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 55
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Royal Arch degree and he is well known in La Harpe as a man of many good traits of character, whose business success has been worthily achieved and honcrably won and now in possession of splendid prop- erty interests which yield him a good in- come he is living retired in one of the beautiful homes of La Harpe, surrounded by all of the comforts and many of the luxuries which go to make life worth living.
ANDREW KIRBY.
Andrew Kirby, conducting a real es- tate and loan agency business at Dallas City, was born near Lomax. in Hender- son county, Illinois. March 8, 1858. a son of Joseph and Jane (Swymer) Kir- by. The father was born June 8. 1822. on the eastern shore of Maryland, and the mother's birth occurred in Downing- ton. Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of February. 1822. Joseph Kirby was a farmer by occupation, and in 1838 removed to Henderson county. Illinois. where he engaged in tilling the soil until his death, with the exception of a period of four or five years spent in the mining regions of Califomia. He died June 19. 1879. and is still ,survived by his wife. who lives at the old home. In their fan- ily were four children, of whom two are living: Minerva, the wife of G. H. Mes- sick, who resides near Lomax, Illinois : and Andrew.
Having acquired his preliminary edu- cation in the public schools. Andrew Kir-
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
by afterward attended Denmark Academy in lowa and Elliott's Business College. at Burlington, Iowa. He afterward re- mained upon the home farm until he had attained his majority and subsequently engaged in farming on his own account in Henderson county until 1896. He was afterward engaged in the conduct of a meat market and grocery store for ser- eral years but had been connected to a greater or less extent with real estate op- erations and has recently opened a real estate office and loan agency, in which he has met with splendid success. His sales of land exceed the business of many an- other real estate dealer of the county and he is represented in various sections by agents selling Texas land. He has their- oughly acquainted himself with property values in Dallas City and Hancock com ty, as well as in the southwest, and has a large clientage, so that his annual sales of real estate are now extensive. lle is also conducting a loan agency and is en- gaged in the insurance business, repre- senting the following insurance com- panies: National of Hartford, the Fire Association of Philadelphia, and the Ger man Alliance, of New York, and he now writes a large amount of insurance annu- ally and has a good business in its various departments, his offices being pleasantiy located in the Byers Building on Oak street. He has laid out three additions to Dallas City, which he now owns. The first was laid out in the western part of the town in 1903, the second lies west of the first and was platted in 1904. and the third lies south of the first addition and was platted in 1906. This is being rap- prising qualities which are come
idly built up and his real estate operations are now extensive and profitable.
On the 23d of December, 1886, Mr. Kirby was married to Miss Hattie Helen Lowry, who was born in Lomax, Hender- som county, in 1808, a daughter of .l bert H. and Jennie Lowry, who still lives on a farm near Lomax. Her father was a soldier of the war of the rebellion, en- listing in an Illinois regiment, with which he was connected for a year, being sta tioned on the Rio Grande river. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry have three children: Fred. living in Williamsfield. Illinois; Mrs. Blanch White, a widow who makes her home with her parents; and Mrs. Kirby. Unto our subject and his wife have been born four children, all natives of Henderson county. Carl Raymond, who was born November 13. 188;, and is a student in the Dallas City high school: Guy, born August 5. 1891: Hugh, born in 1804: and llelen, in 1896. Mr. Kirby purchased the old Kallonosn mansion. which was later destroyed by fire, and he then erected a pretty, modern home in the western part of the town. In politics he is a republican and has twice served as as sessor of his township. He has also been at school director and is now secretary of the school board of Dallas City. Socially he is a Chapter Mason, and his wife is a member of the Congregational courel In their home is a good Library and a fine collection of various ores The home is one of culture and refinement a ! the members of the household occupy af el viable position in social order Kirby is ambitions, energetic ald ene
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tants to success and form a splendid basis upon which to build prosperity.
JAMES B. LEACH.
