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 47
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In September. 1877. Mr. Thornber chose as a companion on life's journey Miss Flora B. Berdine, a native of Mar- shall county. Illinois, and a daughter of Jacob S. and Mary ( Randolph) Berdide. both natives of New Jersey, and the litt ter a daughter of Isaac Randolph Uinth our subject and his wife have bee bun four children: Grace, who was born August 11. 1878, is the wife of Harry 11 Martin, and they live on her father's farm. Frank was born October 20. Si an.1 married Grace Weber, and rosales 1 Rock Creek township Forte, bam os tober 24. 1888, is engaged in te ching
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school in Sonora township; Henry, born in January, 1880, died in August of the following year.
In his political views Mr. Thornber is a republican and served one year as high- way commissioner. He has never been active in politics, preferring to give his undivided attention to his own private interests. Although he inherited a por- tion of his property, he has worked hard in the improvement of this and in his work met with success so that he was able to add many more acres to his original holdings and is today accounted one of the prominent and prosperous farmers of his section of the county. He has spent the greater part of his life in the com- munity where he yet resides and has so lived as to win the respect and confidence of all with whom he has come in contact.
JOHN B. WORTHEN.
John B. Worthen, a leading merchant of Warsaw, owning and conducting a grocery store, was born in this city, Feb- ruary 4. 1855. a son of Amos H. and Sarah B. ( Kimball) Worthen. His father. the distinguished geologist and scientist. came to Warsaw in 1836, and in the public schools of this city the son, John B .. acquired his early education, which was supplemented by study in the State University, at Champaign. After com- pleting his education he went to Salt Lake City, where in 1872 and 1873. he was em- ployed as bookkeeper in a commercial
house. He then returned to Keokuk, Iowa, and accepted a clerical position at the depot of the Keokuk & Northwestern Railroad and remained there until 1876, when he went to Centerville. Iowa, as agent on the Minnesota, lowa & Nebraska Railroad. In 1878 he was agent at Hokah. Minnesota, for the Canadian Southern Railroad, where he remained until 1879. when he returned to Warsaw, and in partnership with W. B. Hill opened a grocery store. In 1881 Mr. Hill sold his interest to Charles K. Worthen and the firm name of Worthen Brothers was then assumed. In 1882. however. John B. Worthen purchased his brother's in- terest and since that time has conducted the business alone, having at the present time the largest grocery house in War- saw. He occupies a store building forty by seventy feet with a complete line of staple and fancy groceries and the extent of his stock is indicative of the growth of his trade, which is now very important and brings him a gratifying income.
In 1882 Mr. Worthen was married to Belle S. Connor, who was born in Luray. Missouri, in 1857. a daughter of Benja- min F. and Elizabeth (Lamb) Connor. They have five children: Ella E., born in 1883: Jeannette L .. in 1887: Marie, in 1891: Helen Eunice, in 1893: and John C .. in 1899. Mrs. Worthen and the fam- ily are members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Worthen affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, in which he has taken the de- grees of the blue lodge. chapter and com- mandery. For four years he acted as master of the lodge, has filled other offices therein and at this writing is treasurer. Having spent almost his entire life in his
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native city he has a wide acquaintance bridge he began his work. normal hit and his salient characteristics are such as have gained for him a position of prominence in public regard.
CHARLES K. WORTHEN.
Charles K. Worthen, who since 1867 has devoted the greater part of his life to scientific research and the collection of animals and birds for the various natural historical museums of this country and Europe, was born in Warsaw, Ilinois. September 6, 1850. He has a natural predilection for the tasks to which he is now devoting his energies, his inherited tendency coming to him from his father, AAmos H. Worthen, scientist and geolo- gist, who for many years stood as one of the foremost representatives of geolog- ical research in America. The son was educated in the public schools of Warsaw and of Springfield. the family removing to the latter city in 1858. In 1861, how- ever. they returned to Warsaw, and in 1867 Charles K. Worthen began the work of illustrating the geological reports pub- lished by his father. He devoted ten years to that task and then went to Bow- dloin College in Brunswick, Maine, where he illustrated Lieutenant Wheeler's Ex- pedition West of the One Hundredth Me- ridian under Professor Charles .A. White. Hle afterward went to the Cambridge ( Massachusetts) Museum of Compara- tive Zoology, where he became associated with Professor Louis Agassiz. illustrating the fishes and fish teeth of Illinois fos- sils. A part of the work was done for Professor Agassiz and part for the Illi- nois geological survey. While at Cam-
tory, which he has followed smee 10 time. his energies being dented thay along the line of natural history and tax idermy. He has supplied various 111 seums of this country and of Europe it 1 their animal and bird specimens, 1.og collectors in all parts of the world. - c curing material for his work. The solem tific knowledge along these lines is bros and comprehensive and his opinions are largely received as authority.
