USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 56
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Charles I. Haskell grew to manhood under the paternal roof, and received his early educa- tion in the public schools of the neighborhood. Beginning at the age of twelve years, he assisted his father in the mill, and continued a
helper until he enlisted for service in the Civil war, January 4, 1865. in Company K, Thirty- third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being as- signed to the Sixteenth army corps. He served nearly a year, and, although not under fire, was a witness of the battles of Fort Blakeley and Spanish Fort while going down the Mississippi River. The boat that carried them, the James Watson, struck a snag and sank, at the mouth of White River, March 3, 1865. Mr. Haskell was injured in the back, and was taken to a New Orleans hospital, where he was confined for some time. His regiment was encamped on Bayou Beff on its way to Mobile, and was discharged at Vicksburg, January 1, 1866. Mr. Haskell proceeded to Springfield, where he received his final papers and was paid off and returned to Virginia, Cass County. He is a member of Stephenson Post No. 30 G. A. R. of Springfield. For about a year afterward Mr. Haskell was not very busy, but in 1867 he became a clerk in the general store of Stephen- son & Bergen, for whom he worked until 1869. In that year, together with Charles Gatton, he bought out the grocery department of Stephen- son & Bergen, and later sold to Dunaway & Raybourn. Afterwards he went to the East, spending a year in traveling and visiting in the vicinity of the old Haskell home in New Eng- land. After returning to the West, he clerked tor Joseph Stephenson, at Carlinville, for about a year, engaging then in the hotel business at Carlinville. This he disposed of in 1873 and then went to Decatur, where he was employed in the old Illinois Central Depot Hotel until the spring of 1875.
On May 25, 1875, at Virginia, Ill., Mr. Haskell was married to Mary C. Cole, who died Decem- ber 17, 1897, and was buried at Virginia. She was a daughter of Robert and Kathryn (Soule) Cole. They had one child. John R., of Pitts- field, Ill., a wholesale tobacco clerk.
Politically, Mr. Haskell is a Democrat. He was appointed postmaster by President Cleve- land and served as such during both Cleveland administrations. He held the office of deputy sheriff of Cass County eight years, four years under Sheriff Widmayar and four years under Sheriff F. E. Shweer. For thirteen years he served as alderman of the Third Ward of his native town. Fraternally, Mr. . Haskell is a charter member of the M. W. A. and has been long connected with the I. O. O. F. He belongs to the Christian church, of which he is a trustee. After a long. industrious, honorable and useful life. Mr. Haskell is now living in retirement. respected by all who know him, and in the quiet enjoyment of the competence he has so worthily acquired.
William Haskell. a great-uncle of Charles J. Haskell. introduced the first chain pump ever brought into the state of Illinois.
HENDRICKER, Charles F., was born in South Beardstown. Ill., June 14, 1850, a son of Fred- erick and Elizabeth ( Kuhl) natives of Saxony. Germany. who came to Cass County about the
Ora Shankland and wife
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year 1830 with Christian Knhl, the grandfather. The parents married in Beardstown, and settled along the Illinois River where there were five children born, and then moved to another farm in Cass County, where the mother died in 1867. Frederick and Elizabeth Hendricker had the fol- lowing children: Conrad and George, both de- ceased ; Christian, of Quincy, Ill. ; Mary (Mrs. George Valentine), of Burlington, Iowa ; Charles T .; Elizabeth (Mrs. Andrew Councilman), of Chicago; and Caroline (Mrs. John Schuch- man), of Wichita, Kan.
Charles F. Hendricker remained with his parents up to the time of his marriage, having attended the public schools of Beardstown for some time, and was with his father at the time of the latter's death. He was united in mar- riage September 21, 1871, with Sophie Amelia Jockisch, born in township 17, range 11, a daughter of Angust and Snsan Jockisch, he of Germany, she a native of Pennsylvania. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hendricker have been as follows: Frank, deceased; Amelia L. (Mrs. George Eads), of Mason County, Ill .; Arthur, deceased ; Sarah, who died in infancy; Mrs. Ida Henry, of Cass Connty ; Elmer, of Pike County, Ill. ; Bessie, of Carlinville, Ill .; Hattie (Mrs. Andrew Larsen), of Havana, Ill .; Julia, at home; Rudolph, of Cass Connty ; Ida (Mrs. Felix Krohe) ; and Lydia.
