Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 72

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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On October 25, 1465, Mr. Hodge was united in marriage. in Oakland Township, Schuyler County, with Matilda T. Clepper, who was born in Pennsylvania, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Clupper, natives of that State. On coming to Illinois, they first located in Fulton County. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hodge resulted in seven children, five of whom are living. namely : John W., a resident of Mosier. Ore., who married Ethe Jack. and is the father of one daughter and three sons; Etta E., wife of J. S. MeKinzie, their children being Hazel aud James Hodge; Lewis C., who lives in Mosier. Ore., and Ora HI. and Olie 31., twins, of whom the latter is at home.

HOOD, James E., a leading citizen of Bain- bridge Township. Schuyler County, IN., whose farming operations, conducted on a very ex- tensive scale, have made him favorably known throughout the county, was born in Cass County. Ill., May 15, 1855. Mr. Ilood is a son of James and Ahneda Hood, natives of Beardstown, Ill. ( Further details in regard to the life of the senior James Hood. and particulars concerning his family. vnay bo found in a narrative of the career of W. C. Hlood. appearing in this connec- tion.) The birth of James E. Hood occurred on the farm of his father, a little southeast of Beardstown. Ill .. and be helped the latter in the work of the place until he was fifteen years old. meanwhile attending the district schools of the neighborhood. Then he was employed in the blacksmith shop with his father for the next three years, and afterwards followed farming several years in Cass County. In 1853. he bought 220 neres of bottom land in Bainbridge Township, Schuyler County, and in the spring of the ensuing year, took possession of the new place, moving with his wife into a small log cabin that he had made ready for ocenjemney. and soon building a two-room frame dwelling. The land was covered with stumps and brush. and he at once applied himself to the task of grubbing and blasting, and clearing the brush away. The first 220 aeres thus prep: red for tilling now constitute one of the most fertile and productive pieces of land in Central Illi- nois. To the original purebase he has added 150 acres, and the entire property is in a high state of cultivation. All the fences and other

improvements on this extensive farm are the result of Mr. Hood's unremitting toil, his preliminary work largely consisting in removing a great mass of elderberry and ash sprouts. In 1907. he had 115 acres of wheat aud 90 acres of corn on the ground formerly covered with thick brush and timber. The farm is well stocked. the accommodations for the shelter and care of his stock are substantial and convenient. as is also the present family residence, and the owner of this superb property is recognized as one of the foremost agriculturists of Schuyler County.

Mr. Hood has been twice married. His first wife was Mary E. Hyde, to whom he was wedded March 3, 1851. She was born in South Dakota, a daughter of Job and Mary Hyde. Four children were the issue of this union, namely : James William, Grace Almeda, Le Roy and Frank. William is at home; Grace is the wife of Robert E. Lawler, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this volume; Le Roy married Ruth Persinger, and is the father of one child. Vivian A., and Frank is at home. The mother of this family died August 15. 1889. On July 16. 1591, Mr. llood was united in marriage with Mary N. Lawler, whose birth occurred April 8, 1960. Mrs. food is a daughter of John 1Ingh Lawler, meution of whom is made in the sketch of Robert E. Lawler, above re- ferred to. The offspring of the second marriage is five children, as follows : Jessie An born April 15. 1502: Mary Ruth born September 19. 1503; Robert E., born March 19. 1895: John Albert, born June 7. 1898; and Harriet Lucile, born May 27. 1900.

Un political issues. Mr. Blood has always arted with the Democratic party, although nover taking an active interest in party campaigns. anti being wholly without ambition for public faire. He and his wife, together with the other members of both families, are the objects of cordial rogard from a wide circle of friends.

HOOD, William C .- One of the finest home- steads and most sociable households in Schuyler County is that presided over by Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hood. on Section 13. Bainbridge Township. The large farm is thoroughly culti- vated and very productive, and improvements are modern and carefully maintained. while the residence itself is convenient. comfortable and cheerful in appearance. The chairs are easy and inviting, good literature is scattered through the house, and the presiding geniuses of the place sce to it that their friends are made to have a pleasing consciousness of welcome and good cheer. The result is that the sons and daughters have found their society at home. until they were ready to go out into the world and establish households of their own. If there were more homes founded on this model there would be many happier children, husbands and wives; and if this good. substantial couple had never accomplished more in their lives that this. their success and final reward would still be great.