In May. 1873. Charles K. Worthen was married to Clara F. Waugh. a daugh- ter of John M. and Mary A. (Ellis) Waugh, who were natives of Rock Is- land. She was born in Waughtown, ad- jacent to Rock Island. June 15. 1855, and was educated in the school of Rock Is land and of Warsaw. accompanying her parents on their removal to the latter city in her early girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Worthen now have four children. Frank F., born March 10, 1874. is vice president of the O'Brien-Worthen Company, of Keokuk, Iowa, manufacturers of dental and surgical goods and supplies. He is a graduate of Washington University, at St. Louis, Missouri, and practiced dentistry in Warsaw for eight years. The other members of the family Are Bertha V .. who was born February 14. 1876. and died February 3. 1901: Vimee W .. born August 24. 1880; and Mibel R., born November 20. 1883
AMOS 11. WORTHIN
Amos II. Worthen, proprietor of grocery store in Warsaw, was born in Charlestown. Massachusetts, February
25
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BIOGRAPHICAL RET'IEII'
21. 1844, and was educated in the schools of Warsaw and of Springfield. Illinois. At the age of seventeen years he en- listed in August, 1861, as a member of the Seventh Missouri Cavalry and served until the 21st of November. 1864. when he was mustered out with the rank of first sergeant. He participated in the battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, Decem- ber 7. 1863. and was there captured and sent as a prisoner of war to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he remained for about two weeks, when he was paroled. Later he was exchanged and returned to his regiment. where he served until mustered out. After returning from the war in 1864 he made his home in Warsaw, where he filled the office of tax collector for a year. In 1867 he bought a farm of forty acres four miles south of Warsaw. where he engaged in raising grapes and fruit. his attention being devoted to horti- cultural pursuits until 1894. when he again took up his abode in Warsaw and clerked for his brother, J. B. Worthen, until 1904. In that year he purchased the store of Homer Schaefer and is now conducting a grocery house, carrying a complete line of staple and fancy gro- ceries and enjoying a good patronage.
On the 2d of May, 1867, Mr. Worthen was married to Miss Jennie M. Brown, a daughter of Peter Brown, of Indianapolis, Indiana. She was born August 10, 1846, and in her girlhood days came to War- siw ;. residing with her uncle, Isaac H. Brown, until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Amos IT. Worthen have six children. Bernard 11., born in 1869, is now a dealer in sporting goods at Atlanta, Georgia. Robert B. is proprietor of a restaurant at
Lake Arthur, Louisiana. Kate S. is the wife of Charles H. Bolte, of Cripple Creek. Colorado. Helen S. is conducting a millinery establishment at Cripple Creek. Hubbard B. is a painter at Boulder, Colorado, and Mary is assistant chief operator in the telephone office at Warsaw.
GEORGE COLUMBUS McCORD.
George Columbus McCord is the owner of valuable farming property in La Harpe township, where he owns and operates one hundred and eighty-two and a half acres, which was formerly the property of his father, and he is one of the re- spected and worthy citizens of Hancock county. His birth occurred on the farm which is now his home, February 22. 1845, a son of J. W. and Nancy ( Mani- fold) McCord. the former born in Over- ton county, Tennessee, July 1. 1815. The paternal grandfather, John McCord, lo- cated in Morgan county, Illinois, in 1830. but a year later took up his abode in Mc- Donough county, this state, where his death occurred. His wife bore the maid- en name of Mary Willard. The maternal grandparents of our subject. George and Mary ( Pursley) Manifold, became resi- dents of Hancock county in 1836, at which time they settled in La Harpe township, where the death of George Manifoldl occurred about one year later. J. W. McCord and Nancy Manifoldl were married in this county on the 15th of March. 1835, and at once began their
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H.INCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
domestic life in McDonough county, where the father operated a tract of land which he rented, and on which they made their home during the succeeding three years, subsequent to which time they came to La Harpe township, this county, where the father purchased forty acres' of land lying on section 20. As he pros- pered in his undertakings he added to his original holdings until he owned one hun- dred and eighty-two and a half acres all in La Harpe township, and in addition to this he owned a tract of ninety-four acres situated in Fountain Green township. He participated in the Mormon war of 1844. which resulted in the expulsion of this religious sect from this section of Illi- nois. He was a democrat in his political views, and cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren in 1836. He and his wife were both devoted members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The mother of our subject died October 8, 1899, while the father survived until April 9. 1901, when he, too, was called to his final rest.
