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 61
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On the 25th of October, 1882, oc- curred the marriage of Mr. Simpson and Miss Martha Frances Self, who was born in Callaway county, Missouri, September 24, 1865, and was educated in the schools of her native state. Her parents were John G. and Mattie J. (Davis) Self. the former a native of Boone county, Mis- souri, and the latter of Callaway county. Her paternal grandparents were Jenkin and Martha ( Black) Self. of Kentucky, and her maternal grandparents were James and Frances ( Davis) Davis, who were own cousins and were also natives of Kentucky. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Simpson has been blessed with six children: Ressic E., born June 7, 1885 : Elmer B., born January 14, 1889: Ever- ett Ray, born May 12. 1892: Ora L. and Mora B., twins, born March 4. 1805: and William Donald, born December 16. 190.4.
Mr. Simpson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democracy. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Hamilton and is interested in fraternity and in va- rious matters relating to public progress and general improvement. He has a wide acquaintance in the county where his en- tire life has been passed and the fact that many of the acquaintances of his youth are still numbered among his warmest friends is an indication that his life has been worthy of all respect.
WV. O. SHARP.
W. O. Sharp, editor and owner of the Carthage Gazette, was born November 2, 1854, in Warsaw, Hancock county, Illinois, a son of Thomas C. and Hannah ( Hardy) Sharp. He comes of a family to which belonged Governor Sharp of Maryland, and whose old residence, called Sharp's Folly, is still standing near Rich- mond, Virginia. It was so termed be- cause of the fact that he imported the brick used in its construction from Eu- rope. It is one of the attractive old colonial homes of the south and a noted landmark in the district in which it is lo- cated.
W. O. Sharp, following the removal of his parcuts to Carthage, was educated in the public schools there and in Carthage College and on putting aside his text- books entered the printing office with his father, where he remained until after his
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marriage, completely mastering the print- er's trade. In April. 1878, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Georgiana S. Cannon. who was born near Carthage, a daughter of Cornelius and Nancy A. Cannon, who were natives of Illinois and Iowa respect- ively. Her father, a farmer by occupa- tion, removed to Carthage, where he served at different times as deputy sheriff and sheriff. being elected to the latter posi- tion on the democratic ticket. He was also identified with commercial interests in Carthage, being associated with Wil- liam Dale in the dry-goods business. Later he bought a ranch in Texas with his brother and acted as its manager until his death. His wife has also passed away. In his fraternal relations he was connected with the Odd Fellows and the Ancient Order of United Workmen and both he and his wife were members of the Christian church. In their family were nine children, of whom six are living : Alwilda, the wife of J. W. Dale, a resi- dent of Indianapolis. Indiana : Georgiana S .. now Mrs. Sharp: Rolla, of California : Lena, the wife of W. C. Newton, of Car- thage: Robert, who is living with his sis- ter. Mrs. Sharp: and Richard, who re- sides in Decatur, Illinois.
After his marriage Mr. Sharp was en- gaged in the conduct of a photograph. gallery for ten years, spending six years of that time in Washington, Illinois. while for four years he conducted a studio in Carthage. In 1888 he re-entered the printing business in connection with his father and by the terms of the father's will inherited the Gazette office at his death and has since published the paper. The Gazette was established in 1865 and
is the largest paper in the county It is issued each Friday and is an enterprising journal, devoted to the dissemination of general and local news. In connection therewith Mr. Sharp also owns and con- duets a good job printing office and is making his business a commercial success.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Sharp have been born two children: Ethel K., who is a graduate of the public schools of Car- thage and is at home: and Mand S., the wife of William Helfrich, of New York city, who has charge of the typewriting and stenographie department of a large business college there. Mrs. Helfrich is a graduate in typewriting and ste- nography of the Gem City Business Col- lege of Quincy. The Sharp family resi- dence is situated in the northern part of Carthage on Washington street, where Mr. Sharp has erected a handsome home. In politics he is a republican but without aspiration for office. Hle and his wife are members of the American Protective League and Mrs. Sharp belongs to the Christian church. By reason of his ae- commodating disposition and kindly man- ner he is popular in the city in which al- most his entire life has been passed.
