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 60
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In early manhood Mr. Phillippi was married to Miss Martha Burnett, Who was born October 2, 1841, and was reared in Fulton county, Illinois. Her death occurred in 1865 and of the two children born of that marriage only one is non living: George M., who was born in 1863 and resides in Nebraska Mr- Phillippi was a member of the United Brethren church and was an estim. ble lady who had many friends In October. 1868. Mr. Phillippi was agam maffie ! his second union being with Mr. Mary Fry. widow of Isaac Fry, who les . . dier of the Civil war. Wis Phillipp w
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born in Westmoreland county. Pennsyl- vania, a daughter of Henry and Marga- ret Swartz. She had two children by her first marriage: Emma, the wife of Edward Weirather, of St. Louis; and Alma, the wife of William Robertson, of Kansas. By the second marriage there are two children: Mary E., who is the wife of U. S. Swigert, of Colusa, and is postmistress : and Francis M., of Nash- ville, Tennessee.
Mr. Phillippi exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and meas- ures of the democracy and has held a number of township offices, including that of road supervisor. He has also been a member of the school board and is interested in all that pertains to ma- terial, intellectual and moral progress in his community. Throughout his entire life he has commanded and enjoyed the respect of his fellowmen and is one whose word is as good as his bond. A life of energy and activity has been crowned with well-earned rest and he is now spend- ing the evening of his days in a pleasant home in Colusa surrounded by many of life's comforts.
ANDREW W. BYERS.
Andrew W. Byers, the late owner and proprietor of Riverside Hotel in Dallas City, displayed many progressive meth- ods in the conduct of his hostelry, which he kept thoroughly modern in its equip- ments, while putting forth effective and
earnest effort for the comfort and wel- fare of his patrons. His business quali- fications and his genial manner made him a favorite with many travelers and he was popular with all who found entertain- ment at the Riverside Hotel. His life record began in Fayette county, Penn- sylvania, in 1849, and ended in Dallas City, September 17, 1906, his parents be- ing William and Esther (Cochran) By- ers, the former a native of Westmore- land county, and the latter of Fayette county, Pennsylvania. William Byers was a farmer by occupation and in the year 1858 came to Hancock county, Illi- nois, settling upon a farm, his remaining days being devoted to general agricul- tural pursuits in this part of the state. His political support was given to the democracy. He died in. May, 1878, and when in December, 1894, his wife also passed away, she was laid to rest by his side in Union cemetery. Their family numbered seven children and four have departed this life, while those now living are as follows: Nancy, the wife of Al- fred Nelson, a resident of Oklahoma : Samuel, who is living in Hancock county : and Margaret, the wife of Charles Hull, of La Harpe.
Andrew W. Byers was educated in the district schools of Hancock county and remained upon the old home farm until his father's death, after which he engaged in the cultivation and management of the property. In 1888, however, he left the farm and came to Dallas City, where for a year and a half he conducted a hotel and livery barn. He then removed to Fort Madison, Iowa, where he was pro- prietor of a livery stable for nine years,
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
and on the expiration of that period he conducted a hotel and livery business in La Harpe, Illinois, for a year and a half. In 1002 he returned to Dallas City and with wide experience in the hotel busi ness took charge of the Riverside Hotel on Oak and Front streets. This is a modern hostelry, first class in every re- spect, and both Mr. and Mrs. Byers did everything in their power for the wel- fare and comfort of their patrons during his life. and since his death Mrs. Byers with her son Lester have continued the business, which has increased rapidly of late, they much of the time having more than they can accommodate. The present manager being a natural hotel man, cour- teous, accommodating and genial in ways. giving his patrons better than is often found in much larger towns, it is a nat- ural result that the business is increasing.
In August, 1874. Mr. Byers was mar- ried to Miss Mary Ramsey, who was born in Marshall county, Illinois, in 1851, a daughter of Sammel and Louisa ( Terry ) Ramsey, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of the state of New York. The father was a farmer by occupation and in 1851 came to Illinois, settling on a farm in Hancock county. His days were devoted to tilling the soil and he placed his land under a high state of cul- tivation so that rich crops were annually gathered therefrom. His political sup port was given to the democracy. His wife died in the year 1875 and he passed away in 1883, his remains being laid to rest in the Harris cemetery in Dallas township. In their family were eight children, of whom seven are living. namely: Caroline, the wife of Oscar
Rich, of Hancock county . Will. 11. 11- ident of Dallas City : Mr- Bvers : Add- som, living in Kansas: Elizabeth, the w is of John Leighton, of Stronghurst. The mois: Stephen, where home to m 11 county : and Andrew, a carpenter of St Louis, Missouri.
