Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 70

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126

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with his parents until he reached the age of twenty-one years, he then bought cigbty acres of ingproved land, but selling this three years Liter, purchased eighty artes in Section 27, of the stone township, winch he also retained three years. His best purchase was a farm in the virinay of Pulaski. Hancock county, which he disposed of atter living on it two years, when returning to Littleton Township, he bought 200 artes o. improved land which is still his prop- erty. After living there minl 1003, he bought forty acres in Section 27, upon which he has Sime made his home. Ile has been quite success- ini in his business enterprises. and besides gen- eral farming, has raised many head of Black- Poiled Angus cattle, as well as horses and bogs in considerable numbers.

Mr. Hale has been twice married. The mai- len name of his first wife was Abbie B. Davis, who was born in Worcester, Mass,, and to whom he was wedded November 21, ISSI. Two children were the result of this nion, namely : Lella S., born August 30, 1882, who became the wife of Asa Bartlett, and lives on her father's Longere farm; and Blanche E., who died in in'aney, March 28, 1501. The mother of these children passed away in January, 1593. In October, 199. Mr. Hale was united in marriage with Isso M. Wheat, who was born in Little- Ion Township, August 3, 1864, a daughter of John and Julia ( Snyder) Wheat, natives of Ken- theky. and a granddaughter, on the maternal side. of David and Lucinda Suyder.

In politis. Mr. Hale is a supporter of the Democratic party, and fraternally is alliliated with the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 24. of Rushville. He is classed among the substantial farmers of his township, and is regarded as a useful citizen.

HALE, John Wesley .- The early associations of the subject of this sketch cluster around scenes in Schuster County, whither he came with his parents at the age of three years. Since then he has risen to a quisition as one of the ca- jable agriculturists of camden Township, where he makes his home on Section 12. In connection with his first purebase of land it may be stated that he paid $100 for eleven acres, forming the nucleus of his present possessions. To raise the purchase money he sohl a spotted mare for $50 and two caives for SS each, thus raising 896. and with the balance of money he had on hand. he acquired a little traet with a primitive log cabin. During 1\'S he erected a frame building. 16x26 feet. and now, by subsequent addition, he has a modern and commodious country home. At first he rented land adjoining his home place, but gradually he added to his possessions until now he owns altogether 215 acres on Sections 12 and 13. in Camden Township. In September. 1907. he added to this 120 acres more in Section 13. Camden Township.

The Hale family was established in Schuyler County by the grandfather of John Wesley Hale. who came here from New Madrid. Mo .. and se- cured about 500 acres in Buena Vista Township.

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

The father, Jesse Ilale, was born in Schuyler County, and married Rebecca Wardrup, who died in 18:3. The last board of the father was by letter written from Ottumwa. Iowa, in which be stated that he was about to go to the mining district of the Black Hills. Of his four children, James is living hear Adams County, Il .; John Wesley remains in Schuyler County ; Drusilla, deceased, was the wife of dames Bartlett, a farmer in Buena Vista Township ; and Mary, de- ceased, was the whe of Charles Warrington.

Born near Salem, lowa, January 13. 1556, John Wesley Ilale was three years of age at the time the family returned to Schuyler County, and here he received his schooling in Buena Vista Township. In March of isso he married Miss Vina F. Warington, a daughter of Isaac M. War- ington, and a native of Rushville. Ill., born in June, 1858. They are the parents of seven chil- dren : Mande, Jessie. Bertha, Dwight, Ruth, llo- mer and Bessie, all of whom are at home. Po- litically a Democrat. Mr. Hale has filled various offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned. In 1906 he was the Democratie nominee for Supervisor for Camden Township and was elected by a gratifying majority. In addition, for some years be filled the office of County Central Committeeman from his town- ship. With his wife he holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, while fraternally he belongs to Camden Lodge No. 48. 1. F. & A. M. The success with which he has met proves him to be a man of large powers of mind. rugged determination of character and judgment in his business transactions. All in all, he furnishes an illustration of the type of progressive farmer and loyal citizen whose pres- ence in the county and commonwealth is of the highest importance to the permanent prosperity of the nation. 4

HAMMOND, Charles Henry .- Occupying a lead- ing position among the business men of Rushville is the gentleman whose name stands at the head of this article and whose birth occurred October 26, 18GS, in the county where he now resides. The genealogy of the family is traced back ver- eral generations in America, the great-grandpar- ents of the subject of this sketch being Henry and Mary ( Russelit Hammond, natives of Penn- sylvania. The grandparents, Jacob and Eliza- beth ( Thl) Hammond. were born respectively in Maryland and Pennsylvania. and the father, Ja- col. Jr., was a native of Knox County, Ohio. The last-named, who retired from business in 1903. and who is represented elsewhere in this work. married Sarah Margaret Lawler, who was born in Schuyler County. Ill .. being a danghter of George Edward and Caroline (Hymnori Lawler, born respectively in Virginia and North Carolina, The grandparents of Sarah Margaret Lawier were Alexander Lawler, of Virginian birth, and Margaret Buckner (White) Lawler, also born in the Old Dominion.

