USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 53
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Cass County, and at a subsequent period entered additional land, so that at one time he owned 330 acres. The latter part of his life he spent in Virginia, dying in 1889 at the age of eiglity- eight years. His wife passed away in 1872. Their children were: Hugh, deceased; Nancy (Mrs. J. D. Thompson), of Cass County, Mo. ; Mary (Mrs. William Mullin), a widow, of Cass County, Mo. ; William ; John, killed in the Union army ; Margaret ( Mrs. William Ross), deceased ; and David, of Virginia. William Ross, husband of Margaret. is a resident of Cass County.
William Elliott attended the district schools in his neigliborhood in Cass County, and lived with his parents until his marriage. In 1863 Mr. Elliott was wedded to Mildred Brady, who died in 1864. His second wife, married in 1866, was Betsy Reagan, who passed away in 1909, without children. ITis third marriage took place in 1910, when he was united with Mamie Wil- son, a widow, born in Jacksonville. After his marriage Mr. Elliott bought a tract of land lying next to the home place. He also purchased the 330 acre farm belonging to his father, towards which he traded eighty acres of his own. This he cultivated, and fed considerable livestock as well. In 1882 he withdrew from active pursuits and moved to Virginia, where he bought a fine residence, in which he established his home. Since then he has rented out his land.
In politics Mr. Elliott is a Democrat. He has been a very successful farmer, and is enjoying in comfortable retirement the rewards of a long lite of industry and economy. He has many friends, and is much respected.
EMERICH, David William, proprietor of a saw mill of considerable importance to his neigh- borhood, is one of the substantial men of Cass County. He was born in the northwestern part of Cass County, September 30, 1874, a son of John and Emeline (Shafer) Emerich, the for- mer born in Van Buren County, Iowa. Novem- l'er 29, 1839, and the latter in Cass County, Ill., April 18, 1844. The grandparents on the pater- nal side were William and Abigail ( Hender- son ) Emerieh. natives of Morgan County, Ill., while the grandparents on the mother's side were Christopher and Rachel ( Emerich ) Shafer, natives of Rockbridge County, Va., and Morgan County, Ill., respectively. The parents of David W. Emerich married in Cass County, Ill., and then located in Hiekory Township, where the father tarmed from 1863 until March, 1914, when he left the farm to live with his son, David W., the mother dying March 14, 1914. Their children were : Elizabeth, who is de- ceased : Alonzo M., who resides at Peoria ; John Franklin, who is deceased; Rose HI., who is Mrs. Alonzo Pope, of Oklahoma : Mary H., who lives on the home farm; David W .: Jeanette G., who is on the home farm ; and Oliver Dewitt, who resides at Chandlerville, Ill.
David W. Emerich resided on the home farm with his brother Oliver until 1900, when they bought a threshing machine outfit and operated it together for two years, and then David W.
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bought out his brother's interest and continued until 1911, when he sold. In the meanwhile, about 1902, he had gone into a sawmill business and dealt in lumber for two years, and now has a custom sawmill, which is operated by a trac- tion engine, and he gives employment to five men the year round.
On December 20, 1911, Mr. Emerich married Anna Margaret Nollsch, born on section 70, a daughter of Gottlieb and Catherine (Hobig) Nollsch. The father, born in Hesse Darmstadt in 1822, died in Cass County, north of Virginia. The mother was born in 1837 and died in 1912. The paternal grandparents, John P. and Anna Margaret Nollsch, came to Cass County in 1842. The maternal grandparents were John and Anna Gertrude Hobig, who came to St. Louis, Mo., in 1847. He was born in 1799 and was a nurseryman and gardener, and died in 1887. Mrs. Hobig was born in 1801 and died in 1848. All these pioneers settled in the woods of Cass County and took up land.
ERICSON, Carl, a business man of Virginia, was born near Guttenburg, Sweden, May 25, 1877, a son of Eric and Anna (Magnusson) Ericson. After receiving a public school education in his native land, Carl Ericson came to the United States, arriving here March 22, 1893, and from New York came direct to Cass County. Here he engaged with an uncle who was a brick manufacturer of Virginia. After twelve years so spent, during which time he was learning the business and acquiring a knowledge of the language, he took a business course at a Chi- cago commercial college, from which he was graduated in. 1897. Returning to Virginia, he went into partnership with Lee Skiles in a brick and coal business, which association con- tinued until January 22, 1914, when he bought his partner's interest, and is now conducting the concern alone.
