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 56
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89
City but throughout the entire surround- ing country. He was very widely known and was uniformly regarded as a man of unfaltering integrity and of genuine personal worth. As a student he was quick to perceive and understand and he was endowed with a fund of common- sense and practical ideas that brought him success in all that he undertook. He was kindly in manner, charitable in dis- position, generous in impulse and per- haps no man in the county was more fre- quently consulted by others concerning important business transactions, for those who knew him reposed in him the ut- most confidence and knew that he would advise with the same fidelity that he would have conducted his own private business affairs. He did much to pro- mote the general welfare and his interest in his fellowmen was deep and sincere. "Of the countless gifts which God be- stows upon man the rarest and divinest is the one that takes supreme interest in human welfare." He was an earnest. honest and incorruptible man with a frank. genial manner. which won and re- tained friendship and in consequence his death was sincerely mourned by a large number of appreciative friends and ac- quaintances with whom his long public service and business career had placed upon terms of intimacy. He deserves most honorable mention at the hands of his fellowmen, for his life record shows the value and sure rewards of character. and he was regarded as one of Hancock county's most worthy citizens. Mrs. Black makes her home in Dallas City. Her father owned a great deal of prop- erty here, including the store known as
11.5
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Finch's store, and in 1802 she remodeled and occupied it. This is now one of the most attractive and pleasant modern homes in the city situated on Front ave nue and Oak street. Mrs. Black takes a most active and helpful interest in church work and she retains her interest in the lumber business, which is now being con- chicted by Mr. Loomis, and she also owns the lots that are now occupied by the lumberyard. She has three tenant houses and half of the property called the En- terprise and she is also a large stock- holder in the First National Bank. In manner while rather reserved she is also most kindly and pleasant and is greatly beloved and admired by all for her good ‹leeds.
NOTE-On December 17. 1905, a dis- astrous fire at Dallas destroyed the bank building. A new Milwaukee pressed brick, three-story building has been erected. and the bank will occupy the whole of the first floor.
CHARLES M. MCCOLLOM.
Charles M. McCollom, a carpenter of Carthage, residing at No. 201 Main street, is a son of Henry B. and Nancy ( Davidson) McCollom, and was born in Hancock county, in 1851. His parents. however, were natives of Cumberland county. Kentucky. born February 10. 1813, and November 9. 1810. respective- ly. The father was a farmer by ocen- pation and in the year 1844 arrived in Illinois, while in 1850 he came to Ilan-
cock commy. He engaged in immig 0 Bear Creek township imul 1865. We he removed to western food. Sele he engaged to a greater of les extent |1 farming. his death occurring however. in Mount Pleasant, Henry county. MI 1875. His wife had passed away Spal 14. 1864. in Illinois, and was bur ed il this state, while the father's grave was made in Mount Pleasant. He was al republican in his political views, and a Cumberland Presbyterian in his religions faith. In the family were eleven chil dren, of whom four are now Ining Mary J. is the widow of John Phelps, and resides in Taylor county, lowa. Wilbern Porter, who was a member of the Seventh Kansas Cavalry and served throughout the greater part of the Civil war, is now living in Adams county. Washington. Charles is the third surviving member. Irvin Sylvester resides in Gorin, Missouri Charles M. MeCollum was educated in the common schools of Hancock county. Illinois, and of Adams county, lowa. and remained upon his father's farm unt ] twenty years of age, after which he was employed by the month by various farm ers for some time. He began farming on his own account on a tract of land in Sonora township. Hancock county. where he remained for nineteen vous. and in 1895 he removed to Carth ige where he has since resided, having in the previous year built his present pretty home at No. 201 Main Street He for here engaged in contracting and buil big and has erected many of the subst intil structures of the city, including the fine residence of Joseph Dorses and a te mi
466
BIOGRAPHICAL RETIENT
house for him, the residence of Mrs. At- wood on Main street. Edward Booth, two houses for James Corbin, one for Harry Corbin and various other fine structures of the city. He has met with good suc- cess since becoming identified with build- ing operations in Carthaage and a liberal patronage has been accorded him. He has thus prospered in his undertakings and in addition to his home property he owns eighty acres of good farm land in Prairie township, while his shop is situ- ated on the same lot as his residence.