The education of Charles Henry Hammond was received in Rushville. Ill .. and in Kirksville,

Mo. From the spring of 1883 to the fall of ISOS he was Assistant Postmaster, first with his father, who was Postmaster from 1852 to 1886, then wich Postmaster Albert H. Seeley, ISSG to 1500, and then with Postmaster Ilution until the fall of 1893, when he and his father, Jacob Hanauond, embarked in the furniture and un- derisking business as Successors to Harvey Brothers on the south side of the square. In Sefriedper of 1000 he entered the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Mo., where he received an education in that profession uu- der its founder, Dr. A. T. Still. Atter graduat- ing in June of food he returned to Rushville aud in May of the following year sold the furniture and undertakie business to HI. W. Graff, after which he devoted himself to the practice of us- teopacby for some years. In February, 100G. he purchased his former business, which he now conduets under the firm title of Charles II. Hannaond. The business was founded by E. II. O. Salley in January of 1831 and is one of the oldest of its kind in this section of Illinois. For the undertaking business he is well qualified by a course of study in Clark's School of Embalin- ing. Chicago, and his knowledge of osteopathy, with its careful training in anatomy, further qualifies him for efficient work as an undertaker.

Although not connected with any denomination Mr. Hammond is interested in religious work and attends services at the Methodist Episcopal Char h. Politically he has been a stanch sup- porter of Republican principles ever since at- taining his majority. In 1894 he was made a Master Mason and is a member of Rushville Lodge No. 9, A. F. & A. M. In 1905 be became idrutitied with Rushville Chapter No. 184, R. A. ML., in the following year was initiated into Rushville Commandery K. T .. No. 56, of which in June 1908, he was chosen Eminent Com- mander. In 1902 became associated with Molla Tu gde, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at St. Joseph, Mo. Ilis fraternal relations further include membership in Kirks- vide Lodge No. 164. Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, at Kirksville. At Rushville, October 12. 15:2. he was united in marriage with Miss Harriet G. MeCreery, who was born near that city May 22. 1571. Her father and her grand- Trirents on both sides came from the North of Ireland. Two daughters bless their union, malhely : Geneva Beatrice, born September 13. 101: and Virginia McCreery. June 12, 1900, both of whom are receiving the advantages offered by the excellent schools of their home city.

HAMMOND, Captain Harold, of the Twenty- third Regiment. United States Infantry, whose military record is surpassed by that of few. if any, of the younger officers of the regular army, was born in Rushville. Sebuyler County, Ill .. Oc- tober 21, 1874, a son of Jacob and Sarah Mar- garet (Lawler) Hammond. the former a native of Knox County, Ohio, where he was born No- vember 28th. 1931. The maternal grandfather and the great grandfather on the paternal side

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

fought under Washington during the Revolution- ary War. The occupation of the father white in active life was that of a merchant, and he is now living in retirement.

The boyhood of the subject of this sketch was occupied with school studies. and otherwise passed in the recreations and diversions common to youth of vigorous physical development, such as skating. swinning, rowing, etc. He attended the Rushville Iligh School and was afterwards a student in the Illinois College at Jacksonville. In 1893, and for a portion of 1894, he acted iu the capacity of Assistant Postmaster at Rush- ville. In the summer of 1:91, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he was graduated in April, 198, be- ing assigned to Gen. Shaiter's army to Cuba in 1SS, saw active service at Santiago, was sta- tioned at Madison Barracks, N. Y., in October of the last named year, and was promoted to First Lieutenancy iu the winter following. lu April, 1899, his regiment was sent to the Philip- pines, where he took part in many engagements, being in command of his company. Ile com- manded a company of the Ninth Regiment when ordered with the relief army to China in July, 1900, participating in all of the fighting on the way to Peking, and in the capture of that city. which resulted in the relief of the foreign lega- tions. From China, he was sent to the Island of Samar in the spring of 1001, returning to the United States in June. 1902. From August, 1902, until June. 1906. he was instructor in drawing in the United States Military Academy at West Point, having been promoted in Oeto- ber, of the former year, to a captaincy, and transferred to the Twenty-third Regiment. United States Infantry. His promotion as Cap- tain was recommended by Gen. Lawton, for "bravery and good judgment in handling his com- pany" in the Zapote River fight in the Island of Luzon, in June. 1901. At the Jamestown Ex- position. at Norfolk, Va., in the summer of 1907. he was in charge of the Army and Navy Club. and in December of the same year, was detailed for duty as Paymaster. being stationed at Wash- ington, D. C. He is a member of several mili- tary orders, among them being the Order of the Dragon.

