christian church and was a most estimable young lady, esteemed by many friends and loved in her own home where her loss was most deeply felt.
In politics Mr. Huff is a republican and has served as school director for many years but is not an incumbent in office at the present time. His wife is a mem-
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IL.INCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ber of the Christian church and he be- very prosperous and ostel at the longs to the Grand Army of the Republic, thus maintaining pleasant relations with his old army comrades who wore the blue upon the battle-fields of the south. The home of this worthy couple indicate re- finement and comfort, and is all the more attractive from the fact that the residence and all that it contains represent the life of activity and enterprise of the owner, who has been a most energetic and there- fore most successful business man.
HENRY THORNBER.
Henry Thornber. deceased. was a self- made man, deserving of all the praise that the term implies, for when but a young lad he was forced to start out in life for himself. He fought its battles unaided and came off victorious in the strife. A native of Lancashire, England, he was born in the town of Downing, in 1816, a son of Richard and Hannah (Lord) Thornber. When a young man of twenty-nine years he crossed the At- lantic and settled in Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1842. Before leaving his native country he had learned the shoemaker's trade and had followed that in connection with farming. Aside from two trips which he made to his native country, one covering two years, and the other six months. he resided continuously in Hancock county. after first crossing the Atlantic and de- voted the greater part of the time to farm ing in Rock Creek township. He was
of his death twelve hundred que his possessions being scarcely apple that of any resident of his part of te county. He transferred raw prime land into richly productive bells and made al of the improvements upon the form in cluding the erection of a commodious and comfortable residence. In all than he die he was eminently practical and accom plished results that were indicative of his business enterprise, unfaltering diligence and executive skill.
In 1846. Mr. Thornber was married to Miss Lucy Ellison, who was born m Yorkshire, England, and died in 1805. Of the eight children of that marriage five are still living. namely : David R. a resi- dent of Montana: Mary A. the wife of Isaac Siegfried, of Rock Creek township : John, who is living in Sonora township near the old homestead : William Henry. of the same township ; and James M. who is a physician by profession but is now engaged in the printing business in Fort Madison, lowa. In 1868, Mr. Thornber was again married, his second union being with Margaret Pilkington, who was born in Bohon La Moors. Lancashire. Eng land. in 1837. a daughter of Adam and Jane (Garside) Pilkington, who were also natives of Bolton La Moors. The father came to America in 18 12 and the mother in 1844. settling in Hancock county. They were well known as farming people of Sonora township but ere he emigra tion to the United States Mr Pilk- ington had been employed as & bleacher in his native country. His political alle giance was given to the democracy and both he and his wife were members of
23
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
the Church of England, while in their native land. and before coming to Amer- ica became identified with the church of the Latter Day Saints. The death of Mr. Pilkington occurred in 1856, and his wife survived until 1880, when she was laid by his side in Sonora township. They had six children but only three are now living : Mrs. Thornber; Alice, the wife of Wil- liam Lambert. of Rock Creek township; and Mary. the wife of William Weber, of Prairie township.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Thornber was born one son. Amos Joseph, whose birth oc- curred in Rock Creek township in 1869. and he is now a successful practicing phy- sician at Burlington, lowa. He married Catherine Reiter, who died in 1898 leav- ing two children, Gladys and Geraldine, and for his second wife he married Miss Anna Shank. Although devoting his en- ergies to the practice of medicine he is also the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of good farm land in Rock Creek township.
Mr. Thornber continued actively in farm work until his life's labors were ended in death on the 17th of February. 1887. He was a member of the church of the Latter Day Saints, and in England had been identified with the Odd Fellows society. Starting out in life with a few advantages he became imbued with the laudable ambition to attain something bet- ter and steadily advanced in those walks of life demanding business ability and fidelity. He became one of the largest landowners of his township, making ju- «licious investments, while at all times his business carcer was characterized by un- questioned probity. He passed away
February 17, 1887. honored and respected by all who knew him and such a life record as his should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others. showing what may be accomplished through industry and perseverance- qualities that may be cultivated by all. Mrs. Thornber continued to reside upon the home farm until 1901, when she pur- chased a beautiful residence on Maple street in Ferris. She is there residing together with her niece and grandson. David McCollom, whom she has reared to the age of eighteen years. Mrs. Thornber is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Mr. Thornber was a republican in politics but though he held several offices did not seek promi- mence along that line. being content to de- vote his time and energies to his business. in which he met with signal success.
