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 7
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Jacob Reiselt at the usual age entered the public schools of his native country and there pursued his studies until four- teen years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their voyage to the new world. He remained at home until seven- teen years of age and then started out in life on his own account. working by the month as a farm hand for Jeremiah Clark, near Columbus, Ohio, with whom he re- mained for ten years-a fact which is indicative of his capable service and the trust reposed in him by his employer. He was married December 18, 1852. to Miss Elizabeth Wetherington, who was born near Columbus, Ohio, in 1824, a daughter of William and Maggie (Hcl- scher) Wetherington, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. They went to Ohio at an early day and there Mr. Wetherington engaged. in teaching school and in farming. He served as a
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soldier of the war of 1812, holding the in Franklin county, Ohio. Henry, the rank of captain, and in the community where he lived was recognized as a prom- inent and influential citizen. In his fam- ily were ten children but only two are now living: Rebecca, the wife of Lewis Ilartzell, of La Harpe: and Sarah, who resides with her sister. The parents died and were buried in Ohio.
Following his marriage Mr. Reiselt purchased one hundred acres of good farm land in Ohio, where he remained until after the close of the war and then came to Illinois, locating in Durham township on the 5th of March, 1866. He purchased one hundred and twenty acres of improved land on section 23 and he has since carried on farm work. He has largely remodeled and improved the house, has built fences, planted orchards and has from time to time added to his place until he now has one hundred and sixty acres, one of the best farms in the township. He has carried on general ag- ricultural pursuits and in his business af- fairs has prospered owing to his capable management and well-directed energy.
In 1890 Mr. Reiselt was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the ist of May of that year at the age of seventy-four and was laid to rest in La Harpe cemetery. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reiselt as well as their parents were reared in the faith of the Lutheran church, to which they always adhered. Mrs. Reiselt was a devoted wife and mother and kind neighbor and possessed many excellent traits of heart and mind which endeared her to all with whom she was associated. She left five children. two sons and three danghters. all born
eldest, born in 1853, married Rose Ketch- am, of Elvaston, Hancock county, Illi- nois, and they have seven children : Mel- vin. Ivy. Sherman, Mabel. Myrtle, Hazel, and an infant son. William, born in 1855. married Arrissa Smith and lives near La Crosse. Effie. born in 1857. is at home with her father. Mary, born in 1861. is the wife of Sherman Broadfield. of Durham township, and has two chil- dren. Bonneth and Ogle. Margrettie. born in 1865, is at home.
Mr. Reiselt has lived a life of diligence and industry and has now a valuable farm property as the result of his well-directed labor. He has a natural spring upon his farm better than any windmill, over which he has built his milk house, and he keeps from thirty to thirty-five good milch cows, thus conducting quite an ex- tensive dairy business. In Ohio his home was a log cabin and for forty-two years he has resided continuously upon his pres- ent farm in Hancock county. Every- thing about the place is kept in good con- dition and indicates his careful super- vision and capable management. In pol- ities he is a democrat and has held a number of township offices, the duties of which he ever discharged with prompt ness and fidelity. He was road super- visor for six years, school trustee for twenty-seven years and path master for twelve years. Although he has now passed the seventy-seventh milestone on life's journey he is still very active and possesses a wonderful memory, while in the community no man stands higher in the general regard than does Uncle Jake Reiselt.
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LEWIS MARTIN MYERS.
Fredric, who is with our subject; Virgie, at home; Hugh, living in Dallas town- ship; and Fay, who is with her parents.
