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 57
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George Washington Webb was born on section 34. Appanoose township. July 4. 1850, and it is in the same township that he now follows the occupation of farm- ing. being accorded a place among the representative agriculturists of the com- munity. He is of English lineage, a grandson of Giles Webb, a native of Eng- land. His father. William Webb, was also born in that country, and was mar- ried there to Harriet Baldwin, a daugh- ter of James Baldwin. In 1841 Willian Webb became a resident of Hancock county, settling in La Harpe, and he after- ward opened the first coal mine in Mc- Donough county, at Colchester. His time was largely devoted to well digging in earlier years and eventually he took up his abode in Appanoose township. where he purchased forty acres of land on section 34, and forty acres on section 33. He built a log house on the latter section, where a portion of his land was covered with timber. As the years passed he added to his property until he secured about two hundred and eighty acres lying
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in one body, a tract of forty acres, and an- other of eighty acres. His time and ener- gies were given to the cultivation of the cereals best adapted to the soil and he likewise raised stock. Later he added dairying to his work and sold his butter in Keokuk. Thus he lived a life of in dustry and perseverance and his prosper- ity was attributable entirely to his own well directed labor. He died October 2. 1882, while his wife passed away April 16. 1884. In their family were three sons and a daughter: James, William and George. all residents of Appanoose township : and Sarah. the wife of Emmet Horton. of Red Willow county, Ne- braska.
George W. Webb spent his boyhood days on the okl home place where he con- tinned to live until six years after his marriage. It was on the 12th of Janu- ary, 1875, that he wedded Ella E. Lewis. who was born in Lynnville, Chester coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and who was educated in this state. Her natal day was April 11. 1853. and her parents were Morgan R. and Mary Ann (Downing ) Lewis. natives of Chester county, Pennsylvania. Her father was a son of Henry and Ele- nore (Evans) Lewis, while her mother was a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth ( Beidler) Downing. natives of Pennsyl- vania, and a granddaughter of Thomas Lewis and Sarah ( Smith) Downing, who were natives of England and were Quak- ers, or Friends, in religious faith. In Oc- tober. 1853. Morgan K. Lewis removed with his family to Nauvoo, and purchased a farm on section 11. Sonora township. where he engaged in the tilling of the soil and in raising stock. He also con
ducted a dairy business, selling butter Keokuk. He owned eighty ure of prairie land in Sonora township, and I teen acres of land m Appant une town ship. He died February 8. 18op. wie his wife passed away February 5. 1875.
After residing with his parents years subsequent to his marriage. Mr Webb purchased eighty acres of land, con- stituting the south half of the northeast quarter of section 34. Appanose town- ship. There were no trees of building- erected a residence and has since built two barns, one in 1803 forty-eight by fifty feet and the other in 1900, forty-jour by forty-four feet. He has other build- ings upon his place for the shelter of farm machinery and stock and altogether has a model property. Many shade, or- namental and fruit trees have been planted by him and he now has much fruit upon his place, deriving a considerable income from its sale as well as from the other departments of his farm labor.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Webb have been born four sons and a daughter. Morgan Lewis, born December 15. 1850, is pastor of the English Lutheran church, non lo- cated at Murphysboro, Illinois: Blanche Edith, born December 18, 1880, is the wife of Frederick Earl Schofield, the physical director in the Young Men's Christian Association, of Burlington. lowa. William, born November 24. 1885. is at home. Frank, born November 12. 1888. died August 11. 1880 Jesper Kent, born December 25, 1803. completes the family.
Politically a democrat, Mr Webb has always refused to accept public office sie
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that of school trustee and director. He trade in Germany and after coming to the has lived continuously in the county from his infancy to the present time and great changes have occurred during this period of more than a half century. At the same time he has carefully conducted business interests that have resulted in bringing him a substantial competence.
JOHN HENRY BUCKERT.
John Henry Buckert, deceased, was born in Firstenberg, Waltbeck, Germany, in the year 1831 and acquired his educa- . town for three years, after which she re- tion in the public schools of his native country. He was employed in a hotel in Germany until twenty-five years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic to America and took up his abode in Warsaw, Illi- mois. He was then employed on river boats and was also in the service of a grain commission company, utilizing ev- ery opportunity for advancement and to gain a start in the new world.
