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 80
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On the 5th of March, 1891, Mr. Brick- er was married to Miss Caroline Egley. who was born in Warsaw. January I.
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
1871. a daughter of George and Catherine ( Straling) Egley, who were natives of Germany, but were married in Warsaw. where they still reside. The paternal grandparents were Henry and Catherine Egley, who were likewise residents of Warsaw, where the latter passed away in 1881, and the former in 1886.
Mr. and Mrs. Bricker have an inter- esting family of two sons and a daugh- ter: Marion J., born December 7. 1891 : George H .. September 10. 1895: and Clara Ida. August 25. 1898. Politically Mr. Bricker is a republican and he and his family attend the German Congrega- tional church, of which he is a member. He has always displayed a resolute spirit and strong determination in carrying on his business interests, while in public mat- ters he has given evidence of a progres- sive spirit in the manner in which he has supported all movements for the general good.
DICK HERBERT DAVIS.
Dick Herbert Davis, carrying on gen- eral farming and stock-raising in Appa- noose, his native township, was born .lu- gust 7. 1800. He was educated in the Mound district school, in the high school at Carthage and in the Carthage College. which he attended for a year. This pair- ents were Amos and Harriet 1 .. (An- drus) Davis, the former a native of Ver- mont. and the latter of Michigan. The fa- ther came from the Green Mountain state with a cousin to the eastern part of Illi Dois and afterward went to St Louis.
Missouri, where he entered the employ of a firm that established a branch store in Nauvoo. This he conducted for a time, after which he purchased the prop- erty. He was conducting the store at the time the Mormons were driven from their stronghold there. He afterward trade his stock of goods for land m Appanose township, and in 1849 he went to lathi- fornia, attracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast. He then returned In way of the Cape of Good Hope but later again went to California, where he re- mained for some time He was there during the days of carly mining excite- ment and was familiar with all of the es- periences which are to be met im a district before the organization of courts when the lawless take advantage of the opportun- ties they offer them for the perpetration of crime. At length returning to Han- cock county he lived upon his farm until death, which occurred March 22. 1872. while his wife passed away in January. 1866, Their children were Ethan, who died at the age of twenty years: George E. of Rock Creek township. Dick IL, of this review : and Chle I. the wife of F. 11 Weber, of Fort Mac son. Towa.
Mr. Davis of this revies mide file home on his father's farm unt ret the latter's death, after which Le soen fes months in Quincy He then returnrelex step-mother for severalyes fest Intervals los wordet wils bonnes
Hugh Jackson, Lere le rene summer, anl in the fx de 829 Me off
42
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BIOGRAPHICAL RELIEIT
to Kansas but on the 7th of June, 1880, returned to Hancock county. Here he began farming on his own account on one hundred and twenty acres of land which he owned on section 29, Pontoosuc town- ship. Three years later he took up his abode near North Platte, Nebraska, where he followed ranching for three years. He then secured a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres which he proved up and on the 20th of March, 1894. he rented that place and removed to North Platte, where he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad Company for ten months. On the 21st of January, 1895. he again located on the ranch, where he spent sixteen months, and on the 24th of May, 1897, he again entered. the em- ploy of the railroad company, living at North Platte for a year thereafter in that capacity. He was afterward appointed city marshal and served until May, 1900. subsequnt to which time he was again an employe of the Union Pacific Railroad Company until June 21, 1902. Remov- ing to Fort Madison he was employed by the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe Rail- road Company from August 1. 1902, until April 6. 1903, when he rented a farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 25. AAppanoose township, from Mrs. Sa- rah Hoxworth. Here he carries on gen- cral farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Davis was married July 2, 1888. in Perkins county. Nebraska, to Viola M. Smith, who was born in Lawrence county, Indiana, a daughter of James and Euphemia ( Nation) Smith. Their chil- dren are: Chloe E., born June 21, 1889: Marie F., January 28, 1900; and Mabel 1., March 17. 1905.
BERNHARD GIESE.
