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 86
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KINZY IL. BOWEN.
Kinzy W. Bowen is the owner of an excellent farm of one hundred and fifty acres on sections & and o. Fountain Green township. all of which is under cultiva-
tion save about fifteen acres of timber land on the latter section. His home stands on section 8, and the entire farm presents a well-kept appearance. The owner was born in Terre Haute township. Henderson county, Illinois, October 21. 1866. His paternal grandparents were John and Pollic Bowen, natives of Vir ginia. They became carly settlers of Terre Haute township. where John Bowen secured land by entering a claim from the government on the boundary line between Henderson and Hancock counties. He broke many acres of prairie in that vicinity, and added to his posses- sions until he had an entire section of prairie land, one-half in Terre Haute township and the remainder in Raritan township.
Thomas LaFayette Bowen, father of our subject, was born in Henderson coun- ty, and was married in Terre Haute, in 1862. to Miss Sarah D. Knowles, also a native of that county. Her parents. Philip and Martha Knowles, were of ling- lish descent. The former was a minister of the United Brethren church and was one of the early settlers of this part of the state. Thomas I. Bowen followed the occupation of farming as a life work and still resides on the old home place at the age of sixty-six years, but his wife died in January. 1902 Their children were: Warren, who is living in Yuma county, California: K H. of this review . Dora, who died in 1881, at the age of twelve years and seven months. Alle, the wife of C. F. Harris, of Los Angeles. Calfornia
King It Bowen was educated in the district schools and made his home with
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his parents until March 19. ISSS-his wedding day. He married Anna M. Finch, who was born in Terre Haute township, December 20, 1870, a daughter of William and Ellen ( Pennie) Finch, na- tives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, re- spectively.
After his marriage Mr. Bowen lived upon a rented farm in Henderson county for a year and then removed to Blandins- ville township, McDonough county, where he rented the John Mustain farm for six years. He afterward leased and operated the farm of C. H. Nelson in Henderson county. but after four years returned to McDonough county and purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Emmet township. He cultivated it for three years and then sold out, after which, in September, 1902, he purchased his present farm of one hun- dred and fifty-five acres in Hancock coun- ty, all of which is under a high state of cultivation and yields good crops save for a small tract of timber land of fifteen acres. One of the first improvements he made was putting up seven hundred rods of woven wire fence. He is extensively engaged in raising Poland China hogs, and for their shelter built a house sixty- four by sixteen feet. He has also built a large barn for horses and hay and a poultry house, thirty-two by fourteen feet. He has a granary, buggy and implement house and workshop on his place. together with a comfortable residence, and every- thing on the farm presents an attractive appearance, indicative of the care and su- pervison of the owner. In all that he does he is practical and therefore success- ful. He deals extensively in draft horses, keeping about fifteen head on his farm.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bowen has been blessed with eight children: Guy Franklin, born August 8, 1889; Eula Mil- licent, July 2, 1891 ; Roy Glenn, Septem- ber 10, 1892 ; Elive Esther, December 20. 1894; Leta May, May 14, 1896; Walter Jennings, May 26, 1897; Ralph William, who was born February 7, 1899, and died August 2, 1901; and Sarah Ellen, born August 2, 1901.
Mr. Bowen votes with the democracy and holds membership with the Modern Woodmen camp at Blandinsville. He has always lived in this part of the state, and since starting out in business on his own account he has worked persistently and energetically in order to provide a good home for his family. His laudable am- bition has been crowned with success, and his enterprise and diligence have come off conqueror in the strife which confronts every man in the business world.
ANTONE DAVIER.
Antone Davier, starting out in life for himself at the early age of twelve years, and realizing that labor is the foundation for honorable success, has worked his way steadily upward from a humble beginning until he is today in control of varied busi- ness interests in Hancock county. A na- tive of St. Teene, France, his birth oc- curred September 21, 1856, and when only two years of age was brought by his parents. Antone and Frances Davier, to
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America, the home being established at Nauvoo. After a time the parents re- moved to La Harpe, and the father then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he secured employment as a silk weaver. In 1865, while returning from Pennsylvania to his family in La Harpe. his death occurred on the train. Ilis wife continued to reside in La Harpe until her death, which occurred in the spring of 1880. In the family were only two children, the sister of our subject being Mary Davier, who resides in Disco.