In a history of the pioneer residents of Hancock county it is commensurate that mention be made of James B. Leach. who is now living a retired life in the village of Augusta but who in former years was actively and prominently con- nected with business affairs and his life stands in exemplification of the fact that earnest purpose and unfaltering industry will bring a comfortable competence and gain simultaneously an honored name. He has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey and well merits the rest which he is enjoying. He was born in Mason county. Kentucky, Novem- ber 2, 1828. a son of Thomas and Docia Ann (Davis) Leach, the former a na- tive of Virginia and the latter of Ken- tucky. They were married in the Blue Grass state and throughout the greater part of his active business life the father engaged in farming but during his last three or four years he operated a coal bank within a mile and a half of Augusta. He died at the age of sixty-five years and twenty-two days, passing away March 9, 1864, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which he was a devoted and loval member. His early political alle- giance was given to the democracy but later he joined the ranks of the Repub- lican party. His wife. long surviving him, passed away in 1892, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. The remains
of both were interred in Augusta ceme- tery. In the family of this worthy couple were eleven children, four of whom are yet living, namely: James B., of this review : Mary, the wife of Thomas E. B. Rice, of California: Orange, who is a plasterer and brick mason of Augusta; and Alice J., who makes her home with her elder brother.
James B. Leach remained in Kentucky until eight years of age, when he came to Illinois with his grandfather. Benja- min Davis, who settled in Schuyler county near Camden, where Mr. Leach remained for five years. His father, hav- ing come to the west, he then removed with him to Augusta, Illinois, but in the meantime had spent four years with his father upon the farm in Schuyler county. at the end of which time their home was established in close proximity to the vil- lage of Augusta. He started out in life on his own account when twenty-one years of age and for a year was employed on a farm in Sangamon county this state, after which he spent two years at farm labor in Adams county, whence he re- moved to Hancock county and worked on a farm near the village of Augusta for some time. Later he began learning the trade of a painter and paper-hanger under James Cooper and continued his active connection with that department of industrial labor until he put aside busi- ness cares.
Mr. Leach was married October 7. 1856. to Miss Mary M. Rice, who was born in Adams county, Illinois, and is a daughter of David Il. and Clarinda ( Wilson) Rice, who were early settlers of that county. Her father followed
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
farming during the greater part of his hie but after removing from AAdams county to Augusta he carried on blacksmithing. his death occurring in this village when he was seventy-two years of age. His wife passed away here some years before. One of their sons, Henry 11. Rice, is a harness- maker, residing in Augusta. Mrs. L.each was a devoted member of the Methodist church and took an active and helpful part in its work. Iler life was at all times characterized by an earnest Christian spirit and devotion to the right and she performed many deeds of kindness and acts of charity for those less fortunate than herself. She died in Augusta. Feb- ruary 9. 1804, and her remains were in- terred in the Augusta cemetery. In the family were three children, two of whom died in infancy: Carrie May and Lu- ther L., who were the youngest and oklest respectively. One daughter. Fannie B .. became the wife of James H. Coffman. present postmaster of Augusta and died at the age of thirty-five years. The chil- dren of this family were all born in .Att- gusta in the house which Mr. Leach yet occupies.
In his religious views he is a Metho- dist and his political support is given to the Republican party. He has never been active as a politician in the sense of office-seeking yet served for five years as collector of the village. He has been a witness of nearly all of the improve- ments which have been made in Hancock county and has watched its development from a wild prairie to a highly cultivated farming district with here and there thris - ing towns and cities. He has done his full share to bring about this desired re-
sult and is classed attend the pioneer residents who m along hi hi ever deserved and commadel the respe and good will of all with whom be h. come in contact .
ISAAC FRANKLIN LANDIS.
Isaac Franklin Landis, a prominent and influential factor of Hancock county, has been engaged in various commercial and industrial enterprises of this portion of the state, and is now engaged in general agricultural pursuits in La Harpe town- ship. where he conducts a large farm ou section 26. His birth occurred in this township. August 12. 1844. and with the exception of a brief period spent in Mis souri. has always resided in this state. His paternal grandparents. Joseph and Eliza- beth ( Kline) Landis, were both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and in 1842 removed to Hancock county. thus becoming pioneer settlers of this portion of the state, where they entered land from the government and engaged in farming. and here they spent their remaining days. The maternal grandparents, Isaac and Ilester Ann Funk, were likewise natives of the Keystone state, their births having occurred in Bucks county, that state Like the Landis family, they, too, became num bered among the early settlers of Hancock county and here passed away The pir ents of our subject. Jacob and Mary (Funk) Landis, accompanied their re spective parents to Hancock county from the east. and were here marriel in i83. after which they took up the " glade .