LORENZO YOUNG
Lorenzo Young, a prominent and pro gressive farmer of Hancock county, own ing two hundred and fifteen acres of lind in Rock Creek township and a tract of eighty-five acres in Montebello township. is one of the worthy citizens that fier many has furnished to this section of the
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state. He is a native of Baden. his na- nois, in the summer of 1862, joining tal day being AAugust 26, 1832. and a son of Jacob and Magdalena ( Bartz) Young. who carried on general agricultural pur- suits on a large scale in Germany.
To avoid service in the German army Lorenzo Young emigrated to America at the age of nineteen years, having acquired his education in the schools of his native country during his boyhood and youth. On his arrival in this country he landed in New York and went at once to Buf- falo. and from there made his way to Mil- waukee. Wisconsin, and on to Chicago. Illinois, where he spent one month in the employ of a railroad company. From that city he made his way to Cairo. Illi- mois. and spent a year and a half in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. He was then taken sick with typhoid fever and was taken to a hos- pital in St. Louis, where he was forced to remain for three months, and on his recov- ery he made his way again to Chicago in the hope of recuperating his health. After a time he secured employment in a lum- ber yard at that place, where he spent a time and then made his way to McLean county, where he was employed as a farm hand for three years. During this time he had saved some money which he in- vested in land, having at different times purchased three eighty-acre tracts. In that county he fed cattle and received an eighty-acre tract in payment for his serv- ices. However, he had watched with keen interest the condition of affairs in his adopted country and when the Civil war broke out, his patriotic spirit being aroused, he offered his services to the government, enlisting at Lincoln, Ili-
Company C, One Hundred and Six of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. At the battle of Yazoo river, Arkansas, he was wound- ed by a shell in the forehead which in- capacitated him for a few days, but aside from this he was always on active duty, returning home with a most creditable military record.
When his services were no longer needed by the government he at once made his way to Logan county. Illinois, and disposed of his land. and made his way to Kansas. where he spent six months traveling over the state recuperating from his army service. He then made his way to Ferris, this state, where he rented a farm. He later bought a tract of wild prairie on section 36, Sonora township. which comprised one hundred and sixty acres. He at once set to work to develop and cultivate his land and also built there- on a house, which in that day was consid- ered a very good one. From time to time as his financial resources increased he added to his landed possessions. be- coming the possessor of land in Rock Creek township, so that he has altogether two hundred and fifteen acres of land there besides a tract of eighty-five acres in Montebello township. He has im- proved his home place, erecting the build- ings which are here found, and has set out an orchard containing apple, peach and plum trees, and he also raises grapes and small fruits of various kinds. He is engaged in general farming and stock- raising, fine grades of horses, cattle and hogs being seen in his pastures.
On the 18th of June, 1868, Mr. Young
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ILINCOOK COUNTY. ILLINOIS
was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Yung, the wedding ceremony being per formed at Carthage. She was born in Bavaria. Germany, July 10, 18.40, a daughter of Jacob and Elijabeth ( Kee- fer) Yong. likewise natives of the father- land. Her paternal grandfather bore the name of Jacob Yung, while the maternal grandfather was Peter Keefer. Mr -. Young's father died in Germany in the summer of 1870. The daughter had come to America in 1866 in company with her brother Jacob. After landing in New York they at once made their way by rail to Keokuk, lowa, where Mrs. Young had a sister, Eva, the wife of Adam Trautvetter, with whom she lived until the time of her marriage. After the father's death the mother likewise came to America, bringing with her a daughter, Charlotte, the year of their arrival being 1881. They also went to live with Mrs. Trautvetter, and Mrs. Yung there passed away in June, 1802.
U'nto our subject and his wife have been born four daughters and two sons: Elizabeth, horn January 28, 1870: Lonis, born April 19. 1872: and Carrie, born November 1. 1874. all are at home. Mary, who was born February 28, 1870. is now the wife of B. M. Bolton, and re- sides in Sonora township. Lena, born October 12, 1877. is the wife of Millard Shenk. also living in Sonora township. George, born November 27. 1870. re- sides in Rock Creek township.
Mr. Young is a republican in his po- litical allegiance but has never been ac- tive in the local ranks of his party, for he finds that his private interests demand his entire attention. He has worked
earnestly and persistently and as the years have gone by has accumulated comfortable competence so that he is the day numbered among the well to do farm ers of this section of the state.
