USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 58
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
906
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
JACOBS, Henry .- The present county clerk of Cass County, Henry Jacobs, has been before the people of this county in an official capacity since the year 1904, when he was made city superin- tendent of schools of Virginia. Prior to this time he had been engaged in teaching, and. had fairly earned a reputation for ability in his pro- tession and fidelity in the performance of duty. His city superintendency was followed by eight years of excellent work in the office of county superintendent of schools, and in 1914 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the position of county clerk. His incumbency of this office to date has been characterized by labors the quality of which promise that his reputation for capable and honorable public service will be fully maintained.
Henry Jacobs was born at Virginia, Ill., June 4, 1874, and is a son of Robinson and Eliza Jane (Murray) Jacobs. His mother, who was born at Virginia, April 17, 1839, is still living in the house in which she was born. Henry Jacobs was given excellent educational advantages, attend- ing the graded and high schools of Virginia, and the University of Illinois, from which he was dnly graduated. He at once entered upon his career as an educator, his first school being at Bluff Springs, Cass County. In 1898 he was appointed principal of the Chandlerville High school, a position which he retained until 1901, when he accepted a like appointment at Vir- ginia, and held it until 1906. In the meantime, in 1904, he was made city superintendent of schools, and retained this office until 1906, in which year he was elected county superintendent. of schools, and at the end of his first term of four years received a re-election. At the close of his second term, Mr. Jacobs published a 200- page book entitled "Cass County Public Schools, 1906-1914," a timely and interesting illustrated volume, which is a valuable addition to the educational literature and history of Cass Connty. as it includes an itemized and detailed account of every school in the county. In 1914 Mr. Jacobs became the Democratic candidate for connty clerk, to which office he was duly elected and in which he has efficiently served.
At Virginia, Ill., Angust 15. 1901, sIr. Jacobs was married to Mame D. Wyatt. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Wyatt, pioneers of Illi- nois. Three children have been born to this union : Edith Bernita. in 1903; Donovan Wyatt. in 1905, and' Henry Homer. in 1911. The family home is pleasantly situated on lots 1. 2 and 3, in Elizabeth Thompson's Addition to Virginia.
JOHNSON, Arthur L .- The subject of this per- sonal sketch and his interesting family are well and favorably known to the people of Virginia. Cass Connty, Ill., in the vicinity of which he carries on farming, although for a time, in recent years, he lived in another state. His farm is situated in township 1S, range 10, ad- joining the village of Chandlerville, and con- sists of 240 acres of farmuing land, and eighteen acres of timber. The details of Mr. Johnson's family relations and the conditions of his earlier
life may be found more fully iu a record of his brother, George M. Johnson, which appears in this volume.
Arthur L. Johnson is a native of Cass County, where he was born September S, 1876, a son of Richard and Sarah (Plaster) Johnson. The father spent his life in farming. During his youthfnl period, Arthur attended the Chandler- ville High school, and received a fair education. After his school days were over he remained at home while his parents were living. When they passed away he inherited the homestead aud applied himself to the management of its inter- ests. In 190S, however, he leased the home property and rented a farm in Oklahoma. There he stayed two years, and then returuing, has ever since been engaged in raising grain and stock on the paternal land, in all 25S acres.
On November 28, 1901, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Nancy A. Harbison, who was born January 28, 1SS4, a daughter of Moses and Lydia F. (Mason) Harbison, the father a Kentuckian, and the mother's birth- place being in Cass County. Mr. and Mrs. John- son have two children. uamely : Mabel Frances, born September 9. 1903; and Richard Moses, born April 19, 1907. In politics Mr. Johnson acts with the Democratic party, and has ren- dered efficient service as a school director since the year 1911.
JOHNSON, George M .- On both paternal and maternal sides the ancestry of George M. John- son, who is well known in Cass County, dates back to an early period in the history of west- ern Illinois. His own birth occurred in Masou County. Jannary 28, 1859, that of his father, Richard M. Johnson, taking place in the samue county. while his mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Ann Plaster, was born on the Sanga- mon bottoms in Cass County. The paternal grandparents, Jonathan and Rosanna Jolinsou, were natives of Tennessee, as was Thomas Plaster, the maternal grandfather,. who was among the first settlers of Cass County, where he acquired considerable tracts of land.