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BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEII"
a tract of forty acres which the father had purchased. this being located on sec- tion 35. It was covered with timber and brush when he made the purchase but with characteristic energy Jacob Landis undertook the work of development and in course of time had cleared his land and placed the fields under a high state of cul- tivation. After about ten years here passed. the family removed to Nauvoo, where for three years the father conduct- ed a stone quarry and lime kiln, and on the expiration of that period he again resumed farming operations on a tract of land of forty-two acres which he had purchased. this being in the same neigh- borhood where he had formerly lived. In addition to his farming operations he also conducted a stone quarry and lime kiln until the fall of 1860. at which time he took up his abode in the city of La Harpe. Watching with interest the great questions which were then affecting the nation, and heeding the call for troops at the outbreak of the Civil war, he enlist- ed as a member of the Fiftieth Illinois In- fantry, and at once went to the front. where he lost his life in the battle of Fort Donelson, February 16, 1863, and his re- mains were interred at Nashville. Ten- nessee. Ile had also served in the Semi- nole war in Florida, and was thus a loyal patriot of his country. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Landis were born eight children, of whom our subject is the eldest, the others being in order of birth : Joseph, who died March 16, 1902, at the age of fifty-seven years: Hester A .. the wife of Martin Ruckman, of Denver, Missouri : Catherine, who died at the age of two years; Amanda, now the wife of
O. McDonald, a resident of La Harpe; Hannah, the wife of Smith Wade, a resi- dent of La Harpe; Elizabeth, the widow of Asbury Evans, and a resident of Nel- son, Nebraska; and Dora, the wife of Michael Collins, and a resident of La Harpe. After the death of the father the mother was married a second time, her union being with Louis Long, and her death occurred January 4, 1887.
Isaac F. Landis pursued his studies in the Maynard district school near his fa- ther's home and spent his boyhood and youth under the parental roof. remaining with his mother after his father's death until the time of his marriage. August I. 1869. when he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey, Miss Frances Finett Leaving's, a native of Warren county, this state, where she ac- quired her education in the district schools of that section and also in Foun- tain Green township. Her maternal grandfather. Benamin Gates, was born in New York, served in the war of 1812 and located in Hancock county about 1832. Her paternal grandparents, John D. and Abigail (Brown) Leaving's, were natives of Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, New York, and the latter lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and two years. Her parents. John D. and Minerva E. (Gates) Leavings, were born in Chautau- qua county, New York, the former Octo- ber 12, ISII, and the latter January 30. 1822. They accompanied their respective parents from the cast to Hancock county. the former arriving about 1832. and in this county they were married, the wed- ding ceremony being performed on the IIth of November. 1841. at Carthage.
ILINCOOK COUNTY ILLINOIS
The father had learned the cabinet-mak- er's trade in the east but never followed that business after his arrival in Hancock county. He followed general agricul- tural pursuits in various sections of this county until 1888, when he removed to La Harpe, where he purchased property and lived retired until his death, June -4. 1891, when he had reached the age of eighty years. His wife survived until February 16, 1901, when she, too, was called to her final rest, having reached the age of seventy-nine years. Thus passed away a highly esteemed couple of this section of the state. In their family were three sons and five daughters, of whom one son and two daughters survive: My- ron .A .. born September 4. 1843. died Sep- tember 5. 1897: Harriett C .. who was born September 6. 1845. and passed away February 2. 1847: Lorenzo E., who was horn October 6. 1849. and died January 8. 1876; Frances Finett, who was born April 20. 1850, and is now the wife of our sub- ject : Seth Gates, who was born January 2. 1852, and resides in Monroe county. Missouri: Rosa Bell, who was born Sep- tember 22, 1855. and died July 16, 1800: Lois Nora, who was born July 8. 1858. and died January 22, 1859; and Minnie Ella, who was born October 22, 1860, and is now the wife of T. G. Head, a resident of Idaho.