Bernhard Giese, a veteran of the Civil war, who though not a native son of America displayed a loyalty as great as that of any of the soldiers who were born under the stars and stripes, now makes his home in Hamilton. His birth oc- curred in Hanover, Germany, in 1828, his parents being Bernhardt and Angela (Schultz) Giese, also of the fatherland. In early manhood Mr. Giese of this re- view enlisted for service in the German Army but after two years he deserted, wishing to make his home in the "land of the free." Crossing the Atlantic, he took up his abode in Quincy. Illinois, where he was employed in various ways until after his marriage on the 19th of April. 1853, Miss Mary Ann Eising be- coming his wife. She was born in Prus- sia, March 27, 1835, a daughter of Bern- hard and Elizabeth (Steining) Eising both natives of Prussia. Her parents. leaving the fatherland, sailed for New Orleans, where they resided for two years and in 1844 made their way northward to Quincy, Illinois, where Mr. Eising was employed as a laborer for seven years. He then purchased a farm in Marion county, Missouri, where he spent a year and a half engaged in general agricultural pursuits. On the expiration of that pe- riod he returned to Quincy, where he lived until 1865. when he removed to Warsaw, Illinois, making his home there until his death on the 8th of December, 1888, when he was ninety-three years of age. His wife passed away September 12, 1884. when she was seventy-one years of age.
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs Giese resided in different places, but their children, seven in number, were all born in Quincy. These are: Elizabeth, now Mrs. W. A. Sherman, a widow ; Bern hard, a resident of Quincy: Anthony : Frank, who died at the age of twenty two years: Mollie, who died at the age of eighteen years; Katie, the wife of Henry Lefers, of Quincy, Illinois ; and one died in infancy.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Giese responded to the country's call for troops. enlisting in 1865 as a member of Com pany H. Forty-third Illinois Infantry. He served for one year and was then honorably discharged and in recognition of conditions brought about by his mili tary service he has been granted a pension of twelve dollars per month since 1802. In 1805 be removed with his family to Hamilton and purchased four lots in Oak- wood, which is Safford's addition to the city. Here he has since lived retired and he has become well known here, gaining many warm friends during the period of his residence in Hancock county.
RUDOLPH WILSON ALVORD
Rudolph Wilson MMvord, one of tu venerable citizens of Hamilton, where ceives and merits the respect and go- 1 will of all, was born in Niagara con ity. New York. December 20. 1823 His parents were Samuel and Ur-nl (Smith Alvord. natives of Massachusetts nl
Connecticut respectively the material grandfather, Oliver Sinto saada re dont of Canada And was a greit tr der. betyr engaged in merchandising also for the ber of years. The paterna site was a farmer, always reseal o Mmen chusetts and was a soldier it e ken- tionary war.
Samuel Alvord, following the sample tion of farming, was also a local preac' er in Massachusetts, where he resided tothe age of thirty five years, when he rein sed to Ningara county, New York He .. ordained a minister of the Baptist church at Casnovia. New York, and engaged In preaching the gospel in that state until 1847. when he removed to Montebello township. Hancock county. Ullman. where he made his home until his death. which occurred about 1873. when he had reached the very advanced age of eighty eight years. He had long survived his wife, who died almut 1858
Rudolph Wilson Alvord. the fifth in order of birth m a family of ten children two sons and eight daughters, was re real to farm life. He remained with his par- ents until twenty-four years of age, whe he returned to Chautauqua commis. Vous York, and was there murriel in Mas 1852, to Miss Angeline Salsas, whis birth occurred in that coulds. ber page 1 beng Rev, Benjamin and Amy Sho on the former a minister of t & Reforme church Following los merruce Mi V word brought us hade to 11: tv. Illinois, and unto them were our leur chillen, but thice love base l' anse Benjamim, who ciel at the me i Gif cer months, Chules, at the 20 1 0e veum and When, at the age of acer vos
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BIOGRAPHICAL RETIENT'
The surviving member of the family is Susanna, the wife of Amassa Hagar, of Hamilton.
