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 68
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JOEL BMLEY.
Joel Bailey, residing on a farm gi one hundred and two acres in Pilot Grave township, which he is cultivating in con- nection with his son, was born in 1- Harpe township, this county, January 2. 1842, his parents being John Fi and Mary ( Thompson) Bailey. The father was born in Ohio, and the mother in Virgin ..
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the year 1836 witnessing their arrival in Illinois, at which time they located in Pilot Grove township. After some years they removed to La Harpe township where they resided for three years but returned to Pilot Grove township. The maternal grandfather, Elton Thompson, was the owner of one hundred and sixty acres of land. Upon his death this property was inherited by his daughter, Mrs. Bailey, who was his only heir. The fam- ily then removed to the farm, which Mr. Bailey cultivated for many years. At length the property was sold and another farm was purchased near Burnside, com- prising sixty-nine acres, upon which Mr. Bailey continued to reside for a consid- erable period. He died near Adrian in Rock Creek township. at the age of ser- enty-nine years and thus passed away one of the well known pioneer settlers of the county. His early political support was given to the Whig party and on its dis- solution he became a republican. For several years he filled the office of justice of the peace. He belonged to the Bap- tist church. while his wife held member- ship in the Methodist church.
Joel Bailey remained with his parents until about fourteen years of age, when his mother died and the household was broken up. He afterward worked for a short time on a neighboring farm and then began learning the blacksmith's trade but when the Civil war was inaugu- rated he responded to the country's call. enlisting in July, 186t. as a member of Company G. Second Ilinois Cavalry. When his term with that regiment had expired he joined Company K. of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Hinois In-
fantry and served until the close of the war, being sergeant of his company. He was one of the soldiers who guarded the body of Abraham Lincoln while it lay in state at the capitol at Springfield, and also acted as guard at the tomb. He took part in a number of battles and en- gagements, including the siege of Vicks- burg. After the war he returned to this county, where he has since lived. giving his time and attention to general farm- ing and also working at the blacksmith's trade and at painting, which he has fol- lowed for many years. For three years he followed his trade in Carthage and then returned to Pilot Grove township, where at different times he has owned a number of farms, having now one hun- dred and ten acres of good land which which he is operating in connection with his son.
Mr. Bailey was married January 1. 1867, to Miss Carrie E. Phelps, who was born in New York. They have become the parents of seven children, of whom five are living. Mand is the wife of Jacob Schneider, of Niota, Illinois, and has two children, Joel Dean and Robert Kent. Leonard resides in Oklahoma. William P. resides on the home farm and aids in its operation. Florence is the wife of Guy Harris, a farmer of Rock Creek township, and has two children. Thelma and Ercell. James died at the age of eleven years. John died at the age of fourteen years. Pearl. the youngest child. resides at home.
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are members of the Methodist church and he votes with the Republican party but has never cared for office. He has seen many important
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changes made in Hancock county and has done his full share toward its improve- ment. At the same time he made a cred- itable record in military service of his country and throughout his life has mani- tested a spirit of loyalty that is most commendable.
JOHN H. GARNER.
John H. Garner, comfortably situated in life as the result of his capable busi- ness management and enterprise. his home being AAugusta township. was born near Clayton. in Adams county, Illinois. May 15, 1846. His parents, William and Elizabeth (Garner) Garner, were natives of Indiana, born in the vicinity of Terre Haute. They were representa- tives of pioneer families of that part of the county, and the grandfather and the father of our subject both lived in log houses, which were covered with shingles that they themselves shaved. William Garner, the grandfather. was ninety-five years of age when he passed away at his son's home near Denver, Illinois. Ile was a soldier in the war of 1812, and he lived under every presidential adminis tration from Washington to Cleveland. his death occurring in 1888. He was married in 1817 to Sarah Robbinson and emigrated westward to Illinois in 1831. becoming a pioneer resident of Hancock county and one who contributed in sub stantial measure to its early development. when it was still a frontier district. Ile
was not the only member of the family who has done military service for the country, for James and George Garner. brothers of our subject, were soldiers of the Union army in the Civil war, the lat ter serving for about eight months. The former enlisted in 1801, and being cap- tured, was held as a prisoner in both Libby and Andersonville prisons. Mr Garner of this review also occupied a home in his early life that was built of logs. William Garner was a farmer by occupation and coming to Illinois when about twenty-two years of age settled in Adams county when it was a frontier dis- trict. In 1848 he removed to Hancock county, where he lived until his death. He was laid to rest in West Point come- tery, while his wife was buried in Adams county near Hebron church. Both were members of the Methodist church and were people of the highest respectability and worth. They had seven children, of whom the following still survive: Fran ces, the widow of Res. N. A. Walker. and a resident of Beloit, Kansas: James K., living in West Point. Ilinois: John HI. of this review : George. af Red Cloud. Nebraska: and Fletcher, of Quincy. Illi mois.
