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 73

Author:
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Hobart Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 806

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HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

while Ruth and Harold are deceased. Ethel Louisa May, born May 17. 1872. is the wife of David Bluebaugh, of Kan- sas City, Missouri, and has two chil- dren. Ray and Blanche. Jesse Edward. bom November 7. 1882. married Elsie Belle Vail. April 5. 1904. and has one son. Thomas MeFarland, who was born March 3. 1905. in Prairie township. the parents living on one of our subject's farms in that township. The mother of Mrs. Thomas MeFarland was a devoted member of the Christian church and died in that faith. She was a home-loving woman and devoted to her family, and her efforts and her many excellent traits of character won her the kindly regard of all with whom she came in contact. On the 11th of July. 1000. Mr. MeFar- land married Miss Fanny Jane Gentry. who was born in Pilot Grove township, Hancock county, October 7, 1865. a daughter of John Thornton and Harriet Jane (Shreve) Gentry. Her father was born in Madison, Stokes county, North Carolina. October 26. 1821. and in 1835 went with his widowed mother to Mon- roe county. Indiana, where he settled on a farm. On the 30th of September. 1803. he came to Hancock county, settling on a farm in Pilot Grove township, where he died suddenly on the 14th of January. 1873, his remains being interred in Mc- Kay cemetery. Mrs. Gentry was born in Monroe county. Indiana, June 12. 1821, and on the 26th of March, 1846. was married. She died at Carthage. January 9. 1903. and her grave was made in Moss Ridge cemetery. In the family were six children: William Richard, who was born in Monroe coun-

ty: Indiana, January 17, 1817. and was a railroad agent at Hanulton. Ilmos. died there September 7. 1881 Joshua Newton, born December 15. 1851, 11 Monroe county, Indiana, is now living at MeMinnville, Oregon. Mary Catherine, born in Monroe county, Indiana. August 7. 1854. died October 1. 1858, and was buried in her native county in the Ver- mal Baptist church cemetery. John Mc- Viear Shreve Gentry was born in Mon- Hoe county, March 10, 1858. Anna Ilar- riet, born July 26, 1803. is the wife of Linus Cruise, of Carthage, Illinois, who is represented elsewhere in this volume. Fannie Jane, the youngest of the family, is now the wife of Thomas MeFarland.

In his political affiliation Mr. McFar- land is a democrat and has served as col- lector of Prairie township and as road supervisor. His wife belongs to the Mis- sionary Baptist church, with which she united on the 230 of September. 1804. and she is also a member of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies. The family residence is at No. 36 North Adams street, which property was pur- chased by Mr. MeFarland. He also owns a lot at No. 17 Main street oppo- site the Shoreham Hotel and one hundred and sixty acres of land in Kansas in ad- dition to his valuable farming properties in Prairie Grove township, while his wife owns sixty acres of land in Pilot Grove township. In 1888 he made a trip to Europe for the purpose of pur chasing horses and secured fourteen while in England and some in France. He bought English. Norman and one hack ney and was absent for about two months. during which time he visited Liverpool.

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London and Paris, returning by the way of the St. Lawrence and Thousand Islands. His is a commendable business record, showing what can be accom- plished by energy and determination, for he is now in possession of valuable prop- erty interests although he started out in life empty-handed. He is a gentleman of pleasant manner, while his wife is an intelligent lady of literary tastes and both have a host of warm friends in Carthage.

GEORGE W. VETTER.

George W. Yetter is the owner of a valuable farm property of three hundred acres on section 15. Carthage township. and with its modern equipments is a mon- ument to the skill and enterprise of the owner, whose well directed activity has been the source of his success. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. January 26, 1835, and was only two years of age when brought to Illinois by his parents. William and Lydia (Rock) Yet- ter, who settled in Hancock county and are mentioned on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of S. R. Yetter.

