USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 51
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Archibald Cunningham. the youngest, was born in township 17. range 9. Cass County, Ill .. August 9. 1873. He received his early mental training in the Mt. Pleasant district school. and made his home with his parents until his mar- riage. On June 5. 1895, he was wedded to Myrtle A. Robinson, born in Cass County, a daughter of Aaron C. and Sarah Ellen (Davis) Robinson, the father a native of Ohio. and the mother, of Cass County. Mrs. Cunningham's grandparents were James Allen and Martha Ann Davis.
After his marriage. Mr. Cunningham rented land in this vicinity until 190S, when he bought 120 acres which he has thoroughly improved,
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and on which he has erected all necessary build- ings. Mr. Cunningham resided on this place until 1900, and then rented eighty acres from his father-in-law, adjoining his own property. He is engaged in general farming, besides raising cattle, horses and hogs, operating both places. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have three children : Earl Thomas, born March 21, 1896; Oliver C., born October 20, 1898; and Viola Lee, born August 18, 1900. In politics Mr. Cunningham is a Republican, and has served as road commis- sioner. He is affiliated with the Court of Honor, at Virginia ; and carries insurance in the Bank- ers' Life, of Des Moines, Iowa, and the John Hancock Company.
CUNNINGHAM, George W .- When George W. Cunningham took up his residence as a retired citizen of Virginia, Ill., that flourishing village secured the services of a man who had suc- ceeded in the affairs of life and was ready and willing to bend his best energies to the develop- ment of its progress along the lines of educa- tion, morality and good citizenship. His sub- stantial reputation, gained through a life of clean living and honest dealing with his fellow- men, has since been strengthened, and his name is worthy of a place high on the roll of Cass County's representative citizens. Mr. Cunning- ham was born in Cass County, January 5, 1843, his parents being George and Maria (Lindsay) Cunningham.
The Cunningham family, as the name would indicate, originated in Scotland, where George Cunningham was born January 17, 1803. He emigrated to America in 1835, coming first to Canada and later making his way to Cass County, Ill., by way of the great lakes, and pur- chased eighty acres of partly improved land, in addition to which he entered 160 acres of gov- ernment land. He was here married, May 23, 1838, to Maria Lindsay, who was born in Ken- tucky, January 31, 1816, and who had come to this county with her father, Allen Q. Lindsay, who entered land on the Cass and Morgan county line as early as 1819. Mr. Cunningham died in 1869, his widow surviving until 1891. They were the parents of the following children : Mary and Allen, who are deceased; George W .; Nancy J., deceased ; Charles and Ellen, twins, the former deceased, and the latter the widow of Richard Dirreen, of Jacksonville, Ill .; Left- ridge, a resident of Phelps County, Mo. ; Ken- nethina and Elizabeth, who are deceased; and Emma, the widow of Fred Neolch, residing on the parents' old homestead place.
The educational training of George W. Cun- ningham was secured in what was known as the Mt. Pleasant school, in his native locality, and as a youth he applied himself to the routine work of the home farm. Like other patriotic youths of his township, he was eager to serve his country during the Civil war, and August 15, 1862, enlisted in Company D, One Hun- dred and Fourteenth Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, with which organization he served in campaigns in Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana,
at the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Jack- son, Miss., and Nashville, Tenn., and numerous skirmishes. After a brave and faithful serv- ice, he received his honorable discharge, August 3, 1865, at Vicksburg, and returned to his home, being engaged in farming with his father until the time of his marriage, which took place Octo- ber 21, 1S6S, to Miss Ellen M. McKinzie, who was born in Virginia, October 21, 1843, daughter of James and Ann (Flemming) McKinzie, na- tives of Scotland, who had emigrated to America and subsequently came to Cass County, Ill., from the Old Dominion state. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham: Annie, born July 16, 1869, and now the wife of B. K. Simmons, a blacksmith of Virginia ; and Mary, born December 17, 1SSO, who died December 14, 1884.
Following his marriage, Mr. Cunningham purchased a tract of 120 acres of land adjoin- ing the homestead of his parents, and fifteen years later bought forty acres of the old home place, but eventually disposed of his holdings and removed to Virginia, Ill. There he was en- gaged in a successful teaming business for some years, but in 1906 retired from active pursuits, and since that time has been living in his at- tractive home at Virginia. Mr. Cunningham has contributed to the upbuilding of his adopted city by the erection of two fine residences in . the heart of the town. He is known as a good and public-spirited citizen, and those who have had dealings with him have had every reason to place the utmost confidence in him. Mrs. Cunningham is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Mr. Cunningham is a Republican in his political views, and is popular with his comrades in Post No. 321. Grand Army of the Republic. He is an active Mason, and is prom- inent in the Odd Fellow fraternity, in which he has passed through the chairs and was the first instructor in Cass County. and has been treasurer since 189S.
