USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 52
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76
Judge Dieterich is affiliated with the Demo- cratic party and has always taken an active interest in local and state politics, having aeted as chairman of the county, central and sena- torial committees, and has been honored with the positions of alderman of his resident ward in Rushville, city attorney of that city for two terms, treasurer of the Rushville Union schools for three terms, master-in-chancery for two terms and county judge one term. At present he is special inheritance tax attorney under the attorney general. During 1909-10, while he was county judge, he held court in the civil branch of the Municipal court of Chicago. After he lett the bench he went to Chicago and practiced law, having charge of the trial work of the law firm of Eddy. Haley and Wetten. After a year, however, he moved to Beardstown, where he has located permanently for the practice of his pro- tession and has built up a splendid practice.
May, 1900. at Rushville, Ill., Judge Dieterich was united in marriage with Nora S. Runkle, a native of Schuyler County, being a daughter of Joseph and Carrie (Snyder) Runkle. Judge and Mrs. Dieterich have one daughter living, Ruth R., at present a member of the Junior class of the Beardstown High school, another daughter, Helen Louise, having died at the age of five years.
Judge Dieterich's rise has been steady and brilliant. From one office to another, he has speedily advanced and during all of his public service he has always kept the needs and rights of the people before him. Such a man as he is needed in the councils of the great, and further honors no doubt await him, for his abilities and preparation fit him for almost any duty con-
nected with his profession that he might be called upon to perform.
DOWLER, Joanna Gertrude Wall, for many years one of the most popular educators of Cass County, and a lady of scholarly attainments and charming personality, was born in New York City, July 28, 1838, a daughter of David F. and Mary (Welsh) Wall, natives of Dublin, Ireland, who met in New York City after their arrival in this country, and there married. Mr. Wall was a farmer, and after he moved to Ver- milion County, Ill., served that county as elerk. In the meanwhile, however, he had lived in Pennsylvania and Indiana, serving in the latter place as a railroad employe. During the winter of 1839-40 he settled in Vermilion County, and after purchasing a farm, lived upon it a short time, then moved to Danville, Ill., where he died in 1846. Following his demise, his widow and children went to Quincy, Ill., where the widow died about 1856.
Early recognizing the necessity of becoming selt-supporting, Joanna Gertrude Wall, now Mrs. Dowler, learned the millinery trade at Quincy, and when she had sufficient money saved, took a college course at the Jacksonville College. When her money was exhausted, she resumed work at her trade, thus alternating until she had completed her studies with Prof. Bowick, who, in 1851, had come to Beardstown. Mrs. Dowler taught school under him, and for fifty-two years was a teacher, during the last two years devoting her attention to instruction in drawing. Feeling then that she had com- pleted her work along educational lines, to the great regret of many she retired, and since then has resided in her exceedingly comfortable home on East Fitth Street, Beardstown.
In 1862 Miss Wall was married to Dr. Moses Morton Dowler, born in the state of Virginia, a physician of high standing who carried on a large practice at Beardstown and Rushville. He was a carefully trained professional man, hav- ing been educated at Bellevue, New York, and the Rock Island Medical College. His death occurred in 1906, at Kansas City, Mo., where he is buried. Dr. and Mrs. Dowler were the pa- rents of the following children: Arthur S., who is a physician of Panora, Iowa : Walter R., who is of Oakland. Cal., and Florence Marie, who was a graduate of the Beardstown High school and taught there for one year, but died in 1902, aged twenty years. Mrs. Dowler is a member of the Methodist church, and is active in its many avenues of usefulness.
DOWNING, Hon. Finis E .- Among the citizens of Virginia, Cass County, Ill., who have become prominent in state-wide and national polities and have rendered their constituents and the general public efficient service in important offices, is Hon. Finis E. Downing of the city of Virginia, and formerly state senator, member of Congress and secretary of state of Illinois. He is a native of Cass County. Ill., and his birth took place at Virginia, August 24, 1846. His
-
880
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
father, Nathan Downing, was born in Kentucky, and when a young man, was a student in Knox College, in Missouri, where he studied theology and became a minister of the Presbyterian church. In 1842 Nathan Downing was married, in Missouri, to Eliza J. Head, and then estab- lished himself in the town of Virginia, Ill., where he brought about the building of the first
Presbyterian church. Of this he was pastor until 1852, when he resigned the pastorate, dying the following year. Rev. Nathan Downing was also instrumental in the erection of Union Seminary, of which he became the first presi- dent. The children of Nathan and Eliza J. (Head) Downing were as follows: John C., who died in the Union army during the Civil war; Finis E .; and Lucy J. (Mrs. R. D. Mid- dleton), who died in 1902.