ANDREW J. HARRIS.
Andrew J. Harris has spent his entire life in La Harpe township, Hancock coun- ty, his birth having here occurred Jan- uary 8. 1854, on the farm which he now owns and occupies, so that he has through long years been interested in the agricul- tural development and progress of this portion of the state. He is a son of Isaac and Marthina ( Atwater) Harris, both of whom were born in Tennessee. His pa- ternal grandparents, Reuben and Allie ( Wolf) Harris, were likewise natives of Tennessee, while the maternal grandpar-
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ents. Joseph and Rachel ( Duncan ) At- 1824, passed away February 6, 18th, it water were natives of Connecticut and the comparatively early age of forty UM years. In their family were twelve chi dren but only five are living. The record is as follows: John, who died at the age of twenty-three years: Campbell, who died when three years old: Durmet, the wife of James Brown, a resident of Mi- souri : Andrew J .. of this review : Reuben. who died when two years of age : Martha, who died at the age of nine months; Rachel, who became the wife of George Carter, of La Harpe township, and passed away at the early age of eighteen years ; James, who resides on the old homestead ; Allie E., the wife of Warren Addison, of Trenton, Missouri: Martina Jane, the wife of William Taylor, of Canton, Illi- nois: Marthina, who became the wife of Joseph Fry, and passed away June 3. 1892 ; and Matilda, who was born March 18. 1864. and died February 11. 1881. Tennessee respectively. Both the pater- nal and maternal grandparents became early settlers of this state, having re- moved from the south to Schuyler county in 1833, and after a year Reuben Harris, removed to Mcdonough county, where he entered government land, which he cleared and improved and on which he resided until his death. Joseph Atwater likewise removed to MeDonough county, and it was in this county that his daugh- ter, Marthina. gave her hand in marriage to Isaac, the son of Reuben Harris, the wedding ceremony being performed No- vember 22. 1840. The father of our sub- ject participated in the Mormon war of 1844, which resulted in the expulsion of that religious sect from this part of the state. Following his marriage Isaac Harris took up his abode in McDonough county, but in 1843 removed with his Andrew J. Harris acquired a district school education, and remained with his parents, assisting his father in the opera- tion of the family homestead until the latter's death, when he bought the interest i the other heirs in the home place and is here engaged in general farming and stock-raising. having good grades of horses, cattle and hogs upon his farm He has made many modern improvements upon the farm, having built an addition In the house, making it a fine com try home, and he has also built fences, and otherwise added to the attractive appear ance of the place. So that it to tell it model farm property family to La Harpe township. Hancock county, where he purchased a farm of forty acres, to which he added from time to time until he came into possession of one hundred and eleven acres all lying on section 36. This was all covered with timber when he made the purchase but with characteristic energy he at once in- dertook the task of clearing the land and preparing it for the plow, which in course of time he accomplished, and from which he gathered abundant crops, so that at his death, which occurred April 14. 1900, he left to his family a valuable estate. Ile was born February 12, 1822, and there- fore at the time of his death had reached the advanced age of seventy-eight years. while his wife, who was born May 5.
As a companion and Helpmate on hte' journey Mr Harris die Vi Wie Severns, to whom he was made for
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEI'
tember 25. 1873. Her birth occurred in Schuyler county, this state. July 5. 1854, and she acquired her education in the schools of Astoria. She is a daughter of James and Nancy (Ogle) Severns. natives of Coshocton county, Ohio, while her paternal grandparents were Daniel and Mary ( Buteer) Severns, and her maternal grandparents bore the names of Mordecai and Elizabeth (Yarington) Ogle. They located in Fulton county. Illinois, in 1837. where Mr. Ogle con- ducted a sawmill until his death, which occurred December 24, 1840. James Severn, Mrs. Harris's father, was a carpenter and died in Astoria, July 29. 1897. Her mother still survives and now makes her home in Astoria.