CUNNINGHAM, Henry, owner of as valable and finely developed a farm as can be found in the state, is one of the representative agricul- turalists of Cass County. He was born in this county, July 24, 1857, a son of James and Sarah Elizabeth (Hopkins) Cunningham, natives of Leith, Scotland, and of Indiana. In 1836 the father landed at New York City, to which he had been brought by his father, Jolin Cunning- ham. The latter came to Cass County, Ill., but died soon afterwards, and James Cunningham was bound out to S. A. Lee. He remained with this man until of age, and then was married. October 1, 1856. In 1SCO he went into a saw and grist mill business, carrying it on until 1866, when he bought 100 acres of partly broken prairie land, in township 17. range 9. He kept on adding to his holdings until he had 280 acres, which he conducted until his death, which occurred February 7. 1906, when he was aged eighty years. The children of James Cunning- ham and wife were two in number : Henry and Dollie E., the latter of whom is Mrs. F. C. Fox
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of Cass County. The mother, who was born December 19, 1824, lives with her son, Henry.
Henry Cunningham attended school in the Sugar Grove district, and the public schools of Virginia for two years. He has always lived with his mother and has never married. Since his father's death, he has owned the entire farm, buying his sister's share, and has added 160 acres to the original acreage. On this prop- erty he does grain farming, and has brought his land np to a very high standard in every re- spect. In politics he is a Republican.
DAVIS, Francis Marion .- The most successful Cass County agriculturalists recognize the fact that in order to get the best results from their farms, they must expend time and money on them, and here may be found properties as fine as in any part of the state. One of the men who has developed his farm until it is credited with being a model one, is Francis Marion Davis, of Hickory Precinct. He was born near Shiloh Church, Cass County, Ill., June 15, 1860, a son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Shoopman) Davis, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee. The maternal grandfather, William Shoopman, came to Cass County at an early date. After their marriage, Elijah and Elizabeth Davis set- tled on a Cass Connty farm where their eleven . children were born, Francis Marion being the eighth in order of birth.
Until he was eleven years old, Francis Marion Davis lived at home working for his father, then went to Morgan County, where he worked for others and attended the district schools as opportunity offered. For four years after his marriage, Mr. Davis rented land in Missouri, and then returning to Cass County, Ill., he rented the Henry Campbell farm, where he lived for eighteen years, conducting that and his own ten acres adjoining. In the spring of 1910, he bought 120 acres on sections 19 and 30, Hickory Precinct, where he has developed one of the finest farms in the county. While it was partly improved when he bought it, he has added many things, has built corn cribs, put in fences, and bought excellent machinery. This land is de- voted to grain farming, and his success proves that it pays to pursue the methods he had adopted.
On August 22, 1SS1, Mr. Davis was married to Jane Davis, born in Cass County, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth (Buck) Davis, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, who became Cass County farmers. Mr. and Mrs. Davis became the parents of the following children: Walter L. and Willis F., both of whom are of Cass County ; Estella Pearl, who is Mrs. Jacob Kruse, of Cass County ; and Ethel E. and Richard E., who are at home. In politics Mr. Davis is a Democrat. He belongs to the Illinois Bankers Association, and to the Des Moines Bankers Association. A man of progressive ideas he has always kept abreast of the times, and his in- fluence is widespread.
DAY, Harry Levi, M. D .- Numbered among the experienced physicians and surgeons of Cass Connty is Dr. Harry Levi Day, of Virginia, who, althongh comparatively a newcomer to this city, having located here July 21, 1913, has already won recognition, built up an excellent practice, and has been shown especial honor and con- fidence by his professional brethren. He was born at Manchester, Delaware County, Iowa, December 7, 1872, a son of George Alve and Eliza C. (Hills) Day, the former of whom died in 1893, but the latter, now aged eighty-three years, still survives.