George C. McCord, whose name intro- (luces this record. is the fourth in order of birth in a family of four sons and four daughters. He was reared to farm life in this county, assisting his father in the various tasks of carrying on general agricultural pursuits, and during his boy- hond and youth attended the common schools near his father's home. lle re- mained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty two years. when he started out in life on his own account, first going to MeDonough com- ty, where he bought a farm of eighty aeres situated in Hire township He later
ad led a tract of forty acres and had one of the finely improved farms of his por tion of the state. He continued to make his home here until 1893. when he dis posed of this property and bought the homestead property in Hancock county. which comprises one hundred and eighty- two and a half acres, to which he re moved, and here he has resided to the present time, his energies being devoted to general agricultural pursuits and the raising of stock. He has been very pro- gressive and practical in his work so that he has accomplished whatever he has un- dertaken and is now in possession of four hundred and twenty-one acres of valna- ble land partly in La Harpe township and partly in Fountain Green township.
Mr. McCord has been three times mar- rie.1. his first union being with Miss Ilu- nah Moore, their marriage being cele- brated in 1865. She was born in Terre Haute, Illinois, a daughter of James Moore, and by her marriage became the mother of one son. Arthur, who was born in 1867 and died in infancy. The mother passed away in March, 1808, and for his second wife Mr. McCord chose Amanda Murray, their marriage being celebrated in October. 1873. Her birth occurred at Lebanon, Kentucky, at daughter of Ben- jamin F. and Mary Elta ( Wilsem Mur ray, who were likewise natives of Ich- an m. The children of this marr ige afe Willis, who was born September + 15 and who married Daisy Dellaver In them were born two children. Fores come at home, and a son Eav, who hed 18 5 fancy. Her death occurred Vorrei Ler 8. 1902. and Willis MeCerd then welded Lea Barret, by whom he las e som
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Harry. Lula Etta McCord, born Janu- ary 1. 1877. is the wife of Joseph Cam- eron, a resident of Fountain Green town- ship. They have two children, Vernon and Mamie. Two of the children by Mr. McCord's second marriage died in in- fancy. Mr. McCord's second wife passed away February 22, 1882. For his third wife Mr. McCord chose Ellen C. Wilson, to whom he was married May 3. 1883. She was born in Hire township, McDon- ough county, this state, January 17, 1852, and was educated in the district schools near her home. She is a daughter of Thomas and Sallie ( Hungate) Wilson. natives of Kentucky, while her paternal grandparents were James and Nancy ( Dougherty) Wilson and William and Nancy (White) Hungate, respectively, all natives of the Blue Grass state. By the last marriage of Mr. McCord there have been born six children, of whom two are deceased. Herma Mahala, born May 15. 1884. was married January 25. 1905, to Joseph Freeman. Lloyd Elmer, born October 8, 1886, died August 6, 1896. Alpha M., born May 18, 1887, is with her parents. Fronia Hazel, the next member of the family, was born March 22, 1890. Wilson A., born June 14. 1892, died March 22. 1893. Elva Leona, the youngest. was born March 29. 1894.
In his political views Mr. McCord is a democrat but is not active in the work of the party, preferring to give his undi- vided attention to his business interests. which are quite extensive. Starting out in life on his own account he possessed a strong determination to succeed in the business world and with this end in view
worked diligently and energetically until he is now one of the prosperous represent- ative agriculturists of Hancock county. In his relations with his fellowmen he has commanded the respect of all and be- cause of his straightforward and honor- able dealing his success has been worth- ily won.
GEORGE BYRON WORTHEN.
George Byron Worthen is well known in Warsaw, being a representative of one of its prominent pioneer families and a na- tive son of the city. He was born June 30, 1837, his parents being Amos H. and Sarah B. (Kimball) Worthen. His fa- father for thirty years state geologist of Illinois, is mentioned on another page of this work. At the usual age George B. Worthen began his education in the pub- lic schools and when a youth of fifteen years learned the tinner's trade, which he followed through the succeeding decade. He then turned his attention to the culti- vation of a vineyard and fruit farm in Wilcox township, where he resided for thirty-seven years, being a very successful in that line of business. In 1901 he again took up his abode in Warsaw and is now living at the corner of Eighth and Clark streets, his activity and enterprise in for- mer years having brought him a compe- tence that now enables him to live retired.
