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 81
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U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born six children, two of whom died in infancy . while four are yet living: Homer G .. who is cashier of the People's State JUDGE JOHN WESLEY WILLIAMS Bank of Hamilton, Illinois: Judge J. W. Williams, county judge of Hancock county : Archibald C., a resident farmer
county board of supervisors, of which he has also been chairman, and Robert. who is a practicing physician at Alden. Minnesota. All of the sons have been me prominent in the various walks of hie which they have chosen.
In his political views Mr. Wilhamns was an earnest democrat, always supporting the candidates of the party save when at the time of the Civil war he cast his ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He was supervi- sor from Bear Creek township, also from Carthage and Prairie townslup and for one year was chairman of the board. lu 1886 he was elected to represent his dis- triet in the state legislature and served through the ensuing term. In 1888 he was again nominated In the democracy of the old twenty-fourth district but was defeated owing to the fact that this is a strong republican district. No one que- tioned his ability nor his fidelity in any office which he filled. He was a man of honor in public and private life, reliable and enterprising in business and progres sive in citizenship. He attended and con- trilmited to the support of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Wil- liams, who is now living in Carthage with her brother, W. IT. Moore, is an active and faithinl member.
With few opportunities or advantages that he has not secured for himself Judge
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEWV
Williams has made steady advancement in those lines of life demanding intellectu- ality, business ability and fidelity and to- day commands a respect and esteem not only of his community but throughout the state. He has won prominence at the bar and is serving as county judge of Hancock county. His labors have been as well a source of direct and immediate benefit to the county along many lines of progress and improvement, much of his work having been done without any thought of remuneration but solely for the love of the work.
Born in Bear Creek township, this county, on the 18th of November, 1865. he is a representative of one of its old- est and most prominent families. His fa- ther was Wesley C. Williams, the first white child born in Carthage, mention of whom is made on another page of this work. Judge Williams acquired his early education in Carthage and in Prairie township and in early manhood engaged in teaching school. He also attended teachers' institutes and continued private study at home, alternating his time be- tween teaching school and farm work un- til 1888. in that year he entered the office of the firm of Manier & Miller to read law and also attended the Union College of Law, the law department of the Northwestern University, being ad- mitted to practice in 1891 on examination before the appellate court at Mount Ver- non. Returning to Carthage he entered into partnership with his former precept- ors. Messrs. Manier and Miller, under the firm style of Manier, Miller & Williams. This soon became recognized as one of the leading law firms of the county, having
the best library in this part of the state and usually representing either the de- fense or prosecution of every important litigated interest tried in the courts of the district.
In April, 1891, Judge Williams was elected city attorney and filled the office for three terms. He continued in pri- vate law practice with the firm of Manier & Miller and following the death of the senior partner, Mr. Manier, in 1897, the firm of Miller & Williams was formed and continued to enjoy a large and dis- tinctively representative clientage. In 1902 Mr. Williams was nominated and elected county judge of Hancock county, at which time he withdrew from the part- nership. He has filled the office with credit to himself and satisfaction to the general public, his decisions being strict- ly fair and impartial. He has proven him- self correct in his understanding and adap- tation of the law and is a worthy con- servator of the rights of the people who must look to those of position for the protection of their rights and liberties of life and property. Judge Williams also continues in private practice aside from the duties of his judicial position. He has moreover exerted a wide influence in public affairs, standing in support of im- provement and advancement at all times. He served as a member of the city coun- cil in 1901-02, during which time he was instrumental in securing the passage of a measure for paving the streets, making the first motion in favor of such an or- dinance. He is a member of the board of education and it was in great measure due to his efforts that the new high school building. the finest building in the county
173
of its kind, was erected, while in other ways he has stood for the betterment of the schools and the upbuilding of a high standard of public instruction. His po- litical allegiance is given to the Dem- ocratie party and he is an earnest, log ical and convincing speaker upon many of the questions and issues of the day in the campaigns.