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

William C. Hood was born two and a half miles southeast of Beardstown, C'ass County. 111., on the 16th of January, 1 53, a son of James and Almeda (Knapp) Hood, the father being a native of Scotland, where his parents passed their lives. James Hood, however, had listened with impatient eagerness to glowing tales told by those who knew of the opportunities af- forded a capable young man in America, and in 1842, when he had just passed his majority, lo- cated in New York to work at his trade as a blacksmith. Thence he traveled westward to the raw. brisk young cily of Chicago, and to its older competitor, St. Louis. Finally deciding that his prospects would be better in a smaller place, he removed to Beardstown. and after following his trade there for a time returned to New York for a wife. Soon after his marriage he again located in Beardstown, where he con- ducted a blacksmith's shop in connection with bis farm until 1002. when he reached the age of seventy-one years. He then retired from active work, and now resides with a son, who is work- ing at his father's trade, and a widowed daugh- ter, all of Beardstown. His wife who became the mother of eight children, died on December 6. 1906, having borne tive sons and three daugh- ters. namely: William C .: James Edward. a farmer of Bainbridge Township: Charles, who is a blacksmith at Beardstown: John Henry. who died in infancy : Frank, residing on the home farm in Cass County: Martha G., who died at the age of eighteen; Hattie, the widow of William Garrison, who is keeping house in Beardstown for her father and brother; and Mary, who married David Methland, a con- feetioner of Salina, Kan.

James Hood, who has now reached the ven- erable age of eighty-six years has been one of the busiest and most respected citizens of Beardstown: and the high honor still abides with him. When he first located in the county he purchased a farm near the city. upon which he resided. walking to his blacksmith shop in the morning and back to his homestead in the evening. Ile afterward added to his real estate until the home farm amounted to 200 acres, and he also owned 250 acres in the northern part of Frederick Township. Besides managing his farm and running his blacksmith's shop. Mr. Hlood took an active and not unimportant part in political issues. Ile served in the City Council of Beardstown for a number of terms, and was well in the advance in all publie enterprises. As to the secret fraternities. he has long been a mmber of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.

William C. Hood was reared on the homestead less than three miles southeast of Beardstown. Cass County. Ill .. and received his education in the schools of that place. Prior to his marriage in 1877 he removed to Bainbridge Township. Schuyler County, and immediately com.Jene -d the improvement of his land in Section 13. Ile cleared off the heavy timber, brought the land to a state of fine cultivation, and made all the

material improvements which now make his homestead so noticeable. Mr. Hood owns not only 807 acres in Bainbridge Township, but 153 in Fre Drick, making a large and valuable es- tate of 19 acres of some of the choirest land in Schuyler County. For the realization of this Success he by no means claims entire eredit, gratefully according to sharer of his joys and sorrow - the honor also of winning for himself and family a high and substantial place in the home community.

On December 29. 1877. Mr. Ilood was united in marriage to Miss Mary (. Dravve, a native of Beardstown. Cass County, born June 21. 1860, and a daughter of Henry and Mary ( Schweer) Drawve. Both her parents were natives of Germany. her mother, who was born in Essen, Oktober S. 1832, coming to America in 1550. She was married to llenry Drawve in 1858, when they moved to Bainbridge Township and lived mpon a farm there until the death of the husband July 7. 185. The widow died Novem- ber 1. 1SAT, leaving the following children : Mrs. W. C. Hlood; Mrs. F. B. Crawford. of Rock Island. Il .; Henry and Herman. farmers of Bainbridge and Frederick Townships, respect- ively : Mrs. N. Brenner, who married a Frederick Township farmer ; Mrs. J. H. Shaw. of Havana, Ill. : and Mrs. Emma L. Hemingway, a resi- dent of Rock Island. Ill.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. William C. Hood have been as follows: Jennie 1 .. born September 9. 1877, who married Joseph P. Quizles. January 29. 1901, and has one child- Raymond W .. born November 7. 1902. the family home being in St. Louis, and the husband, be- ing a boot and shoe manufacturer ; Harry W., hoth October 27. ISSO, who married Miss Lucinda Loring August 31. 1899. and by her has had two children -- Burdett. born September 15. 1900, and Margaret. November 14. 1906- the hu-leid being a farmer of Frederick Town- ship: John II., horn October 5, 1882, and died October 30. 1881; Oscar J. born October 16. 1\\4; Grover, born March 18, 1958 ; and Floyd J. horn June 13. 1592. the last three children liv- ing at home. Both Mr. Hood and his wife are members of the Royal Neighbors, with which they are very appropriately identified. Mrs,

Hond is a leading factor in the German Lutheran Church, and, while her husband is not associated with any denominational body. he is an earnest and liberal supporter of educational and moral movements. He also belongs to the Beardstown Camp No. 519. Modern Woodmen of America. In politics he is a Democrat, has filled various township offices, and is a man to whom prom- inence in many fields of endeavor has never come at the sacrifice of his honorable manhood or the public interest.