In boyhood Finis E. Downing attended the district schools and a seminary, after which he took a college course. He continued to make his home with his mother until January S, 1868, when he was married to Susan Payne, a native of Kentucky. They had one son, Harry F., who lives in Virginia, Cass County. Mrs. Nathan Downing died in 1893, and Mrs. Finis (Susan Payne) Downing passed away July 16, 1900.
On August 12, 1902, Mr. Downing was united in marriage with Missouri Reel, who was born in Jacksonville, Ill., and was the widow of Judge Griggsby of Pittsfield, Ill. They had one daugh- ter. Edith, who died at the age of seven years.
After his first marriage Finis E. Downing went into the mercantile business, selling dry goods, boots and shoes, etc., which he conducted until 1870. In that year he sold out and went to Butler, Mo., where, with a Mr. Boggs, he kept a general store. This they sold out in 1875 and Mr. Downing returned to Cass County, Ill., and for four years was engaged in the dry goods trade in Virginia.
Politically long active in the Democratic party, in 1880 he was elected, on that ticket, circuit clerk of Cass County, in which office he served one term. He was then elected to the state senate, of which body he was secretary during former Governor Altgeld's administration. In 1894 Mr. Downing was elected to Congress from the Sixteenth Illinois Congressional District, serving until 1896, when he was elected secretary of state of Illinois.
Mr. Downing was admitted to the bar in 1SSS. In 1891 he purchased the Virginia Enquirer, which he conducted until 1901, when lie transferred the paper to his son. Mr. Down- ing adheres to the Christian Science belief. Fraternally he is affiliated with the A. F. & A. M. and is a Knight Templar; the I. O. O. F .; and the M. W. A. In his long and busy life Finis E. Downing has served his countrymen well and his ears are now met with the cheering utterance-"Well done, good and faithful servant."
DOYLE, Thomas, who was elected chief of the police force of Beardstown, is one of the men of Cass County who has won promotion and
high standing through individual effort and per- sonal merit. He was born at Flushing, N. Y., November 24, 1843, a son of John and Bridget (Ryan) Doyle, natives of County Tipperary, Ireland. In 1840 these parents came to the United States and located in New York state, where the father was employed as a gardener. Not being satisfied, however, he lett New York for Illinois, and on January 1, 1849, arrived at Beardstown, where he subsequently worked in the packing houses and nurseries.
Thomas Doyle was the only child of his parents and whatever education he had was obtained at intervals in the public schools before he was seven years old, and at that tender age he began working in a packing house. When he was twenty years old he went into railroad work, but in 1874 was elected marshal of Beards- town, holding that office for two years. Later he was in the retail liquor business for seven years, and then was in the railroad shops for six months. Embarking in a grocery business, he conducted it for thirteen years, selling it to become a member of the police force of Beards- town. In time his services were recognized by his appointment as chief of the force.
On October S, 1875, Chief Doyle was married to Anna Burke, born at Ithaca, N. Y., a daughter of Dennis and Bridget (Jennings) Burke, of County Mayo, Ireland. They have had the fol- lowing children : Rosa, who died September 2, 1913, was born July 2, 1876; Lucy, who was born January 23, 1884, is at home; Flora Brid- get, who was born June 13, 1SS7, is at home; and James William, who was born July 6, 1SSS, conducts a drug store at Beardstown. Thomas Doyle is a Catholic in religious faith. In politics he is a Democrat and active in the work of his party. He is a member of the Western Catholic Union.
DUCHARDT, John .- The most successful of Cass County agriculturalists are those who have not been content to confine their efforts to work along ordinary lines, but have branched out and achieved astonishing results. The conditions in this locality are favorable to experimentation, and those who are taking advantage of these op- portunities, are proving to themselves and others the value of such action. One of these progress- ive farmers is John Duchardt, of Hickory Pre- cinet, who was born in this precinct October 10, 1851, a son of Christian and Mary (Nollch) Duchardt, natives of Hesse Darmstadt and of Wurttemberg, Germany, respectively. The ma- ternal grandparents came to Cass County, Ill., at an early day. Christian Duchardt located at Quincy, Ill., upon coming to America, where he worked as a butcher. Later he came to Cass County and entered a farm from the government three miles north of Virginia. This land was covered with timber, but he cleared it and made it a valuable property. He married at Virginia and settled on his farm where he died about 1899, having survived his wife. They had two children: Elizabeth, who is Mrs. William Need- ham, of Virginia, Ill .; and John.
