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 50

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 50

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GEORGE C. LACROIX.

George C. LaCroix is a representative farmer of Appannose, his native township. He was born on section 32. his natal day being September 20, 18448. His parents were Andrew and Chloe Ann ( Osborn ) LaCroix, the former a native of France, and the latter of Bainbridge. Ohio. By a former marriage to a Mr. Henry. Mrs. LaCroix had two daughters: Josephine. now deceased: and Adelaide, the wife of Leonard Hobbs, of Nauvoo. In 18H. Andrew LaCroix came to Nauvoo. Ile had one son by his first marriage. Isaac LaCroix, who died in the army in 1864. He was married a second time in Rush- ville. Schuyler county, Ilinois. Follow-

ing his arrival in Namvon he purchase. seventy-six acres of section 32. Spa noose township, and later his wife bought ten acres adjoining. He began building a house but had only completed it to the first story, when, in 1850, he started jup California, traveling across the plans with teams. He spent two years on the Pacific coast and then returned by way of the isthmus route to New Orleans. In that city he contracted a cold which caused his death April 31. 1853. 1le brought back with him twenty-two hun dred dollars as the result of his two years' labor in the Golden state. His wife sur- vived him for more than two decades and passed away July 31. 1875.

George C. LaCroix was the younger of two sons, his brother being James La Croix, of Los Angeles, California. George C. LaCroix remained with his mother on the old homestead until her death and then bought the interest of the other heirs in the property, to which he has since added sixty-six acres all on section 32. Appanoove township. He now has one hundred and ten acres in the home place and forty acres on the northeast corner of the same section, to gether with ten acres of timber on section 22. Appancose township. A house. . Story and a half construction of eight rooms, was built by his father, and to this Mr. LaCroix has made auditions. converting it into a good modern lemie He carries on general farming a | sich raising and is careful m the non igernemo of his business interests, which ale se- salling profitably to him His fant is an old historie place in Timeck & willy for the battle with the Medsun's pool

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BIOGRAPHICAL RET'IEN

place right in front of his house and the father witnessed the engagement from the housetop.

On the 23d of March. 1871, Mr. La- Croix was married to Miss Caroline Rent- schler. a native of Nauvoo, and a daugh- ter of John M. and Annie ( Snearlery) Rentschler, natives of Wurtemberg. Ger- many. In their family were four chil- dren, who are yet living, while the family record is as follows: Christ. a resident of California: John, who died in Colo- rado. in September. 1895, leaving a wife and five children: George, who died March 30. 1903. in Corning, Arkansas: Fred, of Denver. Colorado, who is mar- ried and has two children ; Mrs. LaCroix : and Anne and Sophia, twins. The former is the wife of William Webber, and the latter is the widow of George Bressler. of Breckenridge. Colorado.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. LaCroix was blessed with three sons and three daughters. Chloe Adelaide, born Octo- ber 5. 1872, was married December 25. 1005. to Charles Smith, of Cripple Creek. Colorado. Harry A .. born September 10. 1874. married Grace McCullom in December, 1905. Minnie E., who was born December 14. 1876, was married February 11. 1902, to Ed Ainsworth, of Mason City, Illinois. Fred C., born May 8. 1882. resides in Cripple Creek, Colo- rado. Jesse Raymond, born August 17. 1887. and Mildred Helen. December 25. 1802. are at home.

Mr. LaCroix exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the democracy, and in his frateral re- lations he is a Mason, who exemplifies in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft,

which is based upon mutual helpfulness and brotherly kindness. He has always lived upon the old homestead and the les- sons of industry and integrity which he learned in his youth have been carefully followed and have made him a prosperous and honored business man and farmer of Appanoose township.

ROBERT L. CARLTON.