On December 23. 1868. Mr. Worthen was married to Mrs. Mary 1. Death, nec Bedell. then the widow of Absalom Death. She is descended from an old colonial fam-
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ily. Her great-grandfather in the pater- mal line was in the Revolutionary war, and her Grandfather Bedell served in the war of 1812. The great-grandfather was a French Huguenot, and a man of much prominence. Mrs. Worthen was born in Warsaw, in 1839, a daughter of Edward A. and Elizabeth ( Montgomery ) Bedell. Her father's birth occurred in Syracuse. New York, in 1818, and her mother was born in Ireland in 1819). He came to Illi- nois when only eight years of age, arriv- ing in 1820, and eventually became one of the prominent and prosperous residents of Warsaw, where he followed merchan- dising and the real estate business, at one the owning nearly the entire town. Ile afterward went to Utah, where he was Indian agent at the time of his death. serving under appointment of President Franklin Pierce. He passed away in 1853. when on his way home from Utah. In politics he was a Douglas democrat, and was frequently a delegate to the conven- tions of his party, wielding a wide inth- ence in local political circles. His wife died at the home of her daughter in Ken- kuk. Iowa. in 1800, although she always made Warsaw her place of residence. She held membership in the Presbyterian church, while Mr. Bedell was a Methodist in religious faith. He was one of the most prominent residents of Warsaw for many years and wieldled a wide influence over public thought and action. In the family were seven
children : Mrs. Worthen: Helen, who died at the age of five years; Edward A .. who was a sol- dier of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Regiment and is now connected with the dispensary department at the Vet-
erans' Home m Colorado; Elizabeth Montgomery, the wife of Edmund 11 Jones, who resides at San Juan, Porto Rico; LaFayette, who died in childhood. Louis Peyton, of California; and Warren Ashley, who died in childhood. Mrs. Bedell lived in Fort Edwards which was located on a point in the northwest part of Warsaw, when she came to Hancock county in 1835. There was little else in the locality save this fort, which had been erected for protection against the Indians.
Mr. and Mrs. Worthen have become the parents of seven children, all born in this county, namely : Henry Knox. who died in infancy : Jesse M. a civil engineer liv- ing in Quincy, who married Luella New ell, and has a daughter. France- Lucile. now seven years of age : two children who died in infancy : George R., a successful attorney at law in lowa City, lowa, who married Etta Horstman, and has a dangh- ter, Mary Theye: Amos Henry, who died in infancy ; and Edmund Louis The last named is a graduate of the State Univer sity at Champaign, Illinois, and of Cor- nell College, and is now in the employ of the United States government. located at Washington, D. C. Mr. and Mrs. Worthen were playmates together in childhood days and are now spending the evening of life together, having traveled life's journey together as man and wife for almost forty years. Mr Worther I. prospered in his business undertakings and whatever success he has achieved is attributable entirely to hisown Ular- In politics he is a republican and has serve ] as the collector of Warsaw and . number of the school land in his township, but
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has never been ambitious for political hon- ors. The home which he and his wife oc- cupy was built in 1847, and is one of the old landmarks of the city. It was former- ly owned by Mrs. Worthen's mother after her father's death. Mr. and Mrs. Worthen spend much time in travel, largely passing the winter months in Porto Rico, Florida, Texas and other winter resorts. Their home contains many beautiful, rare and tasteful souvenirs of their trips, including a screen which is made of shells and was secured in Porto Rico, together with a set of hangings made of shells of the same kind.
DAVID MACK.
David Mack, deceased, was for many years a distinguished and able lawyer, practicing at the Carthage bar, and his ability in his profession, his devotion to and co-operation in matters of public progress and citizenship and his genuine personal worth endeared him to so large a percentage of the people of this city and county that his death came as a per- sonal bereavement to the great majority. He was born in Adams county, Penn- sylvania, May 15. 1817, his parents be- ing Alexander and Susanna (Fisher) Mack, also of Adams county. The fa- ther was the owner of a large farm in Pennsylvania and he came to the west when seventy-six years of age. In the family were seven sons and three daugh- ters.
David Mack was a self-made man, who
depended upon his own resources for his education as well as the material things of life. He remained with his father until seventeen years of age, working at farm labor. One day, however, he tied his horse and plow to the fence and said, "Father, I am going to college. I have plowed my last row." The father thought he must have been affected by the heat of the sun and made that state- ment, but the young man replied, "No, I am going tonight." He had thought the matter over carefully and earnestly and carried out his plan by at once entering Miami College in Ohio. He made a state- ment to the president of his financial con- dition and also of his ambition to piir- sne a collegiate course, and arrangements were made whereby he was able to teach in the summer seasons and attend col- lege in the winter months. This he did until he had completed the course in Mi- ami College by graduation. Much of the elemental strength of his character was thus shown forth and as the years passed he developed his latent energies and tal- ents and added to his ability by research, investigation and broad reading.