On the 16th of October, 1865, Mr. Buckert was married to Miss Annie Cath- crina Spitza, who was born in Ada, Brinkhausen, Hesse, Germany. December 16. 1839. and with her parents came to the United States in 1847, the family home being established in Warsaw, where Mrs. Buckert attended the public schools. She is a daughter of John Henry and Dora Dell ( Walker) Spitza. Her father was a mason contractor and did much business in the line of building in War- saw and vicinity. He had learned his
new world he built the old distilleries near Warsaw. In fact he erected nearly all of the principal buildings of his locality at an early day. His death occurred in Warsaw, June 19, 1856, while his wife passed away about two years later. She was the mother of fourteen children, two of whom were born of her first marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Buckert began their do- mestic life in Warsaw, where he was em- ployed in connection with the grain trade. He continued to reside there until his death, which occurred on the 30th of May, 1875. Mrs. Buckert lived with her family in Warsaw for a year there- after and then rented a farm near the
moved to a place south of Warsaw, where she also lived for three years. She next bought ninety-three acres in Wythe township. where five years later she sold out and bought one hundred and sixty acres in Montebello township. There she lived for five years, when she again dis- posed of her farm and invested in eighty acres of land. formerly the property of Dr. Spence, of Liberty. Adams county. of which forty acres lay on section 33 and forty acres on section 34. Montebello township. Here she has resided contin- uously since 1900 and the farm is oper- ated by her youngest son, Daniel. Mrs. Buckert is a lady of excellent business ability and executive force and her capa- ble management of her business interests has brought her a good return. At the same time she has carefully reared her family. Eight children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Buckert: John F., who is now living in Nauvoo, Illinois; Adam,
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who resides in Trenton, Missouri ; George and Gustav, who are also residents of Nauvoo: Christian, who is employed by the Moline Plow Company at Rock Island, Illinois: Henry, of Hamilton : An- nie, the wife of George Montgomery, also of Hamilton, Illinois; and Daniel, at home. now superintending the farm.
Mr. Buckert was a member of the Lutheran church of Warsaw and he gave his political support to the democracy. but never sought or desired office. He was a man of genuine personal worth and gained the respect of those who knew him and the family have many warm friends in this part of the county.
J. HARVEY NORRIS.
J. Harvey Norris, who owns and oper- ates a well kept farm in Chili township. was born upon this place June 27. 1877. and is a son of James W. and Elizabeth ( Sterrett ) Norris. His father's birth of- curred in Baltimore county, Maryland. February 17. 1840. Hle became a farmer by occupation and was a resident of _Ad- ams county, Illinois, from 1850 until June, 1876, when he removed to Han- cock county. Hle wedded Miss Elizabeth Sterrett, whose birth occurred in fart ford county, Maryland, February 10. 18.56, and they had three children but I. Harvey Norris is the only one now lis- ing. The father died February 10. 1900. and the mother passed away September 5. 1884. Both were faithful members of
the Methodist church, Mr. Norris was a man who possessed in marked degree the trust and good will of his fellowmen Ile is said never to have had an enemy. He was always kind and sympathetic and he knew no distress within his reach that he did not try to relieve. He was a friend to all the churches and was a believer in the Christian religion. In his family he was a devoted husband and father and among his neighbors was known as a loyal friend. His good qualities were many and have made his name an honored one.
In the city schools of Bowen J. Harvey Norris acquired his education and under the parental roof spent the days of his boyhood and youth, early becoming fa- miliar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. In 1902 his marriage to Miss Nellie Manlove was consummated, and he started out in life on his own account. She was born in this county July 31. 1881, a daughter of Wilfred and Sarah ( Waggoner ) Man love, the former born in Knox county. Illinois, in 1840, and the latter in Han cock county in 1849. The Manloves were of French and Welsh extraction, William Manlove, an uncle of Mrs. Norris Was killed at Missionary Ridge in the Chil war while defending the Union cause She also had a great-uncle. Henry Cecil. who was a soldier of the Civil war and her maternal uncles, Ephraim and Girl- Waggoner, were also numbered among the boys in blue. In the year 1807 \\il Fred Manlove, father of Mr. Vorits, ar rived in Hancock county, setting off set tion 20. Chili township He, too. was a Veteran of the war, having enlisted o a member of Company D. Seventy call
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Illinois Regiment under Captain Black. His life was exemplary in many respects, for he was ever faithful and honorable in all his relations with his fellowmen, was honest, active and industrious in business and lived an upright life. He possessed the confidence of his fellow citizens to an unusual degree. He passed away July 8, 1905. and was laid to rest in Bowen ceme- tery. In the family were four children : Linn, now living in Chili township; George. of Bowen; Mrs. Norris; and Ada, the wife of Curtis Powell, of Bowen.