On July 9. 1902, at Des Moines, lowa. Capt. Hammond was united in marriage with Mary Pierce, a native of that State, and a niece of the late Hon. Edwin II. Conger. United States Min- Ister to China, and afterwards to Mexico. of whose family she was a member for several years. Capt. Hammond first met Miss Pierce during the Boxer insurrection in China, while she was residing at the American Legation. pre- sided over by her unele. Mr. Conger, and hostered by hosts of murderous fanat'es which the allies forces were dispatched by their respective gor- ernments from varlons points in the Orient to snbdue. Mr4 Hammond passed through all the woful experience of the Boxer siege. nntil saved from a terrible death by the timely arrival of the

long and anxiously awaited troops of the foreign fwwoIs.

Coop. Hammond is the author of numerous articles published in standard magazines, and for three years has contributed a serial to "St. Nicholas" entitled "Pinky Perkins." The "Cen- tury Company" has also issued two volumes of his sketches.

HAMMOND, Henry G .- At the age of seventy- eight years Henry G. Hammond finds himself an active factor in the management of his well ap- pointed farm in Rushville Township, upon which he settled in ISS, and where he is surrounded by innumerable evidences of his industry, pros- ress and refinement. As a boy, Mr. Hammond shared in the labor of a farm in Knox County, Ofiio, where be was born in 1825. and upon which his parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Thl) Ham- mond. had settled at an early day. The father Was it native of Maryland, and born in 1501, and the mother born in Pennsylvania in 1800.

During the first year of the Civil War Mr. Hammond left Ohio and came to Rushville Town- slip. occupying another farm until he settled on his present one in 1853. Hle has been twice mar- ried. his first wife having been Marilla Walker, and his present wife. Mand Campbell, both na- tives of Oldo. The only daughter in the family, Lona B., is the wife of Ross Briggs, a farmer of Woodstock Township. Aside from the formality of casting his vote, Mr. Hammond has never been actively interested in politics. In years past he was a constant attendant at the Methodist Epis- copal Church. and contributed generously to- wards its support. and now, the weather permit- til.g. he is seen in his pew, and takes a lively interest in music and sermon, Mr. Hammond is of genial and optimistic disposition, and. this, taken in connection with the physical exercise, temperate habits, and wholesome diversions which have tilled his life. tend to the assurance that many years more of usefulness and prosper- ity are in store for him.

HAMMOND, Jacob .- Previous to his permanent location in Rushville. Ill .. in 1873, Lieutenant Jacob Hammond had rounded out his thirty-nine years with farming, soldiering and school-teach- ing. and had developed a strength of character and resourcefulness which made him a valable and minch needed citizen. The forty-five inter- voning years have witnessed an increase in the variety and extent of his capacity for usefulness, and he has unceasingly contributed to the wel- fare of the city as educator, office-holder. mer- chant. fraternalist and church-worker. Of late years little has happened in the community of vital interest that directly or indirectly has not been influenced by his opinion.

Jarob Hammond was born in Knox County. Ohio, in November, 1831, and on both sides of his family is of German descent. His father. Jacob Hammond. came of a family which early settled in the eastern part of Pennsylvania, later moving to the western part of that State, whence

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

Jacob in early life journeyed to Knox County, Ohio, and there purchased land during the sum- mer of 1524. The family of Elizabeth Ubl, his wife, also was identified with the pioneer his- tory of Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Hammond's grandfather followed the martial fortunes of Washington during the Revolutionary War. From this remote sire probaly is inherited the dis- tinetly military tendem is of certain of his pres- ent day descendants. While, in the Fatherland, "Hanond" was the common spelling of the fam- ily name, which since has been changed to Ham- mond. Jacob Hammond. Sr., followed farming for many years of his Hte, but he had strong re- ligions convictions, and not only was ordained to the Methodist Episcopal ministry, but preached for many years without pay, and solely for the goud of his fellow men. He was known as one of the most genial aml lovable of men, and his memory is cherished by a host of people to whom he pointed out the wise and happy ways of life. He had eight brothers and sisters, and with the exception of two brothers who died in lowa, all spent the greater part of their lives in Ohio. Mr. Hammond cultivated a fine farm in Knox County. Obio, and upon it was platted the now thriving town of Millwood. Here his death occurred at the age of eighty-seven years, his wife attaining to seventy years.