Antone Davier began work as a farm hand at the early age of twelve years. and was employed in that way during the summer months until he had reached the age of eighteen, while during the winter seasons he attended school. Having been trained to habits of industry and economy by saving his earnings he was enabled to start out upon an independent business ca- reer when eighteen years of age, by rent- ing a farm belonging to James Gittings. which later became the property of 1. W. Cassell, and on this farm Mr. Davier con- tinned to reside for twenty years. Pros- pering in his undertakings he was then justified in making purchase of land. when, in 1808, he became the owner of one hundred and seventy-three acres, sit- nated on section 7. La Harpe township. He there took up his abode and con- tmued the work of general agricultural pursuits until 1904. when he leased his property and removed to Disco, where he bought the elevator formerly owned by T. W. Kimler, and he is now conducting a prosperous business, dealing in all kinds of grain and stock, thus furnishing a mar- ket for the local trade. Ile also deals in
both hard and soft coal, and this branch of his business is likewise proving a profit- able source of revenue to him. In 1902. in company with T. G. Sights. Mr. Davier purchased the mercantile establishment owned by Charles Collins, in which our subject owns a half interest. Both are men of enterprise and carry a stock of general merchandise to meet the demand- of the general public. In addition to the farm which he formerly occupied. Mr. Davier also owns an eighty-acre tract sit- uated on section 5. La llarpe township. and a second eighty-acres tract situated on section 16, of the same township.
In his political views Mr. Davier is a republican but is not active in the work of the party for aside from his personal business interests he has little time for office holding. He has, however, served as road supervisor of his township. He can well be termed a self-made man, for. starting out in life at a very early age. without capital or assistance of any kind. he has gradually worked his way upward until he is today one of the leading factors in business and financial circles of Han- cock county. He follows only the strict- est business principles in the conduct of his varied interests, and is a man of genial disposition and pleasing manner.
JOHN PITT.
Former years of prosperity nou enable's John Pitt to live retired in Nanvoo, in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.
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Since 1885 he has made his home in this county, where he owns considerable val- uable property. He has now passed the seventy-ninth milestone on life's journey. his birth having occurred in Dymock. Gloucestershire, England, December 30, 1827. His paternal grandfather, Robert Pitt. married a Miss Hill, and their son Thomas, who became the father of our subject. was also a native of Gloucester- shire. Having reached adult age he was married in his native country to Miss Charlotte Hadwick, whose birth occurred in Herfordshire, England. Ten children were born unto them ere they crossed the Atlantic to America. Mr. Pitt came to Nauvoo in the spring of 1841 with her mother-in-law. Mrs. Robert Pitt, who died during that summer. It was the intention of Thomas Pitt to make the voy- age in the fall of 1841 but he was delayed by business complications until the spring of 1842.
John Pitt, whose name introduces this record, made the trip to the new world with friends, who sailed to New Orleans, from which town he proceeded up the Mississippi river to St. Louis, where he arrived after two weeks. This was in the fall of 1841. He soon made his way to Warsaw but it was some time before the party could secure wagons to bring them on to Nauvoo. After arriving at this place Mr. Pitt made his home with his mother and did tithing by working on the Nauvoo House, which is partially stand- ing today. The Mormon temple had re- cently been begun and was completed to stich an extent that services could be hell therein. The father arrived in the spring of 1842 and purchased forty acres of land
on section II. Sonora township, which at that time was wild prairie. He then hauled a load of lumber to the place, left it there and started for a second load. Upon his return, however, he was a long time locating the first load on account of the height of the prairie grass. With characteristic energy he began turning the sod and cultivating the fields, continuing the work of development and improve- ment throughout his remaining days. He there established a good home for his family and was identified with general agricultural pursuits in Sonora township up to the time of his demise, which oc- curred in 1887. His wife survived him for a number of years, passing away about 1898. There was one child born unto them after their arrival in this county.
John Pitt was the sixth in a family of five sons and six daughters. He pur- sued his education in the schools of his native country and after coming to Amer- ica assisted in the work of the home farm until 1853, when he was married to Miss Mary Jane Chadsey, whose birth occurred in Vincennes, Indiana. She was a daugh- ter of John Milton and Margaret ( Mitchell) Chadsey, likewise natives of the Hoosier state. During the Mormon troubles her parents were allowed to re- main, owing to the fact that Mr. Chadsey was a mechanic, although they had been ordered to depart.