Robert L. Carlton, proprietor of a re- taurant in Carthage, his business making him a foremost representative of this line of commercial activity, was born in Car- thage. September 9, 1868, his parents be- ing George W. and Nancy ( Boyles) Carlton, natives of Maryland and Penn- sylvania respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and removed from Kentucky to Woodville, Illinois, in the vear 1840. There he followed farming for a number of years and in 1851 came to Carthage, Hancock county. Soon aft -. erward he settled upon a farm near the city, on which he made maany substantial improvements, but this farm has now been cut up into town lots. He died in the year 1896 and his wife survived until February, 1905. both being buried in Moss Ridge cemetery. Her brother. Archibald Boyles, served throughout the Civil War with the Union army and was with Sher- man on the celebrated march to the sea and also participated in the grand review in Washington, D. C. Unto George Carl- ton by his first wife there were born five

HANCOCK COUNTY ILLINOIS

children, four of whom are living: A. I. farms, where he engaged in die of a resident of Carthage; Susan, the wite of John T. Davis: O. P., : and Marietta. the wife of Thomas W. Davis. All are living in Carthage. Mr. Carlton's second wife was the mother of our subject and in their family were ten children, of whom eight are living: George E .. who resides in the state of Washington; Edward, of Galesburg. Illinois: Eliza, the wife of J. 11. McQuary, of Monett, Missouri ; Alice. the wife of Richard MeCrelias, of Car thage, Illinois: William H., of Monett. Missouri: Robert L .: Minerva E .. the wife of Charles .A. Starkey : and Richard B. Carlten, whose home is in Keokuk. lowa. One son of the family. O. P. Carl- ion, served during the latter part of the Civil war.

Robert 1 .. Carlton at the usual age en- tered the public schools and therein con- tinued his studies until he was well equipped for life's practical and responsi- ble duties. Ile resided upon his father's farm until twenty years of age, when he was married. It was in March, 1888. that he wedded Miss Ella Smith, a native of this county and a daughter of John Smith, who was a carpenter by trade but has Been dead for many years. Her moth- er has also passed away and both were buried in Oak Grove cemetery. Their seven living children are: Henry, a resi- dent of Oklahoma: Sylvester, who is liv- ing in Carthage: A. B., residing in this city : Edward, of Oklahoma: Homer, of Missouri: Mrs. Carlton; and Emma. the wife of Harvey Ellington, of Keokuk. Towa.

Following his marriage Mr. Carlton lived for nine years on one of his father's

cultural pursuits and stock rats g and business activity and circul mal gallen constitute the last of a very gratified necess. In t&os he was called upp il ty mourn the loss of his wife. wl de the 5th of January of that year and we laid to rest in Mos Ridge cemetery. She was a devoted member of the Christian church, was a kind friend, a good neigh lor and a devoted and loving wife and mother. She left two children. Hazel I. and Claude, aged respectively fourteen and eleven years and now students in the public schools. In February, 1900. Mr. Carlton was married to Miss Vola J. Mos les, who was born in Hancock township and is a daughter of Samnel and Mar- garet (Gilson) Mosley. The father is a farmer of Hancock county and is an advo cate of the democracy. In the family are seven living children : Arthur. who makes his home in this county: Taylor. Luther, both of Carthage: Mrs. Vila Carlton : Ida, the wife of Homer Nelson. of Fountain Green, Illinois : Lawrence. why is with his father in Hancock town ship: and Dena, at home with her parents

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs, Carlton has been blessed with four children . Filith. five years of age : Kenneth and Ruth, . ged respectively four and two years; and Leh less than a year old. Since 1000 Mr I'm ton has been engaged in the rest. mol business on Main street and los a Lige patronage than any other merelent mit is line in the city. He serves regular mente and lunches, ice cream and ade wale and his establishment is a in write resort with those who have patronage to bestill His close application to h's business and

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his earnest desire to please his patrons have been strong elements in his growing trade. He votes with the democracy and fraternally is connected with the Knights of Pythias and with the Modern Wood- men. His wife is a sincere member of the Christian church. They occupy his father's old home place, which he pur- chased and which is situated on Wabash avenue. Mr. Carlton is a jovial. pleasant gentleman of good principles, affable in manner and friendly in disposition and both he and his wife are popular in the community.

JOHN E. COCHRAN.