At the usual age George W. Yetter began his education in the common schools of Carthage township and con- tinued his studies in the city schools. When not busy with his text-books he as- sisted in the work of the home farm, re- maining there until about seventeen years of age although he lost his father two years before. Leaving the old home place he worked for one year at the carpenter's

trade but not finding it a congenial pur- suit he sought and obtained employment as a farm hand and worked by the month in that way for a year. Ambitious to engage in farming on his own account ho next rented eighty acres of land in Car- thage township, which he cultivated and improved for four years, during which time his indefatigable energy and frugal- ity had brought him capital sufficient to justify his purchase of eighty acres of land on section 15. Carthage township, consti- tuting a part of his present homestead. About twenty acres at that time had been placed under cultivation but he soon turned the furrows in the fields and in course of time gathered abundant har- vests. He also erected a good substantial dwelling and other buildings and has con- tinuously lived upon this farm since mak- ing his purchase in 1865. The years have witnessed his prosperity. resulting from carefully directed labor and good business sagacity and he has added to his acreage from time to time until he is now the owner of a valuable property of three hun- dred and forty-seven acres, nearly all of which has been placed under a high state of cultivation. Practically all his life he has engaged in general farming and stock- raising, keeping good grades of cattle. horses and hogs upon his place yet not making a specialty of blooded stock. Whatever he undertakes he carries for- ward to successful completion and in this largely lies the secret of his success.

In 1862 Mr. Vetter chose as a com- panion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Mary A. Briley, who was born in Ohio and came to Illinois with her par- ents when a young child. She was a

GEORGE W. YETTER AND WIFE

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ILINCOCK COLATY, ILLINOIS

daughter of Peter and Mary Briley, na- tives of Maryland, and the father, who was an agriculturist. engaged in farming in Hancock township up to the time of his death. His widow survived him and died in Appanoose township but their daughter, Mrs. Vetter, was educated in the common schools of Hancock town- ship, and by her marriage has become the mother of five children and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. Calvin R., the eldest, born in Carthage township. resides upon and op crates the old home place. Lewis G. re- sides on section 15. Carthage township. where he owns seventy-five acres of land and who is holding the office of school director, married Mary Harter Kim- brough, a daughter of William Kim- brough and they have two children. Ber- tha and Eva. Elizabeth Vetter is the wife of Ashford Perry, a farmer of Car- thage township, owning one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 14. which he purchased of his father-in law. They have three children. Herschel. Howard and Mary. William R. resides at home. Estella is the wife of James Kimbrough. a teamster of Carthage. The wife and mother died upon the old home place February 22, 1905, at the age of sixty nine years. She was a woman of mamy excellent traits of heart and mind and was held in highest esteem by all who knew her. In her family she was at de- voted and loving wife and mother and all who knew her found in her a faithful friend.

Mr. Yetter holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and takes an active part in its work and the extension

of its influence. For many years he he acted as trustee of the church and ist " filling that position. In politics he's republican and has held the office of tu commissioner, while for a long period he has served as school director. No mine ment for the general gond seeks hits and in vain and his efforts have been a valtied factor in general improvement. He has witnessed the greater part of the growth and development of Hancock county. which was largely a wild prairie during the period of his early recollection. He has seen this changed into richly cult- vated farms and has done his full share in the line of agricultural improvement. aid- ing in making this one of the richest farm- ing districts in the great state of Illinois.

HON. CHARLES COOKE

Death often removes from our most those whom we can ill afford to lose, and there was a feeling of universal regret when Charles Cooke was called from this life, for in Hancock county, where he long resided, he made a most creditable record as a representative of agricultural and commercial interests, and also factor in public life In all relations he was upright and honorable, and his - fluence was far reaching and benefic .1 A native of Southfield, Michigan, Je Suis born October 24. 1837. and was a Dr. Noah and Elizabeth Cooke 11 father was a native of Massachusetts . nl the mother was also born in the cast

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Noah Cooke devoted his life to the work of the Presbyterian ministry and also en- gaged in the practice of medicine and sur- gery. After the death of his first wife he resided in Hancock county, Illinois, until his death, which occurred in Bowen about thirty-five years ago. His remains were interred in Chili cemetery. In the family were five children, but only one is now living, namely, Camillus Cooke, a resident of Truckee, California. One daughter of the family became the wife of a Congregational minister at Payson, Illinois.