Jonathan Johnson and his wife located in Mason County in the early stages of its settle- inent, and soon after their marriage, Richard M. Johnson, their son, and his wife made their home there also. In 1861 they moved to the Sangamon River bottom, where Richard M. se- cured several hundred acres of bottom land, also owning eighty acres on the bluffs. At first he lived in a log house, later building a fine. large brick house from brick made to order, and un- der his own supervision. He died July 11, 1901, at the age of sixty-seven years, his wife having passed away in 189S. Their children were as follows: George M .: Carrie E., who died wheu eighteen years old; John T., of Cass County, Ill. : Andrew. deceased, at the age of twenty- four years ; Ella and Ida, deceased at the ages of seventeen and thirty years respectively ; Ar- thur Lee. who lives on the home place : and Addie (Mrs. James Wing), of Cass Connty.
In youth George M. Johnson attended the dis-
907
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
trict schools, and remained at home until his marriage, which took place May 1, 1881, at which time he wedded Naomi Showalter, a na- tive ot Cass County, and a daughter of George and Clarissa (Graham) Showalter, natives of Virginia. Atter his marriage, Mr. Johnson lived on a portion of his father's place where he has since continued. On the latter's death, 140 acres of the home place was lett to the son, also twenty acres in Mason County, and nine acres near Chandlerville. He has added to the home- stead property until he now owns 240 acres on the lower Sangamon River bottom. He culti- vates all the land, being engaged in general grain farming. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have three children, namely : Pearl ( Mrs. H. M. Dillon), and Alfred, both of Cass County ; and Lloyd, who is at home.
Politically Mr. Johnson belongs to the Dem- ocratic party. In 1907 he was elected commis- sioner of the Mason and Cass Drainage District, in which position he has since served contin- uously. Wherever Mr. Johnson's acquaintance extends, he is regarded with much respect, and is considered one of the leading citizens of the community in which he lives.
JOKISCH, George Frederick, a general farmer of Cass Connty, residing in township 17, range 9, is one of the very substantial men of this sec- tion and belongs to one of the old pioneer fam- ilies of 1835. He was born near Arenzville, Cass County, November 2, 185S, and is a son of Charles Traugott and Mary (Carls) Jokisch. The father was born in Saxony and the mother in Hanover, Germany, and they accompanied their parents to the United States and were married in Illinois, afterward settling near Bluff Springs in Cass County, where the mother yet lives, the father being deceased. His busi- ness was farming. They had the following chil- dren : Louis H., who lives at Bluff Springs ; Philipina and Edward, both of whom are de- ceased ; Albert W. and George Frederick, both of whom live in Cass County; Emma, who is Mrs. Charles Wilson, of Virginia, Ill .; Mrs. Elizabeth Hageman, who is deceased; John, who died aged three years; Richard, who lives at Blutt Springs; Cora, who resides with her mother ; Tillie, who is Mrs. Charles Jones, of Bluff Springs: and Ida, who is deceased.
George Frederick Jokisch attended the dis- trict schools in boyhood and remained at home assisting his father until his marriage, after which he lived one year on his father in law's tarm and then spent two years south of Virginia and two years south of Philadelphia, afterward renting his present farm for two years, when he purchased 280 acres, 200 of which lie in Cass . and eighty in Morgan County. When the farm came into his possession he began to make im- provements and remodeled all the buildings then standing and erected others and has the whole place in fine condition. General farming has been his main industry and he also raises Poland China hogs. Since the spring of 1914, his son Louis works the land in Morgan County,
while his son Fred gives his assistance on the home place.
On November 2, 1SS2, Mr. Jokisch was mar- ried to Anna Mary Lee, who was born at Bluff Springs, April 1, 1862, a danghter of Lycurgus and Luvina (Ream) Lee. Mrs. Jokisch died February 2, 1914, the mother of the following children : Eva, who is the wife of Arthur Rey- nolds, of township 17, range 9; Louis, who lives in Morgan County; Mary, who is the wife of Frank Newell, in Morgan County ; and Fred, who lives with his father. Mr. Jokisch attends the Methodist Episcopal church. In his political views he is a progressive Republican. He has many friends over Cass and Morgan counties and is fraternally identified with the M. W. A. ot Ashland and the Court of Honor, of Prentice, in Morgan County. He has always been a friend of the public schools and has served as school director since 1890.