Harry Levi Day attended the public schools and took a Chantauqua course, before entering the University of Iowa, at Iowa City. Later, in 1899, he was graduated from the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, and then located at Lerna, Ill., where he began the practice of his profession, entering into a partnership with Dr. R. N. Leitch. This association was dis- solved after six years on account of the increas- ing delicacy of his wife, with whom he then went to Arkansas and to other places in the hope of finding climate and conditions that would restore her to health.
Dr. Day was married to Etta A., a daughter of Dr. R. N. and Elizabeth ( Hughes) Leitch, and they had three children, namely : Marian, Robert and Charles. Mrs. Day died March 31, 1913, having been born December 14, 1SS2, and is buried at Union, Mo. The mother of Dr. Day resides with him and the children receive her loving care.
Like all of the progressive men of his profes- sion, Dr. Day is a member of the Cass Connty Medical Society, having recently been elected president of that organization : the Illinois State Medical Society, and the Central Illinois State Homeopathic Association. Fraternally he be- longs to the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Odd Fellows, and is medical examiner of the former.
DEFRATIES, Charles Edward (deceased) .- All those whom death has claimed in Cass County have not been numbered among the old, for those still in the prime of life have been stricken, and their places left vacant. The late Charles Edward Detraties belonged to this class, for he was born February 2S, 1876. and was just in the prime of life when called away. His father was Gregory Defraties. His own mother died in 1879, and his father married again and he lived at home until he was fifteen years old. At that time he began working for neighboring farmers and so continued until he was able to rent land, and cultivated it at varions places, until in 1906 when he bought 200 acres, from John R. Robinson, two and one-half miles south of Virginia. While this place had some im- provements on it, he built new buildings and put in many conveniences. Always a farmer, he understood his work thoroughly, and was con- sidered an excellent farmer and stockraiser. His death was accidental. While cutting down a tree, he had the misfortune to get canght
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM T. PRICE, VIRGINIA
COUNTRY HOME OF WILLIAM T. PRICE, VIRGINIA PRECINCT
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under it when falling, and was killed November 28, 1913. His burial was in Walnut Grove Ceme- tery. His widow continues to operate the farm.
Mr. Defraties was twice married, first in 1909 to Anna Dirks, born at Newmanville, Ill., and they had two children : Uel and Eunice, both of whom are living with their stepmother. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Defraties mar- ried Anna Loeffler, born at Virginia, Ill., Novem- ber 28, 18SS, a daughter of Henry and Ida (Hardin) Loeffler, natives of Germany and of Cass County, respectively. Mr. and Mrs. De- fraties had two children : Leetta, who was born September 20, 1911; and Jessie, who was born March 18, 1913. Mr. Defraties belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian church, but Mrs. Defraties is a Methodist, He was a Republican iu politics and served as a school director. A man of industry, he had worked very hard all his life, and his death was deplored, coming as it did when he had just begun to enjoy the fruits of his labors.
DEGROOT, Jerry, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser, stands very well among the Cass County agriculturalists for he is a man of ability, ex- perieuce and pleasant social qualities. He owns eighty acres of valuable land on section 29, township 18, range S, which he has improved to a considerable extent. He was born in Menard County, Ill., January 31, 1868, a son of Joachim and Anna (Aden) DeGroot, natives of Germany. The father was a farmer and he and the mother came from Germany at an early day, locating first iu Menard County, Ill., but later moving to Cass County, Ill., where both died.
Jerry DeGroot was educated in the country schools and brought up on his father's farm. Having devoted his life of hard work to agri- cultural pursuits, he understands this line of endeavor thoroughly, and naturally is an expert in it. On March 10, 1897, Mr. DeGroot was married in Cass County to Nellie Masten, born November 16, 1878, who died August 16, 1914. She was a daughter of James and Nancy S. (Combs) Masten. The Masten family history is given elsewhere iu this work. Mr. and Mrs. DeGroot have had the following children : James, Anna, Joachim, Silas and Nancy Pauline, all of whom were born in Cass County. In politics Mr. DeGroot is a Republican, but has held no offices. He is not connected with any religious denomina- tion.
DEICHMANN, George .- This well known farmer and old time resident of Cass County, Ill., is of German nativity, his birth having taken place in Hesse, Prussia, Germany, in November, 1849. His parents were Conrad and Mena ( Miller) Deichmann, both of whom passed away iu the Fatherland. In 1867 George Deichmaun emi- grated from the old country to America, and arriving at Beardstown, Ill., started to work on different farms by the month. In this occupa- tion he has ever since continued, through indus- try, energy and economy building up for himself
a coupetency on which to depend in advancing years, and a reputation for houesty, sobriety and upright dealing that have made him gen- erally respected as a useful and valuable mem- ber of the community.