Charles Cooke was a young lad when brought to Illinois, his education being acquired in the schools of this state. His opportunities in that direction were some- what limited. but in later years he read broadly and thought deeply and as the result of his investigation, his experience and his observation he became a well in- formed man. He was reared under the parental roof and when he attained his majority he went westward to California, where he was engaged in surveying for gold. It was in that state that he made his real start in business life. For eight years he remained in the mining districts and then returned to Bowen, Illinois. where he invested his capital in a busi- ness enterprise, becoming proprietor of a lumberyard and agricultural implement store. He also owned a farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres of good land before he went to the west, and following his re- turn he devoted a portion of his time and energies to agricultural interests. He carried on general farming and stock- raising and likewise continued in the lum- ber trade and in the sale of agricultural

implements, being thus closely associated with farming and commercial pursuits until his death. He erected a beautiful residence in 1871 on a part of what was then his farm and is now in the southern portion of Bowen. The home is most beautifully and tastefully furnished and is still the property of Mrs. Cooke, who also owns one hundred and seventeen acres of the farm.

On the 17th of April, 1872, occurred the marriage of Mr. Cooke and Miss Inez Amelia Patchen, who was born in Chili township. February 4, 1854, a daughter of Levi G. and Catherine (Gumbell) Patchen. Her father was born in Dutch- ess county, New York. August 16, 1822. and the mother's birth occurred in New York city May 18, 1826. Levi Patchen was a farmer by occupation and came to Hancock county. Illinois, in 1845, set- tling in Chili township, where he pur- chased land from the government and built a log house on the prairie there, liv- ing in true pioneer style in the early days. He contributed in substantial measure to the development and progress of the county as it emerged from pio- neer conditions and took on all the evi- dences of advanced civilization. For many years he successfully carried on general agricultural pursuits and then re- tired to Bowen, where he spent his re- maining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest. When coming to the west he and his wife lost all of their goods and clothing and their possessions at the time of their arrival consisted only of the clothing they wore and about a dollar in money. As the years passed. however. they prospered, and when called from this

ILIACOLA COUNTY, ILLINOIS

life were in possession of a very comfort able competence.

In his political views Mr. Patchen was a stalwart democrat and his fellow citi- zens, recognizing his worth and abilty, called him to public office. He served as justice of the peace, was highway com- missioner and for many years was school director, and in all of these offices dis- played capability and fidelity that won him warm commendation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Patchen were born twelve children : Olin, who resides in Oklahoma: Sarah Maria, the wife of Samuel Garnett, of Rock Island, Ilinois: Alvah, who lives at Chandler, Oklahoma: Daniel, who is located at Lewiston, Missouri: Franklin J .. a practicing physician at Albuquerque. New Mexico: Inez A., now the widow of Charles Cooke, and a resident of Bowen : Anna Augusta, the wife of Rev. Henry 1: Tull, a Congregational minister lo- cated at Jonesboro, Arkansas: Frederick B., who lives at Bowen : Lillian. also of Bowen: Charles W .. who is a resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Ida. the wife of George B. Oder, of Kansas City, Missouri. The parents were mar- ried in 1844. and for more than half a century traveled life's journey together. The death of Mr. Patchen occurred March 5. 1898, while his wife survived until March 12. 1905. and was laid to rest by his side in the cemetery at Bowen. She was a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and both were good and upright people, deserving the warm re- gard and friendship which was extended them. They were among the carly resi- dents of Illinois, and no pioneer did more

to improve the county and pave the wall for the privilege- and blessings which the inhabitants now enjoy than dul Les Patchen. He was an honest man under all circumstances. He possessed, more over, great energy and was a public spirited citizen. He never upheld evil of any kind but on the contrary stood for righteousness and progress and was es pecially interested in the training of the young. He also befriended any institu- tion or influence that woukl help young people and he was generous in his sup port of the church. In his later years he was a regular attendant at church serv ices and his life was ever honorable and upright. In manner he was jovial and pleasant and was a most companionable gentleman, uniformly respected and loved by his neighbors and friends for his sin- cerity and his true manliness. His wife was one of the charter members of the Methodist Episcopal church and in her life exemplified her faith and belief.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cooke at once began housekeeping in the residence which she still occupies and there seven children came to bless their home, namely: Jessie En who at- tended school at Grinnell, lowa, and Is now the wife of Dr. D. D. Nine, of Iss en, by whom she has two children, Iler- bert C. and Madaline J .: Freddie, who died in infancy: Ralph W. who is a graduate of the Illinois College at Jack sonville, and is secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association at Chicago. being deeply interested in the work: Inez. the wife of Duane Bennett, of Besen. Illinois: Mary, who died when only two