JOKISCH, Morris, a well known man in Cass County and a large landowner, for many years has given considerable attention to grain farm- ing and found it profitable. He was born near Bluff Springs, Cass Connty, September 23, 1849, a son of Charles G. and Elnora (Carls) Jokisch. Charles G. Jokisch was born in Hanover, Ger- many, and was about sixteen years of age when he accompanied his father and grandfather to the United States and to Cass Connty, Ill., about 1834. He married Elmora Carls, who was born in Hanover, Germany, and came to Cass County with her father. Atter marriage they settled on land which the grandfather of Mr. Jokisch had secured from the government, and he finally owned 200 acres of as fine land as can be found in the state. Charles G. Jokisch died in the spring of 1893 and his wife died in 1900. They had the following children : Mary, deceased ; Morris; Philip, of Bluff Springs, Ill. ; Matilda, now deceased, was the wife of Henry Loomis; Amelia, who is the wife of Edward Hackman, oť Cass County ; Edward, of Cass County; and Harry, of Harriman, Ore.
Morris Jokisch attended the district schools and was a student for one year in the Beards- town Academy. He remained assisting his father until his marriage, after which, for six years, he lived on a part of the home place, then bought 200 acres in township 17, range 9, Cass County, which was partly improved. He has added land until he now has 326 acres, 160 acres in another part of the township and has 320 acres in Trail County. N. Dak., which one of his sons conducts. Mr. Jokisch has always managed his home farm himself, on which he has a fine residence of ten rooms.
On December 4. 1873. Mr. Jokisch was married to Mary Musch, born December 6, 1854, in Cass County, and died here April 28, 1910, her burial being in the Virginia cemetery. Her parents were John and Obedina (Lippert) Musch, the father a native of Germany. The mother was born on the ocean and was named for the ship on which her parents were coming to America. The following children were born to Mr. and
20
908
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
Mrs. Jokisch : Howard, Robert and Elmer, all farmers, the last named conducting the 160-acre farm: Grace, wife of William F. Allison, of Philadelphia, Ill .; Reuben, a farmer in North Dakota ; Lloyd, living at home; Arthur and Albert, twins, both at home; and Lena Mae, living with her father. There are eight grand- children in the family. Mr. Jokisch and family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. In pol- ities he is a Republican.
JURGENS, Henry G., an enterprising farmer of Oregon Precinct, township 18, range 9, is the owner of a rural property that is increasing in valne every day owing to his efforts, Mr. Jur- gens was born at Oldenburg, Germany, Novem- ber 9, 1878, a son of John and Mattie (Balster) Jnrgens who, in 1SS1, came to the United States and located in Menard County, Ill. There John Jnrgens worked as a farm hand nntil 1893, when he moved to Cass County, buying land in Oregon Precinct, where he and his wife still re- side. They have had the following children : Fred, who lives in Iowa; Mary, who is Mrs. Joseph DeGroot of Missouri; Henry G .; Carl and Herman, both of whom are of Oregon Pre- cinct ; Willie, who is of Menard Connty, Ill .; and Emma and Lonis, who are at home.
After receiving a district school education, Henry G. Jurgens began farming for himself at the age of twenty-one years, npon rented land, thus continuing for nine years. In September, 1910, he bought eighty acres in Oregon Precinct, township 18, range 9, where he is placing his land under cultivation. On this farm he has erected a number of snitable buildings, and takes pride in his premises and work.
On October 25, 1904, Mr. Jurgens married Phebe Dinkle, born at Tallula, Ill., a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Stall) Dinkle, of Ger- many. Mr. and Mrs. Jurgens have had the fol- lowing children : Freda, Alma, Edward, Lena, and Harold, who died July 25, 1914. Mr. Jur- gens is a Lutheran in religions faith. He is a Republican, and is serving as a school director, a practical, sensible man who commands gen- eral respect.
JURGENS, John, proprietor of one of the finest farms in Cass County, has attained to his pres- ent prosperity through the exercise of his own talents and laborions efforts to attain the end in view. He was born at Oldenburg, Germany, July 7, 1846, a son of John and Grace M. (Hnn- dorf) Jurgens, who died in their native land.
When he was only ten years old, John Jur- gens had become self-supporting, and in 1882, realizing the better agricultural opportunities offered in the United States, came here, and soon after his arrival settled in Cass County, where he worked by the month and day at farm labor. This he continned for fonr years, and then rented land in Menard County. After a few years there he came back to Cass Connty, and bought 123 acres of land at Oregon Point, township 18, range 9, which he has made into one of the most valuable rural properties to be
found within the bonndaries of the connty. On it he carries on general grain farming.
While living in Germany, Mr. Jurgens, on February 17, 1875, was married to Anna Mar- garet Balster, born in Germany, Jannary 30, 1854, and their children are: Fred, who is of Iowa; Mary, who is Mrs. Joseph De Groat, of Missonri ; Henry, Carl and Herman, all of whom are of Cass County, and William, Emma and Louis, who live at home; and five who died in infancy. There are sixteen grandchildren in the family. Mr. Jnrgens belongs to the Lutheran church. His political views make him a Demo- crat. A man of sterling principles, he has tried to live np to what he believes is right. and he enjoys the full confidence of all with whom he has dealings.