Mr. and Mrs. Byers were the parents of seven children, all born on the farm' in Hancock county with the exception of the youngest. The family record is as follows: Roy married Grace Mckee- han, lives in Seattle, Washington, and has two children. John and Dorothy. Wil- liam died at the age of twenty-one years and was buried at Fort Madison. Josie is the wife of Harry Bradshaw and re- sidles in La Harpe, Illinois. Samuel went to Chicago at the age of eighteen and died at the age of twenty-three. Lester. who married Miss Grace Hart and has one daughter, Mary, is now manager of the hotel. Nell is at home with her mother, and Frank, twelve years of age. is attending school in Dallas City. The death of their son Samuel, who at the age of twenty-three years went to Chi cago, and at the time of his demise was occupying a fine position with a live stock company in that city. having worked his way steadily upward to a very response ble place, was a great blow to the i.m ily. About Thanksgiving in 1005 he com tracted a severe cold, which developed into consumption. His brother Lester took him to El Paso, Texas, but he found no relief in that sunny clime und passed away March 6. 1900, at the age i twenty three years, six months and eight een days, his remains being interred m Dallas City cemetery He was a dutiful
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and loving son, a trusted employe and a general favorite among his associates: The company by which he was employed felt the deepest sorrow at his death and spoke most feelingly of his good qualities not only because of his business capacity but also because of his honorable dealings and trustworthy character. These quali- ties as well as the social side of his na- ture were manifest in all life's relations and he was genuinely esteemed by all who knew him. His personality was such as to make him popular with all who knew him. He was a young man of fine personal appearance, of high principles, generous and kindly spirit, and his death came as a great loss to his many friends as well as his immediate family.
Mr. Byers voted with the democracy. His widow is a devoted member of the Christian church and stands high in pub- lic regard throughout the community in which she resides. Mr. Byers depended largely upon his own resources for the success that he achieved, having inherited nothing from relatives nor did he place his dependence upon fortunate circum- stances, but relied upon diligence and en- terprise to win him the success which is the goal of all business endeavor.
BENJAMIN F. BENNER.
Benjamin F. Benner, who gave his life as a sacrifice to his country in the Civil war, was born in Stark county, Ohio, May 27, 1836, a son of Elias and Chris-
tina (Cramer) Benner. In the year 1839, his parents came to Illinois but afterward returned to Ohio and in that state the mother died. Benjamin F. Benner spent his boyhood and youth there, remaining a resident of Ohio until about 1855, when he removed to Sonora, Illinois, where he conducted a blacksmith shop, having previously learned the trade in the Buckeye state. He was a good workman and soon secured a liberal pat- ronage, leading a busy and industrious life. He was also appointed to the posi- tion of postmaster of Sonora, in which capacity he served for two years, when he resigned in August, 1862, and enlisted for service in the Civil war, being as- signed to duty with the boys in blue of Company C. One Hundred and Eight- eenth Illinois Infantry. He served with that command until his death, which oc- curred at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on the 5th of February, 1865.
On the 9th of November, 1861, Mr. Benner was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Forney, who was born at Sonora, Hancock county, on the 23d of September, 1843, and pursued her educa- tion in the district schools. Her father, Jacob Forney, was born in Stark county. Ohio, April 17, 1816, and was a son of John and Mary (Smith) Forney. both of whom were natives of Ohio. With his parents he removed from Ohio to Ray county, Missouri, in 1835, making the journey westward with ox teams and it was in Missouri that he was married on the 15th of April, 1838. to Miss Margaret Smith, whose birth occurred in Stark county, Ohio. December 22, 1821. her parents being John and Betsey ( Clapper)
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Smith, who were natives of Pennsylvania. She, too, had accompanied her parents from Ohio to Missouri, traveling after the primitive manner of the times. . At their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Jacob For- ney settled upon a farm of eighty acres in Missouri, but in 1839 sold that prop- erty and in the spring of that year re- moved to Adams county, Illinois. In the succeeding autumn they removed to So- nora. becoming pioneer residents of this part of the state. They found an unim- proved district, the land being raw and uncultivated. while every evidence of pio- neer life was to be found here. Mr. For- ney saw many deer and much wild game, whereby many a pioneer table was sup- plied with meat. There were a number of wild animals and the Indians were also frequently seen, having not yet left this district for their reservations farther west. Mr. Forney purchased a tax title to one hundred and sixty acres of land which was wild and unimproved. He located on the prairie and also bought eighty acres more. Subsequently he purchased eleven and a half acres of timber land and afterward invested in five acres more of timber. He also bought two more eighty-acre tracts which he sub- sequently sold to his sons. He improved his first farm and carried on general agri- cultural pursuits and stock-raising. bring- ing the fields under a high state of culti- vation and adding the equipments and accessories which are found upon a model farm. He continued to reside there until he came to Hamilton, where he now re- sides, making his home with his daughter. Mrs. Brenner. His wife. however, passed away on the 8th of June. 1887. Mr.