GEORGE LEAL RICHARDSON
George Levi Richardson, who has been called from this hfe, was born in Mary- land. January 20. 1815, and during his infancy was taken by his parents. Jere- miah and Susan Richardson, to West Virginia, where he attended the subserip- tion schools. He lost his father during his early youth, but continued to work with his mother on the home farm until he had attained his majority. Starting out in life on his own account. he chose the occupation to which he had been reared as a source of livelihood and bought a farm in West Virginia, which he continued to cultivate and improve until the spring of 1800. He then sold out and came to Hancock county. Here he made investment in a farm two miles north of Elvaston in Prairie township. comprising eighty acres. It came into his possession in 1873 and was somewhat improved at the time. He resided there- on for about six years, when he sold that place and for two years thereafter operated a rented farm and also gave las attention to teaming and other business interests. In 1881 be bought twenty one acres of land in the Oakwood addition to Hamilton, upon which a house was stand ing. There he afterward engaged in the cultivation of fruit and vegetables and
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also followed teaming to some extent and his business interests brought to him a good living.
In the year 1840 Mr. Richardson was married to a lady who had been born in West Virginia, and they became the par- ents of eight children, five daughters and three sons. Two of the sons are now in Kansas and one in Ferris, Illinois, while one daughter is in Oklahoma and another in Iowa. The wife and mother passed away in Hancock county in the fall of 1869 and on the 28th of December, 1871, Mr. Richardson was again married. his second union being with Miss Susan Knapp, who was born in Chautauqua county. New York, January 14, 1835, a daughter of Moses and Susan ( Morse) Knapp, both of whom were natives of the Empire state, where also lived her mater- nal grandfather, Charles Morse. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson became the parents of two daughters. Laura Belle, born June 28. 1873. died August 18, 1874. Martha Alice. born September 10. 1876, is the wife of William Smith, a mer- chant and postmaster at Middle Creek. this county. They have three children, Lowell. Ruby, and an infant daughter.
Mr. Richardson carried on his business interests in Hamilton up to the time of his death, which occurred February 8, 1902, when he was about eighty-seven years of age. He was buried in Oakwood ceme- tery and thus was laid to rest a man whom to know had been to respect and honor because of his fidelity to the principles which guided his life. His political alle- giance was given to the democracy until the period of the Civil war, after which he became a stalwart republican. He
was for almost a third of a century a resi- dent of Hancock county and had become widely known as an active and enterpris- ing business man and one who was thor- oughly reliable in all of his dealings.
CHARLES PORTH.
A well developed farm property, equipped with all modern conveniences and accessories, is the property of Charles Porth, and lies on section 22, Appanoose township. The owner was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, March 23, 1851, and acquired a district school education while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, Fred and Dorothy (Herman) Porth, the former a native of Hesse Darmstadt, and the latter of Nas- sau, Germany. The parents made their way to St. Louis, Missouri, via New Or- leans. becoming acquainted on board the ship on which they sailed to the new world. They were married in St. Clair county, Missouri, where they engaged in farming until 1854. when they came to Sonora township. living upon a rented farm for some time. The father after- ward purchased sixty acres on section 28, AAppanoose township, and a few years later he sold and bought eighty acres on section 34, which was improved land. In 1876 he erected a two-story frame res- idence, which he occupied until 1893. when he sold that property and made his home with his sons, Charles and Fred. He died at the home of the latter De- cember 3. 1804. His widow still sur-
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vives and is now living with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Mary Clug, in St. Louis, Mis- souri. In the family were eleven chil- dren : Elizabeth, the wife of Julius Gru- now, of Dallas, Oregon ; George, of Ham- ilton, Illinois; Louisa, who became the wife of John Schroeder, and died in June. 1898; Margaret, who was the wife of John Bertschi, and died in February. 1902: Mary, the wife of John Clug. of St. Louis; Helen, who was the wife of William Rohkar, and died September 26. 1904: Fred, of Appanoose township: Mrs. Armina Simmons, of Los Angeles, California : Carrie, the wife of Humbolt Hoffmeister, of Los Angeles; and Wil- liam, of Kansas City. Missouri.