HORNEY, Cyrus, one of the oldest residents of Schuyler County. IL., of wisch he was for many years an enterprising and prosperous farmer and leading citizen. was born in Guil- ford County. N. C .. September 20. 1425, a sen of

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

Jonathan and Lydin ( Horney) Hornes, whose

birthplace was in that same lostity. The

paternal grandparents. Manlove and Lydia

( Smith) Horney, as well as the grandparents on the maternal side. Jeffrey and Elizabeth ( Pidgeon ) Horney, were also natives of North Carolina. In 1529, Jonathan Horney and his wife journeyed by tear across the country to Schuyler County, Ill, stopping in Buena Vista Township, where Grandfather Manlove Horney had located some time previously, and thence proceeding to Brooklyn Town- ship, there spending the winter of the "big snow," of 1530-31. Early in the latter year, they settled in the northwest quarter of Section 6, 1.ittleton Township, where Jonathan . Horney entered up 160 acres of land on the edge of the timber. This tret be improved. putting a large part of it under cultivation. In 1:56 he sold his land, moving to Adams County. Ill., where he bought another tract containing 130 acres. There he died in 1ss5, at the age of eighty-two years. His wife, Lydia (Horney) Horney. had passed away in 1831. and he had married Agnes (Dark) Noble, who departed this in 1897. Cyrus Horney remained with his father and step-mother until he reached the age of twenty-one years, assisting on the farm : nd re- ceiving his education in the primitive subserip- tion schools of the vicinity. After his marriage he located on a farm of eighty aeres in Section 12, Brooklyn Township, which was partially improved. To this he added at intervals, until he became the owner of 245 aeres, lying in Sections 1, 2. 11 and 12, in that township. At the outset there was no dwelling on the place but a log cabin, and deer, wolves and wild turkey were plentiful. Mr. Horney made some im- provements, putting all his land under cultiva- tion except forty acres of timber, besides general farming, raising considerable stock. In course of time he built a six-room frame house, and had good barns and outbuildings. His successive purchase of land included traets of 108, 65 and 36 acres, which he retained until 1897, when he disposed of a portion, selling the remainder in 1000. The 65 acres were traded for property in the village of Brooklyn, consisting of twelve lots. of which he has since sold two. In town, he has a large frame residence of eight rooms and a summer kitchen, and in this home he and his wife have lived since he withdrew from active pursuits.

Mr. Horney has been twice married. On March 28, 1846. he was joined in matrimonial bonds with Eliza Hayes, a native of Tennessee. by whom he had five children, namely : Lean- der, who died at the age of eight years: William, who died when twenty-one years oldl: Jeffrey. who lives in Decatur County, Iowa : John Frank- lin, who was born in January, 1852. and died at Russell. Kan .. March 20, 1907: and Ann Eliza, who died in infancy. The mother of this fam- ily departed this life July 24. 1854. On July 11. 1856. Mr. Horney was united in marriage with Meriby Abercrombie, born in Shelby

County, Ohio. June 30, IS39, a daughter of Thomas B. and Mary (Dey) Abercrombie, na- tives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respee- tiveis. The grandparents of Mrs. Horney were John and Mary (Cree) Abercrombie, and Louis and Mary (Board) Dey, the paternal grand- parents having been born in Pennsylvania, and those on the maternal side in New Jersey. Four children restilted from the latter union, namely : Clare ( Mrs. Thomas Lantz) a resident of Brook- lyn, Ill .; JJonathan B., of Bloomington, Ill .. Presiding Elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church : Mary B., wife of Rev. Robert Hart- rick, I. D., of Ashland. Ill., a well known Methodist divine; and Cyrus Sloan, who carries on farming in Brooklyn Township, Schuyler County.

In polities Mr. Horney is an old-time Republi- can, and has been prominent and influential in local affairs. He has filled the office of Road Commissioner and served twelve years as Just- ire of the Peace. Ile and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a classleader many years. Both are profoundly respected.