Jacob Hammond, Jr .. was surrounded by fine and Christian early influences, and was encour- aged to a studious and practically useful exist- ence. In the district schools and through his home application, he acquired an excellent edu- cation, and beginning with US5S taught two terms of six months each in his home district. He also taught one torm in Medina County, Ohio. during the winter of 1859-60, and from this penceful occupation and that of farming. turned in October, 1861. to test the forthues of war. En- listing in Company A. Sixty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years, he was mustered in as Second Lieutenant, having helped to organize the company. The regiment became a part of the Sherman Brigade, which Jolm Sherman, then a member of the United States Senate, assisted to organize. and showed deep interest in the com- pany. From December. 1561, Mr. Hammond served in Kentucky and Tennessee, participeited in the battles of Shiloh and Pittsburg Landing. at the latter battle being on the brigade staff as ordnance officer under General Harker. who was killed at the battle of Kennesaw Mountain. Ow- ing to failing health he was advised to resign during the second year of his service, and in June, 1862, was honorably discharged, when he returned to his former home in Ohio.

In the fall of 1862. Mr. Hammond went to Marengo County, Iowa, to visit a brother. and during that winter taught a district school for one terin. In April, 1863, he came to Rushville. and then visited another brother living in the southern part of Schuyler County. June 20, 15. he was united in marriage to Sarah M. Lawler. daughter of George E. Lawler. mention of whom may be found elewhere in this work. The

young people settled on a farm in Schuyler County, made that their home until 1-71, and in ISTS located permanently in Rushville, where Mr. Hammond taught school until appointed Postmaster of the town in 1542. He continued to administer satisfactorily the local affairs of I'nele Sam until ISS6, and in that year engaged in the grocery business until disposing of the same in 1\03. Hle then established a furniture and undertaking business with his son, Charles II., in which he since has engaged, controlling a large patronage, and sustaining a reputation as one of the foremost merchants of the community.

Mr. Hammond's devotion to the Republican party has brought him many honors besides the

Postmastership. He was elected Justice of the l'eare in INTS, holding the same for five years, was for nine years member of the School Board. and for one year City Treasurer. His services have been characterized by strict integrity and stanch devotion to the public welfare, to the end that he has received the support and approbation of even his political enemies. In 1855 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity in Ohio. and is also one of the charter members of the Grand Army of the Republic. With his wife he is an active and helpful member,of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor. No man in Rushville has led a cleaner, more upright life than Mr. Hanmond. and his contribution to its moral, educational and commercial stability is an en- viable and lasting one.

Mr. and Mrs. Hammond are the parents of two sons, Charles II. and Harold. The Ham- mond boys have been given the best of educa- tional and general advantages, and their lives have rounded out to wide and interesting pro- portions. The martial strain in the family is well sustained by Harold Hammond. a graduate of West Point, class of 1998, who was born in Rushville October 21. 1574. Mr. Hammond en- listed in the Ninth United States Infantry dur- ing the Spanish-American War. serving first in Cuba, and in the spring of 1899 going to the Philippine Islands, where he was advanced to the position of First Lieutenant. Subsequently the Ninth was sent to China. and Lieutenant Hammond was one of the first to all in the resine of the American legation at Pekin. After this heroic adventure, and partially because of it. he soon after won the heart and band of Miss Mary Pierce, a niere of United States Min- ister to China. Conger, and the marriage was solemnized in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1902. I'pon his return to this country Lieutenant Hammond was commissioned Captain, and for four years was an instructor in a military school. He is an expert tartician, well grounded in all that en- gages the attention of military men. and his family and friends are justly proud of the honors and distinctions which have rewarded his efforts.

HARDING, William M .- Not only is the Ken- tucky family of Harding one of the earliest. as

Geos Stile.