Jolm H. Garner at the usual age be gan his education, pursuing his studies m West Point & Illinois district schools He afterward remained with Ins parents until twenty years of age and was then married. in 1800, to Miss Angeline Blake. she was born in this country. December 28. 1840, a daughter of tiden and Mary Blake. Her father was of Germin pir- entage, while her mother was born tothe cilet. He followed family Monde
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provide for his family and both he and his wife have now passed away, his death having occurred about fifteen years ago, while his wife died twenty years ago. They had ten children, four of whom are now living: Ellen, the wife of Marion Bagley. of Chicago: Joseph, of Kansas; Cora. the wife of John Adams, of John- son county, Missouri; and Enoch, who lives in Colorado.
On the 4th of July, 1873, Mrs. Garner departed this life, leaving a son, James Edward, who was born in Chili township. December 23, 1866. He married Miss Rosa Symmonds, and lives in Monroe county, Missouri. They have four chil- dren, Helen Ethel, Ernest Ellwood (de- ceased), Luella and John Edward. On the 3d of December, 1874, Mr. Garner was again married, his second union be- ing with Miss Mary F. Dudman, who was born in Clark county, Indiana, Sep- tember 17, 1846, a daughter of Robert Jackson and Phoebe Ann ( Mills) Dud- man, the former born in Adams county, Indiana, March 13. 1821, and the latter in Pennsylvania, October 30, 1818. Mr. Dudman was a cooper by trade and also followed the occupation of farming. In 1849 he became a resident of Adams county, Illinois, and while carrying on general agricultural pursuits there he also found time and opportunity to take an active part in the work of the Methodist church, of which he was a member and in which he served as class leader and steward. He died December 28. 1873. leaving his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name, and his wife, a most estimable lady, passed away May 25, 1861, both being laid to rest in Chili
cemetery. They had eight children, of whom five are now living: Mrs. Gar- ner; Thomas, of Macomb, Illinois; Anna E., the wife of J. A. Veach, of Blooming- ton, Illinois; Lizzie Koehler, of Elder- ville, Illinois; and William Finley, who lives in Roanoke, this state, and is a min- ister of the Methodist church.
At the time of his first marriage Mr. Garner located in Chili township, where he lived until 1869, when he removed to a farm in Johnson county, Missouri, there spending three years. In 1873 he re- turned to Hancock county and for six- teen years made his home upon another farm in Chili township, coming thence to Augusta township in 1892, when he pur- chased forty acres of land on section 18, and twenty-five acres on section 7. He has since added to the home place and he now owns forty acres on section 8. He has improved his residence, built good barns and outbuildings and has a well equipped farm property, the main fea- tures of which indicate his careful su- pervision and spirit of thrift and enter- prise. His attention is given not only to the development of the fields but also to stock-raising, and he likewise has four acres in a peach orchard, containing one thousand fine young trees, which in the present year. 1906, have borne bounti- fully. This is one of the finest orchards in the county. In the work of carrying on his farm he displays thorough knowl- edge of agricultural interests and as all who know him are aware, his property has come to him as the legitimate reward of his persistence and labor.
Mr. and Mrs. Garner are the parents of a daughter and two sons, all born in
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Chili township but Helen Ann, who was their impress upon the development and born December 1, 1875, died April 15. 1895. Orville Ellwood, born June 13. 1878. is mail carrier on the AAugusta rural route No. 2. Fred Garfield, born June 25. 1880, married Mittie Catherine MeGinnis, and lives in Augusta township. They have two children. Martin Henry and Elbert Ellwood. Besides their own children Mr. and Mrs. Garner have reared a little daughter. Ruth Tucker. who came to them when two years of age and is now twelve years old. She was born November 28, 1894. Mr. Garner votes with the Republican party and has served as township collector and as a member of the school board. Hle and his wife are members of the Methodist church and their salient characteristics are such that all who know them speak of them in terms of warm regard and admiration. They have worked persist- ently together in the building of a home and the acquirement of a comfortable competence and are now pleasantly situ- ated in life.