KEIL, Henry C., mayor of Beardstown and for many years prominent in mercantile circles, is admittedly one of the leading men of Cass County. He is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, where he was born November 7, 1848, a son of John and Elizabeth (Moell) Keil. While in his native land he learned the tinner's trade, and not finding the opportunities he de- sired in his native land, left it for America on March 15, 1867. After a short stay in New York City, he seenred employment in a manufactnr- ing plant at Whitestown, L. I., where he worked at his trade for a year. He then came to Illi- nois, locating at Jacksonville, where for three years he continued to work at his trade. In 1870 he settled in Cass County and for a year worked on a farm. Preferring work at his trade, however, he came to Beardstown, and worked as a journeyman tinner for fonr years, then, on March 1. 1875, he embarked in a tin business on his own account, and was so very successful that in 1880 he added a hardware line, now being the oldest hardware merchant in Beardstown. He handles shelf and light hardware, stoves and similar stock, and does all kinds of plumbing.
On January 14. 1877, Mr. Keil married Miss Sophia Weiss, who was born in Cass County, a daughter of John and Catherine (Hahn) Weiss, natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Keil became the parents of the following children: Alma, who is Mrs. John G. Pratt of Virginia, Ill .; Ar- thur J., who is assisting his father in his store; and Edwin L., who is on his father's farm in Cass County. The mother of these children died in February, 1907. On June 10, 190S, Mr. Keil married Miss Emma Ortwein, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Schneider) Ortwein. Mrs. Keil is a native of Beardstown.
While Mr. Keil's educational opportunities were confined to instruction received in the pnb- lic schools of his native land, he is a very well informed man and stands very high with his fellow citizens. He is an honored member of the German Lutheran church, as are the family, and has been a trustee of it for many years. For three years he served the Third Ward as alderman, and in 1899 was elected mayor, serv- ing nntil 1907, and in 1909 he was re-elected
P.o. Shiles.
909
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
mayor of the city, and has served continuously ever since. Mayor Keil is a man of steadfast purpose, one who has steadily forged his way to the front, and his success in lite has been honestly earned through individual effort.
KENDALL, Orren .- The development of farm land requires hard work and persistent en- deavor, but the results justify the expenditure of time and money, especially_in Cass County. One of the men who is making farming a pay- ing business is Orren Kendall, of township 18, range 10. He was born in Menard County, near Oakford, Ill., January 5, 1844, a son of George N. and Margaret (Ogden) Kendall, natives of New York state and of Massachu- setts, respectively. George N. Kendall came to Springfield in 1833, when still a lad. He learned the carpenter and cabinetmaking trades, but later on was engaged in farming, in Menard County, although he also worked at carpenter- ing. His agricultural operations were con- ducted on his own farm in Menard County, which, originally, was a portion of the farm owned by Amos and Abigail (Lansburg) Ogden, his wife's parents, who, natives of New York state, were among the early settlers of Menard County, Ill. Mrs. Kendall died about 1853, in Menard County, and ten years later, Mr. Kendall and four of his children came to the Sangamon River bottoms in Cass County, where Mr. Ken- dall bought a farm of 240 acres of land, 120 acres of which were in the bottoms, and the remainder on the bluffs. This property orig- inally belonged to the parents of his second wife. The death of Mr. Kendall occurred in August, 1902, in Cass County, when he was nearly ninety years old.
Orren Kendall received his educational train- ing in the Hickory district school, and resided with his father, until his marriage, in 1879. The year prior to this he had bought 168 acres of land, 12S acres of which were in the bottoms, and forty acres on the bluffs. On this he erected all the buildings, and now carries on farming and stoek raising, specializing on the latter industry.
On July 11, 1879, Mr. Kendall was married by Rev. J. Roach, to Sarah E. Hess, born in Mc- Donough County, February 5, 1857, a daughter of Isaac and Caroline (Collins) Hess, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, both of whom died in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Kendall moved to their farm after their marriage, and it has con- tinued to be their home. Their children are as follows : Edna, who is Mrs. Floyd Bankus, born August S, 1886, lives on the homestead where her husband works ; and Velda C., born October 11, 1890, who is at home. Mr. Kendall has been a justice of the peace for many years, and also has served as a school director. He is a Prohibitionist in political faith. Mrs. Kendall is a member of the Presbyterian church.