On the 14th of December, 1874. Mr. McCollom was married to Miss Lucy M. Thornber, who was born in this county and is a daughter of Henry and Lucy (Ellison) Thornber, who were natives of England, and came to Illinois in 1842, the father following the occupation of farming here. Both he and his wife are now deceased. Mrs. McCollom died De- cember 16, 1888, and her remains were interred in Sonora township. By her marriage she had become the mother of four children : Charles H., who married Alice Snitz and lives in Scotland county, Missouri, has two children. Yolande and Patrice. James P. of Sonora township. married Augusta Beger, and has one child. Noretta Margaret. Carrie M., a graduate of the high school and of Car- thage college, is now a teacher in the public schools of the county scat. David 1. is still a student in school. On the 27th of May, 1891. Mr. McCollom was married to Miss Jennie Baird. who was born in Warsaw, this county, in Feb- ruary, 1866, and is a daughter of Robert and Margaret A. ( Brook ) Baird, both of whom were natives of Maryland. the
father born in 1819, and the mother in 1825. He was a carpenter by trade and on leaving the south came to Hancock county, in 1853. after which he worked at his trade in Warsaw until he retired from active business life. His wife died in 1905 but he is still living at the ven- erable age of eighty-seven years. A stanch advocate of the cause of temper- ance he votes with the Prohibition party and he holds membership in the Metho- dist church, to which his wife also be- longed, both being very active in church work, Mr. Baird having held a number of offices therein. In his family were eleven children, all of whom are yet liv- ing: Henry, who resides near Warsaw : David O., of Gilman City, Missouri : Mary E., a competent nurse who makes her home in Warsaw although her duties largely call her to Carthage: Charles E., living in Gilman City, Missouri : Marga- ret A., who was a successful teacher in various places for many years but is now at home with her aged father : Robert J .. who is engaged in the insurance business in Des Moines. Iowa : Phoebe E .. the wife of Charles Curry, of Atlanta, Georgia : Richard, of Pasedena, California: Mrs. Jennie McCollom : Frank, a grocer of Des Moines, Towa: and Ella H., who is a stenographer in Des Moines.
The second marriage of Mr. McCollom has been blessed with three children, all born in Hancock county: Florence 1 .. who was born in 1802 and is attending school in Carthage: Winifred, who was born in 1893 and is also in school; and Aldo Baird, who was born in 19or.
Mr. McCollom is a strong and earnest advocate of temperance principles and
HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS
votes with the Prohibition party. Social- ly he is connected with the Odd Fellow lodge, and both he and his wife are de voted members of the Methodist church. in which he is serving as a trustee. Ile has never received any assistance in his business career but has had to work for all that he has possessed and enjoyed and in his business life has been found a thoroughly reliable, competent and honest workman and as a contractor has secure 1 a good patronage which is indicative of the trust reposed in him by his fellow townsmen.
JOSEPH D. RITER.
Joseph D. Riter is a resident of Pon- toosue township, living upon a farm, al- though he has practically retired from business cares. He has had a somewhat eventful life and his broad travels and varied experiences enrich his conversation and make him an entertaining compan- ion. Born in Berks county. Pennsylva- nia. on the 18th of April, 1830. he is a son of Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Beidler ) Riter, both natives of Chester county. Pennsylvania, the father born July 20. 1801. and the mother January 15. 1795. It was in the last of April. 1846, that they became residents of Nauvoo, Illinois, where they resided until 1855, when they removed to the prairie, and Mr. Riter engaged in farming in Appanoose town- ship up to the time of his retirement from active business cares. He died November 23. 1884. having long survived his wife.
who passed away February 15. 10 Both were laid to rest in Sation die tery. Of their family of the coffee only two are living, the younger brother being William W. Riter, of Fort Mah Sou lowa.
In the school of his native state I seph D. Kiter acquired his education and remained with his parents until seventeen or eighteen years of age. He came with them to Hancock county in 18to, and m 1848 went to the northern part of Wis- consin, spending three and a half years in connection with the lumber business in that part of the country. In 1851 he went to California, and in 1853 made a trip to Australia, returning the following year by way of the Society Islands, re- maining there one summer. He then again made his way to California, remain- ing in San Francisco until 1858, when he went to the Frazer river in British Columbia. In 1859 he was in Portland. Oregon, where he purchased cattle, which he drove to the Frazer river. In the fall of the same year, however, he returned to Ilinois and has since made his home in Pontooque township. Hancock county. A detailed account of his travels would make interesting reading. He was on the Pacific coast during the early days of mining excitement and is familiar with the history of that period because of the experiences which he himself met in the middle of the century.