Forney still owns two hundred and forty acres of prairie land in Sonora township. which he now rents and from which he derives a good income. Unto Mr and Mrs. Forney were born four daughter- and three sons. Elizabeth Sarah became the wife of Franklin Bradley, who died in Hancock county, after which she re- moved to Osborne county, Kansas, where she now resides. Aaron I. died in Us- borne county, Kansas, in 1903. Mary . 1. is now Mrs. Benner. Emerilla is the widow of George C. Waggonner. of Hamilton, who died March 8, 1904. Bianca L. is the wife of Wilson J. Powers. who is living in Osborne county, Kan- sas. Chauncey S. is a practicing physi- cian of Dallas City. Illinois, and Ervin I. is living in Roger Milla county. Oklahoma.
Mr. and Mrs. Benner had but one child. Austin F .. who was. born November 3. 1862, and died of typhoid fever Novem- ber 10, 1879. They had been to Kan- sas and taken a claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Mitchell county, there living for a short time, after which they returned to Hancock county. In April. 1870. they again went to Kansas, where they remained until November, when they again came to Hancock county and with in a few days the son passed away. Mrs. Benner still owns five acres of land in the village of Sonora, where she has two houses which she rents. She bought two lots in Hamilton and in the fall of 1002 built a residence, to which she removed in 1003 and she and her father are now living together. She is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of the section of the state and has a wide ac
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quaintance here. She has witnessed much of the development and progress of Han- cock county from pioneer times down to the present and can relate many interest- ing incidents of the early days.
JAMES A. PAUL.
James A. Paul, who dates his residence in this county from 1885, at which time he took up his abode upon his present farm in Pontoosuc township, is a native of Ohio, having been born in Ross county. in 1849; a son of Hugh H. and Margery (Nichols) Paul. The father was born in Virginia, on September 2, 1821, and the mother's birth occurred in Ohio. Jan- uary 1. 1823. For some years after their marriage they remained in the Buckeye state and in 1861 became residents of Henderson county. Illinois, where the father died April 1, 1866. His wife long survived him and passed away December 17. 1881, when her grave was made by his side in a cemetery at Burlington, Iowa. Three of their five children survive, our subject and the daughters being Eliza Ann, the wife of Benjamin Long. of Burlington, and Victoria, the wife of Merton Galvin, of Burlington. Two uncles of our subject, James F. and Thomas Paul, were soldiers of the Civil war.
lived. He was married January 4, 1883. to Miss Junie Haworth, whose birth oc- curred in Pontoosuc, this county, March 12, 1865, a daughter of Reese and Eliza- beth (Kidson) Haworth. Her father was born in Iowa, where he still lives. but her mother, a native of Ohio. is deceased. He served for a year or more as a soldier of an Indiana regiment dur- ing the Civil war and in 1863 came to this county, settling in Pontoosuc town- ship. In his family were two children but one has passed away. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Paul lived for two years on a farm near Burlington, Iowa. and in 1885 settled on a farm on section 21, Pontoosuc township. Mr. Paul pur- chasing eighty acres of land, on which he built a good house. barn and fences, and which he owned until October I. 1906. when he sold at good advantage and will buy a larger farm where land is not so costly. He actively carries on the farm work of the fields and also raises good stock. both branches of his business proving profitable.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Paul have been born eight children, of whom seven are living: Jennie M .. the wife of Otto Englehard, of Pontoosuc township. by whom she has one daughter, Clara ; Jessie E .. the wife of Albert Krause, a resident farmer of Dallas township. by whom she has one child, Paul : Reese M., Ruth Ann. Hugh F .. Bertha Grove and Junie Mae. all at home. The parents are devoted members of. the Methodist Episcopal church at Shiloh, in which he is serving as trustee ; and upon the republican ticket.