On May 8, 1872, Mr. Deichmaun was united in marriage with Catherine Ulrich, who was born in Cass County, Ill., and after his marriage he acquired a farm of sixty acres of land lying northwest of Beardstowu. Here he carried on general farming for sixteen years, at the end of which period he disposed of the property and rented laud at Beardstown. Subsequently he moved and rented another piece of land which he farmed six years. On leaving this locality Mr Deichmanu purchased 160 acres in township 18, range 11, which he used mainly for stock- raising. Fourteen years later he disposed of this and bought eighty acres in township 1S, range 10. On the last tract he has cultivated fine crops of grain, having also built a new dwelling and all other buildings necessary to a well equipped farm. Besides general farming he is successfully engaged in raising cattle and hogs, but a large part of the land is rented out.
Mr. and Mrs. Deichmanu have three children, namely : Elizabeth (Mrs. Louis Daur), of town- ship 18, range 10, Cass County ; Minuie (Mrs. Charles Schall), of the same township; and Louis, who is located in Virginia. The religious connection of Mr. Deichmaun is with the Luth- eran church. In politics he is an Independent Democrat.
DEVLIN, Frank C., who has proven during his operations as au agriculturalist that he under- stands his business and is worthy of considera- tion in many ways, was born at Philadelphia, Ill., July 9, 1884, a son of John and Mary Ann (Drain) Devlin, natives of County Antrim, Ire- land. They came to the United States in 1849, settling at Virginia, Cass County, Ill., where John Devlin worked at farming for others until 1885, when he began renting laud, and in 1904 he bought 160 acres of valuable land in township 17, range 9. He and his wife had the following family : Arthur, who is deceased ; Margaret, who is Mrs. Mart Mahoney, of Cass County ; John, who is of Cass County, married Mary Finn and they had two children, Alvenia aud Margaret F., the latter of whom died in infancy; Frank C .; and Harry, Lee and William, who are with their parents.
Frank C. Devlin and his brother John have always worked together, and the latter was mar- ried November 25, 1908. Since that cvent the brothers have been conducting various farms in Cass County and at present they are operating 278 acres belonging to L. II. Skiles, of Virginia. On it they are raising Shorthorn cattle and Dnl- roc-Jersey hogs, as well as grain.
Mr. Devlin obtained a fair common school education. He belongs to St. Augustine Catholic Church. At present he is assessor of township 17, range 9. John Devlin is a member of the
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Bankers Life Association. Both are excellent farmers and very worthy young men.
DICK, Edward .- Among the intelligent and en- terprising body of men who constitute the farm- ing element of the population of Illinois, Cass County has its full share who deserve prom- inent mention, and not the least worthy of these is the subject of this sketch, who is a resident of Chandlerville. Edward Dick was born in Cass County, Ill., March S, 1873, and is a son of John P. Dick, also a farmer by occupation. The maiden name of his mother, whose birth- place was in Menard County, Ill., was Elizabeth Peak. On the home farm John P. Dick had once a herd of elk, on one of which he was accustomed to ride about the land. One day he became angry at this animal, and in a burst of passion, killed it. Its horns he hung on the barn, and this incident gave to the entire place the name of "Elkhorn," by which it was after- wards known. In early youth Edward Dick attended the public school of his district, where he received a fair education, and then applied himself to the work of the farm. This consists of 1,905 acres of desirable land, and is located in section 34, township 19, range 9, in Cass County, where he carries on general farming and also devotes himself to the raising of stock. In addition to his acreage in Cass County, Mr. Dick has another farm of 200 acres in Illinois, situated in Adams County.
In 1895, in Cass County, Edward Dick was united in marriage with Mamie L. Elliott, a daughter of Hugh T. and Sarah Jane (Pullam) Elliott. They have had the following children : Virgil Edward. Dewey Gilbert, Fred Oswell, Carl Elliott, Harold T., Helen Inez, and Dor- othy Lee, and one son died in infancy. All the children are still at home. This family is very fond of music. The father and mother are fine musicians and the elder children share in the talent of their parents, and furnish delightful musical entertainment for their neighbors and friends. Their home is made especially pleas- ant by a family orchestra, which is highly appre- ciated in their immediate neighborhood and else- where in the county.
