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 59
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In his political views Mr. Johnson is a democrat and has served as supervisor and school director. He belongs to the Woodmen camp and he and his wife are devoted, active and faithinl members of the Methodist church, in which he is sert ing as steward. Both are eligible to membership with the Sons and Daugh-
ters of the American Revolution, being descended from ancestors who fought for the independence of the nation. They have an attractive home, tastefully fur nished, and books and music indicate the interests of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. She has greatly aided her husband in all of his undertakings and both enjoy in large measure the esteem and good will of many friends. He has already attained a creditable place in business circles and yet is hardly in the prime of life, so that the future probably holds in store for him greater successes.
CHARLES F. SPENCE.
Charles F. Spence. engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Montebello township, is one of Illinois native sons. and from his youth has resided largely in Hancock county. His birth, however. occurred in Adams county on the 20th of July, 1801. his parents being Abram and Angeline ( Hule) Spence, both na- tives of Ohio. The maternal grandpar- ents, Thomas and Elizabeth Hule, were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. Abram Spence, in his early minhend re- moved from Ohio to Adams county, Ill nois, where he was married and there his death occurred in 1862 Following his demise his widow made her home near Beverly. Ilmois, where she engaged in teaching school, and m 1800, she gave her hand in marriage to Peter Williams. a farmer of that locality By this union
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there were born four children, two sons and two daughters. of whom three are' now living. Mary Etta. William G. and Frank E., all of whom are residents of Camp Point, Illinois, while Melissa, who was the second in order of birth, died at the age of two years. By the mother's first marriage there were two sons, the elder being Dr. John T. Spence, who is a practicing physician at Camp Point, Illi- nois. The death of Mrs. Spence occurred April 28. 1899.
Charles F. Spence lived with his mother to the age of seventeen years, when he began earning his own living by working by the month as a farm hand in Adams and Hancock counties. He was thus employed until a year prior to his marriage, when he purchased seventy-nine acres of land on section 26, Walker town- ship. Hancock county, whereon he re- sided for four years. He then purchased one hundred acres on section 35, Monte- bello township and the year following his removal to his new purchase he sold his property in Walker township. The one- hundred-acre tract was quite well im- proved when he took possession. It was a stock farm and Mr. Spence has here en- gaged extensively in raising stock. He has an eight-ton stock scale upon his place, and from time to time he has made sub- stantial improvements. He also built two corn-cribs, one a double crib. Later he built two more cribs and afterward a hay barn twenty-six by thirty-six feet with a nine foot shed on three sides. hu 1896 he had a well drilled to the depth of one hundred and twenty-six feet. He farms very little upon his place, having eighteen acres only in corn, while the
remainder of his land is used for pastur- age or for the raising of hay. However, he gives his personal supervision to the conduct of a farm of seventy-seven acres on section 34. Montebello township, culti- vating the fields for the purpose of rais- ing the cereals best adapted to soil and climate. He is, however, best known as a stockman and raises horses, hogs and cattle. He also buys and deals in cattle. feeding and shipping about eighty or one hundred head annually. He also deals quite extensively in hogs, feeding about three hundred head per year.
On the 17th of February. 1886, Mr. Spence was married to Miss Dora Har- rison, who was born in Walker town- ship. Hancock county. September 16. 1864. She is a granddaughter of John and Martha (Ainsworth) Harrison. na- tives of Lancashire. England, and came to America about 1842. and settled in Walker township in 1842. It was in that township that their son. William Har- rison, who was eighteen years of age when he came to America. the year before his parents, was united in marriage to Miss Maria Kirkendall. October 19. 1851. She was born in Pennsylvania, and a daughter of David Kirkendall, who was born in Scotland. The death of Mrs. Maria Harrison occurred August 25. 1865. and the father afterward married again. His death occurred January 8. 1901. By his first marriage he had four sons and four daughters, of whom Mrs. Spence is the youngest. By her marriage she became the mother of three children. of whom two died in infancy, while Carl 11 .. the eklest, was born November 8. 1894, and died February 16, 1895. The
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
only living child is Charles W., who was born June 13. 1897.