James A. Paul was educated in the public schools of Henderson county, Illi- nois, and of Burlington, lowa, and re- " which he always votes, he has been elected mained with his mother as long as she to various township offices, including
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those of assessor, commissioner and road overseer. He finds in the faithful per formance of each day's duties, whether of a public or private nature, inspiration and encouragement for the labors of the she- ceeding day and while rather retiring in disposition both Mr. and Mrs. Paul are recognized as possessing many sterling traits of character.
G. M. HUMPHREY.
G. M. Humphrey was widely known as the proprietor of the Shoreham Hotel in Carthage. He was born in Burton. Adams county. this state, March 30. 1850. his parents being William and Frances ( Richards) Humphrey. His paternal great-grandfather was a soldier of the war of 1812, while his uncle. Abner Humphrey, was a soldier of the Civil war. William Humphrey, the father, was born in Loudoun county. Virginia. and the mother's birth also occurred in the Old Dominion. He devoted his time and en- ergies to farming and was only about eleven years of age when he came to Illi- nois. His political support was given to the democracy and during and after the war he served as sheriff of Adams county. He was drafted for service with the Union army but hired a substitute, to whom he paid one thousand dollars. He acted as constable and was also a member of the school board in his home locality and in local affairs took an active and helpful interest. His first wife died when
about fifty-one years of age and three years later Mr. Humphrey married Cy- drilla Childers. By the first muon there were two children : M . 18 the widow of Tom Spense, of Chicago; a (i. M., deceased, of this review 11 e children were born of the second marriage and are yet living, namely: Thomas. who reside in Macomb, Illinois: Vie. the wife of George Muhl, of India: James, who is living in the Black Hills: Charles, who resides in Missouri; and Blanche, the wife of William Laramore. of Adams county. Illinois.
C. M. Humphrey was indebted to the public school system of Adams county for the early educational privileges he enjoyed. Later he attended the high school at Quincy and after putting aside his text books remained with his father and grandfather, devoting his time to farming until he had attained the age of eighteen years. He then rented land and followed farming until the last four years. in Adams, MeDonough and Hancock counties, becoming a well known agri- culturist and meeting with success in his cultivation of the rich land of Illinois.
In 1876. Mr. Humphrey was married to Miss Belle Hungate, who was born in MeDonough county, this state Their only child died at the age of two years and Mrs. Humphrey died in 1878. her remains being interred in her native cour ty. On the 23d of January. 1881. Mr. Humphrey wedded Miss Maggie E. Yet ter, who was born in Fountain Green township. Hancock county, in 180g. a daughter of Lewis and Martha F ( Wright ) Yetter Her mother was Fira in Tennessee and was brought to I'm
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEI'
when three years of age. Her father, a na- tive of Pennsylvania. became a resident of Hancock county at the age of seven years and in manhood followed farming and stock-raising. Both he and his wife died and were buried in this county. He was a Mason and also connected with the Modern Woodmen of America and both he and his wife were devoted Methodists. For forty-two years Mr. Vetter served as class-leader and was also superintendent of the Sunday-school for a long period. He. too, was drafted for service in the war but sent a substitute to the front. His political allegiance was given to the democracy but he never aspired to office. In the family were eight children, seven of whom are yet living, namely: C. A. Yetter, a resident farmer of Fountain Green township : T. B., a merchant of the same township: J. B., a wholesale grocer of Galesburg, Illinois: Mrs. Humphrey ; Ella F .. the wife of William Day, of Fountain Green: Morris H., a resident farmer of Fountain Green: and Susie. the wife of William Fortney, of Mis- souri. To Mr. and Mrs. Humphrey were born two children, both born in Hancock county : Arda L., who was born January 8. 1882. and is a clerk in the Hotel Shore- ham; and Martha F., a student in the Carthage schools.
