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 62
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Charles F. Heberer was reared under the paternal roof, remaining at home in til his marriage, which was celebrated in
May. 1875, Miss Margaretta Bucher be- coming his wife. She was born in Penn- sylvania, and was a daughter of David and Catherine (Bennett) Bucher. Fol- lowing his marriage he purchased a farm in Sonora township, comprising a little more than one hundred and eight acres. and there he carried on general agricul- tural pursuits until the spring of 1901. when he sold that property and removed to Lee county, Iowa, becoming the owner of a farm of three hundred and ninety acres. There he has successfully en- gaged in business as a stockman, feed- ing hogs and cattle. In his family were five sons : John Albert, also living in Lee county ; William, of this review ; Thomas Charles, Walter Martin and Clarence Howard, all residents of Lee county.
William L. Heberer when a youth of six years began attending the Pleasant Hill district school and he remained un- der the parental roof until his marriage. The work of the fields early became fa- miliar to him, as he assisted in the task of plowing, planting and harvesting. On the ist of January, 1900, he took a com- panion and helpmate for life's journey. being married to Miss Hattie Belle Bri- ley, who was born in Appanoose town- ship. June 24. 1879, a daughter of Wil- liam and Matilda Briley. Her father was born in Maryland in 1826, and was a son of Peter and Mary ( Rollins) Briley. The mother, also a native of Maryland, was born in 1834, and was a daughter of Da- vid Uhler. Both Mr. and Mrs: Briley are now deceased, the former having passed away in December. 1899, and the latter in May, 1902. He was one of the carliest settlers of this locality to take
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part in the Mormon war whereby that religious sect was expelled from the county, and participated in other events which have become of historic impor tance and mark the growth and develop- ment of the county. He had two sisters: Mrs. Elizabeth R. Full, who after the death of her first husband became the wife of Bayard Layton, of Dallas, Illi- nois; and Mary, who was the wife of George Yetter, a farmer living two miles east of Carthage. Her death occurred in February. 1905. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. William Briley were thirteen children : James; Margaret. the wife of Daniel Jordan ; Henry, who died at the age of forty-three years : Geoge W., Wil liam F .: Peter R., who died in infancy : David Chler : Albert Aklen ; Bessie M .. the wife of AAlbert Bertschi: Mary M .. the wife of Talcott Howard: Louis R. : Hattie B., now Mrs. Heberer: and 1 a veta A., who is a nurse in Marietta Phelps Hospital at Macomb, Illinois.
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Heberer lived for a year upon his father's farm in Sonora township, after which he operated his father-in-law's farm in Ap- panoose township from the ist of March until July. He then removed to lona. where he continued with his father until the following spring, and subsequently he operated rented land in Iowa for a year. In the spring of 1903 he bought the home place from his wife's parents. comprising eighty acres on the southeast quarter of section 21. AAppanoose town- ship. He has since placed many rods of wire fencing on the farm and he keeps everything in a state of first class repair. In addition to cultivating the cereals hest
adapted to soil and climate be likewise raises cattle and also feeds Duroc Jeres bogs and engages to søthe extent in the poultry business He is at wide aWie and progressive business man whose I. bors have been the basis upon which he has builded his success. Unto him ml his wife have been born no children but they have reared his brother-in-law's daughter, Gladly. Marie Briles. Mi Heberer is a democrat in his political views but without aspiration for office. preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs which are well managed.
JOHN NELSON HURDLE.
John Nelson Hurdle, deceased, was for many years one of the highly re spected citizens of La Harpe township. Hancock county, where he owned and conducted valuable farming property. He was a native of Muskingum county. Ohio, his birth having occurred Febru- ary 15. 1831. Ilis paternal grandfather was John Hurdle, and his parents were William and Mary ( Kinney) Hurdle. who were likewise natives of the Buck eye state, where the father always cut- gaged in farming pursuits.