Judge Williams was married June 27. 1894, to Miss Adda Prentice, a daughter of Luke P. and Lydia A. (Quimby ) Prentice, her father having been one of the early settlers of the county and later a resident of Carthage. Judge and Mrs. Williams have a daughter, Miriam E .. and a son. Wesley Prentice. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal church and occupy a pleasant and attract ive home on Jackson street. He is a prominent Mason, belonging to Hancock lodge. No. 20. Ancient Free and Accept- ed Masons, in which he has been secre- tary and senior deacon and he is likewise a member of Carthage chapter. No. 33. Royal Arch Masons, and the Order of the Eastern Star, of which he has been worthy patron. He is also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias lodge. of which he is past chancellor commander and belongs to the Woodmen and other fraternal organizations. His entire hic has been passed in Carthage and his rec- ord is another verification of the assertion of the German philosopher and poet that "merit and success go linked together." He has made a lasting impression upon the bar of the county both for legal abil ity of a high order and for the indwy wlu- ality of a personal character which i presses itself upon a community.
IL1 D GHLILAM
among the Cahforma mimers that lockel to the Pacific coast showing the dow ers of gold there, and whom Ilujech county is living the more que lite of prosperous agriculturii. now makes les home in Warsaw. He is no longer en gaged in the active business duties, for his former toil and capable management brought him a competence sufficient to enable him to enjoy in rest and quiet the fruits of former years. Born in Camp bell county, Kentucky. April 22, 1832. he is descended from old southern fam- lies. Ilis paternal grandfather, Robinson Gillham, was a native of Charleston. South Carolina, whence be removed to Kentucky, where his son. Robert Gillham. was born, The latter, having arrived at adult age, was married in that state to Elizabeth Walker, who was born in ken tucky, and was a daughter of John and Mary Walker, natives of Maryland, their birthplace being in the vicinity of Balt more. Mr. and Mis Robent Gillam were farming people in the Blue Grass state until the spring of 1830, when they started for Ulmon, traveling by the thy and Mississippi fer Ite maya wang tt Warsaw on the 11th of April tillham purchased one lun del to five acres of Land i Walker than of which about SAft Fees Atile land while the remainder site with vater praise Deer we es nite thịt chichi was promen dub sono the pusthers and other will um ine the forests, while Indis we ever
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BIOGRAPHICAL REVIEW"
seen. Mr. Gillham built a log cabin in the midst of the green woods and reso- lutely undertook the task of clearing and improving his place. Year by year saw the fields placed under the plow and as opportunity offered he added to his land until he owned about six hundred acres all in Walker township. He kept about eighty acres in timber but improved all of the prairie land, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation. There he lived until 1873. when he sold his property in Walker township and removed to Monroe county, Missouri, where he purchased about three hundred acres of land. making his home thereon until his death in April, 1879. His wife had passed away in October, 1856.
Eli D. Gillham, the seventh in their family of six sons and seven daughters, of whom two sons and three daughters are yet living, spent his boyhood days upon the farm in Walker township, hav- ing been a little lad of four years when brought by his parents to Illinois. The district schools near by afforded him his educational privileges and he received ample training in the work of the fields, assisting each summer in the task of plow- ing, planting and harvesting upon the old homestead until 1850, when in company with his brother John, he started for Cali- fornia, crossing the plains with a team of horses. They left home on the 10th of April and after a long and wearisome trip across the hot stretches of sand and over the mountain passes arrived at Hang- town, now called Placerville. There they engaged in placer mining and Mr. Gill- ham of this review remained for two years but his brother returned home prior
to that time. Eli Gillham made the re- turn trip by way of the isthmus route, riding from Panama to Chagres on a pony, and floated down Chagres river in a small boat to Gargonia, thence by rail to Aspinwall, now Colon, to New Orleans and the Mississippi river, arriving event- ually at Warsaw. He came back broke. He later rented a farm in Walker town- ship for five years, and with the capital which he had saved from his earnings during that period, he made purchase of eighty acres on section 9. Walker town- ship, where he lived from 1858 until April, 1863. In that year he and his brother Robeson, and his brother-in-law drove twenty-six head of horses across the plains to the Pacific coast. After reach- ing California they sold their stock and soon returned by way of the isthmus. which they crossed by rail. They then bought steamer tickets for New York but encountering very severe weather during the voyage they left the ship at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, proceeded thence to Baltimore and on home. On again reach- ing Hancock county Mr. Gillham pur- chased the old homestead farm from his father and resided there continuously until March 15, 1906, when he purchased a residence in Warsaw, where he is now living retired. He still, however, owns three hundred and eighty-four acres of valuable farming land, of which one hun- dred and eighty-three acres lies in Wythe township.