On August 31, 1907, Mr. Ericson was married to Grace Martin, a daughter of George Martin. She died in June, 1908, and is buried in the Virginia cemetery. Mr. Ericson was married (second) on June 19, 1912, to Ethel Plummer, a daughter of E. S. and Susanna (Beach) Plum- mer. They have one son, Carl Erland, born March 20, 1913. Mr. Ericson joined the Masonie order at Virginia in 1910. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he is an elder, and he is superintendent of the Sunday school. His mother died in Sweden in 1898, aged about fifty-five years, but his father sur- vives, still residing in Sweden.
FELKER, Leonard W .- The attorneys of Cass County are, perhaps, as well informed and learned men as can be found in the legal pro- fession in any part of the state, their achieve- ments in jurisprudence standing as valuable testimony to their ability and training. One of those deserving of more than passing mention is Leonard W. Felker, of Beardstown. He was born at Starr City, Pulaski County, Ind., Sep- tember 20, 1873, a son of Ephraim and Rebecca
(Decker) Felker. He received his educational training in the public schools of his native place, the University of Indiana and at Indian- apolis, where he took a law course. After his graduation, he was admitted to the bar, and to practice in the state and federal courts. Fol- lowing this he entered at once upon the duties of his profession, under the firm name of Bar- ders & Felker, at Winamac, Ind. This asso- ciation continued until 1903, when the partner- ship was dissolved, Mr. Felker going to Gard- ner, Grundy County, Ill. There he continued in practice until 1913. In that year he eame to Beardstown, where he is conveniently located in finely equipped offices, and is enjoying a large practice.
Mr. Felker was married at Starr City, Ind., June 29, 1898, to Miss Frances MI. Washburn, a daughter of Isaac L. and Mary (MIcCombs) Washburn, natives respectively of Pulaski County and Cass County, Ill. Mr. Felker is a member of the Christian church. Politically he is a Democrat, and his fraternal associations are with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen, both at Beardstown.
FINN, Thomas L., manager of the Warner Ran- dolph Company, Incorporated, is one of the sub- stantial men of Virginia. This company was in- corporated in 1908 with a capital stock of $50,- 000, by Horace Warner, C. R. Randolph and Alice Weinstein, the first named being presi- dent ; Mr. Randolph, vice president, and Alice Weinstein, secretary and treasurer as well as a director. There have been some changes since then, the present officers being: Horace Warner, president and treasurer ; Thomas Oddy, vice president ; and Alice Weinstein, secretary. This company owns and operates several stores, the one at Virginia being under the direct management of Thomas L. Finn, who was born at Virginia, Ill., October 27, 1882, a son of John and Alvina (Thompson) Finn.
After passing through the grammar school, Mr. Finn took the high school course, and was graduated therefrom in 1900. At once he en- tered upon a mercantile life and has since been identified with this line of endeavor. His fra- ternal associations are with the Modern Wood- men of America, which order he joined at Ash- land, and the Red Men, which he joined at Vir- ginia, and he is chief of records of the latter. On January 1, 1905, Mr. Finn was united in marriage with Mabel Cooper, a daughter of George and Ida (Gaines) Cooper. The one child of this marriage, Thelma, born November 2. 1907. died April 14, 1913. Mr. Finn is ad- mittedly one of the leading spirits of Virginia, and his influence in business and social circles is felt and acted upon.
FISHER, Fred L .- Statistics prove that the rais- ing of poultry is a very profitable business, ยท provided it is carried on intelligently and scien- tifically. The demand for dressed poultry and fresh eggs is far in excess of the supply, and those who have embarked in the business of
Henry Quigg
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handling these products have every reason to be satisfied with their investment of time and money. Fred L. Fisher is one of the enterpris- ing men of Cass County who has proven the truth of these statements, having developed one of the largest enterprises of its kind in this section, and located it at Virginia.
Fred L. Fisher was born in Morgan County, Ill., April 5, 1874, and was brought to Cass County by his parents in infancy. After com- pleting a public school course, he turned his attention to raising poultry and has continued in this line ever since, now handling about 40,- 000 fowls annually. In time he bonght the plant built by W. F. Throckmorton, which is thoroughly equipped for cleaning and dressing poultry of all kinds. Shipments are made to the eastern market, and Mr. Fisher's produce commands high prices. In 1893, Mr. Fisher was united in marriage with Estella May Paul, and they have fonr children, namely : Pauline, George Dewey, Berneita, and Harry Frederick. A man of industrious habits, Mr. Fisher has worked his way up, depending upon himself for his advantages and while he does not care for public honors, he takes the interest any good citizen displays in the welfare of his commu- nity.
