Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 72

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2 > Part 72

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HORCH, Moritz, a well-known German-Amer- ican citizen of Springfield, was born in Hesse- Cassel, Germany, September 22, 1842, a son of Jacob and Margaret (Eckharts) Horch, both natives of Germany, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a school teacher and he and his wife had three sons and two daughters: Que son, liviug in Germany, in banking business aud Assistant Postmaster in his native town, has served in the German Army; two daughters in Germany ; Martin, of Springfield ; Moritz.

Mr. Horch received his education in his na- tive country and as a young man learned the trade of cigar maker, which he followed for some time. In 1860 he went to St. Petersburg, Russia, and learned the trade of baker, which he followed there five years after completing his training, then returned to Germany, and a short time later removed to London, Eng- land, and there worked two years at his trade. In 1868 he came to America, sailing from Liverpool and landing in New York City. He spent two years in Pittshurg, Pa., and in 1870 came to Springfield, his home ever since. For thirty-two years he was employed as pastry cook at the St. Nicholas Hotel, and for the past five years has heen employed in the same capacity by Coucordia College of Springfield. He is an adept at his art and has established the reputation of heing one of the best nien in his line in the city. He is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

May 5, 1870, Mr. Horch married, at Spring- field, Catherine E. Scholl, born in Germany November 2, 1839, of German parents, who spent their entire lives in their native country, the father being a weaver by trade. To Mr. Horch and wife six children were born, of whom four uow survive: Nettie is the oldest one living and is the wife of Albert Boeh- mer, a dentist of Chicago, and they have four children-Margaret, Elsie, Jeanette and Grace ; Martin, engaged in hakery business in Athens, married Miss Claudie Welss and they have two . children-Arthur and Lottie; George in business with his brother Martin at Athens, married Miss Emma Boehmer, of Canada; Susau, wife of Max Manteuffel, a Lutheran minister of Peoria, and they have four children-Ruth, Al- fred, Esther and Walter. These children were horn as follows: Nettie, January 10, 1871; Martin, May 15. 1872; George, April 16, 1874; Susan, August 3, 1SSO. The children deceased were: Emma, born Novemher 8. 1SS3, died Jan- uary 26, 1896, was the wife of Jolin Mass, of this city, and left two children-Aneti L. and Emma; Bertha, who was born July 13, 1876,

and died in 1879. Mr. Horch owns a very com- fortable home at 1537 Matheny Avenue.

HORN, James W .- The farmer who coped with the unfavorable conditions of a quarter of a cen- tury ago, feels that the agriculturist of today has no need to complain of the hardships of his life. There are many retired farmers of Spring- field who well remember when they had to till their acres without any of the modern machin- ery now deemed absolutely necessary. They ap- preciate what they endured when corn was so cheap that it was burned for fuel, and their crops of other kinds brought so low a price that it did not pay to market them. In the earlier days, the farmer was content to make a bare living, now he secnres a good percentage on his investment, as well as hig profits for his lahor. Amoug the farmers of the earlier days in San- gamon County, was the late James W. Horn, formerly living at No. 1027 East Miller street, Springfield. He was horn at Chillicothe, O., November 28, 1841, being a son of Moses B. and Sarah (Keely) Horn, both boru at Chillicothe. The parents came to Springfield with their fam- ily in 1850, and engaged in farming south of the city, in Chatham Township. After eight years there, the father moved to Springfield, and for two years conducted a blacksmith shop, being theu made Superintendent of the poor farm. For four years, he served in that capac- ity, then moved to Springfield, where for four years more he was keeper of the city prison. When his term expired, he retired, and died in 1890. He was a man of high moral character, who devoted himself to whatever work he had in hand, and his services were highly appre- ciated. There were seven children in his fam- ily, five sous and two daughters.

Mr. Horn was educated in his native place and in Springfield, and grew up on a farm. He farmed very successfully until' he came to Springfield, where he found employment in the city water works, faithfully discharging the duties of that position until his retirement in 1900. He occupied the family home from 1905 to his death, but prior to that lived at Seventeeth and Moffet streets until he sold to huy the pres- ent resideuce. All his life, he was a Democrat.