On the 5th of January, 1858, Mr. Gill- ham was married to Sarah Woodworth, who was born in Rocky Run township. this county. a daughter of Hiram and Polly (Glenn) Woodworth, natives of
675
IL.INCOOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Kentucky. The children born of this marriage are: Charles M., who Was born in December. 1858, and died in Feb- ruary, 1875: Belle, the wife of Isaac Baker, of Wythe township; Elizabeth, who was born August 22, 1862, and died November 11, 1873; Emma died in in- fancy; and lda, at home.
Mr. Gillham is a stalwart democrat and has been honored with the various town- ship offices, the duties of which he has discharged with promptness and fidelity. indicative of his loyal and patriotic citizen- ship. He is a self-made man whose pros- perity is justly attributed to his own la- bors and perseverance. He has had an interesting and varied life in many ways. owing to his journeys across the plains ere the building of railroads and his resi- dence upon the Pacific coast during the days of early mining excitement. While living more quietly in Hancock county he has made a creditable record as a busi- ness man, whose close application and im- remitting attention to his interests have been the source of a gratifying success.
In 1890 Mr. Gillham and his wife took another trip to the Pacific coast, taking in Washington, Oregon and California, vis- iting with relatives in all of those states, going by Northern Pacific and returned by Southern Pacific. They were gone all winter.
WILLIAM ROSWELL FAIRCHILD.
William Roswell Fairchild is a factor in business circles in Warsaw, where
he has lived for years, and where le is dealing in coal. He was born eleven miles east of Cleveland, Ohio, on the 23d of January, 1840, and is a son of levi and Dierdama ( Barber ) Fairehold, why, when their son was a lad of nine years. removed from Ohio to Augusta, Hancock county, Illinois. There the father pur- chased eighty acres of land and began farming, making his home upon that place until his death, which occurred in 1800 His wife also died on the old homestead property in the winter of 1897-08
It was at Augusta that Mr. Fairchild acquired his education in the subscription and the free schools. He was reared to the occupation of farming, which he fol lowed continuously until twenty two years of age, when he put aside all business and personal considerations, and on the 7th of August. 1862, offered his services to the government, enlisting as a member of Company 1. Seventy second Illinois Infantry at Augusta. With others he was sent to fill out a regiment at Chicago. where he was mustered into service He did active duty at Vicksburg. Nashville. Franklin, Mobile and Champion Hills At the last he saw the ground covered with the bodies of the slain, charge after charge being made, the fight lasting tor hours. continuing with undetermined fe- rocity. The regiment to which he b longed was assigned to the Art of the Tennessee, subsequently to the A the Cumberland and afterward to the De- partment of the Gulf When he Had served for three years Mr Fandold sa honorably discharge hat Chep . no mistered out at Vicksburg mich arduous military services god well
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BIOGRAPHICAL RETIENT'
a creditable record as a soldier returned to his home.
Again making his way to Augusta, Mr. Fairchild remained there for eighteen months and then went to St. Louis, where he worked for the Pacific Railroad Com- pany as car loader for a year and a half. In 1868 he came to Warsaw. where, in connection with his two brothers. he pur- chased a threshing outfit which they op- erated for three years, when he sold out. He then turned his attention to teaming and farming and for twenty-five years he was connected with the coal trade, han- dling both hard and soft coal, in which connection he has enjoyed a large busi- ness. His sheds are located at the To- ledo, Peoria & Warsaw station and he has a capacity of one hundred cars of both kinds of coal annually.
Mr. Fairchild was married in St. Louis to Miss Anna D. Ruger, a daughter of Martin and Anna Ruger. While he is in sympathy with the principles of the Re- publican party he does not feel himself bound by party ties nor does he always vote for its candidates at local elections where no issue is involved. He is a mem- ber of the Grand Army post at Warsaw. in which he has held most of the offices. being sergeant-major at the present time. Ile is likewise connected with the Mod- ern Woodmen camp at Warsaw, of which he was one of the organizers and for seven years he acted as presiding officer and has held several other offices there- in. Hle is as loyal to his country in days of peace as in days of war and he made a most creditable record when on south- ern battlefields he followed the stars and
W. R. HARRIS.
Success is usually a criterion of indi- vidual ability and is certainly so in the case of Mr. Harris who, without special pecuniary or family advantages at the out- set of his career. has worked his way steadily upward, making a business record which any man might be proud to pos- sess. He has never made engagements that he has not filled or incurred obliga- tions that he has not met, and thus he has won the respect and admiration of his fellowmen, while at the same time he has gained a goodly measure of prosperity and is now one of the large landowners of the county. He was born in Indiana. in 1837, a son of John and Ruth (Ald- ridge) Harris, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of North Caro- lina. The father was a grain and lumber merchant and came to Illinois in 1844. settling in Schuyler county, while later he removed to Augusta, where he con- tinned to deal in grain and lumber for ten or fifteen years prior to his death. In the family were nine children but only three are now living: Francis M., a resident of Augusta : Tabatha E., the wife of E. J. Sims, of Brookfield, Missouri; and W. R., of this review.