WILLIAM BAGBY
Long years have come and gone since William Bagby took up his abode in Han- cock county and few men are more fa- miliar with the history of its development and upbuilding. What to others are mat- ters of history are to him events of ac- tual experience or else he has been a wit- ness of those movements which have left
progress of the county. He passed the ninetieth year of his age of October 11. toon, and is one of the most venerable and honored citizens of this part of the state. His birth occurred in Lewis enmity, Kentucky. October 11, 1810, and he there resided until twenty two years of age, his parents being Robert and France- Bagly, both of whom were Ila tives of Virginia, whence they removed to Kentucky in an carly period in the de velopment of the latter state. The father engaged in farming throughout his entire life and both he and his wife passed away in Kentucky, his death occurring when he was about forty-five years of age, while his wife reached the ads niced age of seventy years. In religious faith they were connected with the Methodist church.
William Bagly acquired his education in the county of his nativity. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him in his boy - hood days. He assisted in the labors of the farm and met the usual experiences of life in a frontier community. In May. 1838. he came to Illinois to visit his sister and brother-in-law, who had removed to this state in 1836. Here he formed the acquaintance of Miss Eliza Warring. a daughter of Basel and Sarah ( Thomp son) Warring, and they were united in marriage of the 24th of November, 1838 Her parents were natives of fireemup county, Kentucky, where they spent near- ly their entire lives, the father following the occupation of farming through ut his entire business career They came to Illinois in 1835. settling in Adams courts.
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where he devoted his energies to general agricultural pursuits until his death. Both he and his wife died at an advanced age. Mrs. Bagby was educated in the schools of Adams county, where she lived until her marriage. In April, 1839, Mr. and Mrs. Bagby started on their way to Kentucky, traveling on horseback. They went as far as Frederick on the Illinois river and there took a boat for St. Louis. Missouri. On the way down the river, the night being quite dark, the boat ran upon a snag and sprang a leak. The pilot. being informed of the accident. made for the shore where the deck hands succeeded in fastening a hauser rope on the outside and over the hurricane roof and made fast to a nearby tree. Mr. and Mrs. Bagby were the first passengers to leave the boat and they remained sitting on their baggage for two hours, when an- other boat came along on the way to Cincinnati, which took all passengers on the illfated boat aboard, so that they soon arrived safely in Cincinnati. In 1840 their first child was born and they honored it with the names of both grandmothers. calling the little girl Sarah Frances. Soon after this Mr. and Mrs. Bagby re- turned to Illinois and settled in Adams county, where he engaged in farming and later purchased forty acres in Hancock county, afterward an eighty-acre tract in this county and also one hundred and sixty acres in Adams county. He placed many improvements upon his farm, mak- ing his home in Adams county for a num- ber of years, after which he removed to Augusta township just east of the village of Angusta. In 1854 he took up his abode in the village, where he conducted a tavern
for a number of years called the Augusta Tavern, which was the predecessor of the Commercial Hotel. As a landlord he be- came widely known to the early settlers and entertained a number of prominent men in his day. At length. however. he traded the tavern for a farm west of Augusta, whereon he resided for about six years. About 1885 he again located in the village of Augusta, where he has since lived a retired life, occupying a pleasant home in which he is surrounded by the comforts and luxuries that go to make life worth the living.