Lewis M. Myers is a general stockman. feeding and raising high bred horses and Having attended the district school near his father's farm Lewis M. Myers afterward spent one term as a student in Elliott Business College, at Burlington. Iowa, in 1892, and following his return home assisted in the work of the fields un- til twenty-one years of age. Subsequently he operated one of his father's farms for several years, thus starting out in life on his own account. cattle upon a farm in Pontoosuc township and his business qualifications and unl- abating energy argue well for a success- ful future. He was born in the township where he still resides. May 16, 1872. and is the ninth in order of birth in a family of fifteen children whose parents are Charles H. and Anna (Dustman) Myers. both of whom are natives of Germany, the father having been born July 2, 1836. and the mother in October, 1844. C. H. Myers was a lad of seven years when brought to the United States and for forty-two years has lived in Hancock": 1868. a daughter of Samuel and Cather- county, his home being continuously in ór near Pontoosuc township. He married
On the 16th of October, 1895, was cel- ebrated the marriage of L. M. Myers and Miss Nancy Rice, who was born in Fay- ette county, Pennsylvania, December 23. ine (Spears) Rice, likewise natives of the Keystone state and now residents of Dur- ively seventy-four and sixty-three years. Of their five children four are now living : Alice. the wife of Grant Schultz. of Dur- ham township; Mrs. Myers: Charles, a farmer of Durham township; and Mrs. Barbara Doss. of Durham township. One daughter. Ada, died when five years of age.
Anna Dustman near Burlington. "Iowa ..... ham township. this county, aged respect- who wasa maiden of eleven summers when she crossed the Atlantic. She is a daugh- ter of Henry Dustman. who for many years lived near Burlington as a farmer and later in life was a fruit grower and gardener south of the city. She is a sister of Henry Dustman, whose family history is in the Biographical Review of Des Moines County. Iowa. Their children are : Mr. and Mrs. Myers now live on one of his father's farms, and in December. 1904, he purchased eighty acres of land across the road from his home on section 22, Pontoosuc township. He tills the soil and also raises and feeds horses and cattle. and his stock-raising interests are a most important branch of his business. For about nine years Mr. Myers has been one of the leading horse breeders in this part of the county, being particularly inter- ested in Percheron horses, and now has Mary, the wife of J. S. Massie, of Pon- toosuc township; Harman, living at West Point, Towa; Emma. at Port Arthur, Texas: William, deceased : Martha, the wife of William Pomeroy, of Alveston. Illinois: Elizabeth, at home: Lena, the wife of George W. Jones, of Rock Creek township: Anna, the wife of Fred Smith, a rice farmer of Port Arthur, Texas: L. M .. of this review : Henry, of Washing- ton; Charles, of Rock Creek township:
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LISKARY
Bylearth
ILINCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
at the head of his stud. Caesar ( No. 54038) his French Register Number,- his American Register Number being 40523. He was imported from France in 1904. at the age of two years, and has been owned by Mr. Myers since November 1, 1904. Besides being highly bred he is a fine individual, weighing over 2.100 at four years. He also has a large number of fine mares and raises a high bred stock himself. Ile also has had full blood Chester hogs and AAngus cattle but devotes his time now to his horses and cattle feeding. He was one of the organizers of Camp Creek Prospecting Co. that is locating the coal in this section, Mr. Myers having gone through a three-foot vein of good coal in drilling his well. He is one of the di- rectors of the company, which intend to develop the mine. His success is entirely attributable to his own efforts and the as- sistance of his estimable wife. Careful of expenditures, managing his property ably and with keen foresight, he has made con- siderable progress on the high way of suc- cess and will continue on that road until he reaches the goal of prosperity.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Myers has been blessed with three children and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. Their thre sons are: Mil- lard Rice, born October 30, 1896; Charles Byard, February 16. 1899: and Paul Lewis, August 28, 1900. Mrs. Myers belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church but for convenience Mr. and Mrs. Myers attend the United Brethren church. Hle is a democrat in his political views and has been school director for six years and has also filled the office of township col-
lector. At all times he manifests a public- spirited interest in the general welfare and upbuilding and is an intelligent an re- spected citizen whose well-spent life is indicated by the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him longest.
COLONEL BENJAMIN F. MARSH.
By the consensus of public opinion in the state and nation in the death of Colo- nel Benjamin Franklin Marsh, Ilinois lost one of her greatest sons. He was nine times chosen to represent his district in congress and his career at all times was characterized by a steady progress in mil- itary, political and professional circles. The simplicity of his life, the breadth of his vision. the loftiness of his purpose, the extent of the work that he accom- plished in legislative halls, all combined to win for him the respect, honor and gratitude of his fellowmen. . The meas- ure of his ability and personal worth is perhaps best indicated by the fact that he numbered his warmest friends among the most distinguished statesmen of the country.