In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Harris are four sons and a daughter: James Edward, who was born July 28, 1874. and makes his home in La Harpe township: Isaac Elmer. born October 31, 1875, and is at home; William Lloyd Harris, born December 28. 1877. married and lives in La Harpe: Zada May, who was born April 1. 1884, and is now the wife of Samuel Flickinger, and resides at Middle- town. this state: and Ralph S., whose birth occurred December 31. 1893, and is at home.
Politically Mr. Harris is a democrat and served as school director for twelve years. He possesses the enterprising spirit which has proved an essential ele- ment in the upbuilding of this portion of the state and by his reliable and straight- forward dealing in all transactions has gained the esteem and good will of all with whom he has come in contact. in so- cial or business life.
BLAIR KELLY, M. D.
Dr. Blair Kelly, engaged in the general practice of medicine in the village of Ferris, is a native of Hancock county. having been born in Dallas township. February 28. 1876. He is a son of Allison G. and Fanny ( Ballinger ) Kelly. the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Kentucky. The father came to Illinois in 1854 and located in Hancock county, devoting his time and energies to farming in Pontoosuc township. where he rented land for some years, or until his earnings justified his purchase of a farm in Dallas township, where he con- tinued to carry on general agricultural pursuits during his active life. He is now living retired at the age of seventy years. His wife passed away in 1887 at the age of forty-five years, leaving four children, all of whom still survive.
Dr. Kelly acquired his early education in the common schools of his native town- ship, and afterward continued his studies in Bushnell, Illinois, and Carthage Col- lege. His literary course completed he then took up the study of medicine, enter- ing the Keokuk Medical College, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1902. He located for practice at Clio, lowa, where he remained for two years and then returned to Hancock county, establishing his office in Ferris. where he has since engaged in active prac- tice. le has also pursued a post-grad- uate course in the Chicago Polyclinic. He has a general practice, which is con- stantly increasing in volume and impor- tance, and which might well be envied by many an older practitioner. Thoroughly
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
conversant with the most modern methods known to the members of the medical and surgical profession he has brought to bear in his work not only broad scientific knowledge but also that practical con- mon sense which is an indispensable con- comitant of the successful physician, and the results which have followed his labors have been satisfactory, gaining for him the trust and confidence of the public at large and his professional brethren as well.
Dr. Kelly is a member of the Christian church and is a democrat in politics. He has never sought or desired office outside the strict path of his profession but at the present writing is serving as village phy- sician of Ferris and as health officer. He is making substantial progress for one of his years and the future undoubt- edly holds in store for him still greater successes.
JOHN W. GRANT.
John W. Grant, the proprietor of the Grant Hotel at Warsaw, is a representa- tive of one of the old pioneer families of this part of the state. He was born . \u- gust 5. 1849. in a log cabin, which was the home of his parents. Harrison and Emily ( Eason) Grant. The paternal great-great-grandfather came from Scot- land and settled in Virginia, whence later representatives of the family went to Kentucky. The great-grandfather. Noah Grant, was with Washington throughout the Revolutionary war and had a long and interesting military career. He was also a slaveholder and became one of the
pioneer settlers of Hartford, Kentucky Noah Grant was the grandfather of bule eral U. S. Grant, the latter being a second cousin of our subject. The father was born in Bullet county, Kentucky. Devem · ber 16, 1822, and came to Hancock county in the fall of 18;8, after his mar riage to Emily Eason. About a year later he bought twenty acres of land for a dollar and a half per acre and paid for the same by cutting rails at thirty-seven and a half cents per hundred. during which time he boarded himself With the little twenty-acre tract as the nucleus of a farm he kept adding to his property from time to time until he had two hun dred acres of good land in the old home- stead. and was also the owner of one hundred acres in Arkansas. He likewise carried on general agricultural pursuits and continued to reside upon the home farm in Hancock county save for the period between the years of 1800 and 1805, when he lived on his farm in the south. He then returned to Warsaw and made his home with his son in the hotel until his death, which occurred on the 7th of November. 1895. He had long survived his wife, who died upon the old homestead. January 1. 1865. when thirty-eight years of age. She was the mother of eight children: William 1. now living in Arkansas: John W .. of this review : Henry Washington, of Lorain. Illinois : Mary E .. deceased : Marthi A. the deceased wife of Peter Sult: and Emily Ellen, the wife of William Me Intyre. of Arkansas. After Long hi- first wife the father married Rebecca les, by whom he had a daughter. Mrs Anna Mueller, now of Crawford commits.