Following his marriage Mr. Landis lo- cated on a farm in La Harpe township. but a year later removed to Fountain Green township, where he continued in the same line of pursuits for ten years and then took up his abode in the city of La Harpe, where he dealt in grain and stock until 1885. meeting with very desirable
success in this business ventile the net more resumed farming operation , hvis on different farms which he bought u this and in Henderson counties until 1802. when he once more removed to 1. Harpe and engaged in the butcher hu mes. com ducting a meat market there for four years, when he disposed of Ing business there and removed to Lancaster, Missouri. where he engaged in the same line of trade for a short time and again returned to this county, taking up his abode in La Harpe where he engaged in the live stock Isi- ness, buying and shipping several car- loads of stock annually. In rooo he dis- posed of all his busines interests and real estate and removed to the farm of Wil- liam Comstock, the place constituting the hundred and thirty acres, and being lo- cated on section 20. La Harpe township. Here he has since resided and is engaged in general farming, his labors bringing him very gratifying returns. For the past twenty-three years he has conducted a threshing machine, being the first man to own a traction engine in Hancock county He is thoroughly familiar with the du ties of a thresher and in this connection is employed by farmers all over the coun ty. He likewise continues as a dealer In live stock, and each year handles a large amount of stock, which he ships to the city markets. It will thus be seen that he has not confined his energies to any one line but his ability and sound judgment er able him to carry on successfully The varied business interests, thus placing fom among the foremost and influential in tons of his community. I les petites views and affiliations Mr 1. 110 - 18 . 00 publican, and his co operation am that
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEWI'
be counted upon to further any movement which tends to advance the general inter- ests of his locality. He has taken an ac- tive and beneficial interest in public affairs and being popular among his fellow townsmen has been called to fill a number of offices, having served as road commis- sioner, as assessor for fifteen terms, as alderman of La Harpe, and for two terms he acted as mayor of the city. the duties of which he has always discharged with capability and fidelity to every trust re- posed in him. In the spring of 1906 he was elected supervisor of his township and as the present incumbent is loyal to the best interests of the general public. He is a member of the Masonic order, belong- ing to La Harpe lodge, No. 195.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born two sons and three daughters, of whom the eldest is deceased: Vernon Denison, who was born May 23. 1870, and died January 3. 1897; Lottie Helen, who was born April 3. 1876, and is now the wife of Charles Maynard, a resident of Henderson county : Hattie Ellen, twin sister of Lottie H .. who is now the wife of Asa Bennington, a contractor and builder of buildings and bridges, and a resident of La Harpe : Minnie Emma, who was born October 19, 1880, and is now the wife of Willis Hazelwood. of Hen- derson county : and Quinton Herbert. who was born May 14, 1882, and is at home.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN BLACK.
Benjamin Franklin Black, whose name is on the roll of Hancock county's honored
dead, was considered to have been one of the most prominent residents of Dallas City, and the extent and importance of his business interests were a most prominent factor in the commercial development and prosperity of the town. Because of this and also by reason of many other excel- lent traits of character, his life was one of signal usefulness and benefit to his fellow- men, and to his family he left not only a handsome competence, but also an untar- nished name. For many years his name was recognized as a synonym for busi- ness enterprise and integrity.
