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 74
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reduced that majority and made a strong canvass although defeated. About 1886 he was nominated and elected county judge but was defeated for a second term because of the very strong democratic strength in Hancock county. As a jurist he made a splendid record, his decisions being strictly fair and impartial and based upon a comprehensive knowledge of the law and correct adaptation thereof.
On the 27th of November, 1849. Judge Marsh was married to Eudocia Baldwin, a daughter of Epaphras B. Baldwin, and their married life was a most happy one. In 1854 they removed to Warsaw and Judge Marsh remained a resident of that city until his demise. He passed away July 12, 1897, leaving a widow and five children, but one daughter, Miss Cara Potwin, has since departed this life. Those still living are: Mary Eudocia: Mrs. Helen S. Bardens, of Warsaw. Ili- nois : Adele Rose, the wife of . 1. II. Mac- Gregor, of Warsaw ; and John Wetmore Marsh. Two sons and two daughters of the family had died in infancy. The family have occupied a beautiful home in Warsaw since 1876 and in addition to this property Judge Marsh owned val- uable farm lands in this section of the state, having placed his money in the safest of all investments real estate.
While his life was a busy one and his profession made heavy demands upon his time and energies. Judge Marsh vet found opportunity to aid in many more- ments having direct benefit upon the wel- fare and progress of his city and county. He became one of the original members of St. Paul's Episcopal church and from its early existence was a member of its
vestry and for thirty years was seller warden. He contributed generously to lls support and often acted as lay redder dur ing the absence of a regular pastor. Io years he was chancellor of the Quulicy diocese. At the time of his death he was serving as a director and vice president of the Warsaw free public library, and he was a member of the city council from 1860 until 1862, and afterward a member of the board of education. All of those interests which are a matter of civic pride and virtue received his endorsement and co-operation and his public-spirited citi- zenship stood as an unquestioned fact in his career. He was an interested witness of the epochal events in Hancock county's history and in many cases was an active participant therein. Pioneer life in its various phases was familiar to him and he likewise passed through the trying period of the Mormon troubles, his office in Car- thage at that time being a meeting place for the anti-Mormons, who molded then bullets there. He was an active member of the U'nion League in the days of the Rebellion and his aid could be counted upon to further the material, intellectual and moral progress of the community throughout the sixty-four years of his residence in Hancock county.
The Warsaw Bulletin in its editorial upon his death said: "The death of Judge Marsh elicited a universal expres- sion of sorrow. Known to all, respected by all. the one feeling was that of regret and sympathy -regret at the liss of such a citizen and sympathy for the family who have thus been bereit of a kind thoughtful. considerate husband all father, for Judge March was character
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istically a home man .- a man who was intensely devoted to his wife and children and spent his unemployed hours with them. * % In his public life Judge Marsh was careful and conscien- tious in the discharge of every duty. In his private life he was upright and hon- orable. In every relation he was irre- proachable. Of even temperament, he lived a gentle, blameless life, and dying leaves a blessed heritage to those nearest and dearest, and an example of pure, clean citizenship that may be emulated by others with profit to the community. Such a life builds for all time, and the world is the better for his having lived it it." In all places and under all cir- cumstances he was loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valuing his own self- respect as infinitely more profitable than wealth, fame and position. In those finer traits of character which combine to form that which we call friendship, which en- dear and attach man to man in most inti- mate bonds, which triumph and shine brightest in the hour of adversity-in these qualities he was royally endowed.
ISAAC MCCOY MARTIN, M. D.
Dr. Isaac McCoy Martin, who is the second oldest medical practitioner of La Ilarpe in years of continuous connection with the profession in this place, was born in Macomb, Illinois. September 9. 1853, a son of Joseph Morris and Ilen- ricetta Girard ( Westfall) Martin, both of whom were natives of Miami county. Ohio. The father was born January 6.