John E. Cochran, a highly respected farmer of Wythe township. is numbered among the residents that Pennsylvania has furnished to Hancock county. He was born in Westmoreland county. of the Keystone state. September 9. 1841. a son of James and Nancy ( Elder ) Cochran, who were also born in that county. His paternal grandfather. John Cochran, was a native of Fayette county, Pennsylva- nia. while the maternal grandparents. John and Sarah ( Rose ) Elder, were na- tives of Pennsylvania, but were of Eng- lish lineage, the family having been es- tablished in Pennsylvania at an early day. James Cochran, father of our sub- jeet, followed the occupation of farming and conducted salt works in Pennsylva- nia for many years, Int at length, attract- ed by the opportunities of the new and

growing west, he came to Hancock coun- ty, arriving in Bear Creek township, on the 14th of November, 1862. There he lived for eighteen years and became the owner of a valuable farm of three hun- dred and twenty acres of prairie and tim- ber land. It was unimproved when it came into his possession, but he placed it under a high state of cultivation, devel- oping an excellent farm property. As his son, John E. Cochran, was the eldest of the family, much of the work devolved upon him. In 1870 the parents removed to Wythe township, where they purchased one hundred and forty acres of land on section 16, and thereon made their home until called to their final rest. The fa- ther died on the 14th of August. 1895. while his wife survived until the 2d of November. 1900. They were most high- ly esteemed people ,and during the long years of their residence in this county won the friendship and high regard of many with whom they were brought in contact. In their family were five sons and two daughters.

John E. Cochran, the eldest, spent his youth in Pennsylvania and acquired a dis- trict school education there. He was a young man of about twenty-one years at the time of the removal of the family to Illinois, and he did much of the arduous work connected with the development of a new farm, turning the first furrows on many an acre. At length he began farm- ing on his own account and eventually he traded a sixty-acre farm as partial payment for a tract of two hundred and forty acres. He lived upon the latter place until 1882, when he came to Wythe township and bought one hundred and

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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

sixty acres on section 22. the purchase price being nine thousand dollars. Hle sold his first place in 1887 for seven thou- sand dollars, and in the spring of 1900 it was sold for nineteen thousand. On re- moving to his present property Mr. Coch- ran at once began its further cultivation and development. He had dug a forty- foot well, which is the finest in the town- ship. Ile now has twenty feet of water in the well and has erected in connection therewith a windmill. He has also built a two-story frame residence of eight rooms with cellar of cement sides and floor. He has also installed an acetylene gas lighting plant and altogether has one of the most modern and attractive homes of this part of the county. He has like- wise built a large barn forty by sixty feet with twenty-four-foot posts, and it has capacity for two thousand bushels of corn. He has a nice house, carriage sheds and various other buildings upon his farm, and altogether it is a model prop- erty, lacking in none of the equipments and accessories known to the best farms of the twentieth century. There is a fine apple orchard and everything about the place indicates the careful supervision of the owner through its neat and thrifty appearance.

On the 7th of March. 1867, Mr. Coch- ran was married to Miss Rachel Moore. who was born 'about a mile and a half north of Basco in Bear Creek township. Her parents. Andrew and Abigail ( Tweed) Moore, were natives of Dela- ware, and in 1835 became residents of Bear Creek township, where the father purchased and improved one hundred and sixty acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. Coch-

ran have become the parents of seven chi - dren, but only one is now living. Nesten Jis of Wythe township, who was beth in Bear Creek township. August 4. 1808 The others-Ehner, Harry, Annic. Nu - nie. Jessie and Charles all died 11 m fancy. Mr. Cochran is a republican in his political allegiance and his religieus foth is indicated by his membership m lie Presbyterian church. He has always been deeply interested in the subject of agriculture and in anything pertaining to progress along that line and has not only been a follower but a leader in the work of general improvement in farm life in Hancock county. His own pro- gressive spirit is indicated in the splen- did appearance of his place and his fine farm is the just reward of his life of in- tense and well directed activity.

REASON A. NELSON.

Reason A. Nelson, of La larpe, is an extensive landowner, having seven him dred acres in Illinois besides valuable property elsewhere. He was born near Pittsfield, Pike county, Illinois, January 26. 1846. His paternal grandfather. Elisha Nelson, was a native of Ireland del after coming to the new world settled Ohio. His son, George ( Nel nl. W. born about ten miles from cedi . 0 6. March 28, 1825, and when but sefer te years of age was married to Chanhte Carnes, who was hast in the same cality. They became the parents of life