On May 2, 1862, occurred the marriage of Mr. Horn and Louisa Clemens, born January 25, 1842, on Sugar Creek, Sangamon County. near Balls Mill and there reared. Her parents were natives of Kentucky, who came to Sangamon County at an early day, locating on the farm where she was born. Her father died hefore her birth, and the widow and her children op- erated the farm, where the mother died. The farm was then sold, and the children moved to Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Horn had nine chil- dren, seven sons and two daughters, but only four survive : John H .; Moses B .; Charles, all of Springfield ; Mollie A., wife of Peter Fagan, a farmer near Springfield. There are twenty- six grandchildren in the family. He made himself felt In neighborhood affairs, and was a

1314

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

fair-minded, conservative man, well liked by those who understood and appreciated him. He died May 28, 1911.

HORN, Walter J., the chief executive of various successful busluess euterprises in Springfield and other Illinois cities, Is pre-eminently a self- made man. He entered upon his business ca- reer when at the age of thirteen years he began carrying papers. He was the organizer of the W. J. Horu Posting-Sign System, of Springfield, which was established in 1887 and incorporated in 1903, with Mr. Horu as President. This cou- cern, beginning ou a small scale, has now reached large proportious and has beeu patron- ized by the leading business houses of central Illinois. Mr. Horn did all the work himself when entering upon the conduct of this enter- prise, but now employs altogether about thirty meu, all experts in their line. He is also Presi- dent of the Horn Business Developing System, aud Manager of the Clinton Posting Service, the Beardstown Postiug Service and the Ha- vana Postiug Service. His malu office is located at 827 East Adams Street. Besides manufactur- ing signs and posting bills, these coucerns dis- tribute various lines of advertising matter and do other publicity work for their patrons. These concerns have all been built up by the enterprise and sagacity of Mr. Horn, who has ability and natural aptitude iu the liue of outdoor adver- tising.

Mr. Horn is a native of Springfield, boru in 1867, son of Johu aud Louisa M. Horn. His father was a member of the first volunteer fire department organized iu Springfield. Mr. Horn, subject of this review, was educated iu the First Ward School in Springfield and Springfield Busi- ness College, and at the age of eighteen years learned the trade of carriage painting, becom- ing an expert iu this line. Before he was of age he embarked in his present line of business, which is largely origiuated by his own ideas. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Men's Association, the Sangamo Club, and several fraternal orders: Lodge of Perfection ; Springfield Lodge No. 4, A. F. & A. M., of which he Is now Chaplain; Lodge No. 158, B. P. O. E., of which he has served as Chap- lain, and Sangamon Lodge No. 6, I. O. O. F. He is a member of Grace (English) Lutherau Church and Superintendent of its Sunday School. He is actively interested in every measure for progress and improvement, and favors modern ideas and methods in business. He shows no special favor to the principles of any political party, but prefers to vote according to the dlc- tates of his own conscience and judgment and Intends to support the men and measures he be- lleves will benefit the largest number. He has been a member of Company A, Fifth Regiment Illinois National Guard.

Mr. Horn was married, in 1892, to Miss Mar- garet A. Hahn, of Springfield. Two daughters have blessed this union : Margaret Louisa and

Dorothy Frauces. The family reside at 1220 South Seventh Street.

HORNBAKER, John, an enterprising and push- ing business man of Springfield, was born at Clear Lake, Sangamon County, Ill., May 4, 1871, a sou of Robert and Elizabeth Hornbaker. The father was born In Anamosa, Ohio, in 1835, and the mother iu Pennsylvania, also in 1835. They came to Clear Lake, Ill., from Ohio, many years ago, the father followed the business of black- smith aud wagon-maker until his death, iu 1874.

John Horubaker speut his boyhood in Sanga- mou County and attended Oak Ridge School on the old State Road. As a child he was fond of outdoor sports, such as huuting, fishing and swimming. After leaving school he went to work in the mines iu Sangamon County and fol- lowed this occupation eighteeu years, then took up the trade of carpenter, thinking he would have more steady employment. He has been able to establish a good business as contractor, and has erected many houses for sale, which have met with a ready market. He is straight- forward and reliable in a business way, quick in his calculatious aud careful in the manage- ment of hls affairs. He is a member of the Christian Church aud a Socialist In politics. He joined the Odd Fellows Order iu 1899 and is a prominent and popular member of same.

Mr. Hornbaker was married, in Springfield, March 4, 1892, to Miss Myra Campbell, who was born April 25, 1873, daughter of Monroe and Elizabeth G. Campbell, the former born lu 1851 and the latter in 1853. They Ilved in Roch- ester, Sangamon County. Mrs. Campbell is a native of Springfield. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hornbaker : Etta, October 16, 1894; Ethel, September 19, 1897, and Edith, October 16 1904, all living at home. The family reside at 1629 East Washington Street.