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Kansas. His third wife was Rebecca Whitledge, and for his fourth wife he chose Agnes Boggs.
Harrison Grant made many improve- ments upon his farm. He lived first in a log cabin which had been built by the Mor- mons and later he built and occupied a hewed log house, which continued to be his home as long as he remained upon the farm. He experienced all the hardships and difficulties incident to pioneer life and aided in laying the foundation for the present development and progress of the county by performing the arduous tasks connected with early development. Politically he was a democrat in early life, at one time gave his support to the Know Nothing party, and in 1864 became a supporter of Abraham Lincoln, after which he continued to vote with the Re- publican party until his demise.
John W. Grant was reared on his fa- ther's farm and assisted in the onerous work of the fields. In February, 1869. in company with his two brothers, he went to Kansas and took up pre-emption claim, remaining in the Sunflower state for four years and in Cedarville he built the first dwellings. That was an entirely new country and he had many exciting adven- tures with the Indians, at one time he and about twenty comrades being surrounded by five hundred red men. They finally, however, succeeded in making their es- cape without recourse to the force of arms but on other occasions Mr. Grant has had fights with the red-skins, in which several men have been killed. After four years' experience on the frontier he returned to the old homestead and continued to en- gage actively and successfully in farming
until his health became impaired and he removed to Warsaw on the 15th of July, 1888. He then purchased an eating- house from John Boscow, which he has enlarged and converted into a hotel, now known as the Grant Hotel, located on Main street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. The structure is eighty-one by seventy-two feet and contains thirty sleep- ings rooms and is a well equipped model property. In addition to his hotel prop- erty Mr. Grant now owns one hundred and six acres of the two-hundred-acre tract which was formerly his father's farm and which adjoins the first twenty acres which the father bought. The farm is located on section 7, Walker township, and is devoted to general agri- cultural purposes. In 1900 he built there- on a good residence of seven rooms and has erected barns and other farm build- ings. He has also re-fenced the place since it came into his possession and it is now a valuable and well improved property.
On the 23d of February. 1876, Mr. Grant was married to Miss Malissa Jane Sult, a daughter of Henry and Cynthia (Troutman) Sult. They have become the parents of five children: Harrison H .. now a merchant of Warsaw: Myrtle Pearl. Mary J., and Lula Jeanette, all at home : and Waunnetta Luciele, born Feb- ruary 22. 1906, and died September 5. 1906.
Mr. Grant is a member of Warsaw lodge. 1. O. O. F., and has passed all of the chairs in both the subordinate lodge and the encampment. He is likewise con- nected with the Rebekah lodge and has three times represented the local order
HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS
in the grand lodge. first in 1896, again in 1808 and a third time in 1902, showing that he is one of the most prominent. pop- ular and valued members of the organiza- tion. Politically he is a republican where national questions are involved but casts an independent local ballot. From pio- neer days he has been a witness of the growth and development of the county and has rejoiced in the changes which have marked the work of public progress and improvement. At the same time he has borne his part in the task of develop- ing the county and stands at all times firm in support of those interests which are a matter of civic virtue and of civic pride.
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