Charles Porth made his home with his parents until his marriage on the 28th of February, 1878. to Miss Anna Desney. a daughter of William and Barbara ( WN'y- man) Desney, who were natives of Ger- many, and the latter was a daughter of Peter Wyman. William Desney came with his parents to Nauvoo, Illinois. when the Mormons were there and his wife accompanied her parents on their removal to Hancock county. They were married in Nauvoo and took up their abode there. Mr. Desney carrying on business as a brick and stone mason and well digger. He died in Nauvoo and his wife still lives there, being now the wife of Philip Weisner. Mr. Weisner's first wife was Catherine Gittelman, a second cousin of Mrs. Porth, and their children were Fred. Mary and Annie. Unto the parents of Mrs. Porth were born the fol- lowing named: Herman, a resident of Lee county, Iowa : Annie, the wife of our subject : Christina, the wife of Andrew
Cooper, of Strout, Oklahoma: Wilham, of Wahoo, Nebraska: Peter, who ched at the age of three and a half years; John. a resident farmer of Sonora township; Louisa, who was the wife of John Snider." of Wahoo, Nebraska, and died there in 1801, leaving a baby boy; and Katie, the wife of John Bernhardt, of Nauyoo.
After his marriage Charles Forth re- moved to a farm of forty acres, Which he owned on section 34. Appanoose town- ship. He had purchased this from John Cheese and after occupying it for seven years he sold to Arnold Soland. He then bought one hundred acres on section 22 of the same township, all under cultiva- tion, while upon the place was an old frame house which had been built by the Mormons. He occupied it for five years. and in the spring of 1801 built a two- story frame residence, to which he has since made an addition. He also built a good barn in 1801 and made an addition thereto in 1868. He likewise has a tool house and corn crib upon the place with a large platform scale of eight tons capac- ity: Ample shelter is provided for grain and stock, and the farm is one of the best located in the township. Mr. Porth cul- tivates the cereals best adapted to the cli matic conditions which are here f und and he also rises Chester White Ings. keeping about forty head per year
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Porth has been born one son. William Fred. born Jan1- ary 6. 1870 He married bla Radel on De- tober 25, 1900. She was born m Soport township. Hancock county In las rel gions faith Mr Forth salieltern and in the work of the church takes att active and helpful part, serving as trubice since
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the spring of 1906. He was reared, how- ever. in the faith of the Lutheran church. His political support is given to the de- mocracy. His life has been a busy. ac- tive and useful one and his efforts have largely been concentrated upon his busi- ness interests. In 1905. however, he had the pleasure of an extended trip to the Pacific coast. visiting on the way Denver and many points of scenic interest in the Rocky mountains. They stopped at Rifle, Colorado, and traveled by stage to Meacher. that state, passed through Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah, and on to the Dalles on the Columbia river in Ore- gon. They passed through the fine pine woods of Washington and afterward at- tended the exposition at Portland, like- wise visited Tacoma, Washington, and from Seattle went to San Francisco, Cali- fornia, and on to Los Angeles. The re- turn trip embraced a visit to the Grand Canon of the Colorado. All this was well described by Mr. Porth in a letter to his home paper. and many years will have come and gone before the scenes which he saw will have faded from the mem- ory of Mr. Porth.
JOSEPH DORSEY.
Joseph Dorsey, a merchant living in Carthage, Illinois, was born in Muskin- gum county, Ohio, January 31. 1828. his parents being William and Rebecca (Gor- such ) Dorsey. The father was born in Virginia in 1803 and the mother in Mary-
land in 1805. Removing from the south to Ohio they there resided until 1857. when they became residents of Adams county, Illinois, settling on a farm. Wil- liam Dorsey spent the last few years of his life in the home of his son. Joseph. who was then a resident of Denver, Han- cock county, Illinois, and there the father died in January, 1876. In politics he was a democrat and he was one of the early Masons of Ohio. His first wife had died in Ohio and was buried in Shannon, that state. The father married again and his second wife, who was an estimable woman, held membership in the Baptist church. Mrs. Rebecca Dorsey had passed away October 30, 1831, leaving two chil- dren. but our subject is the only one now living. The father afterward married Eliza Cooksey, of Ohio, and she died at the home of our subject in October. 1875. By this marriage there were six children, of whom two are now living: Orin, a resident of Minnesota ; and Celesta E., the wife of Green Fisher, who is living in Basco, Illinois.