HOUGH, Francis M., one of the representative citizens of Springfield, now in the service of the Illinois Traction System as a foreman, was born December 17, 1846, in St. Clair County, Ill., a sou of Gershom and Parley (Broom) Hough. The paternal grandparents were uatives of Pennsylvania, and on the maternal side came from North Carolina. Grandfather Broom was a soldier during the Black Hawk War, and dur- ing hostilities Mrs. Hough was at one time com- pelled to remain in a fort. Gershom Hough was born in Moumouth County, N. J., and came to St. Clair County, Ill., at an early date, en- tering land from the Government at $1,25 an acre and carrying on agricultural pursuits for many years. Later he located near the village of Flora, Clay County, and there was engaged in farming until his death. He married Parley Broom, who was born iu St. Clair County, Ill., aud they had four sons, of whom one is de- ceased, the others beside Francis M., being : Oliver, a resident of Flora, Ill., and James, who makes his home in Memphis, Tenn.

Francis M. Hough was educated in the schools

1315

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of St. Clair County, and in boyhood worked on his father's farm. He removed to Clay County with his parents and was there engaged in farming and selling stock until coming to Springfield, in 1885, but eventually went to work for Lee Hickox and later for Major John- son, and then engaged in farming ou his own account east of the city. He later moved to Lanesville Township, where he farmed for a short time but, returning to Springfield, he en- tered the employ of the grocery firin of George S. Connelly & Company, his services with this company terminating when he accepted a posi- tion with the Illinois Traction System, with which he has since been connected. For about two years Mr. Hough served very acceptably as Marshal of the village of East Springfield. His home is at No. 2030 East Clay Street.

On February 25, 1865, Mr. Hough was mar- ried near Xenia, Clay County, Ill., to Elizabeth Buck, who was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, May 7, 1847, daughter of Thomas and Eva E. (Fisher) Buck, natives of Pennsylvania, who re- moved to Coshocton County, at an early day, where Mr. Buck was engaged in farming until the death of his wife. when he removed to Ciay County, Ill. There he carried on agricult- ural pursuits until his death. There were eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Buck, of whom four now survive : Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Hough ; Nelson, a Baptist minister of Lebanon, Mo .; Mary Ann, who married a Dr. Portmess, now deceased, at one time a prominent phy- sician of Vincennes, Ind .; and Mrs. Belle John- son. a resident of Dayton. Wash.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hough there have been born ten children, of whom five are now living : Minnie, the wife of William Braham, in the employ of the Culver Company, of Springfield ; Belle, wife of Edwin Dunlap, of Springfield ; Ollie, a resident of this city; Carrie, who mar- ried Lloyd Agan, living in Litchfield, Ill .; and Bessie, the wife of Thomas German, of Spring- field. In the family there are eighteen living grandchildren. Mrs. Hough is a consistent mem- ber of the United Brethren Church.

HOUSER, Joseph, now iiving retired from ac- tive life, in the city of Springfield, Ill., is a na- tive of Switzerland, born September 8, 1838, son of Joseph and Mary A. (Schillig) Houser, natives of the same country, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a manufac- turer ; conducted a flour mill, a lumber busi- ness, a cider mill and a distillery, and aiso owned a large bakery. He served fifteen years in the Swiss army and attained the rank of Captain, under King Ferdinand. Joseph Houser, Sr .. and wife were parents of six sons and one daughter, all deceased except Joseph, Jr., and a daughter living in Switzeriand.

Mr. Houser received his education in his na- tive country, for four years attending the Uni- versity of Switzerland, and began his prepar- ation for the priesthood, aithough he never com- pleted it. In boyhood he assisted his father in

various ways, and lived in Switzerland until September, 1865, when he came to America, sailing from Havre, France, aud landing at New York. He remained but a short tinte in that city, then worked in Louisville, Ky., two years at his trade of baker, which he had learned before leaving home. He went from Louisville to Cincinnati, Ohio, and soon after- ward enlisted iu the United States service (in 1868), as baker, for the Twenty-eighth Infan- try. He served three years in this capacity aud was mustered out at Fort Jackson, on the Gulf of Mexico, whence he proceeded to New Orleans and spent two years there working at his trade. Later he spent two years in Chicago, where his marriage occurred, then lived two years at Quincy, Ill., aud since then has made Springfield his home. He has been very suc- cessful in his line of business, at which he is an expert, and has a reputation for unusual ability as a baker. A few years since he retired from active life and is enjoying the rest he has so well earned. He owns a very nice home at 825 South College Street. He is a devout and ac- tive member of St. Agnes Parish Roman Catho- lic Church and in politics is a Democrat.