Mr. Hendricker resided on the old home place after his marriage for about five years, then moved to Virginia, Ill., bought a farm and lived there six years. Then he sold out and moved to Sherman County, Kas., where he purchased 160 acres of land. Eight months afterwards he sold this and moved to St. Charles, Mo., and following this for some time went about look- ing for a satisfactory location on which to settle, and in 1890, bought an eighty acre farm, where he has since lived. To this he has added until it contains 270 acres, 108 acres in the home place being under cultivation, and sixty- two acres in bottom land. He is a large raiser of melons.
Mr. Hendricker is a member of the Pentecost Nazarene church and is superintendent of the Sunday school. He votes with the Prohibition party.
HERRMANN, George F., who is the owner of 360 acres of fine land in township 18, range 9 1. in Cass County, Ill., and is considered among the foremost grain farmers of the township, is a native of Illinois, born in Mason County, Decem- ber 6, 1858. Mr. Herrmann is of German extrac- tion, his parents, Frederick and Catherine (Smith) Herrmann having been born in Ger- many, and both emigrated to the United States in early life and located at Beardstown. Ill., where they were subsequently married. Moving from there to Bath, Ill., Frederick Herrmann opened a shoemaking shop, which he conducted several years, then purchased a tract of prairie land east of Bath, and improved it. This he cultivated for ten years, and then sold and moved west of Medora, Ill., where he bought 360
acres, on which he was engaged in farming for twenty years. At the end of that period he moved to Cass County, Ill., township 18, range 9 n., and bonght 160 acres of improved land, to which he later added 240 acres, now owned by George F., with whom he resided during the later part of his life. Frederick Herrmann was born in 1824 and died in 1902; his wife died in January, 1889. The children of Frederick and Catherine Herrmann were as follows : Leonard, of Mason Connty, Ill .; Henry, deceased ; Kath- erine (Mrs. Lonis Roloff), of Havana, Ill., Jose- phine (Mrs. William Kirchner), deceased; and George F.
George F. Herrmann attended the public schools of Mason County, Ill., in his youth, and remained at home until his marriage on March 2, 18$2. On that date he was wedded to Kather- ine Mohlenfruck, who was born in Beardstown, Ill. After his marriage, George F. Herrmann farmed for two years in Mason Connty, then moved to his father's farm of 240 acres in Cass County, which was willed to him, and to which 120 acres has been added by purchase, the whole being in one body. About 250 acres of this is under cultivation, the remainder being in pas- ture and timber. The cultivated portion is de- voted to grain raising.
In politics, George F. Herrmann is identified with the Republican party. His religious con- nection is with the Lutheran church of Chand- lerville, in which he has officiated as a steward since 1904. In all respects, Mr. Herrmann is a first-class man and a most worthy citizen, and his wife a most estimable lady. Both are much respected, and have numerous friends.
HESS, John Henry, a prosperous farmer and stockraiser of section 15, township 18, range 12, is one of the substantial men of Cass County. He was born in Germany, July 17, 1869, a son of Henry and Catherine (Eckstein) Hess, natives of Germany. A history of the Hess family is given elsewhere in this work.
Jolm Henry Hess attended school in Ger- many, and from childhood worked on farms. When he was twelve years old he was brought to the United States by his aunt who accom- panied him to Beardstown, where he joined his father who had previously located there, and he has remained in Cass County ever since. When the father married a second time. John Henry gave his step-mother obedience and care, and lived at home until his marriage. He now owns forty-six and three-fourth acres of land and rents eighty acres more, all of which he operates and with good results. He has always been a Republican, but has never sought office. The German Lutheran is his church.
On November 3. 1904, Mr. Hess married Emma Elizabeth Schroeder, who was born Feb- ruary 10, 1885, and died April 7, 1914. a daugh- ter of W. F. and Mary (Blnm) Schroeder, natives of Germany and Cass County, re- spectively. Mr. and Mrs. Schroeder live at Beardstown. Mr. Hess has always been an in- dustrious, thrifty man, and possessing a pleas-
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ant, genial manner, has many friends among those with whom he is brought into contact.