FOZZARD, William Howard, now residing on the farm of his parents in township 17, range 11, is one of the successful agricnlturists of Cass County, whose prosperity is well merited. He was born on this farm October 24, 1SS1, a son of William F. and Anna Lonise (Charlesworth) Fozzard, natives of Cass County, the former born March 25, 1849, and the latter born May 18, 1857. After their marriage they located on Mr. Fozzard's homestead, which he had bought, it then consisting of eighty acres, and to this he added fifty-five acres.
The only child of his parents, William How- ard Fozzard was reared upon the farm which he has conducted since 1905. At present he operates the entire farm, carrying on general farming. In addition to attending the public schools of his district, Mr. Fozzard took a steam and electric course through the Scranton Cor- respondence School.
On February 16, 1909, Mr. Fozzard married Bessie May Wright, born in Lewis Connty, Mo., June 20, 1886, a daughter of William Thomas and Nannie (Tumey) Wright, of Lewis County, Mo. The parents of Mrs. Fozzard have been living in Shelby County, Mo., since the fall of 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Fozzard have one child, George William, who was born February 2S, 1911. The Methodist church of Monroe holds the membership of Mr. Fozzard and his mother and family, and he is one of its trustees. In politics he is a Democrat. The Fozzard family is one of the most respected in Cass County, where Mr. Fozzard personally stands very high in public esteem.
FRANK BROS., florists, is a firm composed of enterprising business men of Beardstown, whose
energies have been directed towards improving their plant and bringing their business up to standard in every respect. This business was founded by Robert and Charles Frank, and is located on Adams and Fitth streets. There are five greenhouses, amounting to 10,000 feet of glass, which they built themselves. The firm has made some very extensive improvements and their facilities for growing hot honse plants are unexcelled in Cass Connty. The partners have their own water and heating system, and spare no pains or money to bring their concern up to perfection. Frank Bros. handle potted plants, cut flowers, and various kinds of veg- etable plants for the market.
Robert Frank, the senior member of the firm, was born in Baden, Germany, September 24, 1862, and came to the United States in 1SS1. Locating at St. Louis, he worked in a florist establishment for ten years, and then came to Beardstown, Ill., where he has since remained. He has never married.
Charles Frank, the junior member of the firm, was born in Baden, Germany, February 1, 1866, and in 1SSS joined his brother at St. Louis. For two years he worked as a florist in that city, and then for two years traveled through Cal- ifornia and other western states. He then located at Beardstown, and the two brothers established their present business. In Septem- ber, 1907, Charles Frank married Della Asastin, a native of Pope County, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Frank have one child, Wilma. Charles Frank is a Freemason. Both the brothers are men of ability, devoted to their work, and their advance is steady and certain.
FRANKENFIELD, Henry P., a prosperous farmer and stockraiser whose efforts in behalf of agricultural betterment have advanced the supremacy of Cass Connty very considerably, owns 305 acres of land in section 36, township 19, range 9. He was born in this connty Septem- ber 27, 1876, a son of Theodore and Susan C. (Morris) Frankenfield, the former born at Pritsvault, Germany, and the latter in Cass County, Ill. The father was a farmer and stockraiser. After his death, the mother mar- ried Woodrow Power, and they live at Peters- burg, Ill.
Henry P. Frankenfield was reared on the farm and obtained his educational training in the schools of his district. He owns, as above mentioned, 305 acres of excellent land, 200 acres of which is under cultivation, the remainder being devoted to pasturage and timber. He be- longs to Chandlerville Lodge No. 724, A. F. & A. M., and both he and his wife belong to the Eastern Star. In politics he is a Democrat, but does not desire office. The Baptist church holds his membership in which he is a deacon.
Mr. Frankenfield was married in Springfield, Ill., by Judge Murray on June 15, 1905, to Effie Crafton, born in Mason County, III., No- vember 5, 1SSS, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Lane) Crafton. They were born in Mason County, where the mother, dicd March 10, 1913,
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and where the father is still residing. Mr. and Mrs. Frankenfield have one daughter, Edna Pauline, who was born September 15, 1906.