Following his return to Hancock coun- ty Mr. Alvord lived upon the farm which he owned in Montebello township, making his home there for two years, when he purchased another place of nine acres in the eastern part of Hamilton. He has since divided this and has sold off six town lots. He began raising fruit and after some years he sold his prairie farm. Having lost his first wife in the fall of 1876. he was married to Julia (Johnson ) Chapin. a widow, who was born in Con- necticut. They had two sons, Milton and Horace Alvord, both residents of Illinois. The wife and mother died in 1880 and in 1883 Mr. Alvord wedded Mary Jane Wil- son at Keokuk, Iowa. She was born in Ohio and her death occurred in Hamilton, April 17, 1902. Mr. Alvord's daughter has been a widow since 1890 and has re- sided with her father since the death of her daughter in 1902. She was married December 2, 1874. to Amassa Hagar, who was born in Whitehall, Illinois, July 27. 1850. There were four children of that marriage: Mary, who was born in August, 1876, and died in infancy; Nel- lie Belle, who was born December 2, 1878. and died April 4, 1901. She was the wife of Frank Worth, a native of Jersey- ville, Illinois, and now a cigar maker at Canton, Missouri. They had one child, Amassa Hagar Worth, born June 3. 1898. Frances Ada was born July 4. 1883, and the wife of George Janeway. cashier of the bank at Skiatook, Indian Territory. Angelina was born September 9. 1888. The death of Mr. Hagar occurred March
22. 1890. He was engaged in the grain and live stock business at Marysville, Kansas, where he resided with his family for many years, and after his demise Mrs. Hagar continued to remain there until her father lost his wife, when she returned and has since lived with him in Hamilton.
Mr. Alvord has for a number of years lived retired at his pleasant home in Ham- ilton. He has led a busy and useful life and his rest is well merited. There have been no exciting chapters in his history, but he has always been faithful to the du- ties of citizenship and the ties of home and wherever known is held in high esteem in recognition of his genuine personal worth.
WILLIAM F. TRAVERSE.
William F. Traverse, owning and op- erating two hundred acres of land called the Twin Hill Stock Farm, situated in Appanoose, his native township, was born February 27, 1868. His paternal grand- father bore the name of Hiel Traverse. and his father, William F. Traverse, who was born in Kentucky, December 15. 1827, arrived in Appanoose township in 1847, where he purchased land, and was here married May 4. 1865. to Miss Emily Willsey, who was born April 2. 1842, and her father. Peter Willsey, was numbered among the very early settlers of this county. William F. Traverse owned three hundred and twenty acres of land on section 26, Appanoose township, and he likewise owned two other tracts, one of
HLINCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
twenty and the other containing sixty acres, situated near Niota. His land was all wild and unimproved when it came into his possession but he developed and cultivated the fields, and erected a fine home and many substantial outbuildings, thus making his farm one of the valuable properties of this section of the state. 11e was thus actively and helpfully identified with much of the improvement and up- building of the county in its early pioneer development. In addition to his farm- ing interests he also engaged quite exten- sively in the raising of draft horses. In his family were three sons and one daugh- ter, namely: John Q. who was born June 23. 1866, was married and resided in Quincy, Illinois, there passing away November 8. 1897. William F. is the next of the family. Isaac W .. who was born October 22, 1872, is a physician and surgeon, practicing at Fort Madison, Iowa. Emily J., born December 13. 1876. is now the wife of C. L. W. Silver- schmidt, and resides in San Francisco. California. The mother of this family died June 20. 1878, and her remains were interred in Tull cemetery in Pontooste township. The father survived until Oc- tober 4. 1901. when he was laid to rest by the side of his wife.
After the death of the parents the land was divided among the children, and our subject and his brother, Isaac W., pur- chased the interest of their sister in the estate, so that William F. Traverse came into possession of two hundred acres of the old homestead property, and he like- wise owns sixty-eight acres on section 9 and ten acres of timber land on sec- tion 15.
William F. Traverse received liberal educational advantages, having supple- mented his early education by a course of study at the Fort Madison Business College and also at the Northern Ilmos Normal School, at Dixon. At the age of twenty two years, having completed his etlucation, he engaged in the fire and hfc insurance business at Fort Madison, con- tinuing in that business for four years Subsequent to that time he and his brother, John Q .. now deceased, engaged in the wholesale and retail shoe business. having an establishment in Medina Tem ple, at the corner of Jackson and Fifth avenue. Chicago. A year later he dis posed of his show business and went to Joplin, Missouri, where he conducted a steam drill for two years, and following that period he then for a year represented the Joplin Machine Works on the road. selling mining and other machinery in the state of Missouri. His father's health having failed. Mr. Traverse then returnedl again to the old home farm and assumed its management until his father's death. after which, as stated, he came into pas- session of two hundred acres of the old homestead property, known as the Twin Hill Stock Farm, being so called from the fact that the house stands on one hill. while the barn is located on an oppiste hill. In addition to carrying on general farming he is also engaged m maismy Chester White hogs, raising about one hundred and fifty annually.