Mr. Spence gives his political support to the democracy and is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the de- grees of the lodge and chapter in Elvas- ton. Starting out in life on his own ac- count when seventeen years of age he has always been dependent upon his own re- sources and investigation into his life history will show that his success is at tributable to his own labors. He has never been idle for a single day and indo- lence is utterly foreign to his nature. 1le has worked persistently making the best possible use of his opportunities and he is justly accounted one of the foremost citizens and representative agriculturists of Montebello township.
WILLIAM DICKSON BRAADSILAW.
William Dickson Bradshaw is a prom- inent pioneer of Hancock county, where he owns and operates large landed pos- sessions and is also engaged quite exten- sively in the raising of cattle. He was born in Jacksonville. Morgan county. this state, March 30. 1837. His father. Joel Bradshaw, was born in Sparta. White county. Tennessee, in 1812, and when a little lad of seven years was brought from the south to Hinois by his parents. John and Mary ( Morgan) Bradshaw, natives of Tennessee and Kill- tucky respectively. the family home being established in Morgan county, near Jack-
sonville. Here the father spent he beg- hood and youth, and after reaching mais estate was there married to Miss ( ther ine Dickson, who was born in Te messer in 1815, a daughter of Hugh J. and Mar garet ( Tunk ) Dickson, the former a u tive of Baltimore, Maryland, while the latter claimed the Keystone state as the place of her nativity, and upon leaving the south they, too, located in Morgan county, in 1817. their home being near the Bradshaws. Hugh J. Dickson served as a soldier in the Seminole war in Flor ida. After his marriage, which occurred March 20. 1834. the father of our sub- ject then removed from Morgan county to this county, the time of his arrival be- ing about August 20. 1837. He located in La Harpe township, where he pur- chased six hundred acres of wild and un- improved land, and taking up his abode here he at once began the work of de- veloping and cultivating the land, erect- ing many buildings and otherwise im proving the place until he made it a very valuable and productive farm property. In addition to his farming interests he engaged quite extensively in the raising of horses, cattle and hogs, keeping outy the best grades of stock upon his farm. Ile was a very prominent and influential man in his day and was a leader in the upbuilding and development of this per- tion of the state, and here his death of curred November 5th at the age of seven- ty-nine. In the family of this worthy pro neer couple were born ten children, but only two brothers and one sister of the subject are now living The family is ord is as follows Jane, why was biff March 14. 1835, and is now deceased.
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William D .. of this review; Mary Jane. who was born January 3, 1839, and be- came the wife of Frank Hine, of Jack- sonville, Illinois. but is now deceased ; George W., who was born January I, 1841, and is a resident of La Harpe; Su- sanna E .. who was born December 18. 1842, and died at the age of six years; Sarah L., who was born January 14. 1845. and became the wife of William C. Bainter, but is now deceased; Emma E .. who was born February 8, 1847, and the widow of James Davis, now making her home in La Harpe; Elvina G., who was born May 20, 1849, and passed away at the age of six years; Joel G., who was born October 2. 1852, and passed away in 1894; and James M., who was born December 20, 1855. and now occupies the old homestead farm. The mother died in 1859.
William D. Bradshaw pursued his edu- cation in the common schools of Morgan county. but his educational privileges were very limited owing to the unsettled condition of the country and the lack of a good school system. He has, however. through reading and observation added to his fund of knowledge until he has be- come a well informed man. He was early trained to the duties of farm labor, as- sisting his father in the arduous work of breaking and cultivating wild land, and sharing with the family in all of the hardships and privations, as well as the pleasures of a frontier existence. When he came to this county deer and other wild beasts were to be seen roaming through the forest, and there was much wild game of all kinds to be had. so that the carly settlers could indulge in hunt-
ing in those days, and thus the family board was frequently supplied with wild meat of various kinds. He remained with his parents until the time of his marriage, when on the 22d of December, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Bainter. a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Huston) Bainter, who, after their mar- riage in Ohio, made an overland trip to this state, the year of their arrival being 1835. Thus, like the Bradshaws, they were numbered among the early pioneer settlers of this portion of the state.