John Nelson Hurdle was reared to farm life in his native state, assisting his father in the work of the fiekls, and in the commen schools acquired his education He remained with his father until his marriage, and subsequent to that time. hoping to enjoy better opportunities in
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the new and undeveloped districts of Illi- nois, made his way in the spring of 1854 to Henderson county, traveling with a team and 'wagon. He made his way to the western portion of the county, where he had previously purchased a tract of land comprising one hundred and sixty acres. There he made his home for a few years and then disposing of that property. made his way to La Harpe township, Hancock county, where he pur- chased one hundred and sixty acres of land lying on section 5 and a tract of one hundred and sixty acres lying on sec- tion 8. There were no fences upon the place and the only buildings consisted of an old house and a stable. Mr. Hurdle with characteristic energy at once set to work to further improve his place by building fences, sheds and other outbuild- ings. and soon placed his land under a high state of cultivation and planted his crops, which in due course of time yield- ed him abundant harvests. Thus, adding to his financial income as the years passed by, he was enabled to increase his landed possessions, by adding a tract of two hundred and forty acres also situated on section 8 and a tract of timber land con- stituting forty acres. In addition to this he invested his capital in a half section of land located in Durham township. near Disco, this county. In 1873 he also re- placed his original home by a ten-room house, this being one of the fine homes of his section of the state. In addition to his general farming interests he also en- gaged extensively in the raising of stock, fine grades of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs being seen in his pastures. He was ever practical and systematic in his work
and in all that he did he was successful. so that at his death he left to his family a valuable estate.
Mr. Hurdle was twice married. On the 15th of December, 1853, he was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary M. Wolf, who was likewise a native of Mus- kingum county, Ohio. Her birth oc- curred June 2. 1830, and she was reared in her parents' home near Zanesville. that state. By this marriage there were two daughters and a son but the daughters are both now deceased. Laura Jane. born August 7. 1855. died on the 23d of November following. Edgar Fremont, born July 13, 1856, is a resident of Hart- ville. Wyoming. Emma F., born Au- gust 18. 1858, became the wife of John A. Goodin. of Eaton, Colorado, where her death occurred. The mother of these children died in La Harpe township on the 9th of August. 1860. at the early age of thirty years, and Mr. Hurdle was again married, his second union being with Elmira Ann Barr, who was born June 2. 1836, in Breckenridge. Kentucky. and there pursued a common school edu- cation. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Hurdle were Adam and Mary (Claycomb) Barr, natives of Maryland. while the maternal grandfather was Jerry Boam Beauchamp. It was his daughter. Sallie .A., who became the wife of Elias Barr. the father of Mrs. Hurdle. Pre- vious to their marriage the parents had removed from the south to Hancock county, and it was here that their mar- riage occurred. The father bought land in 1859 in Dallas township and here the family home was established. The death of our subject occurred October 28. 1887.
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when he had reached the age of fifty six for his labors had been of great benicht to years.
By the marriage of John Nelson and Elmira Hurdle there were born tive daughters and three sons, but one daugh- ter has passed away. The family record is as follows: Lum B., who was born March 19, 1862, is now the wife of Dr. T. W. Bath, of Bloomington. Illinois. Sarah Olive, born July 10, 1863. is the wife of Luther James and they make their home in La Harpe township. Maggie C. who was born October 2. 1865. is now the wife of C. D. Rice, of Disco. Han cock county. Carrie E .. born June 1.4. 1868. died July 16, 1888, at the age of twenty years. William E., who was born January 24, 1870, makes his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. Dora K .. born February 20. 1872. is the wife of W. F. Miller, who resides in Durham township near Disco. 11. AL .. born March 5. 1870. is at home with his mother. John F. who was born November 21, 1877. re- sides at Colusa. Ilinois.
Mr. Hurdle was a republican in his po- litical affiliation, and held membership with the Methodist Protestant church at Morris Chapel. having filled all of the offices in that organization. He was al- ways deeply interested in the work of the church and the moral development of the community, and at the time of the crec- tion of the church edifice contributed one thousand dollars and was always one of its most generous supporters. In his family he was a devoted husband and in ther, was loyal in citizenship and faithful to the ties of friendship, so that his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret when he was called from this life.
his community and through his Before methods and straightforward dealing in all relations with his fellowsmet Le ld gained numerous and lasting friends His widow still resides on the farm. In the management of which she is assiste! by her son Al, and by her many goud traits of heart and mind she has won the good will and confidence of all with whom she is brought in contact.