On the 8th of November. 1001. Mr Traverse secured as a companion and helpmate Miss Jennie O Hobbs, a daugh ter of Leonard Hobbs She was born. reared and educated in Appanosse town
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW
ship, and by her marriage has become the mother of one daughter. Emily J .. whose birth occurred September 5, 1902. Politically Mr. Traverse is a democrat, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church. He is a Mason, be- longing to the lodge at Pontoosuc, while he also holds membership with the Mod- ern Woodmen camp at Fort Madison, Iowa.
JOHN M. BERRY.
John M. Berry, better known as J. M. Berry in Carthage, where he has long made his home, was born in Maconpin county. Illinois, October 31. 1834, his par- ents being Jesse and Mary (Collins) Berry, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. In an early day they removed from that state to Macoupin county. where the father engaged in farming until his death, which ocurred when he was sixty-nine years of age. Ilis widow afterward removed to Carthage, where her last days were passed. Both were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. In their family were eight chil- dren but only two are now living: J. M. ; and Mary S., the latter the wife of Wil- liam Clark, of Carlinville, Illinois. One son of the family. David M. Berry, served for four years as a soldier in the Civil war.
J. M. Berry is indebted to the public school system of Macoupin county for the carly educational privileges he enjoyed and when not occupied with his text-books
he engaged in farming upon his father's land. His attention was given to gen- eral agricultural pursuits until 1861, so that he lived upon the home farm for five years after his marriage. In 1861 he came to Carthage and, owning a team, he engaged in teaming for six years. He then engaged in the grocery business, which he successfully followed for a quarter of a century and was also en- gaged with the coal and grain trade, giv- ing his attention, however, more largely to the coal business. Later he conducted a jewelry store in Carthage for two years, but during the past six years has lived retired.
Mr. Berry was married January 24. 1856. to Miss Mary Crawford, who was born in Macoupin county, Illinois, De- cember 22. 1827, her parents being Joseph and Rebecca (Ledford) Crawford. Her father was a farmer and for many years was engaged in the tilling of the soil in Macoupin county, both he and his wife coming to Illinois from Tennessee at an early day. They were both prominent and influential members of the Methodist church, in which he filled nearly all of the offices. In their family were ten chil- dren, of whom three have passed away. Those still living are: S. M., a resident of La Plata. Missouri; Mary, now Mrs. Berry; Jesse, of Beloit. Kansas: Joseph. of Gerard, Illinois ; James, of Palmyra Illinois; and Jonathan and Elijah, who are also residents of Palmyra. Five sons in that family served in the Civil war for four full years, these being John. S. M .. Jesse. James and Joseph Crawford.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Berry have been horn eight children, of whom three died
IL.INCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
in infancy, while the others reached years of maturity. 1 .. W. Berry, the eldest sur- viving member of the family, married Fannie Crawford, lives in Carthage and has three children: Freddie Corine. Kenneth and Leonard Coleman. Naomi F. is the wife of Walter VanZile, of Car- thage, Illinois, and they have tive chil dren : Roy 11 .. Leon, Jesse. Mary and Signa. Duwane G. married Hattie Noyes, of Carthage, and has one child. Catherine. Rosa B. is the wife of Charles McCool, of Jacksonville, Illinois. and has four children. Oscar V. married Mary E. Frazier, by whom he has one child. J. M. Berry, named for his grand- father. Their home is in Peoria, where Oscar V. Perry is an optician.
Mr. and Mrs. Berry are devoted mem bers of the Methodist church, of which he has served as trustee and steward for many years. Ilis early political affiliation was given to the Republican party but he is now a prohibitionist, having long been a stalwart supporter of the cause of tem- perance. In 1892 he purchased his pres- ent cottage on Main street and is com- fortably settled in life. On the 24th of January. 1906, he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding, all of their children and the greater number of their grand- children being gathered around the fam ily board. while a reception was held for them in the Methodist church. It way largely attended and the event was a very happy one. This worthy couple well de serve the esteem and admiration which are so uniformly accorded them. Mr. Berry has lived in Carthage for over forty-five years, coming here when the city was but a village. He has witnessed
many changes here and thing heut te county and has an intimate knowledge it the events which have molded thể hiện ny and shaped the policy of this part of the state. He had no special advantages in his youth nor any superior educational privileges and his hie has been chat acter- ved by steady and determined purpre and by unimpeachable integrity lu man- ner he is modest and quiet and is an en- tertaining conversationalist. He devoted much time to reading until the failure of his eyesight and is a well informed man. who, having passed the seventy-second milestone on life's journey, Is now el- joying a well-earned rest at his home m Carthage.