GAILEY, Darwin S., M. D., a physician and sur- geon of Ashland, is one of the best examples of the skilled medical man of his generation to be found in Cass County. He was born at Pren- tice, Morgan County, Ill., January 2, 1876, a son of Dr. William Watson and Mary E. (Sinclair) Gailey, natives of Newcastle, Pa., and Sinclair, Morgan County, Ill. The father was a physi- cian and surgeon who located in Morgan County soon after the Civil war, where he died Sep- tember 27, 1911. The mother lives at Jackson- ville, Ill. Their children were as follows: Byron S., who is of Jacksonville, Ill .; Darwin S. ; E. P., who is an attorney at law at Houston, Tex. ; Marsh D., who died in infancy; W. W., Jr., who is a physician of Bloomington, Ill. ; and Rowena, who is a resident of Chicago,
Darwin S. Gailey attended the University of Michigan and the Chicago College of Physicians and Surgeons, and after receiving his medical degree began practicing at Ashland on June 20, 1897. A few months later he went to Utah, and spent six months at Ogden, after which he returned to Ashland and resumed his practice. He is admittedly the leading physician of this place.
On September 25, 1897, Dr. Gailey was mar- ried to Lee Elmore, born in Morgan County, Ill., a daughter of V. C. and Elizabeth Elmore. Dr. and Mrs. Gailey have two children: Elmore and Dana Elizabeth. Dr. Gailey has served as a member of the town board, and was president of that body for some time, and at present is president of the board of education. A Repub- lican, he has been his party's district commit- teeman for many years. In every relation of life, Dr. Gailey has proven himself a man of worth, and his value is appreciated by his fel- low townsmen.
GAINES, Lawrence B., general passenger and freight agent of the C. P. & St. L. Railroad, at Virginia, is one of the substantial railroad men of Cass County, and one whose work in con- nection with his -chosen calling is of a nature not only to gain him promotion, but to enhance the value of the traffic on his road. Mr. Gaines was born in Cass County, on a farm. July 6, 1SSO, a son of Preston F. and Emma (Bateman) Gaines, and the youngest of the four children born to his parents. These parents came to Cass County, Ill., about 1855. The father en- listed for service in the Civil war, from Mor- gan County, and served for four years, His death occurred in 1898. when he was fifty-six years old. The mother survives, making her home at Virginia.
Lawrence B. Gaines secured his educational training in the schools of the county, and began railroad work at Virginia. Ill., in the employ of the B. & O. Railroad. From there he went to Jacksonville, where he spent a year, and then for another year was at Little Indian, Ill. Once
more he went with the B. & O. Railroad, and in April, 1904. he took charge of his present station, and has continued here ever since, giv- ing universal satisfaction. During the fifteen years he has been in railroad work, Mr. Gaines has proven his ability, and gained a host of warm supporters.
On December 25. 1902, Mr. Gaines was mar- ried to Clara Wyatt, a daughter of Fenton and Alice (Carver) Wyatt, and they have one son, Farrell. Mr. Gaines is a member of the Masonic fraternity. The Methodist church is his re- ligious home, and he enjoys promoting its ben- evolent work and extending its influence.
GARM, Robert H., cashier of the First State Bank of Beardstown, and a man widely and favorably known throughout Cass County as a man of highest probity and excellent financial standing, was born at a point six miles east of Beardstown, August 30, 1854, a son of Henry and Mary D. ( Haywood) Garm. The father was a native of Hanover, Germany, while the mother was born in Cornwall, England. The latter came in childhood to America with the family of John H. Harris, who arrived in Cass County, Ill., in 1842. Henry Garm came to Cass County in young manhood. and here married. Until 1SGS he was a farmer, but in that year moved to Beardstown, where he engaged in a grain business, later, with his son, Robert H., embarking in a clothing business. they continu- ing together until the father's death. August 11, 1902. The mother later moved to Springfield, Ill., where she now resides, being now in her eighty-fourth year. They had the following children : John T., who is of Beardstown; Joseph E., who is of Joplin, Mo. : Mary E., who is Mrs. Dr. T. P. Norbury, of Springfield, Ill. ; Frank, who died in 1889: and Robert H.
Robert H. Garm, when only eighteen years old, was associated with Nathaniel Benneson in a clothing business at Beardstown. Two years later Christian Pilger bought the Benne- son interest, and Mr. Garm and Mr. Pilger con- tinued together for two years, when Mr. Garm became the sole proprietor. and continued as ' such for ten years, when his father became his partner. After his father's death Mr. Garm sold his interest to his brother and accepted the position of cashier of the First State Bank of Beardstown, and has held it continuously since 1893.