Benjamin Franklin Marsh was more- over a native son of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Wythe township. Hancock county. November 19. 1835. and the house in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day is still stand- ing. Moreover the portion of the farm on which the building is located is still owned by the family. His boyhood days
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were fraught with the vicissitudes, ex- admission to the bar he accepted the Re- publican nomination for state's attorney in a district comprising Adams and Han- cock counties, which was then strongly democratic. He canvassed both coun- ties, his successful opponent being the late Calvin A. Warren, then a distin- guished lawyer of Western Illinois. In his home city, Warsaw, Colonel Marsh was more fortunate in his candidacy and served for a period as city clerk and also represented Warsaw on the board of supervisors from 1867 until 1869. In the latter year he was nominated for membership in the state constitutional convention of 1870. but his republican proclivities occasioned his defeat in a strongly democratic district. periences and environments of pioneer life and he early became familiar with all of the labor incident to the develop- ment and improvement of a farm. His education was acquired in private schools. He was for a brief period a student in Palmyra, Missouri, and the indignities which he there saw heaped upon the colored youth fired his sense of justice and left upon him an indelible impression which bore fruit in the service which he gave for the Union and for liberty during the dark days of the Civil War. He continued his education by four years' study in Jubilee College un- dler Bishop Chase and there was awak- ened in him that keen appreciation for right and justice which was ever a dom- In the meantime Colonel Marsh had devoted four years of his life to active military service. He had watched with keen interest the progress of events in the south and all the patriotism of his nature was aroused by the firing upon of Fort Sumter and the attempt to disrupt the Union. When war was proclaimed he raised a company of cavalry and, go- ing to Springfield, tendered its services to Governor Yates, but as cavalry was not included in President Lincoln's call the company was not accepted. On his way home from the state capital Colonel Marsh found the Sixteenth Illinois Regi- ment rendezvoused at Quincy and imme- diately enlisted as a private, but was soon afterward chosen quartermaster. When with the regiment at Monroe Station, Missouri, he received a telegram from Governor Yates on the 4th of July, 1861. saying that his cavalry company would inant element in his career. He com- pleted the work of the junior year in college and then took up the study of law under the direction of his brother, Judge J. W. Marsh (now deceased ). with whom he was subsequently associated in the practice of his profession subsequent to his admission to the bar in 1860. It was a momentous period in the history of Illinois and the nation, the country hav- ing become aroused over the slavery question and the threats of secession and it may well be imagined that the young man took a keen interest in all of the great events of that time. Political ques- tions were the dominant theme of inter- est where men collected together and Colonel Marsh entered heart and sont into the political movements, taking a firm stand in support of the new Repub lican party even at a time when it was unpopular to do so. In the year of his be accepted. Returning at once to War-
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saw; Colonel Marsh recruited the com- pany and in August, with his men, pro- ceeded to Springfield, where the command was mustered in as Company G of the Second Illinois Cavalry. Mr. Marsh was chosen captain in August, 1861, and pro- motions came to him from time to time in recognition of gallant and meritorious service. He was commissioned major August 30, 1862, lieutenant colonel May 3. 1864. colonel August 29, 1865, and served continuously until January, 1860, having campaigned in every seceding state except Virginia and the two Caro- linas. Four times he was wounded by gun shot and he carried some of the lead to his grave. Those who served under him tell that he was a fearless and bril- liant officer, never faltering in the per- formance of any duty and inspiring his men by his own valor and loyalty. Per- haps one of the most notable examples of his innate personal courage was his refusal ,to obey his superior officer at Holly Springs when the latter surren- dered. Colonel Marsh and his command cutting their way through the rebel lines, lle never ceased to feel a deep interest in the military organizations of the coun- try and had a warm feeling of friendship for his comrades in arms.