Nine children, five daughters and fou sons were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bagby. Sarah Frances. the eldest. born June 16, 1840, is now the wife of William Mo- and resides in Estherville, Iowa. She has three children. Emmet, Maud and Homer. Mary Caroline, born November 21, 1842, is the widow of William Pickens and has six children. Frank. Luella. Nettie. Ora. Bertie and William. William Wallace, born May 23. 1845. died May 5. 1878. He left one child. Edgar, who is still liv- ing. Cynthia Ellen, born October 7, 1850. is the wife of Samuel Osgood, of Ewing. Missouri, and they have the follow- ing children : George. Frederick, Harry. May, Frank, Nellie. James. Edward. Earl and Pearl. twins, and Gladys. Mar- garet Elizabeth, born November 22, 1848. is the widow of William Wade and they have two children. Lida and Edward. John C. had one child, Myrtie. John C. died at the age of thirty-three years. Charles F. is a farmer residing in Mis- souri. He has three children, Harokl. William and Effic. Basil, born May 31. 1861, is a merchant of Skidmore. Mis-
ILINCOCK (((/) ILLINOIS
souri. He has six children. Minnie. rie and is one of the leading and Influen Homer. James. Addie and the others. Addie 1 ... born January 21. 1804. is the widow of James Byens, of Brown county. Illinois. She has three children. Edua. Harvey and Bennie.
November 20. 1898, Mr. and Mrs Bagby celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary and on Thanksgiving day. November 29. 1900, their sixty-eighth.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Bagby are members of the Christian church. In politics Mr. Bagby is a republican and for many years was a school director in Augusta town- ship but otherwise sought or held no office, although he is a most public-spirited citizen and has been the champion of many movements which have been of di- rect benefit to his town and county. Fle and his wife reside in a pleasant home in Augusta and although he is ninety years of age he is a well preserved man, retain- ing his mental faculties unimpaired and in spirit and interests seems yet in his prime. He has never worn eyeglasses and writes a hand that few today can equal and he is able to read well by lamp- light. He uses no tobacco in any form or intoxicating liquors and his good health is undoubtedly attributable largely to his abstemious habits and his life of sobriety and virtue.
JOSEPH W. BOTTS.
tial residents of the city and confit He was born in Hancock township in 1803 and is a representative of one of the est pioneer families of the county. In is ther. Unalom Hetts, having hval Ur Seventy consecutive years m Hancock township. He was born in Boone confits. Kentucky, June 7. 1828, and with his parents came to Ilinois in 1830 His en- tire life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he has contributed in large measure to the development of the county along this line. In community affan- he has also taken an active and helpful part and has served as justice of the peace, as a member of the school board. as road commissioner, as assessor, treas- urer of his township and village trustee He married Miss Sarah White, and they became the parents of six children, of whom five are living: Maria, the wife of Frank Yates, of Oklahoma: Belle, the wife of Robert Cloud, a druggist of Plymouth : Joseph W. : J. C., who wedded Verna Cannon and lives in Plymouth : and Ira, who was educated in Carthage and in Macomb, Ilinois, and in the Chi cago Medical College, and is now engaged in the practice of medicine in Doddsville. this state. He married Clara Wheeler The parents continued to reside upon the old home farm until the1. when they it moved to Plymouth and for some time Mr. Botte conducted at order and feel mill there bin is now living retired Vier losing his first wife he married Mrs Rachel trump, the widow of Dr Mon Crump, and a sister of his first wife Hle
Joseph W. Botte is the owner of a parents were Joseph and Mary Am most beautiful home on St. Mary- Prai
strong ) White The james his ae el
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itable military record. Mills Eelts, a great-uncle of our subject, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and the great-grand- father in the maternal line was one of the heroes of the Revolution, while Simeon, Oscar and Sidney Botts, cousins of our subject, entered the Civil war from Han- cock county, while one other cousin, Sid- ney Botts, was a member of the Eight- eenth Illinois Infantry.