EDWIN WRIGHT HOSFORD
Edwin Wright Hosford, born m Wythe township, May 20. 1857. is among these citizens who indicate the attrac- tiveness of Hancock county as a place of residence by the fact that they have always continued to reside in this locality in which they were born and in which their boyhood days were passed. In both the paternal and maternal lines he comes of Scotch lineage. His paternal grand- parents were Truman and Elizabeth Ibus ford, natives of Scotland, and in the land of hills and heather his maternal grand parents. William and Annie ( Wilson ) Wright, were also born. Having en grated to America, Harlow Boston, the son of the former couple. was both in Ohio, and Mary Wright, the daughter if the latter couple, was born in Soalm. and came to the United States when op ten years of age. Harlow Heiner to Hancock county. Ilmon, with His pan ent- in 1835. the family being one ci the
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earliest to locate in this section of the state. for in that year Warsaw contained but one house and it was a log cabin. He was born in 1824 and was therefore a youth of eleven years at the time of his arrival. He shared with the family in the usual experiences and hardships in- cident to pioneer life and assisted his fa- ther in the arduous task of clearing and developing a farm from the timber. The grandfather continued the work of im- proving his place until 1849, when at- tracted by the discovery of gold in Cal- ifornia he started for that state with two yoke of oxen and while engaged in searching for the precious metal on the Pacific coast he was murdered there by his partner. In the following year Har- low Hosford married Miss Wright and settled in Wilcox township upon his fa- ther's old farm, where he lived for two years. Subsequently he removed to Wythe township and on selling his sec- ond place he bought eighty acres about two miles south of Hamilton, residing thereon until 1868, when he once more sold out and came to Montebello town- ship. investing in one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 10. This was unimproved, but the resolute spirit and indefatigable energy of Mr. Hosford en- abled him to soon transform the wild tract into richly cultivated fields. At the time of his purchase there was a small house upon it with a stable at one end. Ile fenced the land, placed the fields un- dler the plow, added modern equipments and in due course of time extended the boundaries of his property by the addi- tional purchase of two hundred and sev- enty acres, one-half of which was under
cultivation. He was widely known as an enterprising farmer and stock raiser and for many years successfully continued in business, gaining thereby a very gratify- ing competence which enabled him in his later years to live retired from business cares. In 1890 he and his wife removed to Hamilton, where Mrs. Hosford passed away in April, 1895, while the death of Mr. Hosford occurred on the 16th of January, 1897.
Edwin W. Hosford was the fourth in a family of three sons and three dangh- ters, all of whom are yet living. He has a brother now residing in Urbana, Illi- nois, while one sister, Mrs. Fleck, is liv- ing in Sterling, this state, and another sister. Mrs. Hanson, in Taylor county, Iowa. The others are all residents of Hancock county. Edwin Hosford spent his boyhood days from the age of ten years upon the farm which is yet his home. Hs attended the district schools and supplemented his preliminary knowl- edge by two years' study in Carthage Col- lege. He has always kept well informed on current questions and the issues of the day through reading and investigation and is a well informed man.
As a companion and helpmate for life's journey Mr. Hosford chose Miss Mary Leith Morris, who was born in Edin- burgh. Scotland, and who became his wife on the 21st of June, 1892. The children of this marriage are: Edwin L., born October 12. 1893 : Daisy Olive, born Sep- tember 22, 1895 : Harlow Newton, March 22, 1898: Charles Truman, January 16, 1901 ; and Floyd Morris, March 19. 1904.
Following his marriage Mr. Hosford rented the old home farm, which he con-
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tinned thus to operate until his father's death, when he inherited the property. Ile now owns three hundred and twenty acres of land which is very rich and pro- ductive, the alluvial soil responding read- ily to the care and labor which he be- stows upon it, his work being crowned with golden harvests. He also raises stock, including cattle, hogy and horses. and this adds materially to his yearly in- come. He votes with the Republican party and has twice served by appoint- ment as road commissioner, while at the present writing he is a school director. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen camp at Hamilton and is a resident of wide acquaintance in Hancock county. where his entire life has been passed. His labors have been followed with the ut- most regard to a high standard of busi- ness ethics and he has never been known to take advantage of the necessities of his fellowmen in any trade transaction.
FRED A. WILKINSON.