HORNEY, Samuel Madison, who is known from one mal to the other of Schuylor County. 11 !.. as one of its most prominent and prosperous farmers, is a native of the same county, having been born in Littleton Township, May 26, 18H. a con of Leander and Jane (Crawford) Horney, North Carolinians by birth. Samuel and Amelia (Charksoy Horney, the paternal grandparents. were also natives of North Carolina. Samuel Ilorney was a soldier in the War of 1512, and as a result of such services received a land warrant from the Government. under which he obs: hund 10 acres of land in Buena Vista Township, Schuyler County. He served also in the Black Hawk War, thereby securing land in Littleton Township. The grandparents on the maternal side, William and Melinda (Thomp- som) Crawford, were Kentuckians by nativity, and came from that State to Schuyler County, Il .. early in the 'thirties, settling in Littleton Township. Leander Horney, father of Samuel M., was an infant when brought to Selmisler County by his parents. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and in 14 took part in the Mest at War, being wounded in the bip at the Battle of Buena Vista. Returning home in 1418, he settled down to farming in Littleton Township, and in course of the became the owner of 1,800 acres of land in different parts of Schuyler County. Five hundred arris of t'his property were in Littleton Township, mostly covered with timber, some of it being swamp land along the river. Ile served as County Surveyor previous to 1861. holling that offie twelve years. On August 6. 1861. he enlisted for the Civil War, becoming a member of the Tenth Regiment. Missouri Volunteer Infantry, at St. I.omnis, and rising to the rank of Boutonni ColonJ. He was killed in battle at Chanpior Hills. Miss,, near Vicksburg, in May 1803, and

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HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

was buried there, his body being removed after the war and laid in Thompson Cemetery, Lit- tleton Township. His widow made her home in the same township until the time of her death. February 20, 1907. at the age of eighty-three years. They reared a family of three sons and four daughters.

Samuel M. Horney was the second of the seven children born to his parents. He re- mained at home until be reached the age of 21 years, attending the district schools, and beme for eight months a pupil in the select school of Mr. Marpel, at Rushville. On attaining his majority, he began farming for himself Two years later he bought eighty acres in Section 30, Littleton Township, a part of it being prairie land and the rest covered with brush. This'he improved, and occupied from the spring of 1867 until the spring of 1891, selling it in the latter year and moving to a farm of eighty acres, par- tially improved, which he had purchased in Section 18, of the same township. Subsequently. he bought eighty acres more in Section 19. and has since thoroughly improved the entire prop- erty. His residence is 16 by 25 feet in dimen- sions, with a story-and-a-half ell. and has 18- feet posts. In the spring of 1907 .he bought from his mother eighty acres of land in Section 20, which adjoins the home place. Besides gen- eral farming. he is engaged in raising horses cattle and hogs, his labors being attended by profitable results. Ile feeds and ships two car loads of stock each year.

Mr. Horney has been twice married. his first wife being Elizabeth Sellers, to whom he was wedded in September, 1:66. She was born in Littleton Township, Schuyler County, Ill., a daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Ritchie) Soll- ers, respectively natives of Tennessee and Penn- sylvania. Four children resulted from this union, as follows: Loren L .. who is engaged in the gen- eral mercantile business in Littleton. Il .; Harlan E., a physician residing in Van Alstyne, Tex .; S. Fleming, who is connected with a grocery store at Littleton, Ill. ; and Eva Pearl. wife of Fred Scott, a farmer. of Littleton Town- ship. The mother of this family died in March 1885. In May 1887. Mr. Horney was united in marriage with Frances L. Raper, boru in Little- ton Township, Schuyler County, and a daughter of Cyrus and Emily (Irving Raper. the former being born in North Carolina and the latter. in Kentucky. The issue of the second marriage was seven children, namely : Verna, who mar- ried Wallace Winters, a liveryman, of Little- ton, Ill. : Clifford. Dana. Athel, Speed M .. Merle and Clara R .. who are with their parents. In polities, Mr. Horney is identified with the Dem- ocratie party, and he and his wife maintain a high standing among the citizens of Schuy- ler County.

HUNTER, George R., most favorably known throughont Central Tipois in commection with the Bank of Sehyler County, of which he is President, as well as identified with many im-

portant commercial interests elsewhere, and widely popular by reason of the sterling traits of his character, was boru in Rushville, Ill., July 27. 1886. Mr. Hunter is a son of James and Johanna (Dougherty ) Hunter, the father born near Lexington, Ky., and the mother at New Ross, County Wexford, Ireland. The former died August 20, 1953, the latter having passed away February 9, 1852. James Ilunter was reared in Kentucky, and in the early 'thirties located in Rushville, IU., where his marriage with Johanna Dougherty took place. In Decem- ber, ISIS, on account of failing health, he moved to Pleasant View, Ill., where he devoted his at- tention to a_ci ultural pursuits, and besides his general farming operations. developed a fine orchard. There his death occurred, as also that of his wife, the brother of the latter, Richard Dougherty, dying the same year as his sister. Another brother, John Dougherty, who was a prominent real-estate dealer in Rushville, de- parted this life in the 'seventies. James HIun- ter's farm comprised eighty acres of land and was nicely improved. In politics, he was a Dem- vermi, but averse to seeking public office. In re- ligion his wife was a strict Catholic, and her husband became a convert to that faith. Both led exemplary lives and enjoyed the respect of all who know them.