Following his marriage Mr. Pitt bought thirty-four acres of land to which he kept adding from time to time until his possessions comprised five hundred acres, becoming one of the extensive land- owners of the community. Subsequently
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he decided eighty acres to each of his four sons and he now owns about one hundred and sixty acres in different tracts in Rock Creek and Sonora townships. Most of the land was unimproved when it came into possession but in later years he pur- chased improved property. Indolence and idleness being utterly foreign to his na- ture he resolutely undertook the task of bringing his property under a high state of cultivation and in the course of years gathered good harvests, where had for- mierly been seen the native prairie grasses. He also erected a fine brick residence to replace the frame house that was destroyed by fire and this is now occupied by his son William, who purchased it from his father. Mr. Pitt carried on gen- eral farming continuously and success- fully until 1885. when he removed to Nauvoo, where he now owns several houses and lots. He also has several business blocks in the city and his real estate interests return him a good income. Hle makes his home with his son Charles.
U'nto Mr. and Mrs. Pitt have been born the following named: James Mbert. who is living in Los Angeles, California : Lottie, the wife of Duncan Cummins, of Bardsdale, California: Mary, the wife of William Chadsey, of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia : William H., of Sonora township: John Franklin, superintendent of the oil wells at Tulsa. Indian Territory ; Charles Robert, who is living in Nauvoo: Fred. who is in Rock Creek township. where he follows farming: Lillian, who became the wife of Frank Chadsey, and died in California about 1892: Eva, the wife of George Brown, of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia : and Mrs. Cora Sanders, who re-
sides upon a ranch near Los Angeles. Mr. Pitt and his family are comencted with the church of the Latter Day Saint- at Nauvoo. He is a republican and has served as school director. as constable and overseer. In the community where he has spent the greater part of his life he is known as a respected and worthy citizen who has lived at peace with his fellow men and has been straightforward and honor- able in his dealings. He has prospered. and an analyzation into his life record shows that his success has been the legiti- mate outcome of his earnest purpose and his unremitting industry.
CECIL JOHN SHERMAN BAXTER.
The raising of grapes and the manu- facture of wine are important industries of Nauvoo and the surrounding districts. being large sources of revenue for the residents of the town and locality. The land, a gentle slope toward the Missis- sippi, is especially adapted to grape cul- ture, and no finer grapes can be produced in all the country than come from the vineyards of this section of the state
Cecil John Sherman Baxter is among the number who are carrying on business as a vineyardist and manufacturer of wine. He was born in Nauvoo. Feb- ruary 16. 1861, and is a son of Emil and Annette ( Powell) Baxter, the former born near Paris, France, and the latter in England. Further mention of them is made on another page of this work in
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connection with the sketch of Emil Bax- ter. The father engaged in the raising of grapes and the manufacture of wine, and in his youth the subject of this re- view became familiar with the business in its various details and was admitted to a partnership with his father and brothers, Emil J. and Thomas, in 1882, under the firm style of E. Baxtor's Sons. He had acquired his preliminary education in the schools of Nauvoo and had attended Car- thage College for one term. He then entered busines life as previously stated and the enterprise is still conducted under the firm style of E. Baxter & Sons. In connection with his brother Thomas he now owns ninty-six acres of land in the city of Nauvoo, which is devoted to the raising of grapes. After the father's death the business was continued by the three sons until 1902, when Emil J. sold his interest to Cecil and Thomas, who now conduct the business along modern scientific lines resulting in success. They make from ten to twenty thousand gallons of wine annually, and have a cellerage capacity of twenty thousand gallons. They are conducting an exclusively wholesale business and ship their output largely to the south, where, because of its excellent quality it finds a ready sale on the market.