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

it is one of the most numerous of any connected with the upbuilding of the Bourbon State, but from its strong and dependable stock have sprung hundreds of men and women who have taken a distinctive and even conspicuous part in the development of many and widely sepa- rated communities. For the most part agricul- turists, their ambitions frequently have led them into the unfrequented parts of the country, and indeed the pioneering instinet has been a chief. if not a leading, family characteristic. Schuy- ler County has profited richly by this courageons and sturdy element, and in the person of Wil- liam McKee Harding. a farmer of Section 11, Buena Vista Township, the qualities most prized and cultivated by the Kentucky progenitors are in no sense abated.

The infant wail of William M. Harding re- sounded against the walls of a rough log cabin near Cameron, Warren County, where he was born on March 19, 1839. His parents were Aaron and Nancy (McKee) Harding, and his paternal grandfather was John Harding, a na- tive of Kentucky. (The MeKer family record may be found elsewhere in this volume.) John Harding was a man of strong character. who loved danger and adventure. and whose nomadie spirit craved the excitement and opportunities of the frontier. When our subjeet's father was but a boy he went with his father and others of his family to the present site of Indianapolis, Ind .; but when that region began to take on a sem- blance of civilization. he moved on again. this time to Hancock County. IN .. where he took up government land on Bear Creek. The Indians at that time were on the war path, game abounded. and danger lurked on every hand. John Harding took a band in eliminating these conditions, but the very tameness he helped to bring about bed no charm for him, and in 1853. he moved to the Territory of Oregon, with his daughter and son-in-law, his wife then being deceased. Here his death ocenrred at the age of seventy-five years.

Born in 1803, Aaron Harding led a life scarcely less adventurous than that of his father. He inherited the Harding grit and courage, and the time and place in which he lived bore a heavy strain upon these qualities. Settling on government land in Buona Vista Township. he laid aside his implements of peace in 1832 to en- list in the conflict with the Sae and Fox Indians, known as the Black Hawk War. serving as a private in the company in the same regiment in which Abraham Lincoln was captain of a com- pany. When peace was restored Mr. Harding moved to Warren County. Ill. where he im- proved a farm until 1535. in that year returning to Schuyler County, where he died October 9, 1815. In Schuyler County he improved a farm, and planted an orchard. the country then bo- ing in a primitive stato. One day he killed throp deer, which he pursued on horseback, striking them on the head with a pokins pole after they had been run down by hounds. His wife who was born in Crawford County, Il .. in 1510, came to

Schuyler Conty in 1526 at the age of sixteen years. She robly shared the dangers and trials of her husband, at his death being left with a family of e'ght children, all of whom attained Years of maturity, and tive of whom were mar- ried. Of these, but two survive. William M. and Cassie, the latter the widow of Newton Atkinson, of Industry Township, MeDonough County, Mrs. Aaron Harding died on January 25. 1402. at the age of eighty-one years.

A heavy weight of responsibility rested upon the youth of William McKee Harding. as he was only six years old when his father died, and the resources of the family were at very low ehh. His attendance at the subscription school of the neighborhood was at best irregular, but he was alle to make good use of his time, and he ac- quired an average education. He remembers putting in much of his time grubbing hazel and other bushes. Imer as there were no longer Indians or game to pursue, his love of adventure found vont in a trip to Texas, where he bought a herd of cattle and drove them across the plains to the State of Kansas. The sale of this herd was so successful that during the follow- ing year (1971) he made another journey to the South and bought a much larger herd, consisting of 400 head. These he fed and shipped to St. Lonis, and in 1873 returned to Schuyler County just in time to go under with the panie of that year. Nothing daunted. he resumed -grabbing and farming, and in September, 1875, married Louise Sebnhz, with whom he settled on Section 1. Buena Vista Township. Mrs. Harding was a native of Missouri, in which State her mother died, her father's death occurring at Baders, Schuyler County. To Mr. and Mrs. Harding were born two children. of whom John A. died at the age of two and a half years, while Carrie, who was born in Derember, 1876. is the wife of William Kirkhom. in charge of the old Hard- ing homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkham have three children : Francis Harding, born December 11. 1901: Iyle Raymond. born December 24, 1908: and Robert II .. barn April 19, 1905. The passing of Mrs. William (McKee) Harding, May 3. 1550, left a void in the hearts of her husband and daughter and of many friends. She was a contle, lovable woman, and an earnest mem- ber of the Christian Church.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 70

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1126

Author: Dyson, Howard F., 1870- History of Schuyler County. 4n
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1126