Following his marriage Mr. Bradshaw purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he has placed many improvements in the way of fences, sub- stantial outbuildings and a fine country residence, and here he has continued to make his home to the present time. He has added a tract of one hundred and fifty acres, located on section 31, so that he has here extensive holdings, on which he is engaged in general farming and has raised cattle to quite an extent, this branch of his business proving a gratify- ing source of income. Ilis place is well tiled and the land is placed under a high state of cultivation, so that he annually gathers abundant crops as the result of the care and labor he bestows upon the fields. He follows only the best methods of farming and uses the latest improved farm implements to facilitate his work. Unto our subject and his wife was born one daughter, Sarah Margaret, who was born November 4, 1868. Her death oc- curred in June. 1894, she having been a great sufferer from rheumatism for many years prior to her death.
Mr. Bradshaw's study of the current
HANCOCK COUNTY. ILLINOIS.
events of the nation has led him to give hearty support to the Democratic party. For twenty years he served as school treasurer of La Harpe township, and in many ways has given active and helpful support to local advancement and prog- ress. He has now almost reached the seventieth milestone on life's journey and during the long years of his residence here has seen marvelous changes as the wild land has been converted into rich farming property, towns and villages have sprung into existence and the work of development and improvement along commercial, industrial and agricultural lines has been carried forward, and he has not only been a witness of all this but has been an active participant and a leader in many movements whereby the general public has benefited. He and his wife are worthy pioncer people, highly esteemed throughout the county where they have so long lived and labored and where they enjoy the good will and con- fidence of a host of friends, to whom they have become endeared by reason of the many excellent traits of character which they possess.
GEORGE CLERE.
George Clere, who is engaged in gen eral farming in Bear Creek township, has a place that is well kept, denoting hi- great neatness, thrift and enterprise. Ile was born upon this farm April 30, 1872. and is a son of Theodore and Catherine
( Miller ) Clere. His father . han in France and crossed the cen when ten years of age with his parents Soon. however, they became residents of ther mont county, Ohio. At a later date Theodore flere went to Californi . where he remained for ten years, and in 1800 he was married and came to linos. His wife was born and reared in Highlind county, Ohio, and both Mr and Mrs Clere are now living in Basco. Although a blacksmith by trade Mr. Clere has fol- lowed farming for many years and i- now associated with his son George in the conduct of agricultural interests. Mrs. Clere had one brother. Henry Miller. who was a soldier in the Civil war for three years, enlisting from Ohio. He lost his eyesight in the service. He was not in any battles but was an expert bridge- builder, who with other workmen of this character went ahead of the army and built bridges and other such work, so that the armies could continue their progress While thus engaged he was shot at muy times.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Theodore flere have been born four children : George. of this review : Emma, the wife of Charles Hays, who is living near Carthage : Ebra- beth, the wife of Albert Hartman, read ing in Bear Creek township; and Call erine, the wife of Dr. William Kikin. of Basco, Illinois.
George Clere pursued his education the schools of Based and during the i'l and winter of 1800-01 was a student in the Giem City Business College. it Dung Illinois. He then returned to the ell home farm and assisted bes father In its operation. continuing thereen after I -
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marriage. He is now a partner of his father and they deal very extensively in stock, feeding and shipping large quanti- ties of cattle.
On the 18th of October. 1898. Mr. Clere was united in marriage to Miss Birdie Rohrbaugh, who was born near Basco. October 3, 1876, and is a daughter of Solomon and Mary . (Tanner) Rohr- baugh. Her maternal grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812. Her father was born in Virginia, while the mother's birth occurred near Plymouth. Hancock county, Illinois. Mr. Rohrbaugh came to this state when quite young and is now living in Oquawka, in Henderson county, Illinois. His wife died. how- ever, when their daughter, Mrs. Clerc. was a little maiden. They had three chil- dren : Birdie : Clarence, who is living in Leavenworth, Kansas; and Albert. who died at the age of fourteen years.
Mr. and Mrs. Clere began their do- mestic life upon the old homestead farm, comprising three hundred and seventy acres of valuable land situated on sections 22 and 23, Bear Creek township. It is very valuable and the fields are productive because of the care and cultivation that has been bestowed upon them. There are also good buildings upon the place and everything is indicative of the super- vision of the owner. In his political views George Clere is a stalwart demo- crat, yet has never been an aspirant for office. He is an Odd Fellow and has passed all of the chairs in the local lodge and has twice been representative to the grand lodge. He also holds membership relations with the Modern Woodmen of America, and he and his wife are devoted
members of the Baptist church. The marriage of this worthy couple has been blessed with one son, Leslie, who was born January 17, 1900, on the same farm where the father's birth occurred and where the family are still residing.