Mr. and Mrs. Norris make their home on section 29. Chili township. The resi- dence here was erected by his father in 1897. The place comprises two hundred and eighty acres of arable land, and thir- ty acres of timber, and will come into possession of Mr. Norris. as he is his mother's only heir. He now gives his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, making a spe- cialty of the breeding and raising of thor- oughbred Duroc hogs. As a business man he is reliable and enterprising and has already made a creditable place in ag- ricultural circles, although he is numbered among the younger farmers of the town- ship. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Norris has been born one son. Gerald William, whose birth occurred May 1. 1903. on the same farm on which his father's birth occurred. This is also the place on which the par- ents of Mr. Norris and also the parents of Mrs. Norris began housekeeping. In his political views Mr. Norris is a stal- wart republican but without aspiration for office. Socially he is connected with the Masons and the Odd Fellows.
JOHN PARKER EWING.
Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose, and it was with the feeling of universal re- gret that the news of the demise of John P. Ewing was received in Hancock coun- ty. He had lived and labored here for many years and was one of the worthy pioneer settlers, who as time passed. stood for progress and improvement in all lines relating to the county's welfare and up- building. At the same time he displayed in his business career those commendable traits which lead to success and he became one of tlie extensive landowners of the county, while his life work proved that prosperity and an honorable name may be won simultaneously. A native of Brown county, Ohio, he was born on the 8th of March, 1824. being one of the seven chil- dren of Jackson and Catherine ( Turner) Ewing. The family is of Irish lineage. the grandfather having been born on the Emerald Isle, whence he came to Amer- ica. founding the family in new world. His son, Jackson Ewing, was born in Prussia and was a farmer by occupation. He removed to Hancock county in 1846 and his home was one of the pioneer log cabins of Walker township. He also spent some time in Schuyler county, Illi- nois, but died in this county in 1876. His widow, surviving him for several years, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. H. Gillham, in Walker township in 1883. In his political views Mr. Ewing was a democrat. In the fam- ily were seven children : Margaret Ann. who is the wife of Charles Laughlin and lives in Walker township: Sarah Newton,
ILINCOOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
the wife of Samuel Guyman, of Missouri; and mother passed away in September. Mary Jane, the wife of Henry Grillham. of Walker township: and four who have passed away. The parents were both members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they took an active and helpful interest. Mr. Ewing serving for some time as classleader.
John Parker Ewing, educated in the public schools of New York, was reared to farm life and having removed to the west engaged in general agricultural pur- suits in Walker township. He was fa- miliar with all of the experiences of pio- neer life. with its hardships and its priva- tions, its pleasures and its opportunities. In his business he prospered as the years went by, and by his energy and economy he was enabled to add to his possessions from time to time, and. making judicious investments in real-estate eventually be- came the owner of fifteen hundred acres of rich farm land that has made Illinois one of the greatest agricultural states of the union. He also gave to each of his children a good farm, and in addition left a goodly sum of money to the family. He was known as one of the wealthy men of the county but moreover. he was known, too, as one of its most honorable men, being ever straightforward and re- liable in his business transactions.