Joseph Dorsey acquired his early edu- cation in the district schools of Ohio and in an academy of that state. He .re- mained with his father until after he had attained his majority and in his early manhood he assisted in the labors of the home farm during the summer months. while in the winter seasons he engaged in teaching. His time was thus occupied for four years in Ohio and afterward for seven years in Illinois. In 1864 he opened a dry-goods store in Woodville. this state, and in 1869 removed to Denver. Illinois, where he continued in the same line of business, also serving as post-
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master there for four years. He was Ella. Bertha and Marta, toms. l . justice of the peace in Wokville, Illinois. for eight years and for two years in Denver, Ilinois, and was also notary pub- lie for eight years, thus being closely iden- tified with the public interests of the towns as well as with the commercial at tivity. In October, 1879, he left Denver and removed to Augusta, Hancock coun- ty. where he opened a store which he successfully conducted for about twelve years or more. when he sold out and came to Carthage. Here he has since lived retired in the enjoyment of a rest which has been well earned and is richly deserved.
In September, 1800, Mr. Dorsey was married to Miss Eveline Lovit, who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, April 19. 1838, a daughter of Daniel and Deborah ( Burch) Lovitt, who were na- tives of the Buckeye state. Her father was a farmer and came to Illinois in 1800, set- tling in Hancock county. Both he and his wife died in Augusta and their re- mains were interred in the cemetery there. They were people of the highest respec- tability and held membership in the Chris- tian church. U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Loviti were born seven children. Elizabeth is the widow of David Waters and resides in Kansas. Eveline became Mrs. Dorsey. Rezin Lovitt is living in California. Maria J. is the widow of John Beal and resides in Beatrice, Nebraska. AAndren is living in Crab Orchard. Nebraska and the others have passed away. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey were born six children. of whom two are now living, three hav- ing been born in Adams county and three in Hancock county. These are: Jennie.
whom are now deceased. Lara, the wild of John A. Metitre, gf Hiawatha, Kal- sas, by whom she has two children, J D and Evelyn Met mire; and Pearl, the wife of Edward Hotch, proprietor of a book store in Carthage. They live with he father and have one child. Helen Hutch now four years of age. In 1904. Mr. Dorsey was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who đợt ơn the 30th of April of that year at the age of sixty and was laid to rest in Carthage come tery. She was a faithful and devotel member of the Christian church, doing all in her power to advance the church work and was a most kind-hearted woman. a good neighbor and a loving wife and devoted mother. For some years prior to her demise, however, she suffered from nervous prostration but died after a very brief complicated illness. She was at lady of fine personality, of good intellect- ual force and kindly spirit and her death was deeply regretted by all who knew her Mr. Dorsey is a devoted member of the Christian church, in which he has been an eller for twenty-five years and alou a teacher in the Sunday-school. He is noll the senior elder of the church and he makes his religion a part of his every day life. not a garment to be assumed on Sunday alone. His entire career hat- been actuated by high and honorable principles and by close adherence to the Golden Rule. In toog he built his hand some residence on Wabash avenue, which was planned by Mr. Dorsey In his per litical affiliation Mr Dorsey is a prom bitionist and the cause of temperance find- in him a warm friend and at all times ine
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is ready to assist in every movement or measure that tends to uplift humanity or ameliorate the hard conditions of life. He started out on his own account, work- ing at eleven dollars per month and may well be termed a self-made man, his suc- cess being due in large measure to his earnest labors. For years he was an en- terprising merchant of the county and now he is living retired in the enjoyment of a well earned rest, having passed the seventy-eighth milestone on life's journey.
WILLIAM LINNIUS HEBERER.
William Linnius Heberer is the own- er of a splendidly improved farm prop- erty whereon he has resided since the spring of 1903. None of the accessories of a model farm are there lacking and its neat and thrifty appearance indicates his careful supervision and good manage- ment. Born in Sonora township, on the 28th of July. 1878. Mr. Heberer comes of German lineage, his paternal grand- father being John Andrew Heberer, a na- tive of Germany. His son, Charles F. Heberer, was born in Hesse Darmstadt. and when only nine years of age lost his mother. Following her death the father. Adam Heberer, was married to Elvira Bennett. and they resided in Sonora township until his demise, which occurred in the early part of March, 1892.
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