Fred A. Wilkinson, who throughout his entire business life, has been a repre sentative of printing interest and is now half owner of The Quill, published in La Harpe, his native city, was born October 15. 1862, and acquired a public school education while spending his boyhood days in the home of his parents, John and Jane (Nance ) Wilkinson. His paternal grandfather was John Wilkin- son, a native of Pennsylvania. His son.
John Wilkinson, Jr. was born i l'huile delphia. January 10. 1800, and antes reaching years of maturity married Jane Nance, who was born in New Albany. Indiana, in 1825. In the year 1837. John Wilkinson arrived in La Harpe township and located on one hundred and sixty acres of land about a mile and a half west of La Harpe, where he engaged in farming and also operated a sawmill. After several years he took up his alle in the town, where he built a residence and engaged in general merchandising. continuing actively in the business until 1883, when he retired, enjoying through his remaining days the comforts of hie carned by earlier toil. He died in 1803. Fred A. Wilkinson, the ninth in order of birth in a family of fourteen children. of whom six are still living, after finishing his education, entered a printing office in the fall of 1877 and has since been con- nected with that line of business, owning at the present time a half interest in the Quill. a weekly paper published at la Harpe.
On the 20th of November, 1888, Mr. Wilkinson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Walter, who was born in Indiana. July 30, 1800, a daughter of William and Sallie B. ( Sweazy) Walter, maine- of Kentucky, who removed to Blandinsville. Illinois, during the early girlhod of the r daughter Emma. Two children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs Wilkinson. Mand En born February 2. 1800, and Ruth E., October 20, 1801 The family home stands upon a lot, five by ten falls. which was purchased by Mr Wilkinson's father in 18.30. for seventy-five dollars. and which has since been in possession of
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BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEIT'
the family. Mr. Wilkinson is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Bristol lodge, of La Harpe, No. 653, hav- ing joined the order in 1888.
He is a stanch democrat and has been alderman of the city for three terms.
WILLIAM ROSENSTENGEL, D. D.
Rev. William Rosenstengel, pastor of the German Lutheran church at Car- thage, was born in the village of Asel in the Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt on Christmas day of 1846, his parents being John and Catherine (Best) Rosenstengel, who were likewise natives of Hesse Darmstadt, the father conducting a hotel in Asel. They never came to America. but continued to reside in Germany until called to their final rest.
Rev. Rosenstengel is the only surviv- ing member of their family of five chil- dren. He was reared and educated in his native country and came to America on the old-time sailing vessel, Atler, which, after a voyage of five weeks. dropped anchor in the harbor of New York in 1867. He at once made his way toward the interior of the country and worked at farm labor in Hlinois until 1871, when he entered Carthage College, spending five years as a student there. Hle afterward matriculated in the Get- tysburg ( Pennsylvania ) Theological Seminary, where he was graduated on the completion of a three years' course and thus having prepared for the active work
of the ministry he entered at once upon the labor connected with this holy call- ing. His first charge was in Fulton county, Illinois, where he remained for three years. It was during this time that Rev. Rosenstengel was married, in 1881. to Miss Margaret Walter, who was born in Illinois, October 4. 1854. a daughter of George Henry and Catherine ( Muhl) Walter, both natives of Germany. Her father was a tradesman in the old coun- try and followed the occupation of farm- ing after coming to Illinois. In the fam- ily were ten children, of whom seven are living: Philip, residing in Des Moines county, Iowa; Henry, who lives near Bushnell, Illinois: Catherine, the wife of Philip Rock, residing on the old home- stead in Fulton county; Ernest, living in Canton, this state: George, who makes his home near Canton ; Mrs. Rosensten- gel : and Peter, who resides in Fairview. Illinois. The parents were members of the Lutheran church and for some years the father was in the church council. In his political affiliations Mr. Walter is a democrat.
On leaving his first pastorate in Ful- ton county Dr. Rosenstengel accepted a church in Nebraska City, Nebraska, and afterward was pastor at Grand Island. Nebraska. From there he went to Al- buquerque. New Mexico, where he or- ganized the church and erected the church edifice. and upon his return to the north was called to the First Lutheran church of Beardstown. Ilinois, where he also erected a fine church. In 1899 he came to Carthage, where he has since remained as pastor of the German Lutheran church in this city, doing great good among the
WILLIAM ROSENSTENGEL, D.D.