.
-
THEODORE QUERNHEIM
MRS. THEODORE QUERNHEIM
1
881
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
John Duchardt always lived on the homestead and was educated in the schools of his district. He now owns about 500 acres of fertile farming land, the greater portion of which he rents. He has large stock interests, raising Angora goats, draught horses, mules, ponies, cattle and hogs, his stock being noted for its excellence in every particular. His success in stock raising has brought him fame in this line, and his advice is often sought as an expert. In politics he is a Progressive.
DUFELMEIER, William, one of the representa- tive fariners of Cass County, is comfortably located at Beardstown where he is enjoying the fruits of a life of hard work and trugality. He was born in Hanover, Germany, May 7, 1S4S. His parents died when he was a child, and an aunt, who had come to Beardstown, Ill., sent him the money to join her, when he was seven- teen years of age. Arriving in Cass County, he found employment among the farmers by the month, and worked in this manner for seven years. On March 21, 1872, he married Mary Meyer of Arenzville, Ill., and then rented land from his father-in-law for a few years. He then bought 120 acres of prairie land, and twenty acres of timber, four miles northwest of Arenz- ville. Moving on this, he improved the place, but on account of a succession of crop failures could scarcely keep up his interest on the money he had borrowed to make the purchase. How- ever, his steadfast efforts brought about desir- able results, and in time he had his land paid for and was making money. Burdened with the continued ill health of his wife, however, he re- tired from the farm and moved to Beardstown, where she died in 1901, having had no children.
On November 14, 1901, Mr. Dufelmeier mar- ried (second) Sophia Broeker, born at Beards- town, June 15, 1S6S, and they have the follow- ing children : Marie, born Nov. 13, 1902; Alma, born Jan. 16, 1906, and Paul and Clara, who died in infancy. After his second marriage, Mr. Dufelmeier returned to his farm and continued to improve it, but in 1911, once more came to Beardstown, renting his tarm to others, and since then has remodeled his residence, which is one of the fine homes in the city.
Mr. Dutelmeier has had some interesting experiences during his life, and is a well in- formed man, although he had very little oppor- tunity to attend school, and that only in Ger- many. In crossing the ocean, his ship took seven weeks and two days on the trip, and met with some very heavy weather, there being a storm which nearly wrecked it. . When he arrived at Beardstown, in the fall of 1866, he had but one cent left, but as he was a willing worker, that made but little difference to him, and he has lived to see the day when he is prosperous and highly respected in the land of his adop- tion. He belongs to the Lutheran church. A Republican, he has served as a school trustee for two years in Arenzville Precinct. He has the satisfaction of being able to say that he has
never had a law-suit nor any court trouble in his life.
EDWARDS, John E .- An enterprising and pro- gressive farmer of Ashland, Ill., is a man who is well and favorably known in the community of which he is a member as an intelligent and well informed citizen. His farm is situated in township 1S, range 9, n., Cass County, and on it, besides general farming, he is successfully en- gaged in raising horses, cattle, mules and hogs, and his attention is now devoted wholly to the duties of his farm.
John E. Edwards is a son of one of the early settlers of Cass County, his father and mother, John and Ruth (Sharp) Edwards, having come from England with their family, and entered up a large tract of timber land. Here John E. Edwards was born, January 3, 1877. By his first wife, who died about the year 1871, John Edwards had the following children : Charlotte (Mrs. Thomas Baker), of Washington, Kan .; Jane (Mrs. Hiram Smith), of Cass County, Ill .; Mary (Mrs. Tilford Cline), of Cass County ; William F. and George, of Ash- land, Ill .; John, of Macoupin County, Ill .; Samuel, of Menard County, Ill .; Thomas, of St. Paul, Minn .; and Sarah, who died in 1872, aged twenty-two years. After a while John Edwards returned to England on a visit, and about the year 1875 married again and brought his second wife to his farm in Cass County. He added to the farm until it comprised more than 600 acres. At first he lived in a log cabin, but later bought the old Garner church, which he moved to the farm, and used for a dwelling until he built the present home in 1871. He was an extensive raiser of cattle, horses and hogs. He held several local offices and organized School Dis- trict No. 27. In 1872 he built a fine frame house and otherwise improved his property. John Edwards died in November, 1SS7. and his widow, who now lives in Brown County, Ill., married John Thomas. By her Mr. Edwards had the following children, namely: John E .; Harry, of Ashland. Ill .; Anna (Mrs. H. O. Brownback), of Ashland, Ill .; Della (Mrs. H. E. Booker), of Menard County. Ill. ; Olive (Mrs. Fred Vetting), of Arvado, Colo .; Forrest, of Waverley, Ill .; Charles and Lee, of Lees Sum- mitt, Mo. : and Nellie, who died in infancy.