Mr. Clere has led a life of activity and usefulness and much that he possesses has been acquired through his own labor. He has worked diligently and persistently as the years have gone by and his farm bears every evidence of his care and supervision.
JOHN J. BODDEKER.
The man whose name introduces this review is one of the prosperous farmers of Appanoose township that Germany has furnished to this state. Born in Prussia. Germany, his natal day was March 6. 1848. his parents being Joseph and Jo- sephine (Lengenman) Boddeker. He acquired his education in the fatherland. and at the age of twenty-three years en- listed for service in the German army, in which he served for six months, at the end of which time, having heard favorable reports concerning the advantages and opportunities to be enjoyed in the new world, he decided to leave his native land. and accordingly in 1871. emigrated to America, making his way at once to Ilan- cock county, where he spent the succeed- ing three years as a farm hand, working by the month for various farmers of this locality. Possessing the energetic. in-
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
ample room for horses, cattle and Is. and he also has many other outholdings for the shelter of gram and stock, and which add to the attractive appena il 1 of his place.
As a companion and helpmate on hie's journey Mr. Boddeker chose Miss Mu Ponnaburg, to whom he was married all the Ist of January, 1875. She is a native of this township, and a daughter of Henry and Mary Ann Catherine ( Mos) Ponna burg, natives of Prussia. Mr and Mrs Bokleker have become the parent- ni si sons and five daughters, namely : Annie. who was born April 7. 1870, and is now the wife of Henry Schneider, of Appa- House township: Joseph, born March 6. 18-8. likewise a resident of this township : Henry, born March 25. 1881. and a resi- dent of l'ontoosue township: John, born March 3. 1884. at home: Jennetta, born March 18, 1886, and now the wife of George Hisler, residing near Dallas, Illi- nois: Antony, born June 11. 1888, Jo- sephine. December 5. 1890. Ferdinand. July 31, 1802, Florence, March 15. 1800. Isabella, November 13. 1899. and Albert. born March 7. 1903. all at home with their parents.
dustrious and economical spirit so char- acteristic of the German element, at the end of three years he was enabled to en- gage in farming on his own account and then removed to Knox county, Missouri. where he lived on a rented farm for eight years. Here he carried on general agri- cultural pursuits and met with such good success that on the expiration of that period he had capital sufficient to justify the purchase of land, and then returned again to Appanoose township, where he bought eighty-eight acres, situated on see- tion 14. This was but partially improved but he at once set to work to further im- prove the land, placing his fieldis under cultivation, from which he annually gath- ered good crops. He has erected all of the buildings which are today found upon his farm, and from time to time has added to his landed possessions, having in 1888 added forty acres to his original purchase, and also twenty-four acres of timber land. and in 1899 he bought an additional eighty-acre tract, so that he now has two hundred and thirty-two acres in all, of which one hundred acres is un- der a high state of cultivation. The re- mainder is covered with timber or used as pasture land, on which are found high Coming to America thirty-five years ago, possessing little capital, and without knowledge of the language of customs of the new world, John J. Baldcker, soin acquired the English tongue and ws quick to note and improve any opportu nity that presented itself for advancement and as the years have passed he has grad ually worked his way up until he is ness in possession of a comfortable property He gives his policed support is | grades of horses, shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs. He engages quite extensively in the raising of live stock. and this branch of his business is like- wise proving a good source of revenue to him. In 1808 he built a fine country residence, containing nine rooms, and supplied with all modern conveniences for the comfort and convenience of the in- mates. In 1903 he built a large barn seventy by fifty feet, which furnished Democratic party and & a community of
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEIT'
of the Catholic church. Aside from hold- ing the office of school director he has served in no other official capacity. pre- ferring to give his undivided attention to his farming interests, in which he is meeting with unbounded success and is today numbered among the prosperous and progressve agriculturists of Appa- noose township.