Mr. Ewing was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fuller, and they became the parents of five children: John. now living near Basco, Illinois: William. whose home is near Sutter, Hancock county. Illinois: Sarah E., the wife of John Wallace, living near Bowen. Hli- nois: Margaret Ella. the wife of John Battles : and Perry, deceased. The wife
1805, and Mr Ewig was agalli married his second union being with Margaret Jane Stucker, who was born year 1. thage. March 5. 1858, a daughter .i David and Nancy ( Ewing ) Stacker By the death of her parents she was leit an orphan when only nine years of age Her father was a farmer by occupation and lived at different times in lowa, in Kan- sas, and in Schuyler county, Hlinor. while eventually he removed to Hancock county. Politically he was a stalwart re publican, and both he and his wife were devoted and faithful members of the Methodist church. living lives in harmony with their professions and doing many good deeds which endeared them to all who knew them. When called to their final rest their remains were interred near Keokuk in Lee county, Iowa. In their family were five children: John W., who is living in Warsaw : Samuel S., who re- sides in Higgins, Texas: Sarah .A., the wife of Thomas MeLain, of Exira, lowa : Lydia .A .. the deceased wife of Abraham Wells, who lives in Miami county. Kan- sas ; and Mrs. Ewing.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ewing were born eight children: Rosetta. the wife of John Kiser, of Warsaw, Illinois, by whom she has four children, Ethel, Irma. Anna 1 .. and Claude; Robert S. who married Rhoda Whittaker, a resident of Hamilton, Illinois: Charles A .. living m Sutter, who married Fannie Mccracken. and has two sons, Lorren and Carroll : Viola .A., the wife of Charles Rampley. of Warsaw : Lemuel M .. who hves in Warsaw and married Anna Schlenk, by whom he has one son, Cecil : Matde Belle.
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who died at the age of four years and was laid to rest in the cemetery by her father's side: Grover C., who lives in Sutter and married Lydia Hinerhoff, by whom he has one son, Marvin ; and Vic- toria, who is at home with her mother. It was on the Ist of July, 1903, that Mr. Ewing was called from this life, passing away on the home farm near Sutter, his remains being interred in Walker ceme- tery. Mrs. Ewing's youngest daughter still owns a part of the home place, and one son the other part. Her husband built the residence thereon and made all of the improvements. In April, 1904, Mrs: Ewing purchased a pretty residence on Eighth and Webster streets in Warsaw, where she is now comfortably situated and she has many friends in the commu- nity-friends who know her as a most kind-hearted woman and a good neigh- bor. Mr. Ewing lived to attain the age of seventy-nine years and his was a use- ful. active and upright life, standing in exemplification of what may be accom- plished by unfaltering industry and unre- mitting diligence. His wealth was worthily won so that the most envious could not grudge him his success and his record is one which reflects credit upon the county in which he so long made his home.
JUDGE GEORGE W. JONES.
Judge George W. Jones represents one of the old and prominent pioneer fami- . lies of Hancock county, his parents being
Emmanuel and Mary Ann ( Rees) Jones, who are mentioned elsewhere in this work and in connection with their life history is given an account of the ancestral history of the family. He left Ohio in 1856 with his father's family and proceeded by boat down the Ohio and up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, the family remaining for three weeks at Canton. There were about eighty families aboard the steam- boat, named "Ben Bolt." Emmanuel Jones left his wife and children with his brother-in-law, Lloyd Rees, while he came to Carthage and investigated the land, which he had previously purchased. He then in company with his son. George W .. and an uncle of the latter made a trip with a yoke of oxen and a mule to Alexandria, crossing to Warsaw on the ferry boat. There they waited for the family, who came up on the packet, and at the same time they accidentally came across a cousin of Mr. Jones' mother, who lived about twelve miles from that place. The family traveled across the prairie with ox teams to Carthage and on the entire trip did not pass a single home un- til they came to the old Comer place. which is still standing. They remained all night at the Wells tavern, which was torn down about two years ago. The first house they came to in Carthage stood where the James Black residence is now seen and was a little one-story structure weatherboarded with clapboards. Going from Carthage to the tract they did not pass another house for two miles, when they saw a little log cabin. About two miles northeast of this stood the little house of Ned Russell and these were the only houses between Carthage and the