After his father's death John E. Edwards remained with his mother about four years. In youth he had attended the district schools of the neighborhood and Brown's Business College, at Jacksonville, where he spent two years. and after his graduation. in the winter of 1895-96, he worked two years in a railroad ticket office at St. Paul, Minn. Then returning home. he re- sumed farming, purchasing the homestead of 285 acres from the other heirs, together with his mother's dower.
In February, 1902. Mr. Edwards was united in marriage with Mattie Hinchee, a native of Cass County, and a daughter of J. M. and Mary (Clark) Hinchee, of the same county. They have five children, as follows: Irene. Byron
882
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
o., Dwight, Joseph Eugene, and an infant daughter.
Mr. Edwards is quite public spirited and takes considerable interest in public affairs. For three years he served as deputy assessor of township 1S, range 9, Cass County, and has officiated as school director since 1903 in Oregon Precinct ; as committeeman since 1902; and as senatorial committeeman of the Thirtieth District since 1912. He is a popular man and is considered a representative farmer and a model member of the community in which he lives.
EDWARDS, William F .- One of the most pros- perous and substantial farmers in western Illi- nois, and one who is favorably known through- out Cass County, is William F. Edwards, whose home is in the vicinity of the town of Ashland. The farm on which he lives is situated in sec- tion 9; township 17, range S, n., and consists of 200 acres of land. In addition to this, he owns about 500 acres in township 1S, range S. Mr. Edwards is a native of Cass County, where his birth took place August 13, 1854. His father was John Edwards, of English nativity, and the maiden name of his mother, also born in Eng- land, was Elizabeth Peat. They were married in England, and on coming to the United States, located in Cass County, Ill., where the father always carried on farming and stockraising.
In youth William F. Edwards received his education in the country schools in his neighbor- hood, and from that time on, devoted himself to farmning. For two years, he farmed near the town of Virginia, and then moved to the vicinity of Chandlerville, where he remained five years, then made another move, taking the farm on which he now lives, and has occupied it for thirty-one years. He has improved it in every way, and has erected fine buildings on it. He calls it the "Cox Grove Farm," having bought it on a court decree, his being part of the second transfer from the government.
On June 20, 1879, William F. Edwards was married to Lucinda F. Stout, born in Cass County, Ill., June 5, 185S. a daughter of Emely and Elvira (Denny) Stout, natives of New Jer- sey. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards had the following children : Howard, who married Maud Strubel ; Lloyd L., and Aletha Pearl, who married George Muttra and lives in Springfield. The mother of this family died April 16, 1911. The two sons are engaged in farming on land in Cass County that belongs to their father. The father for- merly farmed extensively himself, feeding at one time a large number of cattle and hogs.
Mr. Edwards was reared within the folds of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a very sociable and pleasantly disposed man, and is popular with all who have been so fortunate as to make his acquaintance, which presupposes a large circle of friends. Fraternally, he is iden- tified with the Modern Woodmen of America, of Tallula, Ill., and the I. O. O. F., of Ashland.
EICHENAUER, Rudolph C., whose life has been largely devoted to general farming and stock-
raising, has become one of the leading agricul- turalists of Cass County. He was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, April 30, 1852, a son of John and Mary (Benhard) Eichenauer who came to the United States, landing at New Orleans after a voyage of eight weeks and two days. They had the misfortune to arrive in the South during the Civil war, and were blockaded. The father, at first, sawed wood to get enough money to support his family, but later became a wagon- maker, that being his trade, for the United States government. At the close of the war, he came up the river to Beardstown, Ill., and going out on the Sangamon River bottom, rented land near Chandlerville and at other places, until his purchase of a farm in the northeastern corner of Cass County. Ten years later, about eight years of this time having lived in Mason County, he moved to Chandlerville, and lived retired until his death June 2, 1912, aged eighty- six years. The mother died January 27, 1905. Their children were as follows: John, who is deceased ; Rudolph C .; Henry, who lives in Menard County, Ill .; George, who is of Cali- fornia ; Bernard, who is of Kansas; Theodore, who is deceased; William who is of Mason County, Ill. ; and Mary, who resides in Iowa.