In 1846 Mr. Mack made his way to Springfield, Illinois, to study law and was there graduated, as was his son a number of years afterward. In 1848 he came to Carthage, where he afterward entered into partnership with Bryant T. Scofieldl. a connection that was continued for a minber of years. He was at different times a partner of Mr. Peterson, Henry Draper and William Baird and later ad- mitted his son. Judge Mack, to a partner- ship. The favorable opinion which the public passed upon him at the outset of .
HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINO!
his career was in no degree set aside or modified as the years went by, but on the contrary was strengthened as he gave evidence of his ability to handle intricate litigated interests. Ile won notable vic- tories before court or jury and the rec ords give evidence of his connection with most of the important litigation tried in the courts of his district.
On the ioth of March, 1851. Mr. Mack was united in marriage to Miss Augusta Ulrich, who was born on the Hudson river, at Fishkill, New York, on the 27th of November, 1824. a daughter of Louis and Henrietta (Von Reisenkampff) U1- rich. The father died at the home on the Hudson river, where Mrs. Mack was born, when she was fifteen years of age. lle was the owner of a large manufactur- - ing plant there and was a very prominent and influential business man. In the family were eight children, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Mack and her brother, E. R. Ul- rich, who is now living in Springfield. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mack were born five children, of whom four are yet living: Anna became the wife of William Simms Knight, a Presbyte- rian minister, who died in 1906. She is now living in Carthage, Missouri, and has three children. Augusta, Ellen and Da- vid. Henrietta Mack, who resides at home. David E. Mack married Miss El- len Carey and with their son Edward yet reside in Carthage. Susanna is the wife of John Firey, a wholesale druggist of Aberdeen, South Dakota, and they have two children, Carl and Margaret.
Mr. Mack gave his early political alle- giance to the democracy and after the
war became a stalwart rep illi 1 Would never accept any political office although many have been proffered hit He held membership in the Presbyterian church, to which his wife not help. and in which he served as an offer for many years, taking an active and helpful part in church work In his early yours he was a Mason and at all times he w. a conscientious and upright man and an enterprising and prominent citizen worse efforts in behalf of public progress were far-reaching and beneficial. Ile was honored and respected by all and deep regret was felt when his hfe work was ended on the 20th of September. 1897. Mrs. Mack still survives her hits band and occupies the old and beautiful home which he built some years prior to his death. She is a cultured and intelli gent woman, greatly admired In those who know her as she bears her eighty two years lightly.
David Mack was afflicted with near- sighted eyes, and for this reason he was unable to join the ranks of the defenders of the Union during the Civil war, but gave his attention and money to assist the widows and orphans, to which man now living in Carthage can testify.
JAMES BRIDE
James Bride is now the owner of what is known as the old Bride h meste merly in possession of h's father wal which he received the high inheritance He
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was born in St. Albans township, this county, May 28. 1848. a son of Samuel and Esther J. (Dyer) Bride, both of whom were natives of Rutland, Vermont, the former born January 4. 1810, and the latter in October, 1812. The paternal grandfather. William Bride, was a native of Scotland. and married Miss Scripture, who was likewise born in the land of hills and heather. The maternal grandfather was Jonathan Dyer, a native of Vermont. The marriage of Samuel Bride and Esther J. Dyer was celebrated in the Green Moun- tain state in 1835, and a year later they started with teams for Illinois, traveling across the country by slow stages, often camping by the roadside at night and thus they made their way across the prairies and through the forests until they at length reached Hancock county. They located in St. Albans township, where Mr. Bride purchased a tract of raw prairie land upon which he established his home and began the development of a farm. In 1841. however, he sold that property and removed to Wythe township, purchasing one hundred and sixty acres on section 21. This was all open prairie land. not a furrow having been turned nor an im- provement made upon the place, but he at once began to fence his property, erect- ing buildings and breaking the prairie. lle turned the sod on many an acre. dropped the seed. and in due course of time gathered good harvests. He contin- uously and successfully engaged in gen- cral farming until 1871, when he retired from active agricultural pursuits and pur- chased a residence and about fifteen acres of land in Warsaw .. He then gave his at- tention to the further development and im-
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