HESS, Mrs. Mary, lias proven in her success- ful work at farming and dairying that her sex is fully competent to conduct large interests and provide for those dependent upon them. Mrs. Hess was born in Germany, January 28, 1861, a daughter of Christian and Margarette (Gunder) Blum, farming people, who were born in Germany. When she was twenty-one years old, Mrs. Hess came alone to Cass County from Germany, and on May 14, 1SS3, married Henry Hess, who was born in Germany, May 14, 1845, a son of Henry and Catherine (Bellhour) Hess. During Mr. Hess' lifetime they lived on a farm near Concord for eighteen months; then moved to one near the Stock school in Cass County, but a year later went to Beardstown and bought a home, going then into the dairy business, but as Mr. Hess' health failed, they returned to farm life. The change did not prove beneficial, how- ever, and he died, leaving his widow with seven children, the oldest being but ten years old. Many women would have been discouraged, for the long illness of Mr. Hess had reduced their finances, and when left a widow she had to com- mence at the bottom. She was brave and re- sourceful, however, and continued in the dairy business and engaged also in farming. As her children grew older, they gave her assistance, so that she made visible progress, and now owns a very valuable farm of 394 acres on which she still carries on farming and dairying. Mrs. Hess also owns 160 acres in the Beardstown South Drainage District. The Lutheran church holds her membership.
Mr. and Mrs. Hess had seven children, as fol- lows : Louis C., Charles F. W., Hattic M., Frank J., Zelma M., Rudolph and Mabel E. Mrs. Hess is a very industrious and capable business woman and deserves full credit for what she has accomplished in the face of so many serious discouragements.
HIERONYMUS, Charles V., dealer in groceries, china and pianos, is one of the progressive busi- ness men of Beardstown. He has attained his present responsible position in his community through the exercise of native ability and astute business methods. He was born in Washington County. Ill., August 18, 1875, a son of Charles C. and Louisa (Neunlist) Hieronymus. The father was born in Germany and learned to be a miller in his native land. He came to the United States and prospered as a miller and became the owner of elevators, The mother was born at Okawville, Ill.
Charles V. Hieronymus began attending school at Mt. Olive, Ill., but completed his course in the Beardstown graded schools. He learned the milling trade under his father and worked at it for several years, but then invested in a grocery stock, and has been a grocer for four- teen years. Later he added the handling of china and of pianos, to meet a demand which
was steadily increasing, and has made these new lines pay, through energetic and honest business methods.
In 1892, Mr. Hieronymus was married at Beardstown to Elizabeth C. Greve, born in Cass County, April 3, 1876, a daughter of Anton and Mary ( Pauk) Greve, natives of Germany and of Cass County, respectively. Mr. Greve was in a cigar and tobacco business. Mr. and Mrs. Hieronymus have three children : Verna Maria, Arthur G., and Lucile Elizabeth. Mr. Hierony- mus belongs to the Lutheran church, He is a Democrat but not active in politics, confining himself largely to his business affairs. His genial nature and pleasing manner have been important factors in his success, for those who know him appreciate his friendly personality and enjoy patronizing his store.
HILES, James Arthur,-A flourishing industry of Virginia, Ill., which has been developed through the energetic methods and tireless in- dustry of its proprietor is the ice business conducted by James Arthur Hiles. A man of more than ordinary business ability he has been true to each engagement, and his standing in his community is that of a helpful and public- spirited citizen. Mr. Hiles was born at Vir- ginia, Cass County, Ill., December 4. 1STS, and is a son of James and Isabelle ( Paschell) Hiles, the latter of whom was born at Virginia, Ill. The father of Mr. Hiles came to Illinois from Camden, N. J. He settled on a farm in Cass County, where he engaged in agricultural pur- suits until his removal in 190S, to Atlanta, Cowley County. Kan. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows. To James Hiles and his wife were born the following children : Harry, who died in infancy : Charles and Archie, who are deceased; Nellie R., who died at the age of twenty-six years; James Arthur; Sarah Elizabeth ; Franklin C., and Maggie, who died at the age of seventeen years.
James Arthur Hiles received his education in the public schools, following which he took up the vocation of farming. After about six years he returned to Virginia and embarked in a livery business, but two years later disposed of that interest and went to Carney, Lincoln County, Okla., where he spent four years in farming, and subsequently went to Kansas and was engaged for a time in farming at Burling- ton. Later he sold his western interests and returned to Virginia, where he has since pros- pered as the proprietor of an ice business. His ice houses are SOx100 feet in dimensions, and have a capacity of 1500 tons. Mr. Hiles is a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Modern Woodmen, and has held several offices of im- portance in his lodge. His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church.
. On December 20, 1899, Mr. Hiles was married to Nellie G. Willett, a daughter of Taylor and Mary (Ratliff) Willett, and they have one son : . James Leo, a student in the public schools of Virginia.