On the ist of May. 18ot. Mr R ter was married to Miss Edith Davis, who was born in Columbiana county. Why January 8. 1832, a daughter of Isaac and Edith ( Richards ) Davis, In th of 3 111 were natives of West Virginia The i.
468
BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEI'
ther was born February 10, 1783, and the mother on March 16, 1794. and both have now passed away. Mr. Davis first went to Ohio from West Virginia and in that state his ten children were born. Later he removed to Iowa, where he lo- cated in 1840, there devoting his time and energies to farming for a considerable period. He died in the eastern part of Nebraska in 1847, after a residence there of-about a year, and his wife passed away in the western part of Iowa in 1872. Of their ten children only two are living, the elder being Eli Davis, who resides in Yuba City, California. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davis were members of the Society of Friends. or Quakers, and were most worthy people. their lives being in har- mony with the teachings of the sect whose followers are justly celebrated for their kindliness, gentleness and uprightness.
Following his marriage Mr. Riter pur- chased a small farm in Appanoose town- ship, where he resided for about a year, and in 1862 he purchased sixty-one acres on the northwest quarter of section 31. Pontoosuc township. Subsequently he bought sixty acres on the southwest quar- ter of the same section, and afterward he bought his brother's interest in the old home place, securing one hundred and six acres on section 36, AAppanoose township. He also invested in eighty- three acres in Sonora township and his holdings are therefore very extensive. In 1902 he built a comfortable residence upon his farm and he has a large barn one hundred and thirty-two feet long. to- gether with other good and substantial outbuildings furnishing ample shelter for grain, stock and farm machinery. He has
carried on the tilling of the soil and also raised high grades of stock, but in 1892 he practically retired from farm life and now rents his land. In politics he is rather independent, although he usually gives his support to the Prohibition party.
Mr. and Mrs. Riter have had no chil- dren of their own, but reared Sadie Smith, who is now the wife of Christopher San- ders, and lives in Kansas. She has nine children. Receiving very little assistance in the way of an inheritance Mr. Riter has gained his property through his own well directed labors and unremitting efforts. He is now very comfortably situated in life and has by reason of the competence that he has ac- quired the opportunity to indulge his love of travel. He has frequently gone to Cal- ifornia, making two trips by way of the isthmus, and his extensive journeyings have made him a man of broad general culture and wide experience. Since his retirement from active business cares he and his wife have traveled quite exten- sively, visiting many points of interest in this country.
THOMAS G. FRENCH.
Thomas G. French, a general farmer and stock-raiser living on the southeast quarter of section 1, Wythe township, has always resided in the middle west, his birth having occurred in Orange county. Indiana, May 13, 1839. He is a son of Samuel and Julia ( Daugherty) French. natives of Barron county, Kentucky, who
- 1(1)
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
removed to Indiana about 1830 when In- dians still lived in that locality, the re- gion being a pioneer district in which the work of civilization had scarcely begun. Samuel French secured timber land from the government, and in the midst of the forest undertook the task of hewing out a farm. There he resided until his death. which occurred in 1842, and his wife passed away on the okl homestead in 1854.
Thomas G. French, of a family of nine children. five sons and four daughters. was but three years of age at the time of his father's demise and was left an or- phan when a youth of fifteen. He went to Knox county, Illinois, with his brother. John C .. and after living there for five years, started out in life on his own ac- count, working by the month as a farm hand in Mercer county. His education was acquired in the common schools of Knox and Mercer counties, and after spending some time in the employ of others at farm labor began farming on his own account and had followed that pur- suit for two years, when, in response to the country's call for aid he enlisted in defense of the Union, on the 13th of \u- gust. 1862. as a member of Company . 1. One Hundred and Second Ilinois Vol- unteer Infantry. The regiment was as- signed to the Army of the Cumberland under General Rosecrans, and made a forced march from Louisville, Kentucky. to Gallatin. Tennessee, during which time Mr. French became ill with the measles and was confined in the hospital until January 17. 1863. when he was honor ably discharged at Gallatin on account pi disability.