When the preservation of the Union had become an assured fact and his aid was no longer needed at the front Colonel Marsh returned to Warsaw and resumed the practice of law. continuing an active and able member of the bar until his elec- tion to congress in 1876. From that time forward his attention was given al- most exclusively to important public serv- ice and he left the impress of his individ-
uality upon national legislation. Ile had in 1866 been the nominee for the candi- dacy of the Republican party in his dis- trict for congress and again in 1872 and the fatal illness of his wife terminated in death on the day of the republican convention in the latter year. so that Colonel Marsh was unable to attend. ln 1876. having secured the nomination. Colonel Marsh entered into the campaign with the same determination and loyal spirit that ever characterized him in everything that he undertook. In the convention each county of the district except Mercer had a candidate and Colonel Marsh secured the nomination on the twenty-fifth ballot. He was not only elected in that year but again in 1878 and 1880, his services during his first term being of such a beneficial nature that the party rallied to his support as the standard bearer in the two succeeding elections. Then came a factional fight in the party and he retired from office on the close of his third term, March 3. 1883. He was in 1892 strongly recom- mended by many of his friends for the candidate for governor. In the same year. however, others urged him to again be- come a candidate for congress. He care- fully studied the situation and was on the eve of refusal, but the influence of ree- ognized party leaders who knew his strength prevailed upon him and he was once more nominated and elected, at that time serving. through re-election, for four consecutive terms. In 1900 he was de feated, but in 1902 was again elected to congress and once more in 1901. so that he was serving as a member of the house at the time of his death. In the latter
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campaigns the state of his health pre- vented him from active participation, but each election showed good returns in sup- port of Colonel Marsh, who was thus nine times called to represent his district in the council chambers of the nation. During the interval of ten years he was out of congress he served for four years on the Illinois Railroad and Warehouse Commis- sion through appointment in 1889 from Governor Oglesby. His political service is a matter of history. Congressional records give indication of his support or opposition to various measures which came up, and it was a well-known fact that he could never be coerced into any political position, that neither fear nor favor could win his allegiance to a meas- ure that he believed would prove detri- mental or cause him to oppose a move- ment that he thought would prove bene- ficial to his state or country at large. He did important work in the committee rooms, being closely connected with many measures of constructive legislation, and he made a number of notable addresses on the floor of the house. As has been said, "But, after all, the services of the most valuable, most effective members of congress is unwritten history. It can be known only to him who has the open sesame to the devious ways by which leg- islation is shaped and enacted at Wash- ington. That Colonel Marsh was here a power is now recognized, and that he will be missed, especially by this portion of the nation. is fully appreciated."
The home life of Colonel Marsh was largely ideal. He was married August 6. 1861. to Miss Josephine Miller, who died July 31, 1872. Of their five chil-
dren two are living : Miss Bertha Marsh. of Warsaw, and C. Carroll Marsh, of Warsaw. Two of the children, Cara P. and Josephine, died in infancy, while Arthur W. died a number of years ago after reaching adult age. On the Ist of January, 1881, Colonel Marsh was mar- ried to Miss Jane E. Coolbangh, of Chi- cago, who died on the 18th of March. 1905. There were also five children by this marriage, of whom Robert Miller and James C. died in infancy, while those still living are William C., Richard O. and Benjamin F. Marsh, Jr. Colonel Marsh was able to leave his family in excellent financial circumstances, for in his business undertakings he had pros- pered. After his retirement from con- gress in 1883 he devoted his attention largely to his farm southeast of Warsaw. and gradually added to his possessions situated in Warsaw, Wilcox and Wythe townships. The normal man always en- joys nature and Colonel Marsh was of this class. He found great delight in superintending his agricultural interests, in watching the growth of his crops and in bringing his land up to a high state of cultivation. Colonel Marsh passed away June 2. 1905, at his home in War- saw, after an illness which extended over several months, although at times his health was greatly improved. The fu- neral was one of the most notable that has ever been held in Illinois, special trains being run over the different rail- road and trolley lines in order to bring the large concourse of people who gath- ered to pay their last tribute of respect to one whom they had known and hon- ored. From congress came Senator
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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Shelby M. Cullom and Representatives George W. Prince, of Galesburg : Joseph V. Graff, of Peoria: Philip Knopf, of Chicago; Henry T. Rainey, of Carroll ton; William AV. Wilson, of Chicago: Zeno J. Rives, of Litchfield : and Charles Mediavin, also of Chicago, who acted as honorary pall-bearers, while the active pall bearers were the same that Colonel Marsh had chosen to serve at his wife's funeral just eleven weeks carlier.