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HILL, Chancey, who has won the approval of his neighbors by his farming methods, is one of the leading agriculturalists of Cass County and his fine farm of 144 acres is one of the best in this section. He resides on section 9, township 18, range S, but was born about seven miles west of Chandlerville, this county, February 25, 1854, a son of Amasa and Mary Ann (Streeter) Hill, natives of Ohio. Amasa Hill came to Cass County in 1842, and after locating at Beards- town began making wagons for a man named Fisher, and after a year with him, Mr. Hill and his brother started a wagon shop' of their own and continued in this business for some years. He then began farming and spent the balance of his life as a Cass County agriculturalist.
Chancey Hill attended the schools of his dis- trict and was taught farming by his father. He knows nothing about his maternal grandparents as his mother met with the loss of both her parents when a child. It is known that the Streeter family was coming from Ohio to Illinois, in a covered wagon, and had neared Springfield, when Mr. Streeter died and was buried by some strangers. Mrs. Streeter died later. Other members of the Hill family were: Ellie, deceased ; Amanda, William H., and Hor- ace, deceased.
Chancey Hill was married in Cass County January 1, 1878, to Lucy F. Schaeffer, a daugh- ter of Henry and Sophia (Stone) Schaeffer, natives of Sangamon County, Ill., where Mr. Schaeffer was a stockteeder and farmer. He died in Fremont County, Iowa, and she in Atchinson County, Mo. There were eight chil- dren in the Schaeffer family: George, Charles, Sophronia, Sophia, Della, Myrtle, Channing and Lucy F., now Mrs. Hill. Mrs. Hill was born May 4, 1857. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have no chil- dren. Until 1SSS, Mr. Hill farmed in Cass County, but in that year went to Iowa and con- tinued to farm and feed cattle for twenty years, then returned to Cass County, and located on the old farm, where he is engaged in the same line of farming and feeding cattle and hogs. Mr. Hill is a quiet, unostentatious man who is able to accomplish much without making any fuss about it. He is a Democrat in his political convictions, while the Cumberland Presbyterian church holds the religious membership of him- self and wite.
HINES, Harrison .- Besides a long and active identification with industrial affairs at Beards- town, Cass County, and in addition to taking a leading part, for many years, in all that per- tains to the fulfillment of civic and social duties imposed on him by the community, Harrison Hines is entitled to especial mention as one of the few honored survivors of the gallant host who served their country in the field from the beginning to the end of the Civil war. Few, indeed, of the names herein contained are en- titled to more distinction.
Harrison Hines was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., February 19, 1841, a son of Henry and Betsy (Howard) Hines. the father a native of Rhode Island, the mother of New York.
Henry Hines, a carpenter by trade, located in Aurora, Ill., in the spring of 1843, and worked as a carpenter until the time of his death, about 1SS4. His wife passed away in 1878. When he was but ten years old, Harrison Hines began to do farm work, attending the district schools of the neighborhood at intervals, and later, be- came a pupil in the Aurora Business College. His life passed on without notable incident until April 6, 1861, when he enlisted in Company K, Forty-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he remained with the army of the Tennessee until the end of the struggle. He participated in the battles of Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and the siege of Corinth, and was also in the siege of Vicksburg. He volunteered his services in running the blockade of Vicksburg on the steamer Anglo Saxon, which was successful. For this brave feat he justly cherishes a letter of commendation from General Grant, in which he was granted a thirty days' furlongh with transportation home and return. At Shiloh. Mr. Hines received a gunshot wound in his left leg, and at Vicksburg his head and right arm were lacerated by a piece of shell. He took part in Sherman's march to the sea, and the last battle in which he was engaged was that of Benton- ville. N. C. He marched in the grand review at Washington, D. C., and was honorably dis- charged from the service July 15, 1865. Return- ing to Illinois, he went to work as a carpenter, engaging with the C. B. & Q. Railroad Company, and within two weeks was made a foreman. In 1869 he was transferred to Burlington, Iowa, and after remaining there two years, was sta- tioned at Ottumwa, Iowa, where he stayed until August. 1880, when he was transferred to Beardstown, Ill., where he has charge of a force of mechanics averaging 200 men.
On February 9, 1869, in Chicago, Mr. Hines was united in marriage with Nettie Thronson, a native of Norway, and a daughter of Andrew Thronson. They have had the following chil- dren : Russell, of Laramie. Wyo .; Myrtle M. and Edgar, both deceased; Nettie (Mrs. Victor Schmitt). of Beardstown: Augustus, of Los Angeles, Cal .: Grace (Mrs. B. F. Miller). of Laramie, Wyo .; Mabel, a teacher in the public schools ; and Ralph M .. at home.