1823, and was a son of Abiah and Cathi- erine (Wilson) Martin, of Miami county. Henrietta G. Westfall was born March 18. 1823, and was a daughter of Levi and Margaret ( Pettit) Westfall. Both Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Martin were reared in Boone county, Indiana, and were mar- ried in the town of Lebanon. They re- sided for a time at Thorntown, where Mr. Martin followed the carpenter's trade. They left Indiana in one of the oldtime moving wagons, which were the only means of travel across the country at that day, and took up their abode in Macomb, Illinois, about 1850. For many years Mr. Martin carried on business there as a contractor and builder, hav- ing a large patronage and erecting many of the substantial structures of the town and surrounding country. He continued in active connection with his trade until his death, which occurred February 21. 1893. When in the prime of life he was one of the prominent and influential resi- dents of the town, served in various pub- lic offices and several times acted as mayor. He and his wife were among the charter members of the Universalist church and always took an interest in its work. Mrs. Martin still resides in Ma- comb, making her home with her daugh- ter. Mrs. Henrietta A. Campbell, and is the oldest surviving member of the Uni- versalist church there. In their family were four sons and four daughters.
Dr. Martin, of La Harpe, is the fifth in order of birth. He was educated in the Macomb schools, being graduated from the high school, and in early man- hood he engaged in teaching. He also took up the study of medicine while in
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Macomb and m 1876 he went to Eyota, and Esther Pearl. Man And AT 2}. 1808.
Minnesota, where he engaged in study- ing and practicing with his uncle. Dr. 1. M. Westfall. After two years he re turned to Macomb, where he engaged in teaching school until he entered Hahne- man College, of Chicago, from which he won his diploma on the 24th of Feb- ruary. 1881. He located for practice at Macomb, where he resided until 1887. since which time he has been practicing in La Harpe, being the second oldest practicing physician here.
In September. 1883. Dr. Martin was married to Elsie Taylor, who was born at Mt. Sterling, Illinois, a daughter of Colonel Sammel E. and Nancy ( McCor- mick) Taylor, who were residents of Col- chester. Iler father was captain of Com- pany E. Sixteenth Ilinois Volunteer In- fantry, but was transferred to the One Hundred and Ninteenth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry as Lieutenant-Colonel, en- listing from Mt. Sterling at the time of the Civil war. Mrs. Martin was edu- cated in the schools of Quincy. By this marriage there were two children: Mor- ris Carl. born July 27. 1884: and Edgar Scott, born June 3. 1886. They are now associated with their father in the publi- cation of The La Harpe Times in La Harpe. The wife and mother died July 30, 1888. On the 5th of December. 1889. Dr. Martin married Clara A. Locke, who was born in Blandinsville township. Me- Donongh county, Illinois, and was edu- cated in the public schools of La Harpe. her parents being George and Mary E. (Webster) Locke, natives of Michigan. There are two daughters of this mar- riage: Mary E., born August 17, 1801 :
Dr. Martin is a member 1 tel. versalist church and is a repub cu polities, being prominent m the local ranks of the party. He was enty clerk of Macomb for five consecutive years, Troll 1882 until 1886, inclusive, and since his removal to La Harpe has served as city attorney in 1800 01, tax collector in 1804-05 and in 1905 was elected alder- man from the first ward for a two years' term. He has also been a member of the board of education for ten years and has been it's president for two years. His fraternal relations are with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Mystic Work- ers, the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Knights of Pythias.
ANDREW J. GRIFFITH. M. D.
Andrew Jackson Griffith, now deceased. was one of the pioneer physicians of Han- cook county, following his profession here when such a service demanded great per sonal sacrifice because of the unsettled condition of this part of the state. Later he became widely known in banking cir eles and at all times he stood as a high type of American manhood.
Dr. Griffith was born February 4. 1820. in the eastern part of Ohio, where his parents were temporarily located He was a son of llewellyn and Hannah ( Hope) Griffith. The parents were of Welsh ancestry and load formerly been residents of Easton. Pennsylvania. Fel-
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lowing the birth of their son they re- turned to Philadelphia and Llewellyn Griffith there followed the wagon-making trade during the youth of the Doctor but later removed with his family to Berna- clotte. Fulton county, Illinois, where his wife died. Subsequently he came to Car- thage to make his home with his son and here spent his remaining days.