George R. lhunter, the only child of his par- ents, attended the public schools of Rushville, and the district schools of Schuyler County, and afterwards became a student in the Jesuit Col- lege at St. Louis, Mo. (The St. Louis Univer- sity), where he took a four years' course. Then he settled on the home farm, and for a number of year's derived a consideable profit from the prod- uet of his orchard already referred to. his fruit crops sometimes yielding from $1,000 to $5.000 per year.

At the time of the organization of the Bank of Schuyler Coumy, Mr. Hunter took some of its stork. and having persistently declined the presi- deney of the bank. Thomas Wilson was chosen for that position, Mr. Hunter becoming Vice- President. On the death of Mr. Wilson, Mr. Hunter merceded him as President, and has since continued in that position. He is a saga- cious and conservative financier, and his individ- nal investment- of large amounts have been judi- cious and profitable. He is doubtless one of the wealthiest men in Central Illinois, and owns stock in quite a number of commercial enter- prises in different parts of the country. Al- though liberal to a fault. he is utterly devoid of ostentation, shunning publicity in his benefac- tions, and not letting "his right hand know what his left hand doeth." No one was ever denied assistance who came in distress to George R. Hunter, and were the facts revealed, more than one man in Schuyler County has been saved by his timely ald from financial ruin. Mr. Hunter is a man of superior intelligence and wide in- formation. Although of a retiring disposition and modest bearing, his temperament is genial, and his manner towards all affable and pleasing.

848

HISTORY OF SCHUYLER COUNTY.

Ilis friends are numerous, not being contined to Selmyler County or the State of linois, but lo- cated in every part of the country. He was never married, but extends a graceful hospitality to all guests who visit his country residence at Pleasantview, Schuyler County.

Politically, Mr. Hunter is a Democrat, and in religion is a devout Catholic, being a member of the Roman Catholic Church of Rushville, to the support of which he has contributed must liber- ally. He is an honored member of the Knights of Columbus.

HYMER, Samuel .- The years 1816-47 were pro- lific of arrivals in Schuyler County, and a ger- eral impetus in farming, merchandising and tradesmanship seems to have been the result. These were hardy souls who left comfortable homes in the East, and allied their fortunes with a religion sustained chiefly by hope and the as- stranee of remarkable fertility of soil. In 1837 came Job and Sarah ( Jackson ) Hymer. the for- mer born in Guifford County, N. C., and the lat- ter a native of Randolph County, the same State. John Hymer had much to recommend him 10 the setlers who had preceded him, for he was experienced as a farmer and also had a thorough knowledge of blacksmithing. He had been an early settler of Harrison County, Ind .. where he had combined farming and blacksmithing. and where his son, Samuel Ilymer, the present repre- sentative of the family in Rushville Township. was born May 17. 1820. The elder Hymer lo- cated on land in Rushville Township, and for years followed farming and blacksmithing. his death occurring in 1802.

Samuel Hymer was reared to farming, and as opportunity offered attended the district school during the winter season. le married at the early age of twenty, January 18, 18449, Mary J. Thompson. of Maryland, and an early arrival in Schuyler County. Mr. Hymer enlisted in the Union Army. September 13. 1862. in the Opp Ilundred and Fifteenth Ilinois Volunteer Infan- try, and served until he was mustered out May 15. 1865. Ifis martial record was a highly com- mendable one, and showed him a man of cour- age and patriotism. Mustered in as Second Lieutenant. he soon after became First Lieuten- ant. and upon retiring from the service was brevetted Major. Returning to his home in Schuyler County, Mr. Hymer the following year removed to Kansas, where ho engaged in general farming and stock-raising, and where, in 1871. he was ordained to the ministry of the Metho- dist Church. He still continued to farm. how- ever, and also became prominent in politics, be- ing elected to the Kansas Legislature on the Republican ticket in 1869.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume 2, Part 72

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