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children, of whom three are still living, the second being the subject of this re- view. The wife and mother, however. passed away in 1850 and in 1853 George C. Nelson married Sarah A. Irving, who was born in Harrison county, Ohio. No- vember 12. 1833. Her paternal grand- parents were James and Elizabeth ( Barnes ) Irving, both of whom were na- tives of Maryland. Her father, James Irving, was born in Harrison county, Ohio. and having arrived at years of maturity was married to Martha Dun- ham. also a native of that county and a daughter of William and Mary ( Chauncey ) Dunham, natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. James Irving lived upon a farm in Ohio until 1844. when he sold his property there and removed to Pike county, Illinois. There he purchased a tract of land upon which he lived until his death about two years later. It was in 1853 that his daughter Sarah Ann be- came the wife of George C. Nelson, then of Henderson county, Illinois. At the time of his first marriage Mr. Nelson was but seventeen years of age and for four years thereafter he continued to work for his father. When he attained his majority he was the owner of two steers costing thirteen dollars and a half. which he had carned through extra labor. Continuing to work hard and saving his earnings, he was at length enabled to pur- chase forty acres of land in Pike county. Illinois, which he tilled with one horse and an ox. In 1854 he sold out and re- moved to Henderson county, where he purchased a half section of farm land and ten acres of timber, paying one half down and the balance on time. After

that change he met with success and be- came one of the most extensive landown- ers of the state, having about three thousand acres. He was also the owner of one hundred and fifty head of blooded horses and many head of cattle, sheep and hogs and was thus one of the leading stock-raisers as well as large landowners of Henderson county. He continued ac- tively in business until his death, which occurred November 1. 1894. The chil- dren of the second marriage are: Wil- liam S., born November 12, 1854: Charles H. : Elmer R. : Grace M., the wife of Andrew James, of La Harpe. Illinois : Bessie S., who became the wife of Ernest Hull and died August 30, 1905: and Quinton Ward. There were also six children who died in infancy. The spring following the death of Mr. Nelson his widow and the children removed to La Harpe, where she is now residing.

Reason A. Nelson acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of Henderson county, Illinois, and was reared to the occupation of farming. He remained under the parental roof and assisted in the work of field and meadow until 1871, or for a year after his marriage, when he rented one of his father's farms, consist- ing of two hundred acres. He then re- moved to that place, whereon he remained for three years, when he rented two hun- dred and eighty-five acres near Terre Haute. Illinois. This he continued to lease for eight years at a rental of one thousand dollars per year and at the end of that time he bought the farm for sixty- two and a half dollars per acre. The west half of Terre Haute comprised a part of his original farm. After selling

HANCOCK (((AT). ILLINOIS

that tract for city lots he bought eighty acres lying west of the north half of his first purchase and later he added six and a half acres adjoining on which stood at house, barn and other good farm build- ings. As the years passed he has pros pered through his judicious investment. through his careful management of his business affairs and through his unremit- ting diligence, so that when the La Harpe district fair was established he was able to loan five thousand dollars towards its promotion. He has continued adding to his property until he now owns seven hundred and twenty acres of farm land in Illinois, together with city property, and he also has an interest of one hundred and sixty acres in Kansas, About 1900 he bought eighty acres of land in Henderson county, for which he paid six thousand dollars, and after stocking it with every- thing necessary for a complete farm he presented it to his eldest son, who lived there for about two years, when he sold the property for seven thousand dollars and removed to La Harpe.

On the 29th of October. 1870. Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Susan R. Ruckman, who was born in Newark, New Jersey. November 25. 1840. a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ruckman and the fourth of a family of eight children. About 1864 her mother and stepfather removed to Hancock county. settling near La Harpe, and later they took up their abode at Bloomfield. lowa, where Mrs. Nelson was living at the time of her marriage. This union was blessed with eight children, four sons and four daughters, but three of the num- ber died in infancy. Those still living who know them

are: Mr- Jerusha M Bc han. Terre Haute, Ilmon, wo wo te September, 1820; Le Ro. 1 6 born in August, 187, and Is not & llarpe : Mrs. Maude F. Kerr, who born in March, 1881, and Ines . | Harpe township: George ( . Why we born January 4, 1884, and is also n box Harpe: and Mrs. Charlotte Elston, ale was born March 11, 1880, and is 1 1 01 the old home place at Terre Haute, 11: nois. Mrs. Nelson departed this life June 5. 1904. In May, 1904. the family had removed to La Harpe, where a month later Mrs. Nelson died Mr. Nelson Is since resided in La Harpe, from which town he superintends his business inter- ests. His eldest son, after selling the farm which was a gift from his father, clerked for two years in a grocery store warned by his uncle in La Harpe and then bought a third interest in the Reef Clothing Company in this place. He also own a third interest in a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in lowa.