WESLEY WILLIAMS.
The name of Williams, borne by sue cessive generations, is inseparably inter- woven with the history of Carthage and Hancock county and he whose name m- troduces this review was one of the pu neers of this part of the state. arriving here from Kentucky in 182% He wes one of a family of twelve children mest of whom became residents of lines where many of their descendants are sul found. Wesley Williams was born in Bourbon county. Kaucky, the family emigrating from Virginie to de Blire Grass State It Is probable that they Are descendants vi Roger Wilhems and all events it is definitely known that the family has been represented 19 America through many gerer tiens the ancestry
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEIT'
being traced back to early colonial days. Reared in the state of his nativity Wes- ley Williams was there married and brought two children with him on his re- moval from Kentucky to Illinois. His second wife was Mrs. Ruth Scobey and they lived for a time at what is known as the old town of Montebello, now de- serted. There their first child was born, after which they removed to Carthage. where occurred the birth of their second child. Wesley C. Williams, who bore the distinction of being the first child born at the new county seat.
For a number of years Mr. Williams operated a mill on Crooked creek, this being one of the first grist mills of the county and an old landmark. He was one of the prominent and influential resi -. Presbyterian church. His father was dents of the county at an early day, fill -. ing various positions of public trust, to which he was called by his fellow towns- men, who recognized his worth and his fidelity to duty. He acted as circuit clerk and recorder from 1828 until 1841 and later was judge of the county commis- sioners' court. Removing to Elvaston. Illinois, he occupied the position of post- master at that place. His political alle- giance was given to the Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He spent his last years with his children, passing away in 1870 after a residence of more than four decades in Illinois. He was a men- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and his life was permeated by his Christian faith. He was a typical pioncer settler of courageous spirit and earnest purpose. who bravely met the difficulties and hard- ships of pioneer life and aided in plant-
ing the seeds of civilization here. He recognized the possibilities of the county, labored earnestly for its development and left the impress of his individuality for good upon public thought and action.
,
WESLEY C. WILLIAMS.
Wesley C. Williams has the distinction of being the first white child born in Car- thage. his natal day being August 13, 1833. The old family home, in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day. stood near the present site of the Wesley Williams, an honored pioneer set- tler, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume. His education was acquired in such schools as were found in pioneer communities and when about eighteen years of age he went to California, at- tracted by the discovery of gold on the Pacific coast. He made the overland trip. his father fitting out an ox team for that purpose and there he carried on freighting business between Shasta City and Yreka with good success. He operated six mule teams and had a large and profitable business. He was recognized as one of the prominent citizens of his part of the state in an early day and aided in its preliminary development and improve- ment. Remaining in the west for several years, he returned to Hancock county about 1858 and began farming in Prairie township, where he secured a tract of raw land, on which not a furrow had
A T
JOHN W. WILLIAMS
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
been turned nor an improvement made. of Prairie township and a member of the There he carried on the work of the fields for some time but afterward re- moved to Bear Creek township. where he prospered in his undertakings.
While living in Bear Creek township Mr. Williams was married on the 6th of June. 1860, to Miss Mary E. Moore, also a native of this county and a daughter of Andrew and Abigal (Tweed) Moore, pioneer residents who came to Hancock county from Delaware in 1836. Mr. Williams continued his farming opera- tions in Bear Creek township until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when. in response to his country's need he offered his services to the government and became a member of Company G. Eighteenth Illi- nois Cavalry. While serving with that command he was captured at Harper's Ferry and after being held a prisoner for a time was paroled and later honorably discharged. At the close of his military service he resumed farming in Bear Creek township, where he resided until 1871. bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and making many improve- ments upon his farm. In the year men- tioned. however, he put aside agricultural pursuits and removed to Carthage, where he engaged in the livery business until 1873. He then located in Prarie town- ship. where he continued farming until his death on the 4th of November. 1801.
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