On April 4, 1898, Mr. Garm was married to Tillie C. Dutch, a daughter of Richard and Alice Dutch. natives of England. They have two children: Roy Il., a physician of Beardstown ; and Clifford C. Mr. Garm is a member of the Methodist church and has held all the church offices, including that of trustee, and has acted. as such since 1904. For nine years he served on the city school board, and during one term was mayor of Beardstown, during which time the city had a sound. businesslike administra- tion. Fraternally he is a Mason, is a member of the Commandery, and has held many offices in that order, now being treasurer of Cass
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Lodge No. 123. He also belongs to Ark Lodge No. 16, I. O. O. F .; and additionally is identified with the Knights of Pythias, No. 207 ; the Court of Honor, and the Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. He is secretary of the Beardstown Build- ing & Loan Association, and since 1904 has been chairman of the board of managers.
GARNER, Hanson A., a prosperous farmer of Cass County and one who stands well among the agriculturalists of his section, resides on township 18, range 11, section 30, where he owns forty-five acres of excellent land. He was born in Cass County, September 24, 1858, a son of William S. and Nancy M. (Crews) Garner, born in Cass County, Ill., December 16, 1837, and in Sangamon County, Ill., October 20, 1837, re- spectively. The father belonged to a pioneer family of Cass County and was reared amid the stern conditions of those early times. He de- veloped into a judicious farmer and responsible man.
Hanson A. Garner attended the schools of his district and adopted farming as his life work. With the exception of three years during which he served as postmaster at Chandlerville, 1900- 1903. he has spent his life upon farms and is well versed in agricultural work. In political views he is a Republican, while his religious faith makes him a Methodist, and he is a liberal supporter of his church.
On September 17, 1903, Mr. Garner was mar- ried, in Cass County, to Mary E. Richard, born March 4, 1871, and they have had the following children : William A., Evan R., Walter, Harold and Lucile. Mr. Garner is a man of kindly disposition, who is content to take the world
On March 25, 1847, in Cass County. Ill., by Rev. George Rutledge, of the Methodist Epis- copal church, Mr. Gatton was married to Miss Sarah C. Miller, who was born at Madison. as he finds it. His friends are many, and his . Ohio, May 18, 1822. a daughter of Arthur St. enemies few, and wherever he goes he is sure of a hearty welcome for he is one whom all kind of men like and want to know.
GATTON, Zachariah W .- While nearly twenty years have passed since the death of Zachariah W. Gatton, there are many who still remember this old-time Illinois River pilot, agriculturist and banker, who contributed greatly to the ad- vancement and development of Cass County dur- ing his long and useful career. He was born in Allen County, Ky., November 13. 1812, but was only fourteen years of age when bronght to Cass County, and here the rest of his life was passed in participation in the events which marked the development of one of Illinois' most prosperous and flourishing counties.
Thomas Gatton, the father of Zachariah W. Gatton, was born in the state of Maryland. in 1774, and was five years of age when taken by his parents to Kentucky. There he engaged in merchandising when he had attained mature years, but in 1826 disposed of his Kentucky interests and came to Illinois, settling in the north part of Morgan County, which afterward became Cass County. He opened the first store in that locality, it being situated east of the pres- ent site of Little Indian station, and on Septem- ber 18 of the same year he entered the west 1/2,
northwest 14, section 35, township 17, range 10, and subsequently eighty acres in section 33, township 18, north, range 10, on which the old I. M. Stribling homestead now stands.
Zachariah W. Gatton received his early edu- cation in the subscription schools, this being supplemented by several years of attendance at the public schools, and his boyhood was passed on the home farm and in his father's store. When a grown youth he qualified as a pilot on the Illinois River and during the several years in which he followed that vocation, made his home at Beardstown. However he soon returned to the pursuits of agriculture, and being very industrious and persevering succeeded in the accumulation of a large and valuable property adjoining the city of Virginia on the east. In his later years he branched out into other fields of activity, becoming particularly well known as a banker. He was one of the founders of the Farmers National Bank of Virginia, the first National bank in Cass County, of which he was for a number of years president. A man of the strictest integrity in all the affairs of life, he bore an honorable reputation among his asso- ciates and in his death, which occurred July 29, 1896, his community lost one of its best and most helpful citizens. Mr. Gatton was a mem- ber of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Hle was politically an old line Whig until the or- ganization of the Republican party and then joined that organization and remained its stanch supporter until his death.
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