Mr. Nelson votes with the Republican party and fraternally is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellow, and the Rebekah lodge. This entire hic has been passed in Illinois and for mun years he has resided in Hancock county. where his labors, directed by intelligence and sound judgment. have proven im portant factors in a very desirable success

The sons of Mr Nelson belong to the Independent Order of Gold Tellar . 80 all of his daughters being the Real lodge, and are also members of the Ven odist Episcopal church of 12 Hape od all are held in the highest escribe

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BIOGRAPHICAL REV'IEI'

JOHN HAIGH.

John Haigh, a pioneer farmer of Appa- noose township, where he owns two hun- dred and sixty acres of rich and produc- tive land situated on section 14, was born in Frankford, near Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, July 26. 1821, and comes of English lineage, his paternal grandfather having been born in Yorkshire, England. whence he removed to Pennsylvania in 1815, where he conducted a cotton manu- factory. His death there occurred in 1844. his wife having passed away many years previous. The subject of this sketch is a son of John and Mary Haigh, in whose family were four sons and two daughters, of whom our subject is the third in order of birth.

John Haigh, whose name introduces this review, was reared in the Keystone state, and was there educated in the common schools. When a small boy he assisted his father in a cotton mill, and later learned the trade of dressing morocco used for making ladies' shoes. being employed in this way for twelve or fifteen years. He was there married in 1841 to Miss Sarah Folcrod, who was born in Philadelphia. and her death occurred about a year after their marriage, leaving a son, Louis. On the 12th of February. 1846, Mr. Haigh was married a second time, his union be- ing with Miss Sarah Sheward, who was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, September 28. 1828, a daughter of War- rick and Aun Sheward. Following his marriage he lived in Philadelphia until 1853, when he went to Pittshing by rail. where he took passage on a steamer for Quincy, Illinois, where Mrs. Haigh's par-

ents were then living. After a very brief stay in that city they came to Hancock county, and made purchase of forty acres of land situated on section IS, Pontoosuc township, a portion of which had been cleared, while the remainder was covered with timber. This he cleared, placing his land under a high state of cultivation. On the. place was a log house, in which the family made their home for two years. He then removed to a farm in Appanoose township, to which he moved his log house. As the years passed by he pros- pered in his business affairs and was soon enabled to purchase more land, adding sixty acres. On this he erected a frame house containing three rooms, to which he has since added so that he now has a comfortable home supplied with every convenience. He has added to his landed possessions from time to time so that he now owns two hundred and sixty acres of rich prairie land. situated on section 14. Appanoose township. Here he is en- gaged in the work of general farming, and also raises cattle, horses, hogs and sheep. and finds this branch of his business a very profitable source of income. When he took possession of his property it was all wild and unimproved but he soon broke the prairie, placed his fields under cultiva- tion and added all of the buildings which are here found, so that he now has a model farm of the twentieth century.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Haigh have been born the following named: John, of Ap- panoose township: William. of Holt county. Nebraska: Annie, the wife of Wil- liam Seigrist, also residing in Appanoose township: Jennie. the wife of David R. Thornber, who now makes her home with

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parents: George, on the home farm; Tru man, of Los Angeles, California; Mary Emma, the wife of Nimrod Woody. of Los Angeles, California ; Rachel, the wife of Peter MeIntosh, of Alton, Oregon county, Missouri; Sherman, likewise a resident of Los Angeles : Morris, who died at the age of thirty two years : James, of Bogard, Missouri; and Benjamin, who died at the age of thirteen years. Louis. the son of the first marriage, resides at Niota, Illinois,

In politics Mr. Haigh is a republican but is not an active worker in the work of the party. While still a resident of the Keystone state he became a member of the Odd Fellows order and also of the Ameri- can Mechanics. When he located in Han- cock county much of the land was still un- claimed and uncultivated, and deer and wolves were still roaming over the prairies and through the forests, while prairie chickens, wild turkeys and other game was to he had in abundance. He has lived to see many changes here. the land having been reclaimed by the set- tlers and all modern improvements are here seen. His life has been quietly passed. and yet his record contains many lessons worthy of emulation, for he has been found persistent. active and honor- able in all life's relations, and having lived in this section of the state for more than a half century he has a wide and favorable acquaintance.

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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 50

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