In the public schools of Schuyler county W. R. Harris acquired his educa- tion. Ile remained upon the home farm until he attained his majority, assisting in the work of fieldl and meadow and then went to Colorado, where he engaged in mining. He afterward proceeded west- ward to Oregon, where he followed the same business and later he was in Idaho. spending seven years altogether in the
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
west. On the expiration of that period Bogen Are Tithe taleom y side. he returned to Chili township. Hancock living in Kirksville Mjestu county, Illinois, where he resided for thirty years as a farmer and stock miser During that period he made all of the improvements upon his farm but when three decades had passed he sold the bottle place. He still owns, however, between six and seven hundred acres of very rich and valuable land, from which he derives a most excellent income. His investments have been judiciously made and bring him therefore a good financial return. In 1004 he erected an elegant residence in the south part of Bowen and there he now resides. The home is modern in all of its appointments and is one of the most attractive dwellings of the town. Since that time Mr. Harris has lived retired and is enjoying in well merited rest the fruits of his former toil.
On the 31st of October, 1800, was cel- ebrated the marriage of W. R. Harris and Miss Mary E. Hall, who was born in Virginia. in 1842. a daughter of Thomas and Edith ( Martin) Hall, both of whom were natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer by occupation and removed to Hancock county in 185t. settling in Augusta township. His political views entered the principles of democracy, and both he and his wife were active and devoted members of the Methodist church, in which he heldl various offices In their family were ten children, of whom seven are living, namely : Louis. the wife ci Dr. Benjamin Thayer, of Kan sas: Mrs. Harris: Bessie, the wife of Elijah Knotts, of Missouri: Miss Kate Hall, of Bowen. James W., who is living in Topeka, Kansas: Howard I .. of
Mr. Harris las tende& p mib the Masonic fraternity a 1 the Odil 1 db .. lodge m Bowen and las pefall of the chairs in the Latter He see All the democracy but His never pic 1 office and has served mo phile we tions of that deracter see that He No school director, and i a man Who life's relations has commandel joved the respect and confidence in these with whom he has been associated He has worked earnestly an I persistenth i. what he has accomplished, and in the evening of his days is surrounded by all of the comfort- that go to make lie worth living His friends entertain er hamile warmest esteem because of his pleasant. jovial manter and those quanties which ever render any individual popular
11 CIAN W. CRAVENS
Lucian W. Cravens, carrying on gen eral farming m St Mary's town- p.m. born in Woodford county, becky. " 1865, and is the youngest living of the seven children of James Dan Cie Black ford y Cravens, stor were bonne natives of kentuck and members of the Presbyterian conto the former lean January 24. 1820. and the White 15. 1831 In the spring af 152; he le Caffe a resident of MeDarwish cons Illinois, where he dial Ine 300 001 Us remains being interred in St Man cen
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BIOGRAPHICAL RETIEI'
etery. His wife had passed away in Ken- tucky, January 5, 1867, and was there laid to rest. Only five of their children are living: Josie, the wife of Robert Sacre, of Kentucky; Nannie, the widow of Silas Aubrey, living in Plymouth : Thomas, of Missouri : Bennie, wife of Henry Reans, of Christian county : and Lucian W. The last named was a youth of twelve years when brought by his father to Illi- nois, and in the schools of McDonough county he was educated. He remained with his father until seventeen years of age. after which he lived with his sister, Mrs. Aubrey, and worked upon the farm for some time. He made arrangements for having a home of his own by his mar- riage, in 1889, to Miss Phoebe Halbert. who was born in this county in 1871, a daughter of Silas and Loretta ( Hobart). Halbert. the former born in Springfield. Illinois, in 1831, and the latter near Car- thage, in 1835. Mr. Halbert was brought to Hancock county in 1834 and resided in Hancock township until a few years prior to his death. which occurred Feb- ruary 3, 1905. His wife died on the 5th of the same month and both were buried in St. Mary's cemetery. They were faith- ful members of the Baptist church and the latter was a representative of a prominent pioneer family of this part of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Halbert were born seven children : Mary, who died twenty- six years ago, when nineteen years of age: Helen, the wife of Robert Huey. a resident of Plymouth; Francis, who died in 1875. at the age of nine years ; William. a Baptist minister living at Cascade. lowa: Mrs. Cravens; Walter, who is liv- ing on the old homestead in St. Mary's
township; and an infant daughter who died unnamed. E. L. Hobart, a brother of Mrs. Cravens' mother, was a soldier of the Civil war from the beginning until its close. The Hobarts are a well known and prominent family of this county and Mrs. Polly Hobart, a great-aunt of Mrs. Cravens, is now living in Webster, and has reached the very venerable age of ninety-eight years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hobart were born in log houses and lived in a log cabin for long years after their marriage. They were thoroughly fa- miliar with all of the experiences of pio- neer life and the name is inseparably in- terwoven with the early history of the county.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cravens have been born five children and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death: Ruey, who was born September 13. 1890. and is now a student in Ply- mouth school: Homer, born June 16. 1892: Clara, October 21. 1895; Marion, February 17, 1898: and Leslie. March 20, 190I.