Dr. Griffith acquired his early education in Philadelphia and later continued his studies in Illinois but subsequently re- turned to Philadelphia, where he became a student in Jefferson Medical College. He almost completed the course there but be- fore the time of graduation came again to the west and pursued a collegiate course in the St. Louis Medical College. He lo- cated for practice in Hancock county, settling first at Fountain Green, where he soon secured a large country practice, riding over an extended section of the country. In 1854. however, he removed to Carthage and almost immediately won renown as an able physician, his busi- ness reaching large proportions. He con- tinued in active practice until late in the `Gos. when he retired from professional ranks to become one of the founders of the Hancock National Bank, of which he served as vice president for a number of years, occupying the position at the time of his death.
Dr. Griffith married Miss Margaret McClaughry of this county, a daughter of Matthew McClaughry, a pioneer of Illinois from New York. Mrs. Griffith still survives her husband, who died March 19, 1884. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his practice had ample opportunity to exemplify the
beneficent and helpful spirit of the craft. With the improvement of Carthage he was actively connected, being deeply inter- ested in everything pertaining to its wel- ' fare and progress. He was one of the original committee for the organization of the Carthage College and assisted in raising the fund to erect the first build- ings. also giving the ground for the col- lege campus. He was one of the first board of directors and also at the head of building committee when the first build- ing. now known as Main building was erected. He continued a most helpful ad- vocate and worker in behalf of the college and remained the head of the board until within a short time of his death and in addition to his labor he contributed liberally of his means to its support. His life was at all times of intense usefulness to his fellowmen and his name became a synonym for improve- ment and development in public matters in this county. He commanded the re- spect of all by his genuine, personal worth and his death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret.
CHARLES H. VAN AERNAM.
Charles H. Van Aernam is the owner of good farming property in Hancock county and has resided at his present place of residence in Montebello town- ship since 1854. He was born in Lewis county, New York, June 16. 1848. his parents being Anthony and Susan ( Wardwell) Van Aernam, both of whom
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
were natives of New York. The grand father, William Van Aernam, was also a resident of the Empire state. The int- ternal grandparents were Dennis and 1.y- chia (Church ) Wardwell. the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. In the year 1842 Austin Ward well. a brother of Dennis Wardwell, cane to Hancock county, settling in Monte- bello township. He took part in the Mormon war under the command of Col- onel Smith, who afterward served in the Civil war. Leaving the east. AAnthony Van Nernam and his family started for Illinois, making the journey by railroad to Chicago, whence they proceeded to Rock Island and down the Mississippi river to Keokuk, where they arrived on the 20 of October, 185.4. In Montebello township Mr. Van Nernam purchased eighty acres on section 22. It was wild land and there were still deer and wolves in the county, while all kinds of wild fowl could be had in abundance, showing that the work of improvement had scarce- ly been begun and that many conditions and evidences of pioneer life were still to be seen here. Mr. Van Vernam built a house, sixteen by twenty feet, and put other improvements upon his place. With characteristic energy he began cul tivating the soil and as the years passed and he prospered in his undertakings he added to his possessions until he owned two hundred and forty acres of rich and productive land at the time of his death. which occurred on the 23d of August. 1004. His wife passed away December 23. 1803. In their family were four sons : George, Charles II .. William and Ransom.
Charles H. Van Nernam made hi home with his parents until twenty one years of age and acquired his educating in the pubhe schools, while the periods of vacation were largely devoted to farm h bor. On attaming his majority he went in Audubon county, Lowa. where he with engaged in trading m land and also in the stock business, Five years later he returned to his home place in this town ship and has since lived here After about fifteen years he sold the property. which up to that time he had owned and cultivated, to his brother. He had a tract of eighty acres adjoining the lo me place and which had been inherited from his father, from whom he also received the personal property On selling his original farm Mr. Van Vernam pur chased his brother William's farm of eighty acres. He has altogether two hundred and forty acres of rich and pro ductive land, making him one of the sab stantial agriculturists of the community. and to his work he brings intelligence and enterprise that have resulted in the ate quirement of a handsome property ile has a barn, thirty by one hundred and twenty feet, a scale house and other med ern equipments, and the well developed property returns to him a granliving in come. Having never married. he miles his home with his brother Kamsom I. political views are in accord with repul lican principles and although he is me a politician in the sense of office serkis. he keeps well informed on the questions and issnes of the day.