Mr. Houser was married in Chicago, in April, 1877, to Mary Metsroth, born in Cincinnati, May 5, 1854, of Germau parents. Her father was a farmer and later conducted a dairy at Altou, Ill., to which place the family removed from Cincinnati, and there the mother died, after which the father returned to Cincinnati, where he spent his remaining years. They were parents of three daughters and one son, all of them now living. To Mr. Houser and wife two children were born : A son who is deceased, and a daughter, the wife of Vincent Ray, in trans- fer business at Carlinville, and they have six children-three sons and three daughters. Mr. Houser is an intelligent, public-spirited citizen, much interested in the welfare of the city where he has made his home for more than thirty years.

HOUSTON, Miletus C .- For a iralf a century, Miletus C. Houston has been a factor in the development of Sangamon County, and his pride in its grand achievements is all the greater from the fact that he is a native born citizen of the county. He has seen its wild lands transformed into fine farms, while industrial and commercial interests have been born, and towns sprung into being, while Springfield has grown into a metropolis. In this work of prog- ress, he has borne his part and was particularly active as a representative of the agricultural in- terests of the county. Although he is now living retired. he still retains a strong interest in what- ever is going on. Not only is this true of him personally, but it may well be said that the his- tory of his family is that of the county, for his father settled here in 1827, and was one of the county's pioneers.

Miletus C. Houston was born in German Prai- rie, Sangamou County, October 21, 1838, a son

1316

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

of Samuel and Lucretia (Rudder) Houston, the former horn in Virginia, in September, 1809, belonging to one of the first families of that State, and the latter was a native of Kentucky, born in 1813. Samuel Houston came to Illinois and Sangamon County with his father, In 1827, arriving here from an overland route, in a prai- rie schooner. The family settled in German Pralrie, on a farm of 900 acres, which the father of Samuel Houston bought. Here Samuel Hous- ton lived for ahout fifty years, then moved to Chicago, where he died at the home of @ dangh- ter, in 1892. His wife died in 1895, at the same place. In the family of this pioncer couple were nlne sons and two daughters, now all deceased except Miletus C., and Mrs. Marletta Judd of Springfield. The Houston family has been one of the most prominent in the history of the State. and nation, and they have a military record of which all who bear the name may well be prond. Of this immediate connection, two brothers of Mr. Houston of whom we write, Wil- liam and John, enlisted from Sangamon County, in the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry and gave their lives in de- fense of the Union during the Civil War, both contracting disease from service and exposure, from which they never recovered. William Houston was one of the prominent lawyers of Springfield.

Mlletus C. Honston was educated in the dis- triet schools of this county, and worked for his father on the farm until he was twenty years of age, then followed farming on his own ac- count until 1859, when he began teaching. He taught school in German Prairie, near Mt. Pu- laski, and in 1862, moved to Bloomington, Ill., where he remained for eighteen months, then went to Springfield, which has continued to be his home.

At German Prairie January 7, 1862, occurred the marriage of Mr. Houston when he was united to Eliza W. Miller, born in German Prai- rie, October 10, 1837. Mrs. Houston was recog- nized as one of the handsomest girls of Sanga- mon County, as may be seen from her portrait painted at the age of eighteen years. She is a · daughter of George II. and Polly (Owens) MII- ler, also pioneers of Illinois, who came from Kentucky overland in a wagon In 1829, settiing in German Prairie. Here Mr. Miller died in 1839, and the mother in 1875. In this family there were slx sons and five daughters, and of these Mrs. Honston, the youngest, is the only survivor. Hiram Owens Miller, a brother of Mrs. Honston, went by ox team, overland to St. Jose, Cal., two years hefore gold was dis- covered. The history of that . terrible trip of six months, shows days when the little band went without food, and many other privations endured by these sturdy travelers. He came hack and made several other trips, dying there in 1868. Through her mother, Polly (Owens) Miller, Mrs. Houston is connected with a noted family of Russelville, Ky. Three of Mrs. Houston's hrothers were lawyers.