Mr. Humphrey was always a democrat but without political aspiration. He be- longed to the Woodmen and was a worthy representative of the order. In December. 1902. he removed from Foun- tain Green to Carthage, where he and his wife conducted the Shoreham Hotel on the American plan, having entertain- ment for sixty guests. Mr. Humphrey
was a wide-awake business man, upright citizen and genial and pleasant gentleman, popular with his guests and the commu- nity at large. That he had the support of the public is shown by the fact that every week he was forced to turn away people for lack of room. His wife ably assisted him, doing much of the office work and both put forth every effort in their power to promote the comfort of their guests.
Mr. Humphrey died May 9, 1906, at I:15 A. M., and his remains were laid to rest in the home cemetery, at Mayor- ville, Illinois. He is greatly mourned and missed. not only by his immediate family, but also by his many friends and acquaintances who were accustomed to his genial face and hospitable manner. when guests at the Shoreham Hotel. Mrs. Humphrey and her daughter are still managing the business in a very efficient manner.
SILVANUS E. SIMPSON.
When ambition is satisfied and every ultimate aim accomplished then will labor cease and inactivity become the common law of man, when ambition holds forth its promises industry seeks its reward. Numbered among the energetic. wide- awake agriculturists of Montebello town- ship is Silvanus E. Simpson, who was born upon the farm where he now re- sides, constituting the southeast quarter of section 8. June 30. 1862. This fact indicates that his parents were early set-
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tlers of the county and the name has long been known here. The father, Silvanus E. Simpson, was born in Seneca county. Ohio, January 5. 1823, and accompanied his parents on their removal from the Buckeye state to New York. After a few years, however, they returned to Ohio, where they carried on general agricul- tural pursuits. There are two surviving sons of the family and a daughter, name- ly: Elmer, who is living at Applegate Station in California : Volney A., of Los Angeles, California : and Mary, whose home is in San Francisco, California. Silvanus E. Simpson. Sr., however, again leaving his native state went to Galena, Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and from that place engaged in teaming to Shullsburg. Wisconsin. At the latter place he read law and also taught school, but after a few years returned again to Ohio. In 1853 he started from Cincinnati, Ohio, with provisions and other equipments and boarded a river steamer, thence pro- ceeding down the Ohio and up the Mis- sissippi and Missouri rivers to St. Joseph. Missouri, where he bought an outfit uf cattle and with his brother Elmer and his wife started for California. attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific slope. They joined a wagon train and were six months upon the way, at the end of which time they located in Placer county, Cali- fornia. Mr. Simpson engaged in mining during the winter months and also worked in the redwood forests. He was also employed in harvest fields, using era- dles, as the more modern machinery had not yet come into use. Prior to 1857 he started for Mexico, where he was cap tured by some Mexicans and held a pris
oner for sixty days, together Alles! ! other American citizens. At length t or we're put on board a United States Map and sent back to San Francisco hvis5; Mr. Simpson agam started for his 391 home, crossing the islands of Panamy and then proceeded In stemmer to Nes York, whence he returned across the country to Ohio, continuing a resident of that state until i86o. Once more he started for California, stopping on his way to visit his mother, who lived in llamilton. He had with him the sum of two thousand dollars and this he in vested in the farm upon which his soll Silvanus now resides. Giving up the idea of going to California he married and built a house upon his farm and there he lived until the 12th of December, 1871. when his home was destroyed by fire. 11e afterward built a portion of the present residence and subsequently made other additions. There were few improvements on the farm when it came into his pos session, but he worked earnestly and en- ergetically to reclaim the wild land and transform it into richly cultivated fields. There he carried on general farming for many years. living upon the old home- stead until his demise, which occurred on the roth of January, too.p. His wife had departed this life many years previously. her death having occurred September 244. 1886. They had three sons Silvanus E .: Cassius A., living in Montebello township; and Empire, who lives with the subject of this revien.
Silvanus E. Simpson, whose name it - troduces this record, has always loved upon the home place and before In- it ther's death the land was divided and Mr
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Simpson came into possession of eighty acres of the homestead, while Empire Simpson secured the other eighty acres. About 1888 Silvanus E. Simpson went to South Dakota on a prospecting trip and in October. 1893, he and his father took a trip to Houston, Galveston and other points in Texas. He owns two town lots in Laporte, Texas, and thirty acres of land there. With the exception of these brief periods, however, he has always re- mained in Montebello township and the old homestead farm has continually been his place of residence. As the years have passed by he has carried on general ag- ricultural pursuits in successful manner and now has a well equipped farm prop- erty, from which he annually derives a good income.
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