In politics Mr. Dick is connected with the Democratic party, and for twelve years he has served in the capacity of school director of his district, giving general satisfaction. He is affil- iated with the Modern Woodmen of America, in which he is a member of Pecon Camp, No. 553. He is well known and much respected through- out Cass and Adams counties. He is a man of amiable disposition, good natured and affable in daily intercourse, and has many friends wherever his acquaintance extends.
DICK, William Franklin, one of the extensive farmers of Cass County. is conveniently located in township 18. range 11, on a farm that be- longed to his father and on which he was born January 17, 1865, he being a son of James A. and Mary (Bowen) Dick. The father was born in Kentucky, and the mother in Ohio. They
were married in Cass County, Ill., and lived for a few years in the eastern part of the county, but about 1844 sold their property and bought the present homestead of 360 acres, all in the Sangamon River bottoms, except 160 acres on the bluff. The mother died in 1896, aged seventy-six years, but the father lived until 1902, when aged seventy-nine years. Their chil- dren were: Ellen, born in 1847, who is Mrs. James Main, of Oskaloosa, Kans .; James Martin, born in 1855, who is of Melvin, Kans .; Mary Adeline, born in 1860, who is of Beardstown; William Franklin, and five who died when young. The father was a man of prominence in Cass County and he served as sheriff for two terms, one term prior to the birth of his youngest child, and one after. During his period of service the Armstrong trial took place, and the criminal was kept a prisoner in Sheriff Dick's house instead of in the jail. When William F. Dick was still a child, his parents moved to Jefferson County, Kans., where they spent three years, but returned to their old home.
William F. Dick attended the public schools of Cass County, and took a business course at Jacksonville, Ill. After his marriage in 1SSS, he leased the homestead for a year, and then built a house on the farm in which he lived until the death of his mother, when he and his wife moved into the old home. When his father died, in Beardstown, Mr. Dick bought out the other heirs, and is now the owner of the prop- erty he is conducting. He is a large feeder of cattle, and carries on general farming.
On September 5, 1SSS, Mr. Dick married Lena Smith, born in Schuyler County, Ill., Octo- ber 26, 1869, a daughter of A. N. and Jeanette (Rice) Smith, natives of Schuyler County. Ill. Their children are: Lula Jeanette, who is Mrs. N. R. McLane, of Colorado Springs, Colo. : Leah E., who is Mrs. Edwin Smith of Beardstown, Ill., and has one daughter, Frances E., born January 27. 1913; Roy Alfred, who is at home; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Dick is a Democrat. He belongs to Beardstown Lodge No. 1007, B. P. O. E., and Bluff Springs Lodge M. W. A. No. 1492, and is popular in both of- ganizations, as he is highly respected in his community.
DIETERICH, Hon. William H., one of the dis- tinguished jurists and representative men of Cass County, has long been recognized as a leading factor in current events in this part of the state. He was born near Cooperstown, Brown County. Ill., March 31, 1876, and is a son of the late George H. and Anna K. (Berg) Dieterich, both natives of Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany. His parents came to the United States in 1857. locating on a farm in Cass County. With the outbreak of the Civil war, the father enlisted for service in the Union army and spent three years as a soldier, receiv- ing a gunshot wound in the left shoulder at the battle of Vicksburg. With the close of the war the parents removed to Brown County, settling
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on a farm near Cooperstown, where William H. Dieterich was born, remaining there until 1896 when he retired to Rushville, Ill. The father died August 2, 1905, the mother surviving until July 19, 1914, when she was called to rest. William H. is the youngest of a family of six children. He has one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Wagner, who resides in Cass County, and four brothers, namely : Charles H. of Rushville, Ill., Frederick S., John, and George A., who reside in Brown County, Ill.
William H. Dieterich received his prelim- inary education in the district schools of Brown County, and then entered the Normal school at Rushville. Following this he took a business course and then taught school in his native county and afterward had charge of the Normal department of the Rushville Normal and Busi- ness College, for one year. In the winter of 189S he began the study of law with the law firm of Glass & Bottenburg, of Rushville, com- pleting his course at the Northern Indiana Law School at Valparaiso. In 1901 he was admitted to the bar, and at onee began practicing at Rush- ville. His ability as a trial lawyer was recog- nized and he had a place at the trial table of every important case tried in the local courts, and has participated in the trial of cases in almost every county in the military traet.
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