Following his marriage Mr. Cravens settled in Hancock township, where he lived for three years, and in 1893 he pur- chased seventy-seven acres on section 2. St. Mary's township, on which stood a brick residence. He has since erected a barn and other substantial outbuildings and has added nearly ninety acres to his home, thus making substantial and valu- able improvements upon his farm. His efforts are devoted to the tilling of the soil and to stock-raising and he is meeting with a goodly measure of success in his undertakings. His political support is given to the democracy and he has served
11-11
HANCOCK COUNTY, ILLINOIS
as school director but has never been a pol- itician in the sense of office seeking. His wife and daughters are members of the Baptist church and they are well known in the community where they reside and where they have a host of warm friends.
JOHN D. KASER.
John D. Kaser, deceased, was born near Dubuque. Iowa, May 2, 1854. a son of John and Rosa (Bertschi) Kaser. Both parents were born in Switzerland and came to America when very young. The father engaged in merchandising in St. Louis and afterward at Dubuque. Iowa. His death occurred in St. Louis, where his remains were interred, while his wife was laid to rest in Appanoose township. Hancock county, where they resided for a time. In their family were seven chil- dren : Fred. now living in Kirksville, Mis- souri : William H., of Baring. Missouri ; John D., of this review: Carrie L., the widow of John McBride, of Galesburg. Illinois: 1. M., of Niota, Illinois: Theo- clore. of Adair county: and Rosa, the wife of James Mackey, of Summitville. Iowa.
With the exception of John D. Kaser all are yet living. His educational priv- ileges were afforded by the public schools of Hancock county but were necessarily somewhat limited, owing to the fact that he was but a young lad at the time of his parents' death. The children were then scattered and he was reared by a farmer
in the southern part of Hancock county When eighteen years of age he and his brother went to Missouri, where he en gaged m farming for a number of years, but about 1875 or 1850 he returned to Hancock county and purchased a forty- acre farm in Appanoose township, where for some years be carried on general ag- ricultural pursuits.
On the 230 of October, 1883. Mr Kaser was married to Miss Hattie I Cheadle, who was born in Pontostic township, Hancock county, October 20. 1804, a daughter of Richard and l'hoche ( Mckee) Cheadle. The father was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, m 1821 and the mother near Carro, Uhnors, m 1832 In early manhood he was an engineer and 1 1851 be bought land in Pontosne township. In politics he was a democrat and served in some township offices and at all times he was loyal and progressive in citizenship. For over thirty years he was a faithful member of the Masonic fraternity and exemplified in his bie the principles of brotherly kindness and mu- tual helpfulness upon which the craft is based. Both he and his wife in their younger years were members of the Meth odist church, but in later years were nem bers of the Christian church. His death occurred in l'ontoosue township. Febru ary 12, 1800, and his remains were in terred there. In the family were five chil dren. Joseph R. Cheadle, the eldest, was born April 15. 1858, and is living in Si lem. Marion county, Illinois. He married Ida M. Abise and they became the parents of five children, as follows: Lem, Harry. Thomas, Mary and William Charles B. Cheadle, the second of the family, was
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