In taking up the personal history of Joseph W. Botts we present to our read- ers the life record of one who has a wide and favorable acquaintance in Hancock county. The district schools of St. Marys township afforded him his carly educational privileges and he afterward spent one term as a student in Macomb, Illinois. He then remained upon his fa- ther's farm until he had attained his ma- jority, when he engaged in farming on his own account and has since devoted his time and energies to agricultural pur- suits. In 1893 Mr. Botts wedded Mrs. Orrilla Gould, the widow of Lewis Gould, She bore the maiden name of Orrilla Johnson. and was born in St. Marys township in 1856. Her paternal grand- father was Otho Johnson, who was born February 18, 1787, and came to Illinois at a very early day, settling in St. Marys township, where the youngest brother of Mrs. Botts now lives. He married Mar- garet Turner, who was born August 9, 1793, and who passed away in 1838, while his death occurred September 15. 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Botts now live on the old Johnson homestead, which be- longed to her parents and where her grandfather. Mr. Otho Johnson, died. Mrs. Botts is a daughter of John T. and
Marie (Wright) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Ohio, born in 1813 and 1818 respectively. They became resi- dents of St. Marys township in 1840, and Mr. Johnson participated in the Mormon war. His death occurred in 1883, and his wife passed away in 1898. They were devoted members of St. Marys Baptist church. Of their family of ten children four are living: Hiram and Joseph, res- idents of Plymouth; John Nelson, of St. Marys township; and Mrs. Botts. By her first marriage Mrs. Botts had two children: John Gould, who is a mechan- ical engineer in St. Louis, Missouri; and Nellie Gould, who is living with her mother. The son attended Carthage Col- lege for four years and is a graduate of Cornell College at Ithaca, New York. He is a man of much ability and is now holding a responsible position in St. Louis, which reflects great credit upon his early training.
Following his marriage Mr. Botts set- tled on section 10, St. Marys township, where he and his wife own three hundred and sixty-eight acres of valuable land in the midst of which stands one of the finest homes in the township. It is mod- ern in all its equipments and appoint- ments and is most beautifully furnished, indicating the refined and cultured taste of the inmates. Mr. Botts gives his at- tention to general farming and is also extensively engaged in raising stock. carefully conducting his business affairs with the result that his efforts are prov- ing very profitable. Unto the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Botts has been born one son, Paul, whose birth occurred Septem- ber 15. 1895, and who is now attending
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school. In his political views Mr. Botts is rather independent, voting for men and measures rather than party. Ile is now serving on the school board but has never sought or desired office. In 1900 he built his fine residence, which would be a credit to any city, for it contains all of the conveniences and accessories of a city home and gives every evidence of the wealth and culture of those who uc- cupy it.
ANDREW J. KETCHUM.
Andrew J. Ketchum is the well known and popular proprietor of the Wildwood farm in Augusta township, where he is successfully engaged in the breeding and raising of fine horses. His life record be- gan on the 29th of March, 1836, the place of his nativity being near Goshen, Orange county. New York. His parents were Edmund and Jane (Curry ) Ketchum. The father was born December 31. 1811. and the mother's birth occurred about 1816 or 1818. They were also natives of Orange county, where the father fol- lowed farming until 1838, when he brought his family to this county, et tling in Augusta township, his home be- ing a log cabin on the frontier. The fam- ily shared in many of the hardships and privations as well as the pleasures and opportunities incident to pioneer life, and Mr. Ketchum figured in the events which are known in history as the Mormon war. He voted with the Republican party. Ile passed away in 1800, being buried at
Postsville, lowa, while his wife departed this life in Chicago, at the age of thirty six years. They were the parents of seven children. all of whom still survive. and in 1905 they hell a reunion mn lowa. representing seven states. These are. Mary R., the wife of Lyonsville, of Cook county, Illinois ; Andrew J. : Phineas R. living in Idaho; Eugene died at Wa- verly, lowa. November 17. 1900: Amos K. of Clarion, Iowa; Stella B. the wife of William Stewart, of Fayette. lowa : Ellen. the wife of William Marten. of Oklahoma : Florence, the wife of Fred Burling, of Postville, lowa; and Jo- sephine, the wife of H. Moody, of Greens- burg. lidiana. The two last named were children of a second marriage.
Andrew J. Ketchum was educated in the early schools of Chicago, and also in the district schools in this state. . It the age of fourteen years, however. he began to earn his own living, spending three years in the service of a horseman in Chicago and three years with a black- smith near that city, with whom he learned the trade. He afterward fol- lowed that pursuit for one year m Pu laski, and for ten years conducted a black smith shop in LaPrairie, Illinois. In An- gust, 1802. he enlisted in response to the country's call for aid, becoming a mem ber of the One Hundred and Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until honorably discharged m September, 1865. He was in the Red river campaign, the battle i Pleisin Hill and Yellow Bayon, was with Sher man on the march to the sea and was e p tured in Tennessee, after which he was paroled in St. Louis He was a breve
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and loyal soldier, never faltering in the performance of any military duty. and made a record of which he has every rea- son to be proud as one of the defenders of the Union during the Civil war.
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