KENNEDY, Charles Fletcher .- The story of a successful career, when its details are truth- fully unfolded, affords a lesson for imitation to
those who are standing at the threshold of youth. One of the substantial citizens of Beardstown, who has developed into a whole- some example to follow, is Charles Fletcher Kennedy, a prosperous clothing merchant of this city, located at No. 203 State street, on the public square.
Charles Fletcher Kennedy was born on a farm in Sangamon County, Ill., February 10, 1871. He is a son of Fletcher and Mary (Fisher) Kennedy, both of New Jersey. Fletcher Kennedy came to Illinois with one of his brothers when a boy, belonging to a family of twelve children, all trace of whom was lost.
Remaining on the farm in Sangamon County until he was nineteen years old, Charles Fletcher Kennedy then moved to Waverly, Mor- gan Connty, and went to work in a clothing store, where he obtained his first experience in that line. In 1898 he located in Beardstown, starting a dry goods business which he con- tinued until 1907, when he added clothing to his stock, dealing afterward also in china, tin- ware, light hardware, etc., until 1912. In that year he closed out everything but clothing and gents furnishing goods, which he has since han- dled exclusively. The store is under the imme- diate management of Mr. Kennedy and is con- ducted under the name of the New York Store, three clerks being employed. The stock is well selected and of good grade and the business re- ceives close attention and commands a satisfac- tory patronage.
Mr. Kennedy was married December 10, 1895, to Miss Edith Church, a daughter of C. E. and Jane (Hutchinson ) Church. They have three children : Jane, Lester and Hazel, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Kennedy is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he serves on the board of trustees, and officiates as assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. He takes an active interest pertaining to the work of the church. In the matter of fraternal orders, he is affiliated with the I. O. O. F. He is a public spirited citizen, and at a recent meet- ing of the Beardstown Business Men's Associa- tion was made president of that body, and is a director in the Beardstown Building and Loan Association, with which he has been connected for four years. In the spring of 1913, he was elected a member of the board of education.
KIEHL, Edward .- The business interests of Beardstown are conserved by some of the most reliable and progressive men of this part of the state, and among them no one stands higher than Edward Kiehl, grocer and merchant. He was born in Brown County, Ohio, .Mareh 17, 1860, a son of Joseph and Caroline (Wolf) Kielil, natives of Germany. The father learned the baker's trade in Germany, and came to the United States when seventeen years old, landing at New Orleans where he worked dur- ing the ensuing winter, and when the river opened, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and there worked at his trade for several years. He then
910
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
married and located at Ripley, Brown County, Ohio.
Edward Kiehl was educated in the common school of Brown County, and learned the trade of a baker. Coming to Illinois, he established himself in a bakery business in La Salle County, but after three years sold it, and in 1SS9 estab- lished another bakery at Beardstown. This he conducted for eighteen years, when he disposed of it, built a store and went into a grocery busi- ness, and has continued in this line ever since, meeting with a well deserved patronage.
Mr. Kiehl has never married, his sister Caro- line keeping house for him and assisting him in the store. He has two brothers and two other sisters, namely: Mrs. Josephine Smith, a widow, of Chicago: Joseph, of Louisiana ; Mrs. Adeline Kelly, of Kentucky; and John, of New York City. Mr. Kiehl owns his residence at No. 410 Jackson street. He is a Democrat but has never held any political office. Fraternally he belongs to Beardstown Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., and Beardstown Lodge No. 207, K. of P.
KING, Jesse E .- With the advance in civilized conditions among the living has come the desire to make more fitting the services rendered to the dead. The progressive undertakers of today are meeting the demand by providing equip- ments and learning methods which insure sani- tation and which make of a necessary observ- ance a dignified ceremonial. One of the men who is engaged in the undertaking business at Virginia, is Jesse E. King, who also carries a complete line of furniture, pianos and rngs. He is a native of the county, having been born here July 13, 1876, a son of Marens B. and Margaret (Spencer) King, most excellent people of Cass County. His father was a farmer. He was educated in the country schools. His early life was spent on a farm, and then for four years he was engaged as a clerk in a furniture store and undertaking establishment at Virginia. In 1895 Mr. King bought the establishment from his former employers and has since conducted it. In order that his patrons might have the best of service, he took a course in embalming and undertaking in Chicago and St. Louis, and put his knowledge to practical use for a short period in the latter city. It may be said that during the almost twenty years that J. E. King has been in the undertaking business that he has never had an accident, which fact very few can say. His stock of furniture, pianos and rugs is a fine one, and he does a large business along these lines.
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.