Politically, Mr. Hines has taken an inde- pendent course in late years. He has rendered efficient public service, having been president of the school board of Beardstown for twenty voars. He is a member of the Congregational church, in which he has officiated as a deacon since 1889. Fraternally, Mr. Hines is affiliated with the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Beards- town, and the Commandery, at Rushville, and is also identified with Ark Lodge No. 16 I. O. O. F., of Beardstown. His military service is per- petuated in memory by membership in MeLean Post No. 97 G. A. R. He has had a busy, useful and highly honorable career, and in his advanc- ing years, still commands the unqualified respect and esteem of all those who appreciate those sterling traits of character that have adorned his life.
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HINNERS, Hon. Albert Edwin .- Among the native sons of Cass County who have taken an important part in the affairs pertaining to the civic government of Virginia, one, whose con- tributions to the public welfare have been helpful and lasting, is Albert Edwin Hinners, who is now serving in his third term as mayor. He is also well known in the field of journalism, being the editor of the Virginia Enquirer, of which he has been the owner since January 1, 1911. Mr. Hinners was born June 22, 1873, on his father's farm, near Arenzville, Cass County, Ill., and is a son of Henry and Matilda (Be- naught ) Hinners.
Henry Hinners was born in Hanover, Ger- many, October 18, 1840, and as a young man learned the trade of machinist which he fol- lowed in his native land until reaching the age of twenty-six years. In 1866 he emigrated to the United States, and for a time was engaged in the milling business but subsequently turned his attention to farming. He continued to be successfully occupied as an agriculturist until 1905, in which year he moved from the farm to Virginia, and is now living in quiet retire- ment. Mrs. Hinners was born in Hesse Castle, Germany, April 17, 1839, and came to the United States with her parents when she was six years of age, the family settling in the locality known as the Sand Ridge, near Petersburg, Menard County, Ill. She has been twice married, her first husband, also named Henry Hinners, having been an uncle of her present husband.
Albert Edwin Hinners was graduated from the Arenzville High school in 1891 and from the Western Normal College in 1896, and passed his boyhood and youth on the home farm. He inherited some of his father's mechanical skill and showed a predilection for farm mechanics, but later went into the educational field and taught three terms each in the ungraded or country schools and in the graded schools, and. following this was appointed principal of the Chandlerville High school. In 189S he was elected county superintendent of schools of Cass County, on the Democratic ticket and served two terms, or eight years, and later acted for more than three years as deputy sheriff of Cass County. On January 1, 1911, he purchased au interest in the Virginia Enquirer, of which he became sole owner in November of the same year, and has continued to edit and publish this newspaper to the present time. It circulates throughout Cass and the surrounding counties. and under Mr. Hinners' capable management has become one of the leading Democratic organs of this part of the state. Always a stalwart Democrat, Mr. Hinners has been active in the ranks of his party, and has been, on several occasions, the candidate of the organization for public office. In 1905 he was first elected mayor of Virginia, serving one term, and in April, 1913. was again chosen for that office. His care- ful. businesslike and entirely efficient administra- tion of the city's affairs won him a re-election in April, 1915, and he has since continued to devote his best efforts to the material interests
of the city of his adoption. Mayor Hinners is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is well known in fraternal circles, being past master of the A. F. & A. M. ; past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias : past sachem of the Improved Order of Red Men; and a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, the Order of the Eastern Star and the O. S. O. E.
Mayor Hinners was married at Chandlerville, Cass County, January 19, 1899, to Miss Emma Anna Friedrich, who was born at Chandlerville, November 12. 1875. Mrs. Hinners' father started in the boot and shoe business at Chandlerville in 18€0 and is now at the head of the oldest business firm of that city. To Mr. and Mrs. Hinners there has been born one son, Carrol Friedrich, September 24, 1910.
HOFSTETTER, William Chris .- One of the pros- pering business enterprises of Virginia, Ill., which controls an excellent trade in this village and the surrounding country is the Hofstetter- Carls Lumber Company, the president and man- ager of which, William Chris Hofstetter, is known as an energetic and enterprising business man and a citizen who has done much to develop the community's commercial and in- dustrial interests. Mr. Hoffstetter was born on a farm in Cass County, Ill., December 24, 1865, and is a son of Bartholomew and Fannie (Hardy) Hofstetter.
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