WILLIAM G. MILBORN. JR.
William G. Milborn. Jr., figures prom- inently in political circles in Carthage, where he is now serving as city treasurer and also occupies an enviable position in business circles as one of the proprietors of the Rand-Milborn Cigar Manufactur- ers. He dates his residence in Carthage from 1873. the year of his birth. his par- ents being William G. and Barbara ( Workman) Milborn. The father, a na- tive of Germany. came to America when a young man about twenty-one years of age, landing at New York. He is a cab- inetmaker by trade and at the present writing is employed in J. Nace's furni- ture factory in Carthage. having made his home in this city since 1870. He is now sixty-two years of age and his wife is also living. They have six children who still live, five having died in child- hood. the record of the sons and daugh- ters still living being as follows: Wil- liam G .. Jr. ; Charles, who is living with his parents ; Caroline, who is employed in a store in Peoria, Illinois: Emma. An tone and Esther, all at home.
At the usual age William G. Milborn, Jr .. entered the public schools and there- in pursued his studies until he entered business life, being first employed in a restaurant for a period of four years. He afterward learned the trade of a cigar- maker in Carthage and on the 3d of Feb- ruary, 1906, embarked in business on his own account in a building in which he had been employed for twelve years. The firm is now known as the Rand-Milborn Cigar Company, and they manufacture cigars, having the largest factory of the kind in the city. employing ten assistants in Carthage. while they have upon the road a traveling salesman. They sell to both the wholesale and retail trade and the business has reached extensive pro- portions, making it a profitable enterprise. Mr. Milborn has closely applied himself to his trade, which he has mastered in principle and detail. and is thus compe- tent to ably direct the labors of those whom he now employs.
In 1894 Mr. Milborn was married to Miss Sarah M. Marvel, who was born in Chili township, September 25. 1871. a daughter of William B. and Mary ( Pow- el1) Marvel. who were of Scotch descent. Her father is a retired farmer now living in Carthage and in the family are five daughters: Eva; Mollie, the wife of Cleophus O'Harra, of Rapid City. South Dakota: Mrs. Sarah Milborn: Alice : and Phillena. the wife of John Rand. Jr., a nephew of the partner of our subject.
Mr. and Mrs. Milborn have one son. William Marvel Milborn, who was born in Carthage. April 26, 1905. Mr. Mil- born has recently completed a handsome residence on North Adams street and he
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and his wife occupy an enviable position in social circles, while the gracious hos pitality of their own home has made it a favorite resort with their many friends. Mr. Milborn is a Knight of Pythias and has served as chancellor in the Court of Honor, which position he still holds. In politics he has always been a stanch dem- ocrat and in 1905 was elected city treas- urer of Carthage, in which position he has discharged his duties in prompt and faithful manner. He is deeply interested in the success of his party and does all in his power to insure its growth. Both he and his wife are faithful members of the Presbyterian church. His success in business is largely due to his energy, abil- ity and genuine uprightness.
ALEXANDER PHILLIPPL
Alexander Phillippi is a retired farmer living in Colusa. He dates his residence in this county since 1868, during which time he has formed a wide and favorable acquaintance among the residents of this part of the state. He was born in West- moreland county, Pennsylvania, Decem- ber 26. 1833. his parents being George and Mary ( McMillan) Phillippi. Both were natives of the Keystone state and the father, who was born in October, 1802, followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He always lived in the vicinity of his birthplace and both he and his wife have now passed away. Of
their four children two are ining beth, the widow of Lewis I. Ambose and a resident of Indiana : and Mexander, of this review.
To the district school system of the t- tive state Mexander Phillippi is milchted for the educational privileges he enjoyed He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his majority and in 1850 came to Illinois, working for four years by the month as a farm hand in Fulton county. He afterward engaged m farm- ing on the shares in that county until March, 1808, when he came to Hancock county, Illinois, settling on a farm of eighty acres in Pilot Grove township. which he had purchased the year before and where he lived until 1886. He then exchanged his original property for a quarter section of land also on section 5. Pilot Grove township, which he still owns. His time and energie- were devoted to its further cultivation and improvement until 1897. when he retired from farming and removed to Colusa, building there a pretty cottage which he now occupies.
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