It is difficult to analyze the character of such a man because of the variety of his service and the extent of his influence and work. He was a conservative man and must be regarded as a statesman, al- ways striving to build up for the benefit of the people and to insure a continuous national progress, believing that nations. like men, cannot stand still but must go forward or backward. He became con- spicuous as a public officer who was al- ways at his post of duty and always at work. No man ever represented a dis- triet in Illinois in congress who was more faithful to the trust reposed in him by the people. His mental characteristics were of that solid and practical rather than of the ostentatious and brilliant order. He was essentially strong in intellect and ca- pable of reaching safe, reasonable and prudent conclusions. In the long and crowded line of illustrious men of whom Illinois is justly proud, the public life of few others has extended over as long a period as his, and certainly the life of none has been more varied in service. more constant in honor, more fearless in conduct or more stainless in reputation. Perhaps no better testimonial of his char acter and public service can be given than
in the words of one of his old-time friends and associates, who said. "The morning following the memorable Gar- field memorial exercises in the house of representatives, Alexander 11. Stephens, that pigmy in stature and giant in intel- lect, moving in his wheeled chair over the arena in front of the speaker's desk. while indulging a musing, sparkling, laudatory criticism of Blaine's eloquent address. turned to the writer, with that peculiar graciousness which won young men to him, and said : "And yet. after all, while the genius of the forum kindles enthusi- arm and moves one to effort. we should remember that in public affairs the well- balanced. forceful, persistent worker. with courageous determination and unas- sailable integrity, is the master hand in shaping the weal of a nation. Of such material is your congressman. Colonel Marsh."
"Had the distinguished ex-Vice-Presi- dent of the southern confederacy known his subject even more intimately he could not have measured Colonel Marsh's character more accurately nor have weighed his abilities more correctly. Through all his public service his in- tegrity was never questioned for a mo- ment, and his entire career. from youth up, was marked by courageous determi nation. It was with him when only out of his teens he braved a pistol's muzzle and a mob's fury to sever the rope of would-be lynchers; it was with him at Holly Springs when he defied his con arily superior officer, refused to sur render, and with a remnant of the Sec und Illinois Cavalry cut his way through the enemy's lines. Further, it was with
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him in the capacity of a representative of the people whenever and wherever duty pointed the way, as it was with him in private life. He had his sorrows. he had his afflictions; but he concealed the bruise of the rod and the scar of the scourge with the veil of his indomitable will.
"His was a rugged character. Molded amid the privations of pioneer life and developed in the stirring scenes of the past half century, it became well-rounded as the shadows lengthened. There was no pretense about him. no dissimulation in his make-up. He was frank of speech. unassuming in manner, hospita- ble but unostentatious. He had a sym- pathetic interest in his fellowman, but it was a wholesome sympathy. not misled by sickly sentiment on the one hand nor awed by arrogance on the other. Loyal in his friendship, he was not bitter in his enmities, and never took advantage of power to punish a foe. That he was charitable there are many, many. to at- test, but he never jingled the coin of charity, being of those who hold that the left hand should not know what the right hand doeth. As a politician, Colonel Marsh was keen, astute. far-sighted. Hle was an adept in marshalling his forces. But he eschewed the baser arts and never resorted to trades or cabals or the de- moralizing agencies only too common to the field of politics.
"As a public man. he aspired to be a worker, a doer; and the sequel proves that he did not strive in vain. He did not affect the ornate as a speaker nor did he dawdle in debate, but when he spoke it was briefly and to the point. He was
exceptionally familiar with all public questions, and in close touch with the powers that shape them, equipping him well for his work, and with his strong personality, making results possible. He had the respect and admiration of his colleagues and enjoyed in a peculiar de- gree the confidence of the late President Mckinley and that of President Roose- velt and stood close to the heads of the departments. It was in council, in com- mittee, he was strongest, and those who are most familiar with his achievements know that his impress is on national leg- islation. But his life work is o'er. He has passed to the unknown realm whither man's pilgrimage tends. The good he has done will not be interred with his bones. It will live after him: and while his ashes sleep in Oakland, under the silent watch of the 'untroubled sentries of the shadowy night.' his memory will endure, long to be cherished as that of one who served his day and generation well and faithfully."
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