Ransom D. Van Aernam, rated with the representative and prosperous iam- ers of Montebello township. was bom m
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Lewis county, New York, April 16, 1852. and was educated in the district schools of Hancock county. He was reared in the usual manner of farm lads and the history of his family is given in connec- tion with that of his brother, Charles H. Van Aernam, which appears above. He lived upon the home farm until twenty- two years of age and on the 17th of April, 1873, he was united in marriage to Miss Robenia Morrison, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland. October 7, 1853. her parents being John and Robenia ( Glenn) Morrison. The mother died during the infancy of her daughter and the father afterward wedded Mary Robin- son, a native of Scotland. In the year 1865 he brought his family to America, settling at Hamilton in Hancock county, Illinois, where he lived for a year and then removed to Montebello township. He made his home in Iowa for five years with his daughter, Mrs. Van Aernam. and afterward returned to Hamilton, where he passed away on the 9th of Au- gust. 1885. His second wife still sur- vives and is now residing in Kansas. Mrs. Van Aernam pursued her educa- tion in the common schools of Scotland and of Hancock county, Illinois, having been about eleven years of age when she came with her father to the United States. Two years after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Van Aernam removed to Audubon county. Iowa, and for seven years he rented his father's farm there and engaged in its cultivation and improvement. He afterward removed to Villisca, Montgom- ery county, lowa, where he purchased a house and lot and made his home for
twenty years. He was in the employ of a hardware and implement firm for seven years during that period and for one year had charge of the county bridge work. He still owns property in Villisca, but in 1902 removed to his portion of the home place, comprising eighty acres. He has in his possession the first eighty-acre tract which his father secured on coming to Montebello township. On the farm is a barn, thirty by thirty-six feet and six- teen feet posts, which has replaced a barn that was destroyed by fire in 1895. He has a corn crib, granary and wagon shed and also a tool house, and thus his farm is well equipped, being supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences. Mr. Van Aernam also owns property in Hamilton, having purchased two vacant lots there in the spring of 1906.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born three children. William A .. born May 20, 1874, married Anna Niell, of Iowa. In November, 1902, he cut his knee with a corn knife and later blood poisoning set in, resulting in his death on the 29th of that month. Frankie A .. born August 16, 1875. died of diptheria in June, 1888. Jessie May, born in 1890. died July 4. 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Van Aerman joined the Methodist Episcopal church in the winter of 1882 and she is now a member of the Ladies' Aid So- ciety. The family has long been well known in this county and the Van Aernam brothers are prominently connected with agricultural pursuits, being known as en- terprising and reliable business men, and are held in the highest esteem by all who know then.
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
AUGUST C. WILKES.
The gentleman whose name introduces this record is one of the worthy citizens that Germany has furnished to Hancock county, and through his energy and well directed labors he has worked his way steadily upward until he is now in pos- session of a valuable tract of land. His birth occurred in Mecklenburg, of the fatherland. February 1. 1861. a son of Carl and Wilhelmina ( Wolgast ) Wilke. The paternal grandfather bore the name of John Wilke, while the maternal grand- father of our subject was John Wolgast. Carl Wilke was born in the fatherland. September 29. 1828, and was there mar- ried. April 20, 1860, to Miss Wilhelmina Wolgast, whose birth occurred March 4. 1830. They remained in their native country until 1871, when the father, hear- ing favorable reports concerning the ad- vantages to be found in the new and growing country, decided to cross the Atlantic, and accordingly in that year took passage on a sailing vessel which landed in New York, from which place they traveled by rail to Dallas, this state. and from that place the father made his way to La Harpe township, where he rented a farm, on which the family took up their abode and which continued to be their home for eleven years, Having prospered in his undertaking, during these years, Mr. Wilke then felt justified in purchasing land and establishing a home of his own, and accordingly bought one hundred and fifty-four acres on see- tion 35. of which all except fourteen acres was cultivable land. He carried on the work of general farming from year to