Rudolph C. Eichenauer attended school at New Orleans for a short period, and continued with his parents until his marriage in 1876, when he rented the McCally farm on the Sangamon River bottom. Seven years later he rented the Taylor farm, one-half mile away, and nine years later, he moved on the Henry Dick farm near Chandlerville, and there resided until 1905, when he bought 210 acres of land in township 1S, range 9, known as the old John Holmes farm. This property was partly improved, but he has replaced the buildings then standing with mod- ern ones. On this farm he continues to carry on general farming and stockraising. On March 3, 1876, he married Magdelena Schneider, who was born in Cass County, Ill., April 30, 1854, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Nies) Schneider, born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. Their chil- dren have been as follows : Augusta, who married Henry Lovekamp of Cass County; John, who died in infancy : Reuben, who is at home ; Albert, who is of Cass County ; and Freda and Alma, who live at home, the latter teaching school. Mr. Eichenauer belongs to the Lutheran church and is a Republican in politics.
ELAM, Stephen F., a prosperous farmer and land owner of township 18, range 11, is a man who has proven his worth as a man and citizen. He was born in Woodford County, Ky., February 21, 1826, a son of Thomas and Mary Ann (Furr) Elam, born in Kentucky. In 1S2S, these parents drove overland to Arcadia. Ill., where they remained a short time, and then went to Beards- town, the father in both places working at his trade of coopering, and still later, continued working at his trade at Jacksonville, Ill., where the mother died, following which he returned to Beardstown, and there spent the remainder of his life.
883
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Until he was ten years old, Stephen F. Elam resided with his parents, and attended a sub- scription school for three months. At that early age, he began to earn his own living, and worked in various ways in and about Beardstown, and was thus engaged when, on June 18, 1846, he enlisted in Company K, under Colonel Hardin, for service during the war with Mexico. After serving about a year, he was honorably dis- charged and returning to Beardstown, he worked as a carpenter until 1858. In that year he was elected marshal of Beardstown, and held that office for some time. In the meanwhile he invested in 200 acres of land at Bluff Springs, which was one of the first farms to be improved in Cass County. Scarcely had he located upon his property, than he felt called upon to again serve his country, and he enlisted in the Union army in 1863, as a member of the secret service force. After his honorable discharge from the duties of this service, he returned to his farm, where he has since remained, being engaged in farming.
In 1852, Mr. Elam married Margaret Norton, who was born at Wheeling, W. Va., a daughter of Thomas and Mary A. Norton. Mr. and Mrs. Elam became the parents of the following chil- dren : Catherine, who is Mrs. John Merritt of Elgin, Ill .; George, who is of Canton, Ill .; and John, who is condueting the homestead. Mr. Elam is a Democrat, but is not active in politics. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic lodge of Beardstown. A man of high principles and un- flinching honesty, Mr. Elam has won and re- tained the full confidence of his associates, and he is justly considered one of the loyal and de- pendable men of Cass County.
ELLIOTT, William .- A considerable proportion of the farming element of Cass County, III., and indeed, of other elements in its population which have been largely instrumental in contributing to the public prosperity, is of Irish birth or Irish extraction. In every walk of life are and have been conspicuous men of intelligence, vigor and indomitable energy, who have honored the ap- pellation of American citizenship in the full significance of that name. while cherishing a natural pride in the Emerald Isle as the land of their birth or of the origin of their fore- fathers. As an illustration of this large and worthy class of Cass.County residents, the sub- ject of this biographical record may be adduced in evidence.
County Antrim, Ireland, was the birthplace of William Elliott, as it was also of his parents. John and Nancy (Balia) Elliott. William was born June 28, 1837, and the family shortly after- wards sailed for America, consuming eight weeks on the voyage to this country. Landing in New York. they journeyed westward to Illinois, locat- ing at Beardstown. On arriving, with seven children, the father had but $SO as his eapital. For several years he rented farms, working in paeking houses at Beardstown in the winter season. In course of time John Elliott bouglit some improved land in the eastern portion of
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.