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weeks old: Edmund. who is attending college at Champaign, Illinois ; and Gay- lord, deceased.

Mr. Cooke gave his political support to the Republican party, but was without aspiration for office. He was truly a self-made man and deserved all the praise that that term implies. Without special family or pecuniary advantages to aid him at the outset of his career he worked his way steadily upward. and was much esteemed and respected by young and old. rich and poor. He possessed a kindly. charitable nature, and was a regular at- tendant at the services of the Congrega- tional church, of which his wife is a de -. voted member. He was always much in- terested in the work of the Sunday-school as a teacher therein and was very liberal in giving to the church. He possessed sterling qualities that combined to make an upright. noble man. Believing in ed- ucation. he gave his children good ad- vantages in that direction. In early days, while engaged in mining, he made sev- eral trips to California and was always interested in that state, so that in the lat- ter part of his life he frequently traveled to the Pacific coast, looking after the in- terests of his brother's mine there and also greatly enjoying his sojourn in that sunny clime. The death of Mr. Cooke occurred on April 28. 1892, and he left behind a valued name as well as a com- fortable competence for his family. His memory is cherished by all who knew him and he had many friends in the commu- nity. His children seem to have inherited many of his good traits and are standing nobly by the side of their mother, who is a lady of sweet and kindly disposition,

now living with her daughter and son-in- law, Dr. and Mrs. Nice.

HON. JOHN W. MARSH.

Hon. John W. Marsh was at the time of his demise the oldest practitioner at the bar of Hancock county, having for fifty-five years been a representative of the legal profession at Warsaw. A student of law in the office of Judge Logan, a partner of Abraham Lincoln, the con- temporary in practice of many of the dis- tinguished lawyers of the middle and lat- ter half of the nineteenth century, he at all times commanded the respect and en- joyed the friendship of those with whom he was associated in his professional la- bors, for his strong mentality and intel- lectual energy made him their equal on the mental plane. He, too, perhaps might have attained marked prominence in po- litical circles had he lived in a commu- nity where his party was in power and had not his ambition been in the line of his profession, which he regarded as abundantly worthy of his best efforts. He felt. too. that deep interest in local affairs, which led to his hearty co-opera- tion in movements for general progress and improvement and many tangible prin- ciples were brought forth, his efforts in this direction leading to most commend- able results. He lived in the county for sixty-four years, which period virtually covers its history and he was familiar with its development in every phase. Born in New Brunswick, on the 20th of August. 1815. John W. Marsh was a son

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H.INCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS

of Benjamin F. and Ruth ( Wetmore) Marsh. The father was born at Weath- 'ersfield, Vermont. December 11, 1792, and when a young man went to New Brunswick. After the outbreak of the war of 1812, which cut off all communication between the English province and the United States, he did not hear from his home for three years. At St. Johns he entered mercantile life and continued ac- tively in business there until 1833. Hle became a successful dealer in merchandise and a very successful man. During his residence in New Brunswick he married Miss Ruth Wetmore, whose parents were Tories and were loyal to the crown of England. Following the revolution they went to New Brunswick, and the govern- ment of England recompensed them in part for the property which had been con- fiscated during the Revolutionary war in the United States. The old Wetmore home was at Rye. New York.