year and as the result of ing Careful muy agement added to his mente annually that when he was called from this Inte ke left to his family a valuable estate iii death occurred January 22, 1900, Willen he had reached the advanced age of ser enty-eight years, and Is lemans Volt interred in the La Harpe cemetery Ils widow continues her residence on the homestead property, which is now being managed by her son. Ludwig In the family are three sons and que daughter. of whom our subject is the chest the others being: Witham C., who was born May to, 1802, and is a resident farmer of Bushnell, Hlinois: Louisa, who was born April 28, 1864, and is now the wife of Ransford Bennett, of Durham township: and Ludwig, who was born August 2 ;. 1808, and is operating the home farm
As a companion and helpmate for life's Journey August C. Wilke chose Miss Em- ma Becker, whom he welded November 30. 1882. She is a native of Beaver I'm. Wisconsin, born April 5. 1801, and ac mired her education in the schools of that place. She is a daughter of Wilham and Mary ( Kurt ) Becker, natives of Ger many, while the paternal grandfather. Carl Bedker, and the maternal grand parents, Jochim and Mary (Hout ) Kurt. were likewise natives of the fatherland
Following his marriage Mr Wilke te mained with his parents www the home farm, assisting in its operation for five years, and he then removed to & fino which he rented in Le Hupe township for four years, after which loving - of a capital sufficient to justify the pyplease of land, he invested Ins meses in one hundred and sixty wies of which the
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hundred and fifteen acres are located on section 25, La Harpe township, and the remainder is situated on section 36. He then removed his family to the new home and is here engaged in general farming and stock-raising, having placed one hun- dred and twenty acres under a high state of cultivation, while the remainder of the farm is devoted to pasturage. Since locating on the place Mr. Wilke has made many improvements, including wire fences, the erection of barns and sheds for the shelter of grain. stock and farm ma- chinery, and he recently erected a fine residence, modern in its equipments and accessories, to which the family removed on the Ist of January, of the present year. There is a fine orchard on the place con- taining different varieties of fruit trees. from which good crops are gathered in their season.
Unto our subject and his wife have been born a son and daughter: Louis C. W .. born February 6, 1884, and Mayme E .. born February 22, 1888, both at home. Mr. Wilke is a republican in his political views and affiliations and he holds mem- bership with the German Methodist Epis- copal church in La Harpe township. He takes a helpful interest in educational af- fairs, having served as school director continuously since 1894. Having ac- companied his parents from the father- land when only ten years of age, he has here spent the greater part of his life, and enjoyed the educational advantages of this country, although he had attended school to some extent in Germany. He was carly trained to habits of industry and economy, and possessing a strong determination to win success he applied
himself diligently to his work and has availed himself of every opportunity that presented itself whereby he might ad- vance until he is today numbered among the prosperous and progressive agricul- turists of this section of the state, and all the success that he has achieved has been won through his own efforts. Both he and his wife are highly esteemed people and enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends.
WILLIAM J. RIGGINS.
William J. Riggins, who is engaged in business as a contractor and builder of La Harpe, was born in La Harpe town- ship, Hancock county, in December, 1836. His paternal grandfather was John Rig- gins and his father was Wright Riggins. who was a native of North Carolina and wedded Mary Bradshaw, whose birth oc- curred in Warren county, Illinois, while her father. Joel Bradshaw, was a native of Tennessee. In the year 1828. Wright Riggins went to McDonough county, Illi- nois. and was numbered among its pioneer settlers who journeyed toward the ever receding west and aided in the reclama- tion of a wild and unimproved district for the purposes of civilization. The In- dians were still numerous in the state and he aided in defending the frontier in the Black Hawk war. Even prior to this time he had lived for several years in Illinois, for when he removed from North Carolina he took up his abode in Madison
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
county and later lived in Morgan county, in October, 1858, to Miss The Art Illinois, where he worked. After spend- ing about three years in MeDonough county he settled in La Harpe township. Hancock county, in 1831, and purchased about eight hundred acres of land from the government, securing his title to the same from the land office in Quincy. Illi- nois. All was wild and uncultivated and about two hundred acres of it was cov- ered with timber. He took up the task of breaking the sod and improving the farm, having the first improved farm west of La Harpe. For many years he was successfully and actively engaged in gen- eral agricultural pursuits, bringing his farm under a high state of cultivation and finding that through care it could be made into a productive place, the well tilled fields yielding bounteous harvests. He continued to reside upon the farm in this county until his death, which oc- curred in January. 1876, while his wife passed away in April. 1844.
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