THEY WORK FOD.A. L.SHARY
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people with whom he labors for charac- ter development and spiritual advance- ment. He is also editor of a German pa- per known as Lutheritcher Cions Bote. which in English means Science Messen- ger, a paper of sixteen pages published bi-monthly and. devoted to church work. He is untiring in his efforts for the church and the dissemination of the principles of the Christian religion and his labors have been far-reaching and beneficial.
Unto Dr. and Mrs. Rosenstengel have been born four children, all of whom were born in Nebraska, while three are yet living. Marie, a graduate of Carthage College of the class of 1905, is now a suc- cessful teacher in Plymouth school in this county. Margaret. a graduate of the high school, attended Carthage College for a year and afterward a business col- " thereon in the spring of 1900. The fam lege, where she learned shorthand. She . ily home is a happy one and is the center is now a stenographer in the law office of .A. W. O'Harra in Carthage. Min- nie is now a senior in the high school. August 23. 1906, Dr. and Mrs. Rosen- stengel celebrated their twenty-fifth wed- ding anniversary, the members of his church being present, and in token of their high esteem presented them with a fine silver tea set.
In his political views Dr. Rosenstengel is a republican, believing firmly in the principles of the party. He is an hon- ored trustee of Carthage College, having occupied the position for many years, and he is president of the German Worthberg synod. At the late meeting of the Worthberg synod in Mt. Pulaski, Illi nois, he was for the sixth time elected president of that body. At the call- mencement exercises of Carthage Col
lege in 1905 the board of trustees con- ferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, an honor which was well mer- ited. He is a cultured. intelligent man of scholarly attainments and broad learn ing and there is in him an abiding char- ity and kindly sympathy which have made him honored and respected by all. Hle has done much work in connection with the ministry, performing many burial and marriage ceremonies among his friends of both the German and American people. His wife is a lady of culture and intelligence and of warm heart, who has been of much assistance to her husband in his work. Dr. Rosen- stengel has purchased a lot at the cor- ner of Buchanan and First streets near the college and built a fine residence
of many delightful social gatherings. That Dr. Rosenstengel is held in highest regard by his parishioners is shown by the fact that his church people in Beards- town presented him with a beautiful gold watch December 15. 1898, upon his de- parture for Carthage. as a testimonial of the high esteem in which he was held during his stay among them. All who know him learn to love and respect him and recognize the fact that his life is de- voted to his work in behalf of the church.
EDWARD HARRISON
Edward Harrison, whose hic has bech devoted to general innung and when is
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now pleasantly located in. Walker town- ship. was born in Bursleim, Staffordshire, England. in 1827. His parents, John and Martha ( Fitten ) Harrison, were likewise natives of that country and in 1842 they came to America as passengers on an old sailing vessel which after sixty days on the voyage dropped anchor in the harbor of New Orleans. Making their way northward they became residents of Walker township. Hancock county. Illi- nois, and here the father purchased a farm and built a log cabin. He was an in- dustrious, successful agriculturist and aided in the early development of the county along that line. His death oc- curred in 1864. and his wife passed away in 1856, both being laid to rest in Walker township.
Edward Harrison is the only living member of their family of seven children. He was a youth of about eleven years at the time of the emigration to the new world. and his education was largely ac- quired in the common schools of Walker township. while during the summer months he aided in the farm work. He remained at home with his parents until thirty-two years of age, and in the mean- time became manager of the farm, which he cultivated successfully. He was mar- ried in 1858 to Miss Adaline York, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana. April 25. 1841. a daughter of Larkin .1. and Eliza ( Bastian) York. Her father was born in the state of New York. June 2. 1814. while his wife was born in Hol- land. August 18. 1818. He was a farmer and lived for a time in Missouri before coming to Illinois. Following his re- moval to this state he located in Walker
township, where he and his wife made many warm friends, becoming representa- tive and valued citizens of that commili- nity. Mr. York was a member of the Baptist church, while his wife held mem- bership in the Methodist church. They lived here in early pioneer times and were familiar with many of the events that culminated in the Mormon war. In their family were six children, but only two are now living. Mrs. Harrison, and James Monroe York, a resident of Washington county. Idaho. The mother died Jan- uary 2. 1849, and the father passed away August 11, 1852, being then laid to rest by her side in Walker township.
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