On the 10th of May, 1883, Mr. Baxter was married to Miss Elenora Knithan. who was born in Nauvoo, and obtained her preliminary education in the public schools, while later she attended St. Mary's Convent. She also pursued the study of music in Burlington under Pro- fessor Richards and also under Profes- sor W. H. Sherwood, spending several
years in that city. She also spent one summer at Bielefeld, Prussia, Germany, pursuing her musical education, and she has much more than ordinary talent in this direction. She is a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth (Peters) Knithan, the former a native of Dort- mund, Prussia, and the latter of Marietta, Ohio. Her grandfather Knithan was a prominent musician, and he with Paganini played before the Emperor of Prussia. Frederick Knithan came to the United States by way of South America, having spent a few years in touring the islands of Tierra del Fuego. In 1857 he settled at Nauvoo. While in Germany he had studied and become a practitioner of med- icine and after locating in Hancock coun- ty engaged in practice for a number of years at Nauvoo. In 1870 he removed to Burlington, Iowa, where he practiced in partnership with Dr. Harvey, and con- tinued an active representative of the medical fraternity of that city until IS98. when he retired from professional life and made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Bax- ter until his death, which occurred De- cember 13. 1904.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Baxter have been born six children : Harriet Alta, born January 17, 1885 : Salome Elizabeth, Oc- tober 21. 1886: Cecil John, April 21. 1888; Fred Knithan, September 17, 1893 ; Anita Elenore. January 9. 1894: and Emil Oscar, September 6, 1895. The family home is one of the fine residences of Nauvoo. It was built of brick in the fall of 1900 and contains eleven rooms. It is lighted by acetylene gas and supplied with all modern conveniences and acces- sories. It stands in the midst of a bean-
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tiful lawn, adorned with fine shade trees, and in addition to this property Mr. Bax- ter owns in connection with his two broth ers three hundred and twenty acres of land in Hand county, South Dakota, also one hundred and sixty acres in Sherman county, Kansas, and one hundred and sixty acres in Lee county, lowa. just outside the city limits of Fort Madi- son and it is his intention to plant this farm entirely to fruit. owing to the splendid adaptability of this sec- tion of the country for fruit culture. In seeking for the causes which have con- tributed to his success we find them not se much in their rarity as in their harmo- nious union and they may be briefly summed up by saying that he has the tastes of a scholar. the manners of a gen- tleman and the habits of a man of busi- ness-a combination of qualities that are bound to produce the best results. He is a republican but without aspiration for office, as his time is fully occupied by his constantly increasing business interests.
DR. DAVID LOY TRESSLER, PH. D
There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect which was uniformly accorded to Professor David Loy Tressler, but through many years' connection with the history of Car thage his was an unblemished character. With him advancement in life was reached through his sterling qualities of mind and a heart true to every manly principle. He never deviated from what his judgment
would indicate to be right and hotorable between his fellowmen and himself : never swerved from the path of duty and con- stantly put forth carnest and effecti e effort to lift his fellowmen to a recogni- tion and following of the high ideals which directed his own life. He was moreover a man of broad scholarly attam- ments and his intellectual and moral force made him a power for good not only in the educational institution with which he was so long connected but in Carthage. the county, and wherever he was known.
A native of Pennsylvania. Dr. Tressler was born in the village of Loysville. Feb- rmary 15. 1830. His father died in 1850. The son was provided with liberal edu- cational privileges, his father having been a noted educator of his day, with keen recognition of the value of thorough in- tellectual training as a preparation for life's practical and responsible duties. Dr. Tressler therefore prepared for cul- lege in Loysville Academy, an institution founded by his father. He subsequently entered Pennsylvania College at Gettys- burg. from which he was grannated in 1800 with the valedictorian honors of his class and soon afterward he took charge of Loysville Academy, where he was en graged in teaching at the time of the out- break of the Civil war. He enlisted for service in the Union army and was com- missioned a captain of the One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment of Pennsyl- vania Volunteers, with which he partici- pated in the battles of Fredericksburg. Antietam, South Mountain and others. often inspiring his men with his own com- age. real and loyalty He was twee wounded at the battle of Fredericksburg
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and on the expiration of his term of ser- vice in 1864. he was tendered a colonelcy but thought best to decline the honor and returned to Pennsylvania, where he was again actively connected with educational work.