He at once returned to his old home in Mercer county and the following spring began farming on rented land. Where he resided until 1865. He then removed to Warren county. Hinois, where he en- gage in farming for two years, after which he returned to Knox county, where he purchased a forty-acre farm. There he engaged in the tilling of the soil for two years, and on the expiration of that period he sold the property but bought eighty acres adjoining. There he fol- lowed farming until 1875, when he went to Taylor county, fowa, where he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of farm land, which he cultivated for six years. He then traded that property for a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. one-half in Wythe township. Hancock county, and the remainder in Bear Creek township. He also bought eighty acres more in Wythe township. adjoining his place on the south. The farm was then well improved and in good shape and he has since kept everything up to a high standard of agricultural development. He lives on the southeast quarter of see tion 1. Wythe township, and here he car ries on general farming and his fields pro duce rich crops, while in the pastures are seen good grades of cattle, horses and hogs.
On September 15. 1862. while in camp at Knoxville, THinois, Mr French was united in marriage to . Miss Ime Brown, of Mercer county, Illinois She was born in that county. Inl &. 1810. and attended school there while spending her girlhood days in the home of her pir- ents. Benjamin and Lomvisat Me Mt (y) Brown, natives of Indian and Key-
470
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
tucky, respectively. For a number of years Mrs. French was troubled with cancer and went to various places for medical treatment and for the benefit of her health. At length she received X-ray treatment in Chicago and afterward in Quincy, but everything was unavailing to check the ravages of the disease and she died January 23. 1906, her remains be- ing interred at Rio, Knox county. Illi- nois. Unto Mr. and Mrs. French were born four children: Helen Matilda. who died when only a month old; Otis A .. who was born in March, 1865. and is a business man of Quincy, Illinois; Orvil B., who was born in Knox county, July 4. 1872, and is now in Quincy ; and Capeles C., who was born January 30, 1884, and is conducting the home farm. Mr. French is thus relieved of much of the arduous labor connected with farm work, although he still gives his personal supervision to the management of his property, while he has never sought or desired public of- fice he is a stalwart champion of demo- cratic principles and fraternally he is con- nected with the blue lodge and the East- ern Star chapter of Masonry in Elvaston. and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church there .- associations which indi- cate much of the character of the man and the principles which guide his conduct.
ROBERT D. MATTHEWS.
Robert D. Matthews, who has spent the greater part of his life in Hancock con-
ty, and who in his business career has worked his way steadily upward to a po- sition of affluence, now owning altogether two hundred and ten acres of rich land, was born in Indiana, in December, 1845. His paternal grandfather, William Mat- thews, was a Welshman, while his wife was of German birth. Both lived to an advanced age and were hale and hearty old people, the wife passing away at the advanced age of ninety years. He was a republican in politics and a most high- ly respected man. He was a soldier of the war of 1812, and our subject can well remember of his relating incidents of the time when he was stationed at Chicago which then contained only a few log cab- ins at Fort Dearborn. His son, William Jackson Matthews, was a captain in the Civil war and also served as a member of the legislature in Oregon.
Alfred B. Matthews, father of our subject, was born in Ohio in 1817, and became a farmer of Indiana. He mar- ried Miss Diana V. Kalley, who was born in Parke county. Indiana. in 1827, and on leaving the Hoosier state they removed to Hancock county, Illinois. in 1851, set- tling in the vicinity of Warsaw. After- ward they took up their abode in Augus- ta township, where Alfred B. Matthews spent his remaining days. In his early life his political allegiance was given to the democracy, but when the slavery question became a paramount issue before the people and the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery he joined its ranks and con- tinued one of its stalwart advocates. He was twice married, his first union being with Emily Davis, by whom he had one
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
daughter, Mandane, now the wife of John T. Jones, of Oregon. Her mother hay- ing passed away Mr. Matthews wedded Diana V. Kalley, and they became the parents of nine children: Robert D. ; Miles Irby, now living in Oklahoma ; Fernando Cortez, deceased; Susan Cath- erine, the wife of John A. Campbell, a resident farmer of Augusta township. mentioned elsewhere in this work; Wil- liam Jackson, of Iowa ; Harvey Allen, of Chili township; Edna Emeline, the wife of Lincoln S. Smith, now living in Chili township; Daniel M., of Augusta town- ship: and Cassius, deceased. The father passed away in 1891 and the mother in April, 1892, and their graves were made in Irwin cemetery. Ile lived and died in a log house and there he began life on his own account with very small means but at the time of his death he owned one hundred and ninety acres of very rich and productive land.