Mr. and Mrs. Houston became the parents of six sons and one daughter, of whom six are living: Clarence was accidentally killed, De- cemher 13, 1910. The others are: Samuel ; Jobn, William and Edward, contractors, resid- ing in Springfield; Ralph, a carpenter and contractor, also of Springfield; and Etta, wife of C. S. Martin, residing In New York City. William is one of the Aldermen of Springfield. There are twenty-eight grandchildren in the family. Mr. and Mrs. Houston reside in their comfortable home at No. 710 North Sixteenth street. Politically he votes with the Repub- licans. He takes a very active interest in local politics, having cast his first vote for Ahraham Lincoln. Altirough he has served as Assessor of Clear Lake Township, he has never cared for office. Hls residence of seventy-two years in Sangamon Connty entities him to representa- tion among the early ploneers, and his upright life commands for him the respect and confi- dence of his connty and State. The famous Coi. Samuel Houston of Texas was born in the same locality as Mr. Houston, and was a second consin.

HOWARD, Michael James .- The Howard fam- ily have long been one of the most prominent in Pawnee Township, Sangamon County, where they are large landowners. The members of this family have stood for the best interests of their community along all lines and have heen Industrious and useful citizens, winning the es- teem and respect of their neighbors. Michael James Howard is a native of the township, born on his father's farm on Section 30, Octo- ber 13, 1867, a son of Patrick and Mary (Mc- Cue) Howard, the latter of whom died in 1907. A sketch of Patrick Howard appears in this work. There were three children born to the parents, all of whom survive. Patrick Howard was a pioneer settier of Pawnee Township, where he purchased a small farm and began operations on a very small scale. but by liard work and economy was able to increase his hold- ings of land from time to time until he is now the owner of some 2,300 acres of land in Sanga- mon and Montgomery Counties, his agricultural interests now being managed by bis two sons.

In early hoyhood Michael J. Howard attended the local district school and later, in 1887, en- tered Notre Dame (Ind.) University, leaving in 1891, six months before the time for his grad- uatlon. He had taken a course in civil engin- eering and upon his return began work in this profession. Later he turned his attention to agriculturai matters, in which line he has been very successful, and although he has now re- tired from active participation in the work of the Howard. estate, he and his brother are asso- clated in the able management of its affairs. Having heen reared on a farm, Mr. Howard was in early youth instructed in various lines of farm work, and has made a careful study of modern methods, with the result that be Is well fitted both by ability and experience to oversee

1317

HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY

and plan the extensive operations carrled on upon the estate.

Mr. Howard was married at St. Isador's Catholic Church, near Farmersville, Montgom- ery County, III., by Rev. Father Hoye. to Miss Margaret E. Clarke, who was born in the parish where her marriage occurred and is a daughter of Patrick and May Ann (McAnarney) Clarke, natives of Ireland. Six children have blessed their nnion, namely : Mary Cecilia, Edgar Michael, Charles Patrick, James Francis, Mar- garet Lauretta, and Catherine Gertrude. The family have a pleasant and well located home and are well known In various circles. They are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, of Pawnee. Mr. Howard is independent in local politics, but in national affairs is a Democrat. He is actively interested in public affairs in the community and, although he cares nothing for political preferment, has served at varions times in local offices. He has heeu a member of the School Board and was Assessor one year. Fraternally he belongs to the Modern Wood- men of America. He is well known as a man of business honor and integrity, whose word will he considered as good as his bond. and he has a large number of friends in his part of the connty, where he is well known.

HOWARD, Patrick .- Among the most prominent of the early pioneers of Pawnee Township. San- gamou County, Patrick Howard deserves a place, being one of the oldest in point of age, as well as the length of his residence there. He hegan life In the county as a farm hand, later rented laud, and finally purchased a quarter section in Pawnee Township, which was the nuclens about which he made additions from time to time as he was able until he is now the owner of some 2,300 acres of land lying in Sangamon and Montgomery Counties, of which the majority is in the former. Mr. Howard was horn in Ireland ahout 1821 and spent his child- hood and early manhood in his native country, coming to the United States in 1851. He landed at New Orleans on October 28th of that year on the ship "John Garrow." which had heen six weeks on the way from Liverpool and during that time had enconntered severe storms. He went up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Cincinnati, and proceeded thence to Dayton and to Piqua, Ohio. He spent his first winter cut- ting wood for five dollars a month and his hoard, and remained a little more than three years in Ohio, coming to Sangamon County in 1854. For three years, he worked for farmers there, then rented land and carried it on for himself. After marriage, he continued for a time to live on rented land, and the first land he owned was the northeast quarter of Section 30, Pawnee Township, purchased at a price of fif- teen dollars per acre. He was obliged to go into debt to acquire this farm, but was soon ahle to complete his payments upon it and add to it. The land was partly cleared. but the only build- ing it contained was an old frame schoolhouse,

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume II, part 2, Part 72

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913 Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 774

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 774