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old homestead farm, upon which the ing was to be done they just raised one Jones family located. Emmanuel Jones side of the board and through an anger hole they placed a stick to hold it up In the summer months he worked m the fields, taking his place behind the plow as soon as his age and strength permitted. Later he carried on farming on his own accoum through the summer months and in the winter seasons for five years en- gaged in teaching. built his house, requiring about four months to complete the work. The tract was wild and unimproved. Wild tur- keys and geese could be had in abundance and deer were also plentiful. Judge Jones of this review has a very retentive memory and relates in most interesting style events of pioneer times and the way in which they lived. He well remembers On the 25th of September. 18644. Mr. Jones was married to Miss Emeline Dale. who was born on section 30. Hancock township. March 4. 1846, her parents be- ing George W. and Martha ( Booz ) Dale. who were natives of Kentucky, in which state Mr. Dale carried on farming. They came to Illinois at an early day and Mr. Dale died in 1862 from the effects of in- juries received in a runaway. He was an industrious, enterprising man, kindly and considerate of others. His wife, who made her home with Mr. and Mrs. Jones for seven years, passed away February 12. 1881, at the age of seventy-five years. She was a member of the Christian church and was a most estimable lady. Mr. Dale filled several township offices In their family were seven children, four of whom are now living, namely : James. who resides in Carthage: Margaret. the wife of Phil D. Williams, of La Harpe. Illinois: Emeline, now Mrs. Jones; and John, who is living on section 31. Il.m cock township. the conversation that occurred on that overland trip fifty years ago. Soon after reaching their new home five out of the family of six were ill with malaria and it was almost impossible to get any one to wait on them. AAn old neighbor wo- man came to them to render assistance. She lived four miles away and she said she would undertake their care if they would turn off their physician and get hers. Mr. Jones did this and the new physician. Dr. Booz, greatly assisted them and remained the family physician until his death. Judge Jones has in his possession a medal which he picked up in the dust when a barefoot boy. It rep- resents the campaign when William II. Harrison was presidential nominee. 11e also has many coins over seventy-five years old and other interesting curios. His education was largely acquired in the district schools, such as were common at an carly day in Illinois. He learned his lessons while seated on a sycamore slab. the seat being formed by placing such a slab upon wooden pins which were in- serted into the slab. The writing desk was formed much after the same numer. a long board being hung upon hinges fas tened to the window sills, and when writ
Five years after his marriage Judge Jones of this review abandoned farming and devoted five years thereafter in te wlo ing, with the exception of our aller that of 1808-0m), which he spent as ama dent in Abingdon College Inte - in
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mer of 1869 and the winter of 1870 he taught at Oak Grove and through the following summer and winter was a teacher in the Independence school. In 1871 he purchased a lot in Carthage on Main street and built his home, which he has since rebuilt and greatly enlarged. He then returned to Middle creek, where he taught through the winter of 1871-72. which ended his career as an educator. He had. however. proved a very capable instructor and the schools of which he had charge made substantial progress un- der his direction but his ambitions lay in other directions. While teaching he had served for two terms as town clerk in Hancock township, in 1855 and 1856. In his political views he is a democrat and has long been recognized as one of the leaders of the party in his county. On the 3Ist of March, 1874, he became deputy sheriff and served to the end of the term under John D. Stevens and also was deputy sheriff for two terms, or four years, under C. T. Cannon, filling the po- sition until December. 1882. In the meantime he was also constable of Car- thage township for eight years, acting in that capacity until 1883, when he was elected magistrate of the city and resigned the former position. He acted as mag- istrate for four terms, or sixteen years, being chosen to the office on the anti- license ticket, and it was this position which won him the title by which he is uniformly known-Judge Jones. While acting as police magistrate he married one hundred and sixty-six couples and since taking the office of justice of the peace in April. 1905. he has performed sixteen marriage ceremonies. He has also served
as a member of the city school board and the cause of education has found in him a warm and stalwart friend. He maintains his justice court on Main street and in addition to his other duties he has for the past thirty years worked at the court house extending taxes on the tax books. He has many times been dep- uty county clerk and has also been em- ployed in the office of county superintend- ent and that of city treasurer. Since 1883 he has been the efficient and trusted school treasurer of Carthage township. being ap- pointed by a board of two republicans and one prohibitionist, while he is a stanch democrat. The appointment came to him on the 7th of March, 1883, and he still continues in the office. In 1892 he was chosen superintendent of the fair grounds for a term of one year and was assistant secretary of the Fair Association prior to this time. He has assisted for three years in distributing the poor fund of the city and thus he has filled many places of pub- lic trust and responsibility, being always found thoroughly reliable and enterpris- ing. He has moreover frequently been called to assist in the bank when extra help has been needed. Like his father he has always been an earnest and stalwart democrat. He is undoubtedly one of the most methodical men of the county and state, having kept an account of all his doings ever since he entered business life. He is a fine writer and splendid account- ant and has been well qualified for the discharge of the various duties that have devolved upon him. Upon the organiza- tion of Plum Brothers Brick and Tile Company of Carthage, Mr. Jones became treasurer and has served in this position
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