Dr. Tressler entered upon the active work of the ministry in 1870 at Lena, Illinois, and in 1872 was elected to a pro- fessorship in Carthage College, while in 1873 he was chosen the first president of the institution. In connection with the duties of this office he had charge of its financial affairs which gave him additional care and labor and he was likewise pastor of the Trinity Lutheran church of Car- thage. He did much in building up both the church and the college and was deeply. earnestly and zealously interested in his chosen work. doing all in his power to plant the seeds of intellectual and moral culture and thus to lift man to a high standard of living with principles which work for the best character development. He responded readily and willingly to all calls which were made upon him in behalf of his fellowmen and it was one of these missions of helpfulness that he incurred the illness which terminated his life's la- bors when he was yet in the prime of life. He made a trip to West Point on horse- back and becoming very fatigued he con- tracted a severe cold, resulting in pneu- monia. He was unable to throw off the disease and passed away on the 20th of February. 1880. In early manhood Dr. Tressler was married to Miss Ada Jo- sephine Melntire, also a native of Penn- sylvania. She was a granddaughter of a Revolutionary soldier and represented one of the old and prominent families of the
Keystone state. To her husband she was a very faithful companion and helpmate on life's journey, sharing with him in all his efforts to benefit mankind and inspir- ing him with her encouraging words and active co-operation. Unto Dr. and Mrs. Tressler were born five children. Mary Loretta is now the wife of Professor Cy- rus B. Newcomer, of Carthage College, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work. Elizabeth Agnes is the wife of James Sumner Maloney, a resident of Polo, Illi- nois ; Charles J. is an able lawyer, repre- senting the firm of Swift & Company, of Chicago. The other members of the family are deceased.
Dr. Tressler possessed a rare combina- tion of excellent qualities which admirably fitted him for the position which he filled. He was a man of indomitable energy. keen intellectuality, of ready tact and excellent business ability, all of which qualities are needed in the successful management of an educational institution. He possessed a kindly, generous and sympathetic nature and cheerful and optimistic disposition. being inclined always to look upon the bright side. He was also a man of ready and pleasing address, capable of easily adapting himself to all classes of people and making the humblest feel at ease in his presence. In his efforts and unflag- ing zeal for Carthage College and the advancement of the Christian kingdom he sacrificed his life and the church and college lost in his death one of the most efficient leaders and useful servants. His memory, however, is yet cherished by all who knew him and remains as a blessed benediction to all who were associated with him in his work or came under his
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teaching. In the pulpit and on the lecture platform he was a fluent speaker, having his subject thoroughly in hand and ad- dressing his audiences in the logical, con- vincing manner which never fails to leave a deep impress upon the minds of the hearers. He had but just entered upon Ins forty-second year when called to his final rest. The funeral services, con- ducted by the Rev. Mr. Kuhl and Dr. Rhodes, of St. Louis, were largely at- tended by many ministers and friends out- side of the city as well as by a large con- course of Carthage people. No man in Hancock county was ever more respected or enjoyed more fully the confidence of the public or better deserved such respect and confidence. In his lifetime those who knew him, recognizing his worth, rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he attained and since his death they have cherished his memory.
F. 11. C. NEWCOMB.
F. II. C. Newcomb, whose life has been devoted to general farming and stock- raising, was born in Colchester, Vermont, March 16, 1828, and has therefore reached the age of seventy-eight years. being one of the esteemed and venerable citizens of his part of Hancock county. Ilis parents were P. P. and Sarah Ann ( Munson) Newcomb. The father was born in Bardstown, Massachusetts, May 10, 1804, and in 1830 removed from Colchester, Vermont, to Rushville, Hli-
nois, while in 1836 he became a resident of Pulaski, Hancock county. When he arrived there be built a log cabin tuche by twelve feet, in which he lived until he erected the first frame house in the town. For miles around there was not another home but in the course of years the coun- try became thickly settled and he con- tinned to reside in Pulaski until his death. one of its most valued and prominent po- neers. He was reared to farm life and engaged in teaching school in both the east and in Illinois. He also worked at the carpenter's and joiner's trade in l'u- laski as well as at cabinet-making and was thus early identified with the industrial interests of the town. After 1850 he turned his attention to merchandising and he also owned an interest in the bank at Dexter, at Newomb and at Augusta. He thus figured quite prominently in business circles and was thus closely associated with the commercial and industrial de- velopment of this part of the state. For six years he filled the office of justice of the peace, was postmaster for twenty-four years, school treasurer for twenty three years and supervisor for four years, and his long continuance in these different of- fices is an indication of his capable service and of his fidelity. His political alle- giance was given to the Republican party and his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist church. in which he served as steward and it- corder. He married Miss Sarah Ann Monson, a daughter of The dore and Lydia ( Philbrook ) Munson Mrs Min- sin was born in Dover. New Hampshire She was poisoned from virus from the wounds of her son William, who was
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