A native of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin, Mr. Black was born on the 28th of Octo- ber. 1854. a son of Henry Farnwaldt and Mary Newell ( Bliss) Black, who are mentioned on another page of this volume. The father, a prominent lumber merchant. placed his lumber interests at Carthage in care of his son. Dr. Black, when the latter was but seventeen years of age. but thinking that he would find a professional career more congenial, Dr. Black turned his attention to the task of preparing him- self for such a career. His education was acquired in the college at Jackson- ville, Illinois, and in Denmark Academy, in Towa. after which he took up the study of medicine in Quincy, Illinois, in the office and under the direction of Dr. Curtis. Later he attended medical lectures in Keokuk Medical College, and spent two years in the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor. He after- ward matriculated in the Long Island College Hospital, at Brooklyn, New York. and was there graduated in 1876. Later he pursued a post-graduate course in Rush Medical College, in Chicago. in
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ILINCOOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1880. Following his graduation he prac- ticed for eight years in Dallas City as a regular physician and surgeon and was accorded a liberal patronage, which at tested his skill and ability, and showed him worthy of the public trust reposed in his professional prowess. In 1885. however, he gave up the practice of medi- cine and took charge of his father's busi- ness interests as a partner. His father was not only the pioneer lumberman of Dallas but also of a wide territory em- bracing several counties on this side of the river. In 1888 the father's health failed and Dr. Black purchased his inter- est in the business. As the years passed by he extended the scope of his activities and in 1892 became associated with L. M. Loomis in the ownership and control of a lumber business at Stronghurst, Ili- nois. Later they purchased the lumber- vard at Media and Smithshire, and in 1807 these interests were incorporated under the name of the Loomis Lumber and Coal Company, with headquarters at Stronghurst. In igot the firm style was changed to the Black & Loomis Com- pany, with the principal office in Dallas City and they also purchased the Dallas City lumberyard. The lumber business became a large and profitable one under the capable direction of Dr. Black and his associates, but he did not confine him- self entirely to this line of trade, for in ISor he became a member of the firm of Black. Leinbaugh & Burg in the establish- ment of a private bank, which after a time was conducted under the style of Black & Company, and so continued until 1900, when the First National Bank was organized and acquired the old privile
bank by purchase Th lommerdd mm tuition was of the greatest import . p Dallas City, which up to that the 0 deficient in its banking interest m Iyor, largely through the efortsan 1) Black. the Dallas Printing Company Var organized and thus was added another factor in the development and industrial activity of the city.
On the 15th of April, 1883. Dr. Black was married to Miss Elizabeth Rebhon. who was born in Germany. Juh 22, 1801. a daughter of George and Margaret ( Motschmann ) Kebbon, who were also natives of Germany, the father born March 30, 1833. and the mother Angu-1 2. 1827. Mr. Rebhon was a miller and cabinet-maker by trade and died in the year 1864. His wife afterward came to Hancock county, Ilinois, having in the meantime married George Weber, of Dallas, Illinois. They settled on a farm in this county and Mr. Weber died Feb- ruary 23. 1883. His widow is still living and makes her home with Mr -. Black. Mr. Weber was a democrat in his polit- ical views although not an office seeker. He held membership in and served as one of the elders of the Lutheran church. and his remains were interred in Meyer- cemetery. Mrs. Weber is also a member of the Lutheran church. By her first marriage she had two children, one soll dying in infancy, the other being Wts Black.
Unto Dr. and Mrs Black there will born three sons, Henry I born I Dallas City. September 1. 184- 5 011 a student in Kemper Miltary Følge Boonville, Missouri George 1 Mai February 23. 1880. is attend 2 16 - 17
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
college. Arthur H., born March 26. 1891, is likewise a student in that in- stitution. The two elder sons will grad- uate in 1906 and the youngest son is in the freshman year.
While Dr. Black controlled important business enterprises he yet found time to devote to the public welfare and was a strong and stalwart friend of the cause of education. He was one of a few men to whose force and enterprise is due the erection of the splendid school building, in which all citizens of Dallas City take just pride. He co-operated in many progressive movements that have resulted beneficially to this city and county and his efforts could always be counted upon to support every measure which had for its object the public good. He belonged to Dallas City lodge, No. 2, to Alamo commandery. Knight Templar, of Illi- nois, and to Modern Woodmen camp, No. 1496, at Dallas. He contributed generously to the support of churches, es- pecially to the Congregational church, of which his wife and all of their sons are now members. In December, 1905, he contracted pneumonia and sank rapidly in spite of all that the best medical skill could do. He passed away Tuesday evening. December 19. 1905. and the funeral services were conducted by the Rev. J. B. King, who also performed the sad task of conducting the funeral service of Anna Celia Shipman, a niece of Dr. Black, who passd away on the same day as her uncle, their remains being interred in Dallas cemetery. The death of Dr. Black came as an irreparable loss in his home and was most deeply felt in busi- ness and social circles not only in Dallas
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