Robert D. Matthews was educated in the district schools of Augusta township and displayed special aptitude in master- ing his studies. He had opportunities when he might have taught, but he did not like teaching and so always declined. He lived with his parents until he at- tained his majority, when he began work as a farm hand for a neighbor, being thus employed for a year. On the expira- tion of that period he commenced farm- ing on his own account and rented land until twenty-five years of age or until his labor had brought him sufficient capi- tal to enable him to purchase a farm. Hle won, as a companion and helpmate for life's journey, Miss Lucinda Catherine Sparks, to whom he was married Janu-
ary 5. 1871. She Was bon nichk .O in 1850, a daughter of William L.camic and Elizabeth ( Shook ) Sparks, both of whom were natives of Tennessee, while the latter was of German lineage. Her father was a man of real gemus. It aos said that he could "do anything from be ing an expert detective to running a blacksmith shop. trying a case at law or successfully conducting a store" Ile came to Illinois in 1853 and settled 11 Adams county. At Quincy after the out- break of the Civil war he enlisted for service and was for three years a mell ber of the Union army. He then re- turned to his home and remained in Ad ams county until his death in 1898 llis wife had died when their daughter. Mr -. Matthews, was only two years of age and was buried in Tennessee. They had two children, of whom one died in child- hood. After losing his first wife, Mr Sparks wedded Miss Elizabeth Ellwood in 1855, and they had nine children, of whom five are living: William, a resi dent of Liberty, Illinois : Annie, the wife of George Griffitts, of Augusta : John, of Hannibal, Missouri; Belle, the wife ni Preston Golliher, of Adams county : and Frank, who is living with his mother Ct Adams county. Mrs. Matthews losing ber mother when very young, was reared hy her paternal grandparents, who brought her to Illinois from Tennessee m an d wagon borne by of teams and she tt ried a pet chicken with her all the Way Mrs. Sparks was quite an expert in wen ing and spinning and Mrs Matthew - I has cards which she used. She as Langio her granddaughter to we ve and spin ant trained her in the duties of the lonischool
30
472
BIOGRAPHICAL REVIENT'
The grandfather. Mr. Sparks, although a Southern man, was also a strong repub- lican. In the early "muster days" in Tennessee he was a drummer, while his wife acted as a fifer in the Tennessee mar- tial band.
Following his marriage Mr. Matthews rented a tract of land on section 6. Au- gusta township, and before the year of lease had expired he purchased it, becom- ing owner of forty acres, upon which he lived until 1874. He then bought eighty acres on section 5 of the same township and on that place erected his home, to- gether with three barns and other im- provements. He likewise has eighty acres on section 8 and ten acres on section 6, his landed possessions aggregating two hundred and ten acres. He follows both farming and stock-raising, selling to the home market, and is a wide-awake, ener- getic business man who placed his depend- ence solely on his own efforts and has looked for no outside aid or influence to assist him in his business affairs.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Matthews has been blessed with four children, all born in Augusta township: Robert El- mer. born in October. 1871. and still at home: Alfred Leander, who was born in 1873, and died in 1875: Tina Roberta. who was born September 28, 18-, and died November 17, 1902: and Troy Ma- rion, born in February. 1891. The par- ents are members of the Christian church at Bowen and their deceased daughter was also a member of that church, and was laid to rest by her sisters in that or- ganization. Mr. Matthews is a stalwart republican but an active business career has left him little time to seek office even
had he so desired. He and his wife have thoroughly realized the deprivations and hardships incident to the development of a home on the frontier and since their marriage they have by their joint energy. economy and upright living come into possession of a good farm as the reward of their labor.
GEORGE WASHINGTON WEBB.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.