In New Brunswick Benjamin F. Marsh was an influential business man but feel- ing that he wished to live again under the old flag he returned to the United States, in 1832, spending the first winter thereafter in St. Louis, Missouri. Dur- ing that period he examined the coun- try on horseback, eventually reached okl Fort Edward and taking up his abode in one of the okl houses there. he purchased a farm of several hundred acres, where- on he erected a house in the spring. He then brought his family to Hancock coun- ty and the name of March has been in- separately interwoven with the history of this part of the state since the spring of 1833. The father improved and develop- ed a farm and built a residence, which

he occupied until the time of the ( wil war. In ante bellum das - lie w. strong wing and upon the dissolution it the party joined the ranks of the Repub lican party, which was formed to pie- vent further extension of slavery. Ile was a stanch advocate of the A mon cause and was interested in local political prog- ress although never an aspirant for office himself. For some years, however, he was county school commissioner, having charge at that time of the school lands. He was abso one of the early member- of the Masonic fraternity in this portion of the state. He died in Warsaw. m 1804, while his wife passed away in 1837. In their family were seven children, who reached adult age: Charles Carroll : John W .: Sophia, the deceased wife of Cyrus Felt : Elizabeth, the deceased wife of Chauncey Richmond; Charlotte, who married James Luzadder: Caroline, the wife of Henry Richmond : Colonel Benja min F. Marsh, who for many years was a distinguished representative of this di- trict in congress: Arthur W. The list named, together with his brother. Benja- min, enlisted for service in the Second Illinois Cavalry, and Arthur was killed while serving as colone of the One Ilun dred and Eighteenth Volunteer Infantis. Mrs. March was a member of the Fusco pal church, and her husband contributed generously to its support.

John Wellington March Somhel Ms preliminary education in St Johns. Ves Brunswick, and subsequently was grill uated from Kenvon College, in Olio. which he entered as a sophomore m the class of 1836, being graduated with vale dictorian honors in the class of 18:30 In

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the meantime his parents had removed from New Brunswick to St. Louis and as stated, became residents of Hancock county in the spring of 1833. At that time Warsaw had not been laid out and the only families here were those of Mark Aldrich, John R. Wilcox and Isham Cochran. For many years the family home was maintained upon a farm four miles east of Warsaw and at the time of his death Judge Marsh still owned a por- tion of the original farm, on which stands the old log house which was a pretentious structure when erected. Mr. Marsh shared with the family in the usual ex- periences and hardships of life on the frontier, for Illinois was then on a border of civilization. He assisted in the arduous task of developing new land and turning the first furrows in the fields until he entered college and following his graduation, having determined upon a professional career. he went to Spring- field. Illinois, where he became a law student in the office of Judge Logan, a partner of Abraham Lincoln. In fact it was while he was in the office that the partnership was formed and under the direction of those two distinguished law- yers he gained his first knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence, while Judge Logan and Judge Trumbull were among those who examined him when he was finally admitted to the bar.

Judge Marsh entered upon the active practice of law in Carthage in 1842, and for fifty-five years was recognized as one of the ablest members of the Han- cock county bar, exceeding. at the time of his death. in years of practice as well as in ability, all who were connected with the

bar of the county at that time. He was regarded as one of the most able lawyers of this section of the state, standing among the leaders of the profession in western Illinois. He was retained as counsel on many of the important cases and met with remarkable success. When he accepted a case he bent every energy toward winning it but he never sacrificed right and principle to do so. His ad- dresses always showed thorough and painstaking preparation and at once in- dicated that he was master of the situa- tion. He was a man of keen power of perception and of analytical mind, which enabled him to quickly discover the weak points in an opponent's argument and at once attack his position thereon. He was thoroughly versed in the fundamental principles of common law and was never at a loss to cite an authority or precedent. His style of address was dignified. candid and straightforward with never an at- tempt to juggle with a jury or entrap the court. It has been said that in his ad- dresses the listener was first interested, then captivated and finally convinced that every word of the argument was in aid of justice.

Judge Marsh was never an aspirant for office yet was always interested in the great questions involving the weal or woe of the nation. He became a republican on the organization of the party and while strong in his convictions and prompt and effective in maintaining them. he did so without being offensive to those who differed from him. In 1855 he was a candidate for circuit judge in a district with an abnormally large democratic ma- jority and white unsuccessful, he greatly

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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 73

Author: